"Your Majesty, are we really going to Luo's Restaurant?" Cao Dongsheng asked.
Zhao Huan nodded and said, "Go ahead. I've already promised Yunniang, and you can't make me break my promise."
Cao Dongsheng was delighted: "That's not what I meant. I heard that Luo's Restaurant has a sweet and sour carp dish that is really delicious."
"Well, Linghu Yunlong and I will go together. You stay in the yamen and wait for Wu Ge." After Zhao Huan finished speaking, he told Linghu Yunlong to escape.
Cao Dongsheng wanted to cry as he watched the emperor's back go away, and finally couldn't help but let the tears flow down his face. Nangong Lian'er glanced at him and said, "Look at your lack of ambition. Is it really necessary for you to do this for a dish of sweet and sour carp?"
Cao Dongsheng wiped his tears and said, "Your Majesty, you misunderstood. Sand just blew into my eyes."
Nangong Lian'er snorted, ignored him, and followed Zhao Huan.
Cao Dongsheng sighed deeply, his tone filled with loneliness and disappointment.
Nangong Lian'er caught up with Zhao Huan and said, "Your Majesty, aren't we going a little too far?"
"What's too much? Why don't I give this guy a surprise? It was him who informed you." Zhao Huan said, turning his head.
"What secret are you telling?" Nangong Lian'er asked. Zhao Huan realized that he had accidentally let the cat out of the bag and hurriedly covered his mouth.
Nangong Lian'er suddenly remembered and smiled, "Well, it wasn't Cao Dongsheng who reported it. You wronged him."
"What?" Zhao Huan didn't quite understand.
"Your Majesty left the palace without permission. He must be holding a grudge against Cao Dongsheng for reporting the secret, so I came with him."
Zhao Huan hesitated when his thoughts were spoken, "How could that be? I'm just worried about you."
Nangong Lian'er couldn't help but burst out laughing, pursed her lips and said, "It's the Queen."
"Ah?" Zhao Huan was surprised.
"Yes, the Empress told me that you were going to leave the palace for a private visit. She was afraid that you would be distracted after you came out, so she sent me to monitor you. What do you think?" Nangong Lian'er looked at him with squinted eyes.
"Alas," Zhao Huan sighed, "Women are so scary!"
"Don't be so conceited, Your Majesty. What are you afraid of? This time, the Empress has promised me to select concubines for you from the common people. Look, the dozens of concubines I selected for you in Pizhou have all been sent to the palace. You can choose whichever one you want to have your favor with."
Zhao Huan's heart started pounding at the thought. These dozens of beautiful women were indeed quite good. At least they were much prettier than his father Zhao Ji's concubines. Zhao Huan's heart started to flutter at the thought: "Then, then Yun Niang..."
Nangong Lian'er rolled her eyes at him and said, "Look, the fox's tail is exposed. If Your Majesty is interested in Yunniang, then it's fine."
"Really?" Zhao Huan was overjoyed.
Nangong Lian'er nodded gently: "Of course, but it seems to me that Your Majesty is not as ruthless as the flowers that fall on your heart."
"What do you mean?" Zhao Huan was a little unsure. It was really hard to understand a woman's mind.
"Hmph! Your Majesty, you don't really think that Yunniang wants to invite you to dinner because she has some feelings for you, right?"
This really hit the nail on the head for Zhao Huan, as he shared his thoughts. Yunniang was clearly trying to seduce him; she had set her sights on me. She was a young woman in name only, so she could be brought into the palace to be a concubine. Yunniang's charming expression still lingered in Zhao Huan's mind.
"This, this, how could this be? I didn't mean that." Zhao Huan touched his head in embarrassment. This was very un-electrical.
Nangong Lian'er said sternly, "Well, Your Majesty. I will make a gentleman's agreement with you. If Yunniang refuses, Your Majesty must not have any improper thoughts."
Zhao Huan was delighted, thinking that if Yunniang was interested, he could bring her back to the palace...
"Okay, I don't like people who don't like me." Zhao Huan didn't find the grammatical error in this sentence, but Linghu Yunlong was a little confused.
Linghu Yunlong was a little confused when he heard this from behind: "Your Majesty, what does His Majesty mean?"
Nangong Lian'er didn't answer, only saying, "Today is Cao Dongsheng's birthday. For the past two years, His Majesty has always had him accompany her to dinner on Cao Dongsheng's birthday, which is a great honor for Cao Dongsheng. Today, His Majesty probably pretended to forget. Did you see Cao Dongsheng's expression? His Majesty wanted to give him a surprise tonight."
Are some subconscious actions contagious? Linghu Yunlong was infected. He scratched his head, not understanding these thoughts: "Isn't it just a meal?"
It's no wonder Luo's Restaurant is so popular. First, its location is unique. This main road is the largest in Fengxian County and a crucial transportation link between two provinces. Merchants flock here, and while there are many restaurants and shops nearby, Luo's Restaurant is the largest and most popular.
Zhao Huan didn't dare come at dinner time. After all, many people in Fengxian County knew him. Even if he changed into casual clothes, he would still be recognized. If he came to dinner with a large group and guards, he would be afraid of disturbing the common people.
Before noon, Zhao Huan and his companions arrived at the restaurant. The innkeepers, aware of Zhao Huan's presence, bustled about, kneeling and bowing. Yunniang was even earlier, waiting at the door to greet them. Her face was filled with joy, devoid of the stubbornness of the previous night, which frightened her mother-in-law.
"Your Majesty, Yunniang is pleased to welcome Your Majesty and respectfully welcomes Your Majesty to our shop." Yunniang knelt down and saluted Zhao Huan with a smile as beautiful as a flower.
Zhao Huan smiled and said, "Yunniang, this is a nice place. You've chosen a good location, and you have good taste. Come on, get up."
Nangong Lian'er enthusiastically went over and helped Yunniang up: "Yunniang, get up quickly. His Majesty has been anxious these days, waiting for your shop to open so that he can come and taste your cooking skills."
Yunniang then stood up and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, the private room upstairs has been prepared for you. Please come upstairs."
I have to admit that the decoration of Luo's Restaurant is very unique. It is not luxurious, but it exudes an indescribable sense of intimacy. As soon as you enter, you feel like you are at home.
Zhao Huan's room had been cleaned long ago, and everyone sat down at once. Yun Niang called out, "Serve the food!"
The restaurant had already prepared everything for Zhao Huan's visit, and soon the dishes were served. The sweet and sour carp was truly exceptional. Zhao Huan didn't particularly enjoy fish, especially freshwater fish. Despite the palace chef's meticulous preparation, he always found freshwater fish to have an earthy, fishy flavor. But this sweet and sour carp was unique. It had a sweet and sour flavor with a hint of saltiness, without any of the earthy, freshwater fishy taste. Zhao Huan couldn't put his chopsticks down, repeatedly declaring it delicious.
"Yun Niang, you asked me to come here not just to thank me for having a meal. In fact, I know why. Okay, I will agree to it." Zhao Huan said while eating fish.
Yunniang was slightly surprised: "So Your Majesty already knew about it. Yunniang thanks Your Majesty here!" Then she bowed.
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