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After discussing the Taibai wine with Peng Gaofei, Fu Zhiqiao returned to the Yuelai Inn in the evening. As soon as she opened the door, she saw a familiar figure.

Fu Zhiqiao paused in her steps.

The door opened, and the setting sun shone directly into the room. Xie Zhuo was sitting at the table. Hearing the noise at the door, he stood up, as if he were bathed in golden light.

He wore a blue brocade robe, his black hair was fixed at the back of his head with a jade crown, and the hazy sunset made his facial features appear somewhat ethereal, adding a touch of desolation.

Yinxing came over and helped Fu Zhiqiao take off her cloak. She then brought over a basin of hot water, rolled up her sleeves, and soaked a cloth in it to wash Fu Zhiqiao's hands.

Ginkgo left the space for Fu Zhi Qiao and Xie Zhuo to talk, while she stood behind the screen to keep watch. This was an inn, and she couldn't let the young lady share a room with a man, lest rumors spread.

Xie Zhuo turned his head to look at Fu Zhi Qiao, a faint smile appearing on his lips, his gaze gentle.

Fu Zhiqiao asked, "How did you know I came to the capital?"

"And you're still talking! You've already arrived in the capital and you didn't even tell me!" Xie Zhuo was both happy and a little resentful: "Why didn't you tell me you were coming to the capital right away? I could have arranged for someone to pick you up."

Fu Zhi Qiao smiled and said, "I wanted to give you a surprise!"

She didn't tell Xie Zhuo about her trip to Beijing; she wasn't there specifically to see him. She had a more important plan: to open a restaurant.

Xie Zhuo's eyes flashed with suspicion, clearly indicating he didn't believe her words. However, he had only said it casually and wasn't genuinely complaining. He had finally managed to bring her to the capital, and in half a month he would be leading reinforcements and supplies to Liangzhou. The time they could spend together was dwindling, and he only wanted to cherish every day he could see her!

Xie Zhuo looked at the inn's environment and immediately said he would arrange a courtyard for her, but Fu Zhi Qiao refused. She was going to stay in the capital for a long time and would be more comfortable living in her own house.

Hearing that Fu Zhi Qiao had already found a place to stay, Xie Zhuo stopped insisting and handed her a stack of paper-like items.

"What is this?" Fu Zhiqiao took it and glanced at it. She found that the stack of papers were all land deeds, with shops all over the capital. One of the deeds was for a place on Zhuque Street.

Zhuque Street is the most prosperous street in the capital, where every inch of land is precious. The shops on this street are all doing booming business. If she opens her restaurant here, she will definitely not have to worry about the flow of customers in the future, and Taibai wine will become famous.

"Aren't you planning to open a restaurant? I happen to have some nice shops on my hands, why don't you pick one?"

Xie Zhuo was wealthy and generous. He gave her land deeds on Zhuque Street as soon as he made a move, letting her choose whatever she wanted, as if he were giving her an ordinary little trinket instead of a valuable land deed.

In Fu Zhiqiao's view, the power of the phrase "You pick one" is no less than that of "Swipe my card" in later generations.

"No, I can't accept it." Fu Zhiqiao was flattered and felt as if the stack of land deeds in her hands weighed a ton.

Xie Zhuo lowered his eyes, showing no intention of backing down, and said slowly, "There's no reason to take back what I've given away. I've given it to you, so just keep it!"

Xie Zhuo's words sounded like he was issuing an order that could not be disobeyed.

Fu Zhiqiao: ...

Xie Zhuo is a member of the royal family and has a noble status. Even a small amount of money he could easily give her would be enough to support her for several years. But it is precisely because of this that Fu Zhi Qiao cannot accept his kindness.

This is not the future; there is no concept of equality for all, nor are there any opportunities for free love.

In the rigidly hierarchical Wei Dynasty, there was an insurmountable chasm between merchants and aristocratic families. Even if she and Xie Zhuo were mutually in love, it didn't mean they would necessarily end up together.

Fu Zhiqiao handed the land deed back.

As the saying goes, "He who takes a man's money is bound to be grateful for his food." It's fine for two people to exchange gifts when they're dating, but giving them land deeds or houses is going too far.

Fu Zhi Qiao felt that her relationship with Xie Zhuo had not yet reached the point of being inseparable, and she could not take Xie Zhuo's kindness for granted.

The two were already at a disadvantage in terms of social status. If she were to accept Xie Zhuo's kindness without restraint, it would be tantamount to belittling herself. She did not want to let money or power interfere with their relationship.

Thinking of this, Fu Zhiqiao's gaze quickly fell on Xie Zhuo.

Xie Zhuo is really likable. Despite coming from a prominent family, he doesn't have the spoiled attitude often associated with scions of wealthy families.

She admitted that she was initially attracted to Xie Zhuo's appearance, but after getting to know him, she discovered that he had a sincere heart beneath his cold exterior.

If he wants to be good to someone, he will truly consider her in everything he does.

Fu Zhiqiao grew to like Xie Zhuoyue more and more.

Xie Zhuo frowned, his smile slowly freezing: "You don't want my things?"

Xie Zhuo didn't understand why Fu Zhi Qiao refused to accept the land deed. She wanted to establish herself in the capital. With the protection of the Prince's Mansion, she wouldn't dare to offend anyone, at least most people in the capital.

He was worried that Fu Zhiqiao, being new to the capital, wouldn't know how difficult it is to get around without power, so he rushed over to deliver the land deed to her, hoping to help her. But she refused without saying a word.

"No, I have my own money."

Xie Zhuo looked at Fu Zhi Qiao with a scrutinizing gaze, as if he could see through all her thoughts and pretenses. "You don't want to mix your business with mine?"

Having her little scheme exposed, Fu Zhi Qiao blushed slightly. She could only mumble, "I don't want to open a restaurant in your name, nor do I want to cause you any trouble."

"There's no need for such formalities between us." Xie Zhuo's already deep black eyes became even more profound at this moment.

“I’m not being polite with you. I just want to open a restaurant that is completely my own. I started Taibai Wine Shop all by myself. You know I have the ability to do this!” Fu Zhiqiao’s tone was gentle, but it carried an undeniable weight.

Xie Zhuo knew about her experience in Yuzhou, so he didn't say anything at the moment.

He wondered if Fu Zhi Qiao had lost her family property because women were not allowed to inherit it, and that was why she was now trying so hard to prove herself.

Suddenly, a bitter feeling welled up in his heart. If only he had met her sooner, he would never have let her suffer.

Seeing that Xie Zhuo wasn't in a very high mood, Fu Zhi Qiao quickly took his arm and changed the subject, saying, "Oh, I'll ask you for help when I need it. Let's not talk about this. Didn't you say you'd take me to see the autumn leaves when I come to the capital?"

After she finished speaking, she winked mischievously, and Xie Zhuo couldn't help but chuckle quietly when he saw it.

He already knew this back in Qingzhou. Fu Zhiqiao seemed gentle and kind, but she was actually a person of her word. This could be seen from her treatment of Yao Chengfang's family and her attitude towards Black Tiger Village.

Although Fu Zhi Qiao did not accept the land deed from Xie Zhuo, she currently needs his help with something.

She told Xie Zhuo about bringing a hundred jars of Taibai wine from Qingzhou, and Xie Zhuo quickly understood her meaning: "You want me to come and support you?"

Fu Zhi Qiao nodded. She came to the capital with the plan to open a restaurant. The first thing she needed to do was to promote her signature Taibai liquor, and hopefully attract the attention of the aristocratic class.

As the heir of Prince Duan, Xie Zhuo represented the nobility. If Taibai wine caught his eye, it was equivalent to catching the eye of the nobility.

The things used by nobles are certainly not of poor quality, so she can then naturally raise the price of Taibai liquor, which will be very beneficial for her to manipulate the price later.

Fu Zhiqiao asked, "When are you free? If you can't find the time, you can have Wang Qianxin come over."

This is Xie Zhuo's first time taking on the important task of reinforcements and transporting supplies. He personally handles everything, big and small. Tomorrow he needs to go to the Ministry of Works to apply for the production of a new batch of armor and weapons. The day after tomorrow he will take Fu Zhi Qiao to Jingxia Mountain to admire the maple leaves. The day after that he needs to check whether the soldiers' winter clothing is in place...

He pondered for a moment and replied, "I'm free before 9 AM three days from now."

Si Shi (9-11 AM)? That's just morning!

Fu Zhiqiao knew that Xie Zhuo had already gone to great lengths to make time for her, so she immediately expressed her gratitude with a long string of words.

Listening to Fu Zhi Qiao's sweet talk, Xie Zhuo nodded reservedly, but his back, which was leaning against the chair, straightened up almost imperceptibly.

The two then talked for a while longer.

As it grew increasingly late, Xie Zhuo decided not to linger at the inn and reluctantly returned home.

*

Not long after Xie Zhuo left, Defu returned and reported that he had found a suitable two-courtyard house. The main house had four rooms, two rooms each in the east and west wings, a kitchen, a storage room, and a row of rear rooms. There was also a livestock shed specifically for storing horse-drawn carriages. The rent was twenty taels of silver per month.

He had searched all over Beijing to find this courtyard. Having been by Fu Zhi Qiao's side for so long, he had come to understand her preferences.

Twenty taels of silver could rent a fine four-courtyard house in Qingzhou, but in the capital, it could only rent a small two-courtyard house in an average location.

Prices in Beijing are indeed much higher!

“Young lady, don’t be fooled by the high price of this house; it’s worth every penny!” Defu briefly explained the location and layout of the house.

Fu Zhi Qiao nodded; she had indeed said that when looking at houses, one should choose those in good locations.

After hearing Defu's report, Fu Zhiqiao went to see the house herself the next morning.

The house was located on Qintai Street, less than two kilometers from Zhuque Street. Although the courtyard was small, it had everything she needed. The area was small, but the location was good. She booked the house on the spot, signed the rental agreement with the broker, and paid six months' rent upfront.

After packing my luggage and checking out of the inn, I took a horse-drawn carriage to my newly rented house.

The old woman took Yinxing to the street to buy some necessities for daily life, and also hired two maids to do some chores like cleaning and sweeping.

Once everything was almost ready, Fu Zhi Qiao led her entourage to a restaurant for dinner. She chose Qiong Xian Lou, as Zhuque Street was the most bustling street in the capital, and Qiong Xian Lou was the most famous restaurant on Zhuque Street.

Yinxing's eyes widened in surprise. Seeing the undisguised anticipation in Fu Zhiqiao's eyes, she asked, "Really? Miss, we're going to eat here?"

"Of course it's true! Order whatever you want, don't worry about saving me money!"

"Yay!" Ginkgo cheered.

Granny Cui tapped Ginkgo's head helplessly: "You greedy girl, does the young lady not want you to have a bite to eat?"

Yinxing laughed and covered her forehead, muttering, "Grandma, this is my first time eating in such a big restaurant."

The waiter at the entrance of Qiongxianlou noticed them and came forward: "Please come in, sirs..."

Fu Zhi Qiao entered Qiong Xian Lou and looked around the lobby. There were still quite a few empty seats. Fu Zhi Qiao asked, "Are there any private rooms available?"

"Yes, please follow me, sir." The waiter became even more enthusiastic after hearing that she wanted a private room, because guests who wanted private rooms usually gave more tips than regular guests.

The waiter bent down and led them into a private room inside.

Fu Zhiqiao was preparing to open a restaurant, so she decided to take the opportunity to inquire about it. She asked casually, "I see your business is booming. Do you usually have this many customers?"

The waiter proudly said, "Sir, you may not know this, but Qiongxianlou is one of the top restaurants in the capital, and our head chef is a descendant of the imperial chefs..."

Upon arriving at the private room, the waiter waited for them to be seated and then asked, "What would you like to eat, sir?"

Fu Zhi Qiao said generously, "Bring me one of all your signature dishes!"

"Alright! Please wait a moment, sir." The waiter, beaming with delight, bowed and left.

After a while, the waiter brought in the dishes: "Fish-flavored crispy slices, shredded chicken and white fungus, swallow's nest soup, golden Buddha's hand, Longjing bamboo fungus..."

Eight dishes were served in total. Fu Zhi Qiao tasted each one. To be honest, the dishes at Qiong Xian Lou were very beautifully presented, but the taste was just above average and below average. There was nothing amazing about them.

In her opinion, the claim that Qiongxianlou was the best restaurant in the capital was a bit of an exaggeration.