Temporarily resolved.

While Li Tai was busy arranging the aftermath, the Jingzhao Prefecture had just hit a temporary dead end in their investigation.

When the middleman and his companions arrived at the supplier’s residence, they found it deserted.

Li Zhe had no choice but to persuade Cui Xian and the others to return home with gentle words, promising them he would do his utmost to apprehend the mastermind.

It must be said, Li Tai’s arrangements had been most timely.

When Dou Xin sent someone to Cui Xian’s residence, he and his friends were in the midst of discussing how best to publicize the affair.

Such a move would not only stir up public attention, putting pressure on the Jingzhao Prefecture to resolve the case quickly, but also serve as a warning to others to be cautious when purchasing furniture.

As soon as the emissary explained his purpose to Cui Xian, he was immediately seized.

With anger written across his face, Cui Xian said, “Very well! Since you’ve come here of your own accord, then come with me to the Prefecture and let’s see what the officials have to say.”

The man hurriedly responded, “Master Cui, please calm yourself and hear me out.”

Cui Xian gripped him tightly, refusing to let go, saying, “There’s nothing for us to discuss. If you have anything to say, take it to the authorities.”

The man pleaded, “Master Cui, I’ve come to deliver compensation and replacement furniture. Please allow me to explain.”

Hearing this, Cui Xian hesitated.

A guest surnamed Li, standing nearby, spoke up, “Cui, perhaps you should hear him out first. With us here, he won’t be able to cause any trouble.”

The man quickly agreed, “Indeed, sir, I come with genuine intent.”

Cui Xian snorted coldly and loosened his grip.

“Very well,” he said, “let’s hear your solution.”

The man began, “It was all a misunderstanding—a mistake at the workshop led to you receiving defective goods.”

Cui Xian and his friends responded only with cold smiles, saying nothing.

Everyone present knew full well the truth. The man's words were mere prelude to his real purpose.

Undeterred by their attitude, he cleared his throat and continued, “Upon hearing of this incident, our master was filled with regret and has ordered me to come and offer his apologies.”

He paused, waiting for a reaction, but none came.

Cui Xian and his companions listened in silence.

The man cursed inwardly, then pressed on, “To demonstrate our sincerity, our master has decided to refund your payment in full and provide you with a set of genuine furniture as replacement.”

At this, Cui Xian relaxed his grip slightly, though his expression remained frosty. “Your master certainly knows how to conduct business. According to commercial law, selling counterfeit goods warrants a fine of three times the value.”

The man replied, “You jest, sir. As I said, it was simply a shipping error. I am here only to exchange the goods.”

Cui Xian frowned.

The situation was indeed troublesome.

He could insist on taking the matter to court and demand triple compensation, but gathering sufficient evidence would take considerable time.

Yet agreeing to their terms felt like a loss of face.

As he hesitated, the guest surnamed Li whispered in his ear, “Cui, perhaps you should have him leave the previous set as well.”

Cui Xian’s eyes lit up.

Although the previous furniture was imitation, its quality was not poor; he could easily use it in another room.

He turned to the man and said, “I won’t make things difficult for you. If you agree to leave the previous set as well, the matter will be concluded.”

The man agreed without hesitation.

Dou Xin’s instructions were to settle the affair; seeing it resolved so smoothly, what did a set of furniture matter?

Once the money and furniture had been exchanged, the man said, “I must ask Master Cui to go to the Prefecture tomorrow to withdraw the case, and I beg you all not to spread word of this incident.”

Cui Xian snorted, “I will handle the withdrawal, but as for the rest, I cannot promise.”

The man was not perturbed.

He spoke obliquely, “My master says that if you agree to keep this confidential, he will owe you all a favor.”

Cui Xian laughed coldly, “Your master has quite the confidence, daring to speak of owing us a favor.”

The man said, “I won’t say more, except that my master’s surname is Li.”

With that, he bowed to the assembled guests and left without another word.

His final remark caused a visible change in the faces of those present.

The guest surnamed Li was from the Li clan of Zhao County, and the Li mentioned by the messenger was clearly unrelated to him; otherwise, he would have recognized him.

Apart from that, there was only one other illustrious Li family in the entire city of Chang’an.

As the crowd considered the identity of that family, bitter smiles crept onto their faces.

In the end, Cui Xian and his companions decided to let the matter rest; in their eyes, it was not worth offending a member of the imperial clan over such a trivial issue.

Li Zhe of Jingzhao Prefecture had already received Dou Xin’s message the day before, so when Cui Xian arrived to withdraw the case, he agreed readily.

A case of forgery seemed to be swept away so easily, and when Li Tai heard the news, he was elated.

Unfortunately, he rejoiced a bit too soon...

For ten days, Li Zhi had been dividing his time between studying and assisting Fang Xuanling in compiling legal codes.

Finally, Li Zhi was granted a ten-day holiday, a whole day free from lessons, so he decided to visit Fang Xuanling later.

He wanted to take the opportunity to see Pei Mingli and thank him for the profits he had helped generate.

When he and Liu An arrived at the Lin De Furniture specialty store, Pei Mingli was sitting in a chair, lost in thought.

Hearing the commotion at the door, he looked up and saw Liu An leading the way.

Just as he was about to greet him, Li Zhi appeared.

Before Pei Mingli could speak, Liu An introduced, “Manager Pei, this is our master, His Highness Prince Jin.”

Pei Mingli quickly bowed, “Your servant Pei Mingli greets Your Highness.”

Li Zhi, being short in stature, reached out to offer Pei Mingli a token gesture of support, then said, “Manager Pei, there’s no need for excessive formality. I came today mainly to witness your talents firsthand.”

Pei Mingli replied humbly, “Your Highness flatters me. I am but a humble countryman.”

After some polite exchanges, Li Zhi asked with curiosity, “When I entered just now, it seemed you had something on your mind. Is there anything I can help with?”