Merchants were careful not to offend people or grow close to anyone, so Xu Xie and Zhao Feng weren't particularly close. They'd spent more time together during the two years Zhao Feng had repaid Shen Tang's kindness, when Zhao Feng often entrusted Xu Xie with looking after his family.
Xu Xie had done an excellent job these past two years.
When Zhao Feng saw it was him, some warmth returned to his icy expression, and he stepped forward to greet him. Noticing Xu Xie's grim expression, he asked with concern, "What happened?" Xu Xie turned his head and glanced at his lord's residence from the corner of his eye. His brows furrowed, and he let out a long sigh.
Zhao Feng noticed the small gesture.
He immediately smiled. "It's been a long time since I've had a drink and a good talk with Wenzhu. I have a few jars of fine wine at home. Why don't you come over and have a cup?"
Xu Xie could use a drink to drown his sorrows, too.
So he nodded.
The Zhao residence, main hall.
Though the officials outside the Tianhai faction, led by Qin Li and Zhao Feng, had faced workplace exclusion, at the end of the day, these were personal conflicts among subordinates. Wu Xian, as their lord, had never shortchanged those who worked for him when it came to money or material needs. He was generous.
During the two years Zhao Feng had been away from Tianhai, his family had lived well. They received gifts at every seasonal festival, and the residence had been renovated several times.
However—
A good living environment couldn't ease a troubled mind.
Both Xu Xie and Zhao Feng had things on their minds.
Zhao Feng ordered a servant to fetch two jars of wine from