The Daily Life of a Concubine's Daughter After Transmigrating

Xiao Yao looked up and met Li Anqi's gaze. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. She quickly put down the account book in her hand and walked over.

"Chess Queen!" Xiao Yao's voice was filled with excitement, "Why have you come?"

Li Anqi smiled slightly, looking at her with gentle eyes:

"I was just passing by and thought I'd drop by to see you. I didn't expect you to have improved so quickly; you've really impressed me."

Today is the day she goes to Yishantang, and Shan Xingwen has already set off ahead of time.

A blush rose on Xiao Yao's face, and she whispered, "It's all thanks to Your Majesty."

If Li Anqi hadn't brought her to Shanji Cloth Shop, she wouldn't have had the chance to break free from the past and start anew.

"Chess Queen, Xiaoyao is really... really grateful to you," Xiaoyao said sincerely.

Li Anqi gently patted her shoulder, his tone mild:

"I merely gave you an opportunity. The most important thing is that you can seize the opportunity and prove yourself."

At this moment, Manager Yang also came over and interjected with a smile:

"Miss Li, you have such a discerning eye! Xiao Yao is a clever and quick learner, and she's also very reliable. Now she can handle the cloth shop's accounts on her own, which has been a great help to the shop!"

Upon hearing this, Li Anqi's smile deepened, and she turned to Xiao Yao, saying, "Even Manager Yang praises you so highly, it seems I didn't misjudge you back then."

Xiaoyao lowered her head somewhat shyly, her voice soft yet firm:

"Your Majesty, Manager Yang, I will definitely continue to work hard and live up to your expectations!"

Li Anqi nodded, her eyes filled with relief: "I believe in you."

The three of them smiled at each other, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

Zhilan smiled gently beside her. Her mistress hadn't shown such a relaxed smile in quite some time.

"What a coincidence! I never expected that the chess consort of Prince Xiao's mansion would be here."

The group turned their heads and saw that the speaker was a middle-aged man dressed in brick-red brocade robes.

Because of his age, his face was somewhat weathered, and he exuded an air of nobility from a high-ranking family and a faint air of scholarly refinement.

Li Anqi was no stranger to this person; he was Tu Nanjun's father, Marquis Jichang, Tu Bofu.

"My lord," Li Anqi bowed.

Shopkeeper Yang and Xiao Yao seemed to be quite familiar with Tu Bofu, and they greeted him with practiced ease: "Greetings, Lord Marquis."

Tu Bo greeted Li Anqi with a gentle smile and raised his hand in a gesture of support, saying:

"I was just passing through this place, and I never expected to meet Your Highness here. It is truly fate."

Li Anqi smiled slightly, her expression calm: "Your Excellency is too kind. I was just passing by today and never expected to meet you."

Tu Bofu's gaze softened, and his tone carried a hint of intimacy:

"Since Your Highness is here, why don't we go to the teahouse together? I recently acquired several paintings and calligraphies by famous artists, and I was just about to ask Your Highness to appraise them. Your Highness is exceptionally talented, and I'm sure you have unique insights into these paintings and calligraphies as well."

Li Anqi felt a slight tightening in his heart, but his expression remained unchanged, and he maintained his polite smile.

"I appreciate your kindness, Your Excellency. However, I have some trivial matters to attend to today, so I'm afraid I cannot stay any longer."

Marquis Ji Chang has blatantly overstepped his bounds; how could he possibly arrange a private meeting with someone from the Prince's residence?!

Doesn't he care at all?

Upon hearing this, a hint of disappointment flashed in Tu Bofu's eyes, but he quickly regained his smile:

"Your Highness is very busy, so I dare not insist. However, if Your Highness has time, you may come to the Ji Chang Marquis's residence at any time, and I will certainly welcome you with open arms."

Li Anqi nodded slightly, her tone distant yet polite: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Excellency. I will remember it."

Seeing this, Xiaoyao whispered:

"Your Highness, the Marquis is a regular customer of our Shanji Cloth Shop and Silver Shop. He has collected every single one of the velvet hairpins you designed, which shows how much he admires you."

Upon hearing this, Li Anqi had a vague feeling that something was amiss.

She glanced at Zhilan, who had her brows furrowed slightly, clearly having also noticed something.

Their eyes met, and they understood each other without saying a word.

With just a glance, Li Anqi knew that Zhilan had the same idea as him.

She wondered to herself, could it be that Tu Bofu's frequent visits to Shanji Cloth Shop were really just to run into her?

This is not a good thing.

Just as she was pondering how to respond, Tu Bofu suddenly spoke up: "A few days ago, I sent someone to deliver a painting of a rabbit under a rock and a Yanzhou inkstone to the Prince Xiao's residence. I wonder if Your Highness liked them?"