Arrival at Coiling Dragon Lake

Su Ziji did not refuse again and let the maids attend to him as he washed up.

The maids also asked about his food preferences, saying someone would bring breakfast shortly.

"Has anyone brought Mr. Cen his meal?" Su Ziji asked.

"Rest assured, Lord Su. The governor-general also sent two of our sisters to attend to Mr. Cen," the prettiest maid said with a smile.

Su Ziji nodded and dismissed them.

It looks as though things are more or less settled. With that thought, Su Ziji grew calmer instead. He simply found a book in the cabin and leafed through it at leisure.

After a while, food did indeed arrive. Su Ziji needed only a taste to know that the cook must be a renowned chef. Even a grand restaurant might not serve food this good.

Some time after breakfast, Zhang Sui came to visit. "Lord Su, was there anything unsatisfactory about the service earlier?"

As he spoke, he discreetly watched Su Ziji. "If you need anything, Lord Su, please just say the word. This humble official will do everything in his power to arrange it."

Such deference went far beyond what an Eighth Rank official would show a Sixth Rank official who was not his superior.

Cen Rubai came to see Su Ziji just then and happened to hear those words. He remained silent, watching as Su Ziji smiled and said, "Lord Zhang, the cabin is excellent, and the service has been most attentive. I have no complaints."

"How could I dare accept such an address from you, my lord?" Zhang Sui was secretly filled with regret. He had sensed something amiss at last night's banquet. Officials were acutely sensitive to rank and attitude, and both Governor-General Zhao and Luo Pei were high officials of the Principal Third Rank.