Chapter 72: The warmth of the city life and the youthful spirit
In early summer in Beijing, the morning light barely filtered across the gray bricks and tiles of Qipan Street before the alleyways were filled with the aroma of noodles. The lush, green-and-red Brothers Noodle House had just taken down its shutters, its bamboo awning swaying gently in the morning breeze. The red paint on the Chinese character "面" (noodles) gleamed brightly from the sun, already attracting diners in groups of two or three.
"Sister Liu Hong, give me two more spoonfuls of chili!" The young man from the cloth shop next door shouted while leaning on the counter, his saliva almost splashing onto the freshly wiped table.
Liu Hong was rolling noodles with a rolling pin. Upon hearing this, she laughed and scolded without even looking up: "You had diarrhea after eating spicy food yesterday, and you still dare to come today? If you make trouble again, I'll serve you clear soup noodles!" She was wearing an indigo coarse cloth shorts with her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, revealing her strong forearms. The rolling pin made a "dong dong" sound on the chopping board, and the dough was rolled out as thin as a cicada's wing.
Liu Qing, wearing an apron covered in grease and stained with twisted dough, was squatting in front of the stove adding firewood. The firelight made beads of sweat glisten on his face. "Don't argue with him. Hurry up and roll the dough. A distinguished guest will be arriving soon."
"I know, I know." Liu Hong folded the rolled noodles into squares and cut them into thin strips with a knife. "Xiaoyanzi said she'd bring her brother and the young master of the Fu family here today. I'll make sure they try my specialty—three-flavor shrimp ball noodles!"
As soon as the voice fell, a burst of laughter came from the alley. Liu Hong looked up, her eyes immediately lit up: "Here they come!"
Xiaoyanzi, wearing a water-green fine cotton dress embroidered with delicate white crabapple blossoms, was being half-pulled, half-dragged by Xiao Jian, chattering away. Fu Erkang and Fu Ertai followed behind her. Erkang, still in his dark blue gown, toyed with a folding fan; Ertai, in his moon-white short coat, walked briskly like the wind. The man walking beside Ertai, in a royal blue brocade dress with a bright yellow sash tied around his waist, his features handsome and gentle. It was none other than the Fifth Prince, Yongqi.
"Brother Liu Qing! Sister Liu Hong!" Xiaoyanzi broke free from Xiao Jian's hand and flew to the door of the noodle shop like a happy little bird. She sniffed hard, "What a nice smell! Is that my three-fresh shrimp ball noodles?"
Liu Hong put down her rolling pin, wiped her hands on her apron, and patted her arm with a smile, "Your nose is sharp! It just came out of the wok, wait a moment. Come in and sit down, it's quiet inside." Her eyes fell on Yong Qi. Although she didn't know him, she saw that he had an extraordinary demeanor, so she quickly bowed, "This young man is unfamiliar to me, please come in."
"This is the Fifth Prince," Forte introduced cheerfully, "He came with us today to taste your cooking!"
Liu Hong and Liu Qing were both quick-witted. Hearing the word "brother," they hurriedly tried to bow. Yong Qi waved his hand away, "No need for formalities. I'm not a brother today, just a guest here for noodles." He glanced around the noodle shop. The blue brick floor was swept clean, strings of dried chilies and corn hung on the wall, and a half-filled bag of flour was piled in the corner. The air was filled with the aroma of everyday life, and the corners of his mouth curled up unconsciously. "This place... is very lively."
"It's just a small restaurant in the city, not as exquisite as the ones in the palace. Please don't despise it, Fifth Prince." Xiao Jian bowed, his eyes showing some scrutiny, but also gentleness.
"Brother Fang Yan, you're joking," Yongqi returned the greeting, his gaze falling on Xiaoyanzi. He saw her standing on tiptoe to peer into the stove, the red ribbon in her braid dangling. A smile flickered in her eyes. "I actually feel at home in a place like this."
As soon as they sat down at the square table in the inner room, Liu Hong brought out a plate of freshly fried peanuts and poured them a large bowl of scented tea in coarse porcelain: "Fill your stomach first, the noodles will be ready soon." The peanuts were crispy and fragrant, and the scented tea had a faint aroma of locust flowers. Just one sip dispelled the heat from the morning walk.
Xiaoyanzi grabbed a handful of peanuts and popped them into her mouth, her cheeks puffed out. "Fifth Brother, you've never eaten at a street noodle shop like this, have you? Sister Liu Hong's shrimp ball noodles, the broth is simmered all night with bones, and the shrimp were just peeled this morning, they're so fresh they'll make your eyebrows drop!"
Yongqi picked up a peanut and gently cracked it open with his fingertips, his movements graceful. "Hearing you speak so highly of it, I'm really looking forward to it." He looked at Xiaoyanzi and saw that her eyes were shining. She was very excited when talking about food, and she was much more relaxed than when she was at the Old Summer Palace. "Last time at the Old Summer Palace, Miss Fang seemed a little reserved. I didn't know she was so lively in private."
Xiaoyanzi's cheeks flushed slightly, and she grabbed her teacup to cover it up. "There are so many rules in the palace. It's not like being at home." She stole a glance at Yongqi, and seeing him looking at her gently, her heart beat faster for some reason. She quickly turned to Liu Qing, "Brother Liu Qing, how's your business lately? That bully I mentioned last time hasn't come to cause trouble again, right?"
When Liu Qing mentioned this, his smile faded a little. He sat forward on the bench and said, "Thanks to you and Brother Fang Yan, that guy got a good lesson and has become much more honest. But..." He lowered his voice, "I heard a few days ago that his uncle is Lord Liang from the Ministry of Revenue. I'm afraid he won't let it go."
"Lord Liang?" Xiaoyanzi's teacup banged against the table, and her expression suddenly changed. This name was like a needle, suddenly piercing through the memory she had deliberately sealed away - in her previous life, when she was wandering on the streets, it was at the wedding banquet of Lord Liang's son that she stole a silver bracelet, and when she was escaping, she ran into Ziwei who was also looking for her relatives. At that time, the Liang Mansion was decorated with lights and colors, but it could not accommodate an orphan begging for food and a weak woman who had no place to go to find her father; that Lord Liang wore a brocade robe to accept gifts, and then turned around and condoned his servants to beat up beggars. Those images surged in her mind, and she clenched the teacup, her knuckles turning white, "Is it that corrupt official Liang from the Ministry of Revenue?"
Xiao Jian noticed something was wrong with his sister and gently touched her arm: "Ci'er? What's wrong?"
Xiaoyanzi took a deep breath, suppressing the heat rising in her eyes. When she raised her eyes, a hint of coldness had appeared in them. "I've heard of this Lord Liang!" She looked at Fu Erkang and said hurriedly, "Erkang, your father is a Grand Secretary, in charge of government affairs. Do you know this Lord Liang? Does he often use his position to bully the people? I heard that when he was at the Ministry of Revenue, he withheld relief funds and seized the people's land!"
Falcon's smile faded, and he tapped his folding fan lightly on his palm. "Did Miss Fang hear about this too? My father did mention Lord Liang several times, saying he had bad behavior and was forming a clique for personal gain, but he never had any solid evidence."
"If there's no evidence, then investigate!" Xiaoyanzi stood up anxiously, her aqua-green skirt sweeping across the foot of the stool. "If this kind of corrupt official remains in the court, who knows how many ordinary people will suffer! That bully that Brother Liu Qing mentioned must be relying on his uncle's influence to act so tyrannically! Erkang, can you ask your Ama to keep a close eye on him, collect evidence of his crimes, and bring him down?"
Her voice was urgent and sharp, brimming with an unquestionable sense of justice, and her eyes burned with rage, a stark contrast to her usual quirky self. Yongqi looked at her reddened eyes and pursed lips, and his heart trembled slightly—this seemingly innocent young lady from Jiangnan actually had the suffering of so many people in her heart.
Ertai also nodded: "My brother is right, Lord Liang does have a bad reputation. Last time I heard the guards say that he forced the old man Wang from the south city to buy the shop and only paid half the price!"
"Is there such a thing?" Xiaoyanzi clenched her fists in anger. "It's simply lawless!"
Xiao Jian pulled her to sit down and whispered, "Don't get excited. Officialdom matters are complicated and can't be investigated easily." But when he looked at Fu Erkang, his eyes became serious. "But if Lord Liang is really as evil as you say, someone should take care of him."
Falcon pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Miss Fang is right. The people's affairs are no small matter. I will report these matters to my father and have him investigate secretly. If we can find any evidence against Lord Liang, my father will report it to the Emperor in court. We must not allow this kind of pest to harm the people."
"That's great!" Xiaoyanzi finally breathed a sigh of relief. The anger on her face gradually dissipated, replaced by genuine gratitude. "Erkang, thank you! And your father!"
Yongqi looked at her smiling face, which instantly brightened up like the sun after rain, and his heart also warmed up. He added gently, "If necessary, I will also mention it to the Emperor and ask him to keep an eye on the Ministry of Revenue."
Xiaoyanzi hadn't expected Yongqi to offer his help. She paused for a moment before quickly thanking him, "Thank you, Fifth Prince!" She looked at the young men before her—the upright Erkang, the warmhearted Ertai, the gentle yet powerful Yongqi, and her brother who had always protected her—and a sudden surge of warmth welled up in her heart. In her previous life, she had fought injustice alone, but in this life, so many people were willing to stand with her to uphold justice.
"Let's stop talking about this," Liu Hong interrupted the conversation, carrying five large bowls of noodles. "The noodles are getting cold! Look at my three-flavor shrimp ball noodles. The shrimp are all plump, and the eggs are fried until they're melty!"
In a large white porcelain bowl, smooth noodles are soaked in a milky white soup, topped with a golden poached egg, embellished with emerald green vegetables and bright red shrimps, and sprinkled with a handful of chopped green onions. The aroma instantly fills the entire room.
"Wow! What a nice smell!" Xiaoyanzi's attention was immediately diverted. She picked up a handful of noodles with her chopsticks, blew on it, and stuffed it into her mouth. It was so hot that she stuck out her tongue, but she still shouted incoherently, "Delicious! A hundred times better than what the chef at the mansion makes!"
Yongqi imitated her, carefully picking up the noodles, blowing on them, and putting them into his mouth. The noodles were smooth and chewy, the broth was delicious and rich, and the shrimp were chewy and firm. It was indeed more worldly than the exquisite but bland imperial cuisine in the palace. His eyes lit up and he looked at Xiaoyanzi: "It really lives up to its reputation. No wonder you like it so much."
"That's right!" Xiaoyanzi raised her chin proudly and put another shrimp into Yongqi's bowl. "Try this, it's super big!"
Her fingertips accidentally touched the edge of Yongqi's bowl, and they both froze for a moment. Xiaoyanzi pulled her hand back as if burned, her cheeks red as ripe apples. She lowered her head and ate the noodles fiercely, not daring to look at him again. Yongqi looked at the shrimp in the bowl, but the smile on his face deepened, and he ate slowly and leisurely.
Xiao Jian observed this scene and calmly put some vegetables into Xiao Yanzi's bowl. He changed the subject, "Liu Qing, how's the deal with the escort team going?"
Liu Qing drank a mouthful of soup and wiped his mouth. "It's done! Escort Commander Zheng said he'd take me to Jiangnan next month to escort a shipment of silk. I'll make a lot of money when I come back, enough to expand this noodle shop."
"Congratulations!" Ertai raised his teacup. "We'll come and congratulate you when the time comes!"
"Of course!" Liu Qing smiled from ear to ear. "Then let Liu Hong prepare a full banquet for you... Oh no, a full table!"
Everyone started laughing, and the sound startled the diners at the door. Some of them poked their heads in to look, but Liu Hong laughed and shooed them away: "What are you looking at? Go eat your noodles!"
Just as the place was bustling with activity, Xiaoyanzi suddenly caught a glimpse of a familiar figure passing by the window. Her heart skipped a beat, and she tugged at Xiaojian's sleeve, "Brother, do you think that person is... Eunuch Su, the one who followed the Emperor to the Old Summer Palace?"
Xiao Jian followed her gaze and saw a man in a dark blue eunuch's uniform standing on the street corner, looking towards the noodle shop. It was none other than Eunuch Su, who served with Emperor Qianlong. He frowned slightly and whispered, "Don't say anything. Pretend you didn't see anything."
Falcon and Yongqi also noticed it. Yongqi put down his chopsticks, his eyes darkening: "Why is he here?"
Erkang whispered, "I'm afraid... he was sent by the Emperor."
Xiaoyanzi's heart instantly rose to her throat, and her chopsticks trembled slightly. She knew that after the flower viewing party at the Old Summer Palace, the Emperor would not let her go easily. The Fang family had recently received many gifts from the palace, silks, snacks, and antiques. Although her father said it was "the Emperor's grace," she knew in her heart that this was the Emperor's gradual efforts to build closer ties. The appearance of Eunuch Su further confirmed her suspicions—the Emperor was indeed watching her.
"Eat your noodles," Xiao Jian patted the back of her hand gently, his voice steady, "Brother is here."
Yongqi glanced at Xiaoyanzi and saw that her face was pale, so he took the initiative to speak: "Miss Fang, these noodles are really delicious. You just said that the soup was made with bones? I will ask the imperial kitchen to learn from you later." He deliberately raised his voice and spoke in a relaxed tone to ease the atmosphere.
Xiaoyanzi forced a smile and said, "The Imperial Kitchen can't learn this. This soup needs to be...added with the flavor of the common people!"
"The hustle and bustle of the city?" Yongqi raised an eyebrow, finding the idea amusing. "Then I'll have to come more often to experience more of the city's hustle and bustle."
Ertai didn't notice anything unusual and continued chatting with Liu Qing about interesting things in the martial arts world. "Brother Liu, will you encounter bandits while escorting the caravan? Will you be like in the storybooks, shouting 'This mountain is mine'?"
Liu Qing laughed heartily at his amusement: "Almost! But things are much more peaceful now. If we really meet, we can either fight with our skills or talk with each other based on our friendship. If that doesn't work...it's like what Brother Fang Yan said, 'A pot of wine can resolve a thousand years of love and hatred'. A drink can always solve it!"
"Traveling the martial arts world with a flute and a sword, eternal love and hatred are resolved over a pot of wine!" Ertai slapped the table and recited, "That's so cool! Brother Fang Yan, can you teach me a few sword techniques next time?"
Xiao Jian smiled and shook his head: "You are so delicate and tender, I'm afraid you can't bear the hardship of sword training."
Eunuch Su stood at the corner for a moment, then quietly turned and left, seeing that the people inside were chatting happily. Xiao Jian glimpsed him walking away and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He added some soup to everyone's bowl and said, "Eat quickly, the soup will get fishy if it gets cold."
After the brief incident, the atmosphere gradually returned to normal. Xiaoyanzi's heart still trembled, but as she looked at the steaming noodles, listened to Liu Qing's stories of the Jianghu, Ertai's jokes, and Yongqi's occasional gentle chats, her fear faded considerably. She secretly glanced at Yongqi and saw him intently listening to Liu Qing's stories of the Jiangnan docks. Sunlight filtered through the window lattice, casting a shadow on his face. His long eyelashes gave him a touch less of the royal aloofness and more of the gentleness of youth.
"By the way," Liu Hong brought over a plate of braised beef in soy sauce, sliced into thin slices and arranged neatly. "Xiaoyanzi, I've made the sour plum soup you asked me to save for you a few days ago. It's chilled. Would you like some?"
"Yes! Yes!" Xiaoyanzi's eyes lit up, and she immediately forgot her previous nervousness. "I like Sister Liu Hong's sour plum soup the most. It tastes better than the sweet soup in the mansion!"
Liu Hong went to the kitchen to serve sour plum soup, while Liu Qing moved a small stool to the doorway, greeting the passing customers. The cloth shop worker finished his noodles, wiped his mouth, and left. Before leaving, he called out, "Sister Liu Hong, save me a bowl of beef noodles tomorrow!" This made everyone laugh again.
"Honestly," Falcon put down his chopsticks and wiped the corners of his mouth, "Although this noodle shop is small, it's much more comfortable than a restaurant."
"Of course," Liu Qing continued with a smile, "We don't follow rules here. As long as we're full and satisfied, that's all that matters! It's not like those big restaurants where you have to put on airs just to eat."
Yongqi nodded in agreement, "Indeed. The banquets in the palace may look exquisite, but they don't taste like this." He looked at Xiaoyanzi, "Miss Fang, do you come here often?"
"Yeah!" Xiaoyanzi nodded vigorously and drank a sip of sour plum soup. The cool sweetness slid from her throat to her heart. "I like the liveliness here. Everyone is genuine, not like... not like some places where people hide daggers behind their smiles." As she spoke, she unconsciously thought of the empress's gentle but distant smile in the Old Summer Palace, and Rong Mama's calm eyes, and shuddered.
Xiao Jian noticed her strangeness and coughed lightly: "Don't talk nonsense." He picked up a piece of beef for Xiao Yanzi and said, "Eat beef quickly. Liu Hongjiang's beef is the best."
Ertai didn't hear the hidden meaning and continued to ask, "What's the point of smiling but hiding a knife? Did the owner of some shop bully you? Tell me, and I'll go and deal with him!"
Xiaoyanzi was amused by him and shook her head: "No, I was just talking nonsense." She didn't want them to worry about the things in the palace. It was better for her to deal with those complicated human hearts and undercurrents by herself.
The sun gradually rose higher, casting dappled shadows through the window lattice on the tabletop. Steam curled from the bowls, mingling with the aroma of braised beef and the laughter of the crowd, filling the small noodle shop with a cozy warmth. More and more people filled the alley, and the sounds of shouting, laughter, and the clatter of carts blended together to create a bustling morning scene in Beijing.
Liu Qing was busy turning over newly harvested dried chilies at the door, while Liu Hong was washing dishes in the back kitchen, her humming mingling with the splash of water. Xiao Jian and Erkang were quietly discussing the Jiangnan waterways, occasionally mentioning a few famous names. Ertai gestured with Liu Qing's straw hat and asked, "Brother Liu, the brim of your straw hat is all worn out. Why don't you get a new one? I have several new straw hats in my warehouse. I'll bring you one next time!"
Liu Qing smiled, his teeth showing. "This straw hat has been with me for three years. It's protected me from rain and sun, and I've become attached to it! A new one might not be easy to wear." He took the straw hat and put it on his head, pulling the brim down low. "Besides, we Jianghu people don't care about these things. Practicality is everything!"
Xiaoyanzi lay on the table, chin propped up, watching them chatter and laugh. She twirled her empty bowl of sour plum soup, the porcelain bowl making a soft sizzling sound on the tabletop. Sunlight filtered through the window lattice, casting tiny specks of light on the hem of her aquamarine skirt. The red ribbon on her braid swayed gently with her movements, like a red butterfly perched on her shoulder. She suddenly remembered her past life in the slum, where she would always lie on the stone table like this in the summer, listening to Liu Qing tell stories about escort missions. Liu Hong would bring her iced sour plum soup, while mosquitoes and insects would play around the table... Life was hard back then, but she always felt warm inside. In this life, her identity had changed, but the liveliness and warmth remained the same.
"What are you thinking about?" Yong Qi's voice sounded softly, with a smile, "You almost spun the bowl of sour plum soup away."
Xiaoyanzi snapped back to her senses, her grip loosening, and the bowl nearly dropped to the floor. Yongqi quickly caught it. Her cheeks flushed, and she snatched the bowl and placed it on the corner of the table. "No, I wasn't thinking anything! I just think... it's so nice here." She glanced at Liu Qing and Liu Hong, who were busy at the door, then at the people around her, her eyes sparkling. "There's food, there are friends, no need to worry about those rules, and no need to worry about anyone staring at me."
The last words were spoken softly, but they brushed Xiao Jian's heart like a feather. He put down his chopsticks and tapped the table lightly with his fingertips. "When I'm not busy for a while, I'll take you to Yuquan Mountain outside the city. The springs there are sweet, and it's the coolest place to go in the summer."
"Great, great!" Ertai immediately raised his hand. "I heard that the spring water in Yuquan Mountain is drinkable and you can even catch small fish there!"
Falcon smiled and shook his head: "You only know how to play. Be careful if the emperor finds out or he punishes you by making you copy books."
"As long as the Fifth Prince is here, the Emperor won't punish me!" Ertai winked at Yongqi, "Fifth Prince, don't you agree?"
Yongqi smiled helplessly, "Don't always use me as a shield. But Yuquan Mountain is definitely worth a visit. The lotus flowers there should be in bloom this season, and the scenery is beautiful." He looked at Xiaoyanzi, "If Miss Fang wants to go, can we go together?"
Xiaoyanzi's heart moved, and she was about to agree, but then she remembered Eunuch Su's figure just now, and her excitement instantly faded a little. She lowered her head and used her chopsticks to pick at the chopped green onions at the bottom of the bowl. "Let's talk about it later. Maybe there will be something going on at home by then."
Xiao Jian saw her concerns and took over the conversation: "Ci'er has been learning to paint lotus flowers recently, and was just saying that he wanted to find some real lotus flowers to look at. Once the date is confirmed, I'll send someone back home to tell them." He winked at Xiao Yanzi, signaling her not to think too much.
At this time, Liu Hong came in with a plate of freshly fried sugar cakes. The golden cakes were coated with crystal-clear icing sugar and were still steaming. "It's fresh from the pan, sweet, try it!" She put the plate on the table. "Xiaoyanzi loves this the most. Every time she comes, she packs two kilograms to take away."
"Sister Liu Hong, how did you know I wanted to eat it!" Xiaoyanzi's eyes lit up. She immediately picked up a piece, blew on it, and took a big bite. The icing sugar stained the corners of her mouth, like a little squirrel stealing food. "Hmm! Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, sweet but not greasy, even better than the ones made in the pastry shop back home!"
Yongqi looked at the frosting on the corner of her mouth and couldn't help but pull out a handkerchief from his sleeve and handed it to her: "Eat slowly, there is frosting on the corner of your mouth."
Xiaoyanzi was stunned for a moment, then took the handkerchief and wiped it roughly. Her cheeks turned red again, and she lowered her head to nibble on the candy cake, not daring to look at him again. Ertai laughed out loud: "Xiaoyanzi, why are you like a little greedy cat? You eat candy cakes all over your face!"
"What do you care!" Xiaoyanzi glared at him, but couldn't help laughing. She reached out and stuffed a piece of candy into his mouth, "Shut up!"
Laughter once again filled the small noodle shop, and even the sunlight outside the window seemed to grow warmer. Falcon watched the bustle unfold, his folding fan tapping gently on his palm. He suddenly spoke, "Speaking of which, my father is hosting a poetry gathering at the mansion next month, inviting some scholars and other literati to gather. If Brother Fang Yan and Miss Fang are free, why not come and stay?"
Xiao Jian paused for a moment, "A poetry gathering? I'm a Jianghu person, I'm afraid I don't understand those elegant things."
"Hey, Brother Fang Yan, you're too polite!" Falcon waved his hand. "My father always said that true elegance lies not in form but in the heart. Look at Xiaoyanzi, she just said 'the smell of the city'. Isn't that the best poem?"
Xiaoyanzi felt embarrassed by the compliment and scratched her head: "I was just talking nonsense..."
"That's not nonsense," Yongqi said. "The Emperor often said that the lives of the common people are the most real poetry. Poetry gatherings aren't just about reciting poems and writing couplets. There are also some acrobatics and storytelling, which makes it very lively. If Xiaoyanzi went, maybe she could show off her skills on stage?"
"Show off my skills? Show off what?" Xiaoyanzi glared, "You can't ask me to do somersaults on stage, right?"
Everyone was amused by her. Xiao Jian shook his head helplessly: "You, can't you be more quiet." Although he said this, his eyes were full of doting.
As he was speaking, the sound of horse hooves came from the alley entrance, followed by the guards' shouts: "Make way! The Emperor has arrived at Qipan Street. All outsiders, please get out of the way!"
"Your Majesty?" Xiaoyanzi's candy cake plopped onto the plate, her face paling instantly. She glanced at Xiao Jian, her eyes filled with panic—why was the Emperor suddenly here? Was it a coincidence, or was he... coming for them?
Xiao Jian also stood up, his brows furrowed, and stood in front of Xiao Yanzi, whispering, "Don't panic, stay behind me."
Falcon and Yongqi exchanged glances, each seeing a solemn expression in the other's eyes. Yongqi quickly walked to the door, lifted a corner of the curtain, and peeked out. He saw the people on the street kneeling on the ground. A team of guards cleared the way, and a bright yellow sedan slowly approached. The curtains were tightly closed, making it impossible to see the occupants. Eunuch Su followed beside the sedan, his eyes sharply scanning the shops along the street, clearly clearing out the area.
"What should we do?" Xiaoyanzi's voice trembled. She grabbed Xiaojian's sleeve, her knuckles shaking. "Will the emperor come in?"
"No," Yongqi turned around and tried to keep his tone calm. "The Emperor is just passing by. He may be going to the teahouse in front to rest. We just stay inside and don't make any noise." Having said that, he was not sure in his heart - Eunuch Su had just been here, and it was too coincidental for the Emperor to appear at this moment.
Liu Hong and Liu Qing were also frightened to the point of turning pale. Liu Hong quickly extinguished the stove fire, while Liu Qing took down the sign at the door and whispered, "Hurry, everyone, hide in the kitchen!"
"No need," Xiao Jian held him down. "The more you hide, the more conspicuous you become. We're guests here to eat noodles, so just behave normally." He looked at Fu Erkang and said, "Master Fu, you and the Fifth Prince are members of the royal family. According to the rules, you should go out to greet the emperor."
Fu Erkang nodded. "Stay still inside. Yongqi and I will go deal with it." He and Yongqi straightened their clothes, took a deep breath, and walked out of the noodle shop. Yongqi knelt deeply in the direction of the sedan chair and said loudly, "Your son, Yongqi, pays homage to the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" Fu Erkang followed suit, kneeling and saluting respectfully, "Your son, Fu Erkang, pays homage to the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
There was no movement in the sedan chair. Eunuch Su quickly stepped forward and whispered, "Your Majesty, it's the Fifth Prince and the eldest son of the Fu family who are eating noodles here."
After a while, the curtain of the sedan chair was lifted, revealing Qianlong's deep eyes. His gaze passed over the two people kneeling on the ground and fell on the closed door of the noodle shop. His voice was calm but carried an unquestionable majesty: "Oh? Which noodle shop are they in?"
"Your Majesty, it's the 'Brothers Noodle House' in front." Eunuch Su bowed and replied.
Qianlong was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed, his voice devoid of emotion. "Since Yongqi and Fu Erkang are here, I'm sure the noodles here are good. Let's go to the teahouse and rest."
“Hey!”
The sounds of horse hooves and footsteps gradually faded away until they could no longer be heard. Only then did Yongqi and Fuerkang dare to stand up. They both breathed a sigh of relief, and a thin layer of sweat even seeped out of their foreheads.
"Gone?" Xiaoyanzi poked her head out from the noodle shop, her voice still trembling.
"Gone, went to the teahouse in front." Falcon walked in, his face still a little pale. "You scared me, luckily you didn't come in."
Liu Hong patted her chest, her legs weak: "Oh my God, why did the emperor come here suddenly..."
Xiao Jian's expression remained solemn. He walked to the door, looked at the direction where the sedan was going away, and frowned: "This is not a coincidence."
"You mean... the Emperor knows we're here?" Xiaoyanzi's heart sank, and the handkerchief in her hand was clenched into a ball. "Did he do this on purpose?"
Yongqi walked up to her, his voice gentle but soothing: "Don't think too much, the emperor may just be passing by. Even if he knows, it may not be a bad thing." Having said that, he knew in his heart that the emperor's eyes were probably really on Xiaoyanzi.
The sun was still shining brightly, and the diners in the alley gradually returned, the cries of hawkers rising again, as if the false alarm had never happened. But the atmosphere in the noodle shop had changed. Everyone felt a heavy weight on their hearts, as if a stone had been weighed down. Xiaoyanzi looked at the remaining cakes and empty bowls on the table. The sweetness and bustle of the moment seemed to have dissipated in an instant, leaving only a deep sense of dread.
She knew that what was coming could not be avoided. The emperor's appearance was like a signal, foreshadowing that the peaceful days she wanted to protect might really be broken. And the soup in the bowl of shrimp ball noodles that she hadn't finished had already gone cold, just like her heart, which was gradually cooling down.
Xiao Jian looked at his sister's pale face, patted her back gently, and said in a voice that only the two of them could hear: "Don't be afraid, I will protect you."
Xiaoyanzi looked up at her brother's steady gaze, then at Erkang, Ertai, and Yongqi, all with concerned faces. The chill in her heart gradually gave way to warmth. Yes, she wasn't alone. In this life, she had family and friends. Even if the road ahead was difficult, she could keep going.
She took a deep breath, picked up a piece of sugar cake and stuffed it into her mouth, forcing a smile: "It's okay! It's good that the emperor is gone! Come, let's continue eating the sugar cake. It won't taste good if it gets cold!"
Seeing her forced composure, everyone laughed in unison, their laughter tinged with a subtle bitterness, yet also revealed the tenacity of youth. The bustle of life continued, but everyone knew deep down that this peaceful time might indeed be drawing to a close. And their story had only just begun its most turbulent chapter.
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