The two stood not far away, quietly observing the shop before them. This was Yanfei's first target. Judging by the goods displayed out back, it was probably a food vendor.
With two Millelith soldiers standing at the entrance, few dared approach to buy anything. Word had spread that this shop's food contained some unsavory additives.
Rumor had it that many people had fallen ill from eating there.
Selling food or desserts in Liyue Harbor required going through extremely complicated procedures. The most important, of course, was guaranteeing quality.
In contracts for selling food, quality was an indispensable clause printed in black and white. Merchants transporting food from afar typically used Mist Flower corollas.
They'd place them inside cargo boxes containing food to preserve freshness.
Doing this required skill. The low temperatures of Mist Flower corollas could easily freeze and ruin your entire shipment if you weren't careful—and that was actually one of the better outcomes.
Besides Mist Flowers, merchants employed various other methods to maintain food quality.
Of course, sometimes the hired help forgot to do this—a common occurrence in the merchant world. Carelessness led to declining food quality.
Most people turned a blind eye to such cases. Though quality suffered, it usually wasn't enough to cause poisoning. The food remained edible.
The price just had to be adjusted accordingly.
But this shop was different. The food sold here had actually made people sick, and numerous complaints had been filed. Liyue's food safety authorities had to take action.
And here they were.
"Hehe, good sirs, someone must be framing me! The food I sell has always been top quality—there's no way it could make anyone sick."
The shopkeeper, guarded by the Millelith, still refused to give up. His tone suggested he was grasping at straws.
In response to his struggling, the two Millelith soldiers simply picked at their ears and shook their heads, maintaining their characteristic silence.
This guy had been at it all morning. They were sick of listening to him. If not for Liyue's laws, they'd really want to punch this shopkeeper.
Selling substandard food and desserts was bad enough, but disturbing the peace this early in the morning? Absolutely insufferable.
"Gentlemen, our business barely makes any money. I've already provided medical funds to the affected customers. Could we perhaps settle this quietly?"
The shopkeeper continued rubbing his hands together. Though he'd made this suggestion four or five times already, he still wouldn't quit.
At this, the Millelith soldiers shot him a harsh glare. Are you out of your mind? The higher-ups already have their eyes on you, and you still want to settle privately?
This man was starting to ramble, saying all sorts of things. If their superiors caught wind of this conversation, he'd be in deep trouble.
Just as the two soldiers were growing increasingly annoyed, Yanfei and Bonanus, who had been watching the drama unfold nearby, finally approached. They'd certainly enjoyed the show.
This shopkeeper had some nerve, saying such things in Liyue Harbor. He must have just arrived for business recently. Either that, or he was a complete novice.
"Hello. You two have worked hard." Yanfei stepped forward and greeted the Millelith soldiers.
Hearing this, the two soldiers turned to look. The moment they spotted Yanfei, it was like seeing a ray of hope. After all, no one enjoyed standing here listening to this guy drone on all day.
With this thought, the soldiers responded warmly.
"Not at all, not at all. It's our duty."
"Now, let's get down to business. Please, Legal Consultant Yanfei, judge this man's actions and administer the appropriate punishment."
Yanfei simply nodded slightly, waved casually, and led Bonanus into the shop.
The two women looked coldly at the ingratiating shopkeeper before them.
The moment she stepped inside, Yanfei's entire demeanor shifted. An oppressive aura emanated from her, so powerful that the shopkeeper broke out in a cold sweat the instant he saw her.
Witnessing this, Bonanus mentally gave Yanfei a thumbs up. This aura is incredible—almost overwhelming.
The shopkeeper's legs trembled uncontrollably. This woman seems dangerous. I'm definitely in for it today.
This shopkeeper, named Daniel, was a foreign merchant. This was his first time doing business in Liyue Harbor, and as a newcomer, he felt somewhat lost.
Being new, he didn't fully understand certain rules. He believed most problems could be solved with money.
Moreover, merchants doing business in Liyue Harbor were all competitors, so no one bothered to warn him. These merchants loved watching their counterparts fail.
After all, seeing others make money hurt more than losing money themselves.
Though he'd made some effort to understand the rules, his desire to cut corners ultimately got the better of him. That mindset led to today's situation.
Despite being new, he'd heard of Yanfei. She was every merchant's nightmare—no one dared be unaware of her.
And now he'd encountered her personally. What terrible luck.
At Yanfei's arrival, the usually glib Daniel suddenly went quiet, stammering incoherently.
Worse still, the merchant immediately recognized Bonanus as an adeptus. His face fell completely.
Quite the honor—a half-adeptus and a returned adeptus personally seeking me out. An ordinary person would have pissed themselves by now.
Yanfei crossed her arms and waited silently for a moment. Seeing that Daniel had nothing to say, she spoke first.
"Mr. Daniel, I believe you know why we're here. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
At this question, Daniel simply rubbed his nervous hands together. The pressure this woman exerted left him speechless.
He felt that if he said anything, she'd find a loophole and punish him even more severely.
Observing Daniel's flustered expression, Yanfei quickly assessed the situation. Looks like this will be resolved quickly—no need for complications.
With this thought, Yanfei spoke.
"Liyue is a nation of contracts. Since you've come here to do business, I trust you understand what a contract entails."
"I've reviewed the contract you signed. It explicitly guarantees food quality, and you agreed to bear corresponding responsibility. The black and white words cannot be disputed."
"According to Article 143 of the Liyue Legal Code: General Provisions:"
"Those who produce or sell food products failing to meet safety standards, thereby causing serious food poisoning incidents or other severe foodborne illnesses..."
"...shall be sentenced to up to three years of imprisonment or detention, and shall also be fined."
"If serious harm is caused to human health or other aggravating circumstances exist, the sentence shall be three to seven years' imprisonment, along with a fine."
"If the consequences are especially severe, the sentence shall be more than seven years imprisonment or life imprisonment, along with a fine or confiscation of property."
With each clause Yanfei recited, Daniel's face grew more bitter. The atmosphere in the shop grew increasingly tense.
Now he understood why those seasoned merchants feared this legal consultant.
As a novice, he never should have tried to cut corners for petty gains. Having signed a contract in Liyue, he was bound to face local punishment...
Worst of all, he might end up in prison. If that happened, his future would be completely destroyed.
Just as the tension reached its peak, one bystander stood out incongruously.
Bonanus, watching the drama unfold, grew more confused with each word. What did little Yanfei just say? I didn't catch a single word.
It feels like Yanfei is reciting textbook passages verbatim. If it were me, there's no way I'd remember all that.