Chapter Eleven: What Do You Think of This Person?

Several constables stood timidly to the side, clearly filled with utmost reverence for Shangguan Ya’er. They lowered their heads nervously, not daring to meet her gaze.

She spoke coldly, “Speak. Who sent you here? Young Master Chu has run his shop in this capital for many years—since when did the Jingzhao Prefecture need to interfere?”

The constables bowed their heads low, sweat pouring down their faces, barely daring to breathe.

They knew that if their answers were unclear, their lives might be at stake.

The head constable trembled as he spoke, “We... we were unaware of the details, only acting under the orders of the Lord Prefect of Jingzhao. He commanded us to come today, claiming this shop has not paid its business taxes and lacks a land deed. We were instructed to bring the owner back without fail.”

Shangguan Ya’er narrowed her eyes, her tone icy. “The Lord Prefect of Jingzhao is known to wield some authority in the capital; I never expected him to stoop to such absurdity.”

She tilted her head slightly toward Chu Nan, as if awaiting his decision.

Chu Nan smiled faintly, but his gaze was sharp and chilling.

He studied the men’s expressions carefully and confirmed they truly were unaware of the deeper scheme. A few realizations dawned on him.

These men were merely pawns being used. Continuing to harass them today would solve nothing at its root.

He said calmly, “Gentlemen, since you are merely following orders, there is no need to trouble you further. However, tell your Lord Prefect of Jingzhao that Chu Nan conducts his business lawfully. If such unreasonable actions happen again, I fear it will not end so easily next time.”

The constables seemed as if a great pardon had been granted; they kowtowed repeatedly, “Yes, yes! Young Master Chu, rest assured, we will deliver the message and dare not act recklessly again!”

Chu Nan waved them off, signaling for them to leave quickly.

The constables hurried out of the shop as if fleeing for their lives, fearful of provoking this Miss Shangguan’s wrath any further.

For a moment, only Chu Nan and Shangguan Ya’er remained inside the shop.

Shangguan Ya’er nodded slightly, a faint trace of mockery shining in her eyes. “It seems the Lord Prefect of Jingzhao is not as invincible as he appears. Someone is covertly pulling strings to make him act this way. Young Master Chu, though this matter is temporarily settled, you must be more cautious going forward.”

Chu Nan smiled and clasped his hands in thanks. “Many thanks for your reminder, Miss Shangguan. It is thanks to your assistance here today that this small shop may be preserved. Since that is so, may I prepare some humble wine as a token of my gratitude? What do you say?”

His tone was sincere, his eyes holding a hint of hope.

After all, the capital was rife with hidden dangers. Forming a closer bond with someone like Shangguan Ya’er could greatly benefit his safety.

Hearing this, Shangguan Ya’er frowned slightly, pondering silently.

She had inspected Chu Nan’s shop earlier and found nothing extraordinary.

Aside from a few peculiar items, it was merely an ordinary little merchant’s stall.

And this Chu Nan before her was clever and sharp, but hardly the extraordinary figure the Empress Cheng Lingyu often mentioned.

A mixture of disappointment and coldness flickered in her heart. She gently shook her head and declined indifferently, “Young Master Chu’s kindness is much appreciated. As for drinking, perhaps another day. I have official duties to attend to and cannot stay long today.”

Chu Nan was momentarily taken aback but then smiled and nodded, masking his disappointment, “Miss Shangguan, your official duties are important; I meant no rudeness. When next there is an opportunity, I will certainly host you properly.”

Shangguan Ya’er nodded slightly, her gaze briefly scanning his shop.

She said nothing further, merely inclining her head, her demeanor cool and aloof as she strode toward the shop’s entrance.

Watching her elegant and proud figure, Chu Nan sighed inwardly—Shangguan Ya’er was indeed a rare beauty in the capital.

Within the imperial palace, Empress Cheng Lingyu sat poised in the study, a pile of memorials spread before her.

She bent over them, reviewing carefully, her delicate hand holding a brush, marking corrections with graceful strokes.

At times, she furrowed her brows; at others, a slight cold smile played on her lips, as if the officials’ petitions were mere childish games.

Suddenly, the palace doors opened quietly, footsteps approaching softly.

Cheng Lingyu looked up and saw Shangguan Ya’er, clad in blue, entering with measured steps, respectfully bowing.

“Your Majesty, I have returned,” Shangguan Ya’er’s gentle, calm voice echoed softly in the hall, low yet carrying a steady authority.

Cheng Lingyu raised her eyes slightly, a trace of inquiry in them, a faint smile on her lips. “Ya’er, where have you been? I have been reviewing memorials all night and you did not come by—or send word.”

Shangguan Ya’er lowered her head slightly and replied, “I heard that the shop Young Master Chu runs, which Your Majesty holds dear, was harassed yesterday. I went to investigate on my own and returned late. Forgive me for disturbing Your Majesty.”

A flicker of curiosity brightened Cheng Lingyu’s eyes. “Oh? Is that so? Who was so bold as to cause trouble at Chu’s shop, in my capital?”

Seeing the Empress’s interest, Shangguan Ya’er reported honestly, “Yesterday, I arrived at Chu Nan’s shop and found several constables from Jingzhao Prefecture causing trouble, speaking harshly and even attempting to take Young Master Chu in for questioning. They claimed the shop had not paid its business taxes and lacked a land deed, and said the Lord Prefect of Jingzhao ordered its closure.”

“Lord Prefect of Jingzhao?” Cheng Lingyu’s smile faded, replaced by a chill.

She laid down her brush gently, her fingers tapping a low rhythm on the desk. “Since when has the Lord Prefect taken such an interest in merchants’ taxes?”

Calm and composed, Shangguan Ya’er continued, “I sensed something was amiss, so I questioned the constables on the spot. They hesitated and only said they were acting under the Lord Prefect’s orders, unaware of the full story.”

She paused, a cold light flashing in her eyes. “Had I not been there, Young Master Chu might have been taken away.”

Cheng Lingyu sneered, a disdainful curl at her lips. “That Lord Prefect—usually indifferent to the capital’s affairs—now shows concern for my Chu family’s shop. Clearly, he thinks my vision is short-sighted and dares to bully those I cherish.”

Her gaze fixed on Shangguan Ya’er, deep as a still pool, filled with subtle calculation. “Ya’er, what do you think of Chu Nan?”

Shangguan Ya’er considered for a moment, a thoughtful crease between her brows, then replied slowly, “Chu Nan is sharp and resourceful, with some clever devices for self-protection. But in my view, he remains merely a merchant.”

“I examined his shop carefully and found no extraordinary talents.”

“He is clever and tactful, knowing when to advance or retreat, but in terms of courage or intellect, he is not yet remarkable.”

Cheng Lingyu smiled faintly, undisturbed by the assessment.

Her eyes twinkled with teasing amusement as she whispered, “Ya’er, you should know—some appear ordinary on the surface but conceal a cutting edge beneath. My regard for Chu Nan goes far beyond his rare goods and cleverness.”