Chapter 468: The Prince might also be narrowing his own path

But on second thought, with His Majesty's power, never mind holding a flower festival; even setting a new festival was just a matter of one sentence.

After the banquet ended, Li Ji immediately summoned the officials of the Ministry of Rites and drafted the regulations for the "Myriad Flower Assembly" overnight.

If he were any less sensible, he, as a Prince, might also be narrowing his own path.

The gardeners of the Imperial Garden received emergency orders and transplanted various rare flowers overnight.

Even the embroiderers in the palace began to rush to make ceremonial dresses.

I'm afraid by the day after tomorrow, Li Meng would know the true identity of this "Little Brother."

And at this moment, Li Meng still naively thought she had really caught up with the May Tian Ce Dynasty's annual traditional grand event.

She leaned against Li Chen, looking forward to the flower festival the day after tomorrow, completely unaware that this "traditional festival lasting three hundred years" was actually set up for her alone.

The next morning, Li Meng, accompanied by Li Chen, arrived at the headquarters of the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce.

Just as she stepped into that magnificent building, she nervously gripped Li Chen's sleeve.

Li Chen patted the back of her hand: "Don't be afraid, President Jiang is very easy to get along with."

In the reception hall on the top floor of the chamber of commerce, Jiang Rong had been waiting for a long time.

Seeing Li Meng enter, she immediately stood up to welcome her, a lake-green long dress swaying with her steps.

"This must be Miss Li, right? I've long heard that there is a talented and beautiful Saintess in the Southern Frontier; seeing you today, it is truly well-deserved."

Jiang Rong's smile was gentle, her voice like a spring breeze.

Li Meng was stunned instantly; the woman before her was not only stunningly beautiful but also had a mature and intellectual temperament.

Especially that curvaceous figure, which made the usually confident Li Meng feel a bit inferior for the first time.

She subconsciously looked down at her own still-green curves and swallowed quietly.

"Pre—President Jiang, hello..." Li Meng saluted stutteringly, the silver ornaments jingling.

Jiang Rong pulled her to sit down cordially: "I heard you want to promote the Southern Frontier's insect banquet and handicrafts? I've seen the samples; they are indeed very distinctive."

She opened an exquisite booklet: "We can open a specialty store on Zhu Que Street, the most bustling street in the Imperial Capital; in the early stages, our chamber of commerce can bear seventy percent of the costs..."

Li Meng's eyes widened; these conditions were more generous than she could have imagined!

She secretly glanced at Li Chen, who was standing to the side, thinking that Little Brother must have a high status in the chamber of commerce; otherwise, why would President Jiang give so much face?

The meeting went exceptionally smoothly; Jiang Rong not only promised to provide the most generous cooperation conditions but also took the initiative to propose sending a caravan to the Southern Frontier for inspection.

When leaving, she even personally put an exquisite silver hairpin on Li Meng: "This is a meeting gift from the chamber of commerce to our partners."

Jiang Rong naturally knew the relationship between Li Meng and Li Chen; this silver hairpin was carefully selected by her, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it was worth a fortune.

Walking out of the chamber of commerce gate, Li Meng was still immersed in surprise.

She suddenly circled Li Chen and asked with her head tilted: "Little Brother, don't you think President Jiang is very beautiful?"

Li Chen laughed: "Of course."

Thinking to himself, can my wife not be beautiful? But he didn't say this out loud.

Li Meng smiled slyly and leaned close to his ear: "Don't you... have any ideas?"

"Ouch!" As soon as the words were out, she was tapped on the head by Li Chen.

"Not for now; you go busy yourself with your business, don't think about these random things all day." Li Chen feigned seriousness.

Li Meng covered her head, pouting aggrievedly: "I was just asking! Little Brother, President Jiang promised to give us the best storefront! After the flower festival ends tomorrow, I'll take my fellow disciples and start preparing!"

Li Chen looked at her innocent and lively appearance, thinking to himself, when this girl finds out the truth at the flower festival tomorrow, I wonder what her expression will be.

After chatting for a while, Li Chen left on the pretext of having important matters.

He had indeed been busy with official business lately; he had arrived late at the banquet yesterday precisely because he had just returned from a micro-visit to the South.

A mountain of memorials was waiting for him to review; this was probably the only thing in the world that could make this peak Sage Realm Emperor feel a headache. In the Imperial Study, the candles were bright.

Li Chen rubbed his temples and flipped open a secret report.

It recorded rumors circulating between the May Tian Ce Dynasty and the Eternal Day Empire, with some saying he was secretly colluding with the Eternal Day Emperor, Charles Shi Dan.

Such rumors were of no consequence within May Tian Ce; with Li Chen's prestige, there was no need to explain at all.

But for that Emperor of the Eternal Day Empire, who was in a delicate situation, this was undoubtedly a disaster.

"Charles is probably unable to eat or sleep in peace now." Li Chen chuckled and set the secret report aside.

He knew the power structure of the Eternal Day Empire too well.

There, the Pope was the true ruler; even the Emperor had to kneel before the Pope to receive blessings during his coronation.

If the Pope determined that Charles was colluding with an enemy country, changing an Emperor would be as easy as lifting a hand.

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Palace of the Eternal Day Empire, Charles Shi Dan was pacing back and forth anxiously.

He had just finished explaining to the Pope and now had to have an audience again.

This young Emperor knew very well that explanation alone was no longer enough; he had to take some practical actions against the May Tian Ce Dynasty to clear his name.

"Your Majesty, His Holiness the Pope summons you." The attendant reported tremblingly.

Charles took a deep breath and tidied his clothes: "Prepare the horses, go to the Holy Temple."

He felt that he, the Emperor of a superpower, was living a miserable life, but there was no other way!

And in the May Tian Ce Imperial Capital, there was another person with an even bigger headache—the ruler of the Zhao Group, Zhao Jing.

This great merchant who could summon wind and rain in the Southern countries was now standing in front of the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce headquarters, his face changing between cloudy and sunny.

"Honored guest, I am truly sorry, but President Jiang's schedule for today is already full." The guard at the gate said politely.

Zhao Jing suppressed his anger and tried hard to maintain a smile: "Then I wonder when I can make an appointment to meet?"

"You can leave a visiting card; after the President arranges it, we will send someone to notify you." The guard answered officially.

Zhao Jing's mouth twitched; in the Southern countries, even the Emperor had to submit a card three days in advance to see him.

But this was the May Tian Ce Dynasty; he didn't dare to act presumptuously, so he had to apologize with a smile: "Then I'll trouble you, little brother."

Saying this, he handed over a gold-stamped visiting card and quietly slipped in a bag of gold coins.

The guard pushed the gold coins back: "Honored guest, you are too polite; our Wanbao Chamber of Commerce has rules—we don't accept these."

Zhao Jing hit a soft nail and left dejectedly.

After walking a short distance, he looked back at that grand building, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

In the May Tian Ce Dynasty, the wealth and connections he was proud of seemed to have become worthless.

"Master, what shall we do next..." The attendant asked cautiously.

If they were in the Southern countries, these attendants would be existences that even local officials feared.

But here, they had to be careful even when speaking.

Zhao Jing sighed: "Let's go back to the inn and wait for news first; remember, be low-key here, don't cause trouble."

And at this moment, Li Meng was happily picking out clothes to wear for the flower festival tomorrow on Zhu Que Street, completely unaware of these undercurrents of court strife.

She picked up a gauze dress embroidered with butterflies and compared it, her face filled with a happy smile.

Tomorrow, she would attend that legendary Myriad Flower Assembly with Little Brother.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 469 =====