Shopkeeper Zeng, with a respectful half-bow, departed the private room, the soft click of the door signifying their privacy. Inside, the freshly brewed tea sent tendrils of steam into the air, a comforting warmth after their long walk. Yingtao , ever attentive, longed to soothe her young lady’s weariness with a gentle massage, but the General’s presence held her rooted to her spot.
It was Shang Ji who broke the silence First , his voice calm and direct. “The Du family’s property?”
“Yes,” Du Jingyi confirmed, “my father later decided to give it to me as a dowry.”
Luo Yuan’s eyes gleamed with a quiet satisfaction. He had always followed the General, yet never once set foot inside the illustrious Zuixian Tower. Now, thanks to the young lady’s unexpected blessing, he not only entered but was ushered directly into a private room – a feeling akin to a humble chicken ascending to heaven. His face was adorned with a hint of his elation, however, this was enough to earn him a sharp glare from Yingtao . Luo Yuan seeing her expressions grumbled inwardly, “That girl just loves to disgust me!”
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. Soon, a procession of servants filed in, bearing an array of dishes. Two portions of each were served, ensuring Yingtoa and the others were not overlooked. Shang Ji surveyed the feast before him. Indeed, it was a culinary journey, featuring his preferred Jinling cuisine alongside Cezhou dishes, and a few common favorites known to be Du Jingyi’s liking. He mused that while the dishes were the same, each chef brought a unique touch.
He tasted thoughtfully, then offered his verdict. “This taste… no wonder the nobles of Sui’an City flock here.”
Du Jingyi beamed, a visible pride lighting her face. She recalled how her parents had initially balked at her decision to set the restaurant’s prices exorbitantly high. It wasn’t until she unveiled her clever strategy of catering exclusively to the nobility that the establishment truly began to flourish. Now, save for this very private room, all others were booked long in advance. Only those from the royal or ducal palaces could secure a long-term contract, making these elegant rooms a true symbol of status. Naturally, the chefs employed and the ingredients sourced were nothing short of the finest.
“You certainly know how to do business,” Shang Ji remarked, a hint of amusement in his tone. “You always catch the fat sheep and slaughter them.”
Du Jingyi didn’t shy away from his observation. “With Sui’an City teeming with high-ranking officials and nobles, it would be a disservice to my Du family’s reputation not to ‘slaughter the fat sheep’ in such a prime location.”
Shang Ji chuckled. As he prepared to respond, his gaze drifted to the street below, where a luxurious carriage, clearly marked for the royal palace and bearing the “Min” insignia, drew to a halt. Recalling his wife’s recent request for an investigation, a subtle smile played on his lips. “It took no effort at all. Look, who’s here?”
Du Jingyi followed his gaze. She didn’t recognize the woman alighting from the carriage, but the insignia on the carriage was unmistakable. “From the Min Palace?”
“Yes.”
“Who is she? She doesn’t look like a wangfei or a concubine , given her age.”
“She is King Min’s third son’s wife wife, , known as Madam Qi by outsiders.”
Du Jingyi nodded in understanding. Since her marriage into the Duke’s Mansion , she had rarely ventured out or attended banquets, making her unfamiliar with many prominent family members of the capital . This struck Shang Ji as rather inappropriate. As the future head of the household, she needed to cultivate connections with these ladies. He pondered for a moment, then spoke.
“In a few days, it will be my father’s birthday. Madam Wei will undoubtedly invite madams from various houses than . You should also go then and make acquaintance. Mama Dou has been with my mother for many years and knows many people; she can help you remember familiar faces.”
Du Jingyi readily agreed, recognizing the necessity of this. It would be quite embarrassing to stand before such esteemed company and recognize no one.
As they spoke, Madam Qi entered the Zuixian Tower. King Min’s Mansion also had private rooms here, a fact the clerk was well aware of, and he promptly escorted her to the third floor. Madam Qi was accompanied only by a maid and another woman, simply dressed. “Is she truly here just for a meal and some tea?” Du Jingyi and Shang Ji exchanged a knowing glance, both eager to uncover the secret.
Shang Ji subtly signaled Luo Yuan, who immediately rose, stepped outside, and vanished in a flash. Yingtao, witnessing his swift departure, felt a flicker of respect for him. “If nothing else, his skills seem quite good.”
Time stretched on, and the refreshments Shopkeeper Zeng had provided was all but devoured. Even Du Jingyi, let alone Yngtao and the others, grew anxious. Unaware of Luo Yuan’s true abilities, she feared he might have been apprehended. Shang Ji, however, sipped his tea calmly, not a trace of worry on his face. Seeing his composure, Du Jingyi relaxed slightly.
True to form, Luo Yuan reappeared moments later, moving with such stealth that they might have missed him entirely had they not been intently watching the door. Du Jingyi found herself admiring Luo Yuan’s skill, or perhaps more accurately, her husband Shang Ji’s discerning eye. But then, she thought, it was only natural. How else could he have reclaimed the Thirteen Cities without such formidable capabilities?
Shang Ji set his teacup down, his voice betraying no emotion. “What’s the news? Why is she here?”
Du Jingyi leaned in, her attention rapt, eager to discover Madam Qi’s intentions. Luo Yuan wasted no time with pleasantries. “Madam Qi met with an old woman in a private room. She mentioned that King Min is looking for several concubines to enter the palace. Madam Qi asked the old woman to select a few suitable ones. She likely intends to use their identities to infiltrate her own people into the palace.”
Using another’s identity was, in a way, understandable. A daughter-in-law couldn’t directly place people in her father-in-law’s household; it would be a blatant disrespect to her mother-in-law. Madam Qi’s mother-in-law, is a favored concubine, and a formidable figure within the prince’s palace, deeply cherished by the old prince. If she were to discover this scheme, Madam Qi would undoubtedly face severe repercussions.
Shang Ji mentally traced the intricate web of relationships, and a slight smile played on his lips. Du Jingyi, observing his expression, which seemed even more “mischievous” than her own father’s, asked out of curiosity, “What did the General discover?”
“Well,” Shang Ji began, “the eldest son of Prince Min has been married for over ten years with no children. However, Madam Qi has two children, and her son, in particular, is favored by Prince Min as his eldest grandson . It seems there’s a strong possibility of his father being named as the next heir.