Lu Zhenxuan, the magistrate of Fengcheng County, was a man of great literary knowledge but somewhat frail in demeanor.
The simultaneous appearance of these two individuals in the main hall was giving him a headache. The "black shop," while thriving in business, had also attracted its fair share of complaints; Yang Lie's Xuanlong Hall, ostensibly a martial arts school, resembled a criminal organization more than anything else.
Standing in the center of the hall, Yang Lie puffed out his chest and declared loudly, "This woman runs a black shop! Surely, Your Honor cannot let such a harmful establishment continue to operate in our village!"
Su Jiao Jiao squeezed out a tear and sobbed weakly, looking pitiful as she said, "Your Honor, please don’t listen to his nonsense. I run my business with integrity, only trying to make a living..."
Yang Lie's face darkened like the sky before a storm as he turned to Lu Zhenxuan and threatened, "Your Honor, my stomach troubles are proof! Do you really think my words are false?"
Flushed with anxiety, Su Jiao Jiao stamped her foot and exclaimed, "Your Honor, this vile man covets my beauty! You must stand up for me, Little Widow!"
Lu Zhenxuan found himself in a difficult position, his brows knitting tightly together as he cast desperate glances at the leisurely Consultant.
Consultant waved him over, and Lu Zhenxuan hurriedly approached. Consultant whispered a few words in his ear.
After listening, Lu Zhenxuan finally broke into a smile. That smile made Su Jiao Jiao feel uneasy; her ears tingled with discomfort.
"Yang Lie, bullying a weak woman will earn you a month’s stay in the black shop. If you can find evidence of any illegal activities involving Little Widow Su Jiao Jiao, I will impose a harsher punishment!"
Lu Zhenxuan thought to himself that when two adversaries clashed, one would surely suffer while the other would be easier to deal with.
He was quite pleased with Consultant's suggestion and wore a smug smile as he awaited the opportunity to reap the benefits.
"Ah?" Su Jiao Jiao was momentarily stunned, her mouth agape in disbelief.
Yang Lie, upon hearing this, let out a furious roar, "Damn Lu Zhenxuan, you..."
Yang Lie stood at the shop with his apprentice, a group of burly men stationed at the entrance, looking fierce and intimidating like guardian deities.
Su Jiao Jiao looked at them, a few black lines appearing on her forehead as she thought to herself, is there really a need for such heavy-handed security?
After a moment of contemplation, she stepped forward and tried to say as gently as possible, "Actually, you don't need to be here."
Yang Lie lazily glanced at her, yawned, and replied slowly, "I don't want to get arrested by the authorities."
"Then can't I just let you go back to rest?" Su Jiao Jiao asked stubbornly.
"Does that mean you're admitting that you're running an illegal establishment?" Yang Lie raised an eyebrow, looking at her with a half-smile.
Su Jiao Jiao turned her head away, pretending not to hear. She thought to herself that if she admitted it, she would never be able to survive in Fengcheng County!
Fuming with anger and her face flushed red, she wondered why such an unlucky person was blocking her path to wealth.
She glared at Yang Lie, who had an air of a young master about him
"You are just a lackey!" Su Jiao Jiao arrogantly lifted her chin, her nostrils flaring as if she were looking down on him. "If you have the guts, go tell the county magistrate!"
Yang Lie gritted his teeth in frustration, secretly vowing to make sure he would "lackey" well enough to ruin this shady establishment's business!
The shop's profits were dwindling, and Su Jiao Jiao was starting to worry.
Although Yang Lie still had a decent appearance, he wore a perpetual frown, as if someone owed him millions. Who would dare to come in?
Moreover, she couldn't even afford to cut corners with the ingredients now... This was a huge loss! It couldn't go on like this!
With a serious expression, Su Jiao Jiao walked up to Yang Lie and blocked his path, saying earnestly, "After closing, I need to talk to you!"
Having said that, she turned on her heel and strode away.
Yang Lie raised an eyebrow, pondering to himself—was she finally about to explode?
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