Finally, noon arrived, the crowd gradually dispersed, and the stalls returned to tranquility.

Meng Zhelan had been busy all morning and was finally able to catch her breath.

She stood up, stretched, and relieved her fatigue.

The Empress Dowager remained seated to one side, sipping fragrant tea, with some pastries and dried fruits bought by Granny Yan on the table.

"Let's go find Ling'er, she's on the other side," Meng Zhelan suggested.

"Okay, let's go. We're tired of these snacks, it's time to go and have a treat."

The group headed east.

The fair venue was divided into several zones, categorized by the type of goods sold.

The food is located in the eastern section, an arrangement inspired by Xiaoxi's earlier suggestion to develop a small market.

At this time, the food area was bustling with activity and filled with delicious aromas.

The stalls were filled with all kinds of delicious food, colorful and mouthwatering.

The aroma of roasted meat is irresistible, making people stop and savor it.

The Empress Dowager was about to send someone to sell it, but Meng Zhelan stopped her in time.

"How could you forget what I just said? You must abstain from certain foods, Your Majesty."

"Fine, so be it." The Empress Dowager was already looking forward to going to Ling'er's place later to enjoy a hearty meal.

Ling'er opened a restaurant at the trade fair.

It happened to be lunchtime, and "Baiweiju" was packed with people, with no seats available.

The noise and the aroma of food mingled together to create a lively and bustling scene of everyday life.

Sweetie, who was maintaining order inside, saw Meng Zhelan bringing the Empress Dowager over.

She quickly stepped forward and respectfully led the two to the back.

To ensure that her own people would have a place to sit, Ling'er built a simple pavilion next to the kitchen.

After the Empress Dowager took her seat, Meng Zhelan, to prevent the Empress Dowager from eating anything that might cause her internal heat, personally went to Ling'er to order the dishes.

In the kitchen, Ling'er was directing the chefs and helpers, and she was very happy to see Meng Zhelan.

"Lan'er, you're here! Go sit in the pavilion and wait. I'll have someone serve you the dishes right away. The guild leader said she'll be here soon," Ling'er said warmly.

Meng Zhelan nodded and instructed, "Serve some light dishes; the Empress Dowager is feeling a bit feverish."

Ling'er immediately understood and turned to give the chef a few instructions.

When they returned, they found that the retired emperor and the chairman had also arrived.

She walked up to the Emperor Emeritus, bowed slightly, and said in a clear and respectful voice, "Greetings, Emperor Emeritus."

"Please sit down, everyone. There's no need to be so formal today." The Emperor Emeritus waved his hand, signaling the guards to leave.

Before the food arrived, the retired emperor and Chairman Wang discussed matters again.

The two were originally from completely different worlds.

The retired emperor knew that to eradicate Jingyuan's cancer, he needed the support of people from all walks of life and a huge amount of financial investment.

He had secretly inquired and found that the Qiyang Chamber of Commerce was a good fit, and that it was also very close to Meng Zhelan and Li Xi.

So he asked Meng Zhelan to act as a go-between...

"From now on, I'll need you to put in a lot more effort," the retired emperor said sincerely to Chairman Wang.

Since abdicating, he has finally been able to relax a lot and no longer has to maintain a serious demeanor as emperor.

Now he is as kind and approachable as an elder in an ordinary family.

"Your Majesty, you are too kind. It is my great fortune to be able to cooperate with you. Please rest assured," Chairman Wang said confidently.

These are her specialties, and besides, her backer is the Emperor Emeritus; who would dare to provoke her?

Today, many people claiming to be her relatives came to visit, but they were all driven away by the Emperor Emeritus's close attendants.

She was so happy that she was in a state of high excitement all morning and her work efficiency was extremely high.

The food was served, but the Empress Dowager looked around and didn't find anything she wanted to eat.

"Lan'er, why didn't you order the braised pork intestines?" The Empress Dowager pursed her lips.

"Your Majesty, have you forgotten what I just said?" Meng Zhelan ladled her a bowl of mulberry leaf soup.

"Here, have some, it's good for your health." He ladled another bowl for the Emperor Emeritus.

Even these two most honored people in Jingyuan were helpless.

Meng Zhelan was like an ordinary family's beloved granddaughter, keeping them in her heart.

So the two of them had no choice but to accept it.

"Hmm, it is indeed refreshing and sweet."

"Delicious, I'll have another bowl."

...

Mucheng

Li Xi brought Song Yuan to meet with the owner of the rice shop in the west of the city.

The owner of the rice shop was about forty years old, with a burly build and a square face marked by the passage of time.

His eyes were sharp, and he wore a dark silk robe with an exquisite jade belt around his waist, making him appear both dignified and wealthy.

But he looked rather fierce, more like a martial artist.

Li Xi glanced at his hands and posture.

Song Yuan bowed to him and smiled, "Master Xu, this is my young master."

The rice shop owner looked Li Xi up and down, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

He nodded and said, "Young Master Li, I heard you have some special suggestions and would like to cooperate with our rice shop?"

Li Xi nodded and said calmly, "Exactly."

The rice shop owner raised an eyebrow, showing great interest. He gestured for her to continue.

Li Xi took a deep breath and began to elaborate on his cooperation plan.

After Li Xi finished speaking, Xu Dongjia remained silent for a long time.

Finally, he spoke, "Young Master Li, I am very interested in what you have said. Well then, I will go back and discuss it with my other partners before giving you an answer."

"Okay, I'll wait for your good news. Let's eat first, come on."

Li Xi poured him a full glass of wine.

Mr. Xu picked up his wine glass, nodded slightly, and gently clinked glasses with Li Xi. The two smiled at each other, as if they already shared a tacit understanding.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, the three of them left separately.

Li Xi snapped her fingers at the person in the shadows, and that person followed Xu Dongjia.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, the three of them got up and left.

Li Xi snapped her fingers quietly in the shadows, and a figure silently followed behind Xu Dongjia.

After they had walked away, Li Xi couldn't wait to ask Song Yuan, "Brother Song, was that him?"

"His appearance is somewhat different; he may have been disguised. But the aura around him is very familiar, as are the thick calluses on his hands, which are not typical of merchants."

"Let's go back first."

The two returned to the villa, and Wan Yue was eager to know the result.

“Grandfather, Brother Song said it’s pretty much true. We just need to figure out a way to lure him out and kidnap him.”

Xu Dongjia lived near the government office, and it was said that he had a relationship with the prefect of Mucheng.

Most importantly, his house looks ordinary, but it is heavily guarded.

It won't be easy to break in; this person is very cunning. He rarely goes out alone.

When I went to the restaurant just now, I also brought four or five guards with me.

The aura emanating from those guards was not that of ordinary martial artists; they were probably top-tier experts.

Therefore, the two dared not make any rash moves, for fear of alerting the enemy.