Chapter 256 Imperial Merchant
He had always prided himself on his charm, and seeing Lu Zhaoruo's outstanding beauty, he subconsciously judged her by his own standards. Although his words were appreciative, they also revealed a hint of condescension and disdain.
These words were overheard by Xiao Yeming, who was not far away.
His brows furrowed suddenly, and his cold gaze swept over Pang Ying like a blade, his aura turning icy.
Even more unexpectedly, Meng Xi, who was always lazy about everything, slowly opened his half-closed eyes, glanced at Pang Ying, and curled his lips into an undisguised sneer, lazily saying, "Heh... Brother Pang."
He deliberately dragged out his words, his gaze sweeping meaningfully over Pang Ying from head to toe, before slowly continuing, "I've heard that you have no fewer than a dozen beauties within your esteemed residence. Brother Pang, you are a man of refined taste, always ready to cherish and pity such women."
He chuckled lightly, his voice suddenly turning cold and contemptuous: "I just wonder, with Madam Lu's aloof and solitary nature, would you be willing to be listed alongside the other beauties, becoming yet another new chapter in the 'Collection of Beauties'?"
"not to mention……"
He glanced at Pang Ying and chuckled, "You think you're worthy?"
Pang Ying's smile froze instantly, then turned bright red with extreme shame and indignation.
As the eldest son of a marquis, how could he have ever suffered such blatant humiliation? Especially in front of so many people!
He clenched his fists.
A friend nearby advised, "Brother Meng, don't be impulsive. He is the grandson of the Duke and Duchess of Di."
Pang Ying forcibly suppressed his anger, forcing out a cold laugh through gritted teeth, his tone sarcastic: "Oh?"
He drew out his words, his gaze lingering between Meng Xi and Lu Zhaoruo in the distance, deliberately raising his voice so that everyone around could hear: "Brother Meng... seems unusually talkative today?"
He continued with a forced smile, "I've always heard that Brother Meng prefers tranquility and has never been close to women. Why are you so protective of a merchant woman today?"
He paused deliberately, then said, "Could it be... that your usually unmoved heart has finally been disturbed, and you've also taken a fancy to this merchant?"
All eyes immediately turned to Meng Xi.
Meng Xi shifted into a more comfortable position, his gaze lazily sweeping across Pang Ying's face, which was slightly distorted by jealousy. His tone carried a condescending pity: "Brother Pang, oh Brother Pang..."
He shook his head with regret, "Your heart and eyes are filled with nothing but family background and social status, can you think of anything else?"
Before Pang Ying could refute him, he continued slowly and deliberately, "Whether I am interested or not is my private matter, and I don't need Brother Pang to worry about it."
"As for your constant use of 'merchant status'..."
The sneer at the corner of his lips deepened. "I'm curious, if you're not a commoner who weaves cloth, grows grain, transports goods, and sells goods, where did Brother Pang get all this fine silk and satin, and all this fine wine and food at the banquet?"
"You always talk about judging people by their birth," his gaze suddenly sharpened, as cold as ice and snow, "Brother Pang, your vision is limited to the small area of your own manor's backyard."
As soon as the words fell, all around was silent.
Pang Ying's face turned from red to green. He opened his mouth, but found that he could not find a decent word to refute it.
At this moment, Meng Xi's gaze had already passed over everyone and was now fixed on the area in front of the imperial tent.
As the autumn sun sets in the west, its golden-orange rays cast a warm, inviting glow over everything.
Lu Zhaoruo gracefully dismounted from her horse amidst the halo of light, her posture as upright as a bamboo shoot.
Perhaps because she had just stopped riding, she was slightly out of breath. She raised her hand and brushed a strand of hair that had been blown by the wind behind her ear. The lines of her profile were elegant and refined in the soft light, and the fine beads of sweat on her forehead reflected the setting sun, like scattered gold.
Meng Xi stared at the figure, and his originally lazy and mocking gaze softened slightly in an instant when no one noticed.
He added softly, his voice low but carrying the warmth and certainty of an autumn evening: "Madam Lu's character and insight far surpass those of ordinary people. In her eyes, I'm afraid your status as the eldest son of a marquis is less real than that of an old farmer in the fields or a street vendor."
He paused slightly, then his gaze returned to Pang Ying: "A person who only distinguishes between the noble and the lowly will naturally see everyone as noble or lowly. Brother Pang, don't you agree?"
Pang Ying felt a surge of heat rush to his head, and his ears were ringing.
What he cared about most and relied on most was his status as the legitimate son of a marquis.
But now, this principle has been dismissed as worthless by Meng Xi with just a few words, and he has even been mocked for his narrow-mindedness!
What's even more infuriating is that he couldn't find any words to refute it!
If he insisted on the distinction between noble and lowly, he would be confirming that he "only distinguishes between noble and lowly in his heart"; if he denied it, wouldn't he be contradicting himself? He opened his mouth, but his throat seemed to be blocked, and he couldn't utter a single word.
Xiao Yeming, sitting next to Meng Xi, heard everything Meng Xi said and said.
He noticed the unusual look in Meng Xi's eyes when he looked at Lu Zhaoruo, and upon hearing the hidden meaning within that protectiveness, his heart sank.
At that moment, he realized with absolute clarity...
Meng Xi's interest in Sister Lu was far from ordinary; it was clearly a man's appreciation and protection of the woman he admired.
An indescribable bitterness quietly spread through him, and he subconsciously clenched his fists.
at this time.
Lu Zhaoruo had already walked to the front of the imperial tent, holding the flag in both hands, bowing and speaking in a clear voice: "This commoner, Lu Zhaoruo, has not failed in her mission."
Eunuch Li, who was standing to the side, quickly stepped forward, respectfully took the flag, and then turned around to present it to the servant with both hands.
Shu Heng took the banner, his gaze falling on Lu Zhaoruo's slightly flushed cheeks and still calm eyes. He was overjoyed and laughed loudly, "Excellent! Lady Lu has truly broadened the horizons of me and everyone here today! Women are no less capable than men, this is no exaggeration!"
He paused briefly, then asked in a gentle tone, "I previously said that the winner may make one wish. Lady Lu, you have won first place today, what is your wish? Please speak freely."
All eyes immediately focused on Lu Zhaoruo.
She bowed deeply once more, raised her head, her gaze clear and firm, and her voice resounded throughout the hall: "Your Majesty's kindness is deeply appreciated. I have no other request but that Your Majesty grant Yunshang Pavilion permission to supply silks to the palace and strive for the title of 'Imperial Merchant'."
These words caused an uproar in the entire room!
A murmur that could hardly be suppressed immediately arose among the ladies at the table:
"A royal merchant? She actually dares to ask a royal merchant for help?"
"A mere woman, and...and of such humble origins, dares to covet the palace?"
"That's... incredibly audacious!"
The young men looked at each other in astonishment, both at the magnitude of her demands and at the sheer audacity and ambition of a woman.
However, Shu Heng, who was sitting on the throne, was not angry when he heard this. Instead, a look of admiration flashed in his eyes.
He pondered for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the various expressions on the faces of the people present, then glancing at Xiao Yeming, before finally settling on Lu Zhaoruo. Without hesitation, he smiled and agreed, "Granted!"
Its sound was like metal and stone, resounding loudly when it hit the ground.
Before everyone could recover from their shock, Shu Heng continued, "Madam Lu is not only exceptionally skilled but also incredibly courageous. From now on, Yunshang Pavilion will, as is customary, handle a portion of the palace's silk supplies. I hope you will work diligently and not disappoint my expectations."
Lu Zhaoruo kowtowed deeply: "This humble woman, Lu Zhaoruo, thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness!"
It's done!
From this day forward, I, Lu Zhaoruo, am a 'Royal Merchant'!
She slowly rose, the golden rays of the autumn sunset bathing her in a radiant glow, as if her simple riding attire were coated with a dazzling halo.
She looked up at the setting sun, her clear eyes shining brightly in the sunlight.
This trip to the capital is like walking on thin ice; I seek only two things—
One reason was to strive for an imperial title and honor.
Secondly, he wanted to gain the reputation of a royal merchant.
People say that women should be confined to the home, serving their husbands and raising children. But I insist on proving that a woman's ambition can also conquer the business world and stand on the sidelines of the court! Today, I have won His Majesty's personal approval with my skills. In the future, I will make the sound of Yunshang Pavilion's looms resound throughout the land, and make my name, Lu Zhaoruo, no longer just a 'so-and-so' dependent on anyone, but a name that stands proudly between heaven and earth!
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