As the end of the year approached, a major uproar was caused by the embezzlement case of Xu Zhongtian, a smalltime county magistrate. It involved two major families, the Marquis Zhongyong and the Minister of the Left, along with the Ministry of Revenue, and Ministry of Works.
This year's New Year gifts were given more cautiously by many. Almost all of them were food products produced on their own estates and some pleasing foods bought from outside. They dared not give anything valuable. The officials kept a close watch, scrutinizing closely.
As a result, the gourmet foods from Xiao'er's supermarket, and the exquisite pastries from Liu Jingshu's bakery, had become hot commodities, in constant demand. The quantity supplied was increasing daily, and there were people still placing orders on the eve of the New Year!
