Originally, most of the money our employer earned was forced to be used to bribe officials, leaving little profit, so the wages we received were not high.
Now look at the situation. As soon as General Gong's troops entered the city, they posted a notice to reassure the people. They said they were not there to harm us and told us to go about our business. Moreover, if anyone oppressed us, we could complain to them and they would be severely punished.
Not only that, but several unscrupulous merchants in the city who had been exploiting our officials have all been arrested. Those with murder in their hands were executed on the spot after interrogation.
A few days later, they returned the money they had embezzled to everyone.
Although it's not all of them, it's still an incredible blessing for everyone.
"So, life is the same no matter who you're under." The waiter said as he led the way into a private room.
That was quite true; Murong Jing hadn't even ordered any food yet when he gave the man a silver coin.
The waiter was so excited that he quickly recommended his restaurant's specialties. Hong Xiaoduo ordered the stewed fish that Murong Jing had mentioned, and then let Murong Jing order the dishes. He also ordered wine for himself and her separately.
Murong Jing noticed that as long as he didn't mention the two of them to her and chatted casually as usual, the atmosphere was quite good.
The dishes arrived quickly, and they were indeed delicious. The stewed fish was tender, and the pickled cabbage and glass noodles inside were also a hit with Hong Xiaoduo. She enjoyed them very much with the rose liqueur.
"Do you eat fish maw? It's chewy and quite nice," Murong Jing asked her as he picked up a piece of fish maw from the stewed fish.
“Yes, I can eat. I’ve even eaten fish intestines before,” Hong Xiaoduo said.
Upon hearing this, Murong Jing immediately placed the fish maw from his chopsticks into her dish.
I had already put it down when I realized that I hadn't used serving chopsticks.
The next moment, she picked up a piece of food and started eating it without caring about anything else.
Murong Jing's lips curled up again; he had changed his mind.
Even if she doesn't accept me now, it's okay. I won't force her or give up. I'll just take a step back and wait for her.
"This meal is on me, Your Highness, don't try to pay for it," Hong Xiaoduo said, her mouth full of satisfaction and a hint of drunkenness in her voice.
I've been traveling around Yunwu Kingdom for over a month and have made quite a bit of money. What's wrong with treating them to a meal?
"Alright, alright, I won't fight you for it, you pay." Murong Jing replied happily.
After leaving the private room, Hong Xiaoduo paid the bill at the counter. Just as she was about to leave, the waiter rushed in, saying in a panic, "Young master, young lady, your horse is missing. I was at the door the whole time, helping a drunk customer into his sedan chair, and when I turned around, I found it was gone."
The waiter was so anxious he was almost in tears. This young lady didn't look like an ordinary person. He had seen this young master coming and going from the government office, and the soldiers and generals of Fengliang Kingdom treated him with great respect.
That black horse, with its glossy black coat, must have been a prized steed. How could I possibly afford to lose it?
If the other party makes the employer pay compensation, then you've caused the employer to lose money, which is also a mistake!
Upon hearing this, Hong Xiaoduo hurried outside. Murong Jing's brows immediately furrowed. He had invited her here; what would happen if the horse were truly lost?
He knew very well that she was not only good to those children, but also very good to the black horse and the little gray donkey. The hay they ate was better than what he fed his mount.
Once outside the restaurant, Hong Xiaoduo looked at the bare wooden stake, sullenly crossed her arms, and thought, "Fine, very well! Apples and carrots, you're not getting any. And top-quality fodder? Forget about it!"
"Xiao Duo, the city gates are all closed, and they're all our people. It won't be difficult to find it." Murong Jing followed her out and, seeing that her expression was indeed not good, quickly tried to persuade her.
The shopkeeper and his assistant also followed out with worried expressions. They would try to find a horse first, but if they couldn't, they would have no choice but to accept their fate and pay the money.
Just as the shopkeeper was about to speak, Hong Xiaoduo spoke up first: "No need to look, it won't get lost."
With Xiao Hei's fierce nature, who could steal it? It must have been in a hurry to get back to see Tian Shu and the others, and smelled their presence on the street, so it bit off the reins and went to find them.
Huh? It's not lost?
The shopkeeper and his assistant were taken aback, but dared not ask. In any case, the horse's owner said there was no need to look for it, as it was not lost, which meant they were not going to make them pay for it.
Perhaps she knows who secretly took it away?
Hearing her confident tone, Murong Jing suddenly came to his senses. Yes, her black horse was very clever; even if someone led it away, it could run away on its own.
"Where are Tian Shu and the others staying now? Please take me there," Hong Xiaoduo said to Murong Jing.
Murong Jing smiled and nodded. Just as he was about to lead her there, he heard the sound of horses' hooves coming this way. Looking in the direction of the sound, he saw a black horse leading the way, followed by a group of children, and then a man and a woman following closely behind.
That black horse was none other than Hong Xiaoduo's.
"Mother, you're really back!" Yao Guang shouted from afar.
The six children looked at Murong Jing and then at the restaurant behind him.
"When I entered the city, I met the Crown Prince. I thought you should have finished dinner by now, so I followed him here first." Hong Xiaoduo didn't know why, but the happy expressions on the faces of the six children and Fei Yan made her feel a little guilty.
I couldn't help but start explaining.
"Well, it really is because of you. I knew it! Mother has been away for so long, she must have missed us when she came back, but why didn't she go back to look for us first and came here instead?" After hearing this, the children noticed that Murong Jing's expression was not good. Yao Guang even put her hands on her hips and said to him angrily.
Hong Xiaoduo realized something was wrong. The children had never treated this prince like this before, even if they weren't as affectionate as they were towards Yuanxi and Ziming.
This resentment seems to run too deep.
It all looks like a long-standing grudge!
Hong Xiaoduo couldn't help but look at Quan Jinghuai and Fei Yan, her eyes asking, "What's going on?"
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