Unable to Answer a Single Question

Understanding the cause and effect, Yin Yunze was somewhat helpless. Some things really just happen by chance!

You might ask if Song Ran was wrong, but it was ultimately a fortuitous opportunity coincidence.

Throughout the entire process, Song Ran was still thinking about not exposing Yin Yunze.

However, doing so backfired.

Even if Song Zhao and his son Song Ran did nothing, it wouldn't change the fact that Wang Guisheng discovered Spirit Medium Wang's death and came to her door.

It can only be said that these unexpected events led Yin Yunze to encounter Wang Guisheng precisely because he was in this state of mind.

After figuring this out, looking at Song Ran, Yin Yunze felt so helpless he almost laughed.

If you insist on saying that this father and son are at fault, then their failure to control their tongues is indeed a problem.

But if we're talking about what the father and son said that they shouldn't have, they didn't actually say anything that couldn't be told to others.

Yin Yunze himself felt that punishing Song Ran for the reason of "making things worse" was making a mountain out of a molehill.

Noticing the surprised looks from passersby because of Song Ran's actions, Yin Yunze thought for a moment. He figured he might still need Song Ran's help in the future, so it wasn't worth killing him over something like this!

Thinking of this, Yin Yunze coldly snorted, "Considering this is your first offense, I will temporarily forgive this mistake. If there is a next time, the punishment will be more severe! Get up! Don't attract attention again!"

After saying that, Yin Yunze walked past Song Ran, who was getting up and thanking him profusely, and entered the grain shop.

To Yin Yunze's surprise, a month or so had passed and Song Grain Shop still had rice on display.

What concerned Yin Yunze even more was that, besides Song Zhao, there were two burly men sitting in the rice shop who didn't look like shop assistants.

"Hey, aren't you the girl from Immortal Maiden Sun's family?"

To Yin Yunze's surprise, these two burly men, whom he had no recollection of, actually knew Zhao Wan.

"Ah, I remember them!" Zhao Wan reminded Yin Yunze in his mind, "They seem to have come a long time ago? Anyway, there were a lot of them, and they even had a fight with Mother! They were bad guys!"

Hearing Zhao Wan's childlike words, Yin Yunze also remembered the only group of people who fit this description.

Peng Shulan led a group of more than ten constables who came from the county town to Clear Creek Village to buy grain.

"These two are government officials, watching over this place for the county magistrate."

At this moment, Song Ran whispered a reminder, confirming their identities.

Although Song Ran's explanation was vague, Yin Yunze roughly understood. Essentially, the county magistrate wanted to use Song Grain Shop to stabilize grain prices.

After all, apart from Song Zhao, an outsider, the grain merchants in the county had long since banded together. Throughout history, monopolistic businesses have always been the most profitable.

His gaze fell on the rice, and Yin Yunze knew where Song Zhao had gotten the rice.

This rice is probably the same 10,000 jin of rice he gave to the county magistrate.

No wonder Song Ran wanted Song Zhao to return to the village.

Not only can't we make money staying here now, but we also face hostility from other grain merchants. Life is really tough.

Looking at the price tag on the rice, Yin Yunze understood. Nowadays, that price was probably just for show.

"Oh, ignoring us?" Seeing that Yin Yunze showed no sign of ignoring him, one of the two constables teased, "Young lady, you really hold a grudge. Do you remember when we offended Immortal Maiden Sun last time? We apologized to Immortal Maiden Sun afterwards! Young lady, please don't..."

Listening to the two of them chattering, Yin Yunze suddenly remembered that there was another person he could meet before meeting the county magistrate.

Thinking this, Yin Yunze ignored the two of them and went straight into the back room.

A short while later, Song Zhao followed him in.

After looking him up and down, Song Zhao cautiously asked, "Are you the Lord Fox Immortal?"

"I have no interest in playing identity verification games with you." Looking at Song Zhao, Yin Yunze didn't bother with formalities and asked directly, "What do you know about the county magistrate? For example, what is his name, and what are his hobbies?"

Hearing Yin Yunze's tone, Song Zhao knew it couldn't possibly be that little girl Zhao Wan.

As for Yin Yunze's question, Song Zhao frowned in embarrassment. "Lord Fox Immortal, you're putting me in a difficult position! How could a commoner like me be qualified to know about the county magistrate's affairs? However, after staying here for so long, I've come to believe that this county magistrate is a good official!"

As the saying goes, "the emperor is far away," but in reality, county magistrates are also very far removed from ordinary people. Even though Song Zhao had served as the Clear Creek Village for decades, he had never actually dealt with the county magistrate.

In the previous decades, I had seen the county magistrate more often than in the last two months.

Although, they only caught a few glimpses of each other from afar.

Even when Song Grain Shop was asked to cooperate, the county magistrate simply sent someone to inform him.

After waiting quietly for a while, Yin Yunze, having received no further response, couldn't help but ask, "That's it?"

"There is none left..."

Knowing that he had disappointed Yin Yunze, Song Zhao felt somewhat embarrassed, but still nodded.

Although he knew he shouldn't be too harsh on Song Zhao, Yin Yunze couldn't help but want to curse.

Seeing Yin Yunze's unfriendly expression, Song Zhao felt a sudden chill run down her spine.

From Song Ran's words, Song Zhao learned that Yin Yunze was truly a god who could make it rain all night long.

Song Zhao no longer held Yin Yunze in the same low regard as she had initially.

Adding to the matter of Wang Guisheng, it was ultimately Song Zhao who let it slip first. Even though Yin Yunze didn't hold it against her for the time being, Song Zhao was still somewhat afraid.

After racking his brains, Song Zhao suddenly remembered something the two constables had mentioned in their conversation a couple of days ago, and quickly said, "By the way, I heard that the magistrate's son seems to have fallen ill these past few days! And it's quite serious and sudden! They've consulted several doctors, but none of them can cure him!"

Is the county magistrate's son ill?

Although this didn't quite meet Yin Yunze's requirements, it was still somewhat useful information.

Having noted this down, and seeing that he couldn't extract any useful information from Song Zhao, Yin Yunze turned to ask, "Peng Shulan, do you recognize him?"

It was because Song Zhao was so useless that Yin Yunze needed to turn to Peng Shulan as a stepping stone.

However, after thinking about it, Yin Yunze realized that befriending a constable wasn't such a bad thing; at least it would make things much easier in the future.

As the saying goes, a local official is more powerful than a distant one.

"Constable Peng... I'm not quite sure..."

Upon hearing Yin Yunze's question, Song Zhao instinctively wanted to tell the truth and say that they weren't very familiar with each other.

But seeing Yin Yunze's somewhat gloomy gaze, Song Zhao suddenly remembered that Peng Shulan had gotten in touch with Yin Yunze through his connections.

Someone asked you to help find Yin Yunze, and you immediately sent your son to assist. Now that Yin Yunze wants to go back, you're saying you don't actually know him?

"Ah, I know him, but... but our relationship might not be as deep as you think Lord Fox Immortal..." Song Ran stammered, forcing herself to finish the sentence, and asked, "Lord Fox Immortal, do you... do you need something from him?"

"I don't care whether you know him well or not. Tonight after dark, you're to invite him here; I'm treating him to dinner!"

Seeing the troubled look on Song Zhao, Yin Yunze sneered, "If Peng Shulan comes, I'll forgive and forget about the favor you did for him last time. If he doesn't come tonight, hehe..."

Yin Yunze didn't mention any specific punishment, leaving it to the other party to imagine; they would then conjure up the punishment they feared most.

"Understood!" Upon hearing Yin Yunze mention the matter from last time, Song Zhao immediately agreed without hesitation.

However, after saying that, Song Zhao quickly added, "But, Lord Fox Immortal, it's getting late. We can't buy any more vegetables. Perhaps we could wait..."

Song Zhao wasn't trying to shirk responsibility when he said this.

Unlike in ancient times when resources were plentiful, in ancient cities, even slightly better food was bought in fixed quantities and in a rush.

Meat dishes like pork, mutton, chicken, duck, and fish are basically sold out by morning.

When Song Ran arrived, it was already noon.

Song Zhao had never considered inviting the fox spirit Yin Yunze to dinner, so naturally he hadn't thought about buying any fancy dishes.

"I am here, why should you worry about such trivial matters!"

Glancing at Song Zhao, Yin Yunze said softly, "You don't need to worry about the food and wine. Your job is to call Peng Shulan over! If I've prepared the food and wine, but no guest arrives... you'll be even more guilty!"

"Yes, I understand!" Song Zhao wiped the cold sweat from his face and gritted his teeth, promising, "I will definitely bring Constable Peng here."

After Song Zhao left, Yin Yunze said to Zhao Wan, "Wan'er, I need to leave for a while. You stay here obediently and don't run around! If anyone tries to bully you, just use the character to teach them a lesson."

As for Zhao Wan, his only anchor point, Yin Yunze naturally wanted to ensure her safety.

Given Zhao Wan's obedient personality, Yin Yunze felt at ease leaving the belt stuffed with characters here.

"Yes, I understand! Lord Yi Yun, don't worry, I definitely won't go anywhere!"

After receiving Zhao Wan's assurance, Yin Yunze returned to reality and began preparations.