Xie Yanci’s voice turned abruptly cold. "I just saw you slip Master Zhao a stack of banknotes. What was that for?"
Mu Yunyuan’s heart skipped a beat. Before he could offer an explanation, Master Zhao, who stood nearby, held the banknotes out with both hands. "My Lord, I don't know this person at all. He tried to bribe me with these banknotes, claiming he wanted to plead for someone named Shen Shuhui. I know the rules of the Imperial City Department—you despise corruption above all else, My Lord. I summoned you here specifically to hand this scoundrel over to you. I may only be a cook, but I earn my living with my own hands. I would never take money that isn't mine, nor would I ever tarnish the four great characters that hang high in our Imperial City Department: 'Upright and Bright'."
The more impassioned and righteous Master Zhao sounded, the less Mu Yunyuan could lift his head. *Every word is hitting where it hurts,* he thought. *He’s just a lowly cook, is all this necessary? Acting like he’s so noble.*
Chapter 139