A follower looked at the invitation with great trepidation. It was indeed from the Lord Imperial Envoy, and surprisingly, it was sent to Li. Truly, how strange and peculiar!
The Young Master of Li’s Trading House was equally puzzled! The ancestors of Li were rely moderately successful rchants, and in his generation, due to the suppression by the Xia Family, they had declined significantly, no longer ranking in the Hangtian Prefecture. How did this invitation end up here?
"Young Master! Recently, the disaster victims outside the city have run out of food; could it be that Lord Imperial Envoy has set his sights on our Li House?"
The Young Master was startled upon hearing such a reminder from the follower.
"Go out and inquire, see if anyone else has received this invitation. I will seek out my father and discuss it with him."
The Young Master shook his head and then gave the orders.
Two days passed in a blink of an eye. Today, the backyard of the Hangtian Prefecture governnt office was bustling with activity, as a Golden Autumn Chrysanthemum Appreciation Gathering had unfolded.
The entrance was crowded with guests; although it was never deserted in the past, it had never been this lively.
Xia Hongji arrived at the side gate of the backyard in a carriage and lifted the curtain for a glance, shocked by the spectacle before him.
He gritted his teeth, his forehead pulsing with blue veins. He had been fooled by Gu Chengyu.
The invitation originally stated a desire to spend the golden autumn together with him, and he had naturally assud it was a private invitation to the Xia Family. Furthermore, due to the recent stockpiling of grains, he had been preoccupied and did not linger at the mansion.
Gone was his unfounded confidence, as Xia Hongji hadn’t even sent anyone to investigate. This scene today caught him entirely off guard.
Gu Chengyu sat at the head of the flower hall, wearing a light purple silk robe with a round collar, which accentuated his graceful and elegant deanor, like a jade tree facing the wind.
He donned a red gold inlaid pearl hair crown, with the most conspicuous Dongzhu pearl nearly the size of a fingernail. The pearls inlaid upon it were all round and lustrous, exuding a sense of opulence.
Gu Chengyu was currently engaging in lively conversation with several wealthy rchants beside him, while Hu Maoshen, Yang Chaoying, and other officials were present. The grand scene made all the rchants in the room feel a sense of humility.
Li Yu Huan from Li’s Trading House had arrived early. Nowadays, Li’s Trading House rely held a na as a trading company. In truth, it only owned two rice stores, three silk shops, and one tavern, which, to the wealthy rchants present, was considered to be insignificant.
His father had analyzed the wealth through Jiangnan for its prosperity and nurous wealthy rchants. Just within Hangtian Prefecture, there were roughly no fewer than ten notable nas.
These were all already well-established business magnates with operations extending to other states and families affluent enough to be like flowing oil. Naturally, those with less prominent nas need not be ntioned further.
Therefore, Li’s Trading House was insignificant among them, simply serving as a foil. Thus, Li Yu Huan arrived reassured, occupying a corner of the hall early on.
A small Li’s Trading House certainly did not dare to arrive late. Looking around, only the Xia Family had such confidence.
Li’s Trading House had no one backing them, only having good relations with the forr Lord Deputy Governor. Since he was transferred two years ago, Li’s Trading House had led an increasingly difficult life.
Further compounding with father’s previous robust health, he suddenly succumbed to a stroke six months ago, now lying in bed partially paralyzed. Hastily, he took over the family business, ntally and physically exhausted, adding to the woes of Li’s Trading House.
There was a thought of trying to connect with the current Lord Prefect, but without introductions, opportunities were scarce. Previous attempts at presenting visiting cards t with silence, leaving Li’s Trading House gradually discouraged, no longer investing efforts in this pursuit.
Today he carried father’s hopes, wishing to make an appearance in front of Lord Prefect and establish so connections, which would be ideal.
As for the Lord Imperial Envoy, he dared not even imagine. Both imperial envoys held high official ranks, but what status did the imperial envoys have?
They were said to be favorites of the Emperor, how could small rchants like them aspire to such heights?
Moreover, following disaster relief, the imperial envoys would return to the Capital, leaving them without hopes. Building connections with Lord Prefect seed more realistic.
Gazing upon the young, handso youth at the head, he couldn’t help but feel pensive. He enjoyed reading, but unfortunately, failed to make it onto the list twice, remaining without a title.
Later when his father fell ill, as the legitimate son, naturally he had to take over family responsibilities. Had he focused solely on academia, might he one day enter officialdom, living as glamorously as this youth?
Gu Chengyu glanced at those present and counted the heads, with Xia Hongji from the Xia Family and Manager Zhan from Juxiang Building being the exceptions, everyone else had arrived.
Gu Chengyu thought Xia Hongji really knew how to play gas, when unexpectedly, a voice announced another honored guest’s arrival.
"Mr. Xia from Xia Mansion has arrived!"
Gu Chengyu heard Xia Hongji had arrived. His originally warm smile beca even more radiant. Great! The main patron had arrived.
Following this announcent, the room fell silent for a mont before becoming even noisier than before.
Wealthy rchants stood up, turning their attention to the entrance, all with smiling faces awaiting Xia Hongji’s arrival.
Gu Chengyu raised his brows, exchanging a glance with Hu Maoshen and others, proving the Xia Family’s influence in Jiangnan.
Xia Hongji was rely a branch of the Xia Family, yet these rchants had to behave this way upon his arrival, showing the fa of Grand Secretary Xia resonated loudly not only in the court but throughout Jiangnan and beyond.
Indeed, for he was the Grand Secretary, with many Xia family mbers holding official positions in the court. Such a formidable entity, regardless of whether rchants had officials backing them, was undeniably imposing.
Xia Hongji was led into the hall by a servant. Upon entering, he imdiately noticed the two imperial envoys seated at the head table, fixing his gaze initially on the extraordinarily eye-catching youth.
For this youth was exceptionally striking!
Rumor had it that Gu Shaoqing was handso and elegant, and it proved true upon eting him today. Such a captivating figure was unforgettable once seen.
Xia Hongji hesitated for a mont, then laughed loudly: "Apologies everyone, nurous household affairs delayed for quite so ti, causing my late arrival!"
He finished speaking and quickly stepped forward, bowing thusly, "Xia Hongji pays respects to all the esteed dignitaries! I apologize for the delay due to various affairs, I hope the dignitaries will forgive!"
Hu Maoshen nodded and smiled, "Mr. Xia, please dispense with formalities! It is not yet the hour; you have actually arrived early."
He had arrived precisely on ti, making it truly not a late arrival.
Gu Chengyu slightly curled his lips, nodding towards Ming Mo beside him, while Ming Mo signaled to the Ding Generation outside the door.
In no ti, as Xia Hongji began exchanging pleasantries with the others, another announcent ca from outside the door, "Manager Zhan from Juxiang Building has arrived!"
Xia Hongji’s expression stiffened; Manager Zhan from Juxiang Building? That old curmudgeon was here too?
He glanced around; the gathering consisted entirely of wealthy rchants, so what was a manager from a tavern doing here?
Not only was Xia Hongji filled with imnse confusion, but even the wealthy rchants seated were montarily stunned, followed by whispering within the flower hall.
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