Actually, Yang Mengchen had a great deal of respect for Lu Ningshuang. In a society that demanded extreme strictness from women, Lu Ningshuang had managed through her efforts to ensure that both she and her brother could live a good life, and she had personally taught her brother to be sensible and understanding. It was said that her brother had already become a recognized scholar, with good studies and character. Had she not resisted, it’s very likely that her stepmother would have led her brother to become a wastrel, and his life would have been ruined.
Furthermore, Lu Ningshuang managed household affairs and was a master of sewing and cooking, but what was most important were her practicality and clever efficiency — practical, in that she saw reality clearly and was able to plan for the future, excelling in household management and needlework as capital for establishing herself and her life, all of which showed she was clever and capable.
Yang Mengchen asked with a smile, "I wonder, Ms. Lu, do you need something from Sixth Brother?"
If Lu Ningshuang really married Sixth Brother, Mengchen amusingly thought that life would certainly be very interesting.
When Lu Ningshuang had come in, she was solely focused on finding Yang Chenghong and hadn’t noticed the other people in the room. Now, hearing Yang Mengchen’s inquiry, she finally came to her senses and upon seeing Yang Mengchen and Nangong Lingfei sitting at the table, her face changed slightly. She hurried over to pay respects to Yang Mengchen, "Your servant greets Princess Chen." freёwebnovel-com
"Dispense with the formalities," Yang Mengchen said, lifting her hand. "Sixth Brother has already left. Ms. Lu, if there’s anything you wish to discuss, feel free to tell me, and I will pass the message on to Sixth Brother."
A faint blush crept over Lu Ningshuang’s beautiful cheeks, "It’s... it’s nothing... Princess Chen, your servant will take her leave now." After bowing respectfully, she left with her maid in tow, and her departure seemed very much like a hasty retreat.
Even though she was gutsy and bold, before the sister of the man she had feelings for, who was also the renowned Princess Chen, she inevitably felt shy and flustered.
Yang Mengchen was momentarily taken aback. Was her appearance that frightening, or why else would Lu Ningshuang have suddenly run off?
As if understanding Yang Mengchen’s question, Hai Tang earnestly said, "The princess has always been gentle and approachable, not scary at all."
Lv Luo, Mo Mei, and the other two nodded in agreement, while Yuan Bao and Leng Xiao also expressed that the princess was the most approachable of all. Only Nangong Lingfei couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Yang Mengchen felt vindicated but seeing Nangong Lingfei laughing so heartily, she raised an eyebrow and took out a small vial, shaking it deliberately and speaking in a measured tone, "I have just developed a new drug that makes people speak the truth, but I’m not sure about the effectiveness. Why doesn’t Big Brother Nangong try the new drug for me?"
"Sister Nine, I was wrong. You’re magnanimous; please don’t hold this against me," Nangong Lingfei immediately pleaded, making a gesture of supplication with his hands clasped together in politeness.
Hai Tang and the others, along with Yuan Bao, inwardly sneered: Serves him right! To dare to laugh at the princess — he was truly asking for trouble!
Looking up at the ceiling decorations, Leng Xiao admired the princess’s outstanding wisdom; the restaurant’s decor was truly ingenious.
Continuing to twirl the small vial in her hand, Yang Mengchen said indifferently, "As long as Big Brother Nangong honestly explains what’s going on between Sixth Brother and Lu Ningshuang, I won’t hold it against Big Brother Nangong, nor will I make you try the new drug. But if there’s even half a lie..."
"I’ll speak the truth, I won’t hide a single thing from Sister Nine," Nangong Lingfei stated hastily, regretting in his heart that he had gotten carried away and offended his younger sister. Now he had to swallow the bitter pill he had brewed himself: "Three months ago, Ms. Lu’s purse was stolen on the street, she chased after the thief and ended up finding it on Chenghong. Ms. Lu mistook Chenghong for being in cahoots with the thief and wanted to take Chenghong to the Government Office, but thankfully I happened to be passing by and cleared up the misunderstanding;
Not many days later, Ms. Lu went to the Ice Workshop to buy some ice blocks, and Chenghong deliberately gave her trouble and even raised the price. Soon, Ms. Lu learned the truth, chased after Chenghong to either get the excess silver coin returned or receive more ice blocks. Chenghong, of course, would not agree, and the two of them began to clash;
Afterwards...
As things went back and forth, Ms. Lu gradually took a liking to Chenghong, but out of concern for her own reputation, she dared not reveal her feelings;
I saw that Chenghong also had feelings for Ms. Lu, but it was puzzling why he always avoided her, hiding at the sound of her voice or at the sight of her from far away;
Sister Nine, I’ve told you everything, not a word of it is false. Please don’t make me try the new drug. If you want to test it, I’ll be responsible for finding someone for you, okay?"
So there was such an interesting story between Sixth Brother and Ms. Lu. Yang Mengchen secretly pondered how to cleverly inquire more from Sixth Brother. If he truly had feelings for Ms. Lu, she wouldn’t object.
Gathering her thoughts, Yang Mengchen looked at the cautiously pleading Nangong Lingfei and tossed the small vial to him, as cheerful as the spring breeze she said, "A few days ago, I noticed Aunty Nangong had a bit of a cough, so I especially made this pill for her. Big Brother Nangong, make sure to take it back for Aunty Nangong. Unwittingly, it’s almost noon and Wende will return and worry if he doesn’t see me. I will head back first, Big Brother Nangong, until next time." With that, she gracefully left with Hai Tang and the others.
Clenching the small vial in his hand, watching the receding figure of Yang Mengchen, Nangong Lingfei felt like crying but had no tears, "Sister Nine, you’ve learned some bad tricks!"
Yuan Bao and Leng Xiao exchanged glances, not the slightest bit sympathetic towards the self-punishing Nangong Lingfei.
Yang Mengchen had just come out of washing up when Long Xuanmo stepped into the room, "You’re back."
"Mhm," Long Xuanmo responded with a smile, then went to wash up. Yang Mengchen, meanwhile, instructed Hai Tang and the others to prepare lunch.
After lunch, Long Xuanmo had everything cleared away, took his beloved wife’s hand tenderly, and asked with a smile, "A-Jiu, did you go out of town today?"
"I went to examine the progress of Feng Lin and the others on the farm, then to the Imperial Manor," Yang Mengchen nodded. "Tomorrow, you should arrange for someone to transport several tens of tons of coal and charcoal from the Imperial Manor back here — a small part directly to the restaurant on Jinhua Street, the rest to the Internal Affair Mansion. Once we understand Father Emperor’s intentions, we can begin selling it."
Long Xuanmo agreed, "What does A-Jiu plan to do with the five restaurants?"
"The day after tomorrow evening, I plan to host a family and friends dinner at the Jinhua Street restaurant. You will see then what it’s for, and I guarantee it will be an eye-opener for you," Yang Mengchen said with a mysterious smile.
Looking at his spirited wife, Long Xuanmo was filled with joy, "I look forward to it."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com