hsntnovel Chapter 2674 Summoning the Four Giants
Chapter 2674 Summoning the Four Giants
Before long, Shi Tou came in with a group of servants, each carrying something in their hands.
There was silk, brocade, and several boxes of tea.
"Your Highness, the thousand strings of cash have been prepared and placed at the gate of the mansion," Shi Tou reported as he stepped forward.
"Yes, prepare the carriage. We'll deliver the money and gifts to your two uncles later," Li Shen nodded and gave the order.
The two men came here by carriage, and with a thousand strings of cash weighing several thousand catties, they certainly couldn't transport it back by themselves. Fortunately, Li Shen went all the way and sent a carriage to take it to them.
"Then thank you very much, Your Highness Prince Ji, for the gift." The two bowed and expressed their gratitude.
"My two uncles, please don't be so polite. We will have to rely on you two for this matter of spices. This is of great importance to the Ji Prince's Mansion."
This not only concerns His Majesty's enjoyment of the spices, but also the profits of the restaurant, so I hope my two uncles will take this seriously.
Li Shen returned the two men's greetings slightly and gave them his solemn instructions.
"Rest assured, Your Highness, we will not fail you. We will take our leave now." The two stood up.
Li Shen also stood up:
"Yes, I naturally trust Uncle Wang. At most ten days or half a month, at least three to five days, after I have someone tidy up the shop, I will send someone to inform the two Uncles Wang."
"You two uncles can just wait at home. However, it's best not to publicize this matter to avoid being targeted. We just want to make some money peacefully and don't want to make enemies with anyone."
“Prince Ji is right. We should seek stability in all things. We two will not publicize this to outsiders.”
They certainly wouldn't tell anyone about such things, and even if others knew, they wouldn't boast about it.
Prince Ji was infamous and notorious in high society circles. Although the other two were also despised, they were much better off than Prince Ji.
Their cooperation with Prince Ji today will surely be seen as colluding with him and acting in concert. They also care about their reputation; such words are hard to hear outside.
Secondly, Prince Ji had grudges against all the officials in the court, and he had scolded them several times in court. They were also afraid of being implicated by Prince Ji.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two prepared to take their leave. Li Shen, carrying the cat, personally escorted Li Boyi and Li Fengci to the gate.
"Please take your time, my two uncles. If you have any free time, please come to my residence often. We are all one family, and we should be close to each other."
Taking advantage of the moment when the servants bumped into the carriage, Li Shen bowed and bid farewell. His attitude was sincere and heartfelt.
The two were deeply moved upon seeing this:
"Thank you, Prince Ji."
After returning the greeting, the two boarded the carriage. They were traveling together, so they shared a carriage.
"Respectfully seeing off Uncle Wang." Li Shen bowed deeply with utmost respect.
The carriage slowly headed out of Qinrenfang, followed by several large carriages carrying more than a dozen large boxes and a considerable amount of silk and satin.
"Sigh... People say that Prince Ji is treacherous and cunning, and that one should not associate with him, but after meeting him today, I can see that it is all nonsense."
Prince Ji treated us like family, and we are truly ashamed that we judged him with such petty minds.
Li Fengci sighed as he rode in the carriage.
"Yes, that's why they say rumors stop with the wise. These rumors circulating in the streets should never be taken at face value. In my opinion, these rumors were deliberately spread by officials in the imperial court."
His intentions could not be anything other than those of King Ji.
Unable to defeat Prince Ji in court, they resorted to such dirty tricks behind the scenes; indeed, this was their style.
Li Boyi nodded in agreement.
Throughout the day, Prince Ji treated them with utmost respect, truly regarding them as elders, unlike other members of the royal family who showed them any dislike.
The two could sense Prince Ji's sincerity.
"Hmph, those censors and officials are all fame-seeking scoundrels, actually ruthless in private." Li Fengci snorted coldly, thinking of some unpleasant things.
The two of them were frequently impeached by censors for trivial matters, but in their eyes, it was nothing more than living a slightly extravagant life—what did that matter?
Wasn't the empire their uncle painstakingly built so that his descendants could enjoy wealth and glory?
"Yes, they are more ruthless than anyone else, always looking out for others and doing shady things."
Li Fengci's words were agreed upon by Li Boyi.
"Fengci, it is worth celebrating to be able to cooperate with Prince Ji today. Why don't we come to my residence and have a few drinks?"
"Alright, it's been several days since we brothers last had a drink together, so let's go to my elder brother's place."
The two were in a good mood, and Li Fengci immediately agreed. They were brothers, both sons of Li Zhan, the Prince of Shu.
Li Boyi was the eldest son, and Li Fengci was the second son.
Standing at the gate, Li Shen looked at the two unfortunate brothers and couldn't help but sigh, wondering how members of the royal family could end up in such a miserable state.
The fact that a mere thousand coins could make them so ecstatic shows that the two are truly worthless and utterly dissolute.
If it weren't for their connection, the two of them would probably be begging for food.
As members of the imperial clan, look at Li Xiaogong, Li Daozong, and many other members of the clan who hold official positions.
They were either stationed in a region or served as officials in local areas.
Let's look at the two of them again...
"Sigh~~~" Li Shen sighed and turned to enter the mansion, returning to the inner courtyard.
After thinking for a moment, he instructed the servants:
"Go and summon Wang Xuance, Xue Rengui, Pei Mingli, and Wang Hongfu."
After a few days of rest, it's time to get back to work. A lot has accumulated during this period.
Standing outside the study, the weather was lovely; apart from being a bit chilly, the sky was cloudless.
The New Year has passed, and I've grown another year older. I'm almost thirty now, having passed twenty.
Li Shen didn't know how much time had passed, nor how long he had been standing there, until Shi Tou came over and quietly reported:
"Your Highness, Chief Secretary Wang and the others have arrived."
"Have them come to the study."
Li Shen then came to his senses and entered the study.
A short while later, the four men entered and bowed deeply to Li Shen:
"Your subject pays respects to Your Highness."
"This humble servant greets Your Highness."
"Hmm, no need for formalities, please have a seat." Li Shen nodded slightly, lay down on the recliner next to the stove, holding the cat in his arms and covering his legs with a blanket.
He looked like an old man in his twilight years.
"Have you been having a comfortable time at home these past few days?" Li Shen asked with a smile.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. These past few days have been quite peaceful," Wang Xuance replied on behalf of the group.
The others nodded in agreement.
"Well, that's good. I was supposed to come find you after the Lantern Festival, but a lot happened in the palace these past few days."
"I was afraid I'd forget over time, so I summoned you all to make arrangements first. Thank you for your trouble."
"Your Highness is too kind. This is simply our duty," Wang Xuance said, bowing.
“Your Highness, Chief Secretary Wang is right. This is our duty. I had the shop opened two days ago.”
The boutique has been doing very well these past few days, mostly with people buying things as gifts.
Some traveling merchants also began purchasing goods in preparation for their departure.
Wang Xuance echoed this.