"This official is busy with official duties and has no time to see irrelevant people. Furthermore, the Department of Penalties never practices favoritism."
Yu Feng said, "...Originally she was planning to leave, but as soon as this subordinate appeared, she..."
"Let's go take a look." Shen Xiabai suddenly stood up, flicked non-existent dust off his official uniform, and walked outside.
Yu Feng muttered, "He sure changes his tune quickly."
The master and servant arrived at the entrance one after the other. Cui Yunchu was currently leaning against the stone lion, picking at its eyeball.
The government office was solemn, and all its buildings were constructed by the Ministry of Works. Not to mention, the Department of Penalties was under the direct jurisdiction of the Emperor and was the most bloody place; those two stone lions were used to ward off evil spirits.
Normally, even if they weren't wiped daily, they were well protected. But today, they met their nemesis.
"That is just an ordinary bead, not worth much money, but if you pick it out, you will have to pay with your life."
Shen Xiabai's chilling voice was like winter ice and snow.
Cui Yunchu shivered, stood up straight, and forced a fake smile. "I... how could I be that kind of person? I just saw it was a bit dirty and wanted to wipe it for it."
"The people from the Ministry of Works are really stingy. I thought it was a gemstone."
Shen Xiabai glanced sideways at her.
In the few months they had known each other, this was the first time Cui Yunchu smiled at him so amiably, mixed with blatant flattery. Her face practically had the words written all over it:
I need your help with something.
"If it were a gemstone, would it still be there waiting for you to pick it out?"
Cui Yunchu said, "That's true. Lord Shen has become even smarter. Have you been secretly nourishing your brain during the few days we haven't seen each other?"
What nonsense.
Whenever Shen Xiabai interacted with her, the word 'nonsense' couldn't be used to describe anyone else.
But it was undeniable that she made people... very happy. That kind of joy could infect many people around her.
"So, what business does Eldest Miss Cui have with this official?"
Cui Yunchu smiled, gritting her teeth. "Do I even need to say it? Isn't Lord Shen very clear about it? Hehe..."
Her laugh made even herself feel creeped out.
Shen Xiabai shook his head. "Why doesn't Eldest Miss Cui tell me so I can hear it?"
On the side, Yu Feng watched his master's incredibly shameless behavior, frowning and curling his lips.
"Right here?" Cui Yunchu looked around, feeling it was a bit inappropriate.
Yu Feng said, "Going inside is also fine. Master has a place to stay in the government office."
Shen Xiabai and Cui Yunchu looked at him at the same time. Yu Feng's smile gradually became strained. "Well, this subordinate just saw that you and Eldest Miss Cui were probably tired from standing."
"Not tired, just a bit..." embarrassing.
Besides, who goes through the back door while standing on the main street, so blatantly and without any concealment?
Based on Shen Xiabai's attitude, Cui Yunchu already had a pretty good idea in her heart.
But since she was already here, she had to try whether it would work or not. So, she took out a purse from her sleeve, looked left and right, and stuffed it into Shen Xiabai's hand.
Shen Xiabai lowered his eyes, looking at the bulging purse, slightly taken aback.
"Well, it's just a little token of appreciation. Just accept it, and please don't disdain it."
Shen Xiabai raised his eyes, glanced at Cui Yunchu, and then swept his gaze around.
It was the staring eyes of the guarding soldiers and Yu Feng.
He seemed to chuckle, yet also seemed to sneer, as if he was left speechless. "Has Eldest Miss Cui forgotten to nourish her brain these days? You are actually stupider than before."
Who had she ever seen offering a bribe on the main street, in front of over a dozen people, so openly and aboveboard?
Cui Yunchu said, "Do you think it's too little?"
"You know my situation. I really can't produce that much silver. Please be magnanimous..."
Then, the purse was forcefully stuffed back to her.
Cui Yunchu said, "I haven't finished crying poor yet."
She weighed the purse in her hand and quickly put it back into her sleeve. "Lord Shen is noble and pure. Since you refuse to accept it, this little lady will take it back, lest the stench of copper tarnish your clean reputation."
Shen Xiabai watched her series of actions and laughed out of anger. It turned out she never planned to give it to him in the first place.
"Cui Yunchu, at a time like this, you are still thinking about your broken silver. What, didn't the Crown Princess give you any wealth to clear the way?"
He lowered his voice so that only the person next to him could hear.
Cui Yunchu's expression remained unchanged. "The more critical the time, the more important wealth is. Even if it's exile, one still needs wealth to bribe people, right?"
Silver, no matter the time, was always hard currency.
"So, what is the purpose of your visit?" Shen Xiabai looked at her sideways.
She couldn't even bear to part with her silver, yet she wanted to ask for a favor. He didn't know if she was missing a screw in her head, or if she thought everyone else was missing a screw in theirs.
Cui Yunchu said, "I have a letter. I'd like to trouble you to bend the rules a bit and deliver it to my uncle."
"No."
Cui Yunchu, "..."
The refusal was very straightforward, beautifully executed.
"What kind of place does Eldest Miss Cui think my Department of Penalties is, coming here to play tricks on this official?"
She couldn't bear to take out any silver, her spine didn't bend the slightest bit, and when she said the word 'trouble,' she was even full of righteous confidence.
Cui Yunchu smiled. "Since Lord Shen looks down on vulgar items, you should at least consider our slight bit of friendship."
"What friendship? The friendship of being pointed at by Eldest Miss Cui and called a dog, or the friendship of being knocked off a cliff by Eldest Miss Cui?"
"..."
Did she really not have a single good point?
Cui Yunchu racked her brains thinking about the times they spent together, only to realize that there really wasn't any.
"I just helped Lord Shen a moment ago. How can you burn bridges like this?"
Shen Xiabai said, "Helped me?"
He stood with his hands behind his back, ready to hear what earth-shattering, shameless words were going to come out of this woman's mouth next.
"Just now, it wasn't that I couldn't bear to give it to you. It was because so many people were watching, and I wanted to leave you with the reputation of an honest official who doesn't practice favoritism or accept bribes. I even sacrificed myself for your sake."
"..."
Shen Xiabai chuckled a few times in succession, looking at Cui Yunchu with a nearly speechless gaze.
"Is that so?" Shen Xiabai raised an eyebrow. "Then let's trade quietly so they won't hear us."
Cui Yunchu, "..."
"I remember that night, Eldest Miss Cui once said you had already accumulated three chests of dowry, right?"
Cui Yunchu's smile froze. As if struck by a bolt from the blue, she looked at Shen Xiabai.
"Why doesn't Eldest Miss Cui bring them all over? Perhaps they can move this honest official."
Cui Yunchu's lips formed a straight line, her brows furrowed tightly, and her whole face scrunched up.
She looked even more uncomfortable than if someone had scolded or hit her.
Did she say that that night?
Why couldn't she remember?
Cui Yunchu was about to cry. She had actually spilled all her financial secrets, letting this black-hearted person in front of her know everything.
Alcohol... ruins people!!!
"Today, it's this official's turn to teach Eldest Miss Cui a principle: do not reveal your wealth."
"..."
The corners of Shen Xiabai's brows and eyes turned up slightly, as if he was in a rather good mood.
