Richest Man: Divine-Grade Reconstruct System Chapter 1313 - 1169: Greetings to the Empress

"No need, no need. I’m not seeking anything in return. It’s just that your shop has a unique charm, so your writing is likely to be excellent as well," the young scholar said.

"Naturally, our humble shop truly can’t be compared to any other," the shopkeeper said proudly.

"But rest assured, the shop promised a reward, so there will be one. I imagine you’ll need some silver during your stay," he said as he reached for the counter.

"Shopkeeper, I am a scholar. If you insult me with money, that would be entirely unacceptable," the young scholar said, shaking his head.

Though the young scholar appeared youthful, his integrity was unexpectedly commendable. The shopkeeper silently gave the scholar a nod of approval.

"Our shop is famous for the wine that people line up outside to buy. How about I gift you a few jars?" the shopkeeper suggested, looking at the young scholar.

"No, no... If I need it, I can line up myself like the others outside. How can a gentleman accept charity?" the young scholar shook his head.

"You refuse this, and you refuse that. You’re putting me in a difficult position," the shopkeeper admitted truthfully.

"You needn’t be troubled. Please just arrange for me to meet the author soon, that would be the greatest reward for me," the young scholar said with a smile.

"Of course, I will make the arrangements promptly. But I do hope you take back a few jars of wine," the shopkeeper said, reaching out to pull the young scholar.

"Since the shopkeeper insists, if I refuse again, it would seem petty of me. One jar will suffice," the young scholar replied.

"No problem," said the shopkeeper, who then retrieved a jar of wine and handed it to the young scholar.

The young scholar took the wine. "Thank you for your trouble, shopkeeper. I will wait for your message at the inn," he said.

With that, he turned to leave.

The centurion had been listening outside this whole time. Seeing the young scholar walk out with a jar of wine,

he muttered to himself, "That kid got ahead of everyone else. He’s read so much he’s become foolish—a few more jars could be sold for hundreds of silver."

What the centurion didn’t know was that the shopkeeper overheard his self-talk as he prepared to head to the Imperial Palace. The shopkeeper shook his head, truly thinking there was no hope for such a fool.

The shopkeeper made sure to pass on his duties before preparing to enter the palace.

Before leaving, he specially had the kitchen prepare a beggar’s chicken, which Xiao Zihan loved, to take along.

Arriving at the palace gates, the shopkeeper presented his token.

The gate guards, seeing the token, hurriedly went inside to report.

The shopkeeper’s token was personally given by Empress Xiao Zihan, with clear instructions to the gate guards that this token permits direct audience with Her Majesty the Empress.

The guard took the token and ran all the way to the inner palace gates, then handed it over to the guard stationed there, saying someone at the gates sought an audience with Her Majesty the Empress.

The inner palace guard, upon seeing the token, dared not delay, and quickly proceeded towards Her Majesty’s quarters.

The Imperial Palace was vast, taking nearly half an hour to travel from the gates to the inner palace, and at least another half hour from the inner palace guard post to the residence of the sovereign.

The inner palace guard hurriedly arrived at the entrance of the Empress’s quarters.

Though the inner palace guards had authority up to the entrance of the quarters, beyond that was the realm of the palace eunuchs.

Lin Yi, during the palace’s construction, had specially created a place akin to a sentry post for reporting matters.

The inner palace guard, holding the token, gently knocked on the door of the sentry post.

"Eunuch Sun, I am today’s inner palace guard. The city gate guard just brought Her Majesty’s token, saying someone is waiting at the gates," he said while handing the token over with both hands.

Eunuch Sun, who had been resting with his eyes closed, slowly opened them upon hearing the commotion.

He stood up, glanced at the inner palace guard, and then looked at the token, which prominently displayed the character "Xiao."

Seeing this, Eunuch Sun quickly took the token with both hands.

"Indeed, it is a token from our master. Please wait here while I report to Her Majesty," he said as he walked out through the side door.

After a few steps, he spotted Her Majesty the Empress, surrounded by a group of maids and old attendants, busy with something in the courtyard.

"This servant greets Her Majesty the Empress," Eunuch Sun performed a grand bow.

Her Majesty, gathering dew from the petals with the maids and attendants, paused upon hearing the sound.

"Please rise and speak, what news do you bring?" Though her words were formal, Xiao Zihan, as someone from the 21st century, always felt a bit awkward with such formalities.

Thus, she was quick to allow them to rise and reply at once.

Eunuch Sun, aware of Her Majesty’s approachable nature, only stood up after receiving permission, though he remained slightly bowed.

"Just now, an inner palace guard brought your token, reporting someone outside the city gates seeking an audience," he said, presenting the token with both hands.

The maid, catching a glance from Xiao Zihan, immediately took the token from Eunuch Sun and presented it to Xiao Zihan.

Xiao Zihan examined the token. Her tokens were numbered, with records of who each was given to.

The token read number 14. Recalling in her mind, with her excellent memory, she naturally remembered who had come.

"Please inform the guards to bring the visitor to await outside the Hall of Diligent Government," Xiao Zihan instructed, looking at Eunuch Sun.

"Yes, I will go at once," said Eunuch Sun, who dared not delay, bowed his head, and exited to deliver the message.