"You just threw him in jail, Ding Jin turned around and ran into the Chief Clerk He Yan.
'Chief Clerk He,' Ding Jin cupped his fists, greeting the stern, jade-faced official.
'Captain Ding, who was that you just put in the lockup?'
Ding Jin's eyes lit up. It was like someone sent a pillow just as he was about to fall asleep. This matter could certainly be discussed with He Yan!
'Chief Clerk He, these people are the shopkeeper and waiters from Pinming Residence.'
He Yan frowned slightly, 'The shopkeeper and waiters? What crime did they commit?'
'This is a long story,' Ding Jin recounted the whole affair to He Yan. 'These people are truly detestable, occupying the shop and refusing to give it up. When the owner came to claim it, they even attempted to imprison her. They just didn't expect Miss Li to be quite skilled and beat them all to a pulp, then sent her maid to report the case.'
'Captain Ding, you can't just listen to Miss Li's side of the story, can you? Immediately imprisoning the shopkeeper and waiters seems a bit improper.'
He Yan was always so formal, speaking to everyone in the same way, and Ding Jin was used to it.
'Chief Clerk He, this matter, well, there are internal details,' Ding Jin said somewhat awkwardly. 'This shop, you see, is Miss Li's late mother's dowry, and the current shopkeeper is surnamed Guo.'
He Yan didn't understand, 'What's the connection?'
Ding Jin patted his forehead, thinking he had forgotten that this esteemed official was only interested in cases, and not in other matters.
'The adopted wife of Marquis Tiedadan, her maiden name was Guo. This shop was also taken from Miss Li by her. After being lent out for so many years, Miss Li wants it back, and the Guo family likely has other intentions.'
Ding Jin's interpretation gave He Yan a preliminary understanding of the situation.
Those who lived under a stepmother were not to be envied. He knew this from experience.
'I understand.'
That's it?
Ding Jin was dumbfounded and quickly said, 'Chief Clerk He, please give me some advice. What do you think about this case…'
He Yan smiled, 'Don't worry, this case is not as complicated as you think. Did Miss Li submit a petition?'
Ding Jin shook his head.
'As captain, it is entirely appropriate for you to arrest people causing trouble and maintain the peace of the capital. You don't need to report this matter to the higher-ups. In a few days, someone will come to redeem them.'
Ding Jin immediately understood, 'Chief Clerk He means that the Guo family will voluntarily seek reconciliation with Miss Li?'
'I've said all there is to say,' He Yan cupped his hands and walked away.
Ding Jin thought for a long time and couldn't help but grin. This Lord He, he looked like a simpleton, but in reality, he was quite insightful! Truly a scholar.
At this time, Pinming Residence was closed. Li Man'er stood in the first-floor hall, hands on her hips, and declared grandly, 'From now on, this place is mine. It has nothing to do with the Guo family.'
Lüyi and Ziyan were very pleased but also a bit worried, 'Miss, will the Guo family give up so easily? I always feel like the old madam of the Guo family is not to be trifled with.'
'No matter how hard to deal with, isn't she just a minor sixth-rank official?' Li Man'er snorted. In this era where a higher rank could crush a lower one, why should she be afraid?
'Alright, lock the door first, then let's go back.' Li Man'er said, 'Ziyan, go to the counter and see if there's any brush and paper. I'll tell you what to write, and you'll post it on the door.'
'Oh.' Ziyan fetched paper and brush, 'Miss, what should I write?'
'Just write, "The Proprietor is celebrating, closed for one month."'
Ziyan was taken aback, then quickly picked up her brush and wrote. After drying the ink, she handed it to Li Man'er for approval.
'Good, go and post it.'
'Ah, Miss, there's no paste. We'll have to make some ourselves.'
Li Man'er forgot that ancient times didn't have glue. She immediately said, 'Is it difficult? It sounds like a lot of trouble.'
'It's not difficult, just don't know if the ingredients are complete. We need flour.'
'Never mind, the stove is sealed. Forget it, let's just borrow some from the neighboring shop.'
The three servants and their mistress packed up the account books and money. After carefully checking the doors and windows, Ziyan went to the adjacent clothing shop to borrow some paste.
'The boss is nice, but he's a chatterbox. He kept asking me about the shop's affairs, but I didn't say anything.' Ziyan pasted the notice of closure for a month. 'Miss, didn't we get the shop back? Why are we closing for so long?'
'The shop is back, but we need to find shop assistants! We need to find a shopkeeper!' Li Man'er said, 'It's also my fault for not being more capable in the past, which drove away all the Ning family members. But it's okay…'
As she was speaking, someone suddenly rushed out of the neighboring clothing shop, running wildly down the street, 'Doctor, doctor!'
Ziyan quickly said, 'Miss, that person is the shop assistant from the clothing shop who just borrowed paste from us. What's wrong with him?'
'He seems to be looking for a doctor. Did something happen to someone at home?'
Li Man'er said directly, 'We can't stand by and watch. You two, come with me.'
The two maids quickly followed Li Man'er into the adjacent clothing shop.
As soon as they entered, a middle-aged man came forward to apologize, 'My esteemed guests, I'm sorry…'
Ziyan immediately interrupted him, 'Shopkeeper, I was the one who borrowed paste earlier. Our young lady is a physician. Is someone in your shop having a medical emergency?'
When the man heard that Li Man'er was a physician, he cupped his hands, 'Physician, please save my life! My wife has an asthma attack, and the doctor hasn't arrived yet. Please take a look!'
'Hurry and take me there.' Is all this rambling not wasting time?
'Yes, yes, please follow me.'
They went to the back courtyard, and the man led them to the main room. There, they saw an old woman sitting by the bed, weeping. The middle-aged woman lying on the bed had a pale face and was in great pain, struggling to breathe.
'Mother, the doctor is here. Ask the doctor to examine Ruolan quickly.'
The old woman probably didn't expect the doctor to arrive so quickly. She quickly moved aside. When she saw Li Man'er and her companions, her expression immediately became strange. 'Son, where is the doctor?'
Li Man'er had already sat down. She took out a pill from her chest, pried open the woman's mouth, and placed the pill directly into her mouth.
'Hey, what did you give my daughter-in-law?' the old lady stomped her feet anxiously.
The middle-aged man quickly explained, 'Mother, this young lady is a physician.'
'Oh dear, how old is she? How could she possibly practice medicine? You're so foolish. What if Ruolan is made worse?'
The middle-aged man had brought Li Man'er to the back in a moment of urgency. He was truly anxious at the time and didn't think much of it. Now that he thought about it, it was indeed inappropriate. What young doctor would be this young?
'What are you talking about! You're repaying kindness with ill will. Our young lady never makes a move easily. That she's willing to treat you is your good fortune, do you understand?'
Just then, Bai Ruolan, who had been having difficulty breathing, suddenly recovered.
'Mother, I'm fine now.'"