Chapter 256 - 159: Traitors and Rebels

Capital City.

The brothers of the Big Fonts group fell in love with hot pot after trying it once. They kept talking about it in front of Han Lei, saying they even dreamed about eating hot pot.

Han Lei found it amusing and brought them to Lao Yilaao Hot Pot Restaurant for another round.

At this moment, everyone is sitting around in a private room at Lao Yilaao Hot Pot Restaurant, enjoying the hot pot, with the steam emitting a tempting aroma.

Everyone is engrossed in eating when Big Fatty pushes open the door and enters, looking quite excited.

"Sister-in-law, I found out!"

Without any manners, Big Fatty sits down heavily and grabs a piece of beef, stuffing it into his mouth.

"Princess Changle’s birthday is indeed on May 25th. Champion Marquis has decided to hold a grand birthday banquet at his home for her marriage prospects and is already sending invitations according to the invite list." Big Fatty said while eating.

Han Lei put down her chopsticks, her brows raised, showing interest.

"Oh? Still ten days away? The birthday banquet for Princess Changle is indeed held at the Champion Marquis’ residence?"

Big Fatty nods, swallows the meat, and continues, "Yes! I heard that the banquet is inviting all the royalty, noble families, and accomplished young people from the Capital City and nearby areas."

"That’s great." Han Lei nods slightly.

"Our family will surely be invited too. When the time comes, I’ll take you along, how about it?"

"That’s good! Uh..." Han Lei thought for a moment and then gently shook her head, "Forget it, I won’t go. Knowing this news is enough."

Big Fatty was taken aback, somewhat puzzled.

"Why not go? This is a rare opportunity to meet many important people! Didn’t you say you’ll give Princess Changle a big gift?"

Han Lei still firmly shook her head.

Mr. Zhang is Zhao Zun’s mentor, and she didn’t want to be involved with the Champion Marquis’ residence’s matters.

Han Lei smiled slightly and turned to gaze into Big Fatty’s eyes, with an unusually serious tone, "Big Fatty, promise me. On the day of the birthday banquet, you and your family shouldn’t stay at the Champion Marquis’ residence for too long. Leave early, okay?"

Big Fatty was stunned, "Sister-in-law, why?"

"Don’t ask. Just remember to find an excuse to leave early." Han Lei didn’t want to say much; the less Big Fatty knows about such things, the better.

"Oh! Okay! I got it."

Seeing that Han Lei didn’t want to say more, Big Fatty didn’t ask further. He trusted Zhao Zun, and naturally, he trusted Han Lei too.

When he agreed, Han Lei felt relieved and changed the subject.

"Big Fatty, when do you plan to go to Canzhou?" Han Lei asked.

Big Fatty stuffed another slice of mutton into his mouth before looking at Han Lei, "The shopkeeper is quite familiar now, I can go at any time. How about after Princess Changle’s birthday banquet?"

Han Lei lowered her eyes in thought and couldn’t help but urge.

"Can’t it be a bit earlier? There are many intriguing things in Canzhou that require you to handle them. If you go late, Canzhou’s development will be delayed."

Big Fatty’s eyes lit up instantly upon hearing "intriguing things," as if he had sniffed something fresh and interesting.

Especially when Han Lei said he was the only one who could handle it, he felt a sense of importance.

He leaned closer to Han Lei, eagerly asking, "Oh? What do you need me to do?"

Han Lei knew that Big Fatty was always curious about these new things, especially those opportunities where he could show off his skills.

She cleared her throat, with a tone of some expectation.

"I think people’s lives are too inconvenient now. Every day, carrying water for bathing and cooking is time-consuming and labor-intensive. I wonder if we can channel river water into every household to make water usage more convenient."

Big Fatty nodded repeatedly as he listened, with his eyes filled with even more excitement.

"Channel water into households? This idea is great! But, how to do it specifically?"

Seeing him so interested, Han Lei continued, "Also, I want to make some honeycomb coal stoves and produce honeycomb coal. This way, people won’t need to burn firewood for cooking, and they can keep warm in winter without freezing."

"Good! This idea is excellent!" Big Fatty slapped his leg in excitement, "If we can actually achieve that, it would truly be beneficial to the people!"

But, only for a moment, a look of difficulty appeared on his face.

"The idea is good, but... what does this stove look like? I’ve never seen it!"

Han Lei took out a roll of drawings from her sleeve and handed it to Big Fatty.

"These are the drawings, you can take them back and study them first. When you’re about to leave, I’ll give you more detailed instructions. The specific implementation depends on you to handle."