Meng Zhao truly envied her boldness. If it were her, carrying so many ornaments, what if she accidentally lost one or two pieces when she went out? She would be heartbroken when she got back.
As the woman approached, she sized Meng Zhao up and down before saying, "I just returned to the capital a few days ago and heard that a new women's teahouse had opened in the city. I was just about to go check it out, but it turned out to be closed for the end of the year." A slight smile played on her red lips. "I never expected to run into the owner here today."
"That's quite a coincidence. With the end of the year approaching, I was thinking of letting the staff go home early for the New Year, which is why we closed early. I never expected to miss such a distinguished guest as you, madam," Meng Zhao said with a smile, then subtly glanced at Xiao Youzhi, signaling him to hurry up and introduce the business. "However, we'll reopen on the seventh day of the New Year. If you would be so kind as to grace us with your presence, I'll personally serve you tea then."
Xiao Youzhi then coughed lightly, his tone slightly helpless: "This is Qiao Yanhe, the manager of Yanshan Hall and the president of the Beijing Medicine Merchants Association."
Upon hearing this, Meng Zhao's eyes flashed with surprise. Firstly, she hadn't expected so many business leaders to gather in this private room. Secondly, judging from this Lady Qiao's jewel-encrusted attire, she had assumed she was in the jewelry business.
"So it's Chairman Qiao!" Meng Zhao quickly bowed. "I've long heard that the manager of Yanshan Hall is extremely capable, and he even personally led a team to the Western Regions to purchase medicine. I'm so glad to meet him today."
Qiao Yanhe first patted Meng Zhao's hand affectionately, then looked at Xiao Youzhi with a half-smile: "You seem reluctant to introduce him. What, are you afraid I'll corrupt him?"
Meng Zhao's smile froze for a moment. Why did these people all speak as if there was something going on between her and Xiao Youzhi? Meng Zhao quickly said, "Haha, Madam Qiao, you misunderstand. Young Master Xiao and I are just ordinary friends."
Qiao Yanhe was taken aback upon hearing this, then couldn't help but chuckle, "Alright, alright, I understand." She then took Meng Zhao's hand, "Come on, let's go talk by the window."
Xiao Youzhi stood there, watching the two figures walk away hand in hand, and shook his head helplessly. Lu Yusheng, who had somehow gotten close, teased, "Brother Xiao, you're just an ordinary friend, why are you worrying about this?"
Xiao Youzhi gave him a cold glance, his eyes like ice. Lu Yusheng immediately shrank back and wisely took two steps back, keeping his distance from this person who was full of resentment.
Qiao Yanhe looked Meng Zhao up and down, her head shaking with dissatisfaction. Suddenly, she reached into her own hair and took two gold-inlaid jade hairpins, inserting them into Meng Zhao's hair without a word. Only then did she nod in satisfaction: "That's more like it! They're yours."
Meng Zhao touched the gold hairpin in her hair and immediately said, "This hairpin is very valuable, how can I accept it?"
Qiao Yanhe waved her hand dismissively: "It's just a little trinket. I just can't stand people dressed so plainly in front of me, looking like they have no energy."
After saying that, she turned around and pushed open the carved wooden window. Night fell, and the private room faced the street. As soon as she opened the window, she could see the lanterns all over the street. There were lifelike carp lanterns, exquisite octagonal palace lanterns, and revolving lanterns that turned with the wind, which decorated the whole street like a dream.
As the two leaned against the window admiring the lanterns, the man who had been standing with Qiao Yanhe earlier stepped forward and poured her a cup of tea. Meng Zhao glanced at his face and was taken aback. Not only was he extremely fair-skinned, but his face was also flawless. His eyes were slightly upturned at the corners, with a somewhat alluring curve. His lips were very pale and naturally glossy. When he looked at Qiao Yanhe, he smiled, revealing a sharp canine tooth, giving him a somewhat innocent yet alluring look.
Qiao Yanhe noticed Meng Zhao's gaze and whispered in his ear, "How is he? Handsome, right? I heard you're also a widow. If you like him, I'll find you someone later. But this one won't do; I've got my eye on someone else."
Meng Zhao was speechless upon hearing this, only then realizing what she meant by "leading someone astray." She quickly shook her head, "Haha, that won't be necessary. Thank you for your kindness, Madam Qiao."
Qiao Yanhe smiled, thinking to herself, "She really doesn't know how to enjoy life."
The two continued to lean against the window to watch the various performances on the stage in the distance. The angle of this private room was quite ingenious, just to the side of the stage. When Meng Zhao leaned forward slightly, he could see every move of the performers on stage.
In the instant the acrobat covered his hands with a cloth, a bronze mirror was deftly revealed from his sleeve, the speed of which was dazzling.
Just as Meng Zhao was marveling at her master's hand speed, her gaze was suddenly drawn to the crowd in front of the stage. A round-faced girl with a bun hairstyle was standing on tiptoe, looking around. Wasn't that Princess Danyang whom she had seen before? And the tall man standing next to her, although only half of his face was visible, had a familiar profile. Who else could it be but Shen Qinghe?
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