“When he left, did he say anything?”
Xiao Wanyu took a long moment to compose herself before turning to the maid beside her and asking.
“No, Young Master Qin didn’t say anything.”
“Then where did he go? He didn’t take anything with him. Where could he possibly go?”
Xiao Wanyu frowned, a hint of worry rising in her heart. Qin Yan had no family or connections. Since he hadn’t taken a single thing from the Princess’s Residence, how was he supposed to survive after leaving?
“This… this old servant doesn’t know either.”
“Princess, are you worried about Young Master Qin?”
The maid shook her head and looked at Xiao Wanyu’s expression before gently asking.
“Worried? What a joke. Why would I care about him? He was just a stand-in raised by me. If he’s gone, then so be it.”
“Prepare breakfast. I’m hungry.”
Xiao Wanyu immediately gave a cold laugh and denied it. She found the very idea laughable. She was Princess Changning, the beloved daughter of the current Emperor—how could she care about a mere substitute?
“Ptui, ptui ptui…”
“Useless bunch! What’s wrong with the kitchen today? Is this food even edible? Who told you to change the cooks?”
A furious rebuke rang out, accompanied by the sound of dishes shattering. Xiao Wanyu’s voice echoed through the room, frightening everyone into dropping to their knees.
“Princess, please calm down. The Princess’s Residence hasn’t changed cooks.”
The maid quickly stepped in to explain, saying that the kitchen staff remained the same.
“Impossible. This isn’t the taste I’m used to. Today’s breakfast is completely unpalatable. Clearly, the cooks have been changed.”
Xiao Wanyu’s face grew even more furious. How could she not know whether the cooks had been changed? Her breakfasts used to be delicious, with perfect color, aroma, and taste—this was nothing like that. Find the original chapter at novelping.com.
Though the dishes looked the same, the taste was worlds apart.
“Uh… Your Highness, the Princess’s Residence truly hasn’t replaced any cooks. It’s just… it’s just…”
“Just what? Speak plainly.”
Seeing the maid stammer, Xiao Wanyu snapped impatiently.
“Princess, in the past, all your breakfasts were personally prepared by Young Master Qin. The lunches and dinners you had daily were also made by him. Now that he’s no longer here, naturally, the food won’t taste the same.”
The maid finally revealed the truth to Xiao Wanyu, letting her know that for the past three years, all the meals she’d eaten were personally made by Qin Yan. Now that he had left, of course she wouldn’t get that same taste anymore.
“What? Qin Yan made the meals? How is that possible? He could cook?”
Xiao Wanyu was stunned. She looked at the maid with disbelief. This was truly shocking—she hadn’t known about this at all and never imagined that Qin Yan could even cook, let alone make such delicious food.
“It’s true, Princess. Everyone in the residence knows this. If you don’t believe it, you can ask anyone.”
Seeing that Xiao Wanyu didn’t believe her, the maid spoke again.
“Forget it. Take this breakfast away. Also, replace all the kitchen staff in the Princess’s Residence and bring in new ones.”
Now that even the maid had said so, Xiao Wanyu could no longer doubt it. While she was shocked that Qin Yan could cook and had done so for her for three whole years, she also began to feel increasingly irritable.
It felt like her life had changed drastically just shortly after Qin Yan left. Everything was becoming unfamiliar, and she couldn’t adapt.
“Yes!”
“Princess, shall I prepare some pastries for you? You still haven’t…”
“No need. I’m going to find Brother Yuanyi.”
Irritated, Xiao Wanyu had no appetite at all. She stood up abruptly. She planned to go look for Ji Yuanyi—he was the only one who could improve her mood now.
…
“Boss Qin, how about it? 2,000 taels really is the limit I can bear to part with this restaurant. If it weren’t for family matters back home, I wouldn’t be selling it at all. Even if offered 3,000 taels, I wouldn’t have given it up.” Enjoying the story? Read on at NovelPing.
In the Capital’s East Market, inside a restaurant located in a prime commercial area, an elderly man dressed like a merchant looked at the young man beside him with anticipation. This young man had a distinguished air, stood tall with confidence, his eyes sharp and full of capability. He exuded a bright and energetic spirit.
This person was none other than Qin Yan, who had left the Princess’s Residence.
“Boss Liu, let’s not play games. You and I both know why you’re selling this restaurant. The Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion next door has opened, and your business has been snatched away. You’re only selling because you can’t sustain it anymore.”
“Frankly, this restaurant isn’t worth even 1,000 taels in my eyes. If you keep running it, it’ll soon shut down entirely.”
“But I’m not someone who takes advantage of others. Here’s what I’ll offer: 1,200 taels, and I’ll take the restaurant. What do you say?”
Qin Yan looked directly at the old man as if he could see right through him. In just a few sentences, he had clearly analyzed the situation—he had clearly done his background research.
Hearing this, Boss Liu’s expression changed. He hadn’t expected this young man to have already found out everything about the restaurant’s situation.
“Boss Qin, 1,200 taels? I’ll lose everything that way. I spent 1,500 taels just acquiring this place. You’re not seriously going to make me take such a loss, are you? How about this—1,500 taels, and I’ll sign the contract with you right away.”
“Boss Liu, you still don’t understand the current situation. Right now, your restaurant is barely hanging on, which is why I’m willing to offer 1,200 taels. But in a few more days, forget 1,200 taels—no one will even offer 500.”
“I’m sure you’ve had many people inquiring about this place since you decided to sell. I can guarantee that my offer is the highest one you’ll get.”
Qin Yan shook his head and spoke calmly.
“This…”
Boss Liu was left speechless. It was true—since putting the word out that he was selling, many had come to ask, but all the offers had been absurdly low.
Everyone understood this restaurant couldn’t survive much longer. With the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion next door, anyone buying this place would be taking on a huge risk. Naturally, the offers had been low.
Qin Yan’s offer of 1,200 taels was indeed the highest, and it made Boss Liu hesitate.
“Forget it. If Boss Liu isn’t willing to part with it, then I won’t force it. But let me say this—once I walk out that door, if you come looking for me again, I won’t be offering the same price.”