The young minister's gaze was certainly authoritative.
No wonder so many people surrounded him, even though he was just a minor official; they must all be his colleagues who were in charge of commercial taxes.
With her lips parched, Jiang Shuwan raised her hand to pick up the water glass on the table. Just as she was about to take a sip, Pei Yanzhi snatched the glass from her.
She looked over in confusion, only to see the other person hand her the water glass beside them.
"This one is cleaner."
"..."
Taking the water glass, Jiang Shuwan held it with both hands and took a sip. Just as she put the glass down, he handed her a spoon for eating tofu pudding.
"..."
The girl raised an eyebrow, said nothing, and readily accepted the bowl of tofu pudding. She ate half a bowl before hearing the other person's voice.
"Thank you so much for your help with my cousin's matter."
"..."
What's up……
Oh, about the matter of entering the gate, no wonder the dignified prince was her servant, bringing her water and handing her spoons...
"It's alright, I should thank you too."
Upon hearing this, Pei Yanzhi gave her a deep look, and Jiang Shuwan also looked up at him.
Unspoken language flowed between the two.
I know perfectly well what's going on with the commercial tax; there's really nothing more to say.
Jiang Shuwan continued eating, head down, the sounds of Qingxing slurping her food, the shop owner calling out to customers, and the clatter of a horse-drawn carriage all around her.
The Grand Court was indeed different; the palace gates were teeming with people.
"Boss, two steamed buns, with braised pork, please."
A loud voice rang out. Looking up, Jiang Shuwan immediately saw Yao Zhijie standing in front of the stall.
"scare……"
Yao Zhijie was startled to see her here, and when he saw Pei Yanzhi behind her, his handsome face immediately fell.
"snort……"
With a cold snort, Yao Zhijie turned his head away without even greeting them.
"He's still angry?" Jiang Shuwan looked at Pei Yanzhi.
She certainly knew why Yao Zhijie was angry.
Yao Zhijie wanted to kick her out of the Marquis's mansion, but Pei Yanzhi chose to take the blame for him. Yao Zhijie felt betrayed and was unhappy.
"Ignore him."
When Pei Yanzhi's words reached Yao Zhijie's ears, Yao Zhijie's anger flared up even more.
"Yes, I've acted like a villain, I'm a fool, okay!"
After uttering those words angrily, Yao Zhijie abandoned the steamed buns and started walking forward, but turned back halfway and pointed at Pei Yanzhi and Jiang Shuwan.
"Don't let me see you again!"
"..."
Is Yao Zhijie about to sever ties with Pei Yanzhi?
Did he come to hate her too?
As she put a mouthful of tofu pudding into her mouth, Jiang Shuwan watched Yao Zhijie's indignant departing figure.
Yao Zhijie would never break off his friendship with Pei Yanzhi so easily.
As for her, she's probably completely offended Yao Zhijie...
“Miss, let’s ignore him. What’s so great about him? He’s just a minor official in the Ministry of Revenue,” Qingxing said, defending Jiang Shuwan.
"..."
Yes, the current Minister of Revenue will become the second most powerful minister in the future Great Jing Dynasty.
In an instant, the tofu pudding in my mouth no longer tasted sweet.
They thought that exposing the commercial tax issue would offend the aristocratic families, but they never expected to offend the future second powerful minister.
Jiang Shuwan ate the tofu pudding without tasting it, and was speechless for a moment.
"Your Highness, Lord Yun requests your presence."
A minor official suddenly ran over, and Jiang Shuwan looked up and saw an old man with white hair and beard standing at the palace gate not far away.
Although the old man was advanced in years, he was in high spirits and held a high position of power. Officials passing by bowed to him repeatedly.
Having met Elder Yun once before at the Yun residence, Jiang Shuwan quickly stood up and bowed.
The other person was also surprised to see her, but this was not a place for family to talk, so they just nodded slightly and then their gaze fell on Pei Yanzhi behind her.
At this moment, Pei Yanzhi also got up from his seat, took out a piece of silver from his waist and placed it on the table. The young man walked over in a few steps.
An old man and a young girl stood at the palace gate, talking as they slowly walked in. As they were leaving, Jiang Shuwan felt, perhaps it was just her imagination, that Lord Yun glanced at her.
That glance was different from the one I had just seen, and also different from the first time I met the old master at the Yun residence.
It was a glance with a hidden meaning.
...
Could it be that Lord Yun has also found out about her business tax affairs?
"Foolish..."
The voice of Lord Yun reprimanding Pei Yanzhi came from afar. The officials who had finished breakfast stood up, and Jiang Shuwan reached out and grabbed one of them.
"What are you doing?!"
The other person was startled by her and, as if a virgin had been taken advantage of, covered his body with his arms and looked at her warily.
"My lord, may I inquire whether Madam Yun and Lord Pei have a good relationship?"
"We are all loyal to His Majesty and serving the court, so how can there be any talk of a relationship?"
"..."
As expected of someone under Pei Yanzhi, he speaks fluent Mandarin.
His eyes darted around, and he glanced at Pei Yanzhi, who had already entered the palace. He lowered his voice and, for some reason, whispered something in Jiang Shuwan's ear.
"The old master has been very kind to the young master..."
That means they may not seem good on the surface, but they're actually quite nice in private.
No wonder Pei Yanzhi dared to take the blame for her; with Lord Yun's help, his career should be a bit easier...
"Miss, that carriage is so impressive!"
The sound of carriage wheels rolling over filled the air, and Qingxing pointed to a carriage to her right.
The palace rules were strict, and the emperor's authority was not to be offended. While ordinary carriages would stop far away at the palace gate, this carriage went directly to the guards at the gate.
“It’s really impressive…” Jiang Shuwan murmured.
The black carriage, as if emerging from the deep night, had no other color whatsoever.
The car body was as black as ink, and under the morning light, it shimmered with a mysterious luster.
Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that the luster came from the cat's-eye gemstones embedded in the car, each one crystal clear.
The vehicle is further adorned with exquisitely carved black dragon patterns that meander around its body, depicting soaring pterosaurs and subjugating all beasts. Every detail is lifelike, showcasing its luxurious appearance.
"What a luxurious carriage! No wonder it belongs to the Fourth Prince; he even had the jewels His Majesty bestowed upon him recently inlaid on the carriage..."
"Since he hasn't been granted a title of king, he's not just a licentious and extravagant fellow..."
"Shh, keep your voice down, or he'll hear you and you'll regret it..."
"..."
It turned out to be the fourth prince.
Jiang Shuwan never expected that she would meet the fourth prince, Li Chengyun, while just having breakfast at the palace gate.
"Your Highness..."
The black car door slowly opened, making a slight creaking sound.
With that soft sound, a person dressed in black stepped out of the car.
The man wore a pure black brocade robe, wide and long-sleeved, which fluttered in the wind. His black hair cascaded down his back like a waterfall, and a black winged dragon crown adorned his head, exuding luxury.
He seemed to have been born in darkness. As soon as he stepped off the carriage, the world seemed to darken a degree, and the surrounding air seemed to become heavy because of his presence.
...
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