In the thirteenth year of the Tianbao era: I became Yang Guozhong's eldest son.

"The imperial court sent this county magistrate to govern and ensure the people's well-being, not to beg for food!"

"You come here pretending to be benevolent, feigning hospitality, with the profits you've squeezed from these salt wells in this salt well county. Do you think I'm blind, or that the imperial law is just a decoration?!"

These words struck like a thunderbolt, leaving Madam Tian and Madam Hu dizzy and disoriented.

They never expected that this princess, who lived a secluded life in her inner quarters, would not talk about cosmetics or family matters, but would instead point directly to the county government's accounts and the profits from the salt wells!

How could she be an easily fooled woman confined to her home?

This guy is clearly a nemesis in cahoots with that ruthless magistrate in the front yard!

"Princess, please calm down! Princess, please calm down!" Madam Tian knelt down again with a thud, her voice already trembling with tears. "We women had no such intention! We just... we just..."

"Just what?" Yanhe looked at her coldly. "Just that the magistrate pressed He Liu in the front yard and sealed off the city gate's miscellaneous expenses, and your Tian and Hu families couldn't sit still anymore. So you wanted to sound me out and see if you could get some benefits so I could whisper in your ear and let this matter drop, right?"

Having their thoughts exposed, Madam Tian and Madam Hu were so frightened that they couldn't even speak.

Yanhe did not give them a chance to catch their breath.

Her gaze fell on the hem of Madam Tian's Shu brocade dress, and her tone suddenly became nonchalant, yet it carried a chilling undertone.

"Madam Tian, ​​the weaving technique of this double-threaded Shu brocade you're wearing is quite unique. If I'm not mistaken, it's the work of Liu's Cloth Shop in the south of the city, isn't it?"

Upon hearing the words "Liu Ji," Madam Tian and Madam Hu stiffened abruptly.

Their pupils suddenly contracted, and a hint of undisguised horror flashed in their eyes.

Liu's Residence?

How did she know about Liu's?!

Those are the white gloves that cover the Qing'ao Well tent, the most secret trump card of the powerful families in Yanjing County.

The magistrate in the front courtyard only started flipping through the records last night, so how come the princess in the inner courtyard can casually point out even the name of Liu Ji today?

Madam Tian's voice trembled: "Your Highness...Your Highness has such a discerning eye...This is indeed...the fabric bought from Liu's shop..."

"That's right." Yanhe smiled slightly, a smile that seemed unfathomable behind the beaded curtain. "I heard from the county magistrate that this Liu's Cloth Shop not only weaves excellent cloth, but also keeps excellent accounts. Not only does it get a share of the cleaning fees at the city gate, but it also gets involved in the advance payments for porters, and even some 'odds' in the South Market. It seems that Liu's shop is truly an indispensable 'good place' in Yanjing County."

With a loud "boom".

It was as if a thunderbolt had exploded in the minds of Mrs. Tian and Mrs. Hu.

They finally understood.

The county government wasn't conducting a pointless investigation.

The new magistrate wasn't just eyeing the small amount of meat at the city gate.

They know everything!

He Liu was just a decoy; the real knife of the county government was already silently pressed against Liu Shenxing's throat!

And they, like clowns jumping around, ran into the inner quarters with several boxes of beads to curry favor.

This is practically handing your own neck to someone's blade!

"This humble woman...this humble woman knows nothing about Liu's accounts..." Madam Hu was so frightened that she was incoherent, kowtowing repeatedly. "This humble woman truly only knows about matters within the inner quarters; she knows nothing about matters outside!"

"It's best not to know."

Yanhe suppressed his sneer, and his voice returned to its usual haughty and cold tone.

"Remember this."

"The government office of Yanjing County is a government office of the imperial court. The rules in this county government office are the rules of the Tang Dynasty."

"The county magistrate will investigate the accounts of the front yard item by item. I have also set the rules for the back yard."

"Take back everything you brought me in the same way you brought it."

"Go back and tell your heads of households."

"If the magistrate wants to summon them, he will naturally do so openly and honestly in the main hall of the front courtyard. There's no need for these underhanded probing tactics in the back."

"If this happens again, you will never be allowed to enter this county government office through its side gate again."

"see a visitor out."

As soon as the last two words were spoken, Uncle Wen stepped forward immediately, his voice booming:

"Ladies, please!"

Madam Tian and Madam Hu didn't even know how they got out of the inner hall.

They were drenched in cold sweat, their legs as weak as noodles, and they barely managed to walk out of the side gate of the county government office with the help of the maids and servants around them.

Those gift boxes that were returned untouched felt like hot irons pounding into their hearts.

Once inside the carriage, Madam Tian collapsed onto the soft cushions, her face ashen white.

"It's over..." she muttered to herself, the silk handkerchief in her hand twisted out of shape. "This is no ordinary exiled official seeking refuge; this is clearly a death knell coming to take my life."

"She...she actually mentioned Liu's..." Madam Hu's teeth chattered. "They've already found Liu Shenxing! Quick, go back and tell the master, we can't wait any longer, we have to get Liu Shenxing to settle the accounts, no, we have to get rid of him!"

The horse-drawn carriage sped along the bluestone road of Yanjing County, kicking up a cloud of chaotic dust.

……

The back gate of the county government office slowly closed.

Yang Xuan walked out of the side room, watching the departing carriages, his eyes showing no emotion.

Yanhe also walked out of the inner hall, the coldness on his face gone, replaced by a relaxed smile.

"Now they should behave themselves." Yanhe walked to Yang Xuan's side. "When I pointed out the words 'Liu Ji,' their faces turned pale with fright. They're probably rushing back to report right now."

Yang Xuan nodded, his gaze deep.

"You've completely blocked the soft path to the inner quarters, and you've also dealt them a heavy blow in the heart."

"The front courtyard has the example of He Liu, and the back courtyard has the rules of the imperial clan. Now, the Tian family, Hu Rong, and those behind them have no other way to go."

Cui Shen strode over from the front yard, carrying a newly compiled document in his hand.

"My lord, Princess," Cui Shen said, bowing. "Just now, Pei Zhao reported that as soon as the women of the Tian and Hu families returned to their residences, both families closed their gates tightly. In less than half an hour, Tian Chengyi and Hu Rong quietly left the residence through the back gate and headed straight for the south of the city."

"South of the city?" Ah Fu exclaimed immediately upon hearing this. "Isn't that the direction of Liu's Cloth Shop?"

Yang Xuan narrowed his eyes slightly.

"I finally couldn't sit still any longer."

He turned to look at Cui Shen.

"They're trying to pressure Liu Shenxing. Once he's on the government's radar, the master's first reaction won't be to protect him, but rather to figure out how to shut him up and get him to take the accounts with him."

"Have Pei Zhao and Chen Ye keep a close eye on the south side of the city."

Yang Xuan's voice was deep and powerful, like a sharp blade about to be drawn.

"As soon as Liu Shenxing makes a move, whether he wants to run away or destroy the account, stop him on the spot."

"yes!"

Cui Shen agreed, a glint of excitement flashing in his eyes, and left to carry out the order.