Yan Wei shot a sidelong glance at Wanyangzi.
It seemed to say, “See, was I wrong?”
Then he spoke: “Return to the manor. Have a physician check on you, so you don’t suffer from shock.”
Ming Shu lowered her head: “Yes.”
Once outside the room, Ming Shu’s expression changed completely.
“Sister Guan.”
Guan Wan tucked the stray strands of Ming Shu’s hair behind her ear: “Let’s go.”
Thinking of the day’s events, Guan Wan took Ming Shu to the number one restaurant in Yunjing to help her settle her nerves.
Qianwei Restaurant was packed.
Guan Wan requested a private room, and a waiter led them upstairs.
Ming Shu had never been here before and was quite curious about Qianwei Restaurant.
Even just passing by, one could smell the aromas wafting from inside, enough to make one’s mouth water.
The private room faced the street, offering a view of the passersby.
Guan Wan handed the menu to Ming Shu, who pushed it back: “I’ve just arrived and don’t know what’s good. Sister Guan can order. It’s only thanks to you that I’m here today.”
“Then let’s have some signature dishes.” Guan Wan closed the menu and told the waiter.
The waiter bowed in acknowledgment: “Yes.”
Guan Wan said leisurely: “The chef at Qianwei Restaurant was originally supposed to become an imperial chef in the palace, but he missed the opportunity when his elderly mother passed away. Later, the owner of Qianwei Restaurant hired him with a hefty sum, and now he’s benefiting all of us.”
Once someone becomes an imperial chef, though it’s an honorable position, they lose their freedom, and the food they make becomes rigid and formulaic.
Nothing like the popularity they enjoy now.
Ming Shu nodded, thinking she’d have to eat more later.
The window of the private room was propped open, and as Ming Shu looked up, she spotted a familiar figure: “Is that Sister Gu?”
Guan Wan turned her head.
After getting a clear look: “She’s truly hopeless.”
The person accompanying Gu Yingzhen was none other than Ji Hui, eagerly accompanying her as she shopped.
Guan Wan carefully observed the shape of Gu Yingzhen’s lips as she spoke: “They went to Shanyu Temple without inviting me. It’s so hurtful.”
Beside her, Ji Hui said something, managing to soothe her.
Guan Wan narrowed her eyes slightly.
“A-shu, have you ever thought about what kind of man you’d like to marry in the future?”
Ming Shu recalled Wanyangzi’s words: “A military general.”
Guan Wan sipped the sweet tea the waiter had brought: “A military general, huh…”
Ming Shu also held the sweet tea, taking a small sip. She found it surprisingly refreshing and sweet, with a hint of floral fragrance.
“The Daoist said my future husband will be a military general.”
“Wanyangzi actually performed a divination for you? That’s quite rare.”
Ming Shu didn’t know much about Wanyangzi, but she could guess from Guan Wan’s tone that he must be quite famous.
“What about you, Sister Guan?” Ming Shu asked in return.
For a woman like Guan Wan, most men probably couldn’t capture her heart.
An inexplicable sense of desolation seemed to surround Guan Wan.
Her lips moved slightly: “Me? I’ll leave it to fate.”
The one she wanted to marry, she had already missed. Now, she was merely holding on by sheer will.
Ming Shu seemed to understand something.
The waiter brought the dishes: “Enjoy your meal, esteemed guests.”
Just by the color and aroma, Ming Shu could tell the food was excellent. The first dish she noticed was a plate of braised chicken wings, golden and glistening with oil, tender enough to fall off the bone.
She picked up her chopsticks and took a small bite.
Ming Shu couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows in satisfaction as her taste buds were delighted.
Guan Wan wiped the corner of her mouth: “Is it good?”
Ming Shu’s eyes sparkled. She swallowed the chicken in her mouth, wiped her lips, and said: “Delicious.”
Guan Wan was satisfied.
After the meal.
Having rinsed her mouth, Ming Shu placed a hand on her stomach.
Hmm, she was full.
Her expression at that moment was like a contented cat, making her look especially pitiable.
Guan Wan covered her mouth and laughed.
Ming Shu tugged at her hem, somewhat embarrassed. “Sister Guan, are you laughing at me?”
“Not at all. I was just thinking how wonderful it would be if A-shu were my own younger sister.”
Madam Guan had only one daughter, Guan Wan, and two sons. Although there were many cousins in the household, few were truly close.
Just as Ming Shu was about to say something, a commotion erupted downstairs.
Ming Shu looked down and spotted the man on horseback at a single glance.
She thought there was no need to send Guan Wan that man’s portrait anymore—she had seen him for the second time in just one day.
Ming Shu’s expression visibly darkened. Guan Wan followed her gaze.
She saw the man leading the group.
“Lin Zheng, the legitimate grandson of Duke Lin.”
Ming Shu’s lips trembled. “That’s the man from the temple.”
Guan Wan wrapped an arm around Ming Shu’s shoulder. “Don’t be afraid.”
At the same time, she lowered the window, blocking the view.
Ming Shu wasn’t afraid; the hand on her shoulder was warm. “Sister Guan, it’s getting late. Let’s head back to the manor.”
Guan Wan naturally agreed and signaled to her maid.
By the time they went downstairs, Guan Wan had already settled the bill.
“It’s just a simple lunch, of course I, as the elder sister, should pay.”
Ming Shu accepted graciously. “Then next time, it’ll be my treat.”
Guan Wan pinched Ming Shu’s cheek.
“Alright.”
Watching Ming Shu board her carriage, Guan Wan glanced once more in the direction Lin Zheng had gone before getting into her own carriage.
Yuan Rong noticed that although Ming Shu’s eyes were closed, her breathing was uneven.
“Is the young lady worried?”
Ming Shu indeed wasn’t asleep. Her body was tired, but her mind was clear.
She was recalling the events at the temple and speculating about why her cousin had been at Shanyu Temple.
“The general won’t let the young lady suffer injustice for nothing.”
Ming Shu opened her eyes and asked, “Have you ever done something you regretted to someone else?”
Yuan Rong thought for a moment. “What kind of thing does the young lady mean?”
“Something like… making the other person angry.”
“Yes, I have. I accidentally spilled lamp oil on her, but she didn’t blame me.”
Oh.
Ming Shu closed her eyes again.
“But this servant can help the young lady come up with an idea.” Yuan Rong’s bright eyes practically spelled out the word “gossip.”
Her expression, however, remained serious.
“I just don’t know how to apologize to him.”
“That’s easy. The young lady can buy an apology gift and include a three-hundred-word apology letter. Perhaps then that person won’t be angry anymore.”
Ming Shu paused and opened her eyes again.
That really was a good idea. If she had to apologize to her cousin face-to-face… she couldn’t do it.
But Ming Shu was doubtful. “Isn’t three hundred words a bit too much?”
Yuan Rong smiled. “More words show more sincerity.”
How right she was.
Ming Shu sat up.
She lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and looked out along the road until she spotted a shop with three glittering characters.
Linglong Pavilion.
“Stop!”
The coachman tightened the reins. “Young Cousin?”
“Pull the carriage to the side and wait for me to return.”
Then she took Yuan Rong into Linglong Pavilion.
A shop assistant flatteringly approached. “Are you here to look at jewelry, young lady?”
Ming Shu scanned the room but didn’t see what she wanted to buy. She asked, “Do you have any items for men to wear?”
For men?
Yuan Rong’s eyes widened.
She spoke with difficulty. “Young lady, maybe we should go back to the manor first. I didn’t bring much money.”
The shop assistant said considerately, “We can send someone to your manor to collect the payment.”
Meaning there was no need to worry about not having enough money.
Moreover, Ming Shu added, “I brought banknotes.”
Yuan Rong hesitated.
“Young lady, are we really going to buy it?”
Ming Shu: “Buy!”
Yuan Rong looked miserable, while the shop assistant beamed with joy.
“Young lady, follow me. Is this for your betrothed?”