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Chapter 135 Finally Arriving in Jiangnan Prefecture, a Night Banquet! Embarrassing!

The Great Zhou Dynasty, Jiangnan Prefecture.

After traveling for several days, we finally arrived at our destination.

After days of tension, everyone could relax for a moment, knowing that once they crossed the city gate, the challenges ahead would be even more severe.

Shen Yan looked at the majestic city wall before him, its gray bricks bearing the marks of time.

The three large characters "Jiangnan Prefecture" carved on the tall stone plaque have also become somewhat worn and dilapidated due to the erosion of time.

There has been no war here for hundreds of years, so the city walls have naturally been left unrepaired.

Shen Ci did not conceal his itinerary and prepared to enter the city with the regalia of an imperial envoy.

After all, no one would believe that the people they met along the way had no connection with the people of Jiangnan Prefecture.

Shen Yan saw a large group of people walking out of the city gate, all dressed in official robes, who appeared to be officials from Jiangnan Prefecture.

The one leading the group was Zeng Yue, whom Shen Yan had overheard Shen Ci and the others talking about on their way here.

He was a member of the Zeng family. After Liu Chuan's death, Zeng Shihong recommended him to be the prefect of Jiangnan Prefecture.

He was in charge of all affairs in Jiangnan Prefecture and continued to oversee the national policy of converting rice paddies to mulberry fields.

Zeng Yue was born in Jiangnan. Ten years ago, he passed the imperial examination and became an official in Bianjing.

This assignment back to Jiangnan was naturally Zeng Shihong's way of ensuring the Zeng family's foundation was secure.

He came out with a smile and said, "Welcome, Your Excellency, to Jiangnan Prefecture. A welcoming banquet has been prepared for you all tonight."

Zeng Yue received a letter from Zeng Shihong and learned that the sender was Shen Moxuan's son. This time, the method could not be so crude.

They were aware of Emperor Xuanwu's attitude, but the powerful families of Jiangnan Prefecture had been entrenched for a thousand years; they were not so easily dealt with.

Otherwise, Emperor Xuanwu wouldn't have had such a headache. In the past, with Yan Fan keeping a check on things, Jiangnan was still able to collect money.

Unexpectedly, after Yan Fan's downfall, Jiangnan Prefecture has become like an independent country.

Shen Ci saw Zeng Yue with a smile on his face and a gentle tone, but he had no idea what Zeng Yue was up to.

However, I still have to attend this banquet.

"Since it is such a kind gesture from everyone, I cannot refuse. I will definitely be there."

Zeng Yue's face lit up with joy upon hearing Shen Ci's words.

"I'm sure you all must be tired from your long journey. Let's take the Imperial Envoy to his lodgings to rest."

Zeng Yue settled them in the backyard of the prefectural government office.

When passing by Zhuyue Residence.

Looking at the ruins reduced to ashes, Zeng Yue said, "This is where Lord Chen Yu stayed last time. Alas! It's a pity that the weather was so dry and the Lord perished in the fire."

When he got emotional, a few tears even rolled down Zeng Yue's face.

Outsiders would probably assume the two have a deep and loving relationship.

Shen Ci said calmly, "I never imagined that Lord Zeng and Lord Chen had such a deep relationship."

Zeng Yue and Chen Yu had only met a few times, and he probably couldn't even remember what Chen Yu looked like. Shen Yan felt a pang of emotion when he saw the ruins in front of him, as he had had some interaction with Chen Yu before.

Despite being a eunuch, he was grateful and repaying kindness, a hundred times better than many officials.

She herself had benefited from his help in getting Lin Qingwei out of the women's prison.

Shen Yan stared at Zeng Yue, who was leading the way, and thought to himself, "Don't worry, I will avenge you."

However, this matter cannot be rushed; we must wait until Shen Ci finishes his business first.

The prefectural government office was built in a grand style, with carvings and red lacquer everywhere, and the workmanship was exquisite. The materials used were even more refined than those used in the Duke's mansion.

Shen Yan had visited many government offices in Bianjing, but he had never seen any with such grandeur.

Shen Ci couldn't help but exclaim, "Lord Zeng, your prefectural government office is much more impressive than my Ministry of Works office."

Zeng Yue didn't mince words, saying, "Jiangnan Prefecture trades with foreign countries, and the government offices often have to receive foreigners, so naturally they can't be too dilapidated."

After hearing this, Shen Ci nodded gently without saying a word.

Zeng Yue is right, but does that mean Bianjing (Kaifeng) no longer receives foreign dignitaries?

In recent years, Emperor Xuanwu has grown old and has become less enthusiastic about the international assemblies.

We used to come here every three years.

Even the Ministry of Rites' office is not as grand as this.

Upon hearing this, Shen Yan thought to himself, "So this is the special zone of another world!"

Not all regions of the Great Zhou Dynasty were allowed to trade with foreign states; the right to trade was strictly controlled by the imperial court.

Ordinary merchants are not allowed to engage in private trade, but smuggling in the private sector is rampant despite repeated bans.

After all, these people are backed by powerful families.

After Shen Yan and his group settled in, it was already evening.

Zeng Yue has already sent someone to invite them to a restaurant to welcome Shen Ci back.

Shen Rong couldn't help but feel a little worried.

"Young master, I'm afraid Zeng Yue's invitation this time will turn out to be a bad banquet!"

Shen Ci said calmly, "It's fine to see what they're up to."

He knew he would have to face these things sooner or later.

I also want to see what Zeng Yue and the others are thinking.

night.

Led by Steward Zeng Yue, Shen Ci arrived at a large courtyard.

The courtyard contains a large lake, in which an island built of huge rocks is located, and the bright moon in the sky is reflected on the lake surface.

Asparagus fern, artificial hill, and blooming peach blossoms—what a picturesque scene!

However, Shen Ci's mind was not on this; he was preoccupied with what kind of scene he would face next.

His brows were furrowed, and Shen Yan, seeing his worried expression, didn't know what to say.

Tonight's banquet is definitely not meant to welcome Shen Ci; it's more like a show of force.

When Shen Ci and his companions arrived, they found the place completely empty except for a few songstresses dancing gracefully.

They were dressed in light gauze, their dance was graceful and captivating.

But Shen Ci's face was ashen at the moment, and he had no interest in appreciating their dance.

Shen Yan was also somewhat surprised to see this scene.

The welcome banquet was originally scheduled for 5:00 AM, but it's already 7:00 AM, and it won't be until 9:00 AM any later.

Shen Yan and the others arrived at the banquet right on time, but they didn't expect Zeng Yue and the others to arrive even later.

Shen Rong asked Zeng Yue, the steward standing to the side, in a deep voice.

"I don't know what Lord Zeng means by inviting people to a banquet, yet the host is nowhere to be seen."

The Zeng family steward seemed not to notice Shen Rong's expression and said indifferently, "Please wait a moment, esteemed guest, I will inform the master immediately."

After saying that, he turned and left, leaving Shen Ci and his group alone inside.

Shen Rong was somewhat indignant and said, "Young Master, let's go. We're not going to put up with this jerk."

Shen Ci's face was grim; he had never seen such a scene before.

Even the most mortal enemies in Bianjing wouldn't act this way.

Everyone still cares about saving face.

He was ultimately too naive, thinking that Zeng Yue, who had served as an official in Bianjing for over a decade, wouldn't have come to this.

Unexpectedly, they actually managed to fool them.

Doing this would only embarrass Shen Ci and serve no other purpose.

Shen Ci laughed instead, "Let's go! It seems Lord Zeng isn't very welcoming of me."

After saying that, he prepared to leave with Shen Yan and the others.

Upon hearing this, Shen Rong slapped the table, overturning it and making a mess of the floor.

The songstress, who had been dancing, screamed in fright.

The commotion naturally alerted the guards and servants in the courtyard.

When they ran over, they found it was Shen Ci and his group, but they couldn't tell who they were.

The guards dared not make any rash moves and could only keep an eye on them.