Chapter 53 Deliberately Picking a Quarrel

“Sir, you flatter us. The Elegant Residence treats all its guests equally.” The words were polite, but the innkeeper’s face remained icy cold.

“Oh, that’s good to hear,” Xiao Zhi asked, “So the Elegant Residence doesn’t observe the order of arrival?”

“Of course we do,” came the reply.

Xiao Zhi knew that such a proud tone usually preceded something unpleasant.

“Then why did the waiter ask me to give up the private room?”

The innkeeper smiled wryly. “That was the waiter’s fault for not explaining clearly, causing a misunderstanding. Here at the Elegant Residence, payment is made before dining.”

Xiao Zhi nodded. “Alright, then tell me the price.”

The innkeeper said, “The pot of tea on your table costs one hundred taels of silver.”

The implication was that the dishes Xiao Zhi had ordered could be even more expensive.

He was careful not to provoke Xiao Zhi too much, quickly adding, “Since the waiter’s explanation was unclear, the tea will be complimentary. If you wish to dine here, please move to another table. We offer the most reasonable prices for our guests.”

By all accounts, the innkeeper was quite tactful; he had no intention of offending Xiao Zhi severely.

But Xiao Zhi would not tolerate such arrogance because a certain thought had just crossed his mind.

Now that he was in Jinan Prefecture, it wouldn’t be satisfying unless he made some noise and dealt with the people involved.

Xiao Zhi was an officer of the Imperial City Guard, specializing in household raids, and he took pride in his work.

“How much do you think it should cost? Only one hundred taels?”

Then, Xiao Zhi waved his hand, signaling Qiantang to pay.

He Qing was dumbfounded. Serving as a maid attendant, her monthly wages were only two hundred copper coins, less than two and a half taels of silver annually.

One hundred taels for a single pot of tea—do they know how many maids that could buy?

Even in times of flood or good harvest, a landlord would pay no more than seven or eight taels for an eleven- or twelve-year-old maid.

The innkeeper was stunned; he hadn’t expected Xiao Zhi to actually pay.

To casually produce a one-hundred-tael silver note without batting an eye—either a fool or someone not to be trifled with.

Did Xiao Zhi look like a fool?

The calmest was Qiantang, a village headman. He knew that harmless smile all too well.

Every time there was a raid, Xiao Zhi smiled just like that. It seemed friendly but haunted the dreams of those being raided.

Qiantang swiftly pulled out a one-hundred-tael silver note and slapped it on the table, grinning at the innkeeper.

Here’s the money. Take it if you dare.

“This…” The innkeeper was awkward. Taking the note or refusing it, neither was easy.

“Sir, you are deliberately making things difficult for our humble establishment.”

The innkeeper clasped his hands, his attitude no longer arrogant. Seeing Xiao Zhi stubborn, he decided to be straightforward.

“Then tell me—who is this private room intended for, since you’re kicking us out?”

The innkeeper sneered coldly, “Sir, don’t be boastful. Young Master Shi will be dining here shortly. Oh, you’re a stranger, so you might not know. The Prefect of Jinan Prefecture is surnamed Shi.”

“Who?” Xiao Zhi asked with feigned surprise.

“The Prefect’s son,” the innkeeper said, arrogantly assuming the role of a sycophant.

Xiao Zhi covered his nose and chuckled quietly.

He couldn’t help himself.

To outsiders, he must have seemed mad—terribly mad.

Of course, Xiao Zhi knew the Prefect of Jinan was surnamed Shi, a distant cousin of Shi Weigong.

When the innkeeper mentioned a hundred taels for tea, Xiao Zhi had already planned to mess with this powerful Shi Prefect.

His original plan was simple: whoever wanted the room, he wouldn’t give it up. It was best if a fight broke out, escalating it to the court.

Once in court, no matter how the Prefect ruled, Xiao Zhi would be provoked. Even if the Prefect claimed Xiao Zhi as his godfather, Xiao Zhi would still be angered and proceed with a raid.

He hadn’t expected someone to bring a pillow when he was about to nap—Young Master Shi was truly the Prefect’s prized son.

Now, there was no need for a lawsuit; just blowing things out of proportion would suffice.

Xiao Zhi waved at the innkeeper. “Go tell Young Master Shi that if he doesn’t come here personally to claim this private room, I will look down on him—not just him, but also that old Shi Weizhi.”

Shi Weizhi was the Prefect’s formal name.

Xiao Zhi spoke loudly enough for half the tavern to hear.

He feared the innkeeper wouldn’t dare deliver such words to Young Master Shi.

At first, the innkeeper was stunned. Could this youth really have backing? To address Shi Weizhi by name and even insult him as “old thing” was unthinkable.

This was unacceptable.

The innkeeper’s expression hardened. “Sir, this establishment does not welcome you. Please dine elsewhere.”

He was effectively kicking them out.

The innkeeper’s stance was reasonable. Insulting the Prefect was a serious offense; not reporting him was already lenient. Kicking them out was simply to avoid trouble.

With this, Xiao Zhi found himself in a difficult position.

Indeed, businessmen were shrewd. From beginning to end, the innkeeper spoke harsh words but kept himself clean.

“Who was cursing my father just now?” came an angry shout from outside, followed by two rough servants bursting into the room.

Behind them strode a dashing young gentleman, holding a folding fan, who entered the private room.

The innkeeper, seeing the master arrive, quickly adopted a flattering demeanor, bowing and kowtowing. “Young Master Shi, they are all foreigners and don’t know the customs of Jinan Prefecture. I will have them leave immediately and will have the room cleaned again for you.”

Even Xiao Zhi had to give the innkeeper a thumbs-up.

Xiao Zhi’s words had reached Young Master Shi, yet the innkeeper tried to smooth things over.

But Xiao Zhi would not accept such kindness.

The innkeeper simply wanted to avoid conflict. If the tavern were wrecked in a brawl, no one would pay, and he’d be left to suffer.

Young Master Shi lightly shook his fan, his almond-shaped eyes narrowing coldly. “Come on, throw this man out for me.”

The Prefect’s son, dining out, upon overhearing someone insult his father, simply ordered the man removed. This was not abuse of power but a son’s duty.

“I’d like to see who dares touch my master,” Qiantang stood up.

Other officers also rose, glaring angrily.

Even if Xiao Zhi had insulted Shi Weizhi or fought, it mattered little.

In their eyes, Xiao Zhi could fight anyone and still be justified.

Xiao Zhi sat there cheerfully, openly acting like a rogue. What could they do to him?

With conflict on the verge of eruption, sweat beaded on the innkeeper’s forehead.

Young Master Shi had only brought two rough servants; facing so many, he dared not act rashly.

Xiao Zhi understood that starting a quarrel was easy, but a fight was harder. To escalate matters today, he would have to be even more shameless.

He calmly said, “Young Master Shi, is Miss Liu comfortable living at your residence?”

Xiao Zhi’s temper flared, but his preparation was thorough.

Before arriving in Shandong, he had reviewed the records of all officials above the county magistrate level. While Mu Weihǔ’s newly formed scout team collected disaster information, they also gathered evidence against these officials so Xiao Zhi could act at any time.

Shi Weizhi was corrupt, and this refined young master before him was no less problematic.

He appeared scholarly in public but engaged in the vilest deeds behind the scenes.