The daughter of a noble family is reborn, and she is doted on by her godmother.

"The money on display is a consultation fee for the state government."

Yuan Chen calmly explained the purpose of the silver.

"What!" Yuan Chen and Xing Xiaoyu exclaimed at the same time.

"It's actually a bribe to the state government..." Yun Qingjin muttered under her breath, stating the obvious fact.

"Look, Teacher Zhu, your student is really smart." Miss Yuan Chen smiled and shook her head, affirming the other party's statement.

"This... is it really that blatant?" Zhu Ling's lips trembled uncontrollably as he said this.

Seeing Zhu Ling's reaction, Xing Xiaoyu quickly handed him a cup of tea and patted him on the back.

"There's nothing we can do; every city has its own rules," Yuan Chen said helplessly, but this was indeed a common occurrence.

“Some customers felt that this behavior was detrimental to the business of ordinary merchants like us, and they spoke ill of the state officials behind their backs. As a result, that person was driven out of the city. It is said that the customer was robbed by bandits outside the city and unfortunately died.”

"A den of snakes and rats," Yun Qingjin complained at the same time.

"Qingqing, you've really improved. You've been reading a lot lately, and you're using idioms quite well." Zhu Ling understood the meaning behind Yuan Chen's words: "a den of snakes and rats"—that's a really good description.

"Teacher Zhu, don't spoil Qingqing. She's like this every day now, using every new word she learns." Yuan Chen complained a little, but her eyes were full of surprise. The corners of her mouth turned up, unable to hide her satisfaction.

“It’s okay, you can praise the child when they make progress. Ms. Chen, please continue, just say what you have to say.”

Yuan Chen then explained in detail some of the hidden rules in Changgan City: the prefecture government never increases taxes, and the prefecture government encourages merchants to operate, but the merchants all need to cooperate and put on a show so that the prefect feels that he is useful. At the same time, they have to pay a bribe called a consultation fee, because this pretext will never be discovered by outsiders.

If anyone wants to resist, the state government naturally has other means.

“We haven’t actually seen any of the so-called methods. Our neighbors all advised us to be obedient and not to resist the state government’s arrangements. The consultation fee is really not high. Even if the amount is a little less, the state government doesn’t mind. The consultation fee is paid quarterly. If it’s less this time, we can make up the difference next time.”

"But no matter how you disguise it... it's still a bribe, isn't it? Sister Yun allows it? Isn't she the one who hates evil the most?" Zhu Ling was still somewhat skeptical. Even if such consulting fees existed, she didn't believe that this all-powerful sister would succumb to such unfair rules.

Yuan Chen and Yun Qingjin exchanged a glance, and Zhu Ling keenly noticed something amiss in their eyes.

"Can't you tell me?"

"Well... Sister Yun, I also felt it was unfair at first, but Sister Yun's idea is that Changgan City is a transportation hub, and we need the city's special geographical location. Since the consultation fee is not too much, as long as the state government doesn't cause too much trouble, we'll just play along."

When Yuan Chen was young, he had indeed witnessed his parents' efforts in dealing with officials. Now that he was in the same position, he understood even more the hardships his parents had endured.

"That's just how the world is. It's alright. This little bit of money is nothing to us. Actually, Sister Yun said she needs to know some news about officialdom, so this amount of money is fine. We can tolerate each other for now if we don't cross the line. If we go too far, we'll deal with the other party later."

Zhu Ling remained silent for a moment, looking down as if she was thinking about something.

Thinking of something else, Xing Xiaoyu asked, "So today is the day you pay the fees?"

"No, today is actually a bit strange," Yuan Chen replied.

“Actually, we just paid the money a month ago, but we only found out this month that the previous prefect was promoted and we now have a new official.”

"If you changed the official, wouldn't you no longer have to do this?"

Yuan Chen shook his head. "This isn't a rule set by the previous prefect; it's been the rule in Changgan City all along. The prefectural clerk has been working in Changgan City for twenty years, and it's been the same for almost every prefect. He specifically told us that everyone should make the new officials feel comfortable so that everyone's business can do better in the future. The officials all like this kind of grandeur; the prefectural government is protecting everyone and helping us overcome difficulties."

Even Xing Xiaoyu fell silent.

"Qingqing had just left with the fabric when the clerk sent the head constable to give us instructions. Apparently, a new official is taking office today and will be inspecting the area soon. We need to prepare in advance and make sure we don't mistreat this new official."

"If I had known this would happen today, I would have gone to sell the materials tomorrow. Luckily, the officials from above haven't arrived yet."

Yun Qingjin had always been somewhat resentful about this, but for the sake of her mother and sister Yuan Chen's long-term plans, she had always endured it.

She was quite good at enduring things, so every time someone from the prefecture came to her door, Yun Qingjin forced herself to participate. After all, she had to remember this extraordinary sight and one day she would find a suitable opportunity to expose all their crimes.

Zhu Ling was indeed shocked when she received these messages. She kept her head down, seemingly lost in thought.

Just as the group was still inside, the voice of a constable came from the doorway.

"Have all the preparations for Yunji been arranged?"

"We wouldn't dare to be negligent. All the shops are ready, so please rest assured!"

The constable who received her was Xu Huibing. She had been rescued from bandits by Yun Yuke years ago, so she was determined to follow Yun Yuke for the rest of her life. Six years ago, she fell in love with a man named Ding Yue from Yun Ruihe's caravan, and they got married with the encouragement and arrangement of Yun Yuke and Yun Ruihe.

Now the couple has come to Changgan City with Yun Yuke. Xu Huibing continues to help Yun Yuke manage the shop, and her husband also leads a caravan responsible for travel to various places.

Yuan Chen stood up and walked outside, saying in a low voice, "These people don't like outsiders watching them. You guys wait in the shop for a bit; they should be here soon."

After saying that, Yuan Chen walked straight out, and Yun Qingjin also bowed slightly to Teacher Zhu and left.

Once outside, the two saw that the constables and officers at the gate were all familiar faces; they didn't see any strangers.

"Hey? It's Officer Li! Officer, hasn't the new magistrate arrived yet?"

"No! Who knows? Our men came this morning, saying that our informant gave us the message in the middle of the night, saying that the official would arrive today. We've been guarding the city gate for most of the day, but we haven't seen a glimpse of him yet!"

Officer Li at the door looked impatient. He had finished smoking his pipe, so he picked up the pipe and tapped it on the sole of his shoe a few times to empty the ashes.

Yuan Chen chatted with Constable Li for a while. Other merchants in the vicinity also gathered around to inquire about the situation.

"Just who is this newly appointed prefect? ​​Does Constable Li know anything about him?" a merchant asked.

"I don't know! The document from above just says that it was directly assigned by the Ministry of Personnel, and it came with an imperial edict."

Officer Li shook his head and took another puff of his pipe.

"In short, you all need to prepare. After all, it's a new official taking office, so it's always good to be prepared in advance!"

"This new official is really slow to arrive. We've been waiting for them for days, and they're still dragging their feet."

Officer Li's voice was filled with dissatisfaction.

"It's so annoying, even women take this long to give birth."

Yuan Chen and Yun Qingjin lowered their heads to hide their dissatisfaction. Yun Qingjin clenched her right fist, trying hard to suppress her impulse.

"Oh, I didn't expect you to make such a grand show just to wait for me."