usatvline Chapter 269: The Number One Merchant Alliance in the World
Chapter 269: The Number One Merchant Alliance in the World
"Alright, alright, I still have some official business to attend to. If you feel unwell, go and call the imperial physician. As for Granny Gui, she is also loyal to you. I've given her a day off for you. Tell her to rest well."
After saying this, the emperor led Eunuch Su away.
Once the Emperor and Eunuch Su had completely disappeared from the Empress's palace, Granny Gui immediately dismissed everyone else in the palace.
The empress then sat up from the bed, but her face showed no sign of illness.
"Your Majesty, your move was truly brilliant. It seems the Emperor will no longer hold it against you," said Granny Gui, fawningly.
"Of course. They're still too green to compete with me. But let's put that aside for now. We must find a way to make His Majesty happy on his birthday."
The Empress sneered, a hint of smugness in her eyes.
……
The whole country rejoices on the emperor's birthday.
This matter naturally reached Lin Rusi's ears, and she couldn't help but feel a little melancholy.
Although I have some opinions about the dog emperor, I can't skip the formalities.
Thinking of this, Lin Rusi sighed deeply.
At the same time, Su Xiangqing looked over, a hint of worry in her eyes: "What are you thinking about?"
Since that day, after receiving treatment, Su Xiangqing's external injuries have gradually healed, but she can't remember anything about the past.
But he only trusts her and wants to stick to her all the time, which Lin Rusi doesn't mind.
She felt guilty, because Su Xiangqing had become like this because of her.
So she was willing to stay by her side at all times, hoping to make up for some mistakes.
However, Su Xiangqing's memory showed no signs of returning, and it was said that Ye Ruoruo was also searching for herbs.
"His Majesty's birthday is in a few days. As the Princess Consort of Jinglie, I should naturally send a gift, but I don't know what to send."
There are countless rare and exotic things in the world. As the emperor, what precious things haven't I seen?
The more this was the case, the less Lin Rusi wanted the emperor to find fault with her.
Ideally, you should send something unusual.
Seeing this, Su Xiangqing took Lin Rusi's hand and whispered comfortingly, "It's okay."
“It’s alright. If all else fails, Your Highness can prepare treasures to send over. I just don’t want Your Highness to arrange everything.”
Lin Rusi shook her head and sighed helplessly. Just then, a commotion came from outside the door.
The sound irritated Lin Rusi, and she couldn't help but frown.
"Wanxia, go check what's going on?"
"Yes!" Wanxia turned around and returned shortly afterward.
"Your Highness, the people from the number one merchant alliance in the world have arrived. They say they're here for Miss Su."
Upon hearing Wanxia's words, Lin Rusi frowned immediately: "Let them in."
However, Lin Rusi still subtly moved closer to Su Xiangqing, shielding her behind her.
Soon, a group of people hurried in. The leader was a good-looking man whose gaze locked onto Su Xiangqing the moment he entered.
"Xiang Qing, I've finally found you."
He walked straight toward Su Xiangqing, but before he could get close, Su Xiangqing grabbed Lin Rusi in fear and hid behind her, unwilling to come out.
Lin Rusi suddenly stood up and shielded Su Xiangqing behind her.
He looked at the newcomer with a hint of wariness and warned sternly, "Halt! Who are you, young master, and what brings you here? It would be better to keep your distance."
Helpless, the man stopped.
“Our master is Gao Tuan, the number one merchant alliance in the world. You should let Miss Su come with us.”
Lin Rusi couldn't help but look at Gao Tuan. The worry in his eyes didn't seem fake; he must be genuinely worried about Su Xiangqing.
"I won't go with you!" Su Xiangqing cried out in terror, hiding behind Lin Rusi.
"Young Master Gao, Qingqing was slightly injured and doesn't remember you anymore. Is there anything we can discuss in a more relaxed manner?"
Lin Rusi said gently, then turned back to look at Su Xiangqing tenderly: "Qingqing, they've come to take you home. If you don't want to, I'll talk to them and have Wanxia help you hide, okay?"
"Okay, then you must come back!" Su Xiangqing's eyes still held fear, as if she lacked a sense of security.
Lin Rusi could only let Wanxia take her away first. After she left, she looked at Gaotuan.
"Xiang Qing is my most important friend. I wonder what the relationship is between Young Master Gao and Qing Qing?"
Lin Rusi frowned and questioned her in a cold voice.
The next moment, their eyes met. Gao Tuan looked at her with cold, emotionless eyes, but when he mentioned Su Xiangqing, his gaze softened.
"She...is the one I love."
Seemingly somewhat embarrassed, Gao Tuan paused slightly, then looked up again: "Please allow me, Princess Jinglie, to take her back. Since she is injured, I will take her back and find someone to treat her."
Hearing this, Lin Rusi was somewhat embarrassed.
“Young Master Gao, it’s not that I’m stopping her from going back, but as you can see, she’s so resistant to you, there’s nothing I can do. Besides, I’ve already found a divine physician to treat her injuries, so she’s fine. It’s just that… I’m afraid her memory won’t be restored for the time being.”
After a pause, he continued, "If Young Master Gao doesn't mind, the Jinglie Prince's Mansion will take good care of Qingqing until she regains her memory. If you want to stay, I'll have someone prepare a guest room for you."
Seeing through Gao Tuan's thoughts, Lin Rusi asked a probing question, and Gao Tuan immediately agreed.
"Alright, then I'll trouble you, Your Highness."
"Wanqi, go and prepare a superior room."
The fact that someone from the world's number one business alliance was a genuine surprise to Lin Rusi.
The reason for letting Gao Tuan stay was twofold: firstly, to keep him in check, and secondly, to take advantage of his status.
The second-in-command of the world's number one merchant alliance lives in the Jinglie Prince's Mansion. Those lurking in the shadows and sneaking around will have to think twice before trying to do anything else.
"I believe in the number one alliance in the world, and of course I also believe in Mr. Gao's character." Lin Rusi was eager to befriend Gao Tuan, so she specially sent someone to serve her some fine tea: "Jinglie Prince's Mansion may not be the number one alliance, but it gathers the wealth and nobility of the world. Please do not find this cup of tea offensive."
"Princess Jinglie, what are you saying?" Gao Tuan quickly accepted the gift.
He has never liked to be too eager in his interactions with others, but this Princess Jinglie is now the only person Su Xiangqing trusts, and as rumored, she is easy to get along with, so he naturally wouldn't refuse her good intentions.
With both parties interested, the conversation quickly turned from Su Xiangqing to business matters over the course of a few cups of tea.
The high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital, with their meager official salaries, could hardly afford the social obligations they had to maintain. Their wives would spend almost all of their money on cosmetics, jewelry, and other accessories.
It is only natural for each household to own some private shops.
Lin Rusi had previously taken stock of the shops under the name of Prince Jinglie's Mansion, and the intricacies of each one were not something that could be easily understood in a short time.