A follower looked at the invitation with great trepidation. It was indeed from the Lord Imperial Envoy, and surprisingly, it was sent to Li. Truly, how strange and peculiar!

The Young Master of Li’s Trading House was equally puzzled! The ancestors of Li were merely moderately successful merchants, and in his generation, due to the suppression by the Xia Family, they had declined significantly, no longer ranking in the Hangtian Prefecture. How did this invitation end up here?

"Young Master! Recently, the disaster victims outside the city have run out of food; could it be that Lord Imperial Envoy has set his sights on our Li House?"

The Young Master was startled upon hearing such a reminder from the follower.

"Go out and inquire, see if anyone else has received this invitation. I will seek out my father and discuss it with him."

The Young Master shook his head and then gave the orders.

Two days passed in a blink of an eye. Today, the backyard of the Hangtian Prefecture government office was bustling with activity, as a Golden Autumn Chrysanthemum Appreciation Gathering had unfolded.

The entrance was crowded with guests; although it was never deserted in the past, it had never been this lively.

Xia Hongji arrived at the side gate of the backyard in a carriage and lifted the curtain for a glance, shocked by the spectacle before him.

He gritted his teeth, his forehead pulsing with blue veins. He had been fooled by Gu Chengyu.

The invitation originally stated a desire to spend the golden autumn together with him, and he had naturally assumed it was a private invitation to the Xia Family. Furthermore, due to the recent stockpiling of grains, he had been preoccupied and did not linger at the mansion.

Gone was his unfounded confidence, as Xia Hongji hadn’t even sent anyone to investigate. This scene today caught him entirely off guard. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Gu Chengyu sat at the head of the flower hall, wearing a light purple silk robe with a round collar, which accentuated his graceful and elegant demeanor, like a jade tree facing the wind.

He donned a red gold inlaid pearl hair crown, with the most conspicuous Dongzhu pearl nearly the size of a fingernail. The pearls inlaid upon it were all round and lustrous, exuding a sense of opulence.

Gu Chengyu was currently engaging in lively conversation with several wealthy merchants beside him, while Hu Maoshen, Yang Chaoying, and other officials were present. The grand scene made all the merchants in the room feel a sense of humility.

Li Yu Huan from Li’s Trading House had arrived early. Nowadays, Li’s Trading House merely held a name as a trading company. In truth, it only owned two rice stores, three silk shops, and one tavern, which, to the wealthy merchants present, was considered to be insignificant.

His father had analyzed the wealth through Jiangnan for its prosperity and numerous wealthy merchants. Just within Hangtian Prefecture, there were roughly no fewer than ten notable names.

These were all already well-established business magnates with operations extending to other states and families affluent enough to be like flowing oil. Naturally, those with less prominent names need not be mentioned further.

Therefore, Li’s Trading House was insignificant among them, simply serving as a foil. Thus, Li Yu Huan arrived reassured, occupying a corner of the hall early on.

A small Li’s Trading House certainly did not dare to arrive late. Looking around, only the Xia Family had such confidence.

Li’s Trading House had no one backing them, only having good relations with the former Lord Deputy Governor. Since he was transferred two years ago, Li’s Trading House had led an increasingly difficult life.

Further compounding with father’s previous robust health, he suddenly succumbed to a stroke six months ago, now lying in bed partially paralyzed. Hastily, he took over the family business, mentally and physically exhausted, adding to the woes of Li’s Trading House.

There was a thought of trying to connect with the current Lord Prefect, but without introductions, opportunities were scarce. Previous attempts at presenting visiting cards met with silence, leaving Li’s Trading House gradually discouraged, no longer investing efforts in this pursuit.

Today he carried father’s hopes, wishing to make an appearance in front of Lord Prefect and establish some connections, which would be ideal.

As for the Lord Imperial Envoy, he dared not even imagine. Both imperial envoys held high official ranks, but what status did the imperial envoys have?

They were said to be favorites of the Emperor, how could small merchants like them aspire to such heights?

Moreover, following disaster relief, the imperial envoys would return to the Capital, leaving them without hopes. Building connections with Lord Prefect seemed more realistic.

Gazing upon the young, handsome youth at the head, he couldn’t help but feel pensive. He enjoyed reading, but unfortunately, failed to make it onto the list twice, remaining without a title.

Later when his father fell ill, as the legitimate son, naturally he had to take over family responsibilities. Had he focused solely on academia, might he one day enter officialdom, living as glamorously as this youth?

Gu Chengyu glanced at those present and counted the heads, with Xia Hongji from the Xia Family and Manager Zhan from Juxiang Building being the exceptions, everyone else had arrived.

Gu Chengyu thought Xia Hongji really knew how to play games, when unexpectedly, a voice announced another honored guest’s arrival.

"Mr. Xia from Xia Mansion has arrived!"

Gu Chengyu heard Xia Hongji had arrived. His originally warm smile became even more radiant. Great! The main patron had arrived.

Following this announcement, the room fell silent for a moment before becoming even noisier than before.

Wealthy merchants stood up, turning their attention to the entrance, all with smiling faces awaiting Xia Hongji’s arrival.

Gu Chengyu raised his brows, exchanging a glance with Hu Maoshen and others, proving the Xia Family’s influence in Jiangnan.

Xia Hongji was merely a branch of the Xia Family, yet these merchants had to behave this way upon his arrival, showing the fame of Grand Secretary Xia resonated loudly not only in the court but throughout Jiangnan and beyond.

Indeed, for he was the Grand Secretary, with many Xia family members holding official positions in the court. Such a formidable entity, regardless of whether merchants had officials backing them, was undeniably imposing.

Xia Hongji was led into the hall by a servant. Upon entering, he immediately noticed the two imperial envoys seated at the head table, fixing his gaze initially on the extraordinarily eye-catching youth.

For this youth was exceptionally striking!

Rumor had it that Gu Shaoqing was handsome and elegant, and it proved true upon meeting him today. Such a captivating figure was unforgettable once seen.

Xia Hongji hesitated for a moment, then laughed loudly: "Apologies everyone, numerous household affairs delayed me for quite some time, causing my late arrival!"

He finished speaking and quickly stepped forward, bowing thusly, "Xia Hongji pays respects to all the esteemed dignitaries! I apologize for the delay due to various affairs, I hope the dignitaries will forgive!"

Hu Maoshen nodded and smiled, "Mr. Xia, please dispense with formalities! It is not yet the hour; you have actually arrived early."

He had arrived precisely on time, making it truly not a late arrival.

Gu Chengyu slightly curled his lips, nodding towards Ming Mo beside him, while Ming Mo signaled to the Ding Generation outside the door.

In no time, as Xia Hongji began exchanging pleasantries with the others, another announcement came from outside the door, "Manager Zhan from Juxiang Building has arrived!"

Xia Hongji’s expression stiffened; Manager Zhan from Juxiang Building? That old curmudgeon was here too?

He glanced around; the gathering consisted entirely of wealthy merchants, so what was a manager from a tavern doing here?

Not only was Xia Hongji filled with immense confusion, but even the wealthy merchants seated were momentarily stunned, followed by whispering within the flower hall.