This restaurant was called the Elegant Interest Pavilion, and Chu Zhao still had some impression of it—it was considered quite famous in the capital.
In that previous life, after Xiao Xun saved her, she had developed feelings for him. Using the excuse of expressing gratitude to see him, she spent several days inquiring about restaurants, staying up late researching which location would be best. The Elegant Interest Pavilion was ultimately listed as her top choice.
Of course, she never ended up going, as her uncle took the initiative to arrange a banquet at home.
In this life, she finally had the chance to come here. Chu Zhao looked the restaurant up and down—it truly was an excellent place for a meeting.
The restaurant was designed in a square layout, with all three floors featuring spacious open seating. There was a beautiful central hall that could be used for playing music, singing, dancing, or storytelling.
Since it was an open seating arrangement, the emphasis was on elegance and refinement. So why was it as bustling as a marketplace today?
Every seat was filled, and people kept streaming in from outside. The restaurant staff were stationed at the entrance, not to welcome guests but seemingly to screen them.
A Le was also surprised: "There weren’t this many people a few days ago."
A waiter approached, glanced at them, and waved dismissively: "Go on, no hawking allowed in our restaurant."
What nonsense! A Le glared: "I’m a maid out running errands for my household."
Why did he assume her attire was that of a street vendor!
What was going on? The waiter also glared but, busy as he was today, didn’t bother to argue with the girl: "This isn’t a market either. Out, out."
"Brother," Chu Zhao said with a smile, "we’re here to dine."
Though the girl was plainly dressed, her demeanor was certainly not that of a street vendor or a grocery-shopping maid. The waiter restrained his temper: "Do you have a reservation? Or are you accompanying someone?"
Although she could have directly mentioned Chu Ke’s name, it wasn’t necessary. She was just casually strolling by to see who Chu Ke was associating with. Waiting outside would allow her to observe just as well; going inside might even hinder her view.
"No," Chu Zhao said.
"Then I’m sorry," the waiter replied, "we’re full today."
As Chu Zhao was about to say something, a cough sounded behind her. She turned and saw Qi Leyun, whom she had met the other day, along with two other girls, entering.
Seeing them, the waiter hurriedly greeted with a smile, "Miss Qi, you’ve arrived."
Qi Leyun ignored Chu Zhao, looking around and exclaiming loudly, "It’s so crowded today! Good thing we reserved a table in advance."
The other two girls chimed in with laughter, "Even without a reservation, would Miss Qi ever lack a place to sit?"
A Le stared at them wide-eyed, but Chu Zhao said nothing. Qi Leyun and her two companions swept past her with haughty expressions, walking slowly as if to let Chu Zhao get a good look.
But then, some commotion broke out on the third floor. Qi Leyun and the others looked up, their previously dignified, elegant, and aloof demeanors instantly shifting.
"Look, look, I see him!"
"That sleeve—it must be him! The young master favors dark brocade robes."
"Let’s hurry, hurry!"
The three of them chattered excitedly, abandoning Chu Zhao as they cheerfully headed upstairs.
What were they looking at? Curious, Chu Zhao glanced upward. The seats near the central hall were all occupied, with silk curtains hanging down and the air filled with the scent of perfume and the sight of elegantly dressed figures.
The waiter stepped over, blocking her view: "Miss, we really are full. Please come earlier next time."
Chu Zhao gave an "oh" but didn’t mind, turning to leave when another voice sounded behind her.
"Miss Chu?"
Chu Zhao turned and saw Deng Yi, dressed in a slightly worn blue robe, walking in alone. Startled and then delighted, she quickly bowed: "Lord Deng."Was this girl afraid of him, or happy to see him? Her instinctive step back was genuine, but so was the smile on her face. Deng Yi nodded: "What brings you here?"
Chu Zhao said, "My brother is drinking here." She pointed upstairs. "I'm worried he might drink too much, so I came to check on him."
Would she actually care so much about this brother? More likely she came here to beat him up because he was drinking too much. Deng Yi asked, "Do you need to sneak in quietly?"
This was why it was best to be straightforward when talking to clever people. Chu Zhao nodded, her eyes blinking as she looked at him without speaking.
Deng Yi smiled. "Follow me." He walked up to the shop assistant. "Deng Yi, reservation for Room Ding Seventeen on the second floor. Miss Chu is with me."
The shop assistant hurriedly bowed and led the way. "Lord Deng, Miss Chu, this way please."
...
...
Qi Leyun and her two companions had already taken their seats on the highest third floor. This side was almost entirely occupied by young women. Though they kept their voices low, their chattering still created a lively atmosphere like orioles and swallows singing.
And nearly all of them were looking in one direction across the hall.
Qi Leyun's seat was poorly positioned, blocked by a corridor pillar, which made her quite unhappy. She was craning her neck and looking around when she suddenly spotted something on the stairs and patted the girl beside her. "Look, look!"
The other girl was also frustrated. "Look at what? I can't see anything."
"Look, it's Chu Zhao," Qi Leyun said.
Chu Zhao again! The two girls looked over and indeed saw Chu Zhao following behind a man in a blue gown as they ascended the stairs.
The man was tall and imposing, around thirty years old, with an aura that suggested he was no servant, though his clothing was quite ordinary.
"She won't play with us," one girl pouted. "Just look at the company she keeps."
The other girl suddenly exclaimed, "Never mind her! Look, Young Master Xie the Third is toasting someone!"
Qi Leyun and the girls immediately stood up. Across the way, blocked by the pillar, they could see several people approaching from elsewhere to speak with someone behind the pillar. That person stood up but didn't step out into the view of Qi Leyun and her companions. They only saw a hand extend, holding up a wine cup.
The hand was slender and pale, with dark sleeves gently swaying.
The wine cup was raised, then brought back to the lips. As the head tilted back, a pale chin came into view.
Qi Leyun and the girls clenched their hands, nearly crying out with joy.
They saw him, they saw him, they saw him!
...
...
Another sudden commotion erupted in the tavern, startling Chu Zhao. The stairs seemed to tremble, as if many people were stomping their feet simultaneously.
Puzzled, she looked around but saw nothing unusual—no strange people or objects, no storytellers or musicians, and no acrobatic performances either.
She glanced toward the third floor, where the crowd was particularly dense. Men and women sat separated on left and right sides, with many others milling about, chatting, laughing, and raising glasses. It looked like someone was hosting a grand banquet.
Deng Yi paid no attention to the excitement, leading Chu Zhao to a second-floor seat near the railing. He proactively asked the guiding shop assistant, "Do you know a certain Master Chu Ke? He's here today too. Where is he sitting? I'll—"
Before he could finish explaining what he intended with Chu Ke, the shop assistant replied with a smile, "Of course, of course, Master Chu Ke! The protégé of Minister Ouyang, learned and talented, accomplished at a young age. He's already overcome numerous challenges to secure an invitation to Third Prince's Spring Gazing Garden. Today's gathering is his treat—"Listening to the shop assistant's words, Deng Yi looked at Chu Zhao sitting opposite him and saw her pressing her fingers to her forehead with an expression of being unable to bear listening any longer—
She really ought to come over and give him a beating.
Deng Yi smiled and nodded: "I also came specifically to pay my respects to Young Master Chu Ke upon hearing this news, hoping to offer him a toast."
The shop assistant pointed across the room: "Well, your position is perfect—Young Master Chu Ke is right over there."
Both Deng Yi and Chu Zhao looked over and indeed saw a table of seven or eight young people, among whom the one speaking with great enthusiasm was precisely Chu Ke.
Deng Yi thanked the shop assistant and joked: "No wonder the restaurant is so lively today."
The shop assistant laughed heartily, his expression turning somewhat excited: "Yes, yes, but—actually not entirely. The reason it's so lively today is because there's—ahem, with the recent literary gatherings, the capital has simply become more crowded."
He seemed about to mention someone else but then remembered Deng Yi had said he came for Chu Ke, so it wouldn't be appropriate to bring up others. The shop assistant said no more and took his leave.
Deng Yi didn't mind and turned to Chu Zhao: "Miss Chu, you may sit here with me—it'll be more convenient for keeping an eye on Young Master Chu."
Chu Zhao thanked him: "Thank you, Lord Deng." Then, as if remembering something, she asked, "Lord Deng, do you have an appointment with someone?"
If so, her sitting here would be an intrusion.
Although she was also quite curious to see who Deng Yi was meeting—was it Xiao Xun? Someone from Prince Zhongshan's faction?
The girl's expression seemed somewhat tense. Deng Yi poured tea: "I came to deliver a gift. I just need to rush to pay the bill after others finish eating."
Ah? Chu Zhao stared at Deng Yi.
Deng Yi pushed a cup of tea toward her and smiled: "So, Miss Chu, feel free to sit as you please. No one else is joining me here."
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