Embassy of Qingzhou Prefecture.
With a bump all over his forehead, Jin Xiaoji said, "Young Prince, I'm useless... I shouldn't have targeted women, I should have picked men instead."
"Hiss..." You Tuo tilted his head in pain, dismissed the servant who was going to apply the medicine, and stood there with a greasy lump on his head.
He said coldly, "Still picking and choosing men... You almost got taken advantage of by a man today, and you still dare to pick and choose?"
You Tuo a deep breath and muttered resentfully, "How can you be so useless? You can't even beat Little White. What did I bring you here for? To embarrass myself?"
Jin Xiaoji knelt down with a thud, "Your Highness, please calm down... That Little White's hands were like a clamp, he looked thin and weak but was surprisingly strong."
You Tuo said impatiently, "Alright, alright, we've achieved our goal for today. Now it's up to Su Wenqian to decide what to do."
Jin Xiaoji was uncertain. "Young Prince, according to our investigation, Su Wenqian is Old General Fu's nephew. The Fu Household has been stationed at the border for many years... none of them are easy to talk to. Perhaps we should try other prefectures..."
You Tuo sneered, "If Su Wenqian wants to try, the other prefectures will too. Today is just an appetizer... the welcoming banquet is where the real competition begins."
After saying that, he looked at Jin Xiaoji with displeasure, "Alright, go and get ready. Don't embarrass me tomorrow..."
Jin Xiaoji acknowledged and withdrew.
The main hall of the Qingzhou Prefecture government office.
"My lord, today the Silla envoy was harassing women in the street, and Shopkeeper Jin pulled down his pants."
Su Wenqian said in a deep voice, "They ran away?"
"He didn't run away, he was hiding in the corner peeking... Not only that, he even praised me as a real man..." Constable Wang's voice unconsciously carried a hint of smugness as he said this.
Su Wenqian laughed, "Yes... you believe everything she says."
"So what? Shopkeeper Jin never lies... I also think she has a good eye for people."
Su Wenqian chuckled. "Alright, I have a stack of invitations here. Send someone to deliver them to each family later."
Constable Wang, holding the invitation, asked, "Does Shopkeeper Jin still wish to invite you?"
"Why not invite her? The one who pulled down the Silla envoy's pants in the street was a man. What does that have to do with Shopkeeper Jin? Let her come... I want her to stand confidently in front of the Silla envoy."
I want to tell the Silla people that the people of our Sheng Dynasty are not to be insulted at will.
"Alright... I'll get on it right away," Constable Wang, his voice brimming with excitement.
Anzhi Hall, study.
Jin Shanyao held the storybook, sometimes frowning, sometimes grinning... and occasionally holding the book further away, as if it contained something filthy that made her feel uncomfortable.
"Auntie, are all the aged ginseng, mulberry fungus, and deer antlers going to be sent to the capital?"
Jin Shanyao said with a pained expression, "Keep some in the shop, and send the rest to the capital... Shopkeeper Qin has sent four or five letters, afraid that we will give the medicine to others."
Tao Yunshan will be over in a few days. You should take Qing Yang and Zhou Xiaosi to carefully inspect the goods... He's just become the manager, so give him plenty of pointers."
"Don't worry, Auntie..."
Meng Anci, who was reading a book nearby, looked up and said, "Tomorrow the Dean is taking us to the welcoming banquet for the Silla envoys. I don't know when we'll be back tonight, so don't wait for me for dinner."
Jin Shanyao frowned, staring at the book, and said "Oh," "What are you going to do?"
"I don't know. All the scholars from the academies have to participate; it was specifically requested by the Silla envoy."
Qing He came from outside the door to report, "Master, Constable Wang has arrived."
Jin Shanyao the book down on the table, stood up, straightened her clothes, and walked towards the main room.
Meng Anzhi and Meng Anci exchanged a glance, then moved closer to the desk with the Jin Shanyao. Their gazes fell on the cover of the book, " Flowers Pinned into the Embrace," which looked quite normal and seemed to have no problems.
Meng Anzhi picked up the book, and the first line she saw was of two women feeding each other wine mouth to mouth. The siblings' expressions were indescribable. Meng Anci snatched the book from his sister's hand and placed it face down on the table.
The two of them acted as if nothing had happened and returned to their seats to continue reading.
Jin Shanyao stepped into the main room and, seeing Constable Wang dressed in his black uniform, asked with a puzzled look, " Constable Wang, what brings you here so late?"
Constable Wang laughed and said, "My lord asked me to deliver an invitation to you. Tomorrow afternoon, the Silla embassy is hosting a banquet and has invited all the gentry and wealthy merchants in the prefecture to attend."
This is a rare opportunity. If Silla takes a liking to anything, they can place an order directly.
Jin Shanyao wasn't interested in placing an order, but when she thought Meng Anci was going, she readily agreed.
Before leaving, she asked Qing He to give some jujube paste cakes to Constable Wang, saying casually, "Take these to Old Wang and tell him that if he's not satisfied, he can come to the Anzhi Hall to find me. Stop wasting your time talking to that willow tree all day. How can someone your age be so petty?"
Constable Wang's heart skipped a beat. How did Jin Shanyao know that his grandfather had been cursing at the willow tree at home? That shouldn't be possible???
He looked down at the jujube paste cake in his hand again and suddenly felt it was too hot to handle.
This isn't a pastry, it's a declaration of war!
Constable Wang carried the jujube paste cakes out of the Anzhi Hall, he kept wondering who had spread the word about his grandfather cursing in the street.
Jin Shanyao returned to the study and placed the invitation on Meng Anzhi's desk.
"Look... Tomorrow, your aunt will take you to the welcoming banquet for the Silla envoys."
Meng Anci slightly taken aback, then put down his pen and came over. The siblings stared at the invitation with great curiosity; this was the first time they had ever received one.
Meng Anzhi asked nervously, "Auntie, why did Lord Su invite us?"
Jin Shanyao sat down in a chair, picked up a grape and popped it into her mouth, mumbling, "I heard from Constable Wang that Silla wants to do business with us and has specially invited wealthy merchants from the prefectural city to participate."
Meng Anzhi was a little nervous. She spent her days either seeing patients or processing medicinal herbs and had never attended any banquets.
"Auntie, what should I wear tomorrow? Should I start preparing now?" After all, she was an envoy, and she was afraid of embarrassing her aunt.
Jin Shanyao's gaze fell on Meng Anzhi's small face, and she chuckled, teasingly saying, "Wearing riding attire."
"Huh?" Meng Anzhi was even more confused, "Attend... a banquet... wear riding attire?"
Jin Shanyao softly, " The Silla people are rather unruly. Dress smartly; it'll be easier to fight them if they get physical."
Meng Anci's gaze lingered on Meng Anzhi's face for a moment, then he said in a deep voice, "I'll tell the teacher tomorrow morning that I won't go with them; we'll go together."
Jin Shanyao readily agreed, "Alright... You and your brother are good-looking, you'll be better off with me."
Meng Anzhi and Meng Anci exchanged a quick glance and couldn't help but laugh.
The embassy was already packed with people by noon the next day.
Wealthy businessmen, officials, and their wives gathered in small groups, chatting and laughing quietly.
Jin Shanyao led Meng Anzhi and Meng Anci in. The three of them, dressed in smart riding attire, stood out starkly from the silks and satins that filled the courtyard.
The lively chatter and laughter suddenly fell silent.
Seeing this Old Medicine Zhou quickly walked over, "For such an important occasion, why didn't you change your clothes?"
Jin Shanyao waved her arms and Old Medicine Zhou, saying, "Isn't this good?"
She tugged at her sleeve to show him, "How about that, all taut..." She then flicked it twice in the air, tossed her chin triumphantly, "A swift and decisive strike... not a moment's delay."
Old Medicine Zhou pulled her arm away, "This is a welcoming banquet for the envoy... Who are you going to kill with that knife? Let me tell you, you can't act recklessly, understand?"
This concerns a matter of great importance to both countries... If you cause trouble, even Lord Su won't be able to protect you."
Jin Shanyao her hand, "I know, I know..." After saying that, she walked around Old Medicine Zhou and began to tour the place with the two children.
Despite their wealth, the three of them spent their days either reading or learning new skills, each one busier than the last... They had never seen anything truly extraordinary.