Iris was stunned for a moment, and her movements came to a halt.
Han You watched as the sweet and sour carp remained suspended halfway to its destination, and he felt his entire being go sour. How could someone waylay a dish halfway to the table?
He turned his head to look at the entrance, where a figure stood in fiery red, wearing a phoenix coronet and a draped ceremonial gown. Good heavens, whose bride had escaped?
Chu Ying was dressed in red like a flame, standing at the restaurant entrance like a scorching sun, flamboyant and unbridled. She stared at that plate of sweet and sour carp and waved her hand grandly.
“What kind of fish is this? I want it!”
Iris looked at Lord Shen sitting and waiting ahead, then looked at Chu Ying. Her intuition told her that neither of these two was someone to be trifled with.
“Young lady, this fish was ordered by this guest. Please wait a moment, and I will have the kitchen prepare another one for you,” Iris said in a dilemma.
Chu Ying wanted to wait too, but she was not alone; she had a wedding procession of hundreds, if not thousands, of people behind her. The original plan was to cross Jiangzhou today and take the waterway to reach the capital quickly.
“How much longer will it take?” Her small face darkened slightly.
“About half an hour,” Iris estimated.
It wouldn’t have taken this long, but the crispy pork was so fragrant that it attracted too many diners, and the young mistress in the kitchen was overwhelmed and couldn’t keep up.
“Too long. I want this one.” Chu Ying rolled up her sleeves and opened her palm toward the back.
Tianli understood, pulled out a bag of silver, and placed it in her hand.
Chu Ying casually set the bag of silver on the dining table next to her. “Give me this fish and bring a few more dishes; this silver will be yours.”
Iris: “…”
She swore she was not tempted! Truly!!! That bag of silver was really, really huge—Young Mistress, come out and take a look! This servant is about to be unable to hold out!
She tried to calm her pounding heart, but the harder she tried, the faster it beat. It seemed her heart had also been moved by the bag of silver.
Iris looked toward Shen Zhengze and Han You with eyes full of anticipation. She hoped that Lord Shen could be lenient and voluntarily give up the fish. Unfortunately, she was disappointed.
Han You let out a cold sneer and stood up to fight for the sweet and sour carp on behalf of his master.
“Which family’s young lady are you? Do you know who ordered this plate of fish you’re trying to snatch?! Considering you are a woman, I will show you mercy—why don’t you retreat at once!”
Chu Ying had bright eyes and white teeth. She cast a fleeting glance over, filled with fearlessness and unbridled spirit.
“Hahaha, then why don’t you tell me, who is your master?!”
She had never been afraid of comparing fathers!
Han You saw that the other party insisted on challenging him, and he thought to himself that she truly would not shed tears until she saw the coffin.
“My master serves at the Jiangzhou Prefecture Office, and his surname is Shen.”
Having said that, she should understand now. Lord Shen’s name was known to everyone in Jiangzhou. If she were sensible, she would leave immediately, and this matter would be settled.
Chu Ying pricked up her ears and waited for a long time, but she didn’t even get a name, which left her feeling puzzled.
“You should at least say what his name is. You don’t even dare to mention his name—is he a nobody?”
Han You was angry. “How are you speaking? How outrageous?! My master’s name alone would scare you to death!”
He took the Jiangzhou Prefect’s token from his bosom and held it up for Chu Ying and her retinue to see.
Chu Ying took a close look and started to laugh. “Tianli.”
Tianli also fished a tablet out from her bosom; it was made of jade and engraved with intricate patterns.
“My mistress is the legitimate daughter of the former Grand Tutor Chu and the Princess Consort of Qin, bestowed by imperial decree. We are traveling from Yunzhou to the capital for the wedding, and passing through Jiangzhou, we simply wished to eat a fish. I hope the Lord will be magnanimous.”
Han You was dumbstruck. It’s over, it’s over. Lord, we can’t compete with this.
The future Princess Consort of Qin—wasn’t that your little Imperial Aunt?
Iris could barely keep holding the plate. Heavens, the Princess Consort of Qin!! Young Mistress, help! Lord Shen and the Princess Consort of Qin are fighting over a fish!