His Rui

Noble Consort Shu when had birthed Zhao Zhang Wei she had been granted a few shops and some land in the Imperial City by the Emperor.

This was something that was new in the history of Xin.

Before Noble Consort Shu, there never had been a woman in the Imperial Palace except Empress or Empress Dowager who could have anything under her that could support her financially.

Because those women in the harem were supposed to depend completely on the Emperor.

They were powerless.

However, when the Emperor granted all these things to Noble Consort Shu, it had been talked about in the Empire for a long time.

With time, the whole Xin came to know that Noble Consort Shu was the Emperor's favored concubine. Even the Empress couldn't stand against her…that's how much power Noble Consort Shu held in the Imperial Palace.

People could not help but think that time if Noble Consort Shu's son will also be more favored than the crown prince who was birthed by the Empress.

However, Noble Consort Shu died very soon and then all these rumors also faded with time.

With time, no one remembered about those lands and shops …the things that now come under Zhao Zhang Wei or perhaps much more than that now.

To take care of all those lands and shops, Zhao Zhang Wei would usually go out of the Imperial Palace. Even the Emperor knew about this but in his information was only the lands and shops that he had given to Noble Consort Shu.

So he never thought of stopping Zhao Zhang Wei from going out of the Imperial Palace.

Hence going out to meet Xi Ying was quite easy for Zhao Zhang Wei.

The carriage from the Imperial Palace stopped outside the restaurant that was owned by Zhao Zhang Wei.

Inside his mind, Zhao Zhang Wei couldn't help but appreciate Xi Ying's intelligence again.

He must have known the fact that this restaurant was owned by him and hence decided to keep their meeting here only.

Eunuch Zhang put the stool under the carriage and Zhao Zhang Wei put his foot on it as he stepped out of the carriage.

He glanced at the Imperial soldiers who had accompanied him. For the safety of Imperial family members, whenever someone stepped out of the Imperial Palace, the Imperial guards accompanied him.

That's why Zhao Zhang Wei couldn't refuse to let them go with him when he was coming here.

However, he could stop them from accompanying him inside the restaurant.

"Benwang doesn't want to scare the people inside with your presence so stay outside."

The head of the Imperial soldiers who had accompanied Zhao Zhang Wei from the Imperial Palace hesitated for a moment but then bowed his head and accepted the order.

'What could even happen to the Second Prince?'

Those who were not a part of the Imperial Court... theydidn't know how Zhao Zhang Wei slowly growing in everyone's eyes. Since he had started to make himself visible two months ago, few people in the Imperial Palace still think that he was just a prince who didn't have any interest in the throne.

So what could happen to him?

Especially in a restaurant that had the people who worked for him.

"As Your Highness wishes."

Thinking all this, the Imperial Guard said respectfully.

Satisfied with the outcome, Zhao Zhang Wei walked towards the entrance of the restaurant.

The restaurant was situated quite far away from the Imperial Palace. It was neither too famous nor too isolated. However, the people who dined here usually didn't recognize Zhao Zhang Wei at all.

It was not shocking as Zhao Zhang Wei had never made any appearance as an Imperial Prince in public. He would not be surprised if even a single person in this Imperial City except those noble families didn't recognize him.

On the other hand, Zhao Zhuang Chen was recognized by almost everyone in the Imperial City.

If they didn't recognize him then he would make sure to let them know who he was.

"Your Highness!"

The steward who managed the restaurant came out running and welcomed Zhao Zhang Wei eagerly. As soon as the young boy standing out at the gate of the restaurant informed him about the arrival of a rich man, the steward was sure that it was the second prince, Zhao Zhang Wei who had come today.

After all, not many rich people dined in this restaurant.

It was mostly for ordinary people and the prices of the dishes were also quite normal…neither too high nor too low.

"Don't make it so obvious."

Zhao Zhang Wei said to the steward with a frown on his forehead when he saw that the people dining inside were now looking towards the gate.

The steward paused for a moment and then he understood what Zhao Zhang Wei meant.

With an embarrassed face, he put aside his eager face and then welcomed Zhao Zhang Wei in an ordinary manner, however, his head was still lowered telling everyone that Zhao Zhang Wei was no ordinary person to make him behave this way.

Still, the people inside only thought that Zhao Zhang Wei must be too rich. Zhao Zhang Wei's clothes were enough to tell this fact. And that's why the steward was heaving like this so they soon moved their eyes away and concentrated on their meal.

"Any new customer who booked the private room?"

Zhao Zhang Wei asked the steward as he stepped inside the restaurant.

The steward knitted his eyebrows for a moment and then said

"There has been a family of three."

Now it was Zhao Zhang Wei's turn to look confused.

Family of three? How could it be?

But it could be that Xi Ying had not arrived yet and the family of three was some genuine customers. Thinking this, Zhao Zhang Wei asked his steward to inform him whenever someone books a private room and then he started to walk towards the private room that belonged to him permanently.

However, he had just taken a step forward when his eyes fell on the man standing in the corner. His face was covered with a black cloth. The man was staring at him silently.

It was only when the man uncovered his face a little, Zhao Zhang Wei recognized him.

He was Xi Ying's shadow guard …the same shadow guard who had come to him the last night with Xi Ying's letter.