7. Satisfaction

◎This little widow doesn't know whether to live or die◎

Chapter 7: Satisfaction

As dusk fell, the autumn wind grew stronger, bringing a cool breeze to the skin and bones. Jiang Qiuye had been busy all day and saw off the last guest.

Now that the number of customers has increased suddenly, the two waiters are already overwhelmed, so Jiang Qiuye and Jinhong also took on the work.

As profits grow, it's time to hire a few more workers.

"Sir, our shop is closed." The fat waiter, carrying a bucket, saw two men with outstanding temperament walking into the shop.

"No problem."

A familiar and clear voice sounded, and Jiang Qiuye was stunned. He turned to look at the two people at the door. He looked stunned, but smiled in his heart, thinking, I have waited for so long, and they are finally here.

Xiaopang was confused by these two words. Tian Qu, who was behind Ji Ci, added, "We have something to ask your boss."

Jiang Qiuye suppressed the waves in his heart and said calmly: "Xiaopang, this is His Royal Highness Prince Qi, you must not be rude."

"Your Highness Prince Qi, Qi, Qi, greetings to the Prince." Xiaopang was so frightened that he stuttered, and the water in the bucket in his hand spilled out, and he was at a loss as to what to do.

Ji Ci nodded slightly and looked at the young widow standing at the table. She was wearing a simple white cloth gown with large sleeves tied at her shoulders. She held a bowl and chopsticks in her hands, revealing her slender arms, which still bore fading scars. She seemed to be sweating from exhaustion, and a strand of hair had fallen from the wind and clung to her cheek.

It makes people feel a little pitiful.

Jiang Qiuye handed the bowl to Xiaopang and told him to go back to the kitchen. He removed the cloth tied around his shoulders, lowered his sleeves to cover his arms, and happily pranced over to Ji Ci. "Prince Jian...Why are you here at this hour? What's the important matter?"

Ji Ci ignored the word "Jian Xi" that Jiang Qiuye seemed to be about to blurt out, and stared at the arm hidden by the large sleeves.

What's the important matter... He suddenly felt as if his brain was not working properly and fell silent.

“…”

Jiang Qiuye: “…”

Tian Qu: “…”

After a long while, Ji Ci cleared his throat and said, "Tian Qu came here by himself last time to eat medicinal food. He thought it was delicious. Today, I was passing by on my way out of the palace, so I brought him here again. But... it looks like they're closed?"

In fact, he should have come to investigate whether the young widow had done anything suspicious. Taking Tian out for dinner was just a coincidence, and eating by himself was even more of a coincidence.

Tian Qu had a blank expression on his face. He swallowed his surprise back into his stomach, and his heart was filled with emotion.

It seems that the master still has some humanity towards his subordinates.

Although I only get one day off a month, I can't resist the high salary, good benefits and face.

Jiang Qiuye wore a sweet and innocent smile, revealing two shallow dimples, and said gently, "Brother Tianqu, what do you want to eat? Although we're closed, fortunately the kitchen is still cooking."

Ji Ci frowned slightly, rubbed his fingers, and fell silent again.

Tian Qu's face flushed, and he immediately stepped forward and said, "I had the partridge stewed with Polygonatum and Adenophora last time. Can I have it again this time?"

"Of course, I'll ask the kitchen to make it right away." Jiang Qiuye curled her lips and looked at Ji Ci with her peach blossom eyes, as charming as the autumn sun. "Then, Your Majesty, what would you like to eat?"

"Book......"

"Your Highness probably doesn't want to eat." Before Ji Ci could answer, Tian Qu answered first.

Not many people knew about Prince Qi's anorexia, but Tian Qu, as his personal attendant, naturally understood. The prince never ate food from outside the palace, and even the meals prepared by the palace chef had to be supplemented with pills before he could swallow even a little.

Ji Ci turned his head to look at Tian Qu who was acting on his own, and felt his temples throbbing violently.

This person is so redundant!

"Why eat partridge so late at night? Make him some kidney-tonifying soup."

After saying that, he ignored the two of them and walked straight into Guihong Hall, found a seat by the window and sat down without saying anything else.

Heaven is gone, kidney deficiency?

Yes, the eye sockets and cheekbones are sunken and dark, just like someone who has indulged in excessive sexual activities.

This personal bodyguard of Prince Qi is not very good. How can he not do his job and indulge in pleasure all day long?

Jiang Qiuye stared at him with strange eyes, pulled the corners of his mouth helplessly, and went to the kitchen with light steps.

Tian Qu felt a little aggrieved, but his professional ethics made him expressionless. He could only quickly catch up with Ji Ci and stand quietly behind him.

I was complaining in my heart, why couldn't I eat partridge so late at night?

Finally, Jiang Qiuye served Tian a bowl of chestnut chicken soup.

Although Ji Ci didn't say anything, she still served him a bowl of medicinal food and a snack.

I am indeed a beautiful, kind-hearted and considerate little cotton-padded jacket.

Jiang Qiuye sat down opposite Ji Ci, blinked her peach blossom eyes, and looked at him in a daze for a moment.

"Is this... Aconite and Lamb Soup?"

"Yes, Your Highness. I remember when we were in the Ministry of Justice, Your Highness said this soup was delicious. This aconite and mutton soup is not on the menu at Guihongtang because the ingredients are poisonous and I am the only one who can make it. The chestnut chicken soup is made by the kitchen staff according to the recipe I taught, but this aconite and mutton soup is made by me personally."

Ji Ci looked at the bowl of clear mutton soup, with small pieces of mutton and some chopped green onions floating in it. The aroma was fragrant, and the appetite in his stomach began to churn.

Tian Qu frowned, thinking it was unbelievable, and looked at Jiang Qiuye opposite him in surprise. It turned out that the prince wanted to drink the soup made from the poisonous grass.

Miss Qiu is so sweet and thoughtful.

He took out the medicine bottle from his arms and was about to hand the pill to Ji Ci, but he saw the other party raise his hand to stop, slowly picked up the mutton soup, stirred it with a spoon and swallowed it.

The warm current flowed along the esophagus into the stomach. The autumn wind stopped outside the house. The red leaves of the two saplings swayed slightly after the residual wind, dancing along with the candlelight in Shengjing City at night.

Although winter is approaching, it is warm inside.

After drinking the whole bowl of aconite mutton soup, even taking all the mutton side dishes, Ji Ci picked up his chopsticks with the empty bowl in hand, savoring the taste.

It’s been a long time since I tasted delicious food.

The world's desires were to eat, drink, and have fun. He saw people with voracious appetites, squinting their eyes, stroking their full stomachs, and sighing with enjoyment after savoring delicious food. But since he was ten years old, he had never experienced the satisfaction of the first two words "eat and drink".

Until that day in the Ministry of Justice, and this bowl of mutton soup.

After a satisfying meal, Ji Ci seemed remarkably gentle, making it difficult to connect the scenes in the Ministry of Justice's prison with him. Food is the primary need of the people, and I wonder if it's the lack of that joy in life that creates his gloomy appearance. In reality, he was calm and peaceful, otherwise how could the "New Laws of the Great Jin" exist?

A pair of tender white hands pushed a snack in front of him, and a soft voice sounded: "Your Highness, try this fish cake. I added white atractylodes, hawthorn, poria and other herbs to the aconite mutton soup to help stimulate the appetite. This mutton soup can be considered an appetizer."

Ji Ci stared at the fish cakes in front of him in surprise. Although the mutton soup was delicious, he still had no interest in other food. He sighed secretly, curled his lips slightly, and waved his hand, saying, "No."

"Today, I would like to thank Madam Zhang for her hospitality."

Jiang Qiuye pursed her lips. It seemed that those few medicinal herbs were still not enough.

"Your Majesty, I have an unwelcome request."

"What is it?"

Jiang Qiuye paused and said, "Can you please not call me Madam Zhang? I've been married to Zhang Liang for only one day when such a tragedy happened. Even now, I still have nightmares about that night. The road ahead is long. I grew up in the remote Wuzhou, but I do understand a few things about being a woman. But inside, I really, really... wuwu."

"Your Highness, compared to being Madam Zhang or Zhang Liang's widow, I would rather be Qiu Ziye, and I would rather be myself. This is the original intention of opening this Guihong Hall."

Ji Ci turned the ring on his thumb and looked at the strong young widow in front of him. He did not answer Jiang Qiuye's words, but slowly stood up and said, "Let's go."

Tian Qu was eating chicken. After he came to his senses, he finished the chicken leg in a few bites, picked up his chopsticks, took out a few taels of silver and placed them on the corner of the table, nodded in thanks, and then quickly followed Ji Ci away.

Jiang Qiuye accepted the money somewhat listlessly, and ate the fish cakes that Ji Ci had not touched in a few bites. Finally, a hint of annoyance appeared in his eyes.

She has the list of spies and the city defense map. The one-month deadline is approaching, but she can't even enter the palace. How can she truly gain this person's trust?

What Jinhong said was not entirely unreasonable, but she had carefully observed that Prince Qi's mansion was surrounded by secret guards, making it impossible to sneak in quietly.

…

Duke Anguo showed up earlier than Jiang Qiuye had imagined. Despite her constant, though not too serious, provocations, she hadn't expected her adopted father to lose his patience after just a few days. He had disregarded his Duke status and appeared in person in the downtown area.

A paunchy, irritable man with wrinkled cheeks and eyes full of impatience, coupled with his lack of achievements and abilities. She really couldn't understand what Qiu Ziye's mother saw in him.

"Come back home with me now. Look at what you look like now. Don't embarrass yourself in public."

After the Duke of Anguo finished speaking, he stepped forward and tried to grab Jiang Qiuye's arm, but he missed and she dodged it calmly.

Seeing that Duke Anguo was about to get angry, Concubine Qian immediately stepped forward to hold him back, whispering, "Master, there are so many people from the market out there. We have a misunderstanding with the young lady. We can just talk it out."

Duke Anguo pointed at Jiang Qiuye, feeling very disappointed: "If this rebellious girl could do half of what you or Ying'er did, I would burn incense and pray to the Buddha."

Jiang Qiuye gritted her teeth. Seeing the spectators gathered around her, she hid the impatience in her eyes and said softly, "Guihong Hall has been too busy lately. I always want to go see Daddy as soon as I'm done, but it's always very late when I'm done. I'm afraid of disturbing Daddy and Auntie." In the blink of an eye, tears welled up in her eyes. "Dad, it's not that I don't want to go back. If I disturb you and Auntie, I'm afraid I'll be punished again. I almost died last time, and I'm afraid of the pain."

The scholars who were eating and writing inscriptions on the side gradually gathered together. Seeing Jiang Qiuye crying, they all started pointing fingers at Duke Anguo.

"Is this the Duke? This is the first time I see you in a place like this."

"I didn't expect that the family rules of the Duke of Anguo's mansion would actually include beating people to death. Doesn't this violate the new law?"

"There have been rumors in the past that Duke Anguo favored his concubine and killed her. It seems to be true."

"How can you actually use family law just because your own daughter disturbed the pleasure of the concubine?"

"You... stop talking nonsense outside. Isn't it wrong for me to ask you to go home and serve you?" The Duke of Anguo looked as if he had eaten feces, yellow with black.

This time, he was impeached in the court for excessively enforcing family discipline on Qiu Ziye. They accused him of disregarding the "New Laws of the Great Jin Dynasty" and brought up the incident of him favoring his concubine over his wife over a decade ago. As a result, he has been ordered to stay at home and has not been able to attend court for many days.

Today, the Duke's Mansion has fallen to the bottom of decline. It has been living on the wealth inherited from its ancestors. It never speaks in the court, has no real power, and does not have the dignity of its predecessors. It is like a piece of seemingly gorgeous old wood.

Everyone in the court knew that his Anguo Mansion was just a piece of paper, and he usually had to bow and scrape to those of lower rank than himself. Now that he had been impeached, the court had to avoid him even more, and his reputation was completely gone.

Originally, this was not a big deal. Family rules were the family's business. Although the flogging was too severe last time, once Prince Qi reported it, he put the already trembling prince into dire straits.

He thought that all this was caused by this rebellious girl, and he was so angry that he urged her to return home again and again.

Firstly, I wanted to teach her a lesson. It is already disgraceful for a girl to show her face in public.

Secondly, she seemed to have connections with Prince Qi. If she could plead for him, he could return to court soon.

Duke Anguo's face flushed red, unable to utter any more words. Concubine Qian supported Duke Anguo and advised, "My dear, your father wants you to return home because he's worried that you won't have enough food and clothing to eat and wear alone. There's no such thing as an overnight grudge between father and daughter."

"Your father has been worried about you these past few days, and his hair has turned a little gray."

Jiang Qiuye glanced at the Duke of Anguo's large head and actually saw some white hair. However, she didn't believe that he was worried about her hair turning gray; he was probably worried about his own reputation.

Glancing at the onlookers around her, she finally lost her patience to get entangled with this family due to the glaring sun. She stepped forward and pretended to comfort them, holding onto Duke Anguo's arm and whispering a few words softly.

Duke Anguo instantly exploded, shouting, "Rebellious girl! I'm going to have your shop smashed up right now! Someone come!"

Jiang Qiuye took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears and said intermittently: "Ah, Dad, this shop is the result of my daughter's hard work."

"You've been showing up in public all day, so today I'm taking you home and locking you up. Come on, smash it!"

Several servants stepped forward and were about to start when Jiang Qiuye spoke again: "Father, this shop belongs to His Royal Highness Prince Qi..."

As if something had slipped out, Jiang Qiuye stopped talking halfway through, with panic and shyness in her eyes.

Duke Anguo's eyes turned and he immediately ordered the servants to stop. He had no idea what the relationship between her and Prince Qi was, nor did he know that the dowry had actually been returned to Jiang Qiuye long ago.

This rebellious girl is now a bird out of the cage, and His Royal Highness Prince Qi is someone he absolutely cannot afford to offend.

Judging from what she just said, this store is most likely owned by Prince Qi, otherwise how could this rebellious girl have the money to buy such a location.

But, this rebellious girl actually knew...

How could she, how could she, how dare she threaten with this.

Seeing this, Concubine Qian could only step forward to find a way out for Duke Anguo, "Master, the eldest daughter has already married. Since she really wants to live alone outside, why don't we help her? Young Master Huo is coming to visit Ying'er today, so we have to go back early and don't keep him waiting in vain."

Upon hearing this, Duke Anguo suppressed the murderous intent in his eyes and tried to calm down. Young Master Huo and his second daughter were about to get engaged, and now that he had gotten into this mess, the most important thing was to make sure that the Huo family arranged this marriage properly.

After the guests left, Jiang Qiuye apologized to them and gave each of them a serving of jujube soup. After this incident, Jiang Qiuye's Guihongtang became famous.

It can be said to be a blessing in disguise.

Someone curiously stepped forward and asked, "Boss, so this Guihong Hall was actually established by Prince Qi?"

A maidservant beside him interjected, "Of course it must be. The last time I passed by, I saw Prince Qi dining in Guihong Hall."

Jiang Qiuye was stunned and didn't answer them. She just walked away with a blushing face. This time, she looked shy and tacitly agreed with what everyone said.

Those with good reputations praised this woman for her gentleness and virtue, and said that the food at Guihongtang was extremely delicious.

Some people also say that Guihong Hall actually belongs to Prince Qi.

Later, the rumor spread from one person to ten, and from ten to a hundred, from saying that Qiu Ziye and King Qi had partnered to open a herbal medicine restaurant, to saying that Qiu Ziye and King Qi had a close relationship, and then to saying that Qiu Ziye was actually King Qi's concubine, and that King Qi had taken possession of a widow.

The outrageous rumors reached Ji Ci's ears, and it turned out that Qiu Ziye and King Qi actually had an illegitimate child. In order to monopolize the beauty, he secretly sent someone to kill Qiu Ziye's husband.

When Ji Ci heard this, his good temper disappeared instantly. This little widow doesn't know whether she lives or dies.

He slammed the bamboo slips in his hand onto the desk and angrily asked, "Where's Qiu Ziye? Where is he now?"

Tian Qu had never expected the rumors to be so true, and had never seen Ji Ci so angry before. He said, "I have been in Guihong Hall all these days."

"Go to Guihong Hall."

Tianqu immediately grabbed his cloak and followed, "Your Highness, it's getting late, Guihongtang is closed."

"Go to Guihong Hall!"

"yes."

The author has something to say:

Jiang Qiuye: It is said that to win a man’s heart, you must first win his stomach.

Ji Ci: How many men has this young widow hung herself on?