Chapter 417: Stained with the fragrance of powder

 Zhou Xing nodded slightly, thinking that this was the truth.

From that day on, Gu Xiyan did not see Zhou Xing again until the day when the ship docked. When she and Zhou Mu got off the ship, Zhou Xing also happened to get off the ship.

Zhou Mu led Gu Xiyan forward, pretending not to see Zhou Xing's annoying face.

Zhou Xing's eyes fell on Gu Xiyan, and he almost couldn't help calling her name, but Su Ho coughed lightly to make him regain his senses.

 He ended up going in the opposite direction to Gu Xiyan, just like their lives went in opposite directions.

Zhou Mu took Gu Xiyan directly to the carriage and soon arrived in front of the Suzhou city gate.

Unexpectedly, there were many officials standing in front of the city gate. The leader was Lu Nan, the prefect of Suzhou, and the others were officials from Suzhou Prefecture.

The moment Gu Xiyan saw Lu Nan, she remembered the incident where Lu Nan's house was ransacked in her previous life.

This Mr. Lu has a high prestige in Suzhou City. Although he looks kind-hearted, he is actually ruthless.

“I would like to welcome Your Highness and Your Royal Highness to Suzhou.” As soon as Lu Nan finished speaking, other officials also saluted Zhou Mu and Gu Xiyan.

Zhou Mu spared everyone's courtesy, and was not surprised that Lu Nan would mobilize troops and mobilize people like this.

his trip to Suzhou was not a secret to begin with. Suzhou officials knew that he was coming to the city today, so it was expected.

 It just takes time to find out which of these people have problems.

 Under the leadership of Lu Nan, Gu Xiyan and Zhou Mu went to Lu's house.

At this time, Mrs. Lu led several girls from the Lu family up to greet the couple. The youngest girl of the Lu family is only a few years old, and the oldest, the second girl of the Lu family, Lu Shujing, is about fifteen years old. Her appearance is not too outstanding and she looks quiet and harmless.

The girls from the Lu family were well taught the rules. Even when faced with outstanding-looking people like Zhou Mu and his wife, apart from the flash of surprise in their eyes at the beginning, they soon returned to normal.

When Mrs. Lu arranged a residence for Gu Xiyan, Zhou Mu immediately asked Gu Xiyan's opinion: "Do you want to live in the post house, or do you want to disturb Mr. Lu here?"

 Gu Xiyan was worried about how to remind Zhou Mu. She immediately whispered: "Let's not disturb Mr. Lu and stay in the post house?"

"Okay, I'll listen to you, madam." Zhou Mu has never been able to refuse Gu Xiyan, and this time was no exception.

After hearing this, Mrs. Lu advised: "The conditions of the post house are simple and crude. It may not be suitable for someone with such a distinguished status as Your Highness to live in the post house."

 “It’s just accommodation, it’s the same everywhere.” Zhou Mu immediately said goodbye to Mrs. Lu and took Gu Xiyan out of the Lu family’s house.

　　After they went to stay at the post house, Lü Nan sent someone in the evening to invite Zhou Mu to attend a reception party specially organized by Lü Nan.

When Gu Xiyan heard that Zhou Mu was going to attend a banquet, she couldn't help but worry that he would drink. Unfortunately, he is not strong enough to drink. If he drinks alcohol, he is afraid that he will get sick if he gets drunk.

"Why don't you go, Master?" Gu Xiyan said worriedly.

"I have to go this time. I'm not worried about you being alone in the post house, so I asked Youyuan and Zhiyuan to stay and protect you..."

Before Zhou Mu could finish his words, Gu Xiyan vetoed his proposal: "Absolutely not! Some officials at today's banquet have ulterior motives. How can it be okay if the master doesn't let Zhiyuan and the others accompany him?"

Zhou Mu laughed: "I just came to Suzhou City today. No one is sure whether I came because of the corruption case five years ago. It was just a test at most, so don't worry."

Unless he is arrogant, with his skills, there are almost no people in the world who can hurt him.

Gu Xiyan frowned: "This is what I want to say. Since there is no danger at the moment, then I am definitely not in danger either. Why don't you let Youyuan stay and Zhiyuan follow you? He can help the young master to stop the wine. If you ask , the young master said that I don’t allow the young master to drink!” Zhou Mu’s eyes lit up, he liked this reason.

"Then follow Madam's arrangements." Zhou Mu followed the good advice.

Gu Xiyan was still worried, and when sending him out of the inn, she repeatedly warned him not to drink alcohol. As a prince, he has a distinguished status and does not have to accommodate the officials of Suzhou Prefecture.

Zhou Mu felt warm in his heart when he saw her chattering.

"I will come back early. You can stay in the post house without any worries. It is best not to go out." Zhou Mu said and got into the carriage.

Gu Xiyan was still worried after watching Zhou Mu go away.

 After Zhou Mu comes back, she has to prepare her words to tell Zhou Mu some suspicious news about some officials in Suzhou.

That night, Zhou Mu went to Lu Nan's mansion and found that most of the people attending the banquet were Suzhou officials who had shown their faces in front of the Suzhou city gate today.

All the officials were very respectful when they saw Zhou Mu, but Lu Nan did not find beauties to serve these officials.

Later, a maid came in with wine, and Zhou Mu even prepared his words. Unexpectedly, when it was his turn to pour wine, the maid suddenly replaced it with a pot of tea.

At this time, Lu Nan explained Zhao Zhoumu's doubts: "The lower official heard that the imperial concubine was strict with the highness and was not allowed to drink wine on weekdays, so he prepared tea."

Zhou Mu felt interesting when he heard this: "How did Mr. Lu know about this?"

Lu Nan smiled and said: "The anecdote about His Highness and the Princess is not only spread throughout the capital, but also praised by people in other towns as a good story. People all over the world say that His Highness and the Princess are a match made in heaven."

Zhou Mu didn't expect that the incident between him and Xi Yan would spread all over the world. He was somewhat surprised that Xi Yan's refusal to let him drink wine actually spread to the streets.

"I'm afraid your Highness doesn't know that there are several book writers in Suzhou who use Your Highness and the Princess as models to write storybooks, but they haven't been published yet. I don't know how many people envy the magical relationship between Your Highness and the Princess." Lu Nan smiled sincerely.

Zhou Mu raised the corners of his lips, secretly thinking that Mr. Lu knew him well and knew what he wanted. This shows that this person is good at management. If he is truly honest, Suzhou may not be lucky.

  But if they do not put their minds on the right path, such officials will definitely bring disaster to the people.

Perhaps because Lu Nan mentioned Gu Xiyan, other officials also mentioned their wives, but most of them were trying to flatter Zhou Mu and Gu Xiyan.

 After the feast, Zhou Mu had no chance to drink.

Lü Nan also personally escorted Zhou Mu out of the mansion. Before leaving, Lü Nan also said that he would invite Gu Xiyan to the mansion to attend a banquet, which was just to make up for Gu Xiyan's welcome and cleanse the world.

Zhou Mu did not comment, "Zhuo Jing doesn't like to socialize, so there is no need to bother."

Before he found out the details of these people, he didn't want Xi Yan to face the female members of Lu Nan's family alone.

Seeing Zhou Mu say this, Lu Nan naturally couldn't force him anymore. He waited until Zhou Mu was sent away before returning home.

Gu Xiyan stayed in the post house, waiting for Zhou Mu's return.

 As a result, Zhou Mu returned to the post house just after the hour, which surprised her.

She immediately smelled whether there was any special smell on Zhou Mu's body. Zhou Mu joked: "Madam, you are smelling whether there is any powdery fragrance on your husband's body, right?"

 (End of this chapter)