diskusbooks Chapter 161
Chapter 161
Lijiang in Jiangnan.
Cuihufang is bustling with activity today.
"Rong Cheng, have all the invited family members arrived?"
"Master, apart from the Cui family and Young Master Lu, everyone else who received our Rong family's invitation has arrived."
"The Cui family again?"
A cold glint appeared in Rong Sheng's dark eyes.
He invited them several times, but the Cui family, relying on their status as an old aristocratic family in Jiangnan, refused to give him any face.
If the Rong family succeeds in this endeavor, he will certainly not spare the Cui family.
Twilight.
Lu Hanting finally arrived late.
Accompanying him was Cui Mingkun, the current head of the Cui family.
"Welcome, Your Highness!"
"Welcome, Your Highness!"
"..."
Rong Sheng led the group forward, knelt down, and bowed to Lu Hanting.
Looking at the large group of merchants before him, Lu Hanting said coldly, "Get up, all of you!"
"Your Highness must have had a long and tiring journey to Wu County for your inspection."
The Rong family, representing the gentry and common people of Jiangnan, has specially prepared a banquet in Cuihu Lane to welcome the arrival of the young master!
Rong Sheng stepped forward, flattering and ingratiating himself.
This was, to say the least, the second time he had met Lu Hanting.
I had only seen them from afar before, and we hadn't even said hello.
Therefore, he didn't know Lu Hanting's temper very well.
The only thing known is that he took two beautiful concubines in the capital.
I learned this from a letter sent back by my younger sister.
Right now, Lu Hanting is looking at me with a blank expression.
His heart pounded.
I wonder if the banquet arranged today will suit the Crown Prince's taste.
"Patriarch Rong, lead the way!"
The middle-aged man standing next to Lu Hanting said to him with a faint smile.
Rong Sheng glanced at him, trying his best to suppress the anger in his heart.
This person was none other than Cui Mingkun, the head of the Cui family, who competed with the Rong family in business.
Ten years ago, both the Cui and Rong families were well-known wealthy merchants in Jiangnan.
Because the Rong family rode on the coattails of the Marquis of Dingguo's coattails, they secured a position as imperial merchants.
Due to the rise of the Rong family in recent years, the Cui family has gradually declined and fallen into ruin under the suppression of the Rong family.
As the weaker party, Cui Mingkun was certainly extremely unwilling to accept this.
The reason why Liu Yun was able to collect evidence of the Rong family's crimes in such a short time was largely due to the efforts of the Cui family.
Today, the head of the Cui family came to visit.
He offered to help Lu Hanting take over the Rong family business in exchange for his support.
Lu Hanting simply laughed it off.
With the Rong family gone, there are plenty of people eager to climb to the position of imperial merchant.
If Wei'er hadn't been in business for so short a time and lacked sufficient business experience...
Otherwise, he would have given her the chance.
Seeing the slight upturn of the prince's lips, Cui Mingkun assumed that Lu Hanting was interested in his proposal.
He was naturally pleased.
If they could get close to Lu Hanting, the Cui family would definitely be able to make a comeback.
At the banquet, everyone toasted each other, creating a harmonious and joyful scene.
Many people wanted to come over and toast Lu Hanting, but they were all scared away by his gloomy expression.
Rong Sheng glanced at Lu Hanting out of the corner of his eye, but couldn't discern what he was thinking.
He turned to Rong Cheng and instructed, "Let Yao Yao go on stage!"
soon.
Music sounds.
The graceful and charming young girl wore a bright red gauze dance dress, the skirt fluttering in the wind.
She moved with the lightness of a swallow, lightly touching the ground with her toes, and floated to the center of the stage.
Her eyes, shimmering like autumn water, were visible beneath her veil.
His eyes sparkled as he glanced around.
Xie Yaoji looked at the handsome and elegant man in front of her.
It seems there are countless emotions she wants to express, yet she remains silent.
Her task today was to bewitch the young prince who had come from afar.
She was clearly satisfied with the man she was about to give herself to for the first time.
She swayed her hips gently and spun around to stand in front of the man.
Every leap she made was imbued with a natural charm.
This made the men present envious.
If they hadn't known that this woman was meant for Lu Hanting, they probably would have fought tooth and nail to take her away.
Xie Yaoji's eyes were sometimes hazy and sometimes burning, as if she wanted to steal the soul of the man in front of her.
Lu Hanting's lips curled up slightly, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.
A moment later, the music suddenly stopped.
Xie Yaoji kicked off her dancing shoes, revealing her fair and delicate feet.
She danced gracefully and came to Lu Hanting's side.
All that could be heard was a voice, like a ghost from an empty valley, suddenly chanting in the hall.
“There is a beauty in the north, peerless and independent.
Regardless of the city, consider the country.
"How could one not know the power of a beauty to topple a city or a nation? Such a beauty is hard to find again."
After she finished singing, the veil on her face fluttered off in the wind.
A captivating face was revealed to everyone in an instant.
Her dance moves were graceful, and her beauty was unparalleled.
I'm afraid no man could resist it.
The only exception was Lu Hanting, who was coldly watching her.
"Have you jumped enough?"
Lu Hanting suppressed his inner irritation and said coldly.
"Shi, Shizi..."
Xie Yaoji froze on the spot, as if she had been frozen in place.
"Have you jumped enough?"
He wasn't impressed by Xie Yaoji.
Although the dance was quite good and the dancer was indeed very attractive.
However, compared to his two concubines in the Marquis's mansion, especially Wei'er, he was still a little lacking.
Especially the dance she performed today, it wasn't as good as the "Listen to Me, Thank You" dance that Wei'er performed for him at home.
The song is novel and interesting, but compared to Wei'er, it's really not a surprise.
Xie Yaoji hurriedly knelt down.
"Your Highness, I'm sorry, Yaoji thought you would like it..."
Xie Yaoji's body trembled slightly.
She was secretly trained by the Rong family for ten years, with the expectation that she would be offered to the current emperor.
Unexpectedly, the head of the family suddenly asked her to come out and perform a dance today.
As a result, the man in front of her rejected her on her first dance performance.
"roll!"
Looking at her teary eyes, Lu Hanting couldn't bring himself to feel any pity for her.
Everyone was taken aback by Lu Hanting's sudden change in expression.
Especially the capacity.
Seeing Xie Yaoji kneeling on the ground, he gave a wink to the servant beside him.
The servants helped Xie Yaoji stagger back.
"Your Highness, it's all my fault. I never imagined you would be so uninterested in dance and music..."
Lu Hanting snorted coldly.
"Master Rong, it is not that I, Lu, do not have a fondness for beautiful women."
"It's not that your dancers don't move me enough..."
You think you can get him to let the Rong family go with just a honey trap? You're dreaming.
"Since the young master doesn't like it, then let's drink!"
The anger in Rong Sheng's eyes vanished in an instant.
Lu Hanting picked up his wine glass and raised it to everyone.
Seeing that Lu Hanting had finally given them face, everyone happily toasted with him.
Lu Hanting looked at everyone present with his dark eyes.
Most of those invited here are involved in the Rong family's business of smuggling salt. If we want to take them down in one fell swoop...
That may not be easy; we may need to reconsider this matter.
Halfway through the banquet.
Rong Sheng ordered someone to bring over a sandalwood box.
Lu Hanting looked at the box, puzzled.
"Your Highness, this is the latest life-saving pill developed by my Rong family."
Since it's touted as a life-saving pill, it naturally has its unique effects.
"Oh, what are the effects?"
Lu Hanting picked up the pill and asked curiously.
Seeing that he was interested.
Rong Sheng proudly declared, "It has the power to bring the dead back to life!"
Everyone present pricked up their ears, listening to Rong Sheng explain the miraculous properties of the pills.
Hearing how amazing it sounded, Lu Hanting actually tried to put the pill in his mouth.
Upon seeing this, Rong Sheng was so frightened that he quickly shouted, "Your Highness, wait!"
Lu Hanting looked at him.
"What? Didn't Patriarch Rong just say that this medicine is very effective? I, Lu, was just thinking of testing it on myself?"
Let's see if it really has the miraculous effect you say!
Hearing his words, Rong Sheng felt a tightness in his chest.
The medicine's effects are certainly not that miraculous.
He was just bragging in front of everyone!
When it comes to business negotiations, one naturally needs to be eloquent and persuasive.
Not only can you boast, you also have to dare to boast.
But how to blow it is a skill.
But he saw that Prince Lu just didn't want him to succeed and insisted on exposing his shortcomings.
"Your Highness, I only have three pills left at this stage..."
Rong Sheng's original intention was to present these three pills to the emperor as this year's tribute.
He heard that a concubine whom the emperor respected in the palace had fallen seriously ill.
Offering medicine at this time is to win His Majesty's favor.
Perhaps the Empress Dowager's condition will improve after taking the medicine, and the Emperor, overjoyed, might even bestow a name upon it.
Even if someone in the capital manages to produce this pill, he is not afraid.
Conversely, he could also accuse that person of stealing his secret recipe.
In this way, two things can be achieved at once.
They pleased the emperor and preserved the Rong family's status as imperial merchants.
This also prevented others from engaging in malicious competition with him.
The money will still go to the Rong family in the end.
Seeing the young prince's eagerness to try the pills like sweet beans, Rong Sheng was genuinely afraid he would eat them.
"Your Highness, if you really want them, I will definitely send them to you first as soon as the next batch of pills is made."
Rong Sheng said sincerely.
"how long?"
Rong Sheng frowned.
According to Ma Hongmao's reply, it would take at least half a month to gather all the medicinal materials needed for his medicine.
"About a month!"
Rong Sheng said uncertainly.
"It's too long, I can't wait that long."
Lu Hanting fiddled with the pills in his hand.
"Twenty days!"
Seeing Lu Hanting tossing the pills around like toys.
Rong Sheng rubbed his forehead.
My goodness, please stop playing around.
He plays with the food he ate by letting it slide in his palm.
If the emperor found out, he'd probably lose his head.
Lu Hanting saw his anxious look.
A cold smile appeared on his lips.
"This one is mine; you can give the rest to His Majesty!"
"This……"
Rong Sheng has a big head.
This young master Lu, he really dares to speak his mind.
Everyone was shocked by Lu Hanting's audacious words.
They had heard that this envoy from the capital, Lu, was highly regarded by the emperor.
But no one expected that he would even dare to steal the tribute that was meant for the emperor.
A sarcastic smile appeared on Lu Hanting's lips.
What is this.
The emperor often gave him tributes, but they were usually just a worthless pill.
Although this pill may not have the miraculous effects that Rong Sheng claimed.
But seeing Rong Sheng's heartbroken expression, he figured it must have had some effect.
He was just wondering what gift to send to Vera when he found one.
"Okay, okay!"
Since the Crown Prince had said so, how could Rong Sheng dare to refute him?
Besides, the beauty wasn't given away today.
Consider this pill a gesture of flattery and ingratiation.
Lu Hanting, out of courtesy, drank a few more glasses of wine before leaving the boat shop.
After disembarking, he and his men were preparing to leave.
I could vaguely make out a figure standing at the bow of the boat.
Before he could get a good look, he heard a "thump," as if something had fallen into the lake.
Lu Hanting frowned.
"Your Highness, it seems someone has fallen into the lake."
Ru Feng stepped forward.
"Oh."
"Your Highness, should I go down and rescue the person?"
After all, it was a human life, and Liuyun couldn't bear it.
Ru Feng glanced back at Liu Yun without saying a word.
"Sir..."
"If you want to save them, then go ahead and do it!"
Lu Hanting glanced at the person struggling slightly underwater, then turned and strode away from Cuihufang.
Ru Feng Chao Liu Yun glanced at him sympathetically and said, "Brother, you'd better take care of yourself."
After witnessing the infighting among the women in the Marquis's mansion, Ru Feng developed gynophobia.
If I'm not mistaken, the one who just fell was a woman.
He was just trying to get away from women so he wouldn't meddle like Liu Yun.
The next day.
Wu Weiwei was having breakfast when Xiao Shitou returned.
"Little Stone, have you found anything?"
If the constable hadn't arrived quickly yesterday, Li Juhua would probably have already revealed the name of the mastermind.
"Master, according to information gathered by my brothers..."
The Li family from the outskirts of Beijing visited Li Juhua's house these past two days..."
Li family?
I don't understand Wu Weiwei.
Little Stone explained, "It's the He family that lost your brother before."
She was also Li, the mother of the deceased He Yaya.
"is her?"
This was beyond Wu Weiwei's expectations.
She had initially guessed that it was either the Rong family or the female lead, but now it's not what she expected.
Seeing Wu Weiwei, he was puzzled.
Little Stone explained to her the relationship between Li Juhua and He Shi.
It turns out that the two are sisters who haven't been in contact for many years.
"Wait, Little Stone, do you mean that Madam Li thinks I killed He Xiuxiu?"
Little Stone looked at Wu Weiwei and nodded.
That's probably the case.
"Hmph, instead of seeking out their real enemies, they've come after me instead..."
Although He Xiuxiu's death was inextricably linked to her.
Ke He Xiuxiu had harmed her; she was merely playing along.
Moreover, she didn't die at her hands; she was killed by the Fourth Sister.
Instead of seeking out the person in question, they went after her.
Does this He family think she's incapable of killing her entire family?
So, now she actually dares to instigate Li Juhua to take revenge on her?
Seeing Wu Weiwei in a daze, none of the people in the room dared to make a sound.
It took Wu Weiwei a while to come to her senses.
She looked at the maid beside her.
"Wanqiu, go and get one hundred taels of silver for Xiaoshitou."
Seeing the surprised look in Little Stone's eyes.
Wu Weiwei said to him, "You don't need to be surprised."
Use this silver to hire a few beggars.
I ordered them to keep a close watch on Xiao Rongshi and Heshi day and night.
Of course, if there are extra people, it would be best to keep an eye on even the young lady…”
"Master, you..."
Little Stone exclaimed in surprise.
"Little Stone, do you think the Li family is that audacious?"
Would they risk their entire family's lives just to harm me?
She didn't believe that Li was acting without anyone instigating her.
If I fall, who benefits?
Of course, it refers to the people she had just thought of.
"Understood, boss."
Little Stone took one hundred taels of silver and left.
After Wu Weiwei finished her breakfast, Ling Fu stepped forward.
"Auntie, today is the grand opening day of the medicine market in the south of the city."
Fat Tuo sent someone to ask, "Are you going out for a stroll today?"
Wu Weiwei put down her chopsticks and gently wiped away the small amount of oil stains from the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief.
Then I saw the corners of her mouth turn up slightly, and a playful glint appeared in her eyes.
Today is not only the opening day of the pharmaceutical market, but also her big day.
Because Ma Hongmao will be attending today's pharmaceutical market.
She looked at Lingfu.
"Of course I'm going! How can I not go!"