Yi Ning pedaled down the steps and hopped off the carriage, looking up, feeling the sun's glare. Following Lu Jiaxue, she emerged from the alleyway into a vast Jiangnan garden. Strange rocks rose above the lake, and winding corridors connected three or four pavilions. It was exquisitely crafted, with gilded silver incense balls hanging from the curtains, and a faint aroma of incense permeated the air.

A man in his thirties or forties, dressed elegantly in a brown silk robe with floral patterns, came to greet them. He appeared to be a steward, and hurried over, saying respectfully, "It's rare for the governor to come here. Today is..."

Although he couldn't see Luo Yining's face standing behind him, he didn't ask any more questions.

"Is Cheng Lang here today?" Lu Jiaxue asked her.

The steward said, "Master Cheng is here. Please come this way, Commander-in-Chief."

Yining was speechless for a moment. Did all these people come here for no reason? She was a little interested. She wanted to see what kind of place this was.

Lu Jiaxue nodded and beckoned Yining to follow her. They entered a corridor flanked by corridor rooms. A maid pushed open one of them and walked inside. The decor was luxurious, with sandalwood furniture and a double-sided embroidered screen made entirely of Hangzhou silk. A jade bell and chime, varying in height, sat on an antique shelf as ornaments.

Yining spotted Cheng Lang sitting beside a small table, his eyes closed, resting. Two pretty maids stood beside him, waiting on him. The occupant of the other seat probably hadn't returned yet. He leaned against the pillow, waiting for someone, unassuming.

Yining turned her head away when she saw it.

Cheng Lang knew Lu Jiaxue was coming to see him, and the messenger had said he was bringing a young girl with him. He had no idea this girl was Luo Yining. Even with her veil covering her head, anyone familiar with her would have recognized her instantly.

He suddenly jumped up as if stung by a bee, coughed, and ordered the two maids: "You go down first."

Why would Lu Jiaxue bring Luo Yining here? And let her see him like this? Even if she had a vague idea about it before, she had never seen it with her own eyes. Cheng Lang didn't want to be seen like this in her eyes.

Even after she got married, he became more depressed.

He straightened his clothes and walked over, asking in a low voice: "Uncle, why did you bring cousin Yining here?"

Seeing his reaction, Lu Jiaxue assumed he was embarrassed in front of Luo Yining, so he didn't think much of it. He sat down on an armchair and pointed at Luo Yining: "Bring her here. I heard that several officials came here today to drink and discuss matters. Where are they now?"

Officials cannot only socialize in the court. Many friendships are still maintained over the wine table. Yining certainly knows this.

But she was still stunned. Who was he talking about?

"Luo Shenyuan and others are in Room No. 1." Cheng Lang said.

"Lead the way ahead." Lu Jiaxue pointed.

Luo Yining's heart sank. Did Lu Jiaxue bring him here to see... Luo Shenyuan? He seemed to have told her before leaving today that he was going out for drinks with some adults. If it was a social event, she had no interest in what Lu Jiaxue had brought her to see.

Cheng Lang and Lu Jiaxue walked in front. Luo Yining asked him, "Do you officials appointed by the imperial court like to come here?"

Most of the restaurants here are backed by the Qinhuai family, otherwise they would not be famous.

Lu Jiaxue glanced at her and said, "I don't come here often, but your cousin Cheng owns 30% of the property here, so he comes here often."

Cheng Lang coughed again and said with a smile, "When Emperor □□ founded the country, the capital was in ruins. The Emperor □□ even allocated funds to build the Qinghu Bridge to replenish the national treasury. Everyone knows my restaurant. It's registered with the government and is considered the most famous, so many people come here."

When he looked back at her, his expression was a little nervous, as if he had done something wrong, as if he was afraid that she would look down on him or be disappointed in him.

Still the same kid from back then.

Yi Ning sighed softly and shook her head, indicating that she shouldn't be bothered. Adults are different from children, and he's already grown up. These are his business, not hers. Besides, what's so improper about opening a restaurant? Isn't it just a place for playing musical instruments and singing? Compared to those brothels, it's the most serious place.

Cheng Lang turned around, led them upstairs, and had the servant unlock the door. Inside was a private room with a stunning view. From here, one could see the streets bathed in sunlight from rooftops, and further out, the moat.

Cheng Lang opened the window of the compartment and could see the scene in the next room, but it was obscured by the green ivy, making it vague. In the other room, someone heard that Governor Lu had arrived, and several people came to pay their respects. Yi Ning sat behind him, motionless. While they chatted and laughed, they looked at her calmly.

Yining didn't like this kind of staring, it felt like there was a sense of misunderstanding.

But Lu Jiaxue said nothing, so no one dared to move.

"It's time to read it." Lu Jiaxue suddenly whispered to her while drinking tea.

Yi Ning subconsciously glanced through the window. The room on the other side was clearly much larger, filled with quite a few people. They were likely court officials, high-ranking ones at that. Their faces felt vaguely familiar. Luo Shenyuan sat between them, leaning back in his armchair, drinking and chatting with them.

Inside, a famous opera singer played the huqin. Some people swayed their heads to listen, while others paid no attention, instead focusing on the chess and card games. Luo Yining watched quietly. The man next to him whispered to Luo Shenyuan, and he smiled in response. Yining recognized the man as the Minister of Works, as Luo Shenyuan had described him as "over sixty, with thinning hair and a stubbled beard." He was easily recognizable.

The audience applauded the actress after she finished. She must have been a renowned figure. She wore a blue-woven, gold-woven jacket, a plain white skirt, and a waistband slanted with a jingbu (silent step) embroidered with gold and jade, barely wide enough to fit within a hand. Her face, pale and elegant, was delicate and graceful, but were it not for her delicate, almost unattractive charm, one would hardly have known she was a famous actress.

After hearing the cheers, she stood up, bowed with a smile, and raised the wine cup from the high table to toast the guests. A maid came up to collect the zither cover.

Seeing her distinguished background, Cheng Lang said, "This lady Lianxi is famous for her erhu playing. She was originally a child from a poor family in Yangzhou, sold as a skinny horse and raised. I saw that she played the erhu well, so I asked her to make it her art. I charge a hundred taels of silver to hear her play a piece."

At this moment, Miss Lianxi got off the couch, took some wine from the maid's tray, and slowly walked over to Luo Shenyuan. She spoke softly, "I've heard of Lord Luo's great reputation, but this is the first time I've seen him. I offer a toast, Lord Luo, and I beg you to accept it."

Luo Shenyuan looked up at her.

,

Yi Ning suddenly felt a little afraid to look at it, and she turned her head to leave. However, Lu Jiaxue held her hand and said calmly, "Keep looking, what are you afraid of?"