“Your Highness, I recall that the Jiangnan dam was reinforced just two years ago. How could it have collapsed this year? That shouldn’t be possible.”
Someone raised the question.
“Lord Zheng must have forgotten who the Jiangnan Governor is.”
Jiangnan Governor Tang Yuan was the brother-in-law of The Eighth Prince. This man had taken someone else’s imperial examination spot to advance his career, and the Emperor had turned a blind eye out of consideration for Prince Xian. Over the years, backed by The Eighth Prince, Tang Yuan had grown even more brazen, amassing wealth recklessly in Jiangnan. Now he even dared to embezzle disaster relief funds.
“Are you saying, Lord Wang, that Tang Yuan lined his own pockets by skimming funds meant for reinforcing the dam? But… how could this be kept hidden from the Emperor?”
If even they could uncover this, the Emperor must have known long ago. Tang Yuan’s audacity suggested he truly believed The Eighth Prince could protect him.
The Crown Prince’s gentle face darkened with gloom. The Emperor was advanced in years and had recently become obsessed with alchemy. The Eighth Prince had found him a spiritualist, and with that spiritualist by his side, the Emperor now believed whatever The Eighth Prince said.
The others realized this as well, and for a moment, the hall fell into a heavy silence.
Though the Crown Prince was the legitimate heir, The Eighth Prince was watching covetously. This time, too, the matter would likely be brushed aside lightly.
It was only the common people who would suffer.
Pei Zhao stepped forward. “Your Highness, Jiangnan is the nation’s granary. With this year’s flood disaster, relief grain likely won’t reach the people. My men have reported that many refugees are already on their way to the capital. Rather than sending relief grain to Jiangnan to be embezzled by Tang Yuan, it would be better to establish relief shelters in the capital to accommodate the refugees.”
The state granary had limited reserves, and this year’s harvest was poor. The most they could do was allocate more grain to aid the refugees.
However, the pressure on the Crown Prince would increase. Intercepting the relief grain would certainly give The Eighth Prince grounds to attack him.
“Good. I’ll follow Chengyuan’s advice. The task of aiding the refugees will also be entrusted to you.”
After a moment of contemplation, the Crown Prince adopted Pei Zhao’s suggestion.
If it could save more common people, he was not afraid of The Eighth Prince’s backstabbing.
“Yes.”
……
In mid-July, Xi Ning’s new shop opened.
She used the hundred taels in her possession to buy the shop next to Xi’s Shop. After renovations, the previously dim space became bright and airy.
This shop was twice the size of Xi’s Shop. It had two chefs, two assistants for ingredient preparation, and along with other staff for washing and serving, a total of eight people.
The workers were still purchased from Aunt Wang, all signing lifelong contracts with Xi Ning. They were honest, capable, and diligent individuals. Over the past days, busy with the shop’s opening, Xi Ning had come to understand their characters.
“Miss Ren Dong, selling hot pot in the middle of summer—won’t there be no customers?”
Qiuniang, responsible for washing, asked with a worried expression.
“How could that be? Which of the young lady’s dishes hasn’t sold out? Hot pot is so delicious; surely many people will like it.”
Ren Dong was Xi Ning’s devoted admirer, blindly confident in any decision Xi Ning made.
Hearing Qiuniang’s words, she immediately refuted them.
Qiuniang looked embarrassed. “Miss Ren Dong, I’m just worried, not that I don’t trust the young lady…”
She feared Ren Dong might get angry. She had finally found a good job; if she lost it, her mother-in-law would surely beat her to death.
Ren Dong wasn’t a petty person either and waved it off.
“You’ll see soon enough. The young lady is amazing—there’s nothing she can’t accomplish.”
If Xi Ning were here, she would have objected.
Who said there was nothing she couldn’t accomplish? Hadn’t she failed to retrieve her own deed of sale?During the half-month renovation of the hotpot restaurant, customers in the northern part of the city had already taken notice. Especially upon learning it was opened by Xi Ning, the food enthusiasts grew even more excited.
What delicious food was Miss Xi planning to sell this time, going so far as to acquire another shop?
However, some looked down on it. A mistress not staying home to properly serve her man, instead venturing into this money-grubbing business—truly shortsighted.
Xi’s Shop had gained popularity with a few novel dishes, and now she thought she had a talent for business, opening yet another shop.
Even Xi’s Shop wasn’t doing well now—did she really expect this new one to succeed?
Many in the northern part of the city were just watching for amusement.
Xi Ning paid no mind, proceeding step by step with the preparations for the shop’s opening.
For the grand opening, Xi Ning was naturally present.
After Gouzi set off two strings of firecrackers at the entrance, Xi Ning pulled down the red silk covering the shop’s plaque. The four large characters “Xi’s Shop Hotpot” hung prominently above the door, drawing the attention of passersby.
“Hotpot? What’s that?”
It was the first time they had heard such a name. The crowd exchanged puzzled glances, unable to imagine what kind of food “hotpot” could be.
Seeing the growing crowd, Xi Ning gave Gouzi a meaningful look. Gouzi, quick on the uptake, produced a brass gong and struck it with a loud clang.
“Today marks the grand opening of Xi’s Shop Hotpot! All items are 20% off, and free drinks are included!”
He shouted while striking the gong, enticing many to consider it.
They were well aware of how delicious the food at Xi’s Shop was. If not for the fear of offending Princess Changle, they would have continued patronizing it.
But over the past half-month, Princess Changle had not caused any further trouble, likely having forgotten the matter. With their concerns alleviated, they dared to return.
“20% off—should we go in and take a look?”
“Let’s go!”
More and more customers entered the shop. The menu, as before, was written on thin wooden boards, with one placed at each table.
A young waiter took orders with paper and pen. “What kind of broth would you like, guests? We have spicy, tomato, and clear broth. Of course, you can also choose a combination pot with two flavors.”
“Spicy? Tomato? What kind of broths are these?” They had never heard of such things.
The waiter smiled as he explained, “The spicy broth is our shop’s signature secret recipe—guaranteed to be something you’ve never tasted before. The tomato broth is sweet and sour, unique to the capital and perfect for those who can’t handle spice. How about a combination pot so you can try both?”
“Alright, we’ll take your recommendation!”
After choosing their broth, they began ordering dishes: fatty lamb, black-bone chicken, fish slices, shrimp paste, pork belly, duck intestines, duck blood—all ordered in portions. They also added potatoes, radishes, spinach, vermicelli, sweet potato noodles, tofu, and more.
Though many of the dishes were unfamiliar, everyone felt that anything Xi Ning made would surely be delicious.
Hotpot dishes were served quickly. Each table first received a peculiar pot, with charcoal burning beneath it. One side held the spicy broth, the other the tomato broth. Though both were red, their aromas were entirely different.
As the broth began to simmer, the spicy fragrance filled the air. These customers had previously tasted prickly ash oil, but its mild spiciness paled in comparison to chili peppers. The intense aroma of the spicy broth made many cough.
“Cough! Cough! Third Brother, this flavor is truly bold—spicy and pungent, yet so fragrant it makes your mouth water. I’ve never smelled anything like it before. Did I pick a good spot?”
Shen Ji pulled Pei Zhao inside. Though both had dressed modestly to avoid attention, they still stood out in the shop.
Especially Pei Zhao’s familiar cold expression, which silenced the customers in the shop.Shen Ji hadn’t noticed anything unusual yet, completely focused on the food, pulling Pei Zhao to sit down in an empty seat.
Ren Dong spotted the two and exclaimed with delight, “Miss, it’s Third Master!”
Hearing this, Shen Ji looked over and saw Xi Ning, his eyes instantly lighting up.
“Third Brother, look! That’s Miss Xi, my future bride!”