Upon learning that Uncle Sheng Shu was preparing for the imperial examination and would be staying in the capital for several months, the Eighth Prince stopped talking. While sipping his fruit wine and listening to the faint clamor of people outside the private room, the Eighth Prince ordered the guards to open the window.
After opening the window, the Eighth Prince discovered that there was a flying bridge outside the restaurant. Sitting in the third-floor box, he could see the bustling streets of the capital.
Seeing the Eighth Prince's curiosity, Sheng Shu explained the strengths of Fanlou. Fanlou boasts five floors at its highest point, offering a view of the Imperial Palace. Not only are the decorations dazzling, the service attentive and courteous, but the menu is also extensive. Those who have visited Fanlou say the experience is worthwhile, and some even say the food is truly diverse, worthy of the name.
This piqued the interest of the Eighth Prince. He raised his eyebrows and asked, "Can we really see the Imperial Palace?"
Seeing Sheng Shu nod with difficulty, the Eighth Prince stood up and said, "Then I'd like to take a look." After that, he left the box with his guards.
Sheng Shu and Yu Jiaxing hurriedly chased out and followed the Eighth Prince to the top floor.
The sun was at its zenith, the heat of summer scorching the air. Standing on the top floor, the Eighth Prince looked at a corner facing the Imperial Palace and scoffed, "How can this be called a palace hall? It's just a corridor leading to the outer gate."
Sheng Shu and Yu Jiaxing nodded repeatedly. Sheng Shu thought to himself, of course it couldn't be the real imperial palace. Who would have the courage to take in the entire imperial palace?
After standing for a while, the Eighth Prince said, "Go back and let me taste the food in Fanlou."
After the group returned, the food began arriving. While refreshing side dishes had been served upon arrival, the "cilantro" dish was now served, intended to whet the diners' appetites. The so-called "cilantro" was not only visually appealing but also had a unique characteristic: it could only be viewed, not eaten. After viewing, the main course would follow.
Smelling the fragrant "coriander" and listening to the servant's explanation, the Eighth Prince clapped his hands and cheered: "Good, reward!"
After thanking the waiter for the reward, he waved for the "coriander" to be removed, and then began to serve the main course. The three of them ordered twelve dishes, and they arrived one after another: fried crab, fried quail with bamboo shoots, lotus duck skewers, and roasted lamb. After the eunuch tested the poison, the Eighth Prince picked up his chopsticks. After tasting a few, the Eighth Prince nodded and said, "Not bad."
Afterwards, three meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, a soup, and a casserole were served. By the time they finished lunch, it was an hour later. Because they were young, they couldn't enjoy Fanlou's famous "Mei Shou Wine" and "He Zhi Wine" yet, so they could only drink a few glasses of fruit wine to accompany their meal.
A few young boys actually ate up the entire table full of dishes. Looking at the empty plates on the table, Yu Jiaxing touched the back of his head and said with a smile: "Don't blame me, Your Highness. It's just that I eat too much. If I eat any more, I'll have three bowls of rice."
Knowing that it was Yu Jiaxing who was taking on the responsibility, the Eighth Prince leaned back in his chair and asked lazily, "Oh? So, are you full today? Do you want to order three more bowls of rice?"
Unexpectedly, the Eighth Prince would say this. Yu Jiaxing rubbed his head and said, "I'm full."
Sheng Shu on the side laughed and said, "Yunfeng, His Highness is joking with you." Then the three of them laughed.
In the afternoon, they went to Yu Mansion and then returned to Sheng Mansion to rest. Yu Jiaxing also stayed in the outer courtyard of Sheng Mansion and stayed in the same courtyard with Xu Lin at night.
At dinner, the Eighth Prince specifically instructed the Sheng family not to offer any special hospitality; the food could be served as usual. Since the guests were male, Xu Wen simply greeted them and left. Sheng Huairen and Xu Lin joined the Eighth Prince at the table. Sheng Huairen wore makeup to conceal his face, but from a distance, it was barely noticeable.
After his conversation with Xu Lin, the Eighth Prince seemed to have a vivid picture of Nanjing before his eyes. He couldn't help but yearn for Jiangnan. However, when he calmed down and thought about his father's recent requests to him, he could only put the idea of traveling to Jiangnan aside.
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