At dusk, the Eastern Palace carriage rode on the lingering sunset glow toward the bustling market. The Ninth Princess had sent a messenger to the residence, inviting her brother and sister-in-law to dine out.
Upon arriving at their destination, Song Yao fell silent.
Xiangman Pavilion—one of the establishments under their organization’s name. Adhering to the principle of maintaining a low profile under the Emperor’s nose, the restaurant was modest in scale within Wangdu City.
Its location was decent enough, but its true advantage lay in introducing a novel dish every few months, which attracted many patrons and kept business thriving.
“We’re over here, this way!”
Nangong Yan leaned halfway out from the private room on the third floor, waving to the couple.
The proprietress naturally attended to esteemed guests of the private room personally, having waited eagerly. At the first sign of movement, she hurried out.
“Our honored guests have arrived, please come in—” The remaining words of invitation stuck in her throat when she saw Song Yao, neither coming out nor going back down.
Dai Niang was utterly stunned: M-Master? Ru Shuang? The Cr-Crown Prince?
But the bejeweled young girl hadn’t mentioned that the esteemed guests would be the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.
Song Yao: …
Dai Niang: “This humble commoner pays respects to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess!”
Dai Niang proved why she was the capable hand who managed all the organization’s food and beverage ventures with perfect order, demonstrating excellent adaptability.
Glancing at the carriage bearing the Eastern Palace insignia behind them, she pretended to have just recognized their identities, expressing surprise, delight, and trepidation as she performed the ceremonial greetings.
After completing the formalities, she led the party to the private room, all smiles and bows as she escorted them in, and all smiles and bows as she departed.
After descending the stairs, she personally went to the kitchen to supervise the cooks, fanning herself while watching. Her face, adorned with the popular makeup style of Da Yuan, wore the enigmatic smile women knew all too well.
A perfect match, such a perfect match!
Inside the private room, the atmosphere was subtle.
Because Nangong Jin was also present. After greeting his elder brother and sister-in-law, he showed no intention of speaking further.
Just as Nangong Yi was about to speak, Nangong Yan kicked her seventh brother under the table in frustration, her eyes glaring fiercely.
Apologize to sister-in-law, you inconsiderate fool!
Nangong Jin: “I shouldn’t have said those things this morning. Royal Sister-in-law, please don’t take offense.” Clearly reluctant, but maintaining adult decorum.
Nangong Yi frowned.
Song Yao smiled slightly and reached for her husband’s hand to indicate it wasn’t necessary, responding with equal politeness: “Seventh Brother jests. I didn’t take it to heart in the first place.”And so, both parties reached a hypocritical reconciliation.”
Nangong Yan, having grown up sheltered by her parents and two elder brothers, possessed a naive and lively disposition, becoming instantly familiar with those she liked.
After chatting with her sister-in-law for a few moments, she happily shuffled over and squeezed her eldest royal brother aside, hugging Song Yao while repeatedly calling her “dear sister-in-law.”
When Dai Niang entered with the servers bringing dishes, Nangong Yan was asking Song Yao about her hobbies and how she passed her leisure time.
Song Yao’s acting skills were excellent, and her ability to fabricate stories was equally impressive. Playing the gentle sister-in-law, she answered without blushing or her heart racing, feigning shyness:
“Embroidery. When I have free time, I enjoy thinking of new patterns to embroider on handkerchiefs. I’m not very skilled—it’s just something to pass the time.”
Dai Niang: …
Ru Shuang: …
“Embroidery,” murmured the teenage princess whose eyes still held innocence and naivety, having never known hardship. She believed everything her sister-in-law said and was quite enthusiastic.
“Sister-in-law, you’re so virtuous! I can’t do that—my needlework is terrible. The things I embroider are too embarrassing to show. Mother often nags me about it…”
After all dishes were served, Dai Niang led the servers out of the room.
After descending the stairs, Dai Niang headed straight to the tavern’s backyard. After ensuring no one was around, she clutched her stomach and laughed until she could barely stand straight: “Oh my goodness!”
The mistress said her hobby is embroidery—hahahahahaha! With what? Those human skin masks made by Qian Mian? Hahahahaha!
After finishing dinner, the four went their separate ways.
After all, Nangong Zhe had just died. It was acceptable for them to gather for a meal, but if they were seen happily strolling and enjoying themselves afterward, it would inevitably give critics ammunition.
After they left, Dai Niang—the business genius—would henceforth begin every conversation with others, regardless of the topic:
“What? How did you know the Crown Prince and Crown Princess came to our Xiangman Lou for a meal!”
“Oh my, let me tell you, there’s nothing particularly special about our place—except our food is absolutely superb! Even the Crown Prince and Crown Princess said it was excellent!”
Time flew like an arrow, and in the blink of an eye, a month and a half had passed. Nangong Zhe’s funeral arrangements were completed, and all related matters were settled.
By mid-July, the weather in Wangdu City remained sweltering, but several days of heavy rain had brought some relief from the heat.
Today, after the rain cleared, the market bustled with activity once more. Shops reopened, stalls were set up, and new stores celebrated their grand openings.
A passerby remarked in surprise, “Hey, wasn’t this place a singing house before? How did it become a pastry shop?”
The owner of the neighboring music instrument shop leaned out, looking displeased. “Singing house? It closed down long ago! For the past month, they’ve been hammering and renovating every afternoon—so annoying. Finally, it’s open.”
“But you have to admit, the pastries they sell look quite lovely. Auntie, what did you buy? Are they tasty? Expensive?” Another passerby chimed in, casually stopping an elderly woman who had just purchased pastries.
The woman was warm-hearted. “Delicious, delicious! The one I’m eating now is called lotus flower pastry. Not expensive at all, just… and with the grand opening, if you buy two types of pastries, you get a free drink. Look, herbal jelly soup! I’ll bring this back for the kids—it helps cool them down in this heat…”
While the auntie chattered away, Ru Shuang emerged from the shop with several maids in pink attire, carrying large and small packages of pastries.
Their demeanor clearly indicated they served a wealthy household.
The promotional effect was instantly maximized. Most of the hesitant onlookers swarmed into the shop—if nobility ate there, how bad could it be? Worth a try!
After exiting the alley, Ru Shuang turned right onto the main avenue with her maids. She instructed them to load all the pastries into the gift carriage and then approached the foremost carriage.
“Mistress, everything has been purchased.”
Song Yao lifted a corner of the carriage curtain with her small round fan, squinting as the glaring sunlight outside stung her eyes. Seeing Ru Shuang nod at her, she immediately dropped the curtain.
“Let’s go.”
Ru Shuang acknowledged the order, and the carriage wheels began to turn beside the verdant willow trees.
Inside the carriage, Song Yao settled back beside Nangong Yi. Though perfectly comfortable, she deliberately affected a delicate, coquettish tone to complain to her husband.
“Your Highness, it’s so sunny outside. This humble servant’s eyes hurt.”
Nangong Yi set aside his military book, cupped his wife’s hips with his large hands, and lifted her onto his lap. He planted a light kiss on Song Yao’s eyelid, his voice dripping with affection. “Next time, just say the word. Why trouble yourself to go out?”
He then took the small round fan from Song Yao’s hand and began fanning her gently.
Song Yao’s beautiful eyes sparkled with mirth. She tapped her other, neglected eyelid with her fingertip. A month and a half had passed, and her skill in teasing the Crown Prince had grown effortlessly, coming to her as naturally as breathing.
“Your Highness must not show favoritism. This side also requires a kiss.”
Nangong Yi chuckled, interlocking his fingers with Song Yao’s hand. “Very well.” But after kissing the Crown Prince, he immediately reneged, kneading his wife’s fingertips as he changed his tune.
“Will Furen truly not return to the Eastern Palace with me tonight?”