Adachi Manyo had excellent eyesight – even ten paces away from Qin Yining, he could still clearly see the plea revealed in her gaze.

If it were just such a delicate and beautiful woman, he naturally wouldn’t make things difficult for her. But this woman had brought so many attendants with her, and moreover, they were from Southern Yan.

Many of their people went to Southern Yan to make a living – not just from their Mizusawa Domain, but from several neighboring domains as well. Some would earn an honest living in Southern Yan, but others engaged in bandit activities, giving Southern Yan people a poor impression of them. He didn’t know if these Southern Yan people would regard them as bandits, or if they had come to their country with other intentions.

Adachi Manyo narrowed his eyes, and his hand unconsciously moved to rest on the hilt of his sword.

Ji Yun beside Qin Yining suddenly tightened her grip on the arm she was supporting. Only when Qin Yining’s other hand, hidden beneath her robes, lightly pinched her thigh did she stop. Meanwhile, Qin Yining’s other hand behind her back gestured to those behind her.

Jingzhe, Liao Zhibing, Gao Delai, Ji Dashun and the others had originally become very tense seeing the Japanese man grip his sword. Their muscles were taut, ready to charge forward if necessary to protect the Princess Consort’s safety. But receiving Qin Yining’s signal, they forcibly suppressed those thoughts, tried their best to relax their bodies, and even managed to force relaxed, casual smiles onto their faces.

Qin Yining herself was completely relaxed, showing not the slightest defensive posture – since she didn’t know martial arts anyway, this was naturally her relaxed state.

After a brief test, Adachi Manyo discovered that the beautiful woman had no martial skills, and those behind her also appeared to be ordinary assistants. Perhaps they knew some basic fighting techniques, but overall, if they faced off against Mizusawa Domain’s two hundred-plus soldiers, their chances of victory were slim.

Thinking of this, Adachi Manyo calmed his mind. Since he also wanted to gain favor with the beauty – perhaps even get a chance for intimate contact – he put his smile back on his face, nodded and said: “Very well, Madam Yao. You and your subordinates may conduct business. Where are the goods you’ve brought? I need to inspect them first to ensure there’s nothing harmful to our Mizusawa Domain. If the goods are fine, you may proceed with trade.”

As Adachi Manyo spoke, he looked toward the tower ship docked at the port.

The tower ship was still relatively new and looked extremely impressive. To own such a tower ship and dress so luxuriously, this merchant must be someone of considerable wealth in Southern Yan.

Adachi Manyo had personally visited Southern Yan and witnessed the prosperity of the large cities there, as well as the lifestyle of wealthy merchant families.

They lived even more luxuriously than their Daimyo!

Never mind that Mizusawa Domain had over two hundred soldiers combined – those wealthy merchant households had over a hundred maids and servants alone.

Perhaps this Madam Yao came from such a wealthy merchant family.

Such a friend was worth cultivating.

This could bring him greater rewards – not just a chance for intimate contact.

Qin Yining’s face was full of smiles, her bright eyes reflecting the seaside sunlight. Combined with her pearl ornaments and luxurious clothing, they made her stunning beauty even more radiant. Her eyes seemed to contain stars as she looked at Adachi Manyo with a smile. While he was feeling intoxicated, she had already clearly observed the struggle and changes in his expression, as well as the calculation and ambition in his eyes.

Qin Yining felt a moment of anger.

But beyond the anger, she was also glad that today she had encountered a person in charge with such a character. When people had desires, they had weaknesses, which made them convenient for her to exploit. Otherwise, achieving her goals would be much more difficult.

She wouldn’t forget why she had traveled across the ocean to this place. What she wanted was to accomplish her purpose – she hadn’t come here to receive courteous treatment from a stranger.

Thinking of this, Qin Yining smiled and nodded: “Inspection is naturally acceptable. These are just some common daily items from Southern Yan – cosmetics and powder for women, clothing materials, as well as fine wine and preserved meat.”

As Qin Yining spoke, she smiled and turned to make a welcoming gesture, clearly inviting Adachi Manyo aboard to inspect the goods.

Adachi Manyo’s expression remained unchanged, but his heart skipped a beat. He stepped closer to Qin Yining’s side, taking in even more of this woman’s extraordinary beauty.

Qin Yining then led him toward the ship, signaling for Liao Zhibing and the others to wait in place while bringing only Ji Yun and Jingzhe with her.

Liao Zhibing, Ji Dashun and the others now had their hearts in their throats, secretly estimating whether Ji Yun and Jingzhe working together could restrain Adachi Manyo.

However, seeing that Qin Yining only had one man and one woman as attendants, Adachi Manyo felt reassured and followed her aboard. Watching her graceful silhouette as she boarded, his heart grew even more restless.

As his wooden clogs tapped against the wooden ship deck, Adachi Manyo’s broken Southern Yan speech came from behind.

“Madam Yao, how could your husband bear to let such a beautiful woman as yourself travel out to conduct business?”

Qin Yining’s steps didn’t change, but anger flashed across her face for an instant.

Such words from a man to her, a strange woman, already carried the intention of flirtation.

Even Ji Yun and Jingzhe almost turned around to subdue this person and apologize to the Princess Consort.

But Qin Yining was the first to turn around, smiling as she said: “Merchant families aren’t like those great households with so many rules. My husband and I both traveled out – he went north while I came here.”

“I see.” Adachi Manyo smiled: “It seems your family isn’t so strict in controlling women. When I was in Southern Yan, I rarely had opportunities to see wealthy women like yourself. They never went out – only commoner women would go out.”

Qin Yining smiled charmingly: “But I am a commoner woman.”

Seeing her up close, this woman’s appearance was even more soul-stirring. Adachi Manyo’s heart beat like a drum, more nervous than when competing in martial arts. He very much wanted to leave a better impression with this woman, and seeing how easygoing and talkative she was, she clearly didn’t dislike him either.

Qin Yining led Adachi Manyo to a ship cabin prepared in advance, containing goods specifically brought for this overseas journey. Just as she had said, they were all common Southern Yan items.

As for weapons and other items, they were on the other twenty-nine warships, still far from this location.

Wanting to leave a good impression with Qin Yining for future prospects, and with her accompanying him, Adachi Manyo only briefly inspected the goods in the boxes without checking other cabins. His burning gaze constantly fell on Qin Yining as he walked.

Ji Yun and Jingzhe were quite angered by Adachi Manyo’s disrespectful behavior, but since they currently had important matters to handle and couldn’t act, they could only follow orders.

Meanwhile, Liao Zhibing and the others stood on the wharf, anxiously watching the ship. Only when Qin Yining and her group safely emerged did they relax.

Returning to the wharf, Qin Yining smiled: “Master Adachi has completed his inspection. May we be permitted to conduct business here?”

Adachi Manyo smiled: “Madam Yao’s goods are fine. Our Mizusawa Domain welcomes distinguished guests from afar.” He moved closer to Qin Yining and lowered his voice: “Not only do I permit you to conduct business here, I’ll also help you find buyers. What does Madam Yao think?”