Spring arrives and the land smiles

After leaving the county government office with Zhui'er, Qingyan did not return to Mirror Flower Water Moon, but went shopping instead.

Along the way, Qingyan strolled through the stalls, looking at hairpins and trying on clothes, thoroughly enjoying herself.

"Princess, it seems like someone is following us." As they strolled into a clothing store, Zhui'er whispered to Qingyan.

Even Zhui'er could realize she was being followed; how stupid must this stalker be? Qingyan patted Zhui'er's head: "Don't be afraid, you'll shake them off in no time."

Qingyan glanced at the door and sure enough, someone was sneaking around spying.

"Shopkeeper, do you have any better ready-made clothes?" Qingyan asked, feigning dissatisfaction as she reached out and picked at the clothes on the rack.

The shopkeeper of the clothing store was very good at judging people and goods. Qingyan's clothes were quite expensive, so she must be a rich young lady who could spend money like water. He quickly smiled and said, "Please come in, Miss. All the store's treasures are here."

The shopkeeper lifted the curtain and led Qingyan and Zhuier into the inner room.

The ready-made clothes inside were indeed impressive. Qingyan pretended to pick and choose a dozen or so brightly colored Qi-Xiong Ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) and a dozen or so elegant solid-color men's clothes.

"Shopkeeper, send the women's clothing to Mirror Flower Water Moon, and the men's clothing to Spring Sunshine and Flowing Clouds and Cherishing Flowers."

Qingyan picked out the best clothes in the store, and the shopkeeper quickly smiled and agreed.

After lingering in the clothing store for a while, Qingyan gave Zhuier a wink, and Zhuier quickly said, "Shopkeeper, my young lady is a little tired. May we borrow a room to rest?"

With such a big customer, the shopkeeper was naturally happy to serve them, and quickly led Qingyan and Zhuier to the backyard.

After settling the God of Wealth in, the shopkeeper immediately wrapped up the clothes and sent them out as instructed.

The spy keeping watch at the door saw that Qingyan hadn't come out for a long time, even after the clothes he had bought had been delivered. He got anxious and rushed into the clothing store to look for her, but was chased out by the shopkeeper.

The scout had an idea and ran to the back door of the clothing store, but found nothing there. He then turned and went to another street.

Qingyan hid in the backyard and watched until she made sure the spies had all left before leading Zhuier out of the clothing store.

It seems that going out without guards today was a mistake; otherwise, we could have found out who the person following us was.

Just as Qingyan was secretly regretting her actions, she looked up and saw a patch of green.

That woman from Chunhuiyan is really showy; she put on the clothes that were just delivered to her and even went out to parade around in the city.

"Liuyun thanks the princess for the reward." Liuyun bowed gracefully, her robes fluttering and her smile radiant, a truly pleasing sight.

"It's so beautiful." Qingyan reached out to help Liuyun up, but Liuyun took advantage of the situation and secretly touched Qingyan's palm.

Seeing that Qingyan's expression remained unchanged, Liuyun raised an eyebrow and smiled: "Today, Zhenxiulou has some new dishes. I wonder if the princess would be interested in trying them?"

“I am naturally interested in Young Master Liuyun’s invitation.” Qingyan smiled slightly and followed Liuyun to the Zhenxiu Restaurant.

It turned out that Liu Yun had booked a private room at Zhenxiulou a long time ago, and when Qing Yan arrived, the room was already prepared.

Liu Yun opened the door for Qing Yan, and the first thing Qing Yan saw when she came in was Liu Qi Zhuo and Xi Hua getting up to greet her.

"Your Highness," Liu Qizhuo led everyone in bowing.

Qingyan waved her hand and said, "I believe you." Then she looked at Liuyun behind her with a much colder gaze. Liuyun shuddered and her expression was no longer as carefree.

Qingyan strolled to the seat of honor and sat down, her fingers lightly tapping on the small sandalwood table: "Lord Liu is in high spirits. I'm sure the new dishes at Zhenxiu Restaurant today are extraordinary, since Lord Liu has just left the county office and entered Zhenxiu Restaurant right away."

Qingyan's tone was definitely pointed, and Liu Qizhuo's expression changed slightly, but he quickly smiled and greeted her: "Princess, you may not know, but the Zhenxiu Restaurant only releases new dishes once every six months, and you need to order three months in advance. I just happened to be there."

“Oh, I see, Liu Yun,” Qingyan turned to the elegant young man beside her, “I’m only here today because of Lord Liu.”

Liu Yun stepped forward and approached Qing Yan, gently placing his hand on her shoulder: "We benefited from the princess's favor."

Since she had just rewarded Liuyun and Xihua, Qingyan couldn't be angry about this level of favoritism, but the touch on her shoulder still made her tense up.

Zhui'er noticed and quickly poured Qingyan a cup of tea and handed it to her, then subtly took Liuyun's place.

Zhui'er was as clever as ever, and Qingyan smiled and said, "In that case, may I ask what brings Lord Liu here today?"

When his name was called, Liu Qizhu smiled obsequiously: "I wonder what the princess's impression of Dai County is?"

Impression? Qingyan wondered, why would Liu Qizhuo ask such an unrelated question?

"The weather in Daixian is clear and the scenery is beautiful; I am very pleased," Qingyan offered a compromise.

Liu Qizhuo: "Besides the scenery, the people of Dai County are also very charming. I wonder if Your Highness agrees with me?"

It turned out that I was waiting here.

Qingyan turned to look at Liuyun and Xihua, a slight smile playing on her lips. She gently stroked Liuyun's wide sleeve with the back of her hand, not responding directly, but saying indifferently, "I know there is a young master Liuyun in Dai County. I wonder if there is also a young master Feixue?"

Flowing clouds and flying snow? Liu Qizhuo didn't react for a moment, but Liuyun and Xihua understood.

Xihua quickly replied, "Of course! Our Daixian County not only has Liuyun Feixue, but also Muye Xihua. We have everything the princess likes."

Xi Hua's answer made Liu Qizhuo instantly understand: "Young Master Xi Hua is right. I will arrange for Young Master Fei Xue to come and pay his respects."

This twisted introduction was clearly meant to let her know that Liu Yun and Xi Hua, who gained favor overnight, weren't brought in by Bai Lingxian, but by Liu Qizhuo himself. For an official of the court to go out of his way to act as a pimp—it was utterly shameless and unworthy of his position. Qingyan couldn't stand it any longer.

"Then let's meet at Mirror Flower Water Moon tonight." Qingyan got up and walked towards the door. As she passed Liuyun and Xihua, she clenched her fist, but still said, "You two should also get ready and come along."

Liu Yunxi was overjoyed and quickly thanked Qingyan before seeing her off.

After leaving the Zhenxiu Restaurant, Qingyan stomped her foot angrily, feeling resentful. She still needed to use them for now, and would deal with this bunch of good-for-nothings after she had dealt with the Marquis of Yong'an.

Back in the Mirror Flower Water Moon, Qingyan summoned Luoqing and told him what had happened at the Treasure Pavilion that day.

“If that’s the case, then the person behind it might be Liu Qizhuo,” Luo Qing said.

But when Qingyan thought of Liu Qizhuo's lowly and foolish appearance, she felt that he was not worthy of sacrificing the lives of his assassins to keep their whereabouts secret: "I didn't expect that the other side would use assassins to protect a fool like Liu Qizhuo."

Luo Qing: "Perhaps Liu Qizhuo's identity is not simple." Otherwise, how could someone so foolish as to jump out on his own become a business partner?

Qingyan said, "Okay, I'll have Lingfeng Pavilion investigate this Liu Qizhuo."

"So what are you planning to do tonight?" Luo Qing asked.

"Tonight? What tonight?" Qingyan's mind was still on Liu Qizhuo.

"Liu Qizhuo is sending you a few more men tonight. What are you going to do?" Luo Qing reminded her with a smile.

"As usual," Qingyan said.

"No matter how many are sent, it'll be the same as before?" Luo Qing continued to laugh.

"Yes, it doesn't matter how many there are." Qingyan was a little annoyed.

"Very well, then tomorrow Her Highness the Princess's reputation for womanizing will be forever nailed to the pillar of shame." Luo Qing laughed even louder.

Qingyan frowned, feeling displeased at Luo Qing's mocking smile. She reached out and pinched Luo Qing's chin, saying, "If you keep laughing, I'll make sure you live up to that reputation sooner or later, starting with you."

Seeing Luo Qing blush, Qing Yan felt much better.