There is a god in the sky

Chapter 101 Staying at Prince Zheng's Mansion 2

There are many beautiful maids in Furong Garden. Not to mention Xiao Ji, the chief official, even the officials who live here have someone to serve them.

The maids brought Shen Lan and Xuan'er two sets of exquisite dresses and a complete set of headdresses, which were obviously very valuable.

After the maid left, Xuan'er asked tremblingly, "Sister, these... these expensive things... you just gave them to us?"

What did that maid say just now?

She said, "This is a small token of the Prefect's appreciation; please accept it, esteemed guest."

They were just two insignificant followers, and even Xuan'er, who was just a maid, was treated as an honored guest.

It must be said, this prefect of Tanzhou is truly generous!

However, instead of being delighted by the generous gift before them, the two were somewhat frightened.

Shen Lan frowned as she looked at these gifts. If this prefect wanted something from Xiao Ji, they couldn't just accept them.

If there is no request, then it is even less acceptable to accept it.

With such an extravagant lifestyle, this prefect is probably doomed.

In the evening, He Jingli brought over a eunuch from the Prince's residence.

The man flicked his whisk and said arrogantly, "His Highness heard that Lord Xiao has arrived, so he has specially prepared a welcoming banquet for everyone. Lord Xiao, please come with us."

It has to be said that the servants of Prince Zheng's mansion all exude an aura of wealth.

A welcoming banquet is supposed to be a pleasant occasion, but his words made it sound like a trap.

Xiao Ji didn't need to worry about the King of Zheng's expression.

He calmly replied, "I was just passing through this place when I encountered bandits and had to dock to rest. I will not disturb Your Highness any further."

"Insolence!" the eunuch said with displeasure. "To put it politely, it was an invitation; to put it bluntly, the prince summoned you. How dare you disobey?"

"Then what is the matter that Your Highness has summoned me for?"

Fu Qingyan peeked out from behind and said to the eunuch, "Little Dezi, how come you haven't been beaten to death yet with your attitude?"

Eunuch De was startled and pointed at Fu Qingyan with his delicate fingers: "You...you...are the heir of the Marquis of Pingyang?"

"Oh, it's been years. Little Dezi still remembers me. You have a good memory."

Eunuch De immediately dropped his arrogant attitude, shrinking two inches in height, and said politely, "This servant was unaware of your presence and has been negligent."

He lightly patted his mouth and said with a forced smile, "Why didn't you say anything when the young master arrived? Quickly come with me to see the prince. Does the prince still remember you?"

Fu Qingyan's connection with Prince Zheng began three years ago.

At that time, his sister was in favor of the emperor, and he often went to the palace. Coincidentally, that year, the Prince of Zheng came to the capital to celebrate his birthday and stayed in the palace for a period of time. The two hit it off and had a wild time, so they became close friends despite their age difference.

King Zheng did indeed remember him, because Fu Qingyan's glorious deeds had also reached Tanzhou.

Fu Qingyan was somewhat tempted.

Although he was young and ignorant back then, he still remembered that King Zheng was a very interesting person. Now that he was passing through Tanzhou, it would seem inappropriate not to pay him a visit.

He looked at Xiao Ji with expectant eyes, waiting for him to nod.

Xiao Ji couldn't bear to refuse, so he nodded and said, "Since Prince Zheng has sincerely invited me, then let's go."

Xiao Ji originally wanted to take Shen Lan and Xuan'er along, but Shen Lan refused.

"We come from farming families and don't know all the proper customs. We'll make a fool of ourselves if we go there."

Shen Lan had absolutely no desire to visit the homes of powerful and influential people. There were too many rules and too many important figures there. If she accidentally offended anyone, she would lose her head.

In feudal society, there was a strict hierarchy. King Zheng was a member of the royal family, and his behavior showed that he was a person who did whatever he pleased.

Such a person can kill whomever he wants without being bound by the law.

Xiao Ji didn't force him.

Prince Zheng has a notorious reputation for womanizing, and he doesn't know the other party's true purpose in hosting the banquet, so it's better not to bring Shen Lan along.

Finally, Xiao Ji led Fu Qingyan and Sui Feng to the banquet.

The dinner prepared for them at Furong Garden was also very lavish, with all kinds of delicacies from land and sea.

It must be said that such a standard of hospitality would be top-notch even in the capital.

After the meal, Shen Lan went to visit the two patients and was finally relieved to learn of the doctor's diagnosis.

The officials treated her with great respect and thanked her repeatedly.

Previously, they were ordered to escort Lord Xiao to the capital, but now there is a deeper sense of affection, after all, they have been through thick and thin together.

Meanwhile, Xiao Ji and his two companions arrived at the Prince Zheng's residence.

Outside the Prince's Mansion, there were many carriages and sedan chairs, and the people coming and going were all officials and gentry from Tanzhou.

Most of them could only wait in line at the entrance and could only enter the palace after passing through multiple security checks.

Fu Qingyan asked curiously, "Why are there so many people here?"

Xiao Dezi coughed and told the truth: "Today is the princess's birthday, and the prince is holding a grand birthday banquet, so all the local officials and noble families have come."

"Why didn't you say so sooner?" Fu Qingyan said angrily.

Although they brought gifts, they were for the King of Zheng, and only ordinary gifts.

"You don't need to panic. The princess prefers quiet, so she probably won't appear. Those gifts won't even reach her."

The Prince Zheng's mansion was piled high with gold and jade, and filled with mountains of gold and silver. However, the princess was a cold and aloof person who regarded money as dirt and would not even glance at these things.

"Please follow me, both of you." Xiao Dezi led them into the palace ahead of time. Apart from Sui Feng's sword being confiscated, there was no body search or anything like that.

The officials queuing up nearby, seeing such preferential treatment, speculated: "So young, they must be either imperial relatives or direct descendants of a powerful family."

Upon entering the Prince's residence, Xiao Ji finally understood why there had always been censors impeaching Prince Zheng in the court over the years.

He had heard before that the Prince Zheng's mansion in Tanzhou was comparable to a royal palace, and now that he saw it, the rumors were true.

Aside from being smaller than the imperial palace in Bianjing, it is probably just as luxurious.

No wonder the Emperor issued imperial edicts every year to reprimand Prince Zheng, but the few words of reprimand were really ineffective, and Prince Zheng did not take them to heart at all.

Fu Qingyan whispered to Xiao Ji, "I should have brought Miss Shen along, so she could have seen the world."

Given Shen Lan's status, she might never have the chance to enter the palace in her entire life. Being able to see the Zheng Prince's Mansion would be an eye-opener for her.

Xiao Ji shook his head and said, "She might not like watching these things."

Shen Lan is a remarkable woman. Despite her humble origins, she possesses a level of knowledge and experience that transcends her age and social status.

"We've arrived. Please wait a moment, gentlemen. I'll go and inform His Highness that he will be delighted to see the Heir Apparent."

Fu Qingyan disagreed.

Their friendship was short-lived; three years later, the prince probably had forgotten what he looked like.

After a long while, Xiao Dezi finally came out, with a clear handprint on his face.

Fu Qingyan thought to himself: It's over, it seems that the King of Zheng really doesn't remember him.

Will they be kicked out of the palace?

Xiao Dezi's smile was more like a grimace as he bowed and led the two of them.

"Young Master, please come in. It's all my fault for being negligent. How could I have kept you waiting outside? I deserve to die!"

Fu Qingyan was flattered and exchanged a glance with Xiao Ji, seeing the smile in the latter's eyes.