The emperor did not want to beat the grass and startle the snake. Once they had secured the canyon and dealt with everything inside, they would make their move in the Capital!
He feared alerting the Ge Family. If the people in the canyon received word, took the seeds, and left to grow those harmful things elsewhere, they would be in trouble!
The emperor then issued another secret order, dispatching nearby troops toward the valley!
Meanwhile, Zhao Nianjun heard the steward say:
"Miss, someone at the gate wishes to see you!"
"Who is it?"
"They say they're one of our business partners!"
"Oh? Let's go take a look."
Usually, when discussing business, they arranged a meeting place in advance and talked things over in detail once both parties arrived.
Business meetings generally took place at restaurants, teahouses... places like those, never at either party's home.
A business partner coming straight to their door was rare indeed!
When Zhao Nianjun saw Niu Dali, she promptly cupped her hands in greeting and asked:
"Manager Niu, so it's you!
Please, have a seat!
Steward, serve the tea."
"Yes."
Only then did Zhao Nianjun ask:
"What brings you here so suddenly, Manager Niu?"
"I'm here to deliver a letter!"
Niu Dali took the letter from inside his robe and said:
"My mistress asked me to give you this letter."
Zhao Nianjun knew that the person behind Niu Dali was someone at court, but she truly had no idea who.
"Your mistress?"
Zhao Nianjun had assumed Niu Dali would not tell her, but to her surprise, she heard his answer immediately:
"My mistress is Princess Jiahe, the only female official permitted to attend court!"
Zhao Nianjun had never imagined that Princess Jiahe owned this restaurant.
She had long heard of Princess Jiahe's illustrious name,