In the past, he would have said without hesitation, "It's all up to Mother to decide."
In any case, it makes no difference to him who he marries.
But today, his inherent reactionary consciousness is inexplicably stirring.
"With constant warfare on the borders of Daxia, I am determined not to marry until the borders are at peace, so as not to leave other girls to live alone in empty rooms!"
“You…” Princess Jinyang looked at him, her brows furrowed slightly, and she didn’t know what to say.
This eldest son has never obeyed her since he was a child. If she says to go east, this rebellious son insists on going west!
"Even if you don't want to get married, you are the eldest son of the Duke of Zhenguo's family. If you don't get married, what will happen to your younger brother?"
"Do you expect your brother to get married before you? Wouldn't that make you a laughingstock?"
Princess Jinyang's expression was already somewhat displeased.
Huo Huaizhi's expression darkened. He had wondered why his mother had suddenly become concerned about his marriage. It turned out it was because of his second brother!
"What, second brother, do you already have someone you like?"
A faint sneer curled at the corner of his lips, as if he were asking Princess Jinyang, but his cold gaze was directed at Huo Xizhi.
Huo Xizhi's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly explained, "Brother, don't misunderstand, Mother is just concerned about you..." He then changed the subject.
"Mother, didn't you say the skewers I brought back yesterday were delicious? I have an idea. I'm planning to invite the cook from that shop to come to our house so you can have her cook for you whenever you want!"
Princess Jinyang glanced at him and said indifferently, "Then you should go and ask her what she thinks. If she is willing to come to the Duke's mansion, we will certainly not treat her unfairly in terms of money."
Huo Xizhi nodded; "Mother is right."
Throughout the meal, Huo Huaizhi watched his mother and younger brother chatting and laughing like an outsider.
A loving mother and a filial son!
In the past, he might have felt heartbroken and sad.
But now, he's used to it.
After having breakfast, Huo Xizhi ordered his men to prepare his horse and went out.
Huo Huaizhi didn't pay much attention to it; he and his younger brother had been estranged since childhood.
On this day, Sister Liu's snack shop was open for business as usual.
Business is booming. Even with Zhang Hui and several other women from the compound helping out, they are still exhausted after a day's work.
Needless to say, Liu Yingying was even more so.
She knew that the only person she admired was herself, so the final step of adding the seasonings could only be done by her own two hands.
"Sister Liu, please sit down and have some water."
Xiaoxue frowned as she looked at the corners of her mouth, which were so dry they were peeling, and poured her a cup of cold tea.
"Thanks!" Liu Yingying took the bowl of water and drank it all in one gulp.
This can't go on. Lord Shen will be arriving in the capital soon, and there will surely be many things waiting for her to handle then.
She didn't come to the capital to open a shop, and naturally, the shop wouldn't be her most important thing.
It seems it's time to hand over this business entirely to Zhang Hui.
At noon, Liu Yingying asked Xiaoxue to hang a "Lunch Break" sign she had made herself at the door.
Everyone has been busy all morning; it's time for lunch.
Liu Yingying originally planned to have Qin's Noodle Shop send over a few bowls of noodles, but Zhang Hui stopped her.
"We sell snacks ourselves, why would we pay to buy from outside? Do you have too much money to burn?"
Seeing Zhang Hui standing with her hands on her hips like a housekeeper, Liu Yingying shrugged. "What I mean is that everyone is tired, so let's not cook lunch. We should have lunch and rest properly."
Zhang Hui rolled her eyes at her, "Which of us didn't endure hardship? If we complain about being tired even when cooking a meal, then we shouldn't be doing this work. We should all go home and rest. That's what it means to be comfortable!"
Zhang Hui was also a feisty person, and Liu Yingying couldn't argue with her, so she had no choice but to let her go into the kitchen to cook noodles for everyone.
Madam Wan and Xiaoxue also volunteered to go in and help.
Soon, a steaming bowl of egg and meat sauce noodles was served to each person.
Now that business is good and they're earning more, Zhang Hui is willing to add a few more eggs to the noodles.
Liu Yingying only took a sniff of the aroma before giving Zhang Hui a thumbs up; "Not bad, Hui Niang, your cooking skills have improved by leaps and bounds these days!"
Zhang Hui placed the bowl of noodles on the table and said, "What I'm doing is just showing off my limited skills; it can't compare to your brilliant ideas!"
"Hahaha..." Li Niangzi and the others covered their mouths and chuckled.
The women sat around a table, eating noodles and chatting happily.
Xue Ye took a bowl of noodles and went to the backyard as usual. He was aloof and withdrawn, and everyone was already used to it…
Just then, a luxuriously decorated carriage stopped on the street outside the shop.
This carriage is clearly not something that only the wealthy can afford; the person who came must be from a powerful and wealthy family.
In the past, people from the core elite circles of the capital rarely came to the North City. Even if they had important business to attend to, they would just send their servants to make the trip.
But ever since Sister Liu's skewers shop opened, this street has been frequented by the carriages of the powerful and wealthy...
"Second Young Master, we've arrived." The servant respectfully put down the footstool and invited the person inside the carriage to get out.
The man wore a light purple Shu brocade robe and held a folding fan, exuding an air of refined elegance.
Standing there on the street, he immediately attracted a lot of attention.
This man was none other than Huo Xizhi, the second young master of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
The servant, seeing the signboard hanging at the shop entrance, returned to report: "Second Young Master, they are... taking their afternoon nap..."
Huo Xizhi's lips curled up, and he said dismissively, "So what? It's not like there's no one inside. It's an honor for them to be noticed by my Duke Zhenguo's mansion. Who would refuse such a good job?"
In Huo Xizhi's view, being able to work in their Duke's mansion was a rare and coveted opportunity!
Only a fool would refuse!
The arrogant servant was about to explain when Huo Xizhi behind him spoke first.
"Judging from your appearance, you're no more than sixteen years old. You probably aren't the owner of this shop, are you?"
"Who are you...?"
Xiaoxue was born with a beauty like a lotus emerging from water, and the scars on her face had long since disappeared after being cared for for so long.
Huo Xizhi was a playboy who loved to flirt with women, and he was deeply attracted by Xiaoxue's youth and beauty from the first moment he saw her.
But his gaze made Xiaoxue feel uncomfortable.
"Young master, aren't you here to buy skewers?" Her smile faded slightly as she looked at Huo Xizhi.
"Yes and no!" Huo Xizhi deliberately kept everyone in suspense.
At this moment, Liu Yingying and Zhang Hui noticed that something seemed wrong outside, so they also came out.
"What's wrong?"
Huo Xizhi looked up and saw two more beautiful women, and his heart couldn't help but flutter...
Who would have thought that so many beautiful women were hidden in this small shop in the north of the city!
"It's like this..." Huo Xizhi simply stated his purpose.
"If you agree to sell yourselves into the Zhenguo Duke's mansion and serve there, I can offer you the treatment of a second-class maid. How about it?"
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