Chapter 534 Fire Breaker?
(Thanks to Grandpa Niu for casting 3 monthly votes.)
Li Shiyue was somewhat surprised to receive the red envelope from Nangong Wuyou, but she didn't ask any further questions.
Over the years, aside from transactions, Li Shiyue and her group members have maintained a tacit social relationship where neither of them would initiate conversations or ask questions.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that "the friendship between gentlemen is as light as water."
While Nangong Wuyou was preparing for his coronation ceremony in the Dayin Dynasty, Li Shiyue was also planning her future path in the Dalong Dynasty.
In the nearly one month since Li Shiyue arrived, Jian'an City has finally developed the lively atmosphere that a prefecture should have.
Although it's still snowing, today is the Lantern Festival, so even with the threat of Japanese pirates still present;
However, on the main streets of Jian'an City, one could always see the Xuanjia Army, dressed in black armor, patrolling on horseback. At first, the people of Jian'an City were a little afraid, but later they found that the Xuanjia Army not only did not cause trouble, but also helped maintain order and protect peace. This made the people of Jian'an City no longer afraid, and they were in the mood to have a good time.
Li Shiyue was still wearing that red round-necked robe. She had originally gone out wearing a black cloak, but as she walked alongside Li Qiutian, she touched Li Qiutian's cloak and felt that it was a bit thin.
So she took off her own cloak and draped it over Li Qiutian.
Li Qiutian didn't refuse, but Qin Fen, who was standing next to her, said, "Why don't you put this on Shiyue?"
"Come on, brother-in-law, I think you're even more afraid of the cold than I am."
I'm not cold, we'll be at the restaurant soon.
Li Wangchun walked over and touched Li Shiyue's hand, finding it was indeed warm. Li Wangchun didn't say anything.
The family walked all the way to Jian'an City. Apart from the Mirage Pavilion by the sea in the north of the city, the most famous restaurant was Zuixianlou.
The name sounds grand, and Li Shiyue hopes it truly lives up to its name.
Upon arriving at Zuixianlou, we went up to a private room on the second floor. We had barely sat down when the door was knocked open, and the smiling manager of Zuixianlou entered, bowing obsequiously.
"I didn't know it was General Li! I'm so sorry for not greeting you properly!"
In Jian'an City today, who doesn't recognize Li Shiyue's face?
At least, he knew the owner of Zuixianlou.
Of course, Li Shiyue didn't really intend to hide it from anyone; when her family went out, Chen Yong and Sun Xiaoliu were always with them.
That's what's on the surface. Secretly, she also arranged a team of soldiers to protect Li Wangchun and Li Qiutian.
Every time Li Wangchun and his entourage left the governor's mansion, they were always accompanied by people.
Li Shiyue naturally wouldn't make things difficult for Zuixianlou. She genuinely brought her family out for a meal, not to cause trouble.
After exchanging a few polite words with the innkeeper, who was quite perceptive and noticed that Li Shiyue was getting impatient, the innkeeper quickly said that two dishes would be served with the meal tonight, and then bowed and left.
"October?"
Li Shiyue waved her hand at Li Wangchun, "It's alright."
They weren't trying to do anything wrong; they just wanted to make sure I wasn't offended, since I'm an official.
Upon hearing Li Shiyue's words, Li Wangchun's brows relaxed slightly, but a trace of barely perceptible worry remained in his eyes.
She wasn't worried about the two dishes themselves, but rather about Li Shiyue's current situation in Jian'an City.
Every move you make is watched, and flattery and scheming will inevitably follow.
For the past month or so, every time she went out, she could feel the gazes of others on her, and countless people would flatter her.
Although the number of people decreased after Li Shiyue killed many people.
But only a few days later, starting from the first month of the lunar calendar, the number of people delivering visiting cards has increased again.
Li Wangchun had no other expectations; she just wanted her family to live a peaceful and stable life.
Therefore, it's understandable that Li Wangchun is worried that she would encounter such people trying to curry favor with Li Shiyue when they are just having a meal together as a family.
Li Qiutian didn't think too much about it. She looked around the elegant private room. Red paper-cuts were pasted on the window frame, and lanterns hanging from shops on both sides of the street could be vaguely seen outside the window. These lanterns of various shapes added a bit of warmth to the cold snowy night.
"This Drunken Immortal Pavilion certainly knows how to do business."
Li Qiutian smiled and said this to Li Wangchun. She gestured to Qin Fen to pour hot tea for Li Wangchun, "Aunt, since it was sent by the shopkeeper, let's enjoy it without worry."
In October, she is now the pillar of stability in Jian'an, and it is only right that they respect her.
Li Shiyue smiled and didn't continue the conversation. Instead, she picked up the menu and carefully asked Li Qiutian, Li Wangchun, Shi Tou, Qin Fen, Sun Xiaoliu, and Chen Yong what they wanted to eat.
She ordered several of Zuixianlou's signature dishes, and also specially requested some sweet and soft pastries and hot soup, taking into account Li Wangchun and Li Qiutian's tastes.
The dishes were served quickly and in a continuous stream. Not to mention, they were all delicious and visually appealing. The waiter who served the dishes even brought up two jugs of wine.
It was said that the steamed sea fish that Li Shiyue hadn't ordered, along with the honey-braised ham, were all dishes that the innkeeper had specifically requested.
Li Shiyue readily accepted it.
Only Li Wangchun and Li Shiyue drank a few cups of wine. Li Qiutian was pregnant and should not drink, so Qin Fen said that he should take care of Li Qiutian and it would be better for her not to drink.
As for Chen Yong and Sun Xiaoliu, who came with Li Shiyue, they also declined, saying that they had to take care of protecting people and it was better not to drink.
After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,
Li Qiutian pulled Li Wangchun to the window to look at the street scene below, and Qin Fen also came over to point and say something.
Li Shiyue sat alone at the table, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the warm teacup.
The noise downstairs and the soft laughter of family members created a harmonious blend of tranquility and liveliness in this moment.
"October, come quick! There looks like there's a dragon dance over there!"
Li Qiutian turned around excitedly and called Li Shiyue to go see.
Li Shiyue responded with a genuine smile, then got up and walked towards the window.
However, the moment she stood by the window, her exceptional senses allowed her to immediately detect an unusual smell of smoke coming from afar.
As her gaze habitually swept across the street below and the darkness further away, Li Shiyue's pupils suddenly contracted.
Although the distance was quite far and the light was dim, her exceptional senses still allowed her to detect an unusual faint reflection in the northwest direction—it seemed that a fire had broken out there!
Tonight is the Lantern Festival, and Jian'an City has been quiet for a long time. Although the Xuanjia Army has been deployed to strengthen patrols, people's attention is more or less diverted by the festival. If an accident were to occur at this time, or if someone were to deliberately set fire...
Li Shiyue's heart sank, but the smile on her face remained unchanged. She even glanced in the direction Li Qiutian pointed and said in a relaxed tone, "Yes, it's quite lively."
She then turned around naturally and said to her family, "Mother, elder sister, you can stay and watch a little longer. Let Chen Yong stay and keep you company. Xiao Liu and I will go downstairs and buy some glutinous rice balls so we can eat them when we get home."
Li Wangchun had no suspicions, but only instructed, "Don't go too far. I saw some being sold on the street."
"Okay, I got it."
Li Shiyue smiled and agreed, followed by Sun Xiaoliu. The two walked out of the private room with steady steps.
The moment the door closed, the smile on Li Shiyue's face vanished without a trace.
With a sharp, piercing gaze, she hissed at Sun Xiaoliu, "Xiaoliu, go down immediately and gather our brothers. Head northwest, about a mile and a half from here!"
I was standing at the window just now and I thought I smelled something strange about the smoke coming from there. It's very likely that there's a fire!
If a fire breaks out, quickly arrange for people to put out the fire and rescue people!
Be careful not to disturb the people on the road!
Sun Xiaoliu's expression hardened, and without hesitation, he immediately clasped his hands in a fist salute to Li Shiyue and said, "Yes, General!"
Sun Xiaoliu turned around and rushed downstairs like a cheetah. Li Shiyue stood at the bottom of the stairs and waited for a while. Then she saw two Xuanjia soldiers running up the stairs.
"They've managed to defend Zuixianlou!"
No one is allowed to go up to the second floor until I return!
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