When Xiao Jingnan returned to the inn, his attitude had done a 180 - degree turn.
His gaze was firm, and his expression was solemn.
"My lady, I think that His Majesty's visit to our inn may seem like mere fun on the surface, but in fact, it shows that he loves his people and is concerned about national affairs and the people's livelihood. It's truly a great virtue!"
Li Wanming thought to herself: Are you even listening to what you're saying...
Xiao Jingnan continued, "As for His Majesty's safety, we don't need to worry about it. His Majesty has brought guards this time, and Feng Xiao is also around. There shouldn't be any trouble... Even if something does happen, it won't be our fault."
"Moreover, I'm thinking that an inn where His Majesty has stayed could be a selling point in the future and become a major feature of our Changxing Inn. It will surely attract a lot of people."
Zhao Yanke nodded repeatedly. "Right! Right! With my charisma, there will definitely be many people who will follow suit. Lady Cheng, just wait for the money to roll in!"
Li Wanming scanned her eyes between Zhao Yanke and Xiao Jingnan and said, "I have just one question. Will he pay for his stay tonight?"
"Pay! Of course he will pay!"
Xiao Jingnan said, "Our Majesty still has a sense of honor in this regard. He would never bully the common people and dine and lodge for free."
"Right... He wouldn't..."
Zhao Yanke forced a smile. He tilted his chin at An Fuquan behind him. An Fuquan immediately understood and handed over a small brocade bag. He said with a beaming smile, "Lady Cheng, this is the accommodation fee for my young master for tonight. Please take it."
Li Wanming took it and had a look. Wow! A small bag of gold nuggets. It was worth at least two hundred taels of silver!
Her attitude also did a 180 - degree turn. "Mr. Zhao, please come in!"
...
There were still a few upper - class rooms in the backyard. Li Wanming personally led the way and took Zhao Yanke and his entourage inside.
As Zhao Yanke walked, he looked around and commented.
"The snow - silk and plain silk hangings on this side are in good taste. The spider lilies over there are arranged very artistically. The lanterns on both sides are flickering, making one feel as if they are in a real - life scene..."
Only Feng Xiao was not happy.
Since Zhao Yanke had come, he had to give up his role as Liu Mengmei. Who would dare to let the emperor play a supporting role?
He secretly asked Xiao Jingnan from behind, "Can't you change this play so that there are two leading male characters on an equal footing? Scripts about two men vying for one woman are quite popular these days..."
Xiao Jingnan gave him a sidelong glance. "It's impossible for you to be the leading male. We still have a role for a groom available. Do you want it?"
"A groom is too..."
Feng Xiao was still trying to fight for a better role when suddenly there was another commotion in the front yard.
Soon, a girl who worked as a waiter here came to report, "Mr. Cheng, a team of officers and soldiers has come outside and surrounded our inn!"
——————
There was a luxurious carriage parked outside the inn. The shafts of the carriage were made of rosewood, and heavy - embroidered brocade curtains were hanging.
On both sides of the carriage were armored guards, each standing with a sword in hand, looking solemn.
Li Wanming walked out and suddenly felt a bit uneasy.
In the past year, she had met many noble people and high - ranking officials, but none of them had given her such a feeling of menacing killing intent.
Xiao Jingnan's face sank when he came out.
But his expression quickly returned to calm.
He grabbed Li Wanming's arm, pulled her along, and slowly knelt down to kowtow. "Your humble subject, Cheng Liqing, and my humble wife, Li Wanming, pay our respects to Her Royal Highness, the Princess Dowager."
The Princess Dowager?
The person in the carriage was Princess Danyang?
Li Wanming instantly felt a chill run down her spine and shoot up to the top of her head.
She remembered that rainy night on Banshi Mountain.
Fear, confusion, and panic.
The rain was pouring down, and she was running for her life...
The crimson brocade curtain of the carriage was lifted a bit, and a slender, fair hand reached out. There was a touch of bright red nail polish on the fingertips, looking extremely charming.
The person inside the carriage parted her red lips slightly and said, "Lady Cheng, we meet again."
Li Wanming shivered all over. She felt as if all the blood in her body had turned cold.
If it weren't for Xiao Jingnan holding her, she might have trembled uncontrollably.
Seeing that Li Wanming just knelt there blankly and couldn't say a word, Danyang showed a displeased look. "What? Isn't Lady Cheng happy that I've come?"
Xiao Jingnan said in a deep voice, "It's our great honor that Her Royal Highness the Princess Dowager has graced our humble inn... But it's getting late. May I ask what brings Your Highness here at this time?"
Danyang's gaze swept over Li Wanming and she said lazily, "Your inn has become quite famous in the capital even before it officially opened. So I've come to see what new and interesting things there are."
Li Wanming suddenly raised her head. "Is Your Highness here to stay at the inn?"
Danyang's heavy eyelids drooped, and the light in her black pupils flickered. "What? Is that not allowed?"
Xiao Jingnan pressed down on Li Wanming's arm and quickly said, "Our humble inn is truly honored that Her Royal Highness has come on the first day of its opening. It's like adding luster to our humble abode and a blessing of three lifetimes."
"However, our inn didn't know that Her Royal Highness was coming and has already taken in quite a few guests. I'm afraid they may not know the proper etiquette and might offend Your Highness."
"How about we prepare a special theme for Your Highness another day and then sweep the beds to welcome Your Highness..."
Xiao Jingnan really didn't want to receive Princess Danyang.
This crazy woman was different from Zhao Yanke.
No matter how silly Zhao Yanke was, he at least had a normal mind and could be reasoned with.
But Danyang... was like a mad dog.
No one knew when she would show her fangs and tear people to pieces.
Although he had a secret cooperation with her, he didn't want to have too much to do with this woman in public.
"That's easy!"
Danyang gave a soft smile and interrupted him.
Her smile was bright, and her voice was soft and charming, with a hint of low - pitched allure. But her words were like icicles stabbing into people's hearts, making them shiver.
"Drive all the people inside out... If they don't want to leave, just kill them."
Li Wanming's hair stood on end instantly.
What did she say...
Kill people?
In order to stay at the inn and have a comfortable time, was she going to kill all the common people in the whole inn?
Princess Danyang looked calm, and it definitely didn't seem like she was joking.
Anger welled up in Li Wanming's heart.
Suddenly, she didn't know where she got the courage. She raised her head and said coldly, "I'm afraid there are some people that Your Highness can't kill so easily."
Li Wanming's sudden change in attitude surprised Danyang.
"Oh?"
She sized up this woman, and her eyes glistened slightly.
After a moment, she said slowly, "As far as I know, General Yunhui and General Li have already returned, and your backer, Princess Chengping, didn't come to offer her congratulations today. May I ask who the person Lady Cheng is talking about?"
Danyang's nail polish was as red as blood. She gently tapped on the window lattice, with a lazy look of contempt on her face.
She dared to come today because she had already inquired about the inside story of Changxing Inn.
Actually, she wasn't afraid of Princess Chengping and Liang Xiong, and she was even less afraid of Li Rusong. But if there were people with official ranks present, it would be a bit troublesome.
She came today, on the one hand, to give Xiao Jingnan a warning, and on the other hand, to see what new and interesting things this famous shop in the capital had.
If those noble and powerful people were present, she would have to restrain herself a bit and couldn't have a good time.
Li Wanming held back her anger and tried to keep her tone steady. "In Your Highness's eyes, are only those with official ranks and titles considered human beings?"
She said stiffly, "But I'm afraid I have to disappoint Your Highness. The person inside has no official position and is not a noble either. But I dare to say that Your Highness not only can't kill this person but also can't drive him out!"
Danyang's eyebrows lifted slightly.
She was really interested now.
She stared intently at Li Wanming. After a while, the corners of her lips slowly curled up.
"Interesting."