Chapter 559 - 553_1
Feng Yinan was satisfied to see Zhao Erhu personally come to the door to greet him. After all, Zhao Erhu was no longer the same as he had been in the past. Having gained the Emperor’s favor, he no longer needed to rely on him. Moreover, considering the Emperor’s temperament, it was likely he did not take kindly to Zhao Erhu associating with him too much and may have hinted, whether openly or subtly, that Zhao Erhu should refrain from doing so. That Zhao Erhu still treated him as he did now showed that he was a man of integrity.
"Zhao Erhu pays his respects to the Princely Heir." Zhao Erhu still had the status of a commoner and naturally had to show respect to the Marquis of Zhenbei’s heir. Zhao Erhu, having grown up in this era, did not have the same repulsion to these ceremonial matters as Lin Yue did, seeing them as natural. However, a man with ambition and aspirations is not willing to remain subordinate and pay respects to others forever.
"Brother Erhu, there’s no need for such courtesy. I’ve imposed upon you by arriving unannounced and hope you’ll forgive the disturbance. I do, however, have some matters to discuss with Brother Erhu and was wondering if we might find a quiet place to talk." Feng Yinan helped Zhao Erhu up affably, showing more respect than before. Zhao Erhu felt it too. With the shift in status, even the attitude of the Marquis of Zhenbei’s heir had changed. It’s not that the Marquis’s heir had treated him poorly in the past, but that was owing to the lifesaving favor he had once done for him and their business partnership. Though they were partners, the relationship always contained a sense of dependence, as Zhao Erhu relied on the Marquis’s heir’s status, which entailed some condescension. Such is human nature; that’s generally how the world’s affairs are.
"Princely Heir, please follow me." Zhao Erhu led the Marquis’s heir to the study in the residence. It was the Marquis of Zhenbei’s heir’s first visit to Zhao Erhu’s estate, and he naturally took the chance to look around on the way, gaining a deeper understanding of Zhao Erhu’s financial resources and capabilities. It seemed he had underestimated Zhao Erhu before. This mansion could not have been bought for less than tens of thousands of silver, not to mention the location of the property.
The Marquis of Zhenbei’s heir vaguely remembered that the estate used to belong to a certain prince who had purchased it outside the capital and then sold it to a general. When that general was later implicated in a rebellion, the Court had auctioned the property. Although he had not paid much attention at the time, a friend of his had intended to buy it but was preempted by a certain influential figure in the Court. His friend, out of respect for the other’s status, had reluctantly given up the pursuit, only to find out now that Zhao Erhu was the buyer—a clear indication that Zhao Erhu must have his own connections in the Court.
"Brother Erhu, this is a fine residence indeed; the arrangement is both elegant and refined, even surpassing my own quarters."
Upon hearing the Marquis’s praise, Zhao Erhu grinned from ear to ear. "Prince, you flatter me. My wife took care of the arrangement, simply scattering our favorite ornaments about without much thought. It’s kind of you not to ridicule us."
Still, Zhao Erhu could not hide the pride and satisfaction in his tone. He wasn’t the only one showering praise; even Princess Yongle and Commandery Princess Roujia had admired the residence, attesting to his wife’s remarkable talent and exquisite taste.