Zhao Ji was surprisingly playful.
For two days after receiving the invitation, he was on pins and needles, looking forward to the day of the banquet.
After finally waiting for the day when the "Paradise on Earth" opened, Zhao Ji changed into casual clothes and left the palace with Liang Shicheng and several guards.
It was the time when the lights were just coming on, and lanterns had been hung on the shops on both sides of the Imperial Street.
"Shoudao, besides me, who else did Zhang Shixun invite?"
"They also invited Cai Jing, Wang Fu, Li Bangyan, Tong Guan, Cai You, and Gao Qiu. That's what I know, but there are probably many more who are unknown."
"Haha! This guy is quite generous. He even invited Wang Fu. I really didn't expect that."
"I didn't think about it at first, but then I figured it out."
"Tell me."
"He runs a restaurant. No matter who enters his restaurant, they will give him money. Wang Fu is extremely rich. If Zhang Shixun doesn't make money from him, he won't be Zhang Shixun."
"Haha! That's right."
The two of them walked along the Imperial Street for a while when Zhao Ji suddenly pointed ahead and asked, "That bright spot ahead, as bright as daylight, is that Zhang Shixun's newly opened restaurant?"
Liang Shicheng stood on tiptoe and took a look. "It's probably true."
Zhao Ji quickened his pace and walked forward. When he got closer, he saw two poles more than ten feet high standing on both sides of the restaurant. Two dazzling, spherical objects were hung on each pole, and the light emitted by them illuminated the entrance of the restaurant brightly.
He pointed at the two things in surprise and asked, "Shou... Shoudao, what are these things?"
"I...I don't know either. Could it be a night-shining pearl?"
When the emperor and his minister walked to the door, they found that the plaque on the door was surrounded by colorful balls like night pearls, which were flashing.
The light from these night pearls illuminated the four large characters "Paradise on Earth" written by him clearly.
As I was watching stupidly, I heard someone say, "Your Majesty, you are finally here. I have been looking forward to it for a long time."
Zhao Ji looked in the direction of the voice and saw Zhang Shixun and Gao Yanei standing at the door, bowing to him.
"Shixun, tell me quickly, what are these shiny things?"
Zhang Shixun smiled and said, "These are the night-shining pearls that I borrowed from the Heavenly Palace."
"A night-shining pearl borrowed from the Heaven...the Heavenly Palace?" Zhao Ji was so shocked that his jaw almost dropped.
"Yes!" Zhang Shixun suppressed his laughter and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, please follow me inside. There are even better things to see inside."
"oh!"
Zhao Ji realized that he had lost his composure and quickly adjusted his mood, "Shixun, lead the way."
"Your Majesty, please come in." Zhang Shixun turned his body to the side and made a casual gesture of invitation.
Zhao Ji shook his sleeves and walked into the restaurant with square steps.
The hall on the first floor was brightly lit and packed with people.
When Zhao Ji saw the guests clearly, he almost cried.
Sitting on the left side of the hall were officials of all ranks in the imperial court, and on the right side were wealthy businessmen in gorgeous clothes.
Someone was sharp-eyed and saw that the official had also arrived. He quickly stood up and pretended to salute.
Zhao Ji winked at him and whispered to Zhang Shixun, "Take me upstairs."
Zhang Shixun brought Zhao Ji to the second floor.
The second floor is much quieter than the downstairs.
Facing the stairs is a hall with several "night pearls" on the top of the hall. The soft light makes the hall bright but not dazzling, and it looks very comfortable.
There are four elegant rooms in the four corners of the hall: Momei Pavilion, Qiuju Pavilion, Yulan Pavilion and Cuizhu Pavilion.
"Sir, the second floor is a membership-based one. We only entertain distinguished guests. No one else will be entertained, no matter how much they pay."
"Membership?"
Zhang Shixun took out a golden card and handed it over, saying, "This card is tailor-made for you. There is only one."
Zhao Ji took it and saw that the card was made extremely exquisitely with the words "Gold Member" written on it.
"You mean, I'm the only gold member?"
"Yes."
"Where are the others?"
"The others are all silver members." Zhang Shixun took out another stack of silver cards. "This is a silver card."
Zhao Ji took it and took a look at it. There were four words written on it: Silver Member.
"Sir, your gold card is worth one thousand taels of silver, and your silver card is worth two hundred taels of silver. Every time you spend money here, the corresponding amount will be deducted based on your consumption."
"Then...what if the one thousand taels are used up?"
"Then you have to top up the card. You can top up one thousand taels, or two thousand taels or more."
Liang Shicheng interjected, "Even officials who come here to eat have to pay?"
Zhang Shixun rolled his eyes at him and said, "Prime Minister Liang, doesn't it cost money for the emperor to eat at other restaurants?"
Liang Shicheng was speechless.
Zhang Shixun then said to Zhao Ji, "Your Majesty, the one thousand taels on this gold card are a gift from me and Chengzong. You are welcome to spend it anytime."
Liang Shicheng stared at the silver card in Zhang Shixun's hand, wanting to say something but stopping himself.
Zhang Shixun smiled and handed him one, saying, "Prime Minister Liang, with your status, you are entitled to a silver card. This is a gift for you. Please take it."
Liang Shicheng took it, stuffed it into his sleeve, and pretended to be indifferent and said, "There are 72 big restaurants in the capital, and there are countless delicious restaurants. I don't necessarily have to come to yours."
"Haha! It's up to you." Zhang Shixun cursed in his heart: You dog eunuch, it's not up to you whether you come or not, just wait and see if you don't believe me.
"Your Majesty, please enter the Qiuju Pavilion. Prime Minister Cai and his men have arrived and are waiting for you."
"Oh? Yuan Chang has arrived?"
Zhao Ji walked to the door of Qiuju Pavilion and pushed it open, only to see Cai Jing, Wang Fu, Li Bangyan, Tong Guan and others sitting inside.
The middle chair was empty, probably reserved for him.
Seeing the emperor coming, everyone stood up and bowed to Zhao Ji.
"Haha! You guys are here so early... Sit down! Sit down!" Zhao Ji went straight to the middle seat and sat down. He smiled and said to Cai Jing, "Mr. Yuan has difficulty walking. I thought you wouldn't come back."
Cai Jing said, "I hadn't planned to come, but when I heard the emperor was coming, how could I not come? Besides, I also want to experience what a paradise on earth is like, haha!"
Zhao Ji suddenly realized that the teacup on the table was made of glass. He looked at Zhang Shixun and said, "Have you reached this level of extravagance? You actually use glass to make teacups."
Zhang Shixun said, "This is specially prepared for the emperor and the ministers. It will not be taken out when other people come."
Zhao Ji was very satisfied with Zhang Shixun's performance today. He stroked his beard and said, "Well! Very good."
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Zhang Shixun asked Zhao Ji, "Sir, can we serve the food?"
"Can."
Zhang Shixun walked to the door and clapped his hands. Two women in palace dresses came in pushing a cart full of dishes.
Almost at the same time, faint music sounded in the private room, with a slow rhythm and very pleasant to the ear.
Everyone was stunned at first, then looked around in confusion, trying to find the source of the music, but found nothing.
Zhao Ji asked in a trembling voice, "Shi...Shixun, where does the music come from?"
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