Chapter 186

"Commercial Law..." Xu Yuan began to think seriously.

Although he had always looked down on Commercial Law, Lin Wanmo's suggestion made Xu Yuan reconsider.

The greatest advantage is that I can continue improving my Rank Dan Xiu level.

I have already mastered all the methods of Rank Dan Xiu.

To give it up entirely would truly be a waste.

Xu Yuan asked again: "Do you understand Commercial Law?"

The stepmother shook her head.

"I'll ask someone tomorrow."

…

The next day, Xu Yuan returned early to the Zhan City Office and found Qu Jinpeng.

Upon hearing Xu Yuan intended to study "Commercial Law," Qu Lao immediately expressed support: "Commercial Law is a good choice.

Though all methods besides Dao Law are dismissed as heretical, Commercial Law has over the years developed a complete system.

Compared to other methods, Commercial Law is far more profound."

Xu Yuan nodded: "Do you know any senior practitioners of Commercial Law?"

Qu Jinpeng chuckled: "Go find Zhang Laoya—he's an old Commercial Law practitioner."

Xu Yuan slapped his forehead, remembering: "Right, I forgot about him..."

Qu Jinpeng: "But you must prepare yourself—those who study Commercial Law are never easy to deal with. If you want something from them, be ready to pay more.

They never make a losing deal."

After leaving, Xu Yuan called Fu Jingyu and prepared to head to Xie Liu Alley together.

"Xu Yuan." Just as they stepped out, Wan Yun called out to stop them.

"My lord Xie wants you to come see him."

Xu Yuan silently grimaced but went anyway.

"The matter of San San Nianghui..." Xie Qingman was indeed here about Wei Yunhua: "If there's no real crime, release the person."

Xu Yuan said: "They ignored the Sealing Office's seals—that's an affront to the entire Sealing Office's authority!"

This is exactly the kind of case that, once weighed, outweighs a thousand catties and won't stop!

Fu Jingyu stood half a step behind and to the left of Xu Yuan, raising his head to stare directly at Xie Qingman: "My lord, are you using your authority to obstruct the Sealing Office's justice?"

Xie Qingman felt a wave of revulsion.

And her dislike for Fu Jingyu was even stronger than her dislike for Xu Yuan.

"If that's how it is... then let it be your responsibility."

Xie Qingman waved her hand, signaling Xu Yuan could leave.

After Xu Yuan withdrew, Wan Yun entered: "My lord, we can't keep tolerating this."

Xie Qingman snorted: "The Southern Office sent a document—Shanhe Si has asked Zhan City Office to jointly handle a case. Since Inspector Xu is capable and responsible, let him go."

Wan Yun frowned: "This is a chance to gain merit and fame!"

"If Shanhe Si can't handle it and has to ask us for help, this case—is extremely difficult! Shanhe Si is looking for someone to take the blame!"

Why didn't Shanhe Si appeal to higher authorities, but instead request assistance from the Sealing Office?

Xie Qingman believed they were trying to shift the blame onto the Sealing Office.

…

Xu Yuan never intended to keep San San Nianghui's people locked up indefinitely.

But he wouldn't release them just because Xie Qingman said so.

Xu Yuan wanted to bring San San Nianghui under his control—if he released them because of Xie Qingman, all his efforts would be wasted.

San San Nianghui would become Xie Qingman's subordinate.

Song Lu waited outside; seeing them emerge, he stepped forward and asked: "Did she make things difficult for you?"

Fu Jingyu was displeased: "She wanted us to violate regulations and release them—I stood up to her."

Song Lu's eyes flickered with helplessness.

But he shrugged and smiled easily: "It's fine—the combined power of the Fu and Song families means she can't touch us."

…

Xie Liu Alley looked exactly as it had the last time Xu Yuan came.

Lang Xiao Ba stepped forward and tapped the door knocker lightly; the door opened to reveal Bai Hu's maid.

Seeing Fu Jingyu behind the door, she immediately flung it open and skipped back like a butterfly among flowers, calling out: "Young Lady, the client who owes money has really come—

Master Yao, calculate the account quickly!

Brother Liu, guard both the front and back doors—don't let them slip away..."

Xu Yuan almost smiled—this little girl was a great housekeeper.

Fu Jingyu's face stiffened: "When have I ever defaulted on a debt?"

The group reached the back courtyard gate; the little maid emerged again, cheeks flushed, bowing meekly to them: "Forgive the rudeness—my Young Lady has already scolded me."

"Please follow me."

The embarrassment wasn't just Fu Jingyu's—it was Zhang Laoya's too.

The old man sat on a bamboo chair beside Bai Hu, his face full of awkwardness.

Zhang Laoya certainly had money.

No one who studies Commercial Law is poor, because they never make losing deals.

But Zhang Laoya had another nickname: "Old Stingy Zhang."

Never enough to get a good deal.

There's no way he'll pay out of his own pocket.

Bai Hu smiled and said, "This little girl doesn't understand things—forgive us for the trouble. But you've seen the list, so you know she truly has reason."

The clerk beside him handed Fu Jingyu a freshly written invoice.

Xu Yuan caught sight of it with a sidelong glance.

The list, arranged by date, detailed every expense Zhang Laoya had incurred in this courtyard.

At the bottom was today's spending.

Never mind breakfast—this was only half-morning, and he'd already ordered one pot of tea, four kinds of pastries, one incense burner, five jin of fruit, one liang of tobacco, plus one back massage and one leg massage from Miss Bai Hu…

The final total on the list was three thousand four hundred and seventy-five taels!

Xu Yuan's eyelid twitched.

A seventh-rate artisan artifact costs barely two thousand taels.

This old bastard really knows how to spend.

Xu Yuan felt he'd better prepare for a heavy loss if he wanted to learn about merchant cultivation from Zhang Laoya.

Song Lu leaned over, glanced only at the final price, and his eyebrows shot up: "You old man have no sense of boundaries…"

This is bullying an honest man!

Fu Jingyu held back Song Lu and said to Bai Hu, "I'll pay this bill."

Zhang Laoya sighed in relief and cried out, "See? I told you all along—my old friend's student would never break his word!"

You're all short-sighted fools!"

Fu Jingyu added, "Master, hiding here isn't a long-term solution. Why not come with us to the Quesui Office for temporary lodging?"

Zhang Laoya fell silent at once.

The patron had been fleeced too badly—he didn't want to pay anymore.

Xu Yuan stepped forward and said, "If Master feels confined in the office, you may come with us to the Nancheng Patrol Station.

We have authority there."

Zhang Laoya looked at Xu Yuan with suspicion: "What's your real motive?"

"We won't trick you," Xu Yuan said. "You yourself said Fu Dagong is my old friend's student."

Bai Hu quietly brushed nonexistent dust off the table with her sleeve.

Zhang Laoya knew he couldn't stay here anymore—the fox had driven him out.

"Fine," he reluctantly agreed. "Go prepare a carriage. I don't want to be seen."

Song Lu couldn't hold back—what an inflated ego.

But Xu Yuan pointed at Lang Xiao Ba: "Go hire a carriage. I'll pay."

The carriage took Zhang Laoya out of the courtyard.

Bai Hu stood at the door, seeing off the guests, appearing deeply reluctant.

For every guest, the girls of Xie Liu Alley behaved this way.

Her expression was unmistakably genuine.

Once the carriage left the courtyard, Bai Hu turned back inside. The maid had just closed the door when Bai Hu sprinted to her chambers, packed some valuables: "We're closing today."

"I'm going on a long journey. Everything waits until I return."

She abandoned the courtyard and ran off.

A few days ago, her elder brother in the mountains sent word: the river will soon flood Zhan City—avoid it.

(End of Chapter)