"Lady, I have seen your intention," said the official. "For now, just stand down and wait for my message before taking a stance."
"Donger obeys."
"Good, go rest in the garden, and there's no need to rush off," Mr. Zhao said as he saw the guest out with a cup of tea in hand.
Mrs. Xiao rose gracefully and walked towards the door.
The moment she stepped over the threshold, her demeanor transformed, reverting to that of a high and aloof family head as seen by outsiders, a woman of great poise who met men with indifferent coolness and aloof eyes.
Then, one after another, imperial merchants came to call.
Each one came bearing gifts, their politeness bordering on obsequiousness.
Accustomed to officials and nobility in the Capital, the sudden array of merchants and scholarly families by comparison seemed even more bent on bowing and scraping.
Moreover, no one dared show the slightest disrespect to Zhao Douan, this seemingly young but powerful "great personage."
