"Let me think about it."
Xiao Jingzhao was planning to release the results two days before the Mid-Autumn Festival. Jiang Shuyue was busy with the opening of her restaurant during those days, and he really couldn't bear to bother her.
"The Empress Dowager says she is unwell. Should we invite her to the palace to examine her pulse?" the Empress Dowager suggested.
"Mother, no! The women's clinic has many patients, and she also has several other female doctors with her. She's very busy," Xiao Dai hurriedly objected.
Then her phoenix eyes darted around, and an idea came to her. "Mother, have you forgotten the relationship between Sister Su Hui and Miss Jiang? Sister Su Hui calls her 'elder sister.' Now that my second sister and I have come to the capital, we should at least visit our relatives to get acquainted with them, right?"
"That's a good idea. You and Yun'er should go see her first. It would be even better if you could bring Sui Sui into the palace to stay for a few days." The Empress Dowager had already seen in Yan Nan that Jiang Shuyue was a reasonable woman.
To her surprise, the story her son told about making friends out of thin air was actually about himself.
After pondering for a moment, Xiao Jingzhao said, "I'll have Eunuch Ma prepare. We'll discuss the specific time later. Mother and sister, please have dinner first."
Just like before at the Prince's Mansion, Xiao Jingzhao showed his gentlest side to his family.
Xiao Jingzhao was overjoyed to learn that his elder brother had become engaged to a member of the Su family.
Jiang Shuyue regarded the Su family as her own, and unconsciously, he felt that he had taken a step closer to her.
Seeing that his mother had no objection, Xiao Jingzhao instructed Eunuch Ma, "Have someone bring Chang Le over for dinner."
A short while later, palace maids filed in carrying exquisite tableware.
As soon as the palace maids reached the corridor, they saw a charming young woman leading several other palace maids toward them.
"Greetings, Princess." The palace maid quickly curtsied.
Chang Le waved her hand, "No need for formalities." Then she continued walking forward.
The palace maids who came to greet her were dumbfounded. Princess Chang Le looked so much like the Emperor. What was most surprising was that the princess was able to find the right direction even before the maids led the way.
Little did they know, Chang Le was locating the dining room by the aroma.
"Mother, Your Majesty, elder sister, Yun'er overslept." She remembered the address and etiquette her elder sister had told her on the way, and bowed before even looking at the food on the table when she entered the dining room.
Looking up and scanning the surroundings, he didn't see Aunt Cai or his personal maid, Jing'er.
A palace maid brought hot water, and Chang Le washed her face and hands, instantly feeling refreshed.
"Yun'er, stop looking and come over for dinner. You didn't eat lunch properly, you must be starving!" the Empress Dowager called out.
Xiao Dai walked over, took her little hand, and sat her down in the seat below the Empress Dowager.
As soon as she sat down, a palace maid came up to serve her food.
Xiao Jingzhao noticed that she was looking at his dragon robe, as if she wanted to ask something but dared not say it.
He said gently, "You might not be used to it at first when you first arrive in the capital, but you'll get used to it gradually."
"Second brother, I found that portrait."
Chang Le felt a little guilty. If she didn't explain things clearly to her brother the emperor, she probably wouldn't be able to sleep well tonight.
Seeing her guilty look, Xiao Jingzhao's phoenix eyes curved into a smile. "Second brother didn't mean to blame you. Eat well. I'll tell you about Sui Sui's affairs sooner or later."
"Mmm!" Chang Le was starving. After taking a sip of hot tea, she buried her head in her rice.
After the meal, Xiao Jingzhao left Cining Palace. Chang Le eagerly pulled Xiao Dai aside and asked, "Big sister, what gift should I prepare for Sui Sui?"
When she learned during the meal that she would soon be able to see Sui Sui, she was so happy that she almost jumped for joy.
Xiao Dai, with her keen insight, seemed to have seen through her second brother's thoughts. She said, "We don't know what Sui Sui likes, but we can prepare a gift for Sister Jiang."
That night, Chang Le indeed stayed at Cining Palace.
...
Jiang Mansion.
After dinner, Su Nan took Sui Sui to walk the rabbits in the garden, Su Jin went back to the courtyard to read, and Nangong Zeyue talked to Jiang Shuyue about the restaurant in the flower hall.
"We weren't wrong about Hu Qing; he really does have some skills."
Jiang Shuyue smiled and said, "If he dared to come to Juxian Pavilion to recommend himself, he wouldn't have come if he didn't have some real skills."
Nangong Zeyue continued, "Today he personally inspected all parts of the restaurant. He instructed the craftsmen to finish the parts that needed to be touched up tomorrow. Then he called the chefs in the kitchen together to discuss how to launch the menu for the top scholar's banquet."
Jiang Shuyue's eyes lit up. "His idea coincides with mine. We should take advantage of the announcement of the results when we open our business."
"I wonder how the blacksmith's wheel is coming along. I'll have Gao Mu pick it up and deliver it to the restaurant tomorrow."
"I'd better go and take a look myself tomorrow. If there's anything wrong, the master can fix it in time." Jiang Shuyue said, turning her head to watch Qiuju trim the burnt-out wick from the candle.
The soft light illuminated her exquisite profile, captivating anyone who glanced at her.
Nangong Zeyue quickly looked away, picked up her teacup and drank it all in one gulp. She then stood up to say goodbye, saying, "There are many things to do before the restaurant opens. Hu Qing suggested that I stay at the restaurant with him temporarily. I will come back if I need to discuss anything with you."
“It’s inconvenient for you to stay in a restaurant. Would it be better to have the coachman pick you up and take you back to your residence every day?” Jiang Shuyue asked with concern.
Nangong Zeyue stopped at the door, turned around and revealed a carefree smile, "You're worried about me... having no one to take care of me at the restaurant? It's alright, I'll take a servant with me."
Before Jiang Shuyue could even react, the person had already disappeared like a whirlwind.
"What's wrong with this guy? Is it more comfortable in a restaurant than at home?"
Jiang Shuyue hadn't seen Nangong Zeyue act so unreliable in a long time. They were just having a good talk about things at the restaurant, so why did he suddenly bring up the idea of staying there?
Qiuju turned and walked to another candlestick. "Young Master Nangong has no wives or concubines at home. He has no ties, so it doesn't matter where he lives."
"If only he and Yutong could hit it off. They're a perfect match, and Yutong is understanding and not a dull or boring person. The two of them are like insulators; they have nothing to say to each other when they meet."
"Miss, what is an insulator?" Qiu Ju turned on another light, her eyes wide with questions.
"The so-called insulator is someone whose body instinctively rejects fate; even the God of Love descending to earth can't help them," Jiang Shuyue could only make up.
If she were to truthfully explain to Qiuju what an insulator is and that there is no electricity here, then she could only describe it as lightning.
Qiuju looked worried. "Miss, you're not an insulator too, are you?"
Qiuju really wanted to say, "You've seen all the good qualities of Young Master Nangong, why aren't you tempted?"
"No, my true love hasn't appeared yet, I have to wait a little longer."
Before the words were finished, the candlelight flickered in the room, and a tall figure appeared in the doorway.
Who are you waiting for?
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
Upon seeing that it was the Emperor, Qiuju hurriedly knelt down.
"Your Majesty, you have arrived. Why didn't you let anyone announce your arrival? I could have gone to the front hall to greet you." Jiang Shuyue said, rising and curtsying.
Xiao Jingzhao said "Rise" to Qiu Ju and then walked towards Jiang Shuyue.
"Our relationship doesn't need those formalities."
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