The shop was very large, with five storefronts. Looking up at the second floor, it also had crystal glass windows. Judging by its appearance, it should be designed exactly like the shop in Tongling Town, only much larger.
Seeing everything before her, Shen Xiaoyan nodded inwardly.
Lu Taobao's parents were truly businessmen. They had only been in the capital for a short time, yet they already owned such a large establishment on the most bustling Zhuque Street.
As they walked in together, someone immediately came to greet them.
The person who approached was a young woman, appearing to be around seventeen or eighteen years old.
She wore light makeup, and her clothes were a mix of white and green, looking very refreshing in the winter.
"Greetings, Prince Duan. I am Su He. May I ask what Prince Duan wishes to purchase and for whom? Su He can help Prince Duan make a selection."
The woman, introducing herself as Su He, bowed to Zheng Xiang upon seeing him.
Her tone was neither subservient nor arrogant, and she maintained a faint smile throughout, making one feel as though they were basking in a gentle breeze.
Shen Xiaoyan watched Su He intently, noticing no sign of awkwardness or annoyance.
Seizing the opportunity, Su He even offered Shen Xiaoyan a sweet smile.
Seeing this, Shen Xiaoyan was quite pleased.
It seemed that Lu's father had implemented her concept of pleasant service very effectively.
"We have three ladies here. Please take a look and choose something for them. Remember, this king only desires the best."
After speaking, Zheng Xiang looked at Namu Zhong and Yue Qingxin. "You two, please accompany Su He. Our Princess Consort is always received by her when she visits. The Princess Consort says that the items she picks are consistently good."
Namu Zhong raised an eyebrow at this. "Does Prince Duan often accompany the Princess Consort when she comes?"
Zheng Xiang laughed heartily, showing no sign of embarrassment. "Yes, whenever this king has time, he will bring the Princess Consort out for a stroll. Otherwise, she would be bored staying in the mansion all day."
"I never imagined Prince Duan to be such a thoughtful person. I seem to have misjudged you before." Namu Zhong said with a smile.
Zheng Xiang did not respond, merely smiling.
Namu Zhong glanced at Zheng Xiang meaningfully before walking over to Su He's side.
As for Yue Qingxin, she said nothing and followed along.
With both of them gone, Shen Xiaoyan was naturally left alone.
For a moment, everyone's gaze fell upon Shen Xiaoyan.
Seeing everyone looking at her, Shen Xiaoyan asked with some confusion, "Why are you all looking at me?"
"You... aren't you coming to pick something?" Zheng Xiang asked.
Shen Xiaoyan shook her head. "I never use these things, so I won't be picking any."
Hearing Shen Xiaoyan say this, Zheng Xiang, Zheng Fan, and Zheng Caiying looked at her face.
Before, seeing Shen Xiaoyan's alluring appearance, they had assumed she wore heavy makeup.
But upon closer inspection, she was actually barefaced.
To be so alluring without any makeup indicated how much her appearance had changed over the years.
Zheng Xiang looked at Shen Xiaoyan for a while before withdrawing his gaze. "Then forget it. Please, Madam Grand Tutor and Fifth Prince's Consort, go ahead."
Watching Namu Zhong and Yue Qingxin leave with Su He, everyone sat down on the wooden chairs in the resting area.
Their accompanying guards and servants all remained outside.
As he sat down, Zheng Xiang unthinkingly sat beside Zheng Wei.
Zheng Wei felt a pang of annoyance at Zheng Xiang's action, but the location was unsuitable, and there were too many people around for him to simply stand up.
He couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration.
In his previous life, Zheng Xiang was not like this at all.
Back then, Zheng Xiang had always maintained a cool and aloof demeanor.
How could he be like this now, clinging to him like an unwanted ointment?
Perhaps it was precisely because of this change in demeanor that Zheng Xiang behaved this way.
In his past life, after suddenly returning to the Prince's mansion, he was unfamiliar with everyone around him.
Having just learned he had a father, he naturally sought to be closer to Zheng Xiang.
However, his deliberate attempts at closeness were perceived by Zheng Xiang as him being easy to manipulate.
As Zheng Xiang expected, after realizing he had no further value, he ruthlessly had him killed.
Thinking of his own pathetic state in his previous life, Zheng Wei's heart couldn't help but churn with anger.
Zheng Xiang, sitting beside Zheng Wei, was contemplating how to strike up a conversation with him when he suddenly sensed a strong killing intent emanating from Zheng Wei.
This sudden killing intent caused Zheng Xiang to instinctively stand up.
"Father, what's wrong?" Zheng Fan, sitting beside Zheng Xiang, also stood up in surprise when he saw Zheng Xiang suddenly rise.
Hearing Zheng Fan's words, Zheng Wei also woke from his reverie, his killing intent vanishing.
"You..."
Zheng Xiang did not answer Zheng Fan's question, but instead looked at Zheng Wei in surprise.
However, he now realized that Zheng Wei had returned to his normal demeanor and was looking at him curiously.
Looking at Zheng Wei's composed expression, Zheng Xiang harbored some doubt as to whether it had been his own hallucination.
Zheng Wei showed no sign of panic whatsoever.
"What's wrong with Prince Duan?" Zheng Wei asked, raising an eyebrow.
Zheng Xiang looked at Zheng Wei for a long while, and finding nothing he could discern, he shook his head and said, "Nothing."
"Heh heh, in broad daylight, Prince Duan, are you perhaps having a nightmare?" Shen Xiaoyan chuckled.
Zheng Wei also laughed. "Don't talk nonsense. It's broad daylight, so even if it's a dream, it can only be a daydream."
After speaking, Zheng Wei and Shen Xiaoyan exchanged glances and laughed together.
Zheng Xiang also chuckled. After laughing, he sat down. "Wei'er is right. Father still feels like he's dreaming now. Otherwise, how could he have encountered you on the street after so many years?"
Zheng Wei sneered, saying, "It seems Prince Duan is not resting well at night, or else how could he still be dreaming in the daytime and not wake up?"
Hearing this, the smile on Zheng Xiang's face finally couldn't be maintained.
Shen Xiaoyan had just said he was dreaming, and Zheng Wei had followed up by saying he was having a daydream, which could be considered a joke.
But now, Zheng Wei had said it again, which was nothing short of slapping him in the face.
He had been Prince Duan for so many years, and besides the masters in the Forbidden City and a few other distinguished individuals, when had he ever suffered such humiliation from anyone?
Being repeatedly slapped in the face, Zheng Xiang's already temperamental nature reached its breaking point.
Seeing the change in Zheng Xiang's expression, Zheng Wei inwardly sneered.
Couldn't even handle two sentences?
It seemed his resolve wasn't that strong after all.
For the next while, no one spoke.
About another quarter of an hour later, Lu Taobao stood up. "Why haven't the two sisters-in-law returned yet? I'll go and see."
Yizixie nodded noncommittally. "Then go."
Lu Taobao turned and left. He walked around the first floor but didn't see anyone, so he went upstairs.
Upon reaching the second floor, he easily found Namu Zhong and Yue Qingxin.
They were speaking with a middle-aged man.
The man had his back to Lu Taobao, but as soon as Lu Taobao saw his silhouette, he froze.
As he approached, Lu Taobao's body trembled slightly.