Prince Jing always went out with his wife by his side.
At this moment, sensing Zhao Douan's gaze, the ethereally beautiful woman with shining, black eyes also looked over.
Zhao Douan was slightly startled.
During their eye contact, this woman, who had returned to secular life from being a Daoist female crown, slightly furrowed her brow and turned her head away, as if unaccustomed to being scrutinized so rudely and brazenly by men outside.
Many in Zhuozheng Garden also noticed Mr. Zhao staring at the princess, their expressions curious.
They thought it was just his nature, but such impoliteness—was he not afraid of arousing His Majesty's anger or even provoking Prince Jing?
"Prince Jing's illustrious visit illuminates this humble place," said Zhao Douan, realizing his earlier oversight in greeting. "I was not informed in advance of your arrival, and thus failed to welcome you properly. I hope you will not take offense."
Zhao Douan, belatedly aware, withdrew his gaze and said with a hearty laugh.
Yet a strange feeling still surfaced in his heart, for he had never met Princess Jing before and could not discern anything particularly special about her.
But during their brief eye contact, he inexplicably felt a sense of "familiarity," which was very odd.
As if he had seen her somewhere before.
"Junling has met Uncle Wang," the Little Princess also bowed to greet him.
This vassal king, powerful among the Eight Princes, smiled subtly as if he hadn't noticed Zhao Douan's previous actions, and nodded with a smile:
"Junling is also here, did your father not come?"
Xu Junling smiled sweetly, "My uncle and Mr. Zhao are acquainted. This visit was not known to my father."
Prince Jing nodded, pretending to believe her, and scrutinized Zhao Douan with a deep and meaningful look:
"So, you are Zhao Douan? The favored one before His Majesty?"
Zhuozheng Garden fell eerily silent, no one dared to speak, and even breathing was held.
Zhao Douan smiled and met the eyes of the refined and influential man before him.
It was their first meeting today, yet not their first clash.
Earlier, Zhao Douan had investigated the Zhang brothers and accidentally involved a spy from Prince Jing Mansion. Later, while fishing in the Divine Mechanism Camp, he pulled down a military officer painstakingly recruited by Prince Jing Mansion and eradicated a second spy.
Then there was Prince Jing using the governor Gao Lian as a chess piece, playing a distant game with the Empress in an attempt to force Li Yanfu to rebel and split the court... Zhao Douan was also involved.
Now, the two finally saw each other's true faces.
"Your Highness is too kind, I do not deserve the title 'favored one',"
Zhao Douan smiled, "I merely serve my sovereign and fulfill my loyalty."
"What a statement, 'serving my sovereign,'" Prince Jing's smile seemed to carry a hidden meaning, "Since you did not invite us, would you not invite us to sit inside?"
Zhao Douan laughed heartily and led the family of Prince Jing Mansion into the main hall. As he turned, he exchanged a glance with Eunuch Hai and others nearby.
The latter understood, moved to the outside of the main hall, and isolated the inside from the outside.
Xu Junling blinked, wanting to follow inside, but suddenly, female detective Haitang stopped her with a hand:
"Princess, let's rest over here."
Xu Junling smiled sweetly, "...All right."
Inside the main hall, once the guests and hosts were seated, the servants carefully served tea and cautiously closed the door.
Only four people were left in the room.
Zhao Douan's smile was gentle, bearing no trace of arrogance:
"In the capital, His Majesty often praises Your Highness, saying that among all princes, only Prince Jing has the talent and strategy capable of governing the world. Jiancheng Road is well-managed under your administration; among all local officials appointed by the court, only those from Jiancheng Road cause the least worry, because all matters, big and small, are handled by Prince Jing Mansion."
That was a piercing statement.
Prince Jing seemed not to notice the implication, and the vassal king, looking younger than his true age, smiled warmly, his eyes filled with admiration:
"It's rare that His Majesty still thinks of me, his uncle. His Majesty assumes command in troubling times and oversees the court affairs, surely a tough task. Fortunately, His Majesty has the assistance of talented youths like you.
Though I reside in Jiancheng, despite the distance, I still hear many messages from the capital. Initially, when I heard His Majesty had a former imperial guard serving by his side, I was quite surprised.
Later, when I realized that White Horse Hall's Lord Zhao was well-known throughout the capital, I then understood that His Majesty's judgment and choice of people surpass mine."
Standing beside in the room,
Xu Jinglong, who hadn't even garnered a seat, noticeably darkened his expression at the word "serving."
Sensing his father's sidelong glance, he quickly controlled his emotions and composed his expression.
"Jinglong is much older than you, yet he does not match up to a former imperial guard. Not long ago, I learned that he had an unpleasant encounter with you during a river trip, so I specifically brought him here to apologize."
Zhao Douan's gaze sharpened.
Then he heard Prince Jing in a deep voice: "Why are you still standing?"
Stepping forward, Xu Jinglong placed a gift box in his hand and bowed respectfully:
"I beg your forgiveness for our altercation on the river."
Zhao Douan squinted his eyes and laughed heartily:
"Why such formalities, Your Highness? It was a mere misunderstanding, which I had already cleared up with the Princely Heir. Why make a big fuss?"
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly relaxed.
The previously heavy, nearly solid air quietly began to flow smoothly.
Effortlessly moving past that topic, Zhao Douan and Prince Jing exchanged pleasantries, the ambitious prince praising Zhao Douan's past "achievements," while Zhao Douan humbly responded, acknowledging the other's proficiency.
Both carefully avoided mentioning "trading."
The topic circled back, and Zhao Douan suddenly looked, with a twinkle in his eye, toward Princess Jing sitting next to the middle-aged prince, her elegance and warmth evident:
"I heard that the princess once possessed the Taoist Record? Which mountain did she renounce the world on? Has she ever engaged in cultivation?"