Chapter 927: Chapter 537: Contact with the Huai’an Prince Mansion (Part 3)
The other party also seemed to be a regular, as soon as they entered, six women greeted them with smiles, and those smiles genuinely seemed heartfelt!
The charming wanderer in a green robe, with a cheerful disposition, embraced women on both sides but did not go upstairs. Instead, he sat down in the main hall and even greeted several guests, as if he knew them.
A social butterfly... After a brief observation, Zhao Douan labeled this person.
Though the wanderer’s appearance was not inferior, the charm exuding from him was more outstanding. He seemed able to befriend anyone, his emotional intelligence was quite high, and he was generous. Amidst the joyful banter, he had the group of women beside him blushing and laughing heartily.
"Send a pot of Floral Carving to every table in the hall, put it on my tab," the green-robed wanderer, covered in makeup, called out to the madam with a smile.
Clearly displaying the demeanor of a seasoned player in such establishments.
The young servant in the hall immediately responded and left. The wanderer glanced around and seemed to notice Zhao Douan, who was sitting alone in the corner, a bit out of place from the crowd.
He waved and said to the two girls beside him, "Go keep that gentleman company. Coming out to play without the company of Red Sleeves, wouldn’t it be boring?"
Given his social butterfly persona and generous nature, his action did not seem abrupt. To outsiders, it was just a means of making friends.
Zhao Douan slightly furrowed his brow and nodded in acknowledgment: "Thank you for your kindness, but it’s not necessary."
The wanderer, a bright pearl amidst the crowd, raised his eyebrows with everyone’s attention on him. Holding a wine cup, he staggered over to the corner, sat down opposite Zhao Douan, waved for the two girls to leave, then looked at him and introduced himself with a smile, "Feng Xiaolian."
Is that a man’s name? Zhao Douan mocked inwardly, saying softly, "Dong Ping."
He used the name of the grandson of Grandmaster Dong Xuan, Dong Da.
Yes, Dong Da’s name was obscure and exceptionally common, with many Dong families by the Huai River, so he wasn’t worried about attracting attention.
Feng Xiaolian picked up the wine pot, pouring wine for Zhao Douan, his face smiling but his voice low, "I know your identity. I intended to find an opportunity to pay my respects, but unexpectedly, I waited here today. Commander Zhao."
When Zhao Douan raised his hand to support the wine cup, the muscles in his arm tensed slightly, a glint of coldness flashed in his eyes, and the throwing knife in his sleeve was poised to strike. Within a blink, it could pierce the throat of this wanderer in green.
Feng Xiaolian discreetly, using his sleeve as cover, flicked his wrist under the table, handing over a token, explaining: "Commander, please don’t act rashly. I am a Guest Elder of the Huai’an Prince Mansion, also overseeing the Royal Mansion’s business here in Yongjia. I can barely be called a ’Store Manager.’ I come with no malice, merely to contact you on the Prince’s command."
People from the Huai’an Prince Mansion?
Zhao Douan was momentarily stunned, a plump figure standing by the table cutting fish and cooking flashed in his mind.
The father of Commandery Princess Xu Junling, one of the Eight Princes, the Huai’an Prince stationed by the Huai River.
When he opened the market at Hu Ting, he once had a meal with the Huai’an Prince, gaining the support of this "fence-sitting" prince who was rich as a nation.
In the end, on the market opening day at Hu Ting, the Huai’an Prince acted secretly to fend off the threats from Prince Jing and others.
The court was able to open the market smoothly. Although the rebellion caused the market to be suspended, the half year of operation helped the Ministry of Revenue alleviate the fiscal deficit and stabilize the National Treasury.
In a sense, the Huai’an Prince was also the first of the Eight Princes to take a gamble, betting on the Empress, as a Vassal King.
And intelligence indicated that after Prince Jing Xu Wen and Mu Prince Xu Jingtang’s rebellious forces entered the Huai River, the Huai’an Prince did not interfere but closed the Royal Mansion’s doors, displaying a stance of "unconcerned with worldly affairs."
Zhao Douan initially thought the Huai’an Prince intended to play the turtle, not participating in the internal strife sweeping the dynasty.
But now it seems, the situation has changed.
"Huai’an Prince Mansion?" Zhao Douan glanced at the token, confirmed its authenticity, then tossed it back under the table, his expression indifferent, "You know my whereabouts?"