At this moment, when she saw Lan Shanyang and Lan Linxue walking over with their own calculating expressions, she knew that this grand drama had begun, and she was now a player in it.

With a slight smile, Qin Kou'er bowed gracefully and politely: "This commoner, Qin Kou'er, greets Your Majesty and Your Highness!"

Lan Shanyang smiled and nodded: "Miss Qin, please get up!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Qin Kou'er quickly stood up, then stood aside with her head down and eyes lowered.

Lan Linxue, unlike her usual affectionate self when she saw Qin Kou'er, nodded respectfully to her and then stood beside Lan Shanyang.

Lan Shanyang kept a close eye on her son out of the corner of her eye, watching his reaction.

Hmm, not bad! They really do look like they're doing something serious.

"Please have a seat, Miss Qin." Lan Shanyang gestured to the chair opposite her. "I didn't really have anything important to discuss with you today; we just wanted to chat and catch up on things down here. Please don't be shy, Miss Qin!"

"Yes!" Qin Kou'er replied softly, then walked to the opposite side of Lan Shanyang and carefully sat down.

Quan Jing ordered tea and snacks to be served, then waved for everyone to leave, leaving only three people talking in Yuhua Pavilion.

"Miss Qin's performance in court yesterday was truly remarkable. I haven't even had a chance to praise her yet!"

Qin Kou'er immediately smiled slightly and said respectfully, "This commoner is merely speaking the truth! His Majesty is discerning and insightful, and has long been aware of the current situation. Kou'er is simply stating the facts of the time; this is merely Kou'er's duty, and there is really no need for praise!"

Lan Shanyang nodded approvingly, "Miss Qin's reply was generous, appropriate, and neither servile nor arrogant; she truly has the demeanor of a heroine. However, I wonder what Miss Qin's next steps are?"

Qin Kou'er looked up and glanced at Lan Shanyang, then smiled faintly and said, "Actually, there's nothing planned! Qin Tiange has some things to do in the capital right now, so I just came to check on things. After I finish dealing with things in the capital, Kou'er will return to the south!"

After listening to Qin Kou'er finish speaking, Lan Shanyang immediately glanced at Lan Linxue and found that her son remained as steady as Mount Tai, seemingly not having heard anything. She was very satisfied.

Not bad! He didn't act like a monkey, which shows that he still has some sense of propriety towards Qin Kou'er, and isn't completely obsessed with her like someone under a demonic spell.

Lan Linxue was extremely calm. He wasn't afraid of Qin Kou'er running away at all. She was pregnant with his child, so where could she run off to? Even if she was heartless enough to abandon him as her husband, she would never be heartless enough to prevent her son from having no father.

"I heard in court yesterday that you also want to open some branches in the capital, is that right?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Kou'er raised an eyebrow. "Yes! Kou'er is planning to open some banks in the capital. However, some things are still not quite right. The location and personnel are not yet ready. Most importantly, to open a bank in the capital, one must have customs clearance permits. Currently, the major banks in the capital are all in the hands of people from the Northwest. I'm afraid Kou'er is willing but unable to do so!"

Lan Shanyang nodded. "Everyone says Shanxi people know how to make money! I think their greatest strength lies in their banks. Not just in the capital, but even in the three northern provinces, they monopolize the money exchange industry. If you want to establish yourself, you'll probably need an official's backing!"

Qin Kou'er's heart skipped a beat when she heard Lan Shanyang call her by her name for the first time in ages, and she exchanged a glance with Lan Linxue.

Lan Linxue smiled slightly at her, signaling her to follow the old man's train of thought.

Qin Kou'er quickly nodded, "Your Majesty is right. That's why I dared to bring this up in court yesterday. I hope Your Majesty will forgive my boldness."

Lan Shanyang waved his hand, "No need to worry! I actually think Kou'er is very good, she knows how to seize the opportunity. If it were me, I would definitely take this opportunity to express my demands as well. After all, the biggest loss for the Crown Prince in his trip to Jiangnan was Miss Qin!"

As he spoke, Lan Shanyang gave Qin Kou'er a meaningful look.

Lan Shanyang was still grateful that Qin Kou'er spent millions of taels of silver to handle Lan Linxue's funeral arrangements, so he still had mixed feelings about Qin Kou'er. If we're talking about who would be Lan Linxue's wife, then no one is more suitable than Qin Kou'er.

Because Qin Kou'er is not only rich, but also very resourceful; at least she can keep Lan Linxue completely under her thumb.

Lan Shanyang was afraid that her son would be too obedient, which is why she felt unbalanced.

In short, being someone's father is a really complicated thing.

Qin Kou'er quickly lowered her head and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, you can't say that. Kou'er has suffered no loss! What is taken from the people should be used for the people. Kou'er believes that what she has done is right, and that's enough!"

Seeing the two of them speaking in cryptic terms, Lan Linxue couldn't help but ask, "What exactly happened? Father, why did you say that Kou'er suffered the greatest loss?"

Lan Shanyang turned and glanced at her son indifferently, then snorted, "You're such a worry. Such a huge mess in Yangzhou, and you just turned around and left. Miss Qin ended up giving away millions of taels of silver to the disaster victims to buy you off! Otherwise, do you think the people of Jiangnan would have been so peaceful? Humph! I'll skin you alive, or at least curse your ancestors for eighteen generations!"

Lan Linxue immediately looked up at Qin Kou'er and asked in a deep voice, "Is it true?"

Qin Kou'er smiled and said softly, "What do you mean by 'real' or 'fake'? For us merchants, as long as the Emperor is well, the Prince is well, and the world is at peace, that's the best thing! Money can always be earned back; at worst, we can just make it back later!"

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!