Chapter 107

Qin Lang was also on the side. Upon seeing Nianxi, he smiled and greeted her, “Little sister.” Then, he nervously stared at the carriage.

In a moment, Pei Jian and Zhou Yanli stepped down from the carriage, one after the other.

Zhou Yanli, holding a sugar-coated snowball for Madam Li, naturally stood beside Nianxi, preparing to accompany her to the inner courtyard.

Qin Lang quickly nudged Wen Qingheng.

Although Wen Qingheng doubted the situation, following the principle of “better safe than sorry,” he called out to Zhou Yanli.

Zhou Yanli and Nianxi stopped at the same time and turned around. It was a natural sense of harmony.

Pei Jian saw this and furrowed his brows deeply.

“Yanli, uh…” Wen Qingheng racked his brains and said, “Aren’t you entering the Imperial Academy next year? Shizhang is this year’s top scorer in the imperial exams, excelling in all three rounds. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can always ask him.”

Zhou Yanli paused momentarily and humbly said, “…Then I must thank Brother Pei in advance.”

“No need,” Pei Jian said in a deep tone.

Snow was about to fall, and the cold was biting. Just after getting off the carriage, Nianxi’s hands and feet were already freezing. She didn’t have the patience to listen to their conversation any longer, so she greeted her elder brother briefly and headed straight to the inner courtyard.

As soon as Nianxi left, the atmosphere among the remaining people shifted.

Zhou Yanli walked down the steps, one step at a time, and stood in front of Wen Qingheng with a gentle and patient demeanor: “Brother Wen, these sugar-coated snowballs are for Auntie. I remember she likes them. Elder Sister left in a hurry earlier, so could I trouble you to pass them on for me? It’s getting late, so I won’t enter the residence and disturb anyone.”

Wen Qingheng awkwardly agreed.

Zhou Yanli then got back onto the carriage and left.

When the carriage disappeared, Qin Lang blurted out, “How is this a younger brother? He’s practically otherworldly! And so handsome!”

“Indeed,” Wen Qingheng agreed, adding, “Back in Jinling, Zhou Yanli was the most good-looking, outshining all the other kids. That’s why Nian’er got along so well with him. I didn’t lie to you back then, did I?”

Qin Lang’s face darkened. He recalled how Wen Qingheng misunderstood his feelings for his sister and advised him to give up, reasoning that he was too unattractive and that his sister would never fancy someone with such looks. “Just shut up, will you.”

“Shizhang… Shizhang, where are you going?”

Pei Jian had already walked some distance ahead and replied without looking back, “Going home.”

Qin Lang and Wen Qingheng exchanged glances. Both of them noticed Pei Jian’s low spirits. The cold, imposing aura emanating from him was even more chilling than the winter itself.

Qin Lang found it puzzling, “He’s the one who snatched love away and dug into someone else’s corner, yet he’s acting like someone stole his wife?”

After all, Pei Jian and Zhou Yanli were two of a kind. If Gu Ci were here today and had such a reaction, it might have been understandable. But since the younger sister had never given Pei Jian any response, who knows why he was so heartbroken?

“Does Yanli truly have feelings for Nian’er?” Wen Qingheng found it hard to believe. He had watched Zhou Yanli grow up and couldn’t imagine the younger one harboring ill intentions toward his sister.

People are truly unpredictable.

Qin Lang glanced sideways, “Anyone with eyes could see it, alright?”

Isn’t it obvious enough? Does Pei Jian have to get into a fight with the neighbor’s younger brother to make it undeniable?

Wen Qingheng felt offended by this statement. He turned around and walked back. “It’s late, you should head home.”

Qin Lang: …

*

It snowed in the capital. Snowflakes fell from the sky, fluttering and drifting, forming a white curtain that painted the world in pure white.

Nianxi hadn’t visited Fusheng Banzhan for quite some time. The freezing cold weather made her reluctant to go out, and with business being slow, she chose to spend her days reading and painting at home. The quiet days passed peacefully.

On this day, the snow cleared, the clouds dispersed, the mist faded, and the sunlight poured down, illuminating the pristine world. Only then did Nianxi get ready and head out.

To her surprise, when she arrived at Fusheng Banzhan, it was completely different from what she had expected. She was stunned by the bustling and lively scene in front of her. She called over a maid and asked, “What’s going on?”

The maid didn’t know either. “Starting from the day before yesterday, customers have gradually increased. Today, with the sunny weather, the place is packed with guests. The private rooms are full, and even many young ladies are sitting outside the main hall.”

As they were speaking, Wang Muyi came out from the inner room. Seeing Nianxi’s expression, she immediately understood that Nianxi was still unaware, so she smiled and explained the situation.

Nianxi widened her almond-shaped eyes in surprise. “The Empress?”

“Indeed, the Empress,” Wang Muyi replied with a laugh. “A few days ago, during a palace banquet hosting some noblewomen, our shop came up in conversation for some reason, and Empress Lu praised it with a smile. This word spread from Duke Ying’s wife, and that’s why you’re seeing this lively scene now.”

Nianxi couldn’t believe such a stroke of good fortune had befallen them.

Although she and her cousin Mu didn’t rely on Fusheng Banzhan for their livelihood, it was still a project that they had poured their heart and soul into, investing much time and effort.

Watching the business decline day by day, it was hard to remain indifferent despite saying otherwise.

Some things take time. She had thought there would be a turning point after the new year, but who would have guessed that fortune would turn so quickly, with the Empress herself speaking kindly on their behalf, resolving their difficulties.

“But the Empress has been confined in the palace for so long—how could she have known about our shop?”

“Perhaps it was Lu Xiaoqi,” Wang Muyi speculated. “It’s said that the Empress deeply adores her nephew. That boy is loyal and honorable—a real hero. From now on, if he visits again, all his meals are free.”

Nianxi also believed it was likely Lu Huai’s doing. He had helped them several times before, and now he had even gotten the Empress to endorse their shop. Indeed, he was a loyal and generous ally.

“Next time you see him, you must properly thank him.”

*

At the Changle Palace.

Empress Lu invited Lu Wensheng to stay for a meal.

After the dishes were cleared and tea was served, Empress Lu smiled and asked, “Has Xiaoqi been studying diligently lately?”

Lu Wensheng held a jade cup in his hand, his expression calm. “The other day, he hit the younger son of Deputy Judge Zhu’s family. Their old matriarch made a scene in front of the Old Madam, demanding an explanation. The Old Madam scolded Xiaoqi on the spot. The next day, he hit the Zhu family’s boy again.”

Empress Lu chuckled, “Why does he keep picking on the same person? That old matriarch is notoriously difficult to deal with.”

Lu Wensheng, still composed, gave a soft acknowledgment. “Xiaoqi has peculiar ideas.”

This child is both adorable and exasperating in equal measure.

Empress Lu and her brother, Lu Wensheng, resembled each other greatly in appearance, both possessing a dignified and graceful demeanor. However, Lu Wensheng was gentler and more composed, consistently exuding refinement. Even his emotions—love, hatred, joy, and sorrow—were hidden behind his calm and warm smile.

Empress Lu decided not to dwell further on Xiaoqi and turned to another matter. Looking at her serene brother sitting below, she asked: “What made you think of asking me to speak on behalf of a beverage shop?”