The man's eyes lit up and he said excitedly, "I know what the problem is."

Qiao Xi followed his gaze and looked down, but her eyes kept wandering back and forth at the snack stall. She swallowed and murmured in a low voice,

"That sweet and sour fish looks delicious."

The golden skin is still sizzling with oil.

Hearing Qi Anze's voice, she reluctantly looked away, "What's the problem?"

"The hawker's cry."

——Tasty and inexpensive steamed buns, a specialty of Licheng, cost three cents each.

——Tasty little Chaos, two copper coins a bowl.

——Golden sweet and sour fish, five coppers per basket, no charge if it’s not delicious.

Qiao Xi: "..." There are only five copper coins in each basket. You must buy one when you have time.

"The fish in Yuncheng is the royal family's favorite, and the fish at this time is also the most expensive. How come you can buy a basket for five copper coins?"

"Is it possible that this fish is relatively small and is leftovers and cannot be supplied to the royal family?"

"We can try it."

Qiao Xi thought he would let her sell it, but unexpectedly he asked the waiter at the inn to go there.

…

"Thank you, thank you." Qi Anze took the plate and thanked him.

Seeing that the fish in front of him was not inferior to the fish he had eaten at the Prince's Mansion, and was not small in size, Qiao Xi immediately understood.

Someone is lining their own pockets by paying tribute.

Obviously Qi Anze also thought of this.

While they were thinking about what to do next, a noisy curse from officers and soldiers downstairs caught their attention.

Qiao Xi called the waiter to ask.

Waiter: "Don't worry, sir. This is the safest place in Yuncheng, even safer than the county magistrate's house."

Qiao Xi has been here for so long, and this is the first time he has heard such words. Even Jingxuan Pavilion, who has been entrenched in Licheng for so many years, dare not say such wild words.

Qiao Xi casually gave him a few grains of silver and asked, "Why do the officers and soldiers downstairs want to drive away these vendors?"

The waiter put the money into his arms and explained enthusiastically,

"There must be important people coming. In order not to affect Yuncheng's image above, we will drive them away. Otherwise, if such a terrible scene is seen, the county magistrate's black gauze hat will not be saved."

Qiao Xi pretended to be calm and said casually,

"The sweet and sour fish just now is quite delicious. We are leaving in two days, so I don't know if we can still eat it."

The waiter looked at the unpacked sweet and sour fish on the table and paused for a moment.

"Forget it, it's not like this is the only place where we can eat. It would be the same if we went to buy elsewhere." Qi Anze said deliberately as he looked at the street where a group of merchants had changed.

"I think this one is the most delicious." Qiao Xi said in a deliberately soft voice.

"Madam, you are so amazing. This Wu Ji Sweet and Sour Fish is truly a masterpiece."

The waiter looked at the silver in Qi Anze's hand and continued,

"The younger ones knew where they were being driven."

"Then take us there, it's just right for dessert before dinner." Josie said eagerly, having given up her pretense.

Unexpectedly, the waiter in the shop shook his head, "It can't be done now. Even if the young ones don't have to work, they won't have time yet."

She nodded and then asked, "When can we go? We will have to go elsewhere in two days."

"Xu Shi, if you two really want to eat, the younger one can do some errands...but I need a little tip."

"Okay, I'll buy a few more when the time comes. My wife likes it."

After sending the waiter away, Qi Anze motioned to Qiao Xi to follow him to see what was going on.

Xu Shi.

Qiao Xi sat on the eaves and watched the sneaky waiter heading east, following slowly.

"Brother Wu, bring me five baskets. The guests should take them with them to eat on the road. Make them look nice. You are a generous patron."

"Okay, brother, the business here depends entirely on your care. Come and bring a package back to your mother."

After the boss packed up Qiao Xi's things, he took another bag to the waiter alone.

The waiter didn't hesitate, gave him fifteen coppers and left with a smile on his face.

Looking at the place in front of me that looks like a refugee camp, everyone is busy preparing dinner, and there are also people in twos and threes who come to buy things, but it is very obvious that it is cheaper.

Can I get my money back at such a low price?

And there are obviously more people selling fish here.

After observing for a while, Qiao Xi got up and used Qing Kung Fu to fly back.

——

At the county magistrate's house, a short, fat man in official uniform was pacing back and forth in the living room, constantly wiping the sweat on his forehead with a silk handkerchief.

The young man sitting on the Taishi chair said impatiently,

"What a big deal this is. If something happens to him, His Majesty will definitely send someone here. Maybe he went to play somewhere again."

"What do you know? No matter how playful Prince Rui is, he is still His Majesty's heir and a prince. He has been missing for so long and we haven't found him. What crime should he be punished for?"

"I think Your Majesty knows Prince Rui, otherwise he would not have given you a memorial to your father about Prince Rui's disappearance without any instructions, but instead sent the prince to deal with the flood."

The young man was minding his own business making tea.

"That's true, but I always feel panicked in my heart, son, are you doing that right?"

What Magistrate Wen wants to ask is, don't be sold, and still pay for the people.

"Father, don't worry. The noble man promised me that if this happens, your son and I will be the number one scholar next year. Father, don't you want your son to honor our ancestors?"

Looking at the worried old man, the fierce look in the young man's eyes was revealed.

"Okay, father, go and talk to them. If anyone is unwilling..."

The young man made a gesture of wiping his neck, and when he saw the old man nodding, he smiled with satisfaction.

On the other side, Qiao Xi rushed back to the guest room before the waiter went upstairs.

‘Dong dong dong,’

"Sir, I have brought back something small for you."

Qiao Xi took the things, gave him the silver reward and closed the door.

Just as he was about to speak, Qi Anze put his index finger in the middle of his mouth to signal her to wait.

"Madam, although the sweet and sour fish is delicious, it is a fishy food after all. It is better to eat less at night."

"I'll just eat one basket, husband, you can eat some too."

It wasn't until the shaking figures outside left that the two stopped their useless conversation.

"Host, your guess is right. Something is very wrong here. I just followed the waiter to find that place, but a basket of sweet and sour fish there only costs three copper coins.

The boss also gave the waiter a bag for free. Judging from his proficiency, it must not be the first time. Moreover, there are about thirty households selling fish in that place. They use different methods, but they should use the same fish."

"There are three copper coins per basket of fish. We paid the waiter five copper coins for each basket. Inside and outside, he got two copper coins in kickback."

"It's just that the waiter in the shop is too shady." Qiao Xi said angrily.

Qi Anze's thinking was different from hers.
Chapter completed!