Qing Ning felt a pang of helplessness. They were accustomed to dealing with mild-mannered customers and using gentle persuasion even with the occasional unruly guest. This brazen outburst left them momentarily stunned and unsure of how to proceed.

Just as they were at a loss for what to do, Jiang Zhou arrived on the scene. “Madam, if you continue to hold onto your husband like this without seeking medical attention, he may truly beyond help!”

The woman’s hands froze, her cries silenced. She hesitated for a moment before reluctantly allowing Qing Ju to examine her husband. The scene fell into a tense silence.

Just as the embarrassment settled in, a group of government officials arrived outside and issued an order: “Someone reported unsanitary conditions and a case of poisoning in your restaurant. You are ordered to cease operations immediately. Those involved are to accompany us to the government office!”

The sudden intervention caught everyone off guard.

.

Qing Ning glancing at Jiang Zhou with concern, she worried about the potential losses their restaurant would incur from a single day’s closure. If the closure dragged on, and the matter remained unresolved, Jiang Zhou might struggle to withstand the financial strain.

Jiang Zhou shook his head at her, addressing the customers, “Due to unforeseen circumstances, the restaurant will be closed today. All expenses incurred will be covered by me. I apologize for any inconvenience caused.”

Those who trusted Jiang Zhou’s integrity voiced their support, “Boss Jiang, we believe this matter isn’t your doing. It’s an unfortunate turn of events. Don’t worry about it.”

With a nod, Jiang Zhou followed the Yamen servant.

The poisoned guest was transported away on a stretcher by the officials.

With Jiang Zhou taking charge of the situation, the customers felt reassured. However, the incident left them with no appetite, and they followed Jiang Zhou to see how things unfolded.

Upon reaching the government office, they found a bustling crowd.

As the poisoned guest arrived, he convulsed uncontrollably, his eyes glazed.

Thankfully, a doctor had been summoned and quickly attended to him.

Liu Chengfeng banged the gavel, “Jiang Zhou, do you understand the severity of your offense?”

Before Jiang Zhou could respond, the woman cried out, “My lord!”

Annoyed by the interruption, Liu Chengfeng snapped, “I didn’t address you. Stay silent!”

The woman complied meekly; her cries subdued.

Jiang Zhou composed himself, sensing a familiar scene unfolding. “Sir, what are the charges against me?”

“People were poisoned in your establishment. How can you deny your responsibility?” Liu Chengfeng retorted.

At that moment, the doctor announced, “Sir, the victim has indeed been poisoned.”

Liu Chengfeng’s eyes widened, “Do you have anything to say for yourself?”

After a moment of contemplation, Jiang Zhou pointedly looked at a man in the corner, recognizing him as the source of conflict.

Without a fear, he started to speak: “Sir, all the recipes in the humble man’s shop are the same, and even the soup base of the pot is served from the same bucket. Since one is poisoned, there is no reason why the others should not be poisoned, not to mention, with the wife at the same table also being alive and well, how could it be a problem with the soup base?”

The woman cried and said: “The humble woman and my husband ordered three soup bases, and he only ate the mushroom soup base. This woman didn’t like it. So, I didn’t touch that soup base and only ate with the wolf peach and chicken soup base. If it wasn’t poisoned intentionally, how could there is something wrong with the mushroom soup base! Sir! You have to make the decision for me!”

Jiang Zhou, in a very strange mood, guessed that no one would come up with such a stupid way to mess with him, but it was actually happening here today?

In addition to being praised for his service, his restaurant also specialized in mushroom soup base. With the same ingredients, he could cook a taste that others could not, attracting many regular gourmet customers.

This time, this matter was originally about his mushroom soup base!

.

Sure enough, Liu Chengfeng said: “Bring the mushroom soup base up and test it.”

The pot bottoms and pots on their table were brought to the government office, and a bunch of people were attracted on the way. The soup base was already cold by now, and still exuded a faint fragrance.

The doctor carefully checked the soup base and let out a sigh.

“What? What’s the problem?”

The doctor hesitated for a moment, but in the end, he couldn’t resist his conscience: “Sir…this mushroom soup base…there’s nothing wrong with it!”

He checked again and again, but still couldn’t find out what it was. There was really nothing wrong in it.

Jiang Zhou breathed a sigh of relief.

Liu Chengfeng was still going to speak when an announcement suddenly came from outside: “The inspector has arrived!”