"I've already looked into the matter. You can leave it to me now."
After reviewing the details, Yanfei spoke with confidence. "According to Liyue Law, to determine if you're liable, we need to establish whether your pursuit behavior posed a threat to their lives."
"At the time, Director Hu Tao, you and Chen Feng were not carrying any weapons. Of course, this means you're excluded from the charge."
"As for those baseless rumors, they don't hold up in court unless the opposing party can provide concrete evidence to prove they're true."
Hearing this, Chen Feng and Hu Tao finally relaxed.
"As expected, Yanfei, you're incredibly reliable. As for payment, let's stick to your usual rates."
"Eh, no need this time. The amount is small anyway. Just consider it a favor you owe me personally." Yanfei replied with a beaming smile, leaving Hu Tao feeling a bit helpless.
"Hmph, Yanfei, you're too much! A personal favor is worth way more. You won't even let this Director get a tiny break, will you?"
"Hehe, I was just kidding. How could I possibly charge Director Hu Tao for such a small matter, given our relationship?"
"Leave this case to me. I'll win this lawsuit for you for free!"
Hearing this, Hu Tao stood with her hands on her hips and declared, "Now you're talking!"
"But I'll still take a payment. How about this: when the time comes for me to organize your funeral, I'll give you a 70% discount and only charge you at cost. No profit for me!"
"Organize a funeral for me? Then Director Hu, you'd better start taking care of your health. You'll need to live for at least a thousand years to have that opportunity."
After saying this, Yanfei turned her gaze back to Chen Feng.
"Oh, right! I heard that the new Consultant at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Chen Feng, is incredibly powerful. Recently, you two have been turning Liyue upside down. Come on, tell me! Are his abilities really as divine as the rumors say?"
"Actually, they're not that impressive. Consultant Chen Feng can simply see the Deathly Aura on a person to determine their remaining lifespan."
Hu Tao paused before continuing.
"As for the rumors, they are naturally exaggerated!"
"That amazing?!" Yanfei exclaimed in surprise. "Then quickly, take a look at me! I want to know how much longer I'll be living!"
"I'll probably live for at least three thousand years, otherwise I won't have time to experience all the interesting things in the world!!"
After finishing, Yanfei looked at Chen Feng with an expectant gaze.
Chen Feng glanced over Yanfei and shook his head.
"Miss Yanfei, you are an Adeptus, right?"
"My abilities cannot see through Adepti, so I can't tell you your remaining lifespan."
"I see..."
Yanfei said with a hint of regret, but she quickly recovered.
"Alright, it's fine if I don't know. As long as I live happily every day, I won't have any regrets, no matter how long I live."
"I have things to do, so I'll take my leave now."
"I've already taken over the lawsuit, so you don't need to worry about it anymore. Just come directly to the scene when the time comes."
After saying this, Yanfei waved goodbye and left.
Hu Tao and Chen Feng returned to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, deciding not to go out to develop business for the rest of the day.
With the current situation unclear, anyone they might encounter could potentially become the next victim.
Therefore, in order to avoid involving innocent people, Hu Tao decided to keep a low profile for the time being. She could also take this opportunity to travel with Chen Feng, which might help him recover his memories.
"Huh, didn't Consultant Zhongli go to the teahouse to drink tea and listen to stories today?"
When Chen Feng and Hu Tao returned to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, they were surprised to find Zhongli's figure in the courtyard.
Hearing Hu Tao's question, Zhongli nodded slightly.
"Something big seems to have happened outside today. I think it would be better for me to stay inside the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor for now."
"Consultant Zhongli has heard about it too?"
"I've only heard rumors. I'll need Director Hu to tell me the full details."
After hearing Zhongli's words, Hu Tao didn't think much of it and told Zhongli everything that had happened in full detail.
As he listened, Zhongli silently sipped his tea, occasionally nodding slightly to show he was still paying attention. He glanced at Chen Feng several times, his gaze holding an emotion that was almost impossible to distinguish.
"It seems the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor has been targeted."
Finally, Zhongli expressed his opinion.
"That's also what Ningguang said. Because the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is quite famous, doing this can make it easier to hide."
Zhongli nodded and then spoke again.
"I wonder what Director Hu plans to do next?"
"Let's just stay in the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor for now. After this lawsuit is over, this Director will take Chen Feng to other parts of Liyue to look around."
Hu Tao put on a relaxed demeanor.
Hearing Hu Tao's words, Zhongli sighed secretly.
Hu Tao's actions were actually an attempt to shoulder the risk alone.
If Chen Feng truly has a problem, then this departure will ensure the safety of everyone else in Liyue Harbor.
And if similar incidents continue to occur, it will prove Chen Feng's innocence.
He had watched Hu Tao grow up from a young age. She was very clever, which was partly why Ningguang felt comfortable letting Chen Feng stay by her side. Hu Tao often kept things to herself, but that didn't mean she wasn't aware of them. At only sixteen, she already handled matters with such shrewdness, striking directly at the heart of the issue.
However, this maturity was indeed too heavy for someone her age.
If this matter had nothing to do with Chen Feng, it would be fine. But if he ever became a problem, that would be the time for Hu Tao to make a choice.
Zhongli had wanted to intervene directly several times but ultimately decided against it. In the end, this was something Hu Tao had to face on her own.
Her decision to go out with Chen Feng alone also showed her intention to resolve this matter herself.
He had been keeping a close eye on Chen Feng during this time, but even he hadn't noticed any unusual behavior.
He didn't know if this matter truly had nothing to do with Chen Feng, or if its severity had already exceeded his control.
No one knew if the turmoil in Fontaine and Sumeru would also play out in Liyue.
Even though he was the exalted Rex Lapis, he still seemed so powerless in the face of the world's changes.
-
If the first victim's death had sent news spreading like the wind through Liyue Harbor, the second victim's appearance was like a hurricane sweeping across all of Liyue.
Many families who had recently resettled in Liyue Harbor packed up their belongings and fled overnight after hearing the latest news. Unlike before, the Liyue Qixing no longer cared about this exodus; they even saw it as a good thing, as it narrowed their investigation and made administration easier.
Still, the majority remained. After all, real estate in Liyue Harbor was worth its weight in gold, and while leaving was easy, getting back in would be much harder.
Moreover, since the Liyue Qixing had yet to make a move, many people were still in a wait-and-see mode.
If they weren't planning to flee, then the biggest event of late was undoubtedly someone suing the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
When people heard this news, some clapped in approval, while others thought the person suing Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was a complete idiot.
If Wangsheng Funeral Parlor truly had such abilities, wouldn't doing this be like cornering oneself into a dead end?
Regardless, this incident had become the most anticipated event for the vast majority of Liyue Harbor's residents.
Two days later, the day for the trial arrived.
Keqing had been waiting early at the entrance of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, and only after Chen Feng and Hu Tao came out did she step forward to return the notebook in her hand to Hu Tao.
"Director Hu, I had someone examine the item thoroughly. There were indeed no issues. Please take care of it."
Although Keqing spoke lightly, only she knew how seriously she had taken this matter.
Not only did she conduct a comprehensive inspection of the item, but she even paid a visit to Madame Ping to have her personally examine it. The result was the same: no issues.
If Cloud Retainer hadn't wanted to hide her Adeptus identity, Keqing might have even paid her a visit to trouble her.
Keqing had been terribly worried these past two days. The next victim could appear at any moment, and with such a massive uproar in Liyue, this was a huge test for her as a member of the Liyue Qixing.
Seeing Hu Tao putting the item away, Keqing walked up to Chen Feng, who was standing to the side, and spoke to him.
"Consultant Chen Feng, may I speak with you alone for a moment?"
"Alright."
After saying that to Hu Tao, Chen Feng followed Keqing to a more secluded corner.
"Here's one thousand Mora," Keqing said bluntly, getting straight to the point.
Chen Feng was momentarily stunned by her words. Just as he was about to ask what she meant, he saw Keqing spread her arms wide. He instantly understood.
Though Keqing tried her best to appear completely unphased, the blush on her ears betrayed her.
When Chen Feng also opened his arms and embraced her, the scent of her body made him stiffen slightly.
But the unfamiliarity quickly faded, and it wasn't long before Keqing took control of the situation again.
To better sense Chen Feng's physical condition, Keqing tightened her grip, pressing their bodies closer together and allowing their body heat to transfer more freely.
Despite being the one in control, Keqing felt as if she couldn't breathe.
Thankfully, the moment passed. She quickly let go of Chen Feng and turned away immediately, not wanting anyone to notice her odd behavior.
When Chen Feng returned to Hu Tao's side, he could clearly sense that she seemed to be in a foul mood.
"Keqing hugged you again?"
"Don't worry, Director Hu, she paid me in advance this time, so I didn't lose out!"
Seeing Chen Feng's keen-eyed interest in money, Hu Tao became even angrier.
"Keqing is just trying to trick you. Next time, don't sell yourself out for a little bit of money so easily!"
"Is being supported by this Director not enough for you?"
"Alright."
Chen Feng scratched his head as he spoke.
He felt that there had been some slight change in Hu Tao, but he couldn't put his finger on it.
After the brief interlude, Chen Feng and Hu Tao found Yanfei together.
At that moment, Chen Feng and Hu Tao noticed that there seemed to be far more Millelith present to maintain order.
"I didn't expect such a small lawsuit to bring so many Millelith to the scene," Yanfei remarked.
"It's probably because of the recent rumors," Hu Tao said.
Hearing her words, Yanfei nodded.
Recently, the rumor that the plaintiff would be the next to die had spread throughout Liyue Harbor. Everyone was paying close attention to it, after all, this was the first brave person who dared to cross the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
"Anyway, let's hurry and get inside."
At Yanfei's reminder, the three of them quickly entered together.
"Just leave it to me later. You two can just stand aside and watch my performance!"
Seeing Yanfei's confident demeanor, Chen Feng and Hu Tao also felt reassured.
Not long after, the man who had loudly publicized his lawsuit against the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor appeared in everyone's view.
Seeing his arrogant manner, it was as if he had already won the case. However, the attorney beside him seemed a bit constrained, especially after seeing Yanfei, his face turned pale and his heart sank halfway.
But the man paid no mind to this and quickly took his place, staring intensely at Hu Tao's side.
Someone analyzed his behavior, suggesting he might be trying to survive by putting himself in a desperate situation.
Since he knew his life might be short, he might as well offend the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor more thoroughly. This way, if anything happened to him, everyone would suspect the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. This might instead make the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor hesitate and let him go.
The analysis was very logical, but the specific reason could probably only be known by the person involved.
"If both parties are ready, then let's begin."
This lawsuit was presided over by Ganyu, demonstrating the Liyue Qixing's level of importance and ensuring its impartiality.
With Ganyu's thousands of years of reputation, she was the perfect person for this role.
Of course, everyone had their own internal scale, and they all knew in their hearts whether it was truly fair.
Under the public's gaze, the matter finally got down to business.
Just as predicted, Yanfei drove the opposing attorney into a complete and utter rout.
This was the true value of Yanfei's reputation as Liyue's number one attorney. Her fame was no exaggeration; she was a figure that made countless unscrupulous merchants tremble in fear.
Finally, Ganyu announced the final verdict.
"After hearing the arguments from both attorneys, I find that the plaintiff's evidence is insufficient. Therefore, I have decided to dismiss the plaintiff's claim for compensation against the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
No one was surprised by this outcome. However, this wasn't the main point. The real question was whether the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor would retaliate against the plaintiff because of this incident.
At this moment, everyone's eyes were fixed on Hu Tao and the plaintiff. It was precisely at this time that the unexpected happened.
"Oh no!"
Chen Feng's expression suddenly changed.
"Director Hu, restrain him quickly!"
Hearing the final verdict, the man immediately pulled a sharp dagger from his robes. Although Hu Tao charged forward instantly after hearing Chen Feng's words, she couldn't reach him in time.
In the next second, under everyone's gaze, the man slit his own throat. Blood gushed out instantly.
Witnessing this scene, the crowd erupted in gasps after a brief silence, and the scene descended into utter chaos.