"Master, let Su Peisheng and Nianxue go back first. I'd like to spend some time alone with you, is that alright?" Lanqin said. "Let them take the big carriage back, and we'll just take the small carriage for a ride, it won't be a big deal."
Upon hearing this, Su Peisheng quickly said, "That won't do. We servants are not worthy to sit here. We can just follow the carriage back."
Nianxue also nodded, appreciating the tea. That was the Fourth Prince and his wife's grand carriage with its red roof. For Lanqin to ride in it with the Fourth Prince today could be considered a violation of the rules.
Fourth Master also felt that it was too improper to have several servants sitting in his carriage, so he said, "You can walk back slowly. If it's not possible, hire a carriage to go back. I'll pay you when I get back."
Lanqin's original intention was not to tire out the group, so when she heard Fourth Master say that, she naturally agreed.
After they left, Lanqin and Fourth Master got into the smaller carriage. As soon as Lanqin got in, she snuggled into Fourth Master's arms; she was increasingly fond of being close to him these days.
The Fourth Prince held the little princess in his arms, feeling quite at ease. Seeing that she got along well with Consort De and even helped to ease the tension between him and Consort De, he realized she was truly a sensible person. His wife, the Fujin, had never done that; in fact, she was even colder than him.
The carriage sped along, passing through countless streets, before finally stopping in a relatively secluded spot.
Perhaps she was tired, Lanqin actually fell asleep in Fourth Master's arms.
The Fourth Prince looked at the little princess in his arms and smiled: "Even after becoming a mother, she's still so sleepy."
It's not entirely Lanqin's fault; she was dragged out of bed early in the morning. Although she slept in the carriage, it wasn't as peaceful as sleeping in bed. After entering the palace, she had to travel around, and having just given birth, she was easily fatigued.
"We're here. I can smell the aroma. If you don't get up soon, I'm going to have my meal by myself." Fourth Master whispered in Lanqin's ear.
"Ah, where does it smell?" Lanqin, still half asleep and with her eyes closed, looked up and sniffed around.
Fourth Prince looked at the little princess, who was as cute as a kitten, and couldn't help but reach out and pinch her cheeks, saying, "We've arrived. Whether you want to go in for a meal or not is up to you."
Lanqin barely opened her eyes, pouting in dissatisfaction, looking incredibly cute.
Looking at the little princess, the Fourth Prince thought to himself: "Why is she becoming more and more childish after having a child? Really."
After dawdling for a while, Fourth Master finally helped Lanqin down from the carriage.
Lanqin looked up and saw a secluded courtyard with a plaque above the gate bearing the three large characters "Lichen Residence". Lanqin looked around again and realized that this was clearly not a bustling commercial area.
"This place is a restaurant?" Lanqin asked, somewhat incredulous.
"Yes, I only found out about this place through a friend's recommendation. This Lichenju is far from the city center, but its business is booming. I made an appointment a long time ago, and I only managed to get a table today." Fourth Master had actually made a reservation long ago, just to bring Lanqin to try the food here.
Upon hearing this, Lanqin immediately became interested. Even the Fourth Prince of the current dynasty had to wait for a table; it seemed the food here was truly exceptional.
The two walked hand in hand into the courtyard, which looked much like any other courtyard. A servant led them into a room, furnished like a typical home, except that it was all tables and chairs for dining. Two tables were occupied by people dressed in unusual attire, clearly either officials or wealthy merchants.
"Master, please sit here," Lanqin said, choosing a table behind a screen.
"Bring up all your signature dishes," Fourth Master said to the servant.
Normally, the waiter should be all smiles when the guest says that, but this waiter was in a bit of a dilemma.
"Sir, I'm so sorry, our chef has only prepared three dishes today; we haven't prepared any others," the waiter said.
Upon hearing this, Lanqin was startled and thought to herself: This chef is really arrogant. Doesn't this mean that the chef is in charge here? Whatever the chef cooks is what you eat, and you have no say in what he orders?
Fourth Master came to eat with others last time, and he didn't order anything himself, so he didn't know there was this rule here.
"So that means the guests eat whatever your chef is willing to cook today. If he only makes three dishes, everyone eats the same thing?" Lanqin asked.
"Yes, this is the rule of our Lichen Residence. Madam is here for the first time, so she probably doesn't know it," the servant said, looking at Lanqin with difficulty.
Lanqin was completely stunned by this sophisticated chef. Instead of being angry, she happily said, "Alright, then serve the three dishes that the head chef made today. But I have a request: I'd like to meet your head chef, is that alright?"
Lanqin was a foodie and was particularly interested in befriending people who were good at cooking. A chef who could put on airs like that must be a great cook, no doubt about it.
The servant nodded and said, "Madam, whether our head chef wants to see you is not up to me to say. But I will go and ask for you."
Lanqin smiled and looked at Fourth Master, saying, "See? You don't have enough influence. People might not even be willing to see me."
The Fourth Prince was also helpless. He couldn't very well use his status as the Fourth Prince to force a cook to come see him. Whether the cook wanted to see him or not was really none of his business. The cook hadn't broken the law, so what reason could he possibly have to get him to come?
"Go and serve the dishes first," Lanqin said to the servant.
"Sir, this chef seems to have an even higher opinion of himself than you do. It seems the food is indeed very good, otherwise, why would anyone flock to the shop in such a remote place?" Lanqin said.
Fourth Master nodded. After eating there last time, he thought of bringing Lanqin along.
A moment later, the servant came up carrying a large black tray.
"Sir, this is white jade and jadeite, please." The waiter put down the dish and gestured for him to enter.
Lanqin glanced at the so-called "white jade and emerald green" and realized it was just cabbage stewed with tofu. However, it looked quite appetizing. The tofu was cut into bite-sized pieces. The bok choy stalks were vibrant green and looked very lively.
"The name is quite meaningful, Master, would you like to try some?" Lanqin picked up her chopsticks and hurriedly placed a piece of tofu into Fourth Master's bowl.
She had gotten into the habit of always picking up a piece of food for Fourth Master before starting to eat herself. Fourth Master felt a warmth in his heart and happily picked up the piece of tofu and put it in his mouth.
Lanqin picked up a piece of cabbage with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth, chewing it slowly.
To be honest, it was really delicious. The cabbage's fresh aroma and perfect balance of tenderness and firmness were just right.
What kind of taste is this? Lanqin was actually quite familiar with it. It tasted somewhat similar to the bok choy she used to cook under the big stove fire at her father's house when she was a child.
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