A brilliant gleam flashed in Qin Yining’s bright eyes, then she smiled so widely her eyes curved into crescents: “In that case, I must thank Master Adachi even more. Please honor me by allowing this humble woman to treat you to a simple meal.”

Adachi Manyo was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly: “Madam Yao has traveled from afar – I should be the one treating you. You can leave your assistants here to transport the goods. Come with me for a look around.”

In his eagerness, Adachi Manyo’s tone became forceful and domineering, even making such a demand as “come for a look around.”

If not for having important matters to handle, and being able to distinguish between priorities, Qin Yining would have long since stopped wanting to deal with someone as domineering and inexplicably confident as Adachi Manyo.

However, arriving in a foreign land and encountering someone with weaknesses – wasn’t this a kind of fortune?

Qin Yining smiled slightly: “Since you’ve invited me, I was indeed hoping to walk around your honorable country.”

Adachi Manyo was delighted, secretly wondering if this beauty might also have some interest in him? Had she taken a liking to his tall, imposing figure? He straightened his back even more.

Qin Yining turned to instruct Liao Zhibing: “Manager Liao, please have your people transport the goods here.” She pointed to Gao Delai, Jingzhe, Ji Dashun, and Ji Yun: “You four come with me for a walk.”

If not for the presence of outsiders, Liao Zhibing would definitely have stopped Qin Yining, unwilling to let her go into the city. But since she had made her decision, he couldn’t be overly fussy lest it arouse Adachi Manyo’s suspicions.

Manager Liao smiled with an honest expression and nodded: “Please be at ease, boss.” He then directed the elite Tiger Guards and several other Silver-Faced agents that Qin Yining had brought: “Fellows, the boss has ordered us to unload the cargo. Everyone get busy!”

The group had no choice but to comply and transport the goods.

While admiring the beauty, Adachi Manyo hadn’t forgotten to observe carefully. Seeing everyone busily working with enthusiasm, his suspicions about this group were further reduced.

Qin Yining then followed Adachi Manyo away from the wharf, accompanied by Ji Yun, Gao Delai and the others.

With Adachi Manyo’s orders, the Mizusawa Domain soldiers at the wharf also returned to their bonfire to continue drinking and roasting meat, though their conversation had turned to the young woman who had just left with Master Adachi, and the goods on the wharf.

Moving away from the seaside and walking along a mountain path, they saw a large expanse of fields and orderly villages. At the end of the village, on a low hill, a somewhat impressive building could be faintly seen, with soldiers stationed around the hill.

“This is Mizusawa Domain.” Adachi Manyo’s tone was proud: “All this farmland belongs to us.” He pointed toward where the houses clustered: “That’s the marketplace.”

Qin Yining showed amazement in her eyes, though inwardly she scoffed – this place wasn’t even as large as Huichuan County, yet it could be called a domain? It seemed Master Liao hadn’t exaggerated last time.

Adachi Manyo walked ahead with Qin Yining, Ji Yun and the others following, with Adachi Manyo’s attendants bringing up the rear. The group, dressed luxuriously, slowly walked down the gentle slope along the path beside the fields toward the marketplace, attracting the attention of many farmers working in the fields.

Qin Yining noticed that most of those laboring in the fields were women wearing crossed-collar robes. They had bound their hair with cloth strips and used long fabric bands to tie up their wide sleeves and hems, exposing sturdy arms and calves as they bent over working barefoot in the fields. Most of the children wore no clothing, with only a few having vests. They ran about with their small bodies tanned dark by the sun, helping their families with tasks within their ability.

The air was filled with the fresh fragrance of grass, and she could faintly hear people conversing in a language she didn’t understand. From this view, everything here exuded quiet beauty.

This was Sakurako’s homeland.

Indeed, whether in Great Zhou or here, if one didn’t look at the ambitious rulers, the simple people were all lovable.

Qin Yining smiled as she observed the peaceful scenery around her. Adachi Manyo grew increasingly bold in directly studying Qin Yining’s appearance. Seeing her serene smile, he couldn’t help asking: “Does Madam Yao like it here?”

Qin Yining smiled: “Your country is very nice.”

Adachi Manyo laughed heartily with pleasure: “This is just the countryside. When we reach the marketplace, you’ll see even better things.”

Qin Yining only smiled and nodded.

Hearing Adachi Manyo’s laughter, nearby commoners bowed in respect. Seeing the strangely and luxuriously dressed foreign woman beside him, they thought she might be an honored guest of the Daimyo and all deeply lowered their heads.

Even though Qin Yining was a Princess Consort, she wasn’t accustomed to receiving such deep bows from elders and showed her discomfort.

This made Adachi Manyo even more certain that the woman before him was indeed just a wealthy merchant, not Southern Yan nobility. If she wasn’t nobility, she wouldn’t have any connection to the Southern Yan state, so they could more confidently accept these people conducting business in Mizusawa Domain.

The marketplace was indeed much livelier. The architectural style here differed from Great Zhou – most lattice doors were horizontal sliding doors. But aside from the different language, Qin Yining didn’t find the roadside vendors much different.

Adachi Manyo led Qin Yining to the largest tavern, first lifting the dark blue short curtain and turning to smile at Qin Yining: “Please enter, Madam Yao.”

Qin Yining smiled and nodded, following him inside.

Adachi Manyo removed his wooden clogs, stepped onto the wooden floor, and walked toward the interior while waiting for Qin Yining.

Qin Yining thought for a moment, then smiled and explained: “Please forgive me, Master Adachi. According to Southern Yan customs, women cannot casually remove their embroidered shoes when outside.”

Adachi Manyo naturally knew this rule. Though somewhat disappointed, he waved his hand magnanimously: “Madam Yao is a guest – please do as you’re comfortable.”

Qin Yining smiled and nodded, entering the tavern with Ji Yun and the others.

Gao Delai, Jingzhe and the others stood to one side of the main hall with Adachi Manyo’s attendants, while Ji Yun stayed close to Qin Yining’s side.

Seeing that Adachi Manyo had arrived, the proprietor immediately came forward to pay his respects with a very humble attitude. After Adachi Manyo exchanged a few words with him, the other customers in the tavern were successively asked to leave without complaint. Soon, the main hall became quiet.

Qin Yining came to a square table by the window and knelt down to sit. Adachi Manyo said a few more words to the proprietor, who responded to each point, bowed on his knees, and quickly withdrew.

Adachi Manyo sat cross-legged across from Qin Yining and smiled: “I’ve ordered some small dishes, taking the liberty of deciding for Madam Yao. You don’t mind, do you?”

Making decisions and then asking afterward?

Qin Yining smiled: “No matter. I’ve just eaten anyway and came here only to look around with Master Adachi.” Seeing Adachi Manyo’s eyes brighten intensely, Qin Yining inwardly sneered and put on a merchant’s demeanor: “I wonder where in the marketplace they purchase fabrics and tea, and where they conduct business in cosmetics and powder?”

Adachi Manyo was somewhat disappointed – so she was still thinking about business, not about spending time with him.

However, since this woman was a merchant with needs, he still had opportunities to win the beauty’s heart.