612 It was a pity to let her go
Shi Qingluo was not afraid of the North Prince’s concubine taking revenge.
It was just a hassle.
She was relieved with her husband’s reply.
“How did you know that the secondary consort of the North Prince is the mother of Ge Chunru and her siblings?”
Xiao Hanzheng sneered. “I’ve asked my people to keep an eye on Ge Chunru and her brother’s courtyard. I discovered that, in addition to my people, my scumbag father’s people were watching them. There was also another man which we were unsure of his identity.
“So, I sent someone to keep an eye on him. Only then did I find out that he was one of the North Prince’s concubine’s people.
“He doesn’t do much. He just pays attention to what happens to Ge Chunru and her two siblings.
“I was very confused at that time. Why would a concubine of the North Prince come to keep an eye on Ge Chunru and her siblings? So I sent someone to investigate it thoroughly.
“After that, my people at the Ge Kingdom not only brought back some news but also a portrait.
“I noticed that the woman’s appearance is similar to the Ge sisters.
“According to the news from the Ge Kingdom, the North Prince brought this secondary consort back. I realized that this happened not long after Ge Chunru’s mother fell into the water.
“Then, her people came to collect the bodies of Ge Chunru and her siblings. I was completely sure of her identity.”
Shi Qingluo nodded. “I see.”
Although the North Prince’s secondary consort was more secretive, it had to be said that her young husband paid more attention to the details.
“And when I investigated this matter, I discovered an even bigger and more shocking secret,” Xiao Hanzheng said.
“What?” Shi Qingluo asked curiously.
Xiao Hanzheng whispered in her ear.
Shi Qingluo’s eyes were filled with surprise. “They actually have such a relationship? The North Prince sure knows how to play.”
Xiao Hanzheng chuckled. “The North Prince must be here for the treasure. He doesn’t think that he will fail. That’s why he came here—to take the treasure back to the Ge Kingdom.”
Shi Qingluo pursed his lips. “Then I’m afraid he’ll be disappointed.”
A few days later, Shi Qingluo organized another buffet.
This time, there were some changes to the dishes, but the main dishes were still the same.
All the seats had been reserved three days ago.
As soon as it was lunchtime, people who couldn’t wait at all had rushed in like a swarm of bees.
Xiao Hanzheng went to the yamen, while Shi Qingluo took the initiative to greet the guests.
This time, there weren’t too many family heads or madams coming, probably because they couldn’t hold back their identity.
However, many young masters and young ladies from aristocratic families who were invited had arrived, and some who didn’t lack money.
Following that, Shi Qingluo also discovered a caravan from the western regions and two Ge Kingdom caravans.
They had also made their reservations here.
The price of the buffet was 100 taels of silver per person.
Because it was only held twice a month, it focused on the luxurious goods.
Although the price was high, everyone didn’t hold back their enthusiasm.
Many young masters and young ladies from aristocratic families or rich families did not manage to get a seat.
Shi Qingluo provided alcohol in addition to free food for this buffet.
Red wine, peach wine, green bamboo, and white wine.
Each person could enjoy three glasses.
This also gave those who didn’t manage to get the wine try it.
The merchant leader from the Western regions took a sip of wine from a transparent glass and said, “Good wine. This wine is even better than the wine from the Western regions.”
Originally, the merchants from the Western regions had sold a lot of wine to Daliang every year.
Now, it seemed that this business would become more and more difficult in the future.
The Ge Kingdom, on the other hand, did not like wine.
“This peach blossom wine is also very good,” one of them said, somewhat intoxicated.
The other person was holding a cup of green bamboo leaf wine. “I like this more. This is the best wine I’ve ever had.”
“If we bring these three types of wine back, the nobles will definitely like them,” he added.
“Boss, you can go and discuss with that princess.”
The merchant leader nodded. “I think so too. We’ll definitely make a lot of money if we bring this wine back.”
They didn’t really like white wine, as they felt that it was too spicy and strong.
On the contrary, the North Prince and the others who were not far away liked white wine more.
The North Prince drank a glass of red wine and a glass of flower wine before saying in disdain, “This is for women to drink. It’s boring to drink it. When the time comes, I will buy some back for the ladies.”
Then, as he ate the roasted pork and mutton, he drank the white wine in the glass.
After finishing three glasses of white wine, he wanted to drink more. “Give me the rest of your wine.”
He had brought three people with him this time.
They had just had a drink each and were still enjoying it.
When they heard this, they could only serve the wine with bitter faces.
They had no choice, he was their master.
Thus, they hoped that their master could capture Shi Qingluo and bring her back.
When the North Prince entered, he attracted Shi Qingluo’s attention.
Especially when she saw the way they were drinking and eating, she was even more certain of their identities.
The North Prince was indeed very bold.
He had disguised himself as a merchant and swaggered into Northern City.
She wondered if Prince Jin knew about it.
After eating and drinking to their hearts’ content, the North Prince brought his men downstairs.
Previously, he had heard that Shi Qingluo had prepared some sort of buffet.
It was extremely special and delicious, so he wanted to try it out.
After he finished eating, he realized that he wanted to come again next time.
He had always despised the fact that most of the dishes in Daliang were stewed and did not taste good because they were too bland.
But this time, he was very satisfied with the food.
More than half of the dishes here suited his taste bud.
In addition to the fine wine, there were also all kinds of roasted meat that were different from the Ge Kingdom’s.
There were also spicy dishes, which made him, who did not have a strong appetite, want to eat them often.
He had heard that the emperor was very interested in Shi Qingluo because she was a golden baby who had helped the emperor earn a lot of money.
The canned food at the border, cement paved roads, and the colored glass the Arab merchants of the western regions had bought for resale were all made by Shi Qingluo.
And the high-yield potatoes and corn.
However, he didn’t care much about these previously.
Before he came, he had heard his concubine say that it would be a pity to let go of a talent like Shi Qingluo.
It would be a good thing if his residence could make use of Shi Qingluo.
After all, who would not like to get a golden doll like her?
He felt that it made sense and decided that he would capture Shi Qingluo on his way back to Northern City.
Now that he had tasted the wine and food, he was even more determined to get Shi Qingluo back.
His concubine was right. It would be a pity to let her go.
When the North Prince and the others entered the restaurant, Shi Qingluo had gone to the kitchen to oversee the dishes and did not see him.
They happened to meet when they went downstairs.
One of them was responsible for keeping an eye on Shi Qingluo, so he recognized her at a glance.
“Master, the one standing at the door is Shi Qingluo,” he said to the North Prince in a low voice.
The North Prince had already seen the woman standing at the door.
She was tall, slim, and had fair skin. She was beautiful and pleasing to the eye.
Previously, he had only heard that this Shi Qingluo came from the village.
He had originally thought that she was just an ordinary-looking woman dressed in ordinary clothes.
However, he didn’t expect her to be so eye-catching. She suited his taste.
