The Yamen Runners arrived at their destination one after another, where the Fat Magistrate had already been waiting for quite some time.
Besides welcoming them, he mainly wanted to deliver some grandiose pleasantries, but received only scattered responses.
Ren Qing's mouth twitched. Not a single Forbidden Guard was present; apparently, the magistrate's status within the Yamen was not particularly high.
Forget Song Zongwu—even Huang Ziwang could not be bothered to acknowledge him. Perhaps the Fat Magistrate had long since grown accustomed to it.
The Fat Magistrate droned on at length. Only after his mouth had gone dry did he finally move on to the actual rewards, with everyone receiving at least several dozen taels of silver.
Ren Qing's reward was slightly greater, though not excessively so.
Xiao Wu and the other White Servants received promotions, and from then on, their duties could be inherited by their eldest sons.
The Fat Magistrate continued to speak without pause.
Ren Qing felt somewhat helpless, but he had no choice except to patiently endure it. Only after more than half an hour did the magistrate finally conclude to his satisfaction.
Ren Qing and the others then headed for the Fire Refining Hall.
Bo Feng and the Li brothers had already prepared a table full of dishes, even buying several jars of relatively expensive wine.
The Fire Workers from Hexing Street were cleaning the courtyard nearby.
It seemed that while Ren Qing had been away, Bo Feng had whipped them into perfect obedience.
Bo Feng hurried over and could not resist patting Xiao Wu on the shoulder. "You've grown sturdier. You must have learned quite a bit following Officer Ren, right?"
"Of course, but I almost..."
Xiao Wu had just wanted to say something when he suddenly remembered that the Forbidden Guards had forbidden them