After listening to his analysis of the pros and cons, the remaining three younger yamen runners, after a brief moment of thought, punched themselves in the face.
They lay on the ground, swaying, it was unclear if they were genuinely dazed or feigning it. In any case, by now, apart from the three of them, only the magistrate was still conscious in the main hall.
Fan Zehao, seeing the murderous intent flash in his eyes, felt extremely uncomfortable. "Since you're so suspicious of this prince's identity, I can only let you widen your eyes and take a good look!"
As the prince finished speaking, the chief executive produced the waist token symbolizing the prince's status. This item could not be faked.
After the magistrate saw it, and then looked around to find his supporters gone, he immediately knelt and kowtowed to Fan Zehao, admitting his mistakes.
Fan Zehao thought he was a man of integrity, but he didn't expect him to be such a coward. He said in a cold, mocking tone, "You're wrong? Can a single 'I'm wrong' compensate for what you've done?"
There was no need to think about it; it was utterly impossible.
The innkeeper standing nearby, seeing that these were indeed the prince and princess, was instantly dumbfounded. He knelt down with the magistrate, his prostrate body trembling uncontrollably. He would never have dared to believe that the prince and princess would personally dine at his establishment without prior notice.
Now, they had committed a grave offense. Everyone knew how much the prince and princess detested those who abused their power.
Not only had they abused their power, but they had done so brazenly and with ease, and in front of the prince and princess no less! Now, whether the innkeeper continued his business or not, and whether he made money or not, was secondary. What mattered now was whether they could keep their heads attached to their necks.
Such a simple yet extravagant request, they couldn't even guarantee it. Thinking back, it would have been better to simply be an honest person.
There was no need to mention the magistrate's wrongdoings; there would surely be many. Since Fan Zehao had investigated this far, he would undoubtedly conduct a thorough inquiry. He then instructed his aide to issue a public notice: any cases that were wrongly judged or fabricated would be personally reviewed by the prince starting tomorrow.
As soon as the news spread, a crowd quickly gathered outside the yamen, surrounding it so densely that no one could get in or out.
Seeing this scene, Fan Zehao couldn't help but sigh to the heavens, "The magistrate is the official closest to the common people. If they can't do their jobs well, how can the common people live comfortably!"
Zhao Jiaqi hooked his arm and comforted him, "No one is perfect. Officials can't all be incorruptible. As long as they genuinely act for the people and don't misjudge cases, even a little bit of corruption, as long as it's not excessive, can be understood!"
Fan Zehao remained conservative in his opinion. He wanted to find someone who was not corrupt and truly served the people to be the magistrate.
He thought this way and acted accordingly, though the process might be arduous. However, as long as he worked tirelessly, he believed such a person would emerge.
A cold wind blew, stinging his face. He held Zhao Jiaqi's arm, "Let's go back to the room and rest. We'll be busy tomorrow!"
Not just busy, but very busy!
One would preside over the court and re-examine the problematic cases left by the former magistrate, while she would go to her own restaurant to conduct a thorough investigation and rectification.
The moon was bright that night. Though both of them on the bed had their eyes closed, they couldn't fall asleep for a long time.
At this moment, both of them were weary of this taxing life. They reminisced about their past, diligently working for a few pieces of silver, their days filled with purpose.
Those days were fulfilling, without scheming or vexing matters. Now they had money, power, and status, and no longer worried about food or clothing, but the responsibilities were simply too many.
Every matter that weighed on them made it hard to breathe. At this moment, both of them were pondering who to entrust the succession of the prince's title to, so they could lay down their arms and retire to a scenic place to live out their old age.
However, thinking of their three children, each more careless and thoughtless than the last, they feared it would be difficult to rely on them to protect this peaceful land.
But where there's a will, there's a way.
The wind howled outside, making the window paper creak and groan. The temperature in the room had also dropped significantly.
Zhao Jiaqi shivered, seeking the warmth from within the bedding. Fan Zehao, with a smile, opened his arms and pulled her into his embrace, gently patting her back. Before long, she drifted off to sleep.
A night of sound sleep.
The morning sun was warm, but a thin layer of ice had formed outside, with no hint of the post-spring thaw.
When they spoke, white mist puffed from their mouths, making Zhao Jiaqi chuckle, "It seems we're having a late spring cold snap!"
Fan Zehao looked at the dissipating mist and nodded with a smile, "It's not a fear, it's a fact, but it won't last long!"
"Why?" Zhao Jiaqi asked, puzzled.
Fan Zehao couldn't figure out the reason, but based on his childhood observations, such a state wouldn't last long.
Facing his curious wife, he smiled, "Experience!"
The word "experience" left Zhao Jiaqi bewildered. She indeed lacked Fan Zehao's experience in ancient life.
However, she still chose to believe him.
After breakfast, they parted ways, one heading to the county yamen, the other to the restaurant.
The hot pot restaurant was closed today, a fact known to almost everyone in town. The princess was surely going to reform the establishment.
Inside the restaurant.
The innkeeper stood with his head bowed to the side, while the waiters stood behind. Zhao Jiaqi sat in a chair, the chief executive standing menacingly behind her.
The entire hall was so silent that one could hear their own heartbeat.
After a long while, Zhao Jiaqi finally spoke, "Has this restaurant been operating like this since it opened?"
The innkeeper dared not admit it, only shaking his head frantically, his words stammering, "No, no, no, it's just that there have been many people these past couple of days, which is why it's like this!"
Winter was the peak season for hot pot. Did this restaurant only have good business for these past two days? No one would believe it, and she herself didn't.
Zhao Jiaqi didn't ask further questions. "Go and fetch the account books!"
At this, the innkeeper's face turned pale again. He stood rooted to the spot, his feet not moving, and said tremblingly, "That... that thing..."
After much stammering, he couldn't utter a single coherent sentence. Zhao Jiaqi felt uncomfortable just listening.
"What is 'that thing'?"
The innkeeper closed his eyes, hardened his heart, and said, "The account books were burned yesterday!"
Zhao Jiaqi: ......
This was too obvious. The account books were burned as soon as she arrived. Everything was fine before her arrival. This clearly indicated significant issues with the account books. Had he not said this, he might have gotten away with it. But now that he had, Zhao Jiaqi immediately began her investigation.
However, she interrogated not the innkeeper, but the waiters!
She addressed the trembling waiters, "Does any of you know where the account books are? If you provide them, this princess will exempt you from punishment. But if you cover for the innkeeper, and it's found that the innkeeper is in the wrong, you will be punished equally!"
At the mention of equal punishment, the waiters erupted like a disturbed nest. They all stepped forward, claiming to know where they were. Even the innkeeper's nephew jumped out.
Raising his hand, he shouted, "I know where they are, and he kept two sets of books, one real and one fake!"