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

"scared you?"

The man held the woman in his arms, patted her back to help her catch her breath, and asked gently.

Hearing the familiar voice, Yuan Zhi turned her head and saw a blurry figure reflected in her teary eyes. Her eyelashes trembled, and tears rolled down her cheeks like broken pearls.

“Xiao Zong…”

"I'm here."

She hugged him and burst into tears, "Waaaaah, I was so scared! You scared me!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I won't do it again next time." He patted her back and coaxed her gently, "I saw you running around so energetically just now, and I thought you were trying to hide the pawnshop incident and were deliberately avoiding me, so I just wanted to tease you."

With tears in her eyes, Yuan Zhi said, "I didn't know it was you behind me. I thought it was those bandits chasing me!"

Xiao Zong cupped her face and squeezed it. Her oval face was fragrant and soft, instantly turning into a sticky rice ball. He got hooked and pinched it a couple more times.

"So you didn't hear me calling you so many times from behind?"

She blinked her big, dark eyes and pouted her cherry-like lips slightly, "It must be because the wind is too strong!"

She refused to admit that she was so terrified that she didn't hear it.

"Is that so?" Xiao Zong said casually, "When I was chasing you just now, I was thinking that you were a true heroine. Not only did you outwit the bandits, but you also managed to escape successfully. You were really amazing! Now that I see you, you're just a little lady who loves to shed tears!"

Yuan Zhi puffed out her cheeks and pushed him away, saying, "You're getting worse and worse!"

She stood up and was about to leave when Xiao Zong, worried that she was angry and wouldn't be able to get into her room that night, went up to her, grabbed her, and led her to the front of the group.

"Dou Zhao, take these people back first," he said, glancing down at Yuan Zhi. "I have something to ask the aggrieved party. I'll be back shortly."

"Oh~"

The brothers drew out their words, teasing the commander.

Xiao Zong feigned sternness, "Are you itching for a beating? Get out of here now, or I'll give you a good thrashing!"

The group said their goodbyes in unison and ran off with the criminals in a flash.

Yuan Zhi asked in confusion, "How did you all end up here?"

Xiao Zong pulled her along slowly, "It's quite a coincidence! Recently, there have been frequent robbery cases in Shengjing. After the government accepted the cases, they only caught a few small fry. Among the victims of the robbery, there was a granddaughter of the Grand Tutor. She believed that the government was not doing its job, so she asked the Grand Tutor to transfer the case to the Leopard Guard."

Dou Zhao and his men had been staking out the place for several days, and only yesterday did they discover that the pawnshop owner was behind it all. I had just finished my duties at the palace, and today I brought them to arrest him, only to run into the lady who was selling off her property!

Yuan Zhi clutched the silver notes in her arms tightly. "You wrote a document, don't even think about taking it back!"

Xiao Zong stretched out a hand, "I can do without anything else, but you have to compensate me for slandering me for corruption and breaking the law!"

"You know everything?"

"Yes, I heard everything the bandit and the shopkeeper said, clearly." He explained, "Some of the gold and silver jewelry in the storeroom was a gift from His Majesty, and some was a thank-you gift from a wealthy merchant I saved before. I never imagined that in my wife's heart, I would be such a wicked and evil person. It truly breaks my heart!"

Yuan Zhi said embarrassedly, "This... is just a temporary measure. How about this, I'll compensate you with one hundred taels?"

She took out a card and placed it in his palm.

Xiao Zong clutched the silver note, pulled her close, and stole a kiss on her cheek.

Yuan Zhi shoved him away, wiping the water stains off her face. "What are you doing? We're still on the street!"

Xiao Zong returned the silver note to her, saying, "Alright, my debt is settled!"

Yuan Zhi stomped her foot, "Vulgar!"

She walked briskly towards Weiyang Street, and Xiao Zong quickly followed. He did not do anything out of line, but escorted her to the restaurant before returning to the Leopard Guard.

The men were still somewhat afraid of Xiao Zong, and only after everyone left did they gather around Yuan Zhi.

"Master, what brings you here at this hour?"

Yuan Zhi pulled out a stack of silver notes, "Here to deliver money!"

"Good heavens! No wonder Lord Xiao had to escort them, otherwise all that money would have been robbed by villains!"

Yuan Zhi froze; he was right!

"How's business today?"

Manager Li walked over and said, "After deducting the rent, the wages of the staff, and the cost of drinks and food, we made a net profit of twenty-three taels."

"This can't go on, we need to think of a solution."

Yuan Zhi looked at Manager Li. This man was introduced by Chu Lanyin. He was honest and reliable, and a master at accounting, but he lacked novel ideas.

She rested her head on her hand and thought for a while before saying, "It's been cold lately, so set up more braziers and buy better quality charcoal. Don't worry about the cost. Our guests are all very precious; if they get smoked once, they might never come back."

I'm planning to dig an ice cellar in the backyard so we can store some ice. Next summer, we can make chilled fruits and cheeses; I guarantee they'll sell well. Manager Li, I'm entrusting these two tasks to you. Remember, the ice cellar must be built before the heavy snow.”

Manager Li nodded, "Don't worry, boss, I will definitely handle it well."

Yuan Zhi summoned his "informant," saying, "You know a lot of people and are very eloquent. I'd like to trouble you to help promote my wine and attract more customers on the day of the heavy snow!"

The informant exclaimed in surprise, "Master, you can brew wine too?"

"Of course I would! Otherwise, how could I dare to open a restaurant!"

Everyone looked at her with admiration, and Yuan Zhi laughed, "Hahaha, I'm just like an old woman selling melons, praising my own wares. As for how it tastes, you'll have to taste it for yourselves."

I'll bring the wine tomorrow. If you like it, we can set up a jar at the entrance. It'll cost two copper coins a bowl, one serving per person, and have them register their names. On the day of the heavy snow, those who come to Wei Yan Lou for dinner with their signatures will get a 20% discount on drinks.

The maid raised a question: "But our restaurant is priced high, catering to dignitaries and nobles. Ordinary people may taste the wine, but they may not necessarily come before the day of the heavy snow."

Yuan Zhi explained, "The prices at Wei Yan Lou are relatively high, but a bowl of wine costs only two coins, which is a good deal for ordinary people. Even if they don't come on the day of the heavy snow, they will still help promote the brand so that such discounts can be offered in the future."

"The 'information channel' added: "There's another benefit. Think about it, what kind of people frequent Weiyan Tower? Being able to drink the same wine as officials and noblewomen, how could the common people not be happy!"

Yuan Zhi's eyes crinkled into a smile, "That's exactly right!"

Luo Mei came in after finishing her errand. "What a lively scene! What are you all talking about?"

Yuan Zhi turned to look at her, "Will I tell you on the way back that everything is settled?"

"It's all arranged. We'll just have to wait for Yue Ding Lou to choose a date for the auction." She handed the silver note to the young lady. "This is the deposit."

Yuan Zhi had barely received it and hadn't even had a chance to warm it up before handing it over to Manager Li.

"Alright, I'm not destined to sit around counting money anymore, I only have the extravagance to spend it all. Let's go, or I'll start to miss you!"

The shop assistants and maids were amused by her and giggled. Even the usually stern shopkeeper, Manager Li, couldn't help but smile and turned his head away.