Chapter 502 Tacit Understanding

Meng Lingge quickened her pace and looked through the brightly colored fabrics. She saw two young girls busy in the shop. A buyer had purchased more than a dozen bolts of dark blue silk, and two workers were loading the goods onto his carriage.

The young girl and the workers were all dressed in traditional Jiangnan clothing and spoke with a Jiangnan accent.

Three years ago, after Du Family Cloth Shop became the first choice for royal use, its business flourished and it has long since become the number one cloth shop in the Golden Moon Kingdom.

The Du family's cloth shops flourished throughout the capital, with a presence in almost every bustling market.

However, Du Yuanhua and Meng Lingge never met again. Meng Lingge knew that her cousin was busy with his business, but she did not expect to see the Du family's cloth workshop so soon in the market in northern Xinjiang.

Actually, it makes perfect sense. Du Yuanhua has a keen business sense, so how could he miss such a good opportunity as the mutual market?

Looking at the fabrics and listening to the little girl's Jiangnan accent, she quickly thought of her maternal grandmother, uncles and aunts, and cousins, and felt a deep sense of closeness.

"cousin."

Meng Lingge was lost in thought when a familiar voice suddenly came from behind her.

Du Yuanhua remained as refined and gentle as ever. He walked straight up to the two of them and saw Wen Zhiming warily pull Meng Lingge into his arms. Only then did he bow and say, "Greetings, King of Northern Frontier, Queen of Northern Frontier."

Wen Zhiming smiled and said, "Young Master Du, you've moved so fast. You've become a royal merchant, occupying most of the cloth market in Jin Yue Kingdom, and now you're even able to seize the initiative in the Northern Frontier market. Your reputation as a business prodigy is truly well-deserved."

Men understand men best. He could tell just by looking into Du Yuanhua's eyes that Du Yuanhua's quick decision to come to Northern Xinjiang to open a shop with them was definitely not just for business.

He had sent people to inquire, and it turned out that Du Yuanhua was indeed married and now had a son and a daughter. He had thought that Du Yuanhua had long since given up on Meng Lingge, but he hadn't expected...

Wen Zhiming frowned.

With him around, no one else will get a chance.

That was true then, and it is true now.

Du Yuanhua remained calm and composed.

"Speaking of living up to one's reputation, it should be the King of the Northern Frontier. In the three years of his reign, he not only multiplied the national treasury several times, but also made the Golden Moon Kingdom the richest place among the five kingdoms. Now, you have been in the Northern Frontier for less than a month, and you have already transformed this impoverished land into such a prosperous and thriving place. You are truly a man of great talent and strategy, a genius of unparalleled talent."

He looked at Wen Zhiming and Meng Lingge as he spoke, without overstepping any boundaries.

Seeing that Meng Lingge's appearance was no less beautiful than it had been three years ago, and even more radiant than when he first saw her in the palace, with genuine smiles in her eyes and brows, he couldn't help but feel relieved.

There were too many rumors circulating in the capital, and he knew he couldn't believe them all. But the thought that the Meng family was still in the capital, Meng Xingyuan was old, Meng Qingyu was young, and Meng Lingge was alone with the King of the Northern Frontier in a poor and backward place made him uneasy.

There is no doubt about Wen Zhiming and Meng Lingge's relationship, but he still doesn't want Meng Lingge to be isolated and helpless.

In the past three years, the Du family's wealth has increased several times over. He thought he should come over as soon as possible to see if there was anything he could do to help. He also wanted to gain a foothold in the Northern Frontier as a member of the family and give Meng Lingge more support.

Upon arriving in the Northern Frontier, all he heard were praises of the King and Queen of the Northern Frontier, and the people's longing and anticipation for the trade market. So he first secured a spot in the market, but to his surprise, business was even better than he had expected. It seemed he would sell out his goods that day, and he would have to hurry and get some more from elsewhere to tide him over.

Meng Lingge is truly his lucky star. Three years ago and now, his initial intention was for his cousin, but he was unlucky in love but successful in business. Although he could not marry his cousin, his business grew bigger and bigger and his wealth accumulated more and more.

Wen Zhiming and Du Yuanhua's conversation sounded like they were praising each other, but Meng Lingge always felt that there was something wrong between the two.

Meng Lingge was overjoyed to meet her family here.

"When did my cousin arrive in northern Xinjiang? Has his wife come?"

Du Yuanhua laughed and said, "I came here alone first. I have already bought a courtyard in the northern border region. In another month or so, I will have her bring the children here. The summer in the south of the Yangtze River is too hot and humid. I plan to bring my grandmother to the northern border region for two months every year to escape the summer heat."

Upon hearing this, Meng Lingge was overjoyed: "Grandmother will come too? That's wonderful!"

Du Shiyin said that after Meng Xingyuan retires, he will come to visit her in the northern frontier. They should arrange a time so that her mother and maternal grandmother can come together and have a good time.

Her smile made even the most luxurious brocade in the shop pale in comparison; it was the kind of smile that only a woman who was well-protected and truly happy could possess.

Du Yuanhua felt both bittersweet and happy. He immediately turned to Wen Zhiming and said, "Of course, my parents often say that without the support of the Northern Frontier King and his wife, the Du family would not be where it is today. They have always wanted to find an opportunity to thank you in person. When they arrive, I plan to bring them to visit you. I wonder if the Northern Frontier King would allow that? If so, I would be extremely honored."

“The Princess’s family is my family, and I welcome them anytime.” Wen Zhiming said with composure, “There’s no time like the present. Cousin, come back to the manor with us today. I will personally host a banquet for you tonight.”

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. However, I am very busy with business today and cannot leave at the moment. I will visit you with my family another day."

Du Yuanhua knew that Wen Zhiming was wary of him, so he wouldn't go alone to avoid causing trouble for Meng Lingge.

Seeing that his shop was indeed doing well, Wen Zhiming and Meng Lingge did not insist on persuading him, since they would have plenty of opportunities to meet in the Northern Frontier.

After parting ways with Du Yuanhua, the couple still strolled through the entire market with great enthusiasm. When they were recognized by the locals, no one made a scene. Instead, they picked up their own products and invited the couple to sample them, thanking them profusely as the couple left.

At the end of the market, there is a small building that is extremely tall. Standing on the ground and looking at the top, it seems to soar into the clouds.

This building was for the elite soldiers who maintained the security of the border trade.

The top floor has only one large drum. This drum is struck in the morning to open the market and in the evening to close it.

Standing below the small building, Meng Lingge felt that it resembled the hundred-foot-high ladder of Shenwu Gate, and couldn't help but recall the day Wen Zhiming ascended the throne and carried her to the altar.

Just as she was about to ask Wen Zhiming to accompany her to the rooftop, she felt a lightness in her body. Wen Zhiming had already put his arm around her waist and used his lightness skill to lightly touch the railing of the middle floor with his toes. After pausing three times, they arrived at the rooftop.

The two stood next to the large drum, overlooking the entire market.

A cool breeze swept by, blowing the two people's long hair and the hem of their clothes, creating a unique and carefree aesthetic.

The two turned to look at each other and spoke almost in unison.

"My wife, there is something I want to tell you."

"My husband, there is something I want to tell you."