Chapter 80: Miss Zhao

The one who called him was the young maid by Wu Liniang’s side. She was small but had a loud voice. As soon as Liu Liwa stepped out, he asked her, “What’s going on? Did a female guest come to our Intoxication Pavilion?”

Wu Liniang’s personal maid was like a Special Envoy to the junior staff members. So she wasn’t polite to Liu Liwa at all. She rolled her eyes and said, “You’re actually right. A female guest really came to the front. The Madam specifically asked for you to receive her.”

Hey, this was something new. A pleasure house actually had a female guest. If she paid enough, he wouldn’t mind taking on the role.

Liu Liwa followed the little maid to the main hall. The girls had already left, and the hall was cleaned spotlessly. Looking at the sky, it was almost noon. Liu Liwa was very curious, wondering which female guest had the habit of engaging in pleasure during the day.

He wasn’t the only one in the main hall. There were two other girls with heavy makeup, dressed to impress. These two were from the second floor and weren’t very familiar with Liu Liwa. They usually only served wealthy regulars who were well-known in Linyu County. At the moment, they completely ignored Liu Liwa, craning their necks to look outside the door.

It seemed the guest hadn’t arrived yet; they had just received advance notice. A guest who could directly order Wu Liniang around must have significant status.

Not long after, Liu Liwa heard the sound of horse hooves not far away. Three carriages slowly approached. The two girls beside him immediately went out to greet them. Soon, each girl linked arms with a man, chatting and laughing as they walked in. These two were regulars, and Liu Liwa also knew them—they were Brother Chun and Lord Zeng. Then Liu Liwa saw Young Master Ye jump down from another carriage. He scurried over to the last carriage, waiting respectfully with a servile expression. And unexpectedly, in the same carriage as Young Master Ye was Wen Jun, dressed in military uniform and looking majestic!

Liu Liwa was confused. Why had all his ‘regulars’ come together today? And wasn’t Young Master Ye supposed to be accompanying Third Miss Zhao to a banquet? Why was he here again? Looking at his servile manner, could it be that Third Miss Zhao was in the last carriage?

Sure enough, Third Miss Zhao, wearing green clothes that balanced elegance and common taste, hopped down cheerfully. And behind her appeared another striking figure. Before even seeing her face, Liu Liwa was already stunned.

This woman had a tall and slender figure, graceful and elegant. But what really caught Liu Liwa’s attention was her clothing. In this era, regardless of the season, women wore full-length robes, differing only in thickness and the inner layers. Men also wore long gowns, with the wealthy adding cotton coats or overcoats in winter. But no one wore two-piece clothing—not because they didn’t want to, but because such clothes simply didn’t exist.

Yet this woman before him completely overturned Liu Liwa’s understanding. One could even say she pioneered a new style. She wore a black top with diagonal buttons, even with two cotton shoulder pads. A palm-wide black silk ribbon was tied around her waist, and a white skirt hung straight down to her ankles. With the skirt swaying slightly, she looked like a dignified and intelligent female office worker.

Not only that, but the woman’s appearance was also captivating. She had a delicate Melon-Seed Face, simple yet elegant. Her phoenix eyes sparkled with intelligence, shimmering like spring water. Her arched eyebrows curved like a crescent moon, her delicate nose was as exquisite as a pearl, and her red lips were as fresh and vibrant as flower petals. Her skin was fair and translucent like fine jade. Dressed in this unique outfit, she appeared even more graceful and slender.

A slight smile graced her beautiful face, but it wasn’t a friendly one. Instead, it radiated confidence from within, as if nothing in the world could trouble her, and everything was under her control.

Who was this woman? Why did she have such a powerful presence? Looking at her, Liu Liwa felt as if he were seeing a female billionaire from the cover of a financial magazine—confident and dominant.

Brother Chun and Lord Zeng stopped by the entrance, waiting respectfully. Young Master Ye accompanied Third Miss Zhao, while Wen Jun, with a stern expression, subtly winked at Liu Liwa, as if signaling him not to speak carelessly. However, everyone involuntarily made way, as if welcoming a supreme Empress.

Lord Zeng, middle-aged and composed, asked the poised woman somewhat awkwardly, “Miss, are you really going to hold the banquet here?”

Liu Liwa was slightly startled. No wonder this woman was so dominant and commanding—she was the eldest daughter of the Zhao Family’s three daughters. He had heard from Young Master Ye that the Zhao Family had vast business and land, wealth that could rival a nation’s. Unfortunately, in this generation, there were no male heirs, only three daughters. Since the eldest daughter turned sixteen, most of the family business had been managed by her, making her a true businesswoman. Moreover, the Zhao Family had close ties with the Imperial Family. More importantly, the food produced by the Zhao Family was exclusively supplied to the soldiers at the northern border, highlighting its significance.

The head of such a formidable family stood right before his eyes, dressed in a timeless female professional suit, wearing a genuinely confident smile, walking calmly step by step. Even someone as wealthy as Ye Zecong and as powerful as Wen Jun had to step aside and treat her with respect.

And the legends about this woman herself were no less impressive than those about her family. When the New Emperor ascended the throne, the Old Emperor’s decree stated that the Imperial Family and the Zhao Family should maintain close relations for generations. Thus, there were rumors that Miss Zhao was likely to marry into the Imperial Family, forging a lasting alliance.

What Liu Liwa couldn’t understand was why such a legendary woman would suddenly come to Intoxication Pavilion.

When Lord Zeng beside her uncertainly asked if she really intended to host the banquet here, Miss Zhao smiled slightly and said, “Since we’re hosting a banquet for the two of you, it should naturally suit your preferences. Besides, having familiar girls around will make our conversation more relaxed, won’t it?”

Miss Zhao spoke, her voice pleasant and clear, soft and soothing. It carried a comforting warmth, much like her outward smile, but upon closer thought, it still reflected confidence. This arrangement catered to the preferences of Lord Zeng and Brother Chun, making it impossible to refuse.

“And wasn’t this suggested by Supervisory Commander Wen?” To avoid gossip, she shifted the responsibility to Wen Jun.

Wen Jun quickly bowed and said, “Since Miss has come to Linyu County, it is my duty as the guard commander of Linyu County to ensure your safety. Intoxication Pavilion is located in a secluded area. I have already stationed guards around it to avoid attracting attention and disturbing the common people.”

“Supervisory Commander, you are thoughtful and thorough. I am deeply grateful,” Miss Zhao praised, then changed her tone, “However, I am merely a common woman. How can I deserve such protection from you?”

“Miss, you are too humble. This is my duty,” Wen Jun replied calmly without further explanation. But for a regional military commander to personally provide protection clearly indicated treatment befitting a member of the Imperial Family. Yet this woman deliberately downplayed it, likely to distance herself. However, since Wen Jun insisted, she didn’t press further. Then she turned to Young Master Ye and said with a smile, “Young Master Ye, my younger sister is young and mischievous. I must trouble you to be patient with her.”

Young Master Ye, as if overwhelmed by the honor, quickly clasped his hands and said, “Not at all, not at all. Third Young Miss is straightforward and innocent. It is my fortune to be acquainted with her.”

Impressive! Liu Liwa inwardly gasped. This woman had merely spoken a word to each person casually, yet each remark produced a different effect. Lord Zeng and Brother Chun felt highly valued, Wen Jun gained a reputation for being dutiful, and Young Master Ye was flattered…

In short, this woman was extraordinary!