Hu Xiaotian said, "Great Yong isn't the only country under heaven. Wherever there are people, there's business to be done-buy low, sell high, and hoard rare goods until they fetch a premium. The Treasure-Gathering Studio may have been sealed, but its contents should still be there, shouldn't they?"
Zou Yong realized he had his eye on the jewels in the Treasure-Gathering Studio. "They're all to be confiscated for the royal treasury," he said quietly.
Hu Xiaotian said, "All the king wants is a clear set of accounts, isn't it?"
Zou Yong watched him silently. Hu Xiaotian went behind the screen and fetched a wooden box, then opened it before Zou Yong. Inside lay a thick stack of banknotes. Zou Yong glanced casually at them and saw that the topmost note alone was worth a hundred thousand taels, issued by the Prosperity Trading House. He sighed inwardly. This man really had come prepared.
Xue Lingjun had stayed at her lodgings all day. At dusk, Guo Zhenhai came to report that Hu Dafu, the merchant from yesterday, had returned. Without hesitation, she told him to invite the man inside. Seeing her reaction, Guo Zhenhai looked troubled. He hesitated for a while before finally saying, "Your Highness, there's something I don't know whether I should say."
Xue Lingjun said, "If you think you shouldn't say it, then don't."
Guo Zhenhai said, "I believe that Hu Dafu's behavior is suspicious. Your Highness should keep your distance from him..."
Before he could finish, Xue Lingjun's gaze struck him, cold as a blade. His heart shuddered, and he lowered his head. "I overstepped," he said quietly.
Xue Lingjun snorted coldly. "Since when is it your place to meddle in my affairs? Guo Zhenhai, understand your position. You came to Bohai to protect me, not to watch