Chapter 5: Young Master Zhu??

Hearing this, Luo Bingluan couldn't help but sigh inwardly: "The Empire's princes are already falling out so quickly. As the heir to the nation, the Crown Prince's subordinates are using their authority to embezzle, even colluding with local merchants to scoop up businesses like grain transport and food supplies."

"And the businesses involving salt, silk, and jewelry are nominally controlled by the Lu family and a few other merchant houses, but in reality, they should be the properties of the Ninth Prince."

The Luo family was currently caught between these two forces, maintaining business dealings with all parties.

For now, since no side had openly broken ties, life was still manageable. But what about the future? Once the princes' struggles were laid bare in the open, there would likely be no good days left...

And most importantly,

If those new technologies were known to outsiders, the Luo family would likely face total destruction.

After pondering carefully for a moment, Luo Bingluan couldn't help but speak solemnly to Master Luo: "Father, our Luo family belongs to our Tianqing Empire. If we must belong to a certain power, that person can only be the Emperor. The current course of action is to remain neutral and help no one."

"However, business must still be conducted. In my view, we should give them as much equity as they deserve; it is best not to break ties for the time being," Luo Bingluan said, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Master Luo nodded. "Then what is your view on this appointment at the Zhao residence, Luan'er?"

"We must go. After all, we still rely on him for certain matters in officialdom," Luo Bingluan replied.

Master Luo nodded and instructed the servants to prepare the carriage.

Luo Bingluan took the sisters Zhuque and Baihu with her, while the brothers Qinglong and Xuanwu remained at home to guard the house.

Seeing Luo Bingluan heading out, her master, Grandmaster Haihui, insisted on going as well. "Disciple, let your master accompany you."

Luo Bingluan stepped forward, shaking her master's arm to persuade her: "Master, please rest easy. Zhuque and Baihu are here. Besides, unless I willingly allow myself to be restrained, there aren't many people who could actually subdue your disciple, are there?"

Master Haihui could not resist Luo Bingluan's acting spoiled, so she called the sisters Zhuque and Baihu aside and gave them detailed instructions.

These four—Qinglong, Baihu, Zhuque, and Xuanwu—were among the hundred orphans Luo Bingluan had taken in during the Yellow River floods years ago. Seeing that these two men and two women possessed extraordinary bone structure and were talents for martial arts, Grandmaster Haihui had personally taught them to ensure Luo Bingluan's safety.

Once everything was arranged, Luo Bingluan put on her veil, and Master Luo changed into formal attire. Only then did the group board the carriage and head straight for the Zhao family in Yang City.

Before long, they arrived at the gates of the Zhao residence.

"Master, Miss, we have arrived," the driver said respectfully toward the interior of the carriage.

Stepping out of the carriage, they saw that the Master of the Zhao family was already waiting at the entrance.

"Brother Luo, long time no see! How have you been?" Master Zhao smiled like a meat bun, raising his two fleshy hands to offer a salute.

Master Luo hurried forward a few steps and returned the salute. "Brother Zhao is too kind. I am merely a man of leisure; it is you, Brother Zhao, who is the busy man. I can hardly find a moment to see you."

As he spoke, he turned to Luo Bingluan, who was following behind him. "Luan'er, quickly, pay your respects to your Uncle Zhao."

"Luan'er greets Uncle Zhao. I wish Uncle Zhao well," Luo Bingluan said with a smile, performing a graceful curtsy.

"Rise, rise, Luan'er. You've grown so much! Brother Luo is truly blessed!" Master Zhao said with a laugh as he led the group into the drawing room. "We are all old acquaintances; there is no need for such formalities. Please, come in."

As Master Zhao led Master Luo and Luo Bingluan into the drawing room,

They saw that someone was already seated in the seat of honor.

The person held a teacup, making their features difficult to discern, but judging by their attire, they were either extremely wealthy or of high status.

Standing behind that person was a young man in his twenties, dressed in short robes. He looked energetic and capable, with a sharp gaze—a master!

Once Luo Bingluan entered with her father, the person in the seat of honor rose to exchange a few pleasantries with Master Luo.

"Tsk! Such an air of importance!" Luo Bingluan rolled her eyes and curled her lip in disdain. (Luckily I brought the veil, otherwise it wouldn't be good if this funny face was seen!)

"Luan'er, this is the representative sent by the Chief of the Imperial Commerce Commission, Master Zuyue," Master Zhao said with a somewhat fawning tone.

Hearing this, Luo Bingluan finally looked toward the young gentleman.

Handsome!

Too handsome!

Whether measured by modern or ancient aesthetic standards, he was a heartthrob.

With sword-like eyebrows, tiger-like eyes, a high bridge to his nose, a face as beautiful as jade, and a slightly delicate, refined countenance, he was exceptionally handsome.

"Luan'er greets Master Zuyue," Luo Bingluan rose and performed a slight curtsy.

"Miss Luo, please rise. Zuyue offers his respects," Zuyue replied with a slight bow of his fists.

"I have long heard that Miss Luo is a beauty that could topple cities. I, Zuyue, have admired you for a long time. I wonder if I might have the honor of catching a glimpse of your lovely face?"

"Master Zuyue overpraises me; Luan'er is unworthy." Having said that, she reached for the veil on her face.

As the thin veil was slowly removed, Zuyue could not help but stare blankly.

Fortunately, unlike others, he did not stare incessantly. The flash of astonishment in Zuyue's eyes vanished in an instant, and he quickly regained his composure.

"As expected, you are no ordinary person," Luo Bingluan smiled slightly. "Master Zuyue's wish has been granted. Now, may we begin discussing the matters of cooperation?"

Master Zuyue took a sip of tea and said leisurely, "The matter of cooperation is easy enough to discuss, but I have a doubt in my heart that I wish to consult Miss Luo about."

Luo Bingluan narrowed her eyes slightly, looking at the young gentleman with a half-smile. "Master Zuyue must be joking. Whatever you wish to know, please ask. Luan'er will answer to the best of her knowledge."

At this, the young gentleman picked up the document containing the rules, regulations, and service items of the Luo Family Bank and asked, "The service items of the Luo Family Bank are meticulously regulated. Furthermore, things like small-deposit/large-withdrawal, collateral loans, credit loans, and remittances are unheard of, yet every single one of them saves time, effort, and aids circulation. Were these all Miss Luo's ideas?"

As he finished speaking, his eyes stared directly at Luo Bingluan.

"Ahem! They were primarily drafted by my father and several bank managers. Luan'er merely offered a few ideas, which the managers then refined," Luo Bingluan gave a polite smile, though she was startled inwardly.

"Oh?" Master Zuyue continued to stare at her. "Then the advanced weaving machines used in your family's textile factory—were those also accidentally invented by Miss Luo?"

This man was truly not simple; his information was so well-connected. It seemed this Zuyue was far more complicated than imagined.

Master Luo habitually tapped his index finger lightly on the table; his father was worried.

Luo Bingluan smiled faintly and said nonchalantly, "How would Luan'er know such things? Those were ideas from the weavers in our family's factory. Luan'er merely worked with the family carpenters to turn those ideas into reality."

Zuyue smiled and signaled to the subordinate standing behind him.

The subordinate handed over an exquisite wooden box. Zuyue took the box, glanced at Luo Bingluan, and then slowly opened it. Suddenly, a melody of tinkling music played out.

That was... a music box?

It was the gift he had given to the daughter of the local Ship Guild Leader a year ago when he went to the coastal metropolis of Fucheng to attend the opening ceremony of the Luo Family Shipyard—a music box!

Who exactly was he? How could he have obtained this?