Wealth and glory seek stability

Although the city lord's official position is not as high as Jian Xi's, he is still far away and one cannot look down on him too much.

Several groups of people were sent out to search for the few people in the market, but no news was brought back.

When Jian Xi came back, she saw Qi Si walking around in circles anxiously in the corridor.

"What are you doing standing here? It's cold outside."

When a clear and cold voice came, Qi Si suddenly felt that the voice was like the sound of nature.

"Sir, you are back. The city lord sent someone to invite you to a banquet. The lord who came doesn't look easy to deal with. I have been waiting for two hours and my face has turned black."

Qi Si explained the matter clearly in a few words, and Jian Xi nodded.

He waited for two hours and finally got a gloomy face. This guy has a pretty good temper.

Jian Xi patted the hem of her skirt lightly, casually smoothed her hair with her hands, and walked into the living room with a smile on her face.

"I am so sorry. This Kecheng is even more interesting than the imperial capital. I drank Kecheng's famous barley wine in a tavern and fell asleep unexpectedly. The attendants who accompanied me were all men and it was difficult to move them. So I slept for a few more hours. My Lord, I am sorry to have kept you waiting for a long time."

Jian Xi's habit is to praise everyone she meets, and sure enough, Mai Zong had a proud look on his face. People coming out of the imperial capital were still lost in the prosperity of their Kecheng.

I couldn't help but straighten my chest, feeling proud of myself.

Mai Zong stood up and bowed. "Kecheng is a prosperous city. My city lord heard that you were passing through Kecheng on His Majesty's orders and felt that the hospitality was not good enough, so he ordered me to come and personally invite you to the city lord's mansion for a banquet."

Jian Xi has figured out the habits of the people of the Xuanwu Dynasty in recent days, which is that they value heroism and the expression of emotions.

So she pretended to be extremely happy, "Really? That's great, may I know your name?"

It is also a sign of respect for a superior to ask the name of his subordinate.

Although Mai Zong had waited for two hours, his temper had already subsided by half when he saw this beautiful woman, not to mention being asked about his name in such a smiling manner by Jian Xi.

He immediately placed one hand on his chest and performed a gesture that he thought was very manly and elegant, "Your humble servant Mai Zong is the chief clerk of the City Lord's Mansion."

Qi Si was watching on the side, stunned.

Is this really the man who just gave her a dark face?

This peacock with its tail spread out looks like two completely different people.

Qi Si looked down at her own adornments. She was wearing a brown and black dress, a thick and healthy waist, a pair of big feet that looked very well-fed, and strong calves. She stretched out her hands, and the pair of small eyes on her round face were energetic and bright.

After confirming that her beauty was still there, Qi Si couldn't help but glance at Mai Zong coldly.

What a rude man.

Mai Zong suddenly felt a chill on his neck and thought it was just the cool winter breeze blowing in.

Looking at the somewhat frail beauty in front of him, Mai Zong couldn't help but said with concern: "Sir, it's cold in winter, and the road is windy, rainy and frosty, so you should wear more clothes."

Seeing this familiar look, Jian Xi immediately distanced herself from Mai Zong and gently stroked her belly with her hand, revealing its slightly convex belly.

Mai Zong was somewhat puzzled by the beauty's aloofness. He lowered his eyes and saw Jian Xi's slender fingers like white onions. He couldn't help but admire her again.

"My Lord is so beautiful, even her fingers are so beautiful."

Qi Si couldn't stand it any longer and said coldly, "My lady is already six months pregnant. Since you are here to pass on a message, why don't you lead the way?"

According to the invitation from the city lord, Jian Xi and the officials around her must attend.

As the highest-ranking female official among them, Qi Si naturally followed Jian Xi's side, while Mai Zong was pushed aside.

Jian Xi thought that it would be better to bring Mo Chuan with her when going to the City Lord's Mansion in case of any accidents, but there was no one to look after Ling Bao and Bai Zhi.

I just brought them along, believing that there shouldn't be any problem with two more kids at such a big banquet.

City Lord's Mansion.

Maimu originally thought that two or three people would be enough.

It wasn't until he saw Mai Zong with his family behind him that he swallowed.

There are at least a dozen people here.

Look at Madam Qingzhu beside you.

Needless to say, the tacit understanding between the couple is very good.

Madam Qing smiled softly and bowed to Mai Mu, "My husband, please entertain us first. I will go and see if the drinks are ready. Please don't offend the distinguished guest."

In fact, there were not so many seats prepared for the banquet later.

One seat can accommodate two people at most, so judging from the situation, at least ten tables will be needed.

The city lord invited guests to a dinner, but the guests didn't even have a place to sit. If this got out, it would be so funny.

If the news gets to the imperial capital, I'm afraid His Majesty will blame them in Kecheng for not knowing etiquette and being disrespectful to the envoys.

Mai Mu nodded calmly and waved his hand, saying, "Madam, you are absolutely right. Go quickly and let's talk first."

Maimu went to meet him with a smile on his face.

I had heard a long time ago that His Majesty had appointed a female official, and I thought Jian Xi would be like the noble women in my memory, just trying to gild herself so that she could find a husband in the future.

Unexpectedly, after several talks, this female official was able to act appropriately, was free and unrestrained in her movements, and had a kind of elegance.

Mai Mu searched the name Jian again and again in his mind, and it seemed that Jian was not an ancient surname.

Jian Xi accepted all the gazes from the other party and drank the milk tea in the cup calmly.

It tastes quite good, with a light aroma of wine, just like the familiar aroma of wine on the streets of Kecheng.

The first meeting is a game between the two parties, and they are individuals communicating on an equal footing.

The other party will naturally set the standards for getting along in communication.

At this time, the royal court etiquette that Jian Xi had studied so hard for a long time came in handy, and every move she made showed her extraordinary status.

"Sir, your bearing is indeed what can only come from a place like the imperial capital with such outstanding talents and beautiful scenery. You are unlike us country folk who only know how to do business and are full of the smell of money." Mai Mu said modestly.

Hearing this, Jian Xi knew that she should also say a few polite words:

"No, Kecheng is truly a place of outstanding people and beautiful scenery. Kecheng's fine wine is world-famous, and the people are even more prosperous. Along the way, Kecheng is one of the few capitals that can make people shine. It can be seen that your Excellency's political achievements are extraordinary. If the dynasty wants to prosper, it is naturally inseparable from businessmen. The city lord is really too modest."

After some flattery, Maimu himself felt that he had made a huge contribution to the development of the Xuanwu Dynasty.

They pay taxes in Kecheng on time and in full every year, which is not comparable to those who owe taxes to the court.

He spoke with more confidence, as if his diligence had been noticed and accurately praised, and his attitude towards Jian Xi became more attentive.

"Try it, sir. This is the newly brewed mare's milk wine from Qingzhufang."

At this moment, Jian Xi didn't care that she was pregnant and couldn't drink. The places where people in officialdom could get closer to each other were nothing more than dinner tables and drinking parties.

After taking a sip, "It has the aroma of milk and wine at first, and after it goes down the throat, a very refreshing bamboo fragrance fills the tip of the nose. It's really a good wine."

As soon as the word wine was mentioned, Mai Mu seemed to open up and started to introduce the origin of the wine to Jian Xi.

"......"

Qi Si followed behind Jian Xi and watched in amazement.