In Love With My Fierce Farming Wife!
Chapter 1369 - 5 In Consideration of the Mentor’s Sake (5)

Chapter 1369: Chapter 5 In Consideration of the Mentor’s Sake (5)

Su Ke naturally noticed as well, but his alertness only increased as he calmed himself down, eager to see what exactly Miss Hanmei was up to.

The sands of time trickled slowly away, and as much as Lei Yu was a discerning selector, the number of bracelets brought forward was limited, so she couldn’t be too picky for too long. Soon enough, she had glanced over each of the bracelets.

"Really is a small place, sigh!"

Miss Hanmei heaved a sigh, casually pushing the jewelry box in front of her forward, her face showing a look of regret.

"I had thought that, at the very least, this place, being in the same region as those two who grew up on the local soil, would have one or two good items. I just didn’t expect... sigh!" She said, shaking her head again.

These words made Su Ke raise his eyebrows, and the shopkeeper’s face became unsightly too.

Previously, he had said there were no good items, but in his heart, he knew that among the bracelets he had brought, there were indeed two or three pieces of fine quality!

Since ancient times, there had been an unwritten rule between officials and merchants.

If an official takes a fancy to something in a shop, that’s your good fortune. You should pack it carefully and present it respectfully with both hands. Naturally, the question of payment doesn’t arise!

However, most officials who care about their reputation generally don’t just show up and openly take the shop’s finest items. After all, who in office wouldn’t fear being caught by the short hairs, right?

If there really were an official brazen enough to show up unannounced, the shopkeeper would also follow tradition, offering some good items mixed among the inferior goods. This way, those officials would naturally pick out the few quality items that had been prepared for them. The other party would be satisfied, and the loss could be controlled within a range that the shopkeeper could accept. Why not do it?

It’s just that he hadn’t anticipated that this technique would fail to work today!

Was it because the client’s tastes were too sophisticated to value such merchandise?

This thought barely emerged before the shopkeeper’s face cleared a bit. He then put on a fawning smile.

"This young lady truly does honor the distinction of coming from the Capital City, with such extraordinary discernment. Our humble rural shop truly cannot produce goods of the quality found in Shengjing. Therefore..."

Before he could finish, Miss Hanmei, having heard these words, said no more and instead stood up, giving Su Ke a respectful bow.

"Ah! If that’s the case, then let’s forget about it."

Having said this, she turned to leave.

"Wait a moment!"

Su Ke knitted his brows and turned back to look at the shopkeeper: "Although this place is said to be a modest rural shop, could it really not have even two Treasures of the Shop to offer? As long as the shopkeeper is willing to part with them, the price is negotiable."

Could it be that this official had some vulnerability that the other party was exploiting?

The shopkeeper’s mind whirred, and his face momentarily showed hesitation: "Well... there is one item. However, that’s something which a young lady already paid a deposit for, expressly asking to reserve it..." He looked conflicted.

"The price is negotiable."

Su Ke, not wanting to hear any more evasion from the other side, reached into his bosom and drew out a stack of silver banknotes, placing it in front of the shopkeeper.

Miss Hanmei’s eyes suddenly narrowed to pinpoints, then quickly relaxed, as if nothing had happened. But inside, her emotions were already overturning rivers and seas.

The stack of silver banknotes was stamped with the seal of the Ministry of Personnel; as long as one was within the boundaries of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the banknotes could be used to withdraw current silver from any branch of the affiliated silver goods shops! However, the appearance of such banknotes in a rural area was truly a surprise to the shopkeeper!

Immediately, his eyebrows twitched: "Well then! I shall just have to cast aside this old face of mine! Please wait a moment, the two of you!" It seemed the shopkeeper had made up his mind, so he bowed and turned to leave.

Left behind, Miss Hanmei and Su Ke remained silent, immersed in their own thoughts.

Little Shitou, who was with Su Ke, came up to report: "My Lord, County Magistrate Liu and Vice Commander Zhou are requesting an audience downstairs."

"Now?"

Su Ke was somewhat surprised; before leaving the government office, he had instructed County Magistrate Liu to come and report at once if there was any news. Could it be that there had been some developments?

"Quickly invite the two of them up!"

County Magistrate Liu and Vice Commander Zhou arrived quickly. "Lord Su, regarding the investigation you ordered, we now have some leads!"

"Oh? Report them to me at once!"

Su Ke’s face immediately brightened with excitement!

"Yes, my lord."

County Magistrate Liu glanced at Miss Hanmei and noticed that she seemed uninterested in their conversation, standing by the window, examining the bracelets and seemingly not drawn in by the trio’s discussion. Seeing that Lord Su hadn’t asked her to leave, he hesitated for a moment but still reported.

"Reporting to my lord, my colleagues and I have found that this matter appears to be intricately connected to the Ning Family. However, the capabilities of this small county office are limited, and we are unable to delve deeply into the crucial connections. We know very little; so..."

"So, the Ning Family has already decided to interfere?"

Su Ke’s voice carried anger as he rapidly analysed the possibilities involving the Ning Family.

The Ning Family had been giving money and gifts to His Majesty at the start of his reign. They had chosen their side early during His Majesty’s campaign to seize power.

Thus, despite His Majesty clearing the Court of adversaries several times, combing through them as one would use a fine-tooth comb, it was only people from the Ning Family, with their significant power and wealth, who remained elusive like loaches, leaving no handle to grasp onto.

Upon leaving the palace, His Majesty also seemed to have his suspicions about the Ning Family. This was evident in the special instructions that included the Ning Family!

Hearing County Magistrate Liu say this, it was no wonder that Su Ke’s face looked quite displeased.

"...Lord Su, perhaps you should personally speak with the people from the Ning Family?"

County Magistrate Liu carefully offered his suggestion.

"Speak? There’s nothing worth speaking about. Hmph! The Ning Family’s reach is becoming far too extended, unexpectedly ignoring even the commands of this Imperial Envoy. Send the order down, give them another three days. If the Ning Family remains indecisive, I will report directly to the heavens, letting His Majesty and the Empress make the decision!"

Su Ke was visibly angry.

He wanted to say more, but unexpectedly, an intruder arrived just at that moment!

Lei Yu, as if swallowing gunpowder, suddenly stormed up to the second floor with a burst of anger.

Before Su Ke could make sense of the situation, Lei Yu started quarrelling with Miss Hanmei...

Her commotion caused a scene and left Su Ke utterly embarrassed.

Then, leaving behind a mess, she walked away with long strides...

Su Ke’s face turned from pale to flushed, only by clenching his fists could he suppress the urge to strangle her.

Was this Lei Yu his nemesis?

Why did she have to come at the most critical moment, neither earlier nor later?

Cursed!

If it weren’t for the sake of his mentor, for his mentor’s sake...

He would certainly not let her off easily!

After such an interruption, Su Ke no longer felt like continuing to listen to what Miss Hanmei had to say and stood up to head downstairs.

"Lord Su, are you really leaving just like that?"

Miss Hanmei hurried after him, calling out to Su Ke loudly.

Su Ke stopped and turned to look at her: "Miss Hanmei, there’s no need for this act. If you really want the bracelets, just go ahead and choose. And don’t think everyone in the world is a Fool! If you really have something to say, better ask ’The master behind you’ for clarity before you speak!"

After saying this, he gave her a deep look and walked away with long strides.