Pfft!
Lanqin couldn't help but laugh when she saw Fourth Master's angry expression. Then, she proudly raised her little face and kissed Fourth Master's chin!
"Is this all right now, young master?" Lanqin stared at the arrogant Sisi.
"You little devil!" Fourth Master stared at Lanqin's face and said ominously, "I'll deal with you tonight!"
One sentence instantly raised the temperature inside the carriage by more than ten or eight degrees, it was practically twenty degrees! Lanqin's face turned half red.
Fortunately, the carriage traveled smoothly and soon arrived at the alleyway where the Fourth Master had designated for breakfast.
"Sir, we've arrived!" the coachman announced loudly from outside.
Lanqin broke free from Fourth Master's embrace in an instant, thinking to herself: Did the coachman outside hear all those embarrassing things I said to Fourth Master?
Fourth Master seemed to see through Lanqin's thoughts and said in a low voice, "Don't worry, the coachmen we chose are all people who only do things and don't listen to gossip."
Lanqin blushed and glared at Fourth Master several times before slowly getting off the carriage.
Once the two entered the alley, Lanqin finally saw what it looked like. The entire alley was filled with low, square tables, and people were sitting on low stools woven from vines, busy working around the tables.
"Your Highness, are you sure you want to have breakfast here?" Even someone as unrefined as Lanqin felt that the environment here was just too...unpleasant. How could the dignified Prince Yong have breakfast here?
"Why not?" Fourth Master flicked his fan, looking quite dashing, and walked into the alley in front of Lanqin.
Seeing that Fourth Master had actually gone inside, Lanqin quickly followed behind. Actually, she didn't mind much, as long as the food was delicious.
The two, dressed in fine clothes, walked awkwardly through the narrow alley where peddlers and laborers sat sprawled out, looking so out of place that they attracted the attention of the burly men squatting on the ground drinking spicy soup. Although Lanqin was wearing servants' clothes, they were still made of brocade, much better than what ordinary people wore.
Fourth Master continued walking forward without stopping, while Lanqin followed behind somewhat uneasily, because the people sitting on both sides staring at them were rather frightening.
After walking for a while, Lanqin noticed that Fourth Master had stopped in front of a cloth sign that read "Goubuli Steamed Bun Shop".
"Grandpa, is Goubuli steamed bun from Tianjin? Is there a branch here?" Lanqin perked up immediately. She wanted to try this 300-year-old brand, but she never expected to find it in this alley.
"Let's go in and take a look!" Fourth Master said, quickly closing his fan.
The two went inside. The shop was full of people, but these people were clearly different from the peddlers and laborers outside. They all looked like refined scholars, wearing long robes in blue, indigo, or ochre, and were sitting in twos and threes eating steamed buns.
"Young master! Please come in, please come in!" The waiter hurriedly came out to greet them and ushered Fourth Master and Lanqin inside.
"Are there any seats left?" Fourth Master asked.
"Yes, there's more upstairs! Come with me quickly!" the servant said enthusiastically.
Fourth Master and Lanqin went upstairs together, where the place was almost full of people, mostly poor students from impoverished families who had come to the capital to take the imperial examinations. Unlike those outside who squatted around small square tables eating and drinking, they might be the future pillars of society. So they came to this shop hidden deep in the alley for breakfast because it was inexpensive and delicious, and it was different from the places outside.
"Please sit down, young master. What would you like to order?" The servant knew that Lanqin was a follower, so he basically addressed the Fourth Master.
Fourth Master gestured for Lanqin to sit down before asking the servant, "What's there?"
"Our specialty here is steamed buns, big and with lots of filling. They're delicious. We also have noodles with soybean paste and glass noodles," the waiter said.
"Then let's start with two baskets of steamed buns! Do you have any noodles with soybean paste?" Fourth Master asked Lanqin.
The servant standing there was confused. He thought the short man was just a follower, so why was he now sitting opposite the young master, and why was the young master asking him what he wanted to eat?
Under the servant's surprised gaze, Lanqin nodded and said, "One basket of steamed buns, and one serving of noodles with soybean paste and glass noodles. Let's all try them!"
The Fourth Master then fell silent, and the servant nodded quickly, as if he understood, and left.
Fourth Master and Lanqin sat quietly waiting for the steamed buns to be served. They listened intently as the examinees opposite or next to them memorized the upcoming exam.
"Hey, have you heard? I heard that this year's top scorers will all have to go through interviews. It's no longer just about getting the top three spots," said Scholar A.
“I saw it a long time ago, they’ve already posted notices. Now those who hire others to take the exams for them should be worried. They deserve it, they need to be punished like this!” said Scholar B.
“That’s right. We study hard for ten years, and some people can get on the list just by using connections. It’s really unfair,” said Scholar C.
"I heard that the idea came from Prince Yong! The Emperor's fourth son! How wonderful!" said Scholar A.
“Regardless of who is behind this, if opposing those of us who rely on genuine talent and learning is helpful, then I will respect them!” said Scholar C.
"Indeed! What a great policy!" Several scholars nodded in agreement.
Upon hearing this, Lanqin glanced at the serious-looking Fourth Master and nudged his foot under the table.
Fourth Master was pleased to see Lanqin smiling at him, but he always maintained a stern face in front of others, so although he was happy, he did not show it.
"Young master! The steamed buns are here!" The servant carried a long, black platter with a basket of steaming hot steamed buns on it, and two large, flat white plates on the side.
After the servant put down the buns and dough, he said to Lanqin, "Young master, please enjoy!"
Lanqin chuckled and said, "I'm his follower, why are you calling me 'Young Master'?"
The servant said, "I don't know this 'young master,' but he seems to listen to you."
The Fourth Master glared fiercely at the servant, scaring him so much that he quickly retreated and left.
Lanqin smiled and said, "Young master, please have some!"
Fourth Master picked up his chopsticks, took a bun, dipped it in the vinegar in the dish, and then took a bite.
"How is it?" Lanqin brought the plate of noodles with soybean paste to herself.
"Thin skin, lots of filling," Fourth Master said.
Lanqin immediately put down the noodles on her chopsticks and reached out to pick one up as well.
"Hey, have you heard? The former deposed crown prince has fallen. I wonder who the court will appoint as the new crown prince this time?" A voice came from the opposite table, immediately grabbing Lanqin and the Fourth Prince's ears.
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