Before long, Xu Zi felt a warm sensation on her neck. She looked up in confusion. Could it be raining?
But the sun was shining brightly in the sky, and there wasn't even a breeze, let alone rain. She then realized that it wasn't because of the rain, nor was it because of the heat; the only possible reason was…
Xu Zi was startled, and Shu Zhan... cried?
After a moment, Xu Zi sighed softly, slowly raised his hand, and tentatively patted his back.
He paused for a moment, then hugged her even tighter.
She didn't say anything, and he didn't say anything either; they just stood there quietly.
...
...
"Your Highness, please." Prince Ye gestured an invitation at the entrance of Yuxianzhai.
Shangguan Jingci closed his folding fan with a half-smile and returned his bow, saying, "Please, Your Highness."
After all, this is someone else's territory. Even if he is the crown prince, he cannot overstep his bounds. Moreover, the person in front of him is not to be underestimated. Even if he is not the crown prince, he is by no means an ordinary person.
Finally, the two politely declined each other's offer and stepped inside together.
Yu Xian Zhai had been booked by Prince Ye, and apart from the chef, no one else was there. The chef was only backstage, arranging the dishes that had already been decided. It wasn't uncommon for VIPs to book a venue before, but no one had ever kicked the manager out before.
The head chef in the back room was having second thoughts.
But this is none of his business; he should just focus on cooking his own food.
As Prince Ye and Shangguan Jingci were exchanging pleasantries and toasts, a guard suddenly approached, knelt on one knee before Prince Ye, and said, "Your subordinate greets Your Highness."
Prince Ye put down his chopsticks, his expression unchanged. "What is it?"
The guard presented the items with both hands without looking up. "The owner of Shu Ji Restaurant has personally delivered two invitations, inviting Your Highness and His Highness the Crown Prince to a banquet at Shu Ji Ding Tai Restaurant in three days."
Ding Tai Restaurant is one of the largest restaurants under the Shu Kee Group. It was used exclusively to entertain royalty and nobility, and thus it was considered a semi-symbol of the upper class.
Prince Ye frowned as he took it. "I understand. You may leave now."
"yes."
Shangguan Jingci bowed respectfully to Prince Ye, tilted his head back and drank half a cup of wine, then raised his eyebrows curiously.
"Shu Ji?"
After reading the invitation, Prince Ye closed it, glanced at Shangguan Jingci, and then smiled.
"They are just harmless merchants; Your Highness need not take it to heart."
"Oh?" Upon hearing this, Shangguan Jingci looked over with even greater curiosity, his probing gaze evident.
Prince Ye handed him the invitation in his hand, casually placing his own invitation aside.
He had just looked at them; although the content of the two invitations was exactly the same, the fonts were quite different.
Contemporary calligraphers imitate various styles, each with its own merits, but most admire Wang Danzhai's profound and insightful style.
His invitation was written in the Liu style, upright and dignified, clearly the work of someone with considerable skill in calligraphy. Shangguan Jingci's invitation, however, lacked both divine skill and unrestrained, flamboyant strokes; instead, it was delicate and elegant, clearly written by a woman.
Of all the people in the Shu family business, only Shu Hua was confident that she could invite Shangguan Jingci with just an invitation.
Prince Ye stroked his chin, a cryptic smile playing on his lips.
Shu Ji was truly cunning. He specially commissioned a renowned calligrapher to write the invitation for himself, yet only had a woman write it for Shangguan Jingci. On one hand, this made him feel that Shu Ji respected him more, and on the other hand, it made Shangguan Jingci believe that Shu Ji was the one who cared most for him.
As expected of Shu Ji, the number one merchant in the capital.
They certainly deserve that title.
"What does this mean?" Shangguan Jingci looked up after reading the invitation.
Seeing the doubt in his eyes, Prince Ye sneered inwardly.
What else could it mean?
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