County Magistrate Gu toyed idly with the court gavel in his hand, watching the proceedings with leisurely interest. He made no move to interrupt as their verbal sparring continued.
Seeing that County Magistrate Gu offered no opinion, Tang Jin composed her expression and said, “You’re the one who brought the accusation, so you need to produce solid evidence first. Why should I hand over proof to you? Shopkeeper Lu, is this your scheme? You sell diseased cattle yourselves but can’t find good suppliers, so you resort to this tactic to force out the source of our restaurant’s ingredients. Then, with your wealth and power, you monopolize the supply and rake in all the profits alone. Not bad for a major restaurant like Tower Beyond Towers—quite the calculation.”
Mere empty words without evidence were nothing but squabbling. If it came down to arguing, she’d give as good as she got. Who was afraid of whom?
In any case, she hadn’t killed any cattle. The dishes came from the System—if Shopkeeper Lu could track down their source, it would be a miracle.
Shopkeeper Lu fumed with anger, but words spoken were like spilled water; there was no taking them back now. Admitting he hadn’t sold diseased cattle was too late. He could only turn to County Magistrate Gu. “Your Honor, Tower Beyond Towers has always conducted business with the utmost integrity, or it wouldn’t hold the position of top imperial merchant. This woman is spouting utter nonsense. You must investigate thoroughly. Since she can’t explain the origin of her beef, it proves they slaughtered working cattle in secret.”
As for some calf that died in difficult labor? Pure fabrication—he’d have to be a fool to believe it.
County Magistrate Gu’s fingers tapped rhythmically on the court gavel, his gaze shifting back and forth between Shopkeeper Lu and Tang Jin. Each side stuck to their own reasoning: one lacked proof to substantiate the charge, while the other refused to prove herself for the sake of protecting her supply source. This case was tricky.
Seeing County Magistrate Gu merely observe without speaking, Tang Jin pondered briefly before offering a thoughtful suggestion. “Everything requires evidence, Your Honor. If this student can prove that the beef we sell comes from the tenderest veal calves, would you then convict him of false accusation?”
County Magistrate Gu’s eyes lit up with interest. “Oh? And how do you propose to prove it?”
This was intriguing—the case was veering into absurd territory. They were going to identify beef right there in court.
Tang Jin replied confidently, “The texture of beef from an old cow differs greatly from that of a young calf. Fortunately, our restaurant has just such a dish. Allow me to fetch some, and everyone can taste it for themselves.”
Though she hadn’t sampled every dish rewarded by the System, she had examined them closely. The beef’s fine grain confirmed it wasn’t from any old cow.
Moreover, everything from the System was top-tier cuisine. She had faith in the beef’s texture.
“This official approves.”
As soon as County Magistrate Gu spoke, Shopkeeper Lu objected. “Your Honor, you can’t. The mouthfeel of beef depends entirely on the chef’s preparation. There are many tricks involved. This restaurant’s head chef… is highly skilled. This commoner fears they might cheat.”
He hated to admit the other side’s culinary prowess, but to avoid being cornered, he had no choice.
In any event, no matter how tender the restaurant’s beef, he wouldn’t concede it was veal.
County Magistrate Gu slammed the court gavel upon hearing this. “You have no evidence to prove they slaughtered working cattle in secret, but when they offer evidence, you object. What exactly do you expect this official to do?”
The sharp crack of the gavel made Shopkeeper Lu flinch. Seeing County Magistrate Gu’s displeased expression, a sheen of cold sweat instantly broke out on his forehead.
“Your Honor,” he pleaded, “this commoner brought the charge for the good of Ping’an County’s affairs. No one has sold beef past Tower Beyond Towers these past few days. They must have slaughtered working cattle for profit in secret… This trend cannot be allowed to spread, Your Honor.”
County Magistrate Gu’s face darkened. “Shopkeeper Lu presumes to worry about this county’s affairs? Should this official simply hand over his position to you? Absurd! Do you think this is your personal courtroom? Who decides the verdict—you or this official?”
“This commoner dares not,” Shopkeeper Lu replied, his legs buckling as he prostrated himself on the floor.
In his heart, he felt a twinge of regret. He hadn’t expected these women to dare challenge Tower Beyond Towers so boldly, nor that this county magistrate would show the restaurant no face at all.
At this moment, he harbored thoughts of retreat, planning to bide his time and strike later.
But County Magistrate Gu gave him no such chance, ruling directly. “Liu Da, you are ordered to accompany this woman to the restaurant and fetch the dish promptly.”
“Yes, sir,” Liu Da replied with a fist salute, escorting Tang Jin out.
County Magistrate Gu turned to the hall below. “Liu Er, go find some renowned gourmets and butchers. Old cow or young calf—the texture of the meat differs even if the flavor doesn’t. This official will get to the bottom of it today.”
His own grandfather had been a butcher, after all. Identifying beef was no challenge—if not for avoiding suspicion, he could have handled it himself.
“Yes, sir,” Liu Er replied with a fist salute, striding out of the courtroom.
The hall fell silent for a moment. Just then, Cao Kesang chuckled as he pushed through the crowd and ascended the steps.
“Who goes there?” County Magistrate Gu asked, noting the unfamiliar face.
Cao Kesang produced his identity placard from his bosom, presenting it with both hands upward. He declared clearly, “Your Honor, this student is but a humble scholar from Zhenjiang County, here on cloth business. I share a deep friendship with Lord Miao of the Miao Silk Shop. This student’s palate is notoriously picky—what meat it is, I can tell with one bite. Madam Miao can vouch for me.”
The clerk hurried forward to take the placard and hand it to County Magistrate Gu.
Without hesitation, Madam Miao stepped forward, knelt, and bowed. “This common wife can attest: Cao Kesang and my husband have long been close friends, kindred spirits with equally discerning tongues.”
Mention of Lord Miao from the Miao Silk Shop drew recognition from the crowd—not for the scale of his silk business, but for his famously picky mouth.
County Magistrate Gu was acquainted with the gourmet Lord Miao. With Madam Miao present and willing to testify, and the documents genuine, he asked Cao Kesang, “You wish to taste the dish?”
Cao Kesang replied, “This student is unskilled in much, but has a warm heart. I beseech Your Honor to allow it.”
County Magistrate Gu considered briefly and nodded. “Approved.”
A scholar from the neighboring county, credentials in order, and a gourmet like Lord Miao? That simplified matters. One more wouldn’t hurt.
No sooner had he approved Cao Kesang than someone else stepped forward.
“This humble wife has some skill in cooking and butchery. I have insights into distinguishing meats and wish to play the fair arbiter. Please, Your Honor, grant me this chance.”
Madam Gu gave Chu Shaoyang a reassuring glance. By now, she understood.
Her dear sister-in-arms wanted to help this little restaurant, so she would participate objectively and impartially—no favoritism, just the facts.
If Shopkeeper Lu proved to be the false accuser, she would ensure her husband punished him severely.
County Magistrate Gu glanced at his wife and sighed. “Approved, approved—all of you.”
He was helpless against his wife’s love of excitement.
Yet if the accusation proved false, how to handle Shopkeeper Lu? Thinking of Tower Beyond Towers and those two figures in the Imperial Capital gave him pause.
Going easy wouldn’t satisfy the public; punishing harshly would tarnish Tower Beyond Towers’s reputation. Neither seemed right.
Being county magistrate was truly difficult.
Soon, Liu Da and Tang Jin returned. Liu Er brought back several notable elders—longtime butchers or famed gourmets.
Without waiting for County Magistrate Gu’s order, Tang Yaozu hurried to fetch several pairs of chopsticks. Passing Tang Laidi, he gave her a look full of unspoken words.
Tang Laidi pretended not to notice her ungrateful little brother.
Tang Yaozu felt aggrieved. Since becoming head constable, he’d thought he’d be put to use, but County Magistrate Gu always turned to the Liu Brothers for every task, ignoring him entirely. His subordinates, already disrespectful, followed suit now that the magistrate slighted him.
The Liu Brothers, once closest to his sister, had become the magistrate’s favored constables after her departure.
His heart ached not just with bitterness but fear—fear that County Magistrate Gu long knew his sister had cracked that case, dreading in his dreams that his position wouldn’t last.
Alas!
The gourmets and butchers, along with Cao Kesang and Madam Gu, first picked up a slice of beef, scrutinizing it closely before placing it in their mouths to savor deliberately.
Everyone in the hall, above and below, watched them intently.
But one person stood out awkwardly—or rather, what was that Cao fellow doing?
Cao Kesang mimicked the others by staring at the beef for a moment, then his chopsticks darted out relentlessly, slice after slice vanishing without pause.
Of course—this plate of slippery egg beef slices cost five taels of silver.
As a regular at the restaurant, he knew the math well. Besides the signature garlic honey glazed chicken wings and abalone chicken wing stew, other dishes were gone if you didn’t grab them fast.
Eat it and win.
By the time the others noticed, only a thin layer of oily sheen remained in the dish—no beef slices, not even scraps of egg.
Cao Kesang let out a satisfied burp and declared forthrightly, “The beef is silky and tender, the egg fluffy and soft. The flavor is exquisite. In my opinion, both the grain and mouthfeel match only that of a newborn calf—definitely not old or diseased cow. Truly delicious.”
The crowd: “…”
Thanks, they could tell it was delicious.
Some warm heart—this lord had come purely to eat for free.
Madam Gu eyed the empty plate regretfully and sighed, “Indeed, it is so.”
Shaoyang really was like her own sister. What a fine delicacy—she’d hoped for a full meal today, but now, just one slice left her deeply unsatisfied.
The butchers and gourmets exchanged glances, all wearing expressions of regret. They’d been too careful, too focused on helping the yamen; they hadn’t eaten enough!
With food this good, for another bite or two, they’d swear it was celestial beef from the heavens if asked.
“Reporting to Your Honor, this gentleman’s words ring true. This old man has butchered pigs and cattle for thirty or forty years—I wouldn’t mistake it,” one butcher affirmed.
“Precisely. I’ve tasted hundreds of beef dishes over the years; I can’t be wrong. Might I ask where this restaurant is? Are they open tonight?” a gourmet asked, still savoring the memory.
“Well said…”
The others chimed in agreement.
County Magistrate Gu’s face darkened. He’d planned to inspect it himself—his grandfather had been among the best butchers. But these people… and that gluttonous, warm-hearted Cao Kesang… Was it really that good?
He wanted to try it too…
“Your Honor, the verdict is clear. It’s time to convict Shopkeeper Lu of false accusation,” Madam Gu prompted considerately, rolling her eyes inwardly at her husband’s distraction.
“Ahem. Shopkeeper Lu, have you anything more to say?” County Magistrate Gu recovered, slapping the court gavel. How to judge? Leniency wouldn’t satisfy; severity would harm Tower Beyond Towers’s standing. He was truly torn.
Seeing the tide turn against him, Shopkeeper Lu collapsed to the floor in fear. But recalling Tower Beyond Towers’s status in the Hundred Blades Dynasty, a flicker of hope stirred. “Your Honor, judge wisely—this commoner stands unbowed. Even if it’s proven veal, they still slaughtered the calf in secret.”
He simply couldn’t determine when the restaurant had bought the beef, or where it had come from. Other than slaughtering it privately themselves, what other possibility was there?
