"Chu Chu... tell the coachman we're not returning to the Imperial Examination Hall yet... let's go to the East Market first."
"What are we going to the East Market for?"
Xiao Jin Yu sighed silently, gently placing his hand on Chu Chu's abdomen, his voice so tender it could melt her heart. "To get something good for you two to eat..."
"Alright!"
After passing through the red-lacquered memorial archway of the East Market, the carriage slowed down. Xiao Jin Yu occasionally lifted the cloth curtain to look outside until they reached the busiest central area of the market, where he lightly tapped the carriage wall to signal the driver to stop.
Only after getting off did Chu Chu notice the carriage had stopped in front of a restaurant whose entrance alone screamed extravagance.
During her previous visit to the capital for examinations, Chu Chu had scoured the streets for affordable eateries and inns. She had developed an eye for spotting which places in the capital were expensive and which were budget-friendly.
"Wang Ye..." Chu Chu turned to Xiao Jin Yu, who was waiting in his wheelchair for her to push him inside, and whispered, "Maybe we should go somewhere else."
Xiao Jin Yu looked slightly puzzled. "Why?"
Chu Chu pursed her lips and leaned close to his ear. "Wang Ye, this restaurant looks newer than all the surrounding shops. It must have cost a fortune to build, and the owner will definitely try to recoup those costs through the menu prices... And that golden plaque above - 'Lianli Lou'. Any restaurant in the capital with such a scholarly name is always terribly expensive!"
Listening to Chu Chu's earnest explanation, Xiao Jin Yu's smile deepened as he gazed with interest at the three elegantly calligraphed characters on the ebony plaque. "Chu Chu... don't you recognize this handwriting?"
"Ah?" Chu Chu looked up blankly, studying the characters with a furrowed brow for quite some time without seeing anything special. Suddenly, her eyes fell on the signature bearing the characters "Mao Yu." "Oh! Wang Ye, you wrote this!"
Xiao Jin Yu nodded gently, his smile carrying a rare touch of pride.
Chu Chu's face showed even more pride than his. "Wang Ye, I know why you wanted to eat here!"
Xiao Jin Yu raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Since you wrote their restaurant plaque, they must give you a discount!"
Xiao Jin Yu sighed silently, caught between amusement and exasperation. So in her eyes, his calligraphy masterpiece wasn't even worth the price of a meal...
The lunch rush had passed and dinner time hadn't arrived yet, leaving the restaurant quiet and peaceful. Their conversation at the entrance attracted a middle-aged woman who came forward with a bow and greeted them warmly. "Wang Ye, Imperial Concubine! Please come in!"
Taking a closer look, Chu Chu exclaimed in surprise, "Feng Yi!"
The former cook who used to wear coarse clothes and work amid kitchen smoke had transformed into the dignified appearance of a wealthy capital household lady. With light makeup and much rosier complexion than during their time in Shangyuan County, Chu Chu wouldn't have recognized her if not for her unchanged cheerful demeanor.
"Feng Yi, you look so beautiful!"
Feng Yi beamed with delight. "All thanks to the Imperial Concubine's blessings... I just had to tidy up a bit. Can't embarrass Wang Ye and the Imperial Concubine when dealing with customers!"
Chu Chu was momentarily confused by Feng Yi's words, then suddenly remembered the plaque above and turned to look at Xiao Jin Yu, who was smiling faintly. "Wang Ye, you named this establishment for Feng Yi, didn't you!"
Xiao Jin Yu nodded slightly, having thought she had completely forgotten...
Feng Yi smiled with squinted eyes, waving her hands repeatedly. "This isn't my establishment... it's Prince An Manor's business. I'm just managing the shop for Wang Ye!"Chu Chu widened her eyes, staring at Xiao Jin Yu’s calm and composed expression. "Wang Ye, this is your restaurant!"
Xiao Jin Yu didn’t answer, only turning to Feng Yi and saying, "Bring a few dishes to fill our stomachs..."
"Yes!"
"I want to eat Sweet and Sour Ribs!"
"Alright! I’ll make it for the Imperial Concubine right away!"
Feng Yi led the two to the innermost room on the first floor. As soon as they entered, she served two cups of hot tea, then closed the door and went out to attend to her tasks.
The room consisted of inner and outer chambers, fully furnished with tables, chairs, and a bed, all arranged with exquisite elegance.
Beside the spider plant stand in the corner was a bamboo couch, spread with a glossy white fox fur that looked both warm and soft. Chu Chu helped Xiao Jin Yu lie down on it, pulled over the light woolen blanket at the foot of the couch to cover him, and began massaging his stiff back and waist from sitting too long.
Chu Chu gazed delightedly at Xiao Jin Yu, who had closed his eyes to rest. "Wang Ye, you’re so wonderful."
Xiao Jin Yu, soothed by her massage, was too lazy to open his eyes. "What’s so wonderful..."
"The name you chose is wonderful!" Chu Chu smiled, pressing her lips together. "I know what 'Lian Li' means... You like me and want me to be your wife forever!"
Though the words were accurate and reflected Xiao Jin Yu’s feelings, hearing Chu Chu state it so bluntly made him blush with embarrassment. "Mm..."
"I’ve agreed to it!"
"Thank you..."
Under Chu Chu’s perfectly measured massage, Xiao Jin Yu drifted into a drowsy sleep. He didn’t know how long he had slept when a sudden sound of the door being forced open jolted him awake.
Chu Chu was also startled, springing up from beside the couch. She saw a beautiful woman with a vaguely familiar face storming in with a cold expression, followed by Feng Yi, who was flustered and angry after failing to stop her.
"Wang Ye, Imperial Concubine... this person..."
Xiao Jin Yu propped himself up slightly, his brow furrowing faintly. "It’s fine... attend to your duties."
"Yes..."
Feng Yi shot the woman a glare before retreating and closing the door.
With Chu Chu’s support, Xiao Jin Yu slowly sat up, looking at the intruding woman with a slight smile. "Shi Niang..."
Chu Chu suddenly remembered—this was the Pavilion Master of As Returning Pavilion, the one who even dared to scold Wang Ye!
Shi Niang swept a glance over the two, her peripheral vision catching the dishes that had been placed on the table at some point. Her gaze settled on a plate of lamb sliced as thin as a cicada’s wing, and she raised a delicate eyebrow, letting out a cold, almost self-directed snort. "So that brat’s hiding here..."
Xiao Jin Yu was slightly taken aback. "Who?"
"None of your business." Shi Niang sat down by the table on her own, her face icy as she stared at Xiao Jin Yu. "I’m only here to ask you one thing: Why has Xue Rucheng been imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison?"
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