Fine.

Out of sight, out of mind.

Prime Minister Zhao stepped into the mansion.

Dong Chenglang’s words "my esteemed father-in-law" were stuck in his throat, causing him a heartache.

When Prime Minister Zhao entered the room, General Shi’s wife was picking thorns from General Shi’s palm.

After hitting him once, she couldn’t bear to hit him again, so why remain angry?

Now it’s good, both uncle and nephew are injured.

Prime Minister Zhao walked in, apologizing to General Shi for concealing Xie Jingchen’s identity.

...

In the palace garden.

Su Jin was sitting in the pavilion, holding the Little Princess and feeding the fish.

A handful of fish bait was scattered, and the koi scrambled for food.

The Little Princess was so happy she waved her arms and legs.

The sound of footsteps came from behind, and when Xingxing turned, she saw the Princess Consort walking over, the sunlight casting a noble aura around her.

"Miss, the Princess Consort is back," Xingxing said.

Su Jin rose while holding the Little Princess.

The Princess Consort entered with a smile, and the Little Princess reached out for a hug, saying, "Mother Consort, hug... ."

The Princess Consort gently tapped the Little Princess’s nose before reaching out to pick her up, her joy evident.

"Mother Consort is in a good mood," Su Jin said with a bright smile.

The Princess Consort pulled the Little Princess back from climbing onto the stone table and said, "We’ve spent quite some time in Nanlin, and the Prince has decided to depart for Daqi in three days."

Su Jin said, "We finally returned; why not stay a few more days?"

The Princess Consort shook her head with a smile, "It’s unnecessary, Xuxu is in the palace and has court affairs to handle. From now on, Daqi will be my home."

"Returning once in this lifetime, I have no regrets."

With the Princess Consort saying this, Su Jin no longer persuaded her.

She still had matters to attend to and needed to enter the palace.

The next day, Su Jin went to the palace with Xie Jingchen to find Zhao Xu.

Before meeting Zhao Xu, Su Jin first met Princess Jing Mountain.

Dressed in Empress attire, her noble elegance couldn’t hide the lively charm between her brows, captivating the eye.

She took Su Jin’s hand and said, "I was just wondering whether to summon you to the palace or head out to find you."

Though she was the Nanlin Empress, she wasn’t entitled to summon Su Jin.

As for leaving the palace—

She had just become the Nanlin Empress and couldn’t take palace rules lightly. Her dilemma was resolved when Su Jin arrived.

Su Jin smiled, "I came to discuss something with Young Master Zhao."

"You came to discuss something?" Princess Jing Mountain was a bit surprised.

"Is it about trade?"

Su Jin nodded lightly.

Princess Jing Mountain’s smile was vibrant.

She had also wished to discuss this with Su Jin. Trade between Beimo and Daqi had made soap and rouge very popular, and she feared she wouldn’t have them after marrying into Nanlin, planning to bring a case along.

This idea was slapped down by Prince Beimo.

With Beimo and Daqi trading, Zhao Xu and Xie Jingchen being first cousins, it was impossible not to trade?

Bringing so much soap as dowry would only invite ridicule.

However, last night she bathed without any soap...

Su Jin proposed trade between Daqi and Nanlin, and Zhao Xu agreed immediately.

Princess Jing Mountain had mentioned it last night, and Zhao Xu was planning to discuss it with Xie Jingchen, but they arrived first.

Even though they had a closer relationship with Zhao Xu, from a court perspective, Nanlin and Beimo were the same.

Thirty percent of the profits from the shop would go to Zhao Xu, whether to the National Treasury or a private account, that was Zhao Xu’s concern.

Naturally, Zhao Xu had no objections; it’s a benefit to the country and the people.

Zhao Xu said, "I happen to have a shop suitable for opening Beauty Pavilion."

Hmm.

That shop used to belong to the Duke Guardian Mansion.

It was the largest restaurant in the Capital City.

After conquering the Capital, the Duke Guardian and his allies were thoroughly defeated.

Confiscated items were all handed over to the National Treasury, and Dong Chenglang had asked him for that restaurant, which he didn’t grant.

He felt a poorer brother-in-law was better.

With a shop, Su Jin would have peace of mind, only lacking the Beauty Pavilion’s blueprints.

"I’ll return to draw the blueprints, rebuild the shop, and send someone to manage it," Su Jin said.

Zhao Xu wasn’t good at doing business.

Su Jin was skilled in it.

He had no reason not to follow Su Jin’s advice.

Princess Jing Mountain stood by and said, "Also, an ice shop."

"My Imperial Brother wants to discuss opening an ice shop in Beimo with you."

"... ."

Su Jin hadn’t thought about opening ice shops in Nanlin and Beimo.

However, since Princess Jing Mountain wanted it, Su Jin certainly agreed.

Trade negotiations were smooth, without the need to iron out details.

Xie Jingchen stayed in the Imperial Study while Princess Jing Mountain took Su Jin to stroll through the Imperial Garden.

Parting this time would make it harder to meet again.

Su Jin and Xie Jingchen stayed in the palace for lunch before leaving, and the weather was good, so they wandered the streets.

Xingxing followed behind, looking around everywhere.

The differences between things in Nanlin and Daqi were quite pronounced.

She hadn’t seen Bi Zhu for almost a year; she would bring back gifts for her and the maids at Agarwood Pavilion.

Xingxing was absorbed in picking, having not noticed Su Jin and Xie Jingchen had walked far ahead.

The Hidden Guard followed closely.

Xingxing was picking hairpins when she spotted a silver hairpin, instantly attracted.

She picked it up and liked it even more the longer she looked.

The vendor smiled and said, "If the lady likes it, why not buy it."

Xingxing thought for a moment and put the silver hairpin down.

She already had many silver hairpins, often not wearing them all, so it wasn’t worth spending the money.

Just as she put it down, a large hand reached over and picked up the silver hairpin. Xingxing turned her head and saw a man.

The man looked rather familiar.

Xingxing had a good memory and quickly remembered, "It’s you."

The man was Zhao Xu’s personal guard.

He was now a First-Grade Sword-carrying Guard.

He was out doing errands for Zhao Xu and unexpectedly ran into Xingxing.

The guard took the silver hairpin, pulled out a silver ingot from his pocket, and gave it to the vendor, "Is this enough?"

"It’s enough, more than enough," the vendor quickly said.

The guard casually handed the silver hairpin to Xingxing.

Xingxing was stunned, "Why are you giving it to me?"

What for?

Just because you like it.

Looking at Xingxing’s delicate face, the guard’s heart skipped a beat.

Ever since he found out it was Xingxing who tied him to the tree, this little maid had entered his heart and wouldn’t leave.

But he was the Emperor of Nanlin’s guard, while she was the maid of the Daqi Princess.

It was impossible for him to go to Daqi.

It was also impossible for her to stay in Nanlin.

The guard smiled bitterly in his heart and said, "That’s for when Miss Xie tied me to the tree."

Xingxing laughed brightly, "I said there’s no need to thank me, didn’t I?"

"Although tying you was a bit taxing, I’m strong."