Lou Tingxue’s body was exceptionally healthy; in just three days, he had fully recovered.
If he weren’t currently confined to his room, he would definitely be going out every day to run and exercise. Even while trapped indoors, he spent his time running around the room to stay fit.
Lou Tingxue held one phrase as absolute truth: A healthy body is the capital for any revolution. Only with good health can a person live long, and only by living long does one have the time to do more of the things they want.
Just then, the wooden door was pushed open violently from the outside.
A gust of cold wind, wrapped in a chill, surged into the room. Lou Tingxue stiffened in shock and instinctively shrank back. Seeing Lou Tingxue dripping with sweat from his run, the person at the doorway furrowed his brows in slight confusion.
The visitor was Zhu Dongfeng.
He stood at the entrance, the corner of his dark robe lifted by the wind. The usual nonchalance hung between his brows, yet it masked an imposing aura that made people shrink from looking him directly in the eye.
Reading the situation instantly, Lou Tingxue forced down the alertness deep within his eyes.
Lowering his eyelashes, he bent his head submissively, adopting a harmless and obedient front. “What are you doing here?” he asked.
” The whole Fan Tower belongs to me. I go wherever I want,” Zhu Dongfeng said as he walked into the room.
He poured himself a cup of hot tea without asking, then added, “After locking you up for a few days, Yuwei tells me you’ve become much more obedient. I came today to ask you one thing: Do you want to go out?”
“Where to?” Lou Tingxue asked.
“Just inside Fan Tower. Go change your clothes and join me for a banquet,” Zhu Dongfeng replied simply.
The moment he finished speaking, his brows furrowed as he looked at Lou Tingxue, who was covered in sweat despite it being the dead of winter. He added, “Forget it, go take a bath first and put on the cloud brocade clothes sent over yesterday. Your skin is fair—bright colors suit you best.”
Lou Tingxue seized the opportunity. “This room is too small, and I need to exercise every day. Move me to a room with a courtyard.”
Zhu Dongfeng sneered, “You just tried to escape a few days ago, and you think I’ll let you stay in a room with a courtyard?”
Lou Tingxue countered, “My health is delicate; I need daily exercise.”
Unwilling to listen further, Zhu Dongfeng retorted, “You look perfectly fine to me.”
He then looked at Lou Tingxue and set down a deadline: “I will give you three incense sticks’ time. You had better hurry up, bathe, and change. If you aren’t out by then, I won’t ever let you leave this room again.”
Lou Tingxue had no idea what kind of banquet it was, much less the dangers hidden within it. However, he desperately wanted to get out, so he hurried behind the screen to bathe and change.
Having gained the upper hand, Zhu Dongfeng curled his lips into a triumphant smile.
He turned his gaze toward the screen inside the room. Through it, he could see the shadow of a shapely figure removing clothes—one layer after another—until the figure was completely bare in a short moment.
Zhu Dongfeng was momentarily dazed. Once he snapped out of it, his eyes blinked rapidly.
For some reason, a restless itch stirred in his heart, making his breathing uneven. He set down his hot tea, reached out, and picked up a cup of cold Biluochun tea sitting on the table.
Just as he gulped it down in one breath, Lou Tingxue stepped out from behind the screen.
Zhu Dongfeng was caught off guard. “So fast?!”
“It was just a quick wash. Let’s go,” Lou Tingxue said, radiating warmth from the bath, fully dressed and prepared.
Because he had rushed through bathing and dressing, the dense steam had flushed his fair face with a rosy hue, making him look exceptionally vivid and tender—a sight that tempted anyone to steal a kiss.
“You’re not using any fragrance balm?” Zhu Dongfeng asked in disbelief.
“Too troublesome.” Seeing that Zhu Dongfeng made no move to walk, Lou Tingxue reached out and tugged at his sleeve.
Still feeling fluttered, Zhu Dongfeng let Lou Tingxue pull him along without resistance.
The two walked one behind the other, soon arriving at their destination.
Inside Fan Tower, fine jewels glinted among the guests as wine glasses clinked in lively toasts. Everyone present was dressed in fine silks, exuding an air of sophistication.
Lou Tingxue’s mind raced, quickly recalling what he had heard a few days ago regarding the salt merchants of Great Liang.
He turned to Zhu Dongfeng and asked, “The salt merchants from a few days ago—did you invite them back again?”
Zhu Dongfeng chuckled and replied, “Indeed. Except this time, I invited three salt merchants in total. These three bosses are the most powerful and influential salt merchants in Great Liang, controlling all of its salt trade. Apart from them, there is also an Censorate Vice-President.”
Lou Tingxue was naturally sensitive to the number “three.”
Looking at Zhu Dongfeng, he couldn’t help but ask, “Are you trying to use the same scheme I used last time to drive a wedge among the three of them? Take a piece of friendly advice: throughout history, salt merchants have always been the wealthiest and most powerful group. The tactic of ‘killing three warriors with two peaches’ won’t work on them.”
Zhu Dongfeng merely smiled and said, “Killing three warriors with two peaches… It truly is a clever scheme. But whether a scheme works depends on the person executing it. Do you dare to make a bet with me? If I win this round, what will you give me?”
Lou Tingxue had no interest in betting with him. He simply offered another piece of advice: “Let me give you another piece of honest advice: throughout history, which salt merchant isn’t scheming and calculating? They are full of tricks and backed by the Emperor himself. Dealing with them is no different from playing with fire.”
Zhu Dongfeng paid it no mind, saying, “If I were to meet with an accident one day, wouldn’t that be exactly what you wish for? Then you could escape openly and legitimately, couldn’t you?”
Lou Tingxue’s brows furrowed slightly, and he rolled his eyes at him.
He did want to escape, but he had never wished harm upon Zhu Dongfeng; he wasn’t a malicious person.
Zhu Dongfeng kept his smile, gazing at him thoughtfully. For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Before long, the two arrived at the banquet hall.
As Lou Tingxue stood there, his goose-yellow robe complemented his jade-like complexion, making him resemble a winter jasmine flower kissed by light frost, drawing everyone’s gaze.
Beside him, Zhu Dongfeng wore a dark robe crafted from heavy, subtly patterned brocade, embroidered with faint ink-cloud designs. It caught the daylight with a understated yet luxurious sheen, accentuating his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and tall, upright posture.
They truly make a stunning pair, the crowd couldn’t help but admire in their hearts.
Lou Tingxue raised his eyes to look around. On either side of the main seating area sat four people.
The three salt merchants sat on one side, appearing somewhat nervous, with fine beads of sweat breaking out on their foreheads despite the freezing winter. On the other side sat the Censorate Vice-President, recognizable by his dark blue official robe. He sat straight as a pine, radiating an aura of integrity and righteousness.
Zhu Dongfeng smiled and bowed to the official, saying, ” Brother Shen’s presence here is truly an honor for Fan Tower.”
Shen Yanzhi returned the courtesy, stating, “Think nothing of it. I have just left the imperial court and happen to have some spare time, so I decided to visit Fan Tower. I didn’t expect to run into three salt merchants here. Are you all here to discuss business?”
Among the three salt merchants, Zhao Youcai was the leader.
Upon hearing this, the fat on his face trembled as he squeezed out an awkward smile. “This… Lord Censorate, it’s actually nothing major. We do have some business to discuss, but it’s nothing significant.”
Zhu Dongfeng’s smile broadened. “Indeed, it’s not a major trade—just a few routine business interactions. The three bosses are distinguished guests. Since they are willing to come to Fan Tower today, they must have made up their minds to make this deal with me.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the other two salt merchants exchanged glances.
They had indeed come today to negotiate business, but it was a shady deal that could not see the light of day. If this matter were accidentally leaked, every single one of them would lose their heads!
They truly had no idea what Zhu Dongfeng was thinking!
He had actually invited the Censorate Vice-President over—what absolute boldness! Could it be that he did this to force them into compliance?!
Wang Fugui and You Qianjin felt guilty inside. They both picked up the Biluochun tea in front of them, pretending to sip it casually to hide their unease.
Zhu Dongfeng led Lou Tingxue to their seats.
Sweeping his gaze across the room at everyone’s conflicting thoughts, he smiled and said, “I have long heard that Lord Shen is upright and clean. I have admired you for a long time. The three bosses are also leaders in the business community, truly role models for me to learn from.”
Zhao Youcai wiped the fine sweat from his forehead and said, “Boss Zhu is far too humble. You are young and promising; you will surely achieve great things in the future! As for Lord Shen, he is the true parent official of us common folk. With you around, we can do business with peace of mind!”
As he spoke, he raised his wine cup to toast Shen Yanzhi.
Wang Fugui quickly joined in, his small eyes squinting into slits as he flattered, “Boss Zhao is right! Lord Shen is incorruptible and righteous—a true blessing for our dynasty! Young Master Zhu is also a talented young man; please look out for us businessmen in the future.”
You Qianjin was equally obsequious, adding, “Lord Shen possesses noble character and high integrity. Sharing a table with you today is truly our honor.”
The three of them took turns offering praise, their words dripping with unabashed flattery.
Shen Yanzhi returned the toast, lightly gesturing for the three to forgo formalities. “Gentlemen, you are too kind. This is merely the duty of an official. You three merchants have worked diligently over the years, also contributing to the livelihood of the people.”
He conducted himself with dignity—neither flattering nor overly distant, radiating a pure aura, much like a lotus flower blooming unblemished in the mud.
Lou Tingxue found himself secretly admiring him.
With conversation reaching this point, the three salt merchants were at a loss for what else to say.
Zhu Dongfeng looked at them with a half-smile and said, “In that case, let us discuss the main business. Regarding that batch of salt in your hands, do you still wish to borrow my Ten-Thousand-Dan Vessel?”
The three men felt the hairs on their necks stand on end, terrified that Zhu Dongfeng might reveal the origins of that salt.
Fortunately, Zhu Dongfeng kept his lips sealed and didn’t expose the matter. Wiping the cold sweat from their brows, they replied hastily, “We’ll borrow it! We’ll definitely borrow it!”
Zhu Dongfeng smiled again and continued, “In that case, I will certainly lend out the Ten-Thousand-Dan Vessel. It’s just that I wonder… would the three bosses be willing to share a portion of your salt trade business with me?”
Zhao Youcai instantly boiled with rage.
Last time, Zhu Dongfeng had proposed taking a share of his salt trade, which he had refused. Now, he was setting up a banquet to scheme against them again—how utterly despicable!
Enraged, Zhao Youcai stood up abruptly, pointing a finger at Zhu Dongfeng’s nose, ready to hurl insults.
However, as he turned his gaze, he saw Censorate Vice-President Shen Yanzhi sitting right beside them, watching the exchange in silence.
The foul words at the tip of his tongue were forced right back down his throat. Left with no choice, Zhao Youcai conceded helplessly, “We’ll share it. Of course we’ll share it.”
If they refused to share, Zhu Dongfeng would undoubtedly ruin their reputations right here today! What a truly ruthless heart!