Help! The cunning and treacherous minister and I were reborn together!

Yuan Zhi pulled Chu Lanyin out and asked what had just happened.

Chu Lan leaned against the railing and winked at her, "Jiaozhou is the territory of the King of Wu. The two of them are putting on an act to try and surrender to you."

In his previous life, Yuan Zhi was obsessed with palace intrigue and didn't know much about officialdom. He opened this restaurant in order to gather information from officials and their families so that he could curry favor with the county princess.

Now that I'm actually there, I've discovered there's a lot of intricacies and jargon involved. Even getting revenge for her is like writing an article, with a beginning, development, climax, and conclusion.

"Miss Sun's father is the Vice Minister of Revenue, and Miss Qin's father is the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief. Both of them hold high-ranking positions. Why are they trying to curry favor with me?"

Chu Lanyin said, "Miss Sun is my close friend. Her father supports Prince Jin and has always been at odds with Prince Wu. Miss Qin was also invited by her, hoping to use Qin's father to suppress Prince Wu and, incidentally, help you vent your anger. However, she is not doing this for you, but rather through you to win over your cousin to serve under Prince Jin."

As for Miss Qin, her father came from a poor family and offended many powerful figures in his early years as a censor. He had been in his current position for ten years without a promotion. Even his protégé, Lord Feng, held the same rank. How could he not be anxious?

Yuan Zhi leaned on the railing, her eyes shining brightly. "So that's how it is! I never imagined that the intricacies of officialdom could be so interesting!"

"I hope my cousin-in-law won't blame me for playing along with this act."

"I'm selling you out too! Look at all these rooms, filled with noble ladies who want to be your sister-in-law. They're all shrewd and capable. You're going to have a tough time as the sister-in-law!"

The two looked at each other and laughed.

After a long pause, Yuan Zhi wiped away the tears of laughter and asked, "If I don't mention the word 'marriage,' how do you plan to steer the conversation towards Jiaozhou?"

Chu Lan laughed until her stomach hurt, "Then let's make up another story!"

"Fine, I give up."

As the song and dance began, the women in the private rooms gradually came out. Yuan Zhi gave them his seat, said a few words to Madam Liang, and went downstairs to the main hall.

Is there anything unusual?

"I haven't found out yet, boss. Is it really possible that someone will come to cause trouble?"

Yuan Zhi was uncertain. "It's better to be safe than sorry. It's always better to be cautious."

Before the last word had even finished, a man in tattered clothes suddenly appeared outside the door and barged in without saying a word.

The waiter hurriedly stopped the newcomer, "Sir, you can't come in!"

"Isn't this a restaurant? I'm here to have a drink, why can't I come in?"

"The guests inside are all very important. It's inappropriate for you to be dressed like this. Why don't you go home and freshen up first, and then come back?"

The man shoved the waiter, sending him sprawling. "Get out of here! What's with all the fuss about being a fuss over nothing in a place to drink!"

Yuan Zhi saw that the man's hands were smooth and delicate, unlike those of a beggar, and that he must be there to cause trouble. He ordered his thugs to drag the man out.

The man shouted, "Someone's been assaulted! The owner of Weiyanlou is assaulting someone!"

"You scoundrel!"

The guy rolled up his sleeves, ready to rush out.

Yuan Zhi grabbed him, "I'll take care of this! You go inside and tell the musicians to put in more effort, make sure all the gongs, drums, and wind instruments play together, play as loud as you can!"

"Yes!"

The man's voice was extremely loud, attracting a crowd of onlookers. Yuan Zhi stepped out of the door and came to the front of the crowd.

She said with tears welling up in her eyes, "Fellow villagers, I opened a tavern here just to make a living. I never expected that on my first day of business, I would encounter a rogue who was dressed in rags and kept cursing, scaring away several of my customers."

My colleague tried to reason with him, but not only did he ignore it, he also attacked and injured him. He broke one of my colleague's ribs, and then tried to hit me. Now he's even falsely accusing us. Although I'm just a weak woman, I won't let anyone bully me. Even if it means going to the authorities, I'm not afraid!

The man roared, "Don't talk nonsense! I just pushed him, I didn't kick him, and I certainly didn't hit you! You're framing me!"

Yuan Zhi's tears fell like pearls, one by one.

"Everyone heard it, he admitted it himself, he pushed my guy!"

The man frantically explained, "No, I really didn't hurt anyone, don't be fooled by her!"

When everyone saw the beautiful woman with tears streaming down her face, their hearts softened immediately, and they all began to criticize the man.

"Dressed like that, let alone a young lady, even I, a grown man, would be afraid you'd go crazy when you're drunk!"

"That's right! It's not easy for women to do business, and to run into someone like this, if it were me, I would cry even more than the shopkeeper!"

"that is!"

"Aren't you leaving? Are you waiting for the shopkeeper to report you to the authorities and have you arrested?"

If the man knew Yuan Zhi's identity and reported it to the authorities, he would surely die.

Someone threw rotten vegetable leaves at the man, who, feeling guilty, covered his head and ran away, like a rat that everyone wanted to kill!

"Thank you all!" Yuan Zhi smiled through her tears. "I'm sorry for troubling you all. Today is the opening of Weiyan Tower, and I want to share this joy with you all. Go, bring me the copper coins!"

The two thugs returned to the restaurant, and after a short while, each brought out a box of copper coins and distributed them to the crowd.

Just as this group dispersed, the King of Wu's carriage arrived. Yuan Zhi saw Liu Rong among the servants, but his expression remained completely calm.

Two days ago, Xiao Zong told her that Liu Rong had gone to the Wu Prince's mansion. Today, the thugs and servants are on high alert, just for this moment.

Unfortunately, she overestimated their courage. Knowing that the other party was the King of Wu, the group was like mice before a cat.

They can't be relied on; they can only rely on themselves.

That little incident just now was probably an appetizer prepared by the King of Wu.

She ate the appetizers, but she couldn't miss the main course!

"Your Highness, it is an honor to have you here. We are so sorry for not being able to greet you properly!"

"Manager Yuan, I've come to ask for a drink of water or wine. May I come in?"

"There will certainly be plenty of water and wine! However, my place is small and cannot accommodate so many people. Please go in alone, Your Highness."

Li Rui remained noncommittal, then took the riding whip and led Liu Rong forward. "This is my newly acquired servant. I've heard he's an old acquaintance of the Xiao family. Does he look familiar, Madam?"

Yuan Zhi's eyes were icy cold. "The Xiao family has 180 servants and maids. How could I possibly remember them all? If Your Highness says so, then so be it!"

"Since we are old acquaintances, I will take him in. Would Manager Yuan agree?"

"Your Highness, as I said, there is no place for him inside."

“He can go to the back kitchen of the wine cellar and help you out. He won’t stand in the lobby and won’t cause you any trouble.”

"The wine cellar and kitchen are overcrowded and can't accommodate him. I think it's better for him to stay outside!"

Li Rui cracked his whip, "Don't refuse a polite toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!"

There was not a trace of fear in Yuan Zhi's eyes. "If the punishment wine tastes good, what's wrong with me eating it?"

Li Rui, having exhausted all his tricks, cracked his whip and tapped Liu Rong on the back.

"Since Manager Yuan won't let you in, you can say whatever your grievances are here!"

Liu Rong took a white sail from the servant, knelt on the ground, and raised it high.

"I, Liu Rong, accuse the Commander of the Leopard Guard and his wife of indiscriminately killing innocent people, framing servants, fabricating evidence, and abusing their power to bully others! In this peaceful and prosperous age, how can we allow such wicked villains to be in power? I, Liu Rong, am willing to fight to the death to restore a clear sky and bright sunshine to Shengjing City!"