After finishing tidying up, Shen Zhiyi walked into the flower hall corridor.

Dui'er was the first to come out to greet them.

"Miss, the person is already waiting inside," she whispered. "However, this Lord Li doesn't seem to be in a good mood, so please be careful."

After saying that, she looked at Shen Zhiyi, but was stunned.

Miss seems to be...

It looks even better than yesterday?

Her originally radiant and jade-like face now possessed a languid charm, like mutton-fat jade bathed in rosy hues, captivating the heart.

Her peach blossom eyes darted about, seemingly filled with the light of spring and the morning dew, shimmering and sparkling.

As if overnight, the crabapple blossoms awakened from their spring slumber.

It was even more eye-catching than the flowers planted on both sides of it.

Dui'er was stunned for a moment.

"Does he have anything on him?" Shen Zhiyi asked in a low voice.

If there are wooden swords with talismans, then one must be wary.

Dui'er snapped out of her daze upon hearing this, blushed, lowered her head somewhat embarrassed, and whispered, "I only brought a treasure box."

"I wonder what's inside."

She had grown up with the young lady since childhood, yet she would still occasionally stare at her in a daze.

Dui'er thought of Shen Zhiyi's beauty, and besides feeling a sense of admiration, she also felt honored.

Shen Zhiyi lowered her eyes and pondered.

Without saying anything more, he stepped into the flower hall.

Li Zhiyin waited for a long time, but the person still hadn't arrived.

He raised his folding fan, looking annoyed.

Before coming to Shen Mansion, he had already met with the Taoist priest and gathered some information.

They knew that there was a powerful demon by Shen Zhiyi's side.

Before Li Xianchuan died, he happened to ask the Taoist priest for a peach wood sword. What else could it be but exorcising demons?

Even more suspiciously, the peach wood sword disappeared after his death.

Therefore, his death must be inextricably linked to Shen Zhiyi!

Now that he's come to the Shen family to find her, she's actually left him hanging here, drinking cold tea for so long!

They're really courting death!

He was, after all, the younger brother of the Imperial Concubine, yet she showed such a lack of manners.

Let's see how he torments her later!

"Lord Li, your presence at my humble abode is an honor for me. I apologize for not greeting you properly." Shen Zhiyi entered the room, smiling and curtsying apologetically.

Li Zhiyin stood up.

The moment he saw her, all his anger dissipated.

He stood there stunned for a while before raising his folding fan and gently supporting her.

"Miss Shen is too polite."

After saying that, he couldn't help but look at her again.

His eyes were filled with amazement.

This face is so beautiful that even a deity would be moved by it.

Especially those eyes...

A single glance is enough to feel as if you've been teased by a soft hook, making your heart race and your blood boil.

Li Zhiyin's Adam's apple bobbed as he rubbed his fingertips together.

Such a beautiful woman, it's a pity she's dead.

Not as good as...

His gaze shifted.

A new plan formed in my mind.

Shen Zhiyi stood up and welcomed him to sit down, saying, "Please, sir."

"Dui'er, bring the tea."

Dui'er stepped forward and poured them more tea.

Shen Zhiyi sat down opposite Li Zhiyin, a flawless smile on her face, and tentatively asked:

"May I ask what important matter brings you on this journey, sir?"

Li Zhiyin thought for a moment and said, "To be honest, Miss Chen, I came here this time to find a birthday gift for the Empress Dowager on behalf of the Imperial Concubine."

"The girl's luminous pearl caused a great uproar in the capital."

He opened the treasure box beside him.

Inside was none other than the small luminous pearl that had been sold earlier.

Li Zhiyin tapped the bead and said, "Since you have the ability to find this one, you must also have a way to find another, even better one."

"Now is Miss Shen's opportunity."

"The Imperial Concubine appreciates you."

"If you are willing to come with me to the capital, present treasures, and win the favor of the Empress Dowager, then you will enjoy wealth and honor and a bright future!"

"At that time, the land will not be limited to Jiangnan."

He closed the treasure box.

He slowly picked up the teacup and took a sip.

He was sure she would be tempted by the olive branch he had extended.

Shen Zhiyi politely declined, saying, "Thank you for your kind words, Your Highness, but I am just a small business owner."

"Having obtained such a luminous pearl is already an unexpected delight; how could we possibly have the ability to find an even larger one for Your Highness?"

"My lord, you flatter me."

She would never give up that luminous pearl.

Even if the emperor came, she wouldn't easily part with the things that Shen Zhiyi liked.

"Although the Jiangnan region is small, it suits my taste perfectly."

"I'm very content here."

“I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to adapt to a big city like Beijing, where there are many talented people and the city is bustling and ever-changing.”

The smile on Li Zhiyin's lips faded.

Who would complain about having too much money?

She was clearly rejecting him and didn't want to go to the capital.

Li Zhiyin put down his teacup.

Whether it's suitable or not, we'll only know after we go there.

"As a businesswoman, the young lady naturally understands how important it is to have a powerful backer and a benefactor to vouch for you."

“But if we don’t have this backer…” he narrowed his eyes, his voice laced with threat, “then in the future, we may face countless difficulties and find it impossible to move forward.”

There's a saying, "The higher you climb, the harder you fall." With a business this big, you should be even more careful.

Shen Zhiyi's expression also turned cold.

She's never been afraid of anyone's threats in her entire life.

"Thank you for the reminder, Lord Li."

She sneered, "However, after so many years in business, I've learned one thing—it's better to rely on yourself than on others."

"I have absolutely no interest in the capital."

"If Lord Li has nothing else, please return."

She told him to leave.

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