The Empress Dowager and Old Lady Luo praised the meal as they ate, and discussed staying at the Comfortable Water Pavilion until just before Spring Festival. Thanks to Jiujiu’s meticulous care, they now felt rejuvenated both physically and mentally, looking several years younger, and their days were increasingly comfortable. They even wished to live a few more years to fully enjoy the pleasures of life.
The Empress and Rong Youyan appreciated how Momo was protective and did not want his daughter-in-law to have children too early, to avoid harming her health. Consequently, she did not press the matter any longer. As long as her son and daughter-in-law lived a happy and fulfilling life, she had no wish to be a nasty mother-in-law.
Enjoying the delicious hot pot, savoring fine wine and various drinks, along with unique pastries and fruits, and immersed in a warm and lively atmosphere, everyone relished their feast, their laughter and cheerful voices lingering on.
Jing Prince Mansion.
Standing on a pavilion, looking in the direction of Jinhua Street, Prince Jing had a gloomy expression, his eyes flashing with a cold and bone-chilling light mixed with frustration.
He still hadn’t found Mo Xiang; it was likely there was more bad luck than good. He had suspects in mind but no evidence. And even with evidence, he dared not act rashly. Since losing Mo Xiang, his confidant and strategist, nothing had gone his way.
In a room inside the adjacent courtyard, Consort Ying gently stroked a crescent-shaped white handkerchief meant for men, her cheeks flushed, her eyes tender, lingering with affection for a long while before she carefully hid the handkerchief in a secret compartment of her vanity. The tenderness and sweetness that had just been on her face were gone, replaced by deep-seated jealousy and spite, as well as a determination to succeed.
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Suddenly, Butler Lin entered briskly, excitement on his face as he said to Lin Zheqi, who was reading a book, "Young Master, that person left the palace in secret tonight, should we..." He mimed the action of an assassination.
"Not just that person; the Empress Dowager and the Empress have also gone with them. Do you think that person would go without precautions?" Lin Zheqi’s eyes remained on the book, not lifting his head, "With our manpower, do you think we can get past the Grand Prince and Shao Mingyi’s guards, as well as the guards of Chen Prince Mansion, to actually make an attempt on that person’s life? Don’t forget, there is also the unfathomable Princess Chen!"
Butler Lin’s excitement immediately solidified, the joy previously on his face nowhere to be found.
As the Young Master had said, forgetting the Imperial guards and the Emperor’s Hidden Guards, all the guards of the Grand Prince and Shao Mingyi were soldiers who had been through bloody battles, and those of the Chen Prince Mansion were all highly skilled. Especially Princess Chen, with her superb medical skill—medicine and poison are but two sides of the same coin—it’s possible they wouldn’t even get near the restaurant before being annihilated.
"The Young Master is indeed wise and insightful," Butler Lin said with admiration while also secretly lamenting the lost opportunity. Such a great chance might never come again.
Only after the footsteps had faded away did Lin Zheqi put down the book and lifted his eyes to gaze out the window with a serene expression, his thoughts unknown.
In the boudoir of Princess Yanrou at Prince Ke Mansion.
Lifting the pale yellow mosquito net, Princess Yanrou stepped off the bed, her naked skin alabaster, covered in various shades of purplish-red marks. Her seductive face radiated an almost demonic allure, her eyes sparkled with a different kind of enchantment, and her whole being exuded a bewitching aura.
On the same bed, four young men lay side by side with their eyes tightly shut, also naked, frothing at the mouth and all bearing deathly pallor on their faces.
"Someone, take them out and dispose of them," ordered Princess Yanrou nonchalantly, swaying her lithe figure as she moved towards the washroom.
Quickly, four figures clad in black emerged, expressionlessly picking up the men and vanishing into the night.
Two maids worked in silence, cleaning the room with unfazed expressions and practiced movements, evidently accustomed to such scenes.
Nobody noticed that, from within the dark shadow of the large tree opposite, a pair of eyes had watched the goings-on with perfect clarity.
It wasn’t until late at night, around 9 pm, that the guests, having fully indulged in the fine cuisine, started to leave one after another.
Those who had been lingering outside also dispersed, either to report back to their masters or thinking of returning the next day, the taste of the food still on their minds, unforgettable.
"Jiujiu, you’ve been working hard these past two days. You and your husband should go back and rest properly; I’ll take care of things here." Yang Chenghong said with concern, noticing a trace of fatigue on his sister’s face.
Yang Mengchen indeed felt a bit tired. After giving a few instructions to the chefs and waitstaff, she left with Long Xuanmo, Sister Jin, and the others to return to their residence.
Gesturing for Hai Tang and the others to step out, Long Xuanmo took his wife by the hand to the dressing table and let her sit down. He gently wiped her damp hair with a cloth, his eyes filled with tenderness and guilt upon seeing her sleepy appearance.
For him and his father, for the Imperial Court and the people, Ah Jiu had been working so hard in planning; he felt useless for not being able to help, thinking he wasn’t a good husband.
Feeling the emotional turmoil behind her, Yang Mengchen looked up at Long Xuanmo through the mirror, saw the unusual light in his eyes, and said with a firm and gentle gaze, "Wende, we are husband and wife, and we should advance and retreat together. I might not be able to help with other matters, but I can try to earn more Silver, so you and father can make Dong Chu more flourishing and powerful, allowing the people to live happily and peacefully, and create a golden age."
Having a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for?
Holding his wife tightly, with his chin resting on her fragrantly scented hair, Long Xuanmo’s eyes misted over.
Three days later, five restaurants with the name ’Zixiang Hot Pot City’ personally inscribed by the Emperor opened at the same auspicious hour. Throngs of patrons flocked to the places, which were immediately bustling and had no vacancies. People preferred to wait outside rather than leave, with guests leaving full of praise, noting the cleanliness and deliciousness.
On that day, various membership cards were sold out in large numbers, and the place was packed every day. Everyone knew it was an enterprise of the Chen Prince Mansion, and even though some envied and resented it, no one dared to cause trouble.
The franchise affairs were still managed by Nangong Lingfei and Yang Chenghong, with Yang Mengchen planning behind the scenes.
That day, Sister Jin brought an invitation, "Princess, the Xinyang Marquis Mansion has just sent an invitation, asking the Princess to attend a flower-viewing event the day after tomorrow." She thought the Princess would decline as before and was prepared to handle it, but Yang Mengchen stopped her.
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