Chapter 422: I seriously suspect, does this kid know my identity? (Please subscribe, please

Zhao Jing was a core figure of the Zhao family consortium.

Young as he was, he already controlled the resources of several countries, and it could be said that he was doing very well.

Today, Zhao Jing brought a group of retainers here to eat.

The Zhao family didn't belong to any country and was above the southern nations, so he was already used to everyone giving way to him; these people's eyes should all fear him.

But as soon as he stepped into the inn, his gaze locked onto the two figures on the second floor who didn't stand up to avoid them.

Looking at this, he was relieved; although the two were dressed simply, the unique pass jade plate of the Tian Ce Dynasty hanging from their waists emitted a moist luster under the lamp.

Zhao Jing wasn't a fool; he was someone who had seen the world, so naturally, he didn't dare to be presumptuous.

Their family could call the wind and rain in the southern nations, but in front of such a behemoth as the Tian Ce Dynasty, they really didn't count for much.

However, merchants value profit; Zhao Jing's eyes rolled, and he tidied his attire and walked up the stairs.

When he bowed, the priceless blue field jade pendant at his waist didn't make a sound: "Two young masters and young ladies, I am Zhao Jing of the Zhao family; I have disturbed you rashly."

Li Chen raised his eyes to size up this young man who had come uninvited.

Only to see the cuffs of his moon-white long gown embroidered with dark cloud patterns, and the South Sea pearls on his hair crown flowing with a soft halo under the candlelight; he was indeed rich and imposing.

"This meal is on Zhao's account." Zhao Jing smiled and let the shopkeeper add a few signature dishes. "Seeing that the two have an extraordinary bearing, are you from the Tian Ce Dynasty to do business? There have been many merchant caravans going south recently, and Zhao has some connections in the southern nations..."

Zhu Zhuying was about to speak, but Li Chen had already picked up a slice of beef casually, saying: "Looking for a franchise for a hot pot restaurant."

Regarding business, Li Chen could only think of this; many concubines in the inner palace were doing it.

I heard that the hot pot restaurant was developing fast, and even the Empress Dowager had found Jiang Rong and mentioned this matter.

"Hot pot?" Zhao Jing's eyes lit up.

Last year, he had tasted the flavor of that copper pot shabu-shabu in a city in the south of the Tian Ce Dynasty; the thin-as-cicada-wings meat slices tumbling in the boiling red soup, paired with special dipping sauce, were indeed unforgettable.

"Could it be 'Jiuxiao Feiteng Ge' in the East Market?"

Li Chen's chopsticks paused slightly; he didn't expect this person to really know.

Zhao Jing was a familiar person and soon started chatting with Li Chen.

"Speaking of the Tian Ce Dynasty, that orbital train is truly wonderful; last month I took a trip, three hundred miles in less than two hours, fast and steady..."

He praised endlessly, from the orbital train to the planning of the Imperial Capital, and finally actually started to praise the current Son of Heaven: "Speaking of that Emperor of yours, he is truly a wise monarch of the ages! The courage when pushing for new policies, the strategy when pacifying the Northern Border..."

Li Chen felt more and more wrong as he listened; the teacup stopped at his lips for a long time, thinking that this person might have recognized him?

Otherwise, how could this guy keep praising me in front of me?

But looking at Zhao Jing's sincere and exaggerated expression, it didn't look like a pretense.

Zhu Zhuying lowered her head and sipped tea to cover her smile; she looked at Zhao Jing's hard-working performance and thought that this person was probably dreaming that he wouldn't think that the "wise and martial, calculating and planning" Sage Monarch he spoke of was sitting opposite him listening to his flattery.

In Zhu Zhuying's view, Zhao Jing's path had widened; countless people in the Tian Ce Dynasty wanted to flatter Li Chen but didn't have this opportunity; today it was considered to be encountered by him.

If he went to the Tian Ce Dynasty to mix in the future, if he could still meet Li Chen, his days would definitely be better.

Li Chen didn't interrupt Zhao Jing's words because Li Chen felt he was telling the truth.

Zhao Jing actually didn't see that the person in front of him was Li Chen, but he knew the preferences of the people of the Tian Ce Dynasty.

In the minds of the people of the Tian Ce Dynasty, this Emperor was unique in the ages.

Every time he chatted with merchants from the Tian Ce Dynasty, as long as they talked about this Emperor, the merchants' faces would show proud smiles.

That meant that as long as he said these things to people from the Tian Ce Dynasty, people from the Tian Ce Dynasty would like it.

Zhao Jing was just talking about the excitement when a rush of hoofbeats suddenly came from outside the inn.

Only to see a team of black-armored knights galloping past, the flags on the horses fluttering, which was clearly the standard of the Tasha Kingdom's Imperial Guard.

Originally, seeing this scene, anyone would be afraid; after all, the Imperial Guard moving meant something big was going to happen. But the surrounding people were not afraid, but instead showed expectation, and some even started to surge toward the main street.

Li Chen didn't understand, and even Zhu Zhuying was confused.

Zhao Jing smiled and explained: "Tonight, the Princess is going to hold a hydrangea-throwing marriage recruitment; whoever can get the hydrangea can be the Prince Consort. This is a century-old tradition of the Tasha Kingdom, but it is rare for the Princess to throw the hydrangea herself."

He said, pointing to the decorated high platform in the distance outside the window, and continued: "I heard that even the National Master who has been in seclusion for many years has come out of seclusion; the scene must be lively."

Zhu Zhuying's eyes lit up, and she turned to Li Chen: "Young master, why don't we go and take a look?"

Li Chen thought that he had nothing to do anyway, so he nodded and agreed.

The Royal Square was already crowded with people.

The Imperial Guard held long halberds to maintain order, surrounding the central open space into a circular venue.

Cultivators from all walks of life were rubbing their hands in the front row, and some were already secretly competing with each other.

Li Chen and Zhao Jing stood in the open space in the distance, really just joining in the fun.

With the sound of ceremonial cannons, the royal family members walked slowly onto the stage.

The King was dressed in a golden-threaded dragon robe, and the Queen was in a dark purple phoenix skirt; although she was over forty, she still had charm, and her jade pendants jingled as she walked, showing grace and luxury.

And the most eye-catching was the Princess wearing a veil; when she moved with lotus steps to the front of the stage, the entire square fell silent.

The veil fluttered in the wind, and the exquisite jawline could be vaguely seen.

The Princess's apricot eyes were like water, and she had a noble temperament in her gaze.

She scanned the stage casually, seemingly uninterested in those young talents who were eager to try.

"... The Tasha Kingdom can have today's prosperity, all thanks to everyone working together!"

The King was saying scene words, and finally handed the hydrangea covered with pearls to the Princess.

"Today the Princess chooses a husband, hoping for heaven's blessing!"

The Princess took the hydrangea, her gaze scanning the crowd.

Suddenly her eyes lit up; only to see in the open space in the distance, that handsome young man in a green shirt was chatting and laughing with his friend, his peerless face and unique temperament particularly eye-catching in the crowd.

Since she had to marry, she would definitely find someone handsome and powerful.

The Princess's red lips curled, her jade arms raised, and the hydrangea drew a beautiful arc and flew straight toward the pavilion direction.

That's right, she was throwing it at Li Chen.

Even in the crowd, Li Chen was still too excellent.

"Whoosh—"

A black shadow suddenly rushed out from mid-air; it was a cultivator in tight clothes who intercepted the hydrangea in mid-air. This person really wanted to be the Prince Consort.

This exploded the pot; dozens of cultivators jumped up at the same time, the hydrangea was snatched back and forth in everyone's hands, and the scene became chaotic.

Li Chen leaned on the railing and watched, suddenly smiling at Zhao Jing: "Your cultivation is not bad, why don't you try?"

Zhao Jing looked left and right, lowering his voice: "Ahem... to tell you the truth, I heard that this Princess... um... is already pregnant, and the King is rushing to throw the hydrangea to cover up the scandal."

He made an obscure gesture: "Look at those who are snatching the most fiercely; most of them are people arranged by the royal family, just waiting to send the hydrangea to the designated candidate."

From these words, it could be seen that the Zhao family's information channels were very well-informed, and they even knew the royal family's scandal.

Li Chen realized that it was to find a "spare tire."

Sure enough, those cultivators who were fighting the most fiercely were seemingly fighting, but in fact, they were secretly pushing the hydrangea toward their own direction.

But he was not interested in the Princess's spare tire; if it were the peerless Queen beside the Princess, that would be about the same. He watched for a while and then turned to leave.

This made the Princess anxious; you left, who am I going to find to be the spare tire!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 423 =====