103 For her, I am happy
"Don't we live together?"
Seeing that he remained silent, Ye Yunzhao turned her head and looked into the distance. A sadness that she herself hadn't noticed was reflected between her brows. She murmured, "People are born equal. Maybe you don't believe it, but in my heart, all things in the world are equal."
She smiled, pointing at the fish swimming beneath the churning whitecaps, and confided, "Sometimes I really wish I could be a fish in the water, a bird in the woods, free from the worries of trivial matters, in the boundless world, all freedom."
"How free it would be...how carefree..."
Chen Jingshan was startled by her words. His past had long since ingrained a profit-seeking mentality. He'd already seen and memorized the concept of equality during his years struggling to make a living.
But now, seeing this scene, Chen Jingshan couldn't help himself. He looked at the girl before him, who was a little stubborn, a little cunning, and a little beautiful, and endless regret welled up in his chest.
She was so good! As good as the first downpour after a long drought, as good as the first spring breeze after the ice and snow melted. Like the sky, like the earth, like everything in the world she spoke of, she had a goodness that ordinary people could hardly imagine.
If Chen Jingshan was attracted to her because of her intelligence and pretty looks before, now he feels that he is really marrying above his station, that he should not love her, and that he is not worthy of her love.
Seeing him lost in thought, Ye Yunzhao tilted his head to look at him and asked again, word by word, "Chen Jingshan, are you and I friends now?"
Chen Jingshan bowed and said, "Yes."
Hearing the answer he wanted, Ye Yunzhao, who was a little worried just now, smiled slyly, took out a round egg from his arms and handed it to him: "Since we are friends, then I have one egg to eat, and you have one egg to eat."
Chen Jingshan was stunned and took the egg unconsciously, feeling a little at a loss.
She shook her head again and said, "If you have a bun, shouldn't you give one to your good friend, me?"
No matter how slow he was, he understood the hidden meaning in Ye Yunzhao's words and said with a smile: "That's right, I brought a lot of cakes, why don't you go to the second floor with me to eat some."
"The second floor..." Ye Yunzhao touched his belly, "Then..."
Chen Jingshan saw her dilemma and immediately said, "A Zhao, wait here. I'll get it."
After saying that, he turned around and left in a hurry.
Behind the footsteps was a courtesy that even Chen Jingshan himself could not ignore.
But for her, I am willing to do it.
*
Although the journey from Yuezhou City to the capital was upstream, the ship's speed was not slow. After about a day and a night, the merchant ship arrived at the dock of the capital.
Chen Jingshan had already instructed the servants who came with him to quickly go into the city to purchase sesame oil, pepper and other foreign spices.
It was natural for him to go with Ye Yunzhao to various restaurants to taste the famous coral crystal sashimi, and to help her.
The capital was at its peak, its streets dotted with houses, wine shops and teahouses lined the streets, and a vibrant atmosphere of acrobatics and storytelling was thriving. It was mid-morning when we entered the city, and the morning light shone on the red walls and green tiles, the eaves and corners truly beautiful. Clear rivers flowed through the city, and the shimmering lakes were dazzling.
Ye Yunzhao looked left and right, just like a mountain man who had come to the city, and everything he saw was new to him.
However, her interest came and went quickly. The inns on the street were magnificent. She pinched her purse secretly and walked along several streets for a long time before finally finding an inn that didn't look too expensive.
Chen Jingshan, who was standing beside him, said, "I think this inn is pretty good. Why don't we stay here for a few days?"
Although he was puzzled by Ye Yunzhao's decision, he had no objection. He smiled and nodded, and the two walked in side by side.
"Sir, would you like to stop by for a meal or stay the night?" The waiter greeted warmly when he saw someone coming.
"Stay in a hotel." Ye Yunzhao replied.
The waiter's eyes quickly swept over the two of them, and as he walked towards the house, he said with a smile: "Judging from your accents, you two are not from the capital. Please come upstairs, sir."
Ye Yunzhao did not answer, but just followed him upstairs. The inn in the capital was indeed unusual. There was a stand at the second-floor stairs, where a man dressed as a waiter stood.
"I wonder if you two would like to stay in the Tianzi or Dizi rooms?" The waiter leaned forward to lead the way. "This is the Tianzi room, please."
As he spoke, he pushed open the door, walked quickly inside, and opened the window, introducing the place enthusiastically: "Look, my two guests, standing here, you can see the entire scenery of the capital. The bed, table, and chairs in the room are all made of mahogany, with a unique fragrance that has a calming effect."
Ye Yunzhao had never heard that mahogany furniture could have a calming effect. Seeing that he had no intention of introducing the ground floor rooms, he had guessed his intentions and said, "Please take me to see the ground floor rooms."
The waiter was stunned. Outsiders had never seen the world and were the easiest to cheat. Normally, he would just use the same words as before and everyone would rush to order the number one spot. But why did this person want to see it again?
Although the woman's fabrics were ordinary, the man behind her was dressed in brocade and didn't look like a poor man...
What he was thinking did not show up in his mind. He quickly led Ye Yunzhao towards the Dizihao.
Ye Yunzhao deliberately slowed down his pace, secretly tugged at Chen Jingshan's sleeve, motioned him to lean closer, and whispered, "I know you're used to living in a good place. How about the Tianzi No. 1? If you think it's good, then take it. I'll have to pick some more."
Warm breath sprayed on the tip of his ear, and the ear that had never been noticed by anyone suddenly turned red, vaguely like being bitten by an ant, itching from the tip of the ear to the heart.
Chen Jingshan shuddered slightly before realizing what she meant. He pressed on, "Don't we live together?"
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
As soon as he said this, he immediately realized that something was wrong. Looking at Ye Yunzhao's slightly red cheeks, he quickly explained: "I mean, don't you live next door to me?"
He looked at the waiter leading the way, who was about to turn, and said, "The Di and Tian hotels are too far apart. I'm really worried about you being in a foreign land. I have a lot of money with me, so it's better for you and me to stay together."
Before Ye Yunzhao could speak, the waiter smiled and said, "Sir, this is the first-class restaurant."
This time he didn't go in, but stood at the door waiting.
Ye Yunzhao and Chen Jingshan walked through the door. It was more than half the size of the room they had just been in, but not crowded. It had all the necessary tables, chairs, and benches. She looked out the window. Instead of the bustling scene she had seen earlier, she saw a lush, green landscape. Most importantly, the breeze whistled through the hallway, making it very convenient for Ye Yunzhao to hang her dried mushrooms.
"I wonder how much a night in the Tianzi and Dizi rooms costs?" Ye Yunzhao turned around, not showing any joy, but frowning slightly, as if he was not very satisfied. "Apart from these, are there any other rooms?"
The waiter hurriedly said, "We have private rooms and shared rooms. The Tianzi room is 480 wen a night, the Dizi room is 300 wen a night, the private room is 200 wen, and the shared room is 150 wen. Which room would you like to stay in, gentlemen?"
Three hundred articles...
Even before spending any money, Ye Yunzhao was already feeling heartbroken. Seeing her like this, Chen Jingshan knew what was going on and took the initiative to say, "I want two rooms next to each other in the ground floor. Book them for three days first. If you want to stay longer, I'll let you know when the time comes."
After saying that, she took out a small piece of silver from her purse and threw it to him.
The waiter quickly took the money and said with a smile, "Okay, what do you want to eat with the remaining money?"
"Just watch the food being served."
As soon as the person left, Ye Yunzhao quickly took out some silver, muttering, "Aren't you staying at the Tianzi Inn? If it's for what I just said, there's actually no need to live together. We're at the foot of the emperor right now, so nothing will happen."
As she spoke, she poured out a hundred copper coins from her purse. She estimated that there should be about eight or nine hundred copper coins left. As she counted them, she said, "Why did you also give me the rent money..."
As she was concentrating on counting the money, a pair of large hands reached out before her. Chen Jingshan stopped her movements and said, "Since we are friends, why should we bother about these material things? Besides, I don't have much else but a lot of money. If you refuse, it means you look down on me from the bottom of your heart."
This was a bit irritating. Ye Yunzhao dreamed of making money every night. She tilted her head, wrinkled her nose, and said bluntly, "Okay, then when we get back to Yuezhou City, I'll think of two more cake recipes for you... By the way, speaking of this, the last time I went to Ruyi Tower to look for you, you weren't there, so I took the initiative to give the two cake recipes I owed you to the shopkeeper. Did he tell you about this?"
"Of course I did." Chen Jingshan, who was still smiling just now, changed his expression slightly and deliberately warned: "But next time you have this good recipe, you must not let others do it. I'm afraid others will learn it."
Ye Yunzhao had no idea what was going on in his mind, so he nodded quickly.
After about two incense sticks had passed, three or five people dressed as waiters came into the house carrying white porcelain plates and basins. The remaining money was enough to buy three dishes and a soup.
The utensils were very special, but the food looked ordinary. The two sat down and started eating. After taking the first bite, Ye Yunzhao said, "It's not as good as the food at Ruyi Tower."
Chen Jingshan was stunned and suddenly stopped the chopsticks that were about to reach his mouth.
Seeing this, she laughed and teased, "What? Are you not going to eat anymore?"
"When have you ever eaten at my house?"
Ye Yunzhao didn't expect him to ask this. He scooped himself a small bowl of soup and replied, "Last time when I delivered the pastry recipe, I ran into Butler Zhang, and he insisted that I try it. I originally gave you the recipe to repay your favor, but I ate it again, and now I'm in debt again... But your food is really delicious, and this is not just a compliment."
"I owe you..." Chen Jingshan said in a low voice with the corners of his mouth slightly raised.
"What?" Ye Yunzhao only saw his lips move slightly, but did not hear any sound.
"Nothing." Chen Jingshan looked up at her, "Let's eat."
"Try it, the soup is pretty good..."
After the two of them had eaten and drunk their fill, they simply packed up their bags and went out together.
Ye Yunzhao touched his round belly and waved at him: "See you tonight."
Chen Jingshan knew that she had something important to do, so he imitated her and waved his hand: "See you tonight."
The two of them parted ways temporarily. Ye Yunzhao carried his small bamboo basket, which was covered with a layer of coarse cloth as usual, so that nothing could be seen.
The roads in the capital are extremely wide, paved with stone slabs everywhere. She looked down and counted them, feeling somewhat indignant: Humph, sooner or later I will pave Lingnan County with bluestone slabs. Whatever you have in the city, we must have too.
Ye Yunzhao first walked around several streets in the capital, then turned and entered an alley.
Just like Yuezhou City, the alleys were lined with mansions, and there seemed nothing new to see. Just as she was about to leave, she heard a shout:
"Selling pickled bamboo shoots—"
Ye Yunzhao was shocked. Wasn't it forbidden to sell things in the alley? How could someone be so audacious in the Imperial City? How dare they hawk their wares in public?
Surprise mixed with curiosity, after a brief thought, she walked towards the sound.
Before I saw anyone, I heard another shout:
"Savory and salty bamboo shoots——pickle——"
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