After Transmigration, I Snag a Stunning Bigwig as My Husband-Chapter 948 - 942: Ruined

The ships used to be docked at the pier, easily visible at a glance.

When Su Jin got out of the carriage, she only saw a Zhou Family ship at the desolate pier.

Steward Zhou of the Zhou Family came forward, stunned for a moment upon seeing the masked Su Jin.

He recognized the Second Steward of Beauty Pavilion.

With a furrowed brow, Steward Zhou asked, "And who might you be?"

Su Jin gave a faint smile.

The driver hastily said, "This is our Second Steward of Beauty Pavilion."

Steward Zhou also smiled, "After being away from the Capital for a time, I didn’t expect the Second Steward of Beauty Pavilion to change."

Despite the smile, his eyes were clearly wary.

Being cautious is natural; allowing someone onto the Zhou Family’s cargo ship so easily wouldn’t allow their business to grow so big.

"Beauty Pavilion has two Second Stewards, Manager Wang stays in the Capital to assist Manager Zhao, while I am responsible for cooperating with Beimo," Su Jin explained.

Steward Zhou’s heart was startled, "Are you heading to the border?"

Su Jin nodded slightly.

Steward Zhou’s gaze became heavy.

Recently, government officials have been everywhere searching with portraits for some fugitive’s adopted daughter.

At first, he was puzzled; if it’s a fugitive’s adopted daughter, why not just post notices, offer rewards for capture, and have government officials search the streets?

Only when he saw the portrait did he understand the situation.

The person in the portrait was none other than Princess Consort Zhenbei and her personal maid.

Miss Zhou Qi married the Heir of Marquis Beining, and Princess Consort Zhenbei went to Beining Marquis Mansion for the wedding feast; he had seen Princess Consort Zhenbei, though only from afar.

As an astute man, Steward Zhou discreetly examined Su Jin’s earlobes—

There were pierced ears.

No Adam’s apple.

Clearly a woman.

Could this be Princess Consort Zhenbei?!

As the thought crossed his mind, Steward Zhou’s body tensed a bit.

He quickly laughed, "You are so young to be a Second Steward of Beauty Pavilion and responsible for trade with Beimo, truly admirable."

"The journey is rather dull; it’s nice to have someone to chat with."

Steward Zhou gestured invitingly, "Please."

Su Jin insisted he board the ship first.

Steward Zhou quietly boarded the ship first.

Su Jin looked at the former docking spot and asked, "When did the court’s grain transportation ship set sail?"

"Transporting grain is urgent; it set sail at midnight yesterday," Steward Zhou replied truthfully.

Xingxing curiously asked, "If the court conscripted ships to transport grain, why wasn’t the Zhou Family’s ship used?"

Steward Zhou laughed, "Initially, they wanted it because part of the cargo is raw materials for making tribute items and can’t be delayed, otherwise it would be used for shipping grain first."

People like them don’t go to war, but should still make some contribution to the court.

The Zhou Family’s business spans Daqi, as wealthy as a country, and has dealings with the court, although not large enough to be called Imperial Merchants.

Miss Zhou Qi has married the Princely Heir of Marquis Beining.

The Heir of Marquis Beining and Prince NanAn have good relations, having stayed at Dongxiang Marquis Mansion for a while, giving Zhou Family several strong backers suddenly.

With backing like huge trees offering shade, since Miss Zhou Qi’s marriage, the Zhou Family has received many palace supply orders.

Consequently, Tongzhou Prefecture has had to show some respect to the Zhou Family.

Su Jin didn’t oppose conscripting merchant ships to carry grain.

But if transporting sand and stones instead of grain and grass, Su Jin would have much to say.

Su Jin asked Steward Zhou if anything seemed amiss with the grain transport ships, such as the waterline.

Steward Zhou was a bit surprised.

Princess Consort Zhenbei even knows about the cargo ship’s waterline?

"Indeed, there seems to be some discrepancy; the waterline depth varies on those ships more than it should normally," Steward Zhou answered truthfully.

"Why does the Second Steward ask?"

Su Jin shook her head, "No reason, just casually asking."

Behind them, a young worker approached and said, "All the goods have been loaded onto the ship."

Steward Zhou asked Su Jin, "Did you forget to bring anything you’d like to buy?"

Su Jin shook her head, "No."

"Then let’s set sail," Steward Zhou declared.

After a few days’ delay in Tongzhou Prefecture, they were finally setting off. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Standing at the ship’s bow, the wind brushing against the cheek felt wonderful.

Xingxing enjoyed this feeling, reminding her of Qingyun Mountain.

But she constantly remembered Su Jin’s pregnancy and whispered, "Miss, the wind is strong outside; don’t let it affect the little young master."

Su Jin, "...."

Su Jin was speechless.

Could such a breeze even touch her little young master?

Not even a whirlwind could manage that.

Steward Zhou wasn’t at the bow; he initially really thought Su Jin was just the Second Steward from Beauty Pavilion and didn’t bother much.

While traveling isn’t as comfortable as staying at a shop.

But now he strongly suspects the Second Steward from Beauty Pavilion is actually Princess Consort Zhenbei.

A dignified princess, would she really stay with and share accommodations and meals with a bunch of young workers?

Steward Zhou had someone prepare a room for Su Jin.

The meals prepared for Su Jin were the best.

Steward Zhou instructed, "Be attentive when cooking, don’t just chop and stew aimlessly, she’s not like us rough people."

"But she’s just the Second Steward from Beauty Pavilion; is such hospitality necessary?" the servant muttered.

"Beauty Pavilion has strong connections, but she’s just a Second Steward, right?"

Steward Zhou raised his hand, smacking the back of the servant’s head.

"Serve with utmost care; anyone who dares treat them poorly will not be spared," Steward Zhou sternly commanded.

The servants didn’t dare be careless, nodding repeatedly.

Even though they assured him, Steward Zhou was still anxious.

The cargo on the ship might be worth ten thousand silver, but compared to Princess Consort Zhenbei’s safety, it doesn’t even count as a drop in the ocean.

Fortunate that Princess Consort Zhenbei has a brave heart, daring to go to the border with only two companions.

He wanted to advise her but feared upsetting Princess Consort Zhenbei and thus held back.

Su Jin was severely seasick on the carriage, feeling much better on the ship, but still vomiting as needed.

Additionally, since the food on the ship wasn’t that refined, it was harder for her to stomach.

Xingxing complained about the food quality and went to see Steward Zhou but, observing what Steward Zhou and others were eating, Xingxing was touched.

They were already giving her mistress the very best.

Xingxing thought the cook’s skills were too poor, so she decided to cook for Su Jin herself.

Her grilled fish was excellent, but Su Jin couldn’t bear the smell of fish.

Xingxing had spent a lot of time in Qingyun Mountain’s kitchen, watching various dishes being prepared countless times, confident in making a few specialties.

She had wanted to try it for a long time.

Steward Zhou had instructed not to neglect Su Jin and her party.

Xingxing asked for the stove space, and the servant gave it to her.

After watching Xingxing cook for a while, the servant went to find Steward Zhou.

He whispered, "Even if he’s ruining the ship’s food, the look on his face makes me think he’s trying to poison that Second Steward."

"Isn’t he trying to blame our Zhou Family?"

Steward Zhou, "...."

He quickly went to the kitchen to check.

Looking at the dish simmering in the pot, Steward Zhou felt depressed.

He couldn’t even tell what kind of dish it was upon examining.

His gaze swept through the rack but didn’t find a match for the dish.

Instead, piled in the corner were coals...

"Steward Zhou, have a taste," Xingxing offered warmly.

"...."

Steward Zhou shook his head repeatedly.

He hoped to live a few more years.

Xingxing looked at the dish in the plate and felt a little sad.

The cook at Qingyun Mountain said that wasting food would lead to divine retribution.

She never wasted food either.

Xingxing grabbed some and stuffed it into her mouth.

And then—

Almost ended up killing herself.

After spitting it out, she rinsed her mouth vigorously.

Why didn’t anyone stop her a bit?

Steward Zhou couldn’t help but laugh, "What are you doing?"

"Making something delicious for my...Second Steward," Xingxing replied.

"...."

Delicious?

The servant behind Steward Zhou rolled his eyes so hard they almost cramped.

Eating it raw would taste better by several degrees.