The King of Chu alighted from the carriage with the help of his driver. Another person also stepped out from within, standing by the carriage to guard the King’s safety.
This was a man clad in the uniform of a guard. He was lean and tall, with a straight back, and a long sword hung at his waist. However, his appearance was utterly unremarkable, the kind of person who would vanish into a crowd and be impossible to find.
“Greetings, valiant sir. I am indebted for this intrusion, Your Majesty,” the King of Chu said, his tone exceedingly gentle.
Senior Brother Yang held a good impression of the King of Chu. After all, those in the martial world possessed a tendency to admire strength.
Although the King of Chu appeared to be a frail invalid, he had heard his junior sister’s analysis suggesting that this King of Chu was not as simple as he seemed.
Furthermore, the King of Chu did not exhibit the haughtiness often found in court officials. This garnered him goodwill from them.
Indeed, no one disliked a person who consistently offered a smile. Such was the King of Chu; his smile was genuine.
Whether facing royalty or commoners, he treated everyone equally.
His smile truly made one feel a sense of closeness and warmth.
“Your Majesty, please, my junior sister is preparing medicine. You may wait in the hall for a moment. I will go fetch her,” Senior Brother Yang led the King of Chu into the small courtyard.
It was a courtyard with two sections. Senior Brother Yang led the King of Chu into the second section.
The King of Chu subtly surveyed the small courtyard. There were not many personal belongings visible, suggesting they had not resided here for a long time.
Upon seeing Senior Brother Wang emerging from the house, Senior Brother Yang addressed him directly, “Your Majesty has arrived, Senior Brother. Please go and call Junior Sister.”
“Very well. Your Majesty, please be seated. I will go and call Junior Sister,” Senior Brother Wang then walked off in another direction.
“Is the valiant maiden Lin your junior sister?” the King of Chu inquired casually.
He had learned from his guards that Lin Yan’s martial arts skill was not the highest among them, yet she was the one in charge.
He had assumed she held a higher seniority; now it seemed she was everyone’s junior sister.
“Yes,” Senior Brother Yang replied, not elaborating further.
After all, Junior Sister had cautioned him: when conversing with someone whose mind was as porous as a sieve, speaking more would lead to more mistakes. It was better to speak less.
The King of Chu perceived Senior Brother Yang’s wariness towards him but did not take offense. He did not press further and instead accompanied him into the hall, where Zhao Yu Shu then approached to serve him a cup of tea.
The King of Chu glanced at Zhao Yu Shu. Judging by his appearance, this must be the person his secret guards had discovered.
The King of Chu nodded his thanks to him and accepted the tea.
He had already encountered three members of their party during his journey, including the one who had been tailing him. Thus, they were making no attempt at concealment.
According to the intelligence gathered, their group consisted of six people in total, five men and one woman. Three individuals had visited Zhenxiu Tower that day, plus the one present today. That left only one person he had yet to meet.
Senior Brother Yang then brought forth some pastries and fruits, and remained by the King’s side, lest he feel neglected.
Soon, Lin Yan arrived. “Your Majesty the King of Chu graces us with your presence. It is a great honor to welcome you!”
“You are too kind, valiant maiden Lin!” The King of Chu rose to greet her.
Upon Lin Yan’s arrival, Senior Brother Yang and the others yielded the stage to her, retreating to the side.
“Your Majesty, please do not be so formal. Please be seated,” Lin Yan gestured for the King of Chu to sit, then took a seat opposite him.
The King of Chu had never encountered a woman like her. She seemed almost overly confident, yet this confidence stemmed from her own capabilities.
The self-assurance emanating from her was captivating.
“Your Majesty the King of Chu, now that you have sought me out, it seems you have considered our proposition.”
“The offer made by valiant maiden Lin is hard to refuse, wouldn’t you agree!” the King of Chu said with a slight smile.
His smile, like the warmth of spring, caused Lin Yan, who had seen many handsome men, to pause in astonishment.
“I had a conversation with my elder brother earlier, and he mentioned that Zhu Yun’s goods could be incorporated into the imperial household’s requisitions, with purchases made each season. He can also grant the merchant representative of the Lishan Sword Sect the status of Imperial Merchant.”
The King of Chu continued. In truth, he could offer more, but business, after all, was more interesting with reciprocity.
“Imperial Merchant?” Zhao Yu Shu blurted out unintentionally.
“Precisely, an Imperial Merchant. With such a status, Lishan’s businesses will no longer need to fear being harassed,” the King of Chu explained.
“That sounds quite acceptable,” Lin Yan responded.
Indeed, they had thought things through more thoroughly. After all, she had not grown up in this world. Despite her efforts to learn its customs, she still lagged behind the native inhabitants.
“As for the Imperial Merchant status, are there any other benefits?” Lin Yan inquired.
“The benefits are not particularly numerous, but it will certainly grant higher standing than that of a common merchant. As my benefactress, valiant maiden Lin is welcome to request more,” the King of Chu said earnestly.
“Your Majesty is too kind. You should wait until I have healed you before discussing further benefits,” Lin Yan said with a smile.
“Then my health is in your hands, valiant maiden Lin.” The King of Chu raised the teacup beside him towards Lin Yan and took a sip.
“Then please follow me, Your Majesty. My pharmacy is on the other side, and I need to conduct some further examinations,” Lin Yan stood up.
“Very well, valiant maiden Lin, please lead the way,” the King of Chu also stood up.
Lin Yan led the King of Chu towards her pharmacy. Zhao Yu Shu intended to follow but was stopped by Senior Brother Yang.
“Junior Sister can handle this herself. You needn’t go and cause trouble.”
“But what if he were to harm Junior Sister…”
“You worry too much. This is our territory, after all. A noble son does not court danger in his own courtyard. The King of Chu is even weaker than Junior Sister; he would not risk his life!”
Senior Brother Yang’s words, though blunt, held truth. If it came to a fight, the King of Chu would likely be more concerned than they were.
Zhao Yu Shu gave up on following but remained at a distance, ready to rush over if his Junior Sister called out.
“It seems valiant maiden Lin has not informed her senior brothers of our other collaboration,” the King of Chu said, walking leisurely behind Lin Yan.
“The collaboration has not yet been discussed, has it? If too many people were aware, it would not be beneficial for our negotiations.”
Lin Yan walked slowly, entirely unaware of the King of Chu’s gaze fixed upon her.
“That is true. However, I have noticed that valiant maiden Lin commands great respect among her senior brothers. They all heed your instructions diligently.”
“That is not respect; it is that my senior brothers indulge me. After all, I used to be like Your Majesty, a sickly invalid. So, my senior brothers always treated me with extra care.
I imagine Your Majesty is familiar with this feeling. The sensation of being treated with utmost caution, while unpleasant, is also a sweet burden.
After all, those who treat you this way are the ones who care about you!”