The servant boy was waiting respectfully behind Zhou Qingyuan, looking with him at the approaching sailboat.

The hull is made of precious wood, with exquisite patterns carved on both sides of the ship. The bow and stern are inlaid with gems and gold, shining with dazzling light.

The deck is covered with red carpet, solemn and luxurious. The cabin is luxuriously decorated, with blue smoke curling up and bamboo curtains swaying in the wind.

Four helmsmen are distributed throughout the sails, controlling the direction and speed of the sails.

Although the person has not been seen yet, just looking at the elegant and luxurious sailboat in front of us makes people feel awe. They dare not disrespect it for fear of offending the noble person in the cabin.

At the moment the sail docked, a male voice was heard from inside the sail.

"Sir, we're here."

The man who was sitting at the desk sipping tea and reading a book hummed lightly, then stood up from his seat, stood with one hand behind his back, and walked out of the cabin.

The servant who was serving beside him walked out of the cabin first and lifted the bead curtain for the man.

The next moment, a hint of purple came into the sight of Zhou Qingyuan and the servant.

The man was dressed in an elegant purple robe, with faint golden threads embroidered on it. He had sharp eyebrows and phoenix eyes, and a face as beautiful as jade. He exuded nobility from the inside out, making him look like a god and no one dared to blaspheme or offend him.

The moment that tall and upright figure appeared on the splint, the surrounding scenery all became his backdrop.

"Sir, be careful."

The boy jumped off the sail and stretched his arm in front of the man.

The man placed his bony hand on the servant's wrist and slowly walked down the sail, the hem of his robe brushing the ground lightly as he swayed.

After the man got off the sail, Zhou Qingyuan walked forward to greet him.

"Mr. Shen."

Zhou Qingyuan greeted the visitor respectfully.

The Master Shen in front of him was none other than Emperor Shen Tingsi of Dongchu.

As a wise ruler loved by the people, Shen Tingsi would go out incognito every once in a while to personally visit the people and understand their sentiments.

The destination of this trip was Jiangnan. Apart from the Queen Mother, the only person who knew his whereabouts was his contact Zhou Qingyuan.

Zhou Qingyuan had just received the news five days ago that His Majesty was coming to Jiangnan to investigate the people's sentiments. After learning that His Majesty was going to visit the General's Mansion, Zhou Qingyuan immediately ordered people to clean up a yard.

In the past few days, he has been personally arranging the accommodation for His Majesty, fearing that he would neglect His Majesty. He even left the matter of welcoming the two children back home, which he had promised earlier, to the servants.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting, Master Zhou."

Shen Tingsi nodded slightly. This time he went to the general's mansion as a friend, so he and Zhou Qingyuan called each other "Young Master".

"No, no, Mr. Shen, please."

Zhou Qingyuan made a gesture of invitation to Shen Tingsi, and then followed him towards the carriage in front.

Since Zhou Qingyuan would take out most of the military pay every year to support refugees, and the General's Mansion did not have any profitable shops, the General's Mansion had always been known as a frugal mansion in the minds of the people.

The sedan chair in the general's mansion was not as luxurious as imagined, and the space was small, only able to accommodate two people.

Shen Tingsi was worth a fortune, and Zhou Qingyuan prepared a carriage just for him for fear of neglecting him.

Zhou Qingyuan brought him to the prepared carriage and watched Shen Tingsi get into the carriage before getting into another carriage.

The two carriages, one in front and one behind, swayed towards the general's mansion.

The other side.

Jiang Li and Qingzhu arrived at the Jiang Mansion early in the morning. They also had lunch at the Jiang Mansion with Jiang's father and mother. When they were with Jiang Li, Jiang's father and mother never stopped smiling.

Mother Jiang made some cakes and scented tea that Jiang Li liked. When she came to the back garden and saw the father and daughter playing chess in the pavilion, the smile on her face deepened a little.

"It's been raining for an hour. Let's stop and eat something."

Mother Jiang came to the pavilion carrying cakes and scented tea.

"Wait a minute, let me think about where to go next!"

Father Jiang didn't even raise his head, he just stared at the chessboard in front of him with the black piece in his hand.

Jiang Li held the white chess piece in her hand and looked up at Jiang's mother, her eyes full of helplessness.

Every time he played chess with his daughter, Jiang's father was very serious. His daughter's chess skills were taught by Old Liu, so Jiang's father always lost. However, Jiang's father was a man who would become more courageous after more setbacks. He would come back and play again after losing once! Since Jiang Li came here, Jiang's father has played several games with her.

"Master, take a rest first and eat something. Li'er is even more tired than you."

Mother Jiang came to the stone table in the pavilion with a helpless look on her face and gave some advice in a gentle voice.

"Ma'am, it will be ready soon!"

Father Jiang was too busy to even look up. He casually agreed and continued to study the chess game in front of him.

Snap——

Mother Jiang put the cake in her hand on the chessboard, blocking Father Jiang's view.

"Jiang, Zheng, Chun."

After hearing Mother Jiang calling his full name, Father Jiang was startled all over and quickly raised his head, looking at Mother Jiang who was looking at him with pursed lips with a flattering face.

"Hey, no more playing, no more playing! Madam, please take a seat!"

Father Jiang quickly stood up from the stone bench, clasped Mother Jiang's shoulders with both hands, and helped her sit down in front of the stone bench.

Mother Jiang snorted coldly, "Why don't you collect all these things? Ever since Li'er came here, you have been dragging her to play chess with you. I haven't been able to say a few words to Li'er!"

"I'll take it right away, I'll take it right away!"

After hearing what Jiang's mother said, Jiang's father, who was dominated by his wife, quickly winked at Jiang Li. Jiang Li signaled and picked up the tray that was pressing on the chessboard.

The chess game that had just been played for half an hour instantly came into Father Jiang's sight. His eyes darted around, wanting to remember the situation in front of him so that he could set up the chess game again and continue the unfinished game after Mother Jiang left.

Father Jiang was wasting time deliberately, how could Mother Jiang not see through his little tricks? "Hmm?"

The last syllable of Jiang's mother's voice rose, which frightened Jiang's father so much that his back stiffened. With a look of heartache on his face, he disrupted the chessboard and collected the black and white pieces on top.

Almost there, just almost there! This was the round he was most confident of winning!

Father Jiang, who was determined to win against his daughter once, was heartbroken. Under the coercion of Mother Jiang, he put the chess pieces into the chess tube little by little.

Only after the chess piece and Quanfei were put away by Jiang's father did Jiang's mother's expression return to normal.

"Li'er, come and try the cakes and scented tea that mother made today."

Mother Jiang looked at Jiang Li tenderly and handed a piece of cake to her.

The Jiang family's status ranking is obvious.

It’s not clear who is the boss, but Father Jiang must be the one with the lowest status!

Apparently, Father Jiang was also aware of this, and he sat down at the stone table and took the initiative to pour scented tea for the mother and daughter.