"Without any evidence, you want to frame our shop, slandering us with righteous indignation. Could it be that you have some ulterior motive?"
"Hmph, everyone saw what happened to the Old Madam from our family; the doctor has even gone to the residence, and that is evidence enough."
"Produce your evidence first before saying anything. Our shop will remain here and wonât leave."
"Of course, if the customer canât produce evidence, then itâs slander."
"Weâve reported this to the authorities already. If it really is an issue with our shopâs glazed mirror, naturally, we will take responsibility; if not, the government will reach a conclusion."
"Certainly, what the cause is canât be concluded now. If the customer continues to make unreasonable accusations, it compels one to question your intentions."
A few guards immediately started making a fuss, not allowing the Yonghe Shopâs shopkeeper and others to intervene, causing a scene. Most people didnât know what happened and naturally assumed it was the shopâs problem.
And for a moment, the commotion outside grew even bigger, with many ordinary people joining in, though itâs possible some were deliberately stirring trouble.
The business of the Yonghe Glazed Mirror was indeed flourishing, and clearly, there were significant profits at stake.
Some naturally wanted to take advantage of the situation to seize the benefits.
Now that thereâs a commotion, they wanted to escalate it, to fish in troubled waters.
Xu Chan curled his lips, noted the faces of those deliberately causing trouble in the crowd, and walked over.
"Everyone, stop making a fuss." The guards alongside Xu Chan pushed away the riled-up crowd.
They directly stopped a few of the troublemaking guards.
"Everyone, since thereâs a conflict among you, let me handle it. I am an official from the Official Gazette Office, and our office can mediate your conflict. Would you be willing?"
Xu Chanâs presence quieted the scene, as officials from the Official Gazette Office were regarded with fairness in the publicâs mind.
Because of their fairness, they had a good reputation among the people.
Those who were merely watching and gossiping immediately thought to let the Official Gazette Office handle the matter.
After all, the Official Gazette Office was sure not to falsify anything.
The servant boys causing trouble in the background grew fearful and hurriedly turned to sneak away.
Xu Chan paid no attention to the comings and goings of these people.
Rather, he gazed with interest at those causing trouble.
"I wonder if this gentleman is willing?"
"What about Steward He?"
"Our Yonghe Shop is naturally willing to cooperate with the yamen. Our shopâs mirror would never intentionally harm anyone. If an accident occurs, it wasnât intentional harm from the shop."
"Of course, even if itâs an accidental injury, the shop will provide some compensation in the form of a gift."
"When selling glazed mirrors, we reminded everyone of this, and there is also a manual." The shopkeeper, not foolish, wouldnât let slip such an opportunity to clarify.
"This gentleman knows well that this shop belongs to the Chu family, and Lord Chu is an official at the Official Gazette Office. As a subordinate, how could you not help the Chu family?"
The head guard immediately sneered, directly revealing this to everyone.
"Sir, without evidence, your words are slander against an official of the imperial court."
"If you continue causing trouble like this, youâll just have to be interrogated at the yamen."
"See, you people canât help but protect each other," the guard shouted immediately, as if to cement this claim.
"Rest assured, sir, we will conduct a public hearing, so thereâs no need to worry, and the public can attend and listen."