Everyone got off the carriage one by one.

Dingxiang Tower suddenly appeared in front of you.

This was a three-story wooden building with a facade about the size of four shops. The three words “Dingxiang Tower” on the plaque were gold-plated and shone with golden light. There was a constant flow of guests and it was very lively.

At the entrance, there were several waiters dressed neatly with warm and welcoming smiles on their faces. One of them had already approached with a smile and said, “Are you all here to have a meal? Please come inside!”

This waiter greeted them diligently, but he was secretly surprised in his heart.

Dingxiang Tower was very famous, and occasionally people came with their families to have dinner. However, except for one strikingly beautiful young man, the group of people in front of him were all women. Although they were all wearing curtains and hats, their faces could not be seen clearly, but it could be seen that two of them were the daughters of the boudoir who were waiting for marriage…

In such a situation, the eldest Jiang Shi was naturally the most suitable one to come forward.

“Is there a private room inside?” Jiang Shi asked with a smile.

The waiter responded with some embarrassment: “I’m so sorry. The private rooms on the second and third floors are already full. Now there are only two empty seats in the lobby on the first floor.”

Jiang Shi frowned. It was really indecent for them to sit in the hall and eat. What’s more, as long as you sit down to eat, you have to take off your curtains and hats… This was very wrong!

“In that case, let’s change to another restaurant…”

“Dàsǎo, wait a minute.” Ling Jingyan interrupted Jiang Shi and looked at the waiter: “You didn’t tell the truth just now, did you? Even if the second floor doesn’t have private rooms, the third floor surely does. Dingxiang Restaurant reserves the best view rooms overlooking the street every day, in case there are esteemed guests. These rooms are named after plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum. Are there any available now?”

The waiter was stunned for a moment and then said with a smile: “I didn’t expect this girl to know the four elegant rooms of Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum. She turned out to be a regular customer of our Dingxiang Building. The young man has eyesight but cannot recognize Mount Tai, and offended an honored guest. Please don’t be upset, Miss!”

Jiang Shi glanced at Ling Jingyan in surprise, and joked with a smile: “Ah Yan, when did you become a regular customer of Dingxiang House? Why didn’t I know?”

Her xiǎogū had a lively and playful personality, and she was aware of that. However, she usually stayed at home and didn’t have many opportunities to go out. How could she have come to Dingxiang Restaurant?

Ling Jingyan felt a little guilty when Jiang Shi looked at her, so she didn’t explain much and said vaguely: “I just came here once or twice before.”

It seemed that it was this “one or two times” she encountered His Highness King Yan…

Ling Jingshu thought secretly in her heart and smiled to help Ling Jingyan: “Tángsǎo, now that we’re here, we should taste the dishes at Dingxiang Restaurant personally. Otherwise, our trip would be in vain. There are so many people coming and going at the entrance. Let’s go inside and continue our conversation!”

Jiang Shi nodded.

Ling Jingyan was secretly happy in her heart, but she still pretended to be indifferent on her face, and it was very hard to hold it in.

…

Ling Jingshu and others followed the waiter into Dingxiang Tower.

This group of women was really eye-catching. Even if their appearance was covered, they still attracted a lot of attention.

Jiang Shi felt a pang of anxiety, but since they had already come, it was too late for regrets. It would be better to head to the third-floor private room as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately, she was wrong.

The waiter whispered a few words to the shopkeeper on the first floor. The shopkeeper frowned slightly, then stepped forward to apologize: “Dear guests, I’m really sorry. Among the four best private rooms in the shop, three of them have guests, and only one is left…”

“Since there is still one, we want that one.” Ling Jingyan couldn’t help but seize the conversation.

The shopkeeper looked embarrassed: “Miss, please be patient. Please listen to what I have to say. The remaining private room has been reserved for a long time by His Highness King Yan and will never receive other guests. Please forgive me, Miss!”

It was indeed King Yan!

Ling Jingshu verified her guess, but she didn’t feel much joy in her heart.

When Ling Jingyan heard the words “His Royal Highness King Yan”, the face of an arrogant and handsome young man flashed through her mind, and her pretty face suddenly turned red.

Fortunately, there was a gauze covering her face at this time. Otherwise, she would not be able to hide it from the careful Jiang Shi and the smart and keen Ling Jingshu.

Ling Jingyan, who had no idea that she had been exposed, asked with a hint of hope: “Is it possible that His Highness King Yan will also come today?”

“There’s no such thing,” the shopkeeper replied with a smile. “His Highness King Yan only comes here two or three times a month. The timing is unpredictable and depends on His Highness’s mood. His Highness visited just a few days ago, so he probably won’t be coming again anytime soon. However, since this private room has been reserved by the Prince of Yan, it wouldn’t be convenient to let other guests in. Please understand.”

King Yan will not come today!

Ling Jingyan felt deep disappointment in her heart.

She tried her best to persuade her mother to allow her to travel, and she dressed up carefully today, and even came to Dingxiang Tower specifically, hoping to have a beautiful “unexpected encounter”.

Now it seemed that all this effort was in vain…

The more Ling Jingyan thought about it, the more her mood sank and she became despondent. She hung her head in silence.

…At this time, Jiang Shi also saw that something was wrong with Ling Jingyan. However, it was inconvenient to ask in detail at this time, so she helped to cover up a bit.

Jiang Shi cleared her throat and said, “Since the innkeeper has put it that way, we shouldn’t have troubled you. However, we traveled quite a distance, specifically to visit this place. Now that there is an available private room, why should the innkeeper keep us out?”

“The innkeeper also mentioned that the Prince of Yan visited recently and won’t be coming again anytime soon. We just want to have a meal and leave; it won’t take much time at all. As long as the innkeeper doesn’t mention it, how would the Prince of Yan ever find out?”

“To show our sincerity, no matter how much this private room costs, we are willing to pay triple the amount in silver. How about it?”

…

It was unclear whether it was Jiang Shi’s clever persuasion or the offer of triple the amount in silver that had an effect.

The shopkeeper hesitated for a moment and finally agreed.

The waiter led a group of people up to the third floor and stopped in front of the private room marked Bamboo. He smiled and pushed the door of the private room: “Everyone, please come in.”

Ling Jingshu took a step forward, scanned the surroundings, and nodded silently.

The private rooms were spacious, clean, and spotless.

A splash-ink landscape painting was hanging on the wall. She didn’t know which famous artist it was, which made the elegant room even more elegant.

A solid rosewood round table can seat twelve people.

There was also a pot of peonies in full bloom beside the round table. They were delicate and beautiful, and their fragrance was refreshing.

Jiang Shi was also quite satisfied with the room, and said to Ling Jingyan with a smile: “It looks really good, and it’s not in vain that we have spent so much thought and money today.”

Ling Jingyan was a little flustered, so she squeezed out a smile and said: “Wait a minute. Let me order some of the most famous dishes here later, and I’m sure you’ll be satisfied and your trip won’t be in vain.”

As she was talking, there was a strange noise outside the door.

...(To be continued.)