Chapter 12

Ning Qingxi was stunned for a moment, then turned and went out the door, letting out a soft sigh.

This is terrifying aesthetic sense...

Huo Yanci, who was waiting outside the door, asked, "Why are you sighing? Is there something you're unhappy about?"

"No, it's fine," Ning Qingxi said. "We've seen enough, shall we head back?"

"become."

Huo Yanci silently put the land deed and house deed into her sleeve pocket, then turned and said, "On this joyous occasion, you still owe me a meal. When are you going to treat me?"

"..." Ning Qingxi: "Please, please, please, let's go now! Take a look at which restaurant catches your eye, let's go there right now!"

Huo Yanci unfurled her fan with a whoosh, creating a breeze in the dead of winter. Seeing this, Ning Qingxi tugged at her cloak, wrapping herself up even tighter.

The location is excellent, with easy access to all directions. Huo Yanci seemed to know the area very well, and after several turns, she found a small restaurant: "Let's eat here."

Ning Qingxi looked up.

The shop was small and had no sign or plaque. At first glance, you couldn't tell what kind of restaurant it was; only the aroma of salty and spicy food kept wafting out.

Upon entering, one sees the restaurant is bustling with business, every seat is occupied, and each seat has a brass pot boiling, with many plates of fruits, meats and vegetables on the side.

A servant led them up to the second floor from an inconspicuous corner. The wooden floorboards creaked under their feet. As they walked, Huo Yanci introduced the place, saying, "This place hasn't been open for long. I heard it's a new thing that came from the north. It's warming to eat in winter."

Ning Qingxi followed behind and nodded silently.

Absolutely! Who could resist a steaming hot pot on a cold winter's day?

There was a table by the window on the second floor, and they sat there. It was a bit cold, but the steamy atmosphere of the shop made them feel much clearer-headed.

Ning Qingxi took off his cloak and listened to Huo Yanci order the dishes. He ordered a few meat dishes that were sure to be good, and then turned to Ning Qingxi for his opinion in a gentlemanly manner.

Ning Qingxi waved her hand dismissively, saying, "The host decides what the guest prefers, you decide... But speaking of which, do you have any wine?"

She hadn't drunk alcohol in a long time and missed it quite a bit. Her university thesis was about making wine, and during that period she became addicted to drinking. Not much, but she craved it a lot.

The servant replied, "Yes, we do. It's all homemade wine, and it's not very strong."

Ning Qingxi naturally knew that the alcohol content of grain liquor after brewing was probably only around ten or twenty degrees. After being distilled into vodka, known as "the water of life," the alcohol content would not be very high, and it would fluctuate with temperature.

She nodded and continued, "Do you have any juice? Like hawthorn juice?"

"……have."

Ning Qingxi said with satisfaction, "Very good, give me a jar of both wine and juice."

As the servant left, he gave her a complicated look.

Ning Qingxi didn't care at all. She picked up a rag and wiped the table again, saying as she did so, "I'll mix a really good wine. I guarantee you'll love it!"

"No need, I'm not worthy of it, you can drink it yourself."

Ning Qingxi looked up and saw Huo Yanci's disgusted expression. She scoffed, "Tasteless."

Having tasted all the fine wines of the capital, Huo Yanci was speechless.

The restaurant serves food extremely quickly. Before long, a copper hot pot was brought out. Underneath the pot was a small space containing glowing charcoal. Below that were three slender, flat legs supporting the pot. When it was served, the red broth with chili peppers was bubbling and boiling, and the spicy and stimulating aroma made one's mouth water.

Ning Qingxi belatedly realized she was really hungry, and as soon as the large platters of meat were served, she dumped them all into them.

Huo Yanci looked at the meat that was about to overflow: "...So hungry?"

"What do you know? True happiness comes from eating meat in big chunks!"

As we were talking, the drinks arrived, along with two small black ceramic bowls.

Ning Qingxi reached out and took the two jars, pouring them into a bowl in a 1:1 ratio. The sweet and sour taste of hawthorn mingled with the alcohol, creating a wonderful sensation.

Overwhelmed by the warm and cozy aroma, Huo Yanci seemed a little tipsy. Seeing her preparing the food, she handed her own bowl forward, the meaning of which was self-evident.

"Oh, didn't you say you weren't going to drink?" Ning Qingxi teased, handing over her own bowl, then taking his bowl, mixing a drink, and placing it in front of her.

Just then, the meat in the pot changed color, curled up, and emitted a fragrant aroma.

Ning Qingxi asked for a slotted spoon and scooped a large spoonful of meat and chili peppers from the pot. She took a big bite, and with the sweet and sour wine, she squinted her eyes in satisfaction.

Huo Yanci chuckled and picked up a piece of meat with her chopsticks: "Is it really that delicious?"

“You don’t understand. When you’re too rich, you lose the most primal joys,” Ning Qingxi looked at him and smiled foolishly. “How about this, I’m willing to share the burden with you.”

"No need, I can bear the pain myself."

Ning Qingxi took another sip of wine: "When people are poor, eating a piece of meat is much more enjoyable than when they are rich. They are also more easily satisfied, so happiness comes exceptionally easily."

Huo Yanci looked like she thought, "Really?"

Ning Qingxi waved her hand: "You people who were born with a silver spoon in your mouth can't understand us."

Huo Yanci remained noncommittal: "Speaking of which, rich people have their own kind of happiness."

The happiness of the rich.

These words are obviously too easy for people to have wild ideas.

In an instant, all the social news that Ning Qingxi had read came crashing down on her, leaving her speechless for a moment.

Seeing her expression, Huo Yanci knew she was lost in thought, and said rather speechlessly, "What are you thinking about? I meant going out for a horse race!"

"..." Ning Qingxi, her thoughts exposed, was a little embarrassed: "Oh, it's a horse race, I thought it was a horse race..."

Huo Yanci picked up another piece of meat with her chopsticks and said unhurriedly, "Speaking of which, do you know who owns the largest racecourse in the entire capital?"

Ning Qingxi thought to herself, "Who could know? It certainly wouldn't be hers." She looked up, about to spout nonsense, when she noticed Huo Yanci's eyes shining strangely. A thought flashed through her mind, and she hesitated, "It wouldn't be yours, would it?"

"You guessed right!" Huo Yanci snapped her fingers, her tone tinged with pleasure. "My land was too remote, and I didn't know what to do with it, so I used it as a racecourse. Over time, it actually became the largest one."

That was a really hard question to answer, but he was in such high spirits that Ning Qingxi racked her brains to find a way to respond, trying not to let him fall flat on his face. After a long pause, she finally managed to ask, "So, who usually goes to your racecourse?"

"I'm good friends with most of the well-known playboys in the capital who love horse racing."

Ning Qingxi: "..."

Well done, this person's ability to end a conversation is truly exceptional.

She completely gave up on continuing the conversation and started burying herself in her food.

However, Huo Yanci was displeased. She frowned and asked, "Why didn't you ask me if I could take you out to play?"

Ning Qingxi: "?"

When did she develop this need?

However, she felt that if she didn't ask, Huo Yanci would definitely be embarrassed. Damn it, she had to make an embarrassing mistake for others. Ning Qingxi swallowed what was in her mouth and said sincerely, "Then can you take me to play?"

Huo Yanci was satisfied: "Okay, let's go play this afternoon."

Ning Qingxi: "..."

This person is clearly using tricks on people, and the thing is, she actually falls for it.

When it comes to eating, drinking, and having fun, Huo Yanci is more enthusiastic than anyone else. After dinner, he dragged Ning Qingxi home. Ning Qingxi stood at his door, looking at the grand gate and the three golden characters "Jingwang Mansion" on the plaque above: "Is it a little inappropriate for a lone man and woman to go to your house?"

Yes, Ning Qingxi chickened out.

The Zhang family mansion may be grand, but it still has to follow the rules. Unlike here, there are two side doors next to the main gate. And this is just the main gate; who knows what surprises await her after she goes in? If she makes a mistake, she might be laughed at for a year...

Huo Yanci didn't understand her roundabout thoughts, and turned her head in confusion, "How can it be a man and a woman alone? I have maids and boys at home."

Ning Qingxi: "Then let's go."

She stepped into the East Corner Gate with a resolute determination that Huo Yanci couldn't understand.

Because the door was closed, she dared not push it open.

Just as I stepped over the high threshold, I heard a soft laugh behind me: "Do you know the way? You're walking ahead of me?"

Ning Qingxi swallowed her anger and said, "Please come in. I don't know the way, so I'll wait outside."

After saying that, she actually stepped out the door.

"Just kidding, Miss Shen, feel free to wander around." Huo Yanci invited her inside.

Ning Qingxi remained unmoved.

Huo Yanci: "I came to get you your riding clothes. Are you going to change here?"

Ning Qingxi: "..."

Huo Yanci shamelessly continued, "If Miss Shen has no objections, I wouldn't mind having someone bring out a screen for you."

Ning Qingxi: "..."

She was spineless and gave in, following Huo Yanci into the room, listening to his smug remark: "It seems that Miss Ning doesn't really like changing clothes outside."

Ning Qingxi ignored him and followed along, glancing at his yard.

Huo Yanci's garden was clearly designed by a local garden designer, what he called an "old antique." The layout of the courtyard was square and orderly, but Huo Yanci probably wasn't very satisfied with it.

Ning Qingxi said, "Didn't you dislike old-fashioned designs for you? Why don't you have any backbone in this courtyard?"

Huo Yanci turned around, his expression unusually serious, and said, "Miss Ning, you need to understand something. I am, after all, a prince. Is it really appropriate for me to be doing all this?"

The courtyard upon entering was exceptionally formal, featuring a small pond with a white marble bridge over it. To the north was the reception hall, with the doors of the rooms on either side, their purpose unknown, tightly closed. The reception hall was quite spacious, with pathways leading to the back courtyard.

Huo Yanci didn't have much room for improvisation; he maintained a serious and formal style throughout. He strode forward, and Ning Qingxi had to jog to keep up, so she had no time to pay attention to the layout of the courtyard. They eventually stopped in a room full of horse tack.

Huo Yanci said with satisfaction, "These are the utensils I've collected from various places over the years. They come in all styles and sizes. Miss Ning, please choose for yourself."

Ning Qingxi: "...What exactly do you want me to choose?"

She couldn't understand anything at all, only that there was a saddle, a whip, and reins, and several black clothes were stacked on a cabinet next to it.

It looks so improper.

Huo Yanci clicked her tongue, her tone filled with disdain: "How come you still can't figure out how to play?"

However, despite his reluctance, he still found a set of clothes: "I don't have any women's clothes here, but I have some from when I was a kid, you can try them on."

After handing it to Ning Qingxi, he continued to think about what else he could use. After searching for a long time, he found that there was nothing. He was thinking of getting Ning Qingxi a set later. Ning Qingxi was a funny person, and he had to drag this person along with him. He turned around and found this funny person frowning and smelling the clothes close to his nose, looking disgusted.

Huo Yanci: "..."

This time she was truly hurt. Driven by a strange urge to salvage her pride, Huo Yanci angrily retorted, "Everything here is brand new! I haven't even worn them since they were made, they don't smell!"

Ning Qingxi touched her nose and looked around, her face saying, "I don't understand what you're saying."