Although Lin Wanyue didn't know what these imperial concubines were thinking, she still decided in her heart that she would definitely calculate their ages carefully next time she came.

Otherwise, given her five-year-old body, it would be too embarrassing for her to hear someone confess their feelings.

Qi Yuan was very nervous about Lin Wanyue's unexpected return and originally wanted to keep her for dinner before sending her back.

Unfortunately, Lin Wanyue refused and left after exchanging a few words with Qi Sichen.

"Uncle, does Wanwan hate me now?" Qi Yuan sat dejectedly in his chair.

"Hmph." Qi Sichen felt no sympathy for the guy's dejected appearance, only schadenfreude.

He tried his best to suppress the laughter that was about to break his smile and replied, "You must be overthinking it. Wanwan is still so young. How is she supposed to respond to you if you say those things to her?"

"But... but why won't she make me her empress? I'm willing to have only her as my empress for the rest of my life, and I don't want any other concubines! That way she won't suffer like my mother. I swear, I can do it!" Qi Yuan said, clenching his fist.

His father was too amorous, keeping so many women in his harem. And after his father's death, the only person who followed him was his mother!

In fact, the late emperor and empress dowager passed away early, so Qi Yuan didn't have many memories of these events.

However, he still deeply envied his mother's love for his father.

But it's clear that Lin Wanyue doesn't really love him.

Or perhaps she was too young and didn't understand love between men and women at all.

Qi Sichen almost burst out laughing when he heard his eleven-year-old nephew say these things, but he managed to keep a straight face and pinch his palms together to maintain a serious expression: "Your sister Wanwan is still so young, what does she know about being an empress? I'm afraid you've been scared. If you really like her, you should wait until she comes of age, right? If you can wait until then, will she have a better choice than you?"

It's like a fish being fished out of front of a kitten.

"..." Qi Yuan's eyes lit up immediately after hearing this. "That's right! Uncle, you're right. When she grows up, she'll know that I'm the best choice! I will always love her."

Qi Sichen didn't want to hear his nephew's youthful thoughts anymore, so he quickly made an excuse and hurried home.

He felt he should hurry up and train the people so he could retire as soon as possible; constantly deceiving people like this was really against his conscience.

...

After hurriedly bidding farewell to Qi Yuan, Lin Wanyue boarded the carriage to go home.

But when I passed by Jinbao Street, I saw that my own Lin's shop was still open, with a long line of people outside.

Lin Wanyue recalled that when this shop was originally located in the county town, it was the same, with many people queuing up.

She would tell fortunes under the tree in front of the shop, charging two or three coins, and chatting for a long time, figuring out almost everything that was going on in the whole county.

Looking back on those days, they were so much fun.

Although she had only been in heaven for two days before that day.

But that didn't stop her from feeling a little nostalgic. She jumped off the carriage and joined the queue.

Jinbao Street was still bustling. Apart from Lin's shop, which still offered good quality at low prices, the other shops were basically only affordable for wealthy families and were owned by many important figures.

But even in those luxurious shops, the people who actually did the work were still ordinary folks. They worked in those fancy restaurants where a plate of eggs could sell for ten taels of silver, but they couldn't afford the food there themselves. On the other hand, the food sold in Lin's Shop was of good quality and inexpensive. And for several years, the price hadn't increased by a single penny.

It used to cost three coins a serving of roasted sweet potato noodles, and it's still the same price now. If you add a few more things to it, the price will be higher, but you'll be full.

With such affordable prices, many people working on Jinbao Street line up around mealtimes.

Lin Wanyue stood at the back of the line, listening to their chatter, and couldn't help but smile.

Some people were curious about her: "Young lady, whose family are you from? Why are you here alone? Where are your servants? Why isn't anyone watching you?"

Lin Wanyue was wearing clothes made of the finest fabrics, clearly not something ordinary people like them could afford. She must be a young lady from a wealthy family who had secretly run away to play.

"I was a little hungry, so I came to buy something to eat because of the delicious smell," Lin Wanyue replied with a smile.

Those people enthusiastically recommended: "Little girl, you haven't tried this before, have you? Their roasted sweet potato noodles are their signature dish, and you can add all sorts of things to them. Even if you add a 'family feast,' it won't cost more than twelve coins. Although the price is cheap, the food is clean. My whole family loves it! The ones we make at home never taste the same. It's always better to come here."

Lin Wanyue felt increasingly pleased as she listened to others praising her family's products, and she nodded repeatedly.

I think their praise is absolutely right!

After waiting in line for a while, it was her turn.

Now, the affairs of the Lin family's shop are basically handled by Wang Youcai.

Wang Youcai was quick-witted and had some talent in business. The kitchen and shop employed servants from the Lin family, who had received guidance from Master Lin and Madam Lin. They were efficient and clean, and had excellent control over the taste.

The vendors in front were two young girls who were only seventeen or eighteen years old. They had sweet voices, were pretty, and bought things quickly.

However, the two young girls selling goods did not recognize Lin Wanyue.

Lin Wanyue didn't recognize them either.

Just as Lin Wanyue was about to pay for her things, she felt someone grab the back of her neck!

She struggled desperately, kicking back twice, and turned her head to see which blind fool dared to bully her!

She has a lot of magical power with her this time!

Lin Wanyue huffed and puffed, then turned around and saw her second brother's smug face.

The young girl selling goods greeted him sweetly, "Second Young Master, what brings you here?"

"Second Young Master, this is our guest!" another person said somewhat flusteredly.

Lin Zheyun pulled Lin Wanyue into his arms, snatched the roasted sweet potato skin she had just received, and stuffed it into his mouth without any hesitation, saying as he ate, "What are you doing? If you want to eat this, you might as well go home!"

Lin Wanyue stared blankly at Lin Zheyun, who was wearing sturdy leather armor and sporting a large beard. If it weren't for the similarity in his voice, he would really look like a young general capable of conquering battlefields.

"Second brother, why are you still wearing this? And you stole my roasted sweet potato skins!" Lin Wanyue puffed out her cheeks in anger as she saw him eating with increasing gusto.