428: Chapter 428 The Banquet at the Winding Stream

Lin Xiao was stunned for a moment, then suppressed a smile and said, "Wife, where did your mind go? I meant that Lincang has been very lively these past few days, and we haven't gone out for a stroll yet."

"Even though the preparations for this wine festival were almost entirely left to Prefect Cai Heng, we still need to check things over to ensure there are no oversights or regrets, right?"

"If something embarrassing happens on the day of the festival, it's our Zhenbei Prince's Mansion that will lose face!"

Xiao Qingxuan realized she had misunderstood, and her face turned even redder. Her mind... why was it always thinking about those things... Heavens, how embarrassing!

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The moon rose above the branches.

The revitalized Lincang City welcomed its liveliest time in history.

Thanks to the newly built wide cement roads and various parking lots, the traffic and crowds within the city were all in perfect order.

Lin Xiao and Xiao Qingxuan's appearances were truly known to everyone in the Northern Border, so it was impossible for them to walk around normally.

Fortunately, their qinggong had reached a state of perfection; they only needed to leap between rooftops to observe the local conditions.

Banners were stretched everywhere in Lincang, and lanterns hanging in front of every shop bore welcoming slogans for the wine festival.

Even the carriages and the boats in the rivers were decked out with promotional copy for the festival.

On massive signboards and festive lanterns, there were "advertisements" purchased with heavy sums by restaurants and famous wines from various regions.

Whether it was famous wines from the north or southern restaurants from Baiyue and the Eastern Border, all were taking the opportunity to promote themselves vigorously.

"Not bad. I only gave Prefect Cai Heng a general idea, and he managed to implement all my thoughts. He is indeed a talent."

Lin Xiao mused that this piece of unpolished jade had indeed been finely carved.

"I feel that my husband, who could come up with these ways to make money, is the true genius of the merchant's path."

"At first, no one was willing to spend money on advertisements, but after finding a few shills, the other wine merchants immediately grew anxious, fearing they would be outshone."

"I heard that the advertisements on these signboards alone earned as much as Lincang's original commercial tax for half a year. When Lord Cai saw the accounts, he even suspected there was a mistake in the calculation," Xiao Qingxuan chuckled.

"Haha, this is just the beginning. Once the first wine festival is a success and its influence expands, the annual income will only continue to rise!"

The two walked for a while and arrived at the former site of Zuihua Pavilion.

Now, Zuihua Pavilion was no longer a brothel, but a restaurant.

The entire surrounding area had become Lincang's specially developed 'Restaurant Street,' becoming extraordinarily lively once night fell.

To Lin Xiao's surprise, the outside of Zuihua Pavilion was actually crowded with people, many of whom were young ladies.

Listening to their conversations, he realized that the "Qushui Banquet" was actually being held inside Zuihua Pavilion?

It seemed that because many romantic and talented scholars were attending, it attracted these young ladies who usually stayed at home, all wanting to catch a glimpse of them.

"Husband, isn't that Jun'er's carriage?"

Xiao Qingxuan had sharp eyes and spotted a carriage from their own mansion; it was the "BMW" that the little rich woman Xie Juner had just purchased for herself.

Lin Xiao sensed the surroundings and immediately spotted a restaurant named "Tianxiang Restaurant" directly across from Zuihua Pavilion.

"This Tianxiang Restaurant... seems to be a property of the Linyuan Marquis Mansion, and Ning'er is the one managing it."

Xiao Qingxuan also realized something and smiled suddenly, "No wonder she was nowhere to be seen all afternoon; she was hosting guests."

Lin Xiao thought for a moment and said, "Since we're already here, let's go in and sit for a while. I should also show a bit of hospitality as the host."

"That's fine. Lincang City is only so big; we've almost finished looking around by flying back and forth," Xiao Qingxuan said with a smile.

The two didn't use the main entrance, instead floating directly into the building from the third-floor terrace.

In the banquet hall on the third floor, Xie Juner was sitting in the main seat. There were about a dozen guests present, all of whom were elegantly dressed women.

Seeing Lin Xiao and Xiao Qingxuan enter suddenly, Xie Juner was stunned at first, then stood up with a face full of pleasant surprise.

"My Lord! My Lady! Why are you here?"

The dozen or so guests and a large number of servants present all stepped forward and knelt in greeting.

"Greetings, My Lord! Greetings, My Lady!"

Excitement and nervousness were written on almost everyone's faces; clearly, meeting the Prince of Zhenbei was an unexpected joy!

Xie Juner hurried to Lin Xiao, sounding a bit disbelieving: "Does My Lord have something to discuss with me?"

"Jun'er, you are hosting guests here, why didn't you tell me?" Lin Xiao said, feigning displeasure.

"Please forgive me, My Lord. Those I am hosting are just some close female friends. They were curious about the World's Number One Wine Festival and came to Lincang."

"I thought that since they are all women and not any important figures, there was no need to disturb My Lord."

Xie Juner looked timidly at the man, fearing Lin Xiao's dissatisfaction.

"You can't say that," Lin Xiao pointed at Yu Yingying not far away. "Miss Yu is now Earl Yushan; she's hardly an insignificant figure."

Being named by Lin Xiao, Yu Yingying immediately looked proud and hurriedly gave a graceful salute: "Greetings to My Lord and My Lady!"

Soon, a few more bold women came forward to introduce themselves and their backgrounds.

Although Hu Xinyi, the daughter of the richest man in E Prefecture, was also there, she didn't dare step forward to greet them this time, her eyes filled with a bit of sorrow.

Lin Xiao exchanged a few pleasantries before saying, "You are all good friends of my Jun'er. Although she has married into the Prince's Mansion, I will not restrict her friendships. You are welcome to visit her often when you have time."

"Thank you, My Lord!"

Hearing this, the women all looked at Xie Juner with immense envy.

Xie Juner's face was radiant. Although Lin Xiao only said a few simple words, he had given her plenty of face.

Xie Juner made up her mind that when it was her turn for the rotation next time, she would definitely prepare meticulously to make Lin Xiao happy.

"My Lord, My Lady, since you're here, why don't we... have a few drinks together?" Xie Juner asked tentatively, seeing that the atmosphere was right.

Lin Xiao remained silent, while Xiao Qingxuan asked, "We won't be disturbing you, will we?"

"How could that be? My sisters couldn't be happier!"

The group of women all nodded vigorously and voiced their invitations.

Xie Juner pointed at the Zuihua Pavilion opposite. "My Lord might not know, but there is a rare Qushui Banquet over there today. Several contemporary masters have come, and even Elder Zhu is here."

"There's also Lv Sheng, known as the world's number one talent. This is his first time in the Northern Border, and many women below have come just for him."

"Whenever a fine piece of writing appears at the Qushui Banquet, it is made public on the spot for everyone in the world to appreciate. My sisters and I are waiting to see the excitement."

Lin Xiao pretended he had just heard about it. "Oh? There's such a thing?"

Xiao Qingxuan, seeing the man playing dumb, suppressed her laughter and said, "My Lord, I am also quite interested in the Qushui Banquet. Why don't we... stay here with the Commandery Princess for a drink?"

"Since the Princess has said so, then Jun'er, set out two tables!" Lin Xiao nodded.

"Yes! Why are you all just standing there? Quickly, serve wine and food to the Lord and Lady!" Xie Juner immediately began to organize.

With Lin Xiao and Xiao Qingxuan joining, the scene immediately became even livelier.

Meanwhile, at the south gate of Lincang.

A caravan slowly entered the city under the cover of night.

"We finally made it to Lincang before the wine festival begins..."

Inside the carriage, a weary Prime Minister Yang Gengzhong rubbed his lower back.

"Elder Yang, this highway was very smooth all the way. You're making a mountain out of a molehill," Emperor Hong said with a smile.

"Master Hong, it would have been fine, but you insisted on wandering through every city and going to the countryside to observe the common people. My old bones can't take the tossing and turning."

"Hehe, it's the spring plowing season; how could we not go to the countryside? Agriculture is the foundation of the nation, and it best reflects the governance level of local officials."

Yang Gengzhong smiled and asked, "Then what does Master Hong think of the officials in the Northern Border?"

"You, a veteran of three reigns and the current Senior Grand Secretary, still can't see clearly?"

Emperor Hong gave him a disgruntled glare.

"Haha... In my humble opinion, the officials of the Northern Border are average, but the Militia of the Zhenbei Army is truly a major highlight!"

"In the past, although our Dagan army had the concept of 'removing armor and returning to the fields,' it was only about self-sufficiency using military lands."

"But the Militia can not only help the army grow food but also greatly improve the efficiency of farming everywhere. Once the farming is done, they can go build roads and reclaim wasteland."

"I must say, Lin Xiao's management of the military and the people leaves me in awe; I feel truly inferior."

Yang Gengzhong sighed and shook his head, speaking frankly.

Emperor Hong nodded and let out a long sigh. The things he had seen and heard along the way, while exciting and novel, also made him feel increasingly powerless and frustrated.

Just then, the clamor outside startled him.

"Old Zheng, what's happening outside?"

Zheng Yangwei took a look. "Master Hong, it sounds like... the great scholar of the Northern Border and academy teacher, Master Li Jingyi, is holding a Qushui Banquet!"

"Oh? A Qushui Banquet? Since it's in the Northern Border, I suppose Zhu Ming was also invited..."

Yang Gengzhong was delighted: "Master Hong, why don't we go take a look? Perhaps we can meet some old friends?"

Emperor Hong pondered for a moment and nodded. "Since my ascension, I haven't attended a Qushui Banquet for many years. Very well, let's go see how the cultural heritage of Dagan is flourishing these days."