Chapter 132 - 131 Jinling City 3

The innkeeper was so frightened that he stood frozen; he had never seen such a gaze before!

Cold, domineering, and tinged with a hint of rage!

He was just a merchant who traveled far and wide for business; how could he possess such a sharp gaze?

Well, he might be an old hand in the Jianghu!

Once everything was settled, the innkeeper relaxed and approached with a smile.

"Third Master Huang, today the fault lies with my establishment. How about you switch to another room? I’ll give it to you for half price," he suggested.

Zhao Junyao nodded almost without thinking.

"That’s perfect! Call your people to help me move my luggage!" he commanded.

"Yes!" The innkeeper responded cheerfully and left.

Stepping out of the room, the breeze cleared his head considerably.

Huh! Was I possessed just now? To actually comply with a merchant’s orders and bow and scrape! He’s just a merchant, after all. So what if he has a bit more filthy money? Big deal! Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants! Of course, officials rank the highest, and merchants are at the very bottom! His ability to stay in such a fine room is merely because he has money. However, no matter how wealthy a merchant he might be, he’s still just a merchant!

Having thought it through, he left without looking back.

What was promised as a few helpers to move the belongings ended up being just two boys, and not even fully grown ones at that.

Zhao Junyao glanced at them and sent them away.

Li Shengan managed to keep his composure, but Consort Yun was close to exploding with anger.

"Master, they are being far too presumptuous!" she exclaimed.

Zhao Junyao, however, was unperturbed.

"It’s of no consequence," he assured her.

Indeed, his mind was already hard at work.

Jiangning Prefecture’s Hou Family? What’s their background? Which of their ancestors, for eight generations back, were officials? Who in the Capital City are they closest to? Which faction do they belong to? Is it possible they’ve committed crimes? If they have, how should I deal with them? Should I observe and wait, or uproot them entirely? As the saying goes, ’Pull one hair, and the whole body moves!’ If there’s a big fish behind this, I must plan meticulously and cast a wide net to ensure no escape.

At this moment, Zhao Junyao was like a cheetah waiting to pounce. He meticulously planned, considering all the prey’s accomplices and every possible excuse or reason for acquittal. He would block every possible escape route. Then, seizing the opportunity, he would strike fatally, giving the prey no chance to turn things around or struggle. This was his consistent modus operandi.

Zhao Junyao led everyone to a lesser room downstairs.

It was much smaller, and the view wasn’t as good, but this didn’t affect his mood in the slightest.

On the contrary, he was quite excited.

Why? That’s a bit of a long story. In essence: he had long suspected corruption among officials in the wealthy Jiangnan region but never had a proper chance to investigate! Now, an opportunity had arisen, and he had made this trip specifically for this matter. For a fish to bite the hook on the very first day—how could he not be pleased?

In the dark, Zhao Junyao’s eyes gleamed with the cunning sharpness of a falcon!

Consort Yun returned, seething with suppressed anger.

Cai Die asked tremulously, "Master, why have you returned?"

Consort Yun replied irritably, "If His Lordship has no interest, could I force myself on him?"

Cai Die was rebuffed into silence, left with nothing to say.

「At Xia Ruqing’s place.」

She had been staying in a lesser room all along and didn’t need to move. By that time, she was already fast asleep, having had two dreams already.

The next morning, Xia Ruqing was woken by the sound of people going downstairs.

"Hahaha, this Sky Room No.1 at Jingtai Tower is indeed excellent. I’ll definitely come again, young master that I am..."

As he spoke, he began to CHIRP, CHIRP, CHIRP, amusing his bird.

The servants chimed in with a few flattering words, which Xia Ruqing couldn’t quite make out, but she was a bit puzzled.

Isn’t His Lordship staying upstairs? How come... how come it’s a stranger coming down?

Zi Yue then recounted what had happened after she fell asleep last night.

Xia Ruqing was stunned speechless.

"Huh? Someone forced His Lordship to change rooms? Who would be so bold?"

Xia Ruqing began to feel a sense of schadenfreude.

She mused, "Which unlucky fool has been so unobservant as to stumble right into His Lordship’s line of fire? Now, is there going to be a good show to watch? Hahaha, interesting, fun! Following His Lordship this time, she too could indulge in the thrill of punishing evil and promoting good!"

Thinking like this, she became too excited to fall back asleep.

"Alright, let’s get up!"

With that, she called Zi Yue to help her wash and dress.

When it came to choosing clothes, Zi Yue laid out several sets and said,

"Madam, you might be going out with His Lordship today. Which outfit do you think would be best?"

Since I’m a beloved concubine, there’s no need to be so low-key,

Xia Ruqing thought.

She immediately chose a lake-blue long gown.

"I remember I have a pair of sapphire-blue filigree enamel bracelets. They’d be perfect for this outfit. Help me put them on."

After saying that, she added,

"My hair doesn’t need to be too complicated. Just follow the Jiangnan custom and put it in a simple bun. I don’t need too many ornaments either—just pick two White Jade Hairpins to wear."

Since she didn’t have any lake-blue jade and didn’t want to wear gold or silver, she could only choose white ones for her hair.

In the hot summer, this combination looked cool and refreshing.

After washing and changing, breakfast was served.

It was nothing special, just plain congee with some side dishes, and a plate of steamed buns filled with bean curd skin and chicken mince, exquisitely steamed and placed in a flower-carved basket.

She took a sip of millet porridge to moisten her throat and picked up a Little Bun. Taking a bite, her mouth filled with its savory fragrance.

Delicious!

Xia Ruqing began to eat.

Just as she was enjoying her meal, Little Zhuzi arrived.

"Miss Xia, His Lordship said he will take you out for a stroll later. The carriage is ready. Just let me know when you’re prepared!"

Neither Xia Ruqing nor Zi Yue were too surprised.

Going out was inevitable. They hadn’t come all this way just to stay cooped up in an inn; naturally, they needed to look around.

Thinking this, Zi Yue cheerfully agreed.

"Did His Lordship say anything else? Do we need to bring anything later on?"

Little Zhuzi thought for a moment, then said, "Nothing else!"

Zi Yue didn’t ask any more questions. She gave him a small purse containing a liang of silver before seeing him out.

Xia Ruqing was very happy, her eating pace quickening considerably.

However, a tiny worry still lingered in her heart.

"Do you think... Consort Yun will blame me?"

Zi Yue considered for a moment. "She probably won’t!"

After all, it was Consort Yun’s own bad luck for not seizing the opportunity last night!

Xia Ruqing thought about it and decided not to dwell on it.

She certainly couldn’t push her handsome Emperor husband into another woman’s arms, no way! She also wanted to gain favor!

"Madam, you should eat quickly! Regardless, His Lordship’s orders cannot be disobeyed!"

Xia Ruqing nodded and then happily continued her meal.

After the meal, with all preparations complete, just as she was about to leave, Honored Lady Lan and Honored Lady Xi arrived.

Honored Lady Xi looked quite embarrassed, but she got straight to the point.

"Elder Sister Xia, we’re living next door, and just now..."

"We overheard what Little Zhuzi said! Elder Sister Xia, I also want to go out for a stroll. Could you please speak to the Emperor on our behalf and let us go out too?"