Two kilometers further from Nan Lou Pass, they arrived at the location of the Longquan Inn recommended by Qin Feng.

This place was like a small town, bustling with people; there were multiple bars and inns, and a long street.

Not far from this small town was a military camp named Nan Lou Camp, set up specifically to guard the southern route into the Capital, and was under the administration of the Capital City Government.

Called Nan Lou Camp Town, also known as South Suburb Town, it primarily served large merchant caravans.

Due to the cumbersome procedures for large groups entering the Capital, some businessmen, for convenience, would finalize their business here and then directly return home without entering the Capital.

Even if they wanted to enter the Capital, they had to wait for a specific time to bring goods in, so this South Suburb Town gradually became a gathering place for merchant caravans entering the Capital, where merchants could get the first-hand news, making it easier to do business than in the city.

The inns here not only provided food and lodging but also offered warehouses for rent. Qin Yao observed the layout, which resembled a modern-city’s large logistics hub on the edge.

Qin Feng didn’t appear until the entire group finished dinner.

As soon as he arrived at the inn, he was immediately pulled into a private room by acquaintances to socialize until late at night, before he could get away.

Most merchants were like this; someone like Qin Yao, who had secured a special city counter without much socializing, was actually a rare case.

It boiled down to one word: power. Scholar, farmer, artisan, and merchant, with rigid class barriers, merchants were at the very bottom. Although Sheng Country had just enacted a pro-commerce policy, the scholar class still looked down on merchants.

However, those who looked down on them coveted their money, so merchants in the Capital usually needed a backing figure or a patron.

Qin Feng had previously revealed that his patron was a Mr. Guo from the Ministry of Revenue; Qin Yao didn’t ask for specific positions, but seeing the respect Qin Feng received among the merchants, it had to be a significant position.

When Qin Feng came knocking at midnight, Qin Yao opened the door immediately, as if she expected him to come.

"Drank some wine?" Qin Yao asked as she poured him a cup of tea, suppressing her dislike.

This Longquan Inn had three floors with over a hundred rooms, but upon their arrival, just a few were left, so Sanlang and Si Niang were staying with Qin Yao.

Qin Feng glanced at the bed and lowered his voice, "I’m a good drinker, no problem."

He drank the tea she offered in one gulp and signaled her to sit down, saying he had matters to discuss.

"Tomorrow, I won’t be entering the city with you. I’ll join you once I’ve dealt with this batch of goods. Here’s the key to the house I bought at South City Yongtong Square before; the courtyard is small, but it’s enough for your family. Don’t rush to refuse."

Seeing Qin Yao about to return the key, Qin Feng, in slight annoyance, continued his instructions:

"Although neither you nor your husband mentioned it, I can see your reason for entering the Capital isn’t just for the Spring Exams. The waters in this Capital are deep; you’re new here and without support, so be cautious, and do not get involved in the Capital’s matters."

With that, Qin Feng handed a pre-written note to Qin Yao: "If you run into trouble and I’m not around, take this note to the Guo family at Xiuwen Square and find Vice Minister Guo there; he owes me a favor and will surely help you..."

Qin Feng seemed extremely worried, as he had long sensed the undercurrent between Bai He and Qin Yao at the Yunlai Inn.

Later, he found out that person was from the Crown Prince’s party in the Eastern Palace, which greatly startled him.

"Yao, I won’t ask more, but let me remind you and your husband to steer clear of those two who are fiercely grappling with each other. Keep away completely!"

Looking at Qin Feng’s serious face, Qin Yao thought to herself, Brother, your warning is a bit late; I’m already involved with both sides.

Qin Yao’s silence caused Qin Feng’s heart to sink, suddenly recalling what Liu Ji had mentioned: the Lady’s Box and the Divine Power Book Box were produced in Qin Yao’s factories.

When the Lady’s Box first entered the Capital, the Princess couldn’t praise it enough.

What does this indicate?

"Do you mean with the Princess Mansion?" Qin Feng was incredulous.

Qin Yao sighed lightly, "How can a business operate without support?" He should understand that too.

If a backer is necessary, why not choose the strongest one!

However, she accepted Qin Feng’s goodwill.

Taking the house key, Qin Yao reassured the stunned Qin Feng, "It’s only temporary, and once we settle down, I’ll quickly find another place to move to."

Seeing Qin Feng about to speak, Qin Yao cut him off with "Then I won’t stay there," closing the topic.

"Don’t worry about me; focus on yourself. We’ll clean the house and wait for your arrival in the Capital."

For safety’s sake, Qin Yao also kept the note; it might prove useful.

Qin Feng had nothing more to say, his finger pointing at the air in exasperation, distressed enough to want to hit the wall.

A Princess Mansion and a Crown Prince from the Eastern Palace, the two he warned her against, yet she involved with both!

In response, Qin Yao calmly said, "High returns come with high risks; there’s no such thing as low-risk, high-reward deals; if there were, it’s definitely a lousy scam."

What else could Qin Feng say? She said it all.

So he could only wish her all the best on her journey!

With that, the siblings split ways, one remaining in South Suburb Town for business and the other leading an expectant family towards the most prosperous city in the nation, Luocheng.

Setting off from Longquan Inn in the morning, they reached below the city by noon.

The Capital’s hustle began with the entrance queue.

It was Qin Yao’s first time seeing such a crowd in Sheng Country, comparable to major cities of later times.

The Capital had eight entrances, with the South, East, North, and West gates usually open. They entered through Dingbei Gate, considered the main gate, with the queue stretching as far as the eye could see.

Crowded with carriages, mules, donkeys, adults, children, and the elderly.

The climate here was also hotter than Zijing Mansion, and the Da Lang Brothers and Sisters’ faces were flushed red with excitement, curiously observing everything from the carriage.

The city gates of the Capital were towering, their necks strained but unable to see the top.

Entering the passageway, a cool breeze struck, making Sanlang sneeze hard, snot bubble emerging, causing Second Lang and Si Niang to burst out laughing.

To their surprise, there were female guards! Si Niang’s mouth formed an O-shape.

The young women riding into the city wore only a single robe, exposing both arms! Da Lang and Second Lang hurriedly shut their eyes, blushing.

Entry required rigorous inspection, especially for first-timers entering the Capital; separated into male and female lines, examined from head to toe, to check for tattoos, very strict.

Qin Yao mused silently that it was just like security checks.

But wouldn’t Ah Wang’s scars from sword wounds cause trouble?

However, having passed through Nan Lou Pass indicated no issues, with city gate soldiers adding another layer of checks; everyone knew the real reason. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

During separate inspections, Qin Yao handed Liu Ji a bag of loose silver for the guards.

As long as the benefits were in place, along with Liu Ji the scholar vouching for Ah Wang, it was likely that the inspecting soldiers wouldn’t be too meticulous, and a cursory check would suffice.