I attained immortality through meditation in the Great Qian Dynasty.

Zhao Zian supported her swaying body.

"Sister-in-law, listen to me."

"I'm telling you this not so you'll fight your mother to the death, nor so you'll kneel down and beg for mercy."

"You are Hongyun's older sister, you have the right to know. The Li family... is also your family. You can't be kept in the dark about what happened."

"Zi'an, I'm useless..."

Li Suqin's voice broke.

"It's not your fault."

Zhao Zian interrupted her.

"Sister-in-law, you did nothing wrong. The ones who were wrong were Li Kang, who was addicted to gambling, and Zhang Shi, who only knew how to spoil her son. You have already sacrificed too much for this family; it has never been your fault."

Li Suqin stared blankly at Zhao Zian.

The boy in front of her had grown into a man who could shelter her from the wind and rain, she didn't know when it happened.

Zhao Zian picked up the handkerchief on the table and wiped away her tears.

"Don't cry."

Crying won't solve the problem.

"The most urgent task is to find out exactly how much Li Kang owes and to whom. Although Zhang is despicable, what she said may not be true; she may have exaggerated it in an attempt to force me to pay."

Li Suqin's crying gradually stopped.

"You mean, my mother might be lying to you?"

"That possibility cannot be ruled out."

Zhao Zian nodded.

"But it's also possible that things are more serious than she described. So, I need to go and find out for myself."

"Stay home and don't go anywhere. Wait for me to come back."

"Zi'an, where are you going?"

Li Suqin grabbed the hem of his clothes.

"Those people in the casinos are all unreasonable thugs, you..."

"rest assured."

Zhao Zian patted the back of her hand.

"I know what I'm doing."

Li Suqin released her grip.

"Then you must be careful."

"Um."

Zhao Zian went out the door.

He did not go directly to the casino.

He has better options.

Zhao Zian walked towards the county government office.

The most effective way to deal with local bullies is to mobilize the powerful government.

Two constables were dozing against the gate when they saw someone approaching.

"Halt! Who goes there? Trespassing in the county government office at night? Want to go to jail?"

Zhao Zian took out his waist token from his pocket.

"Jishetang, Zhao Zian, has important business to discuss with Lord Zhang."

"Mr. Zhao...?"

A constable approached.

The name Zhao Zian is no stranger to the county government these days.

They, the low-level yamen runners, had heard about that big case so many times they were practically sick of it.

"So it's Mr. Zhao! My apologies for not recognizing you!"

"I was blind to your greatness. Please come in. Lord Zhang is in his study handling official business. I will go and inform him immediately!"

Zhang Jing was currently looking at a pile of files with a headache.

The town is small, but it has a lot of problems.

Gossip about neighbors, disputes over land, and fights among neighbors.

"My lord! My lord!"

The advisor rushed in.

"What's the matter that you're so panicked?"

"No, sir! It's Zhao Zi'an from Jishetang. Mr. Zhao has arrived! He's waiting outside!"

"Zhao Zian?"

Zhang Jing's eyes lit up.

"Quick! Invite him in!"

He went to greet him personally.

"Brother Zian! What brings you here?"

Before he even arrived, Zhang Jing's laughter drifted over.

"It's so late, I'm really sorry to bother you like this," Zhao Zian said politely.

"What are you saying! Between us, is there any need for such formalities?"

Zhang Jing pulled Zhao Zian into the study and gave instructions to the servants.

"What are you looking at? Go brew my pre-Qingming Longjing tea! Use spring water!"

Upon entering the study, Zhang Jingping dismissed his attendants and personally poured hot tea for Zhao Zian.

"Brother Zian, we hit it off immediately. If it weren't for you last time, I'd probably have lost my official hat."

"Whatever it is, just say it. As long as it's within this territory, I will do my best to help!"

Zhao Zian put down his teacup.

"Brother Zhang, I've come tonight because I have a favor to ask of you."

"I wouldn't dare, please tell me!"

"My sister-in-law's good-for-nothing brother-in-law, Li Kang, has racked up a debt at a gambling den. I want to know exactly which gambling den he owes the money to, and how much it is."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jing laughed heartily.

"Hey! I thought it was something important! This is nothing, leave it to me!"

If the county government wants to investigate a gambler's bad debts, it's just a matter of a word.

"Also, there's something else I'd like to trouble you with, Brother Zhang."

"Tell me, tell me!" Zhang Jing said enthusiastically.

"While you're at it, find out which gambling den owner in town is currently arranging to take a concubine."

"Um?"

Zhang Jing was puzzled.

The first question is reasonable and is for resolving family matters.

The second question is a bit puzzling.

"cough."

"That's not really a difficult matter. But Brother Zi'an, why are you asking about this...?"

Zhao Zian looked up.

"I was just a little curious."

It's happening again!

Zhang Jing was itching to get back to work.

"good!"

"Since it's something you want to know, brother, then it's no problem at all! You wait here, I'll have someone take care of it right away!"

He called out towards the door.

"Someone come here! Bring Liu San over!"

The yamen runners outside the door responded and left.

A moment later, a middle-aged yamen runner jogged into the study.

"Sir, are you looking for me?"

Zhang Jing pointed to Liu San and introduced him to Zhao Zi'an.

"Brother Zian, this is Liu San, the know-it-all of our county government. There's nothing in the city, no matter how trivial, that he doesn't know."

"Liu San, I'm giving you a task now. Go do it immediately, and be quick!"

"Please give your orders, sir!"

Liu San straightened his back.

"Go and find out two things for me. Which gambling den in town owes money to a man named Li Kang, and how much? And which gambling den owner in town is currently preparing to take a concubine? The more details, the better!"

Liu San bowed and accepted the order.

"Yes! I'll go right away!"

Zhang Jing refilled Zhao Zi'an's teacup.

"Brother Zi'an, tell me the truth, what exactly are you planning to do by taking a concubine?"

"This guy who takes a concubine is probably no good. If you really have a grudge against him, you'd better be careful. There are plenty of ruthless and vicious people like him."

Zhao Zian smiled.

"Brother Zhang, what do you think gamblers are most afraid of when they owe money?"

Without hesitation, Zhang Jing replied, "Is that even a question? It's obviously because I'm afraid the casino will come knocking on my door and chop off my hands and feet!"

"Brother Zhang, you're mistaken."

Zhang Jing was taken aback.

"Wrong? Where did we go wrong?"

Zhao Zian put down his teacup.

"What gamblers fear most when they owe money is not having their hands or feet chopped off."

"Oh? What is that?" Zhang Jing asked, looking all ears.

"What they fear most is that the casino staff won't take notice of their hands and feet."

What does that mean?

A gambler doesn't even deserve to have his hands and feet chopped off? What's the casino's point then?

"When a gambler is so corrupt that he is worthless, the casino will turn its attention to his family."

"For example, a young and beautiful younger sister. Or, a daughter who has just come of age."