Chapter 25: Opening!

 

Gu Ruoyi’s pretty face was flushed with an imperceptible blush, and she mistakenly thought that Shen Yian’s words were full of hidden meaning. 

 

Some of the onlookers around them seemed to understand the underlying meaning.

 

The King of Chu and the Duke of State’s fairy-like daughter had been making waves in the past few days.

 

The King of Song, already twenty years old, was still unmarried.

 

Gu Ruoyi’s beauty was enough to captivate the entire nation.

 

It was clear that the King of Chu was acting as a matchmaker for the King of Song.

 

The implication was that the King of Song’s and King of Chu’s families were getting closer!

 

What a strange turn of events!

 

“Everyone, please make way!”

 

Shi Hong heard the commotion and personally led a few guards from the Thousand Gold Pavilion to rush over.

 

“Your Highness the King of Chu! Your Highness the King of Song! What rare guests!” Shi Hong’s heart skipped a beat when he saw Shen Yian, wondering how come this busybody was still around, with Shen Jingyu standing beside him, his dark face suddenly brightening with a smile.

 

“Master Shi!”

 

Shen Jingyu, a frequent visitor to the Thousand Gold Pavilion, naturally had to show respect to Shi Hong’s face.

 

After briefly understanding the situation, Shi Hong smiled and said, “Since the two princes have already made their decision, I won’t say anything more.”

 

“Please don’t worry, our Thousand Gold Pavilion has always prioritized our customers. All goods are clearly priced, and it’s first come, first served. We won’t show favoritism to anyone!”

 

“Good!”

 

“Clap, clap, clap! (Applause)”

 

Shi Hong’s words won over the entire audience, and without doing anything, he earned a wave of praise for the Thousand Gold Pavilion.

 

“This is a bottle of Golden Wound Pill. Take it back and stop embarrassing your Zhao family!”

 

Shen Jingyu pulled out a small gourd and tossed it to Zhao Yuren.

 

Shen Yian let out a soft sigh, thinking that this rich man was indeed wealthy, and this small gourd of Golden Wound Pill could buy countless fox furs.

 

“Yes… Your Highness.” Zhao Yuren hid his resentment in his eyes and staggered away supporting Zhao Yuleng.

 

Shen Jingyu! You are just a dog that my aunt raised for the Zhao family! You just wait!

 

“I, Shi, won’t disturb the two princes anymore. If there’s anything, feel free to call me anytime.”

 

“Master Shi is too kind.”

 

Shi Hong left, and Shen Jingyu turned his attention back to Gu Ruoyi.

 

“Who are you, miss?”

 

“I’m from the Martial Marquis’ residence, Gu Ruoyi.”

 

Gu Ruoyi replied smoothly, her eyes stealing a glance at Shen Yian.

 

“Martial Marquis’ residence? Gu Qing, is General Gu your…?”

 

Shen Jingyu’s tone was clearly surprised.

 

Could it be that she was General Gu’s long-lost daughter?

 

Who would have thought she’d be such a stunning beauty?

 

“He’s my father.”

 

“Ah, so you’re General Gu’s daughter. How’s General Gu’s health lately?”

 

Shen Jingyu’s tone softened by a few degrees.

 

Yes! That’s the tone! It’s perfect, Fourth Brother!

 

When a cold person becomes gentle, the killing power is almost irresistible to women.

 

Shen Yian was tempted to jump up and shout, “The stock market is open!” right now.

 

The King of Song’s stock was skyrocketing! Those who wanted to get in should do so quickly!

 

Cheng Hai stood straight, looking puzzled as to why his lord was suddenly so excited.

 

“Sixth Brother, this is General Gu’s daughter, Gu Ruoyi.”

 

Shen Jingyu’s voice flipped Shen Yian’s table.

 

“I’ve met Miss Gu.”

 

Shen Yian came back to his senses and smiled politely.

 

“Greetings, King of Chu.”

 

Gu Ruoyi curtsied softly, her starry eyes sparkling, her face flushing with a hint of red, captivating Shen Jingyu.

 

“Thank you, two princes, for helping me out of a difficult situation today.”

 

“Tianwu City is full of hidden dangers. Next time, let General Gu arrange for two guards to escort you. If anything happens to you, General Gu will be very sad.”

 

“I’ll remember your lordship’s teachings.”

 

After finishing their conversation, Shen Jingyu felt like he had said too much and couldn’t help but glance around at the onlookers still watching the scene.

 

A daughter who had been lost for many years was finally back, and he was afraid of dropping her or losing her again. How could the killing god who had slaughtered the barbarian tribe back then not arrange for people to secretly protect her?

 

After chatting for a few more sentences, Shen Yian felt that things were settled and it was time for him to leave.

 

Shen Jingyu had wanted to invite Gu Ruoyi to a banquet to apologize on behalf of the Zhao siblings, but was politely declined.

 

“Then the King will come and apologize in person.”

 

“There’s no need for that, Your Highness. I’m already grateful.”

 

After exchanging pleasantries, the two of them left the Thousand Gold Pavilion, while the two girls stayed behind to prepare to buy some more things.

 

Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

 

Shen Yian had originally wanted to go to the Duke of State’s residence to freeload a meal, but before he could even open his mouth, Shen Jingyu dragged him over, insisting on treating him to a meal.

 

What’s the point of this? If you want to treat me, then why are you treating me at my own shop? Who’s treating who here?

 

“Fourth Brother, I see you’re quite familiar with my shopkeeper. Do you come here often?”

 

“Yes, I do.” Shen Jingyu nodded with a smile, not trying to hide it at all. “The food and wine here are better than Dingfu Building’s.”

 

Is this a ruthless business battle, with the boss personally taking action?

 

Shen Yian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: “Has Fourth Brother ever thought about changing the chef at Dingfu Building?”

 

After Dingfu Building started renovations, the remaining chefs and shop assistants were all sent to the tea house to help out.

 

Let the shopkeeper there test them for a month, and if they didn’t perform well, they’d be fired, and if they did, their wages would be increased and they’d be kept on.

 

“I thought of replacing the chef, but unfortunately, I didn’t.”

 

Shen Yian knew exactly what this meant.

 

Fine, fine, you want to replace the chef, but you’re eyeing my chef, aren’t you?

 

“Fourth Brother, aren’t you afraid of offending the Zhao family by doing this today?”

 

Shen Jingyu’s business empire was now thriving, and it was impossible to do so without the Zhao family’s help.

 

If the Zhao family were to cause trouble, it would be impossible not to be affected.

 

“Those old foxes in the Zhao family won’t harm their own interests just because of two juniors.”

 

“Besides, they’re all busy fighting for power and profit every day, where do they have the time to care about the juniors?”

 

Shen Jingyu stroked his wine cup and chuckled.

 

He knew the Zhao family’s people too well, with their selfish and self-interested nature etched into their bones.

 

What’s the point of not making a profit?

 

Back when Tianwu City was being rebuilt, the Zhao family had invested money and effort, but how many people knew that they had forcibly purchased many shops and residences at extremely low prices, laying out their business map early on?

 

The Zhao family had become imperial relatives, with the Zhao Patriarch being granted a title, and how many people knew that the Zhao family had accumulated immense wealth over the years by relying on their connections and status?

 

“Fourth Brother, the storm is coming!”

 

Shen Yian looked out the window, which was blown open by the strong wind, and saw the dark clouds rolling in, with blue dragons occasionally appearing and roaring.

 

“Boom!”

 

A loud thunderclap shook the air, and heavy rain poured down.

 

The two of them gazed out the window, mesmerized by the rain curtain.

 

Shen Jingyu came back to his senses and smiled, asking, “Sixth Brother, you didn’t seem to be afraid of thunder when you were young.”

 

He remembered that when they were young, they all lived in the palace, and the Third and Fifth Brothers were the most timid, having been scared to tears by thunder several times.

 

“It’s just thunder, it’s not like it’s going to fall from the sky. Even if it does, what can we do?” Shen Yian laughed.

 

“That’s right, even if it does fall from the sky, what can we do?”

 

Shen Jingyu drank three cups of wine in a row, his eyes reddening: “Sixth Brother, do you want to hear the details of that incident from back then?”

 

Shen Yian’s smile faded, and he slowly put down his wine cup.

 

“I’m all ears, Fourth Brother.”