When Shaoyao arrived at Baixianglou, the owner was overjoyed to hear that the Prince's Mansion actually wanted their restaurant to be in charge of the banquet. His eyes narrowed into slits with delight. This was not just about making money. If they could serve the Prince well, Baixianglou would become famous. Many high-ranking officials and nobles would come to eat here in the future. Thinking of this, the owner was even happier, as if he could see himself becoming extremely wealthy in the future.

Seeing her boss lost in his daydream, Peony said, "I've already told you everything. Just get ready! You'll get your share of the rewards if you do a good job."

Then Peony remembered Ruan Meiying's instructions and said, "Since you already know, let me take your servants back and ask our master what dishes he wants to eat."

The shopkeeper nodded and said, "Yes, yes, I'll have someone go back with you."

The shopkeeper turned around and called out, "Xiao Liu, take the menu and go with this young lady to the Prince's residence."

Peony interrupted him, saying, "No need, just take the one surnamed Ruan."

The shopkeeper asked in confusion, "We don't have anyone named Ruan here!"

Peony frowned and said, "Impossible. Our master specifically instructed that the man surnamed Ruan should take the menu and come back with me. He also said that he had served me very well before."

The shopkeeper said, "Really? Oh! I remember now, we did have a man named Ruan here before, but he worked in the kitchen. I never let him serve guests, let alone important guests like you."

The shopkeeper then said, "How about this, come with me to the kitchen and I'll ask around for you."

Peony nodded. What could she do now? It was Ruan Meiying's fault for insisting on finding that fellow surnamed Ruan. She had already made a promise to Ruan Meiying, and if she didn't do a good job, how could she gain Ruan Meiying's favor in the future?

Then the shopkeeper brought Peony to the kitchen and asked the chef, "Chef Zhang, did that grocery shopping assistant surnamed Ruan go to serve the customers?" It turned out that this Chef Zhang was the chef who had asked Ruan Dafeng to serve the dishes earlier. He pulled the shopkeeper aside and replied, "He said he wanted to see the beauty, so I let him go. Did he get into some trouble?"

The shopkeeper said, "No, it's just that he's lucky enough to be remembered by the prince's concubine, who wants him to serve her. I remember he hasn't come for several days. I can only say that he doesn't have that kind of luck."

Chef Zhang said, "Yes, it's been a long time since I've seen him."

The shopkeeper had no choice but to say to Peony, "I'm sorry, that person did go to greet the guests earlier, but unfortunately he has already left."

Peony asked, "When they left, did they say why they left?"

The shopkeeper said, "He didn't say anything. He just left suddenly and didn't even ask me for my wages. I had no choice."

Peony said, "Since that's the case, then forget it. You can have someone else come back with me!"

Seeing that Ruan Dafeng had already left, Shaoyao had no choice but to take Xiao Liuzi back, intending to explain things to Ruan Meiying properly when they arrived, hoping that she wouldn't be disappointed in her.

Peony thought to herself, "That guy surnamed Ruan, of all times, left just when I was looking for him. Really."

Peony returned to the Prince's Mansion, and then took Xiao Liuzi to Ruan Meiying's room.

The maidservant beside Ruan Meiying woke her up and told her that Shaoyao had returned.