Jinling City is the most prosperous place in Jiangnan.

It gathers the residences of major Jiangnan officials, various wealthy merchants, famous medical families, renowned techniques of mulberry and silk embroidery, and more.

If the Capital City is the most noble place in the Great Chu Dynasty, then the picturesque Jiangnan is certainly the richest place.

The prosperity and abundance of the Land of Fish and Rice are not fabricated out of thin air.

The carriage slowly entered the city.

As expected, it did not attract anyone’s attention.

Xia Ruqing gently lifted a corner of the carriage curtain to look outside.

The wide and flat street paved with blue bricks and stones was three zhang wide.

Pedestrians, sedans, carriages, wheelbarrows, and carts specifically for goods, the street was bustling with people coming and going.

On both sides of the street, from lavishly decorated restaurants and shops to small standalone shops, and even street vendors and peddlers carrying goods through alleys.

There are many sellers and many customers.

The street was crowded, and the noise of people created a vibrant scene of Jiangnan in the summer.

Looking further, one could see the buildings alongside the street.

Some were exquisitely crafted with blue bricks and red tiles, elegant with overhanging eaves, while others were modest with blue bricks and blue tiles, and some were low residential houses.

These buildings, whether exquisite or ordinary, grand or humble, colorful or plain, formed a bustling Jinling City full of human vitality.

The sights and scenes seemed vastly different from many years ago when I first visited.

Xia Ruqing praised.

"What a big change there is here!"

"Back then, there were also tall buildings along the sides, but only a few, not so many!"

"And these shops, there are so many people!"

Jiangnan has many beautiful scenes.

Exquisitely simple architecture, the bustling street, paired with delicate embroidered bridges, flowing water, and graceful riverside willows, these charming landscapes.

Made her eyes sparkle with delight, wishing to instantly compose a poem to express her joy.

’The ancient prosperity is indeed different from the modern!’

’Ancient prosperity is scenic, modern prosperity...’

The modern skyscrapers are much more luxurious than this, but traffic jams...well! It’s not aesthetically pleasing at all.

This delicate and simple style is better, the streets mostly filled with pedestrians, like visiting a temple fair.

Xia Ruqing looked here and there, feeling one pair of eyes was not enough, overwhelmed by the sights.

Zhao Junyao did not react much.

Probably because he naturally had a poker face.

Or perhaps since he grew up in the Imperial Palace, a place more prosperous and beautiful than here, naturally he was not surprised.

In any case.

Xia Ruqing was still very excited.

Simplicity-focused carriages walked for nearly half a Shi Chen along the street and finally stopped in front of an inn that was not the most prosperous but very compact and exquisite.

An Imperial Censor had already booked the entire place as a wealthy merchant.

Firstly, it was concealed enough to hide identity.

Secondly, it was quietly located, suitable for living.

Thirdly, it was very close to the most bustling part of Jinling City, making travel convenient.

In short, this inn called Drunken Fairy Inn was the most suitable place to stay.

Got off the carriage.

The innkeeper greeted them with a cheerful face.

"Welcome inside, guests!"

Zhao Junyao nodded slightly and led Xia Ruqing inside.

Li Shengan and Zi Su carried their bundles closely behind, and other luggage and horses were managed by the innkeeper. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

This exquisite inn had three floors.

The front was the shop, and there was a courtyard in the back.

The front yard and back courtyard were full of sycamore trees with great canopies, even in the scorching July sun, the courtyard was shaded and cool, very comfortable.

They stayed in the top room on the third floor, along the way the innkeeper was cautious yet attentive.

"Is this your first visit, guest?"

"Guest, you have a good eye. Although the inn is small, it is serene, quiet day or night, perfect for refined and quiet scholars like you!"

Scholar?

Zhao Junyao’s expression changed slightly.

Xia Ruqing found it somewhat amusing.

Thinking to herself: You dressed like a scholar, it’s natural for them to assume you are one, yet you seem unhappy.

Do you want them to think you’re a samurai?

However, the innkeeper did not notice his displeasure.

Kept talking on and on with flattering words, although most of them missed the mark.

Fortunately, Zhao Junyao remained silent throughout, following the innkeeper to the room.

The innkeeper opened the door with a smile.

"This is our inn’s largest and best room, with sycamore trees outside for peace and coolness!"

"Everything in the room is new, your first to use it!"

Zhao Junyao’s expression was indifferent.

"Thank you!"

The innkeeper quickly replied with a smile.

"It’s nothing!"

After all, you’ve booked the whole place, having only a few guests and still earning silver!

You are my provider!

"Feel free to rest, guest!"

"Anything you need, just let me know!"

"I’ll be waiting downstairs!"

Zhao Junyao waved casually.

"Noted, you may go now!"

The innkeeper finally noticed the impatience on his face, feeling a chill down the spine.

"Yes... sir..."

"I... will leave now!"

Tremblingly finished and left, faster than a rabbit.

In his mind:

Oh my god! Who is this person.

Why does it feel like staying longer might cost me my head!

Clearly just a scholar!

Why does it give such a... terrifying impression.

Tongue-tied and unable to speak.

Could it be... this gentleman is an incognito high official?

Possibly!

Otherwise, how could one book the entire inn so extravagantly?

Given the current Jinling City is not as before.

Prices skyrocketed, in just a day it costs quite a bit of silver!

But then again thinking.

’Hey, why worry so much?’

When wealth comes to door, how could one offend?

As a small merchant, just serve well and avoid conflict with silver!

With that in mind.

He quickly went down to manage their carriages and luggage.

...

Upstairs.

Xia Ruqing looked around, very satisfied with the room.

"Although it’s not as large as the palace, nor as luxurious as Duanning Palace!"

"But simple, clean, delicate, it has its own charm!"

"With windows on all sides, each offering different views, very nice!"

An inn cannot compare to where an Empress resides.

But Xia Ruqing is not fussy.

She did not dismiss simple comfort for luxurious living, on the contrary, she appreciates each for their own merits.