Dad, open the door. I'll bring your mistress back for you.

Wang Mier opened her eyes wide, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, and followed Shen Chuning closely. As she walked, she listened carefully to Shen Chuning's description of the capital.

"Sister Chuning, is the capital city fun?" Wang Mier asked as she took Shen Chuning for a walk on a not-so-bustling street.

"Suzaku Street, right in the heart of the capital, is incredibly bustling. The shops on both sides of the street are overflowing with all sorts of strange and bizarre things. If you really wanted to visit every shop, you probably wouldn't be able to finish the whole day."

"Speaking of restaurants in the capital, it's truly a food paradise! Delicacies from all over Dayong gather here, and each restaurant has its own signature specialties. I like the Huaiyang cuisine at Yun Family Restaurant the most."

"There's a Fengming Mountain outside Beijing. Every first and fifteenth day of the lunar month, the spring on the mountain emits the clear cry of a phoenix, as if a phoenix really lives there. Plus, it's a great place for horseback riding and hunting!"

"Another mountain, Shizun Mountain, is equally fascinating. Hot springs flow down from the mountain, making the flowers on Shizun Mountain bloom first every year."

"..."

Shen Chuning talked about the customs and culture of the capital in detail. Wang Mier listened attentively, and the yearning on her face became more and more intense.

She sighed, "I really want to go to the capital to have a look."

Shen Chuning patted Wang Mier's shoulder gently and said, "You are still young. There will always be opportunities. Lord Wang will return to Beijing every three years to report on his work. You can go with him then."

Wang Mier's eyes flickered with anticipation after hearing this, but then she pouted and complained, "My dad is always like this. He should report back to his duties, but he always finds all sorts of excuses to shirk his responsibilities. The first two times, the Governor did it for him, and I'm afraid it will be the same next time."

Shen Chuning was shocked when she heard this.

When officials return to Beijing to report on their work, it is not just a formal report. Most officials will take this opportunity to visit the Ministry of Personnel and maintain their personal connections.

Through these relationships, they may be able to get the opportunity to be transferred to better positions, or receive some extra care. Some people can even be promoted to a half-grade official position after completing their term of three years.

However, Lord Wang had not returned to Beijing to report on his work twice, which meant that he had been in the position of Fuping prefect for at least six years.

Fuping is not a prosperous city. There is limited oil and water available for extortion in the city, so the only thing left is the sea.

"Fuping is close to the sea, but I don't see many shops selling seafood in the city." Shen Chuning frowned slightly, with a hint of doubt in his eyes.

Wang Mi'er patiently explained, "The Shandong Navy's headquarters is located in Fuping. Fuping Port is considered an important military port. For various reasons, fishermen are strictly prohibited from going out to sea without permission. The few seafood you see on the street now are actually shipped from the neighboring town."

Upon hearing this, Shen Chuning's face revealed a hint of regret. She sighed softly and said, "Alas, I can't even go out to sea. I came here early on purpose, looking forward to going out to sea for a good trip. It seems I can only stay in this city for a few more days."

"Sister Chu Ning, you want to go out to sea so much? Then I'll take you to Cangtan Mansion next door. I heard that there are often fishermen's fishing boats going out to sea there." Wang Mier suggested.

Shen Chuning shook her head slowly. "It's a long journey to Cangtan Prefecture. It will take two days on the road. If we're delayed at sea any longer, we might not be able to make it back for the wedding banquet. I've carefully examined the map, and it clearly shows several islands very close to Fuping. But why are there no fishing boats out to sea from Fuping?"

When Wang Mier heard Shen Chuning mention the nearby islands, her eyes widened in shock, as if she had been extremely frightened.

She couldn't help but glance around quickly. After making sure no one else was noticing them, she quietly approached Shen Chuning and said in a low voice, "I heard from the older maids at home that many years ago, Fuping had many fishing boats that often went out to sea to fish. But because Fuping is so close to the mysterious Ling Island, some careless fishermen would always accidentally stray into the area of Ling Island. Once they entered Ling Island, eight out of ten people would never return. Even if they were lucky enough to return alive, they would not live long."

"Ling Island?" Shen Chuning's face was full of doubts, with curiosity flashing in her eyes. She couldn't help but ask Wang Mier again.

Wang Mier nodded gently, a hint of awe in her expression, and slowly said, "It is said that the Tomb Island is the burial place of ancient immortals. The people living on the island are all tomb keepers who have guarded the tomb for generations, so everyone gave it the name Tomb Island."

Shen Chuning nodded slightly, wondering if this Ling Island had any connection with Lingshan.

Thinking of this, Shen Chuning continued to ask: "Since Ling Island has harmed so many fishermen, doesn't the navy do anything about it?"

Wang Mier explained in a low voice, "The area around Ling Island is always shrouded in thick fog, which seems to contain a deadly poison. The naval commander has always been very considerate of his subordinates and was worried that they might encounter unexpected danger if they rashly went to Ling Island, so he didn't send anyone there. Currently, Ling Island and Fuping are living in peace and harmony."

Shen Chuning slowly stroked her chin, thoughts swirling in her mind.

I don't know whether this naval commander is sympathetic to his subordinates or afraid that his secret will be discovered.

At this moment, the two of them had unknowingly walked to the door of Hengfu Money House.

Shen Chuning raised her head involuntarily and stared at the Hengfu Bank for a few more seconds.

Wang Mi'er, who was standing by, noticed Shen Chuning's strange look and said with a smile, "We originally had two other money houses in Fuping. Since we came to Hengfu Money House, those two have been squeezed out and can no longer operate."

Shen Chuning raised her eyebrows slightly, a puzzled look on her face, "How could it be like this?"

Wang Mier nodded gently and continued to explain, "The interest rate at Hengfu Money House is even higher than what some people charge for secretly lending money at usury. You know, lending money at usury is against the law, but keeping money in a money house is much safer. Besides, even business can sometimes result in losses, but keeping money here is pure profit. There are even some people who borrow money from other money houses and then deposit it with Hengfu Money House to earn the interest. This way, other money houses will only have outflows but no income, and they will slowly collapse."

Shen Chuning frowned tightly. She had opened the Hengfu Bank originally as a trap set for the Third Prince and his gang.

Now seeing so many innocent people depositing their hard-earned money in Hengfu Money House, if this money house closes overnight one day, I wonder how many families will be ruined.

"You are still borrowing money to save. Aren't you afraid that Hengfu Bank will collapse and you won't be able to withdraw the money?" Shen Chuning asked the question in her mind.