Chapter 49 : Qingyin, I Underestimated You

Since Xue Qingyin started going up the mountain to ride horses, He Songning found it easier to concentrate on his studies.

A servant softly called him from behind a door, “Young master, it’s time for dinner.”

He Songning put down his pen and stood up.

Aside from Xue Qingyin, who was somewhat of a headache and made him uneasy, the countryside manor was indeed a great place for studying.

He casually closed the book and, with the servant, walked to the main hall.

Just as they entered, Xue Qingyin came down from the mountain and they bumped into each other.

He Songning immediately noticed the outer robe she was wearing.

His pupils contracted, a rush of emotions flooding him, but he quickly masked them.

“Qingyin,” he called out deliberately.

When Xue Qingyin saw him, she didn’t hurry to take off her robe. Instead, she walked up to him, saying, “Big brother is still here.”

He Songning forced a smile, “Are you worried that I can’t focus on my studies here?”

Xue Qingyin nodded repeatedly, her face filled with sincerity.

He Songning’s gaze subtly swept over her.

He lowered his voice and said, “Qingyin, I underestimated you in the past.” He spoke while placing a hand on her shoulder, rubbing the robe she wore. “You really do have some skills.”

Even King Xuan could be moved by her.

He Songning couldn’t help but reflect on the past, wondering why he had only found her irritating then.

At that moment, King Xuan entered the room, followed by the Manager Zhao and the excited Zhao Xufeng.

He Songning glanced at them subtly before raising his sleeve to wipe the sweat from Xue Qingyin’s forehead. “How did you get so sweaty outside?”

He really looked like a big brother.

Xue Qingyin avoided him and said, “I went horseback riding.”

He Songning frowned without thinking. “You can ride a horse?”

She usually complained even when riding in a carriage with slight bumps.

Xue Qingyin vaguely responded, “Mm, I can.”

Everything was understood without further explanation.

He Songning furrowed his brow deeply.

At that moment, servants began bringing in dishes.

“Sit down, eat. Why are you all staring at me?” Xue Qingyin was the first to wash her hands.

She was usually very eager when it came to eating.

“King Xuan, please,” He Songning said courteously as he looked at the prince.

King Xuan didn’t even glance at him, directly sitting in the main seat.

To his left was Zhao Xufeng. Aside from King Xuan, Zhao had the highest status here.

To his right… the deputy general Fang Chengzong naturally sat down.

Then Fang Chengzong felt a chill behind him.

It seemed he… shouldn’t be sitting here?

But getting up now would seem too deliberate, so he endured it.

“What is this?” Fang Chengzong’s attention was suddenly drawn to the dishes being placed on the table.

Xue Qingyin smiled and asked, “Are you asking about this dish, or this one?”

Fang Chengzong blinked. “Why do all these dishes look so different from the food at the taverns in the capital?”

Of course, they were different. Xue Qingyin thought to herself.

She had noticed on her first day here that fried food wasn’t popular. Instead, dishes were mostly stewed, grilled, or served raw.

For example, raw fish was quite popular in the capital.

Now, Xue Qingyin had brought fried dishes to the table.

There were even some dishes that would only become popular in later years, like roasted duck.

Only a few slices of duck skin were presented, artistically arranged, and small portions made it appear delicate.

There was also double-skin milk, topped with cooked red beans, honey, and dried grapes.

These were all new creations that didn’t exist in this era.

Xue Qingyin had invited King Xuan for a meal with a plan in mind.

Madam Xue had told her that a cook named Ding Mama at the manor was good at making food. Xue Qingyin intended to have her prepare these fresh dishes and invite King Xuan to taste them, hoping to spread the word and use King Xuan’s name to build the manor’s reputation.

She wanted to turn this place into a resort-like establishment similar to those in the future, catering to nobles and royal families.

Xue Qingyin didn’t have the same influence as He Songning, so she had to take a more indirect approach.

She gestured for her maid to set the table and then said, “Please, King Xuan and General Fang, enjoy.”

Fang Chengzong dared not touch his chopsticks until King Xuan started eating. Then, he couldn’t help but ask, “Why weren’t these dishes available last time?”

Xue Qingyin nodded lightly. “I only arrived yesterday.”

Fang Chengzong laughed. “Could it be that these new dishes were all thought of by Miss Xue herself?”

Xue Qingyin didn’t want to reveal the true origins, so she just nodded. “I’ve been sick since I was young, so I’ve eaten everything bitter. When I had nothing to do, I would think of these useless things.”

Fang Chengzong’s expression grew serious.

Manager Zhao also felt a bit of sympathy. No wonder Miss Xue didn’t mind their young master’s condition—she had also endured illness. Although their experiences were different, there were similarities.

“The taste is good,” King Xuan’s voice broke the suddenly solemn atmosphere.

Fang Chengzong and the others also began to eat.

“Delicious! It smells better than roasted!”

“There’s a crisp, sweet smell. What meat is this?”

“It has a rich milky taste, smooth and tender. What’s this?”

Xue Qingyin lightly clapped her hands.

Her maid respectfully handed her a document.

Fang Chengzong took it and passed it to King Xuan.

When he opened it, he saw it was a menu.

The handwriting was rough but the dish names were clear.

Even He Songning couldn’t help but look at Xue Qingyin with a bit more respect.

She was managing the estate more competently than he had expected.

She didn’t take over the estate on a whim; she was genuinely serious about running it.

Fang Chengzong noticed a long list of dishes, some of which hadn’t been served yet.

He couldn’t help but smile. “How much would we need to pay to get all these dishes?”

Xue Qingyin shook her head, rare to hear her say, “No money.”

Fang Chengzong muttered to himself. Was this because of King Xuan’s influence?

But that didn’t make sense.

She hadn’t spared any expense when charging for the horse racing event.

King Xuan’s gaze subtly shifted. He spoke quietly, “If you plan on running a long-term business, the person who wrote this menu should be replaced.”

He Songning bit his lip, preparing to speak.

He wrote beautifully and could certainly write it for Xue Qingyin. But a menu for a manor? Was it really for him to write?

If Xue Qingyin was willing to submit to him… it wasn’t impossible.

These thoughts flitted through He Songning’s mind quickly.

But before he could speak, King Xuan added, “How about Liu Xiuyuan?”

He Songning’s expression darkened, and he quickly shut his mouth.

Manager Zhao spoke in surprise, “Liu Xiuyuan to write the menu? He probably wouldn’t agree.”

Only Xue Qingyin was confused. “Who is Liu Xiuyuan?”

Fang Chengzong didn’t know either, looking just as bewildered.

Manager Zhao smiled and explained, “Miss Xue probably hasn’t heard of him because she’s usually inside the house. Liu Xiuyuan became famous when he was thirteen. His calligraphy is stunning—one of his works could sell for a thousand taels of silver. His character is as remarkable as his art; he doesn’t easily write for anyone. Rare things are expensive, naturally.”

Xue Qingyin’s eyes lit up.

This was great! Really great!

The servants of the Xue family couldn’t help but marvel in secret.

Their young lady’s influence was so powerful that even King Xuan was willing to invite Liu Xiuyuan to write for her.

What money could they possibly earn in this manor? It was just enough to manage the fields. The eldest young master didn’t even look down on their small business.

But if they could get Liu Xiuyuan’s calligraphy…

That wouldn’t just be a menu.

It would be a unique, priceless masterpiece!

As the servants marveled silently, Xue Qingyin quickly asked, “Are there any other great painters?”

Fang Chengzong was puzzled. “Miss Xue, what do you need a painter for?”

“It’s useful, very useful!” Xue Qingyin waved her hand dismissively but looked at King Xuan with anticipation.

Her eyes sparkled, charming without a smile.

“No,” King Xuan replied.

Xue Qingyin’s face showed disappointment, but it quickly shifted back to a smile. “That’s fine. This is enough. Thank you, Your Highness, I have no way to repay you…”

She had said these words so smoothly.

King Xuan looked at her and simply said, “It’s nothing.”

But those two words held a deeper meaning when they came from him.

After riding for so long and eating half her meal, Xue Qingyin felt a heavy drowsiness.

She yawned, left everyone to enjoy the dishes, and asked her maid to help her back to her courtyard to freshen up and rest.

The outer robe of a young lady looked beautiful but was, in fact, very uncomfortable to wear.

She walked all the way to the yard and met the Xuanwu Army several times on the way.

These tall soldiers with cold temperaments lowered their heads hurriedly as soon as their eyes touched her clothes, retreated to the sides of the road, and saw her off.

Xue Qingyin was a little shocked.

No wonder King Xuan was not afraid of being seen by others… After all, the people left on the farm are all “their own people”.

Either from the Xue family or from the Xuanwu Army.

Who dares to tell anyone?

King Xuan is indeed very tight-lipped!

Xue Qingyin raised her hand and tightened her outer robe. There was a faint scent of sandalwood between her clothes, which made people feel indescribably calm.

Then she swaggered over the threshold.

The door closed.

The maids and servants fetched water for her to bathe.

Xue Qingyin took off her clothes and just walked into the bathtub and sat down, she saw the maid with a pair of sparkling eyes, her tone was cautious, but she couldn’t suppress her excitement and said: “Miss, are you going to be… the Princess of King Xuan?”