Chapter 18: What Does He Have to Ask Her?

Chen Shiyun didn’t have a carriage, but she was inside one.

Yao said, “I’m just going to take a stroll.”

She didn’t need to mention the matter of opening a fabric shop. It wasn’t a big deal anyway.

Chen Shiyun smiled, “Miss Zhao is hosting a poetry gathering today and invited me to attend. I was just passing by, and I didn’t expect to see you here. Is your wound better?”

“It’s much better now. Thank you for your concern, Miss Chen.” Yao was polite.

“It’s nothing. We should help each other out in the future.” Chen Shiyun raised her chin slightly.

Now that Ling Xiao was engaged, she would be the Military Marquis’s wife once she entered the mansion. Although Yao was technically her sister-in-law, there was a huge difference between them. Once she entered the mansion, Yao would have to curry favor with her.

Yao smiled, “Ah, I’ve been recovering from my illness, and I haven’t had a chance to greet you properly, Miss Chen.”

Chen Shiyun was pleased with Yao’s understanding, a slight smile playing on her lips, “You should focus on recovering. It’s not a big deal, I’ll go first.”

“Goodbye, Miss Chen.” Yao nodded.

Chen Shiyun lowered the carriage curtain, and the luxurious carriage slowly drove away.

Yao watched the direction the carriage left, her brows furrowed. It seemed like Chen Shiyun was quite full of herself.

It was all because of Princess Huaining.

The maid was a little unhappy, “This Miss Chen didn’t even bother to get out of the carriage earlier, but now she’s so arrogant towards Madam.”

“She’s the future Military Marquis’s wife, of course, she has to put on airs.”

“Don’t worry about these trivial matters.”

Yao was worried that Chen Shiyun would misunderstand and think she was trying to sabotage Ling Xiao’s marriage, and she would cause trouble for her once she entered the mansion.

But Chen Shiyun was, after all, a well-bred lady from a prominent family. She wouldn’t do anything too out of line.

The maid mumbled, “I think this Miss Chen seems easy to get along with.”

Yao said calmly, “She’s alright, Your Highness is even easier to get along with.”

The maid: “…”

Yao had interacted with Chen Shiyun a few times now, and she had probably figured her out. She just needed to flatter her a little, and she would be easy to talk to.

But Ling Xiao was a different story. He was unpredictable, always shrouded in mystery, and she couldn’t figure him out at all. Moreover, she had no idea when she would offend him.

Yao couldn’t help but frown. She needed to stay away from him.

Yao didn’t go directly back to the mansion. Instead, she went to the most famous restaurant in Yanjing, Xi Lou.

“Welcome, sir. Would you like a private room?” The waiter greeted her enthusiastically.

They were used to welcoming and sending off guests, and their eyes were sharp. Even though she was a noble lady, her attire was simple, but the fabric was fine silk brocade, so she must be a wealthy lady.

Therefore, they were very enthusiastic.

Yao nodded, “Yes, a private room.”

“Alright, please follow me.”

The restaurant had a stage for performances, and the hall was packed with people. They were enjoying tea and plays. Of course, the private rooms also had these amenities, but they were more private. Usually, high-ranking officials would choose the private rooms on the upper floor.

The waiter led Yao upstairs and poured her tea, very attentive.

Yao sat down and called for the maid. The maid took a silver ingot and handed it to the waiter, “This is a tip.”

Seeing such a large silver ingot, the waiter’s eyes lit up. He bowed repeatedly, “Thank you, Madam, thank you, Madam!”

Yao smiled, “I’ll discuss the price with your manager. Please help me call him over.”

The waiter was stunned, “What?”

The maid put on airs, raising her chin, “Of course! Madam could buy your entire restaurant with this silver ingot.”

Yao blinked. She was exaggerating a little.

Yao straightened her back, “Please ask your manager to come.”

Seeing her noble demeanor, the waiter didn’t dare to be careless. He was afraid of making a mistake, so he quickly responded, “Yes, Madam.”

The maid watched the waiter leave, then whispered, “Madam, what if we’re exposed when the manager comes?”

Madam had a thousand taels of silver, but after buying materials, fabrics, and paying for the shop, she only had a hundred taels left. That wouldn’t even be enough to buy a few antique vases from Xi Lou.

“What are you afraid of?”

“At worst, we’ll be kicked out.”

Yao waited for a while, and the door to the private room was pushed open again.

A manager, about fifty years old, entered. He looked Yao up and down, seemingly assessing her status.

The maid quickly introduced her, “This is Manager Lin.”

Manager Lin’s attitude was still polite, “Madam, what can I do for you?”

Yao stood up, “My surname is Jiang. I’m opening a fabric shop. I’m here today to buy some fabrics for my shop. Please give me your advice, Manager Lin.”

Manager Lin frowned, “Our restaurant already has enough fabrics, we don’t need to buy any more.”

“I’m not buying them. If Manager Lin thinks these fabrics are good, my shop can provide them to you for free.” Yao’s attitude was sincere.

Manager Lin was stunned, then he shook his head with a smile, “Madam Jiang, you’re using our restaurant to promote your shop. Our Xi Lou is famous, and your shop doesn’t have any reputation. Providing fabrics to Xi Lou is too good of a deal. There are many merchants lining up to do business with Xi Lou.”

“There are many merchants lining up, but I can provide them for free. Moreover, I can provide them exclusively. Xi Lou is the most famous restaurant in Yanjing, and its customers are all high-ranking officials. They see fabrics everywhere. Xi Lou needs to stand out.”

Yao poured some incense into the burner and lit it. A sweet and fragrant scent filled the room.

Manager Lin sniffed the air, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

“This incense is made with pear juice. It’s different from ordinary incense. It’s sweeter and more elegant. It’s perfect for Xi Lou. Manager Lin, what do you think?”

This was Yao’s own creation. She loved pears and had a sudden idea to make incense with pear juice. It smelled amazing, and even her husband had praised her, saying that she should open a fabric shop when she had the chance.

Yao had come to Xi Lou today, and she was indeed here for free advertising. There were countless fabric shops in Yanjing, and her shop would definitely not be competitive when it first opened. If she could use this opportunity to leverage their reputation, it would be twice as effective.

She was just trying it out. If it didn’t work, she wouldn’t lose anything.

Manager Lin still shook his head, “It’s good, but it doesn’t have any reputation. Our Xi Lou serves high-ranking officials. They use expensive and famous fabrics. They wouldn’t use something so unknown.”

“Nowadays, there are countless restaurants in Yanjing. I’ve heard that a few restaurants have become popular recently because they have their own unique features. Xi Lou is famous because it’s old and has a long history. If you want to maintain your position, you need to change, add some unique features, and stand out from the crowd. Otherwise, you might not be able to keep your current position.”

Yao was taking a gamble. If it didn’t work, she might really be kicked out.

Manager Lin’s face changed when he heard this. He hadn’t expected this young lady to know about Xi Lou’s current predicament. Then, he became angry, feeling that she was being arrogant.

“Nonsense! Our restaurant has stood tall in Yanjing for generations. Who dares to say that Xi Lou is not the best restaurant in Yanjing! If this lady is here to cause trouble, I will immediately…”

Before he could finish, a casual voice interrupted him.

“Wait.”

Manager Lin turned his head and saw a young man standing at the door, his attitude respectful, “Young Master, you’re here.”

Yao raised her eyes and saw a handsome young man, wearing a light blue brocade robe, his hair tied with a silk ribbon. He walked in casually, his steps relaxed.

Yao guessed that this must be the owner.

“This incense is interesting.” He asked.

Yao nodded, “It’s my own creation. This sweet scent is more appealing to ladies. I’ve also made several other types, but they’re not available anywhere else.”

The maid quickly opened the sandalwood box in her arms, revealing several boxes inside, each containing a different type of incense.

He picked up a box, opened it, and sniffed it. A slight smile appeared on his lips, “This is indeed a good scent, very fresh.”

“If you like it, I can provide it to Xi Lou for free.” Yao said sincerely.

“Yes.” He put the box back into the sandalwood box, tapping it with his finger, “But it must be exclusive. Only for us.”

Yao’s eyes lit up, “Of course!”

Manager Lin was about to say something, but he directly said, “Leave these here. We’ll try them at Xi Lou. If they’re good, we’ll order them every month.”

“Okay! Thank you, Young Master!”

Yao responded happily, then paused for a moment before asking, “May I ask your name, Young Master?”

“Mo Zichen.”

“Thank you, Young Master Mo.”

Yao thanked him again, then left Xi Lou with the maid.

Mo Zichen watched them leave, his eyes filled with a hint of scrutiny.

“Young Master, we should ask the Old Master first…” Manager Lin couldn’t help but say.

“Do you think this is a matter for the Old Master?”

Mo Zichen’s gaze swept over him. His eyes, which had been casual and relaxed, now had a hint of sharpness.

“I dare not.” Manager Lin smiled awkwardly.

–

Ling Xiao rode his horse back to the mansion, galloping along Zhuque Street.

He had been busy investigating the collusion between the Lotus Sect and the traitorous officials. He had been very busy these past few days, and he had only returned to the mansion a few times after finding some clues and sending people to arrest them. He was finally a little less busy.

But even when he returned to the mansion, he didn’t go to the inner courtyard. He didn’t even visit Mrs. Lin.

He was avoiding Jiang Yao.

“Your Highness.”

He dismounted, and the stablehand rushed forward to take his horse.

He took a couple of steps forward, then suddenly stopped, turning back to the stablehand, “Who was guarding the gate today?”

The stablehand was surprised. He hadn’t expected Your Highness to be so concerned about them, lowly servants.

He quickly replied, “Madam returned today, and two of us were assigned to drive the carriage for Madam.”

Ling Xiao’s eyes narrowed slightly, “The gate…”

“Is she alright? Why is she wandering around?”

“Madam…”

The stablehand swallowed, suddenly feeling like he was under scrutiny, “I don’t know…”

“We, lowly servants, dare not ask about the master’s whereabouts.”

Ling Xiao looked at Sword, and Sword was stunned, “Your subordinate has been investigating the rebels these past few days, and I haven’t been staying at the mansion…”

Your Highness hadn’t ordered him to keep an eye on Madam.

Besides, even if he had been watching her, what could he do about the rebels?

Sword said awkwardly, “Your subordinate will send someone to ask Madam to return.”

“No need.” Ling Xiao turned and walked into the mansion without another word, his face still dark.

What did he have to ask her? It was none of their business.

His face was taut, and the restlessness in his chest seemed to intensify.

–

“Madam, I didn’t expect you to actually send the incense, I was worried you would be kicked out!” The maid was relieved.

“It’s nothing, it’s free, and they even gave us a trial period. We didn’t lose anything.”

The maid was a little heartbroken, “It’s still a loss of money.”

“This money is worth it for the advertising. Otherwise, how long would it take for our shop to become popular? We’re only supplying Xi Lou, and in turn, they’re using our incense exclusively. Only our shop has this scent, so it’s naturally valuable.

This is a win-win situation.”

“Madam is truly amazing!”

The carriage arrived at the gate of the Marquis’s Mansion. The maid helped Yao out of the carriage.

“Madam is back.” The stablehand rushed to greet her.

Yao nodded and went directly into the mansion with the maid.

She planned to greet the Old Madam first, then go back to prepare the fabrics for her shop. She planned to open soon.

Everything was going smoothly today, and she was feeling quite happy. Her steps were light.

She walked along the covered corridor, through the garden, and towards the inner courtyard.

But as she rounded a corner, she almost bumped into someone coming from the opposite direction. She reacted in time and stopped, raising her head. She saw Ling Xiao’s icy face, her pupils constricted, and she instinctively took a step back.

“Your Highness.”

She thought she was unlucky. Why did she have to bump into him?

His expression was calm, “What is it?”