After leaving Cangyuan Courtyard, Leng Qingning went to Lin Xianzhi's courtyard and sat with him, chatting.
"Xianzhi, do you still like this courtyard? Are the servants taking good care of you?"
"I am very satisfied. The people Your Highness arranged are certainly excellent."
Leng Qingning frowned: "Don't refer to yourself as a slave anymore. You are my husband."
Lin Xianzhi was touched. Seeing that Leng Qingning was in a good mood, he tried to speak: "Your Highness, why did Brother Shi Yi also come to the manor?"
Mentioning Lu Shiyi, Leng Qing's smile faded. Fearing Lin Xianzhi might mind, she asked, "Did Father make a mistake? Does Xianzhi mind?"
Lin Xianzhi smiled and shook his head: "How could that be? When Brother Shi Yi is here, I have someone to talk to in the manor. If Your Highness has time, would you like to go and see him? Brother Shi Yi and I were friends in Fengyajian, and I hope he can live well here."
Leng Qingning breathed a sigh of relief: "It's good that Xianzhi doesn't mind. I didn't expect my father to appoint him as a virtuous attendant. Now that his name is on the royal register, it can't be changed. Langya Manor will certainly not mistreat him, and I will ensure his safety for life. But there's nothing else I can give him..."
Lin Xianzhe was relieved to hear Leng Qingning's promise to take care of Lu Shiyi.
Changing the subject: "Your Highness, what is the meaning of 'Deer Cry'?"
Leng Qingning smiled and said, "Xianzhi, have you ever heard the cry of a deer?"
"Never."
"Legend has it that deer are divine beasts. Xianzhi's singing voice is as ethereal and melodious as that of a deer, captivating the soul and leaving a lasting impression."
Lin Xianzhi blushed upon hearing this and lowered her eyes, saying self-deprecatingly, "I am merely the descendant of a disgraced official; how can I be compared to a divine beast? Your Highness, please do not tease me."
Leng Qingning grasped his hand and said earnestly, "In my heart, you are an elf who has fallen to earth. Elves are born with a halo, and even if they fall into a swamp and are covered in mud, they still shine brightly."
Elf? Lin Xianzhi had never heard of it. Why did His Highness always have so many whimsical ideas? However, this explanation did indeed please him.
One hour later.
Leng Qingning left the Deer Cry Courtyard, thought for a moment, and then headed towards the Joyful Union Courtyard...
Inside the tea room, Lu Shiyi was enjoying his tea when he saw Leng Qingning arrive. Overwhelmed with gratitude, he immediately rose to greet her, a smile spreading across his face as he bowed in respect.
"I, Your Highness, greet you."
Leng Qingning stepped forward and raised her hand to help him up: "No need for formalities. Is Young Master Lu finding his accommodations comfortable?"
When Lu Shiyi heard Leng Qingning still call him Young Master Lu, a hint of embarrassment flashed across his face, but he quickly hid it and then smiled again.
“Your Highness, please do not worry. When I was in the guest house, Brother Xianzhi would send someone to deliver things to me every day. Today he came to visit me in person. I am so grateful that Brother Xianzhi remembered me. Everything has been fine since I moved into the Hehuan Pavilion.”
Leng Qingning felt that his words seemed to have a hidden meaning. First, he meant that Leng Qingning ignored him and that she only got to move into the Xianshi Courtyard because Lin Xianzhi had to intercede for her. Second, he meant that he and Lin Xianzhi had a good relationship and that Lin Xianzhi cared about him. Even if he didn't care about the monk, he should at least give him some face.
This made Leng Qingning somewhat unhappy. Although it was just a guess, she felt that Lu Shiyi was not a simple person. Or perhaps she was overthinking it; she hoped she was just worrying unnecessarily.
After taking the seat of honor, a servant brought tea. Leng Qingning didn't speak, and Lu Shiyi wasn't in a hurry either. He sat quietly at the lower seat and sipped the tea with great patience.
After a short while, Leng Qingning spoke, "Since Father has already granted you a place in the palace, you will be my husband from now on. I will ensure you have enough to eat and wear for the rest of your life. If you need anything, just ask Mo Shuang. You have been kind to Xianzhi, and he treats you like a brother. I hope that you two will live in harmony and support each other in the future."
Upon hearing this, Lu Shiyi's eyes flickered slightly, knowing that Leng Qingning was giving him a warning. He stood up, bowed to the head of the table, and lowered his eyes humbly, saying, "I have remembered, Your Highness. Xianzhi is my close friend. Even if Your Highness did not say anything, I would work with him to share Your Highness's burdens."
After a brief pause, he looked up at Leng Qingning and said, "Shi Yi dares not be greedy. He only hopes that Your Highness can come to Hehuan Pavilion occasionally."
Lu Shiyi's humble, cautious, and pitiful appearance left Leng Qingning somewhat at a loss. Was she being too petty?
Leng Qingning's expression softened: "That's good. I will try to visit you more often. If you feel bored, go for a walk in the garden or go out of the manor to buy some clothes and jewelry that you like."
After saying this, Chao Xi stepped forward and handed five thousand taels of silver notes to Lu Shiyi. Lu Shiyi accepted them with a smile and then bowed to Leng Qingning.
As Leng Qingning walked out of the Hehuan Pavilion, she felt that something was wrong, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
If Lu Shiyi were a male scheming woman, then his only comment was that he hoped she would visit Hehuan Pavilion more often, without saying anything else. Leng Qingning has read many palace intrigue novels, so his comment is understandable.
But his words always seemed to have a hidden meaning. Well, what's done is done, and she had already promised to take good care of him from now on.
Inside the Hehuan Pavilion, Lu Shiyi picked up the teacup that Leng Qingning had drunk from, refilled it with tea, took a small sip, his eyes brightened slightly, and his expression was unreadable.
…
Today is the auspicious day for the opening of Yellow Crane Tower. Leng Qingning arrived at the restaurant early to prepare for the opening with Fu Wen.
As noon approached, several top chefs served up their best dishes for Leng Qingning and Fu Wen to taste.
After tasting the dishes, Leng Qingning and Fu Wen were very satisfied. Leng Qingning sincerely admired these chefs. They had only been given a menu, yet they had managed to create such delicious dishes in just a few days without any reference. It was truly admirable. It was no exaggeration to call them the leading figures in the culinary world. They were indeed worthy of being carefully selected by the Fu family.
Leng Qingning was very accommodating and ate two large bowls of rice. Seeing their two employers nodding and enjoying their meal, the chefs were instantly filled with energy and confidence.
Downstairs, a large crowd had already gathered, including children of officials, scholars, businessmen, and others. Everyone had heard that the restaurant, a collaboration between the young king and the Fu family, was opening today and had come to show their support.
At noon, the gates of the Yellow Crane Tower opened, and the owner stood before the guests with a beaming smile. He first offered polite greetings to welcome the guests, then introduced the restaurant's background and dishes. Finally, the waiter unfurled the red ribbon, and after the owner's countdown, Leng Qingning and Fu Wen each cut it, completing the opening ribbon-cutting ceremony.
After the ceremony, the innkeeper stepped forward again and introduced to everyone: "Dear guests, today Huanghelou is launching a major promotional event. For any customer who recharges today, recharge 500 taels and receive 100 taels free, recharge 1000 taels and receive 200 taels free, recharge 2000 taels and receive a permanent 10% discount, recharge 5000 taels and receive a permanent 20% discount, and recharge 10,000 taels and receive a permanent 30% discount."
"The final highlight is here. If a customer recharges 20,000 taels of silver or more, they can permanently enjoy a 40% discount at any restaurant in Chang Le City that is owned by the Fu family or Langya family."
After the shopkeeper finished speaking, he politely invited everyone into the store. The crowd became excited and rushed to the recharge counter to recharge their accounts.
"I'll deposit one thousand taels."
"I was here first, let me go first, I want to deposit five thousand taels."
"I'll also deposit five thousand taels."
"Excuse me, I'll deposit ten thousand taels..."
…
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
