The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 454 - 371, Zhao Douan: Princess, where are you practicing your cultivation?

"Inviting Prince Jing over?"

Feng Ju's face showed a touch of surprise, with an emerging sense of worry, "Sir, are you wanting to..."

Visiting the Prince was a different gesture from asking the Prince to come over.

Zhao Douan said with a smile, "Just go ahead and take care of it. Oh, and send a message over later; I'll first receive our own people."

"Yes." Doctor Feng immediately complied, positioning himself as an obedient subordinate.

After discussing some detailed arrangements, they got up and left.

Once they were gone, the attendants standing outside the main hall of Zhuozheng Garden came inside.

"How are the arrangements?" Zhao Douan took two golden-yellow mangos from the fruit plate and tossed one to each of the Hai family grandfather and grandson.

Haitang caught it and said indifferently, "Everyone's accommodations have been arranged; this garden is really nice, rarely seen in the Capital."

The eunuch in the python robe peeled his mango with a smile, and said, "If there's nothing else, this humble one will take his leave to rest. Hehe, the servant girls in this garden are all charming and sweet with their words, quite different from those in the Capital."

So, you still get to enjoy, how is that... Zhao Douan remarked without surprise, "In terms of gardens, indeed, Huai River's are impressive. I remember there's an Imperial summer resort by Huai River? It's a pity it's not around here; otherwise, I'd also like to broaden my horizons."

"The Royal Family's mountain resort," Eunuch Hai's memory drifted, and he mumbled, "That's further south, near Luo Mountain, built as the ceremonial palace by the founder when he offered sacrifices to heaven and earth, six hundred years ago... Heh, you may not be devoid of a chance to visit it someday."

Eunuch Hai's words seemed pointed, but Zhao Douan didn't catch the implication.

He waved his hand, signaling his entourage to rest, as he stayed in the hall to prepare for the arrival of the guests.

...

As Feng Ju had said, as soon as Zhao Douan entered Hu Ting City, many people were eager to visit.

Not long after Old Feng went out to pass the message, guests arrived in Zhuozheng Garden.

However, the first guest was a "familiar face" that surprised Zhao Douan.

"Lady Lin?" Zhao Douan sat in the main seat of the hall, a scroll of landscape paintings by ancient masters hanging on the wall behind him.

Holding a tea cup from Feng Yao, he was surprised to see a young matron stepping in from outside.

Beautiful and refined, with an oval face and curving eyebrows, she was no longer in the simple white dress of the past but now wore a more conservative and thick padded silk dress, her demeanor vastly different from when she was in the Capital.

Lin Susu!

The "Sixth Madam" who was once forcibly taken as a concubine by "Young Master" Li Yinglong.

At the time, she cooperated with Zhao Douan by using her resemblance to the late Emperor's concubine as a trap to deceive the Li family father and son.

Afterward, Zhao Douan sent her back to the south and gave her the option to join the Royal Merchants.

"The unworthy Lin Susu pays her respects to the benefactor!" Lady Lin crossed the threshold and knelt down immediately, looking excited.

The man who appeared to be in his thirties and dressed as a merchant, also knelt down beside her.

"Rise and speak." Zhao Douan said with a smile, curious about the man beside her, "If I'm not mistaken, this is your husband? Hu what..."

"Hu Xuezhai." The man hurried to introduce himself, his eyes sincere, "In the past when my wife and I were in trouble, if it weren't for your help, we would have been long separated by life and death. I've long wanted to pay a visit to the Capital in person, but it was delayed due to matters; now that I heard of your arrival, my wife and I took the liberty to intrude. We have nothing much to offer, just a small token of our gratitude, and hope you will accept it."

With that, he presented a wooden box gift.

Zhao Douan chuckled, ordered the couple to rise and chat, and learned the story of how Lady Lin returned to Jiangnan, rescued her husband, and told their tale.

Hu Xuezhai turned out to be a man of deep affection, who had actually accepted the situation. The couple had never parted, and Lady Lin took out the certificate given by Zhao Douan.

Both having been merchants, they were among the first to join the Royal Merchants. Although the market hadn't officially "opened," under the guidance of the court, commercial trade had already been in trial operation for some time.

The couple had reaped the benefits, becoming representatives of the newly emerging Royal Merchants.

After conversing with them for a moment, another visitor arrived, so Zhao Douan had someone take the couple to rest in the garden.

The second guest was also a surprising acquaintance.

"Sir, Donger, as you directed, has been waiting for a long time at Hu Ting."

Dressed in a dark horse-faced skirt with a shawl, the "widow number one of Great Yu" from the Xiao family in Qingzhou smiled as she stepped through the threshold, holding gifts in her hands.

She bowed gracefully before Zhao Douan, revealing a hint of a voluptuous figure beneath the front of her dress.

"Mrs. Xiao keeps her promises as expected. Please, have a seat," Zhao Douan said as he invited her to sit down, learning that Mrs. Xiao had not returned to Qingzhou after leaving the Capital but had come straight to Hu Ting.

She had been living in the area for quite some time. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

"You came in such a hurry, Mrs. Xiao; did Xu Zudi say anything?" asked Zhao Douan curiously.

Mrs. Xiao gave a cunning smile, as gentle as a pool of spring water, and slightly pursed her red lips before saying, "I have something to report to you, Sir; I didn't dare to speak of it in the Capital for fear of startling the snake. Xu Zudi admonished Donger to come here to set an example at the Hu Ting meeting, to represent the merchants of Qingzhou in opposing the court and obstructing the opening of the market."

There's such a thing?

Zhao Douan was pleasantly surprised, yet couldn't help but chuckle as he spoke, "And you still dared to come?"

Mrs. Xiao smiled brightly, "Everyone knows my Xiao family wants to be Royal Merchants, but the court has rejected us time and again. How could I not dare to come?"

Zhao Douan sighed, "This makes you a double agent."

Mrs. Xiao, very decisive internally and adept at using her beauty to her advantage, feigned confusion and said timidly, "Don't scare Donger, Sir. You know, my Xiao family follows only your lead. Xu Zudi is a complete fool; I'm not afraid of him."

"Hahaha," Zhao Douan laughed heartily and earnestly said,