The atmosphere in the large restaurant suddenly became tense, as if a sword was about to be drawn.

Fu Lingshu was somewhat annoyed. She had been waiting for Lin Zixing here for the past few days, originally hoping to use Gu An'an to lure him over, but she never expected it to turn out like this.

If I had known it would turn out this way, I would have ignored everything she said.

However, it was too late to regret it.

Gu An'an, on the other hand, acted as if nothing had happened, as if she wasn't the one who had just said those words.

As the person turned to leave passed Bai Qiaoyin, a slight smile appeared on their face. "Manager Bai, long time no see. How have you been lately?"

Bai Qiaoyin's expression wasn't good. How could she be in a good mood after being threatened and killed at her door?

"I heard that Manager Bai is about to open a new store. I wish Manager Bai a booming business, lots of customers, and a fortune every day."

Upon hearing this, Bai Qiaoyin subconsciously glanced at Lin Zixing, only to see him deep in thought, his handsome face revealing little emotion.

She breathed a slight sigh of relief and was about to leave when she was called back, "What new store?"

"No, Manager Gu is joking with me. What kind of new store could I possibly open?"

Bai Qiaoyin didn't want to say anything. It was too late to back out now, so it was better to wait until there was no other way out before talking about it.

Otherwise, she always felt that the young master would stop her.

Just as Gu An'an asked, if a conflict were to arise between him and Gu An'an, the young master probably wouldn't help him.

This answer infuriated Bai Qiaoyin. Looking at Gu An'an, who was instructing the waiter, the woman's eyes were practically spitting fire. And just half a month, only half a month, and she would make sure Gu An'an wouldn't be smiling anymore.

"There are thirteen dishes and soup in total. Would you like some drinks, Madam?"

Gu An'an originally didn't want to drink, but since this was mainly a banquet for Sun Hanzhou, she said, "Do you have any Zhuangyuan Hong wine? If so, bring a bottle."

To bring good luck, we hope that Jiang Mingyi will achieve great success in the imperial examinations, and it would be even better if he could become the top scholar.

"Yes, yes, Madam, please rest assured, we have prepared the finest Zhuangyuanhong wine for you."

Gu An'an nodded. Apart from the unpleasant manager and slightly expensive prices, Taibai Restaurant was quite good. "Then I'll trouble you. I'll be there in about half an hour. You can ask the kitchen to prepare."

As he spoke, he slipped another small piece of silver to the waiter.

The waiter immediately became excited, "Alright, madam, don't worry, I guarantee it will be neither too early nor too late, and you'll be satisfied with your meal."

Gu An'an left satisfied; she still needed to go home.

This time, she traveled without hindrance, and thankfully no one tried to stop her. However, as she was leaving, Gu An'an heard Fu Lingshu's anxious voice, "Young Master Lin, aren't you worried about your sister?"

What happened to that imperial concubine in the palace?

When Gu An'an returned, Lin Zixing was nowhere to be seen in the restaurant. Fu Lingshu, however, was still there.

There were several exquisite dishes on the table, and nannies and maids were serving them.

Upon seeing Gu An'an approach, Fu Lingshu said softly, "Young Master Lin has returned to the capital."

He should have been born in that fertile land, but instead he was born in this small place, Anping County, which is really hard to understand.

"What does it matter to me where he is?" Gu An'an chuckled. "Waiter, bring some fruit first."

The waiter responded crisply and brought over four plates of various kinds of fruit.

"Wow, Mom, you're so generous today! Can I eat these fruits first?"

Jiang Mingxu's appetite was whetted. You see, he had only eaten a little bit this morning in order to eat this meal, and now his stomach was rumbling. How pitiful!

Gu An'an poked her youngest son's head. Both of the kids in the family were foodies. "Be careful, you might not have an appetite for delicious food later if you eat too much."

Jiang Mingxu wiped his hands. "It's alright, it's alright, I have two stomachs."

As she spoke, she picked up a piece of fruit and held it to Gu An'an's lips, saying, "Mother, eat first."

Seeing this, Chen Bei couldn't help but chuckle, "Mingxu is truly filial."

Jiang Mingxu said with a hint of smugness, "Do you need to tell me?"

Seeing that Gu An'an's expression changed slightly, the little boy quickly pushed the fruit plate in front of Chen Bei, "You eat too, don't be shy."

After saying that, he gave Gu An'an a sweet smile, indicating that he was not only filial but also loving to his brothers, even his half-brother Chen Bei.

Gu An'an rubbed her youngest son's head. "Eat slowly, don't choke."

Fu Lingshu coldly observed the three of them, and suddenly felt that they resembled a family of three, but she quickly dismissed the thought—

How is that possible?

Chen Bei was a scion of a prominent family. Even though he wasn't the eldest son and couldn't inherit his uncle's business like his elder brother Chen Yuan, he could still live a life of wealth and leisure.

How could someone of such background possibly have any connection with a common woman?

Besides, Gu An'an had been married before.

I was really overthinking things.

Fu Lingshu took a deep breath. "When is Abei planning to go to the capital? Princess Linglong has been talking about you for a long time. In a few years, when she comes of age, I will definitely come to your wedding."

Chen Bei was stunned by these words and didn't know how to respond.

Jiang Mingxu, however, became excited upon hearing this, "Wow, we can actually attend a wedding banquet! Brother Abei, can you call me? I love attending wedding banquets the most."

Chen Bei's expression was slightly unnatural. "It's all baseless. Mingxu, don't listen to her nonsense."

Jiang Mingxu looked slightly disappointed. "Is that so? I thought I'd be able to attend your wedding banquet. Mother, why don't you find a man to marry and have a wedding banquet? I want to attend a wedding banquet; wedding banquets are the best!"

Gu An'an, who was eating fruit, almost choked to death by those words.

Chen Bei quickly handed over a cup of tea, but couldn't stop smiling.

He rarely saw Sister Gu get into trouble, and now that he did, he found her exceptionally adorable. Moreover, it was wonderful that Mingxu could joke with Sister Gu so freely. How could he dare say such things to his father and mother?

"Sister Gu, Mingxu is so well-behaved and adorable, please just take it as innocent childish talk."

Wuji my foot!

Is the purpose of getting married simply to drink a cup of wedding wine?

"Jiang Mingxu, are you asking for a beating? Just wait till we get home, I'll teach you a lesson."

Jiang Mingxu immediately felt a pain in his bottom. His mother could hit him if she was really angry, though it was just a spanking.

But he's already a big kid, it's so embarrassing for her to spank him.

The Third Young Master Ming regretted it so much he was heartbroken. "Mother, how could you, an adult, hold a grudge against a child like me? Please don't take it to heart, please don't take it to heart."

Gu An'an gave a forced smile. "Heh. Now you're scared?"

It's too late.

When she gets home, I'll definitely give that brat a good talking to.

As for now, Gu An'an glanced at Fu Lingshu sitting not far away. How could she not know that this daughter of the Minister's family was causing trouble? She inexplicably brought up Chen Bei's marriage, but what did that have to do with her?

Does she really think she'll marry Chen Bei?

Gu An'an felt a chill run down her spine. She looked away and said, word by word, "You brat, remember this: your mother only takes in sons-in-law, not people."