After spending about seven days in the military camp, Zhong Muyu finally completed all her tasks, even though she didn't do much of the work.

When she returned, the soldiers came to see her off. Knowing that she loved roasted venison, they specially hunted a deer for her. Zhong Muyu thanked them all and then got into the carriage.

She was stunned when she saw the person sitting upright in the carriage.

Lu Ziyuan was resting with his eyes closed when he saw Zhong Muyu come up. He only uttered one word: "Sit."

What are you doing here?

"I've finished my business at the military camp and am heading back to the city. It just so happens that we're going the same way."

"On the way... how could it be such a coincidence?"

Zhong Muyu muttered something and silently sat down next to him.

This Lu Ziyuan really went to great lengths to cultivate a relationship with her.

If he were a normal person, with his status and looks, he would definitely be a tall, rich, and handsome man, and Zhong Muyu would be eager to be with him. Unfortunately, this guy can't judge people well, and he also has a scheming woman at home.

It's normal for wealthy families to have multiple wives and concubines, but as a person in modern society, she simply couldn't stand being jealous and vying for the affections of a group of women.

She had already made up her mind. Once she had made enough money and established a stable foundation, she would break up with Lu Ziyuan, even at the cost of her reputation, and go to a place where no one knew her to start over.

Lu Ziyuan was unaware of Zhong Muyu's thoughts. At the moment, he didn't want to think about anything else; he just wanted to hold onto Zhong Muyu tightly and follow her wherever she went.

The carriage entered the city and stopped at the entrance of the Prince of Ling's residence. Zhiyu lifted the curtain and said, "Your Highness, we have arrived at the residence."

"We won't go back to the Prince's residence; we'll go with the Princess."

Zhong Muyu was shocked: "Are you kidding me!"

"I have already made up my mind. Wherever the princess is, I will be there. Wherever the princess does not go, I will not go either."

They're surprisingly persistent.

Zhong Muyu's not-so-large brain began to work at high speed.

Soon, Zhong Muyu revealed a slightly sinister smile: "Sure, but Your Highness shouldn't regret it later."

Her smile was never a good sign, but Lu Ziyuan was already prepared.

"Having made the decision, what is there to regret?"

"Okay, let's go to the restaurant."

Zhong Muyu smiled and called to the driver. Under Zhiyu's puzzled gaze, the two arrived at Linggang Restaurant.

The restaurant was operating as usual and business was booming. When the two returned, only Sister-in-law Liu came out to greet them; everyone else was busy at the front.

Sipping fresh tea, Lu Ziyuan said, "You still don't have enough people here. Why don't you transfer a few people from the Prince's Mansion? That would make things easier for you."

Only after Lu Ziyuan said that did Zhong Muyu remember the "dowry" she had left in the Prince's mansion.

"Are Qiao'er and the others... alright?"

"They're all in Xinxiang Courtyard. I told the housekeeper not to let anyone disturb them."

Zhong Muyu didn't say anything more. Although these maids were considered part of the dowry and were handled like commodities, Zhong Muyu still couldn't treat them as commodities.

At this moment, Sister-in-law Liu brought over two bowls of hot porridge: "Your Highness and Princess must be tired from your journey, please have something to eat."

Zhong Muyu said, "Thank you. You've been so busy before, and you still took care of us."

"What are you saying, Your Highness? How can this old servant leave the Prince and Your Highness here?"

Zhong Muyu thought for a moment: "So, right now there's only Fang Dazhuang as a full-time chef, and with Zaochun, that makes two people. Can they manage?"

"Your Highness, rest assured, Chef Fang's sister, Fang Wan, is also helping out in the kitchen now. Fang Wan doesn't want to entertain guests in the front hall, so Chef Fang has her stay in the back kitchen to help out. And let me tell you, she works very hard and her cooking skills are quite good, unlike our little girl, who is clumsy."

Sister-in-law Liu spoke highly of Fang Wan, which made Zhong Muyu want to see her immediately. So she stood up and said, "You speak very highly of her. I'll go see her."

"Oh! Fang Wan also really wants to meet the Princess. She would be very happy if you went to see her!"

Zhong Muyu turned to look at Lu Ziyuan: "Didn't you want to follow me? Your Highness, don't just stand around, come with me."

"Your Highness, this..."

Chengfeng and Zhiyu looked at Lu Ziyuan with difficulty.

Lu Ziyuan waved his hand: "It's alright. Zhiyu, go and bring today's official business to the restaurant. Chengfeng, you've worked here before, pick something you can do."

Everything was arranged perfectly.

Chengfeng said, "Then I'll go chop wood."

He couldn't think of anything else to do besides chopping wood, but no matter what he did, he would never entertain guests!

Lu Ziyuan followed Zhong Muyu to the kitchen, where he saw a petite girl bustling about, deftly washing vegetables and cutting meat.

"Your Highness! And His Highness!"

Early spring spotted them first and immediately ran over, wanting to hold Zhong Muyu's hand, but considering that her hands were still wet, she awkwardly let her hand fall.

"Yes, it's all done, so I came back. Is everything alright? Do you need any help?"

"No need, we have just the right number of people here. Our restaurant isn't very big, three people are enough."

Three?

"And of course, Fang Wan too!"

Early spring pulled Fang Wan closer. Upon seeing Zhong Muyu, Fang Wan was filled with excitement and immediately knelt down: "Thank you, Your Highness, for saving my life. I have no way to repay you but am willing to go through fire and water for you."

Zhong Muyu quickly pulled her up: "It was nothing, and I don't need you to go through fire and water for me. Tell me, are you happy like this now?"

Fang Wan nodded repeatedly: "I'm already very happy to cook with my brother."

"Then you can stay and work in the kitchen with your brother. I need a little cook like you!"

Zhong Muyu smiled and gently pinched her nose. Although she was only a year older than Fang Wan, Zhong Muyu looked more like a mother because of her figure and temperament.

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

“I can’t just sit here doing nothing. Now that you’re in the kitchen, I’ll go to the front and help Liu Fu collect the bills.”

Zhong Muyu strode out, with Lu Ziyuan following closely behind: "Then what should I do?"

"Wow! You're so ambitious. Then water the vegetable garden in the backyard first. Remember to water it sparingly, or you'll be held responsible if it drowns."

"Okay, okay."

Lu Ziyuan found it both funny and exasperating; Zhong Muyu had just acted like a little kitten with its claws outstretched.

However, the thought of her smiling and being enthusiastic towards others before leaving him left him with a bitter feeling.

Sure enough, they needed to select a few people from the Prince's mansion to help out at the restaurant.

...

The mealtime passed in the blink of an eye, and the previous rush seemed to have never happened. In the blink of an eye, the restaurant hall was empty.

After finishing the ledgers at the counter, Zhong Muyu went back to check the ledgers she had missed in the past two days, while Lu Ziyuan worked next to her. The two of them were in the same room, and for the first time, they felt a sense of peace and tranquility.

Fang Wan, who was passing by outside the window, saw this scene and couldn't help but smile: "The prince and princess have such a good relationship!"

"Yes, and she's very approachable, with no airs at all."

Liu Xiaoya was passing by carrying a basket of vegetables when she saw this seemingly perfect couple and felt quite envious.

However, they were interrupted by Zaochun before they could finish looking at it: "Hurry up and get on with your work, or Uncle Liu will scold you!"

Early Spring was also happy; it would be wonderful if the prince and princess could mend their relationship.