The portly merchant, clearly from the Prefecture City, grumbled with discontent. He was likely accustomed to the ease of getting things done back there and hadn't expected this small county town to be so difficult.
"Shh, keep your voice down. Our County Magistrate is just like that—people call him a real skinflint. We can't let him overhear you. Otherwise, this whole affair will cost you several times more silver."
The other man quickly cautioned him. Just then, both of them noticed Fang Yue.
Their voices grew even quieter, and he couldn't make out what they said afterward. Then, the two of them headed into the County Magistrate's Office.
'Could that be it?'
Fang Yue watched their departing figures, lost in thought.
With that thought in mind, Fang Yue immediately found an old clerk in the County Magistrate's Office to ask around. As expected, a bit of silver paved the way, and he soon learned the truth.
