The Cheng siblings bid farewell to the Li family.

Cheng Wanfeng could ride a horse too, so the siblings each mounted one and rode out of the city at a leisurely pace.

“Big Brother…” Cheng Wanfeng tilted her head and asked, “What do you think the Marchioness meant when she asked that question?”

Cheng Changyan replied with a question of his own: “What do you think?”

“I feel like… the Marchioness wants you to become her son-in-law,” Cheng Wanfeng said with a giggle. “Big Brother, you must like Zhiyue a lot, right? Otherwise, why would you give all the Cheng family’s silver to her?”

Cheng Changyan frowned. “Was it… too little?”

Over the years, he had focused all his energy on official duties, neglecting any means of earning money.

Now he only had about twenty thousand taels of silver — not enough to produce more when needed.

Just as Cheng Wanfeng was about to speak, a carriage suddenly stopped beside them.

The curtain was lifted, revealing a woman with elaborate makeup. “Lord Cheng, it really is you. What a coincidence to run into you at the city gate! Isn’t this fate?”

Cheng Changyan raised an eyebrow and offered a perfunctory greeting. “Princess Danyang.”

“The moon is beautiful tonight. Wouldn’t it be a waste not to admire it?” Princess Danyang invited warmly. “Our prince’s residence has a moon-viewing tower — the best place in the capital to appreciate the moon. Would you join me?”

Cheng Changyan’s expression remained cool. “I have official business to attend to. Thank you for the kind invitation, Your Highness.”

Princess Danyang’s face darkened slightly. “And what if I order you to accompany me to admire the moon?”

Cheng Changyan remained cold. “Then I will have to disobey the order.”

“You!” Princess Danyang was so furious she was practically fuming.

She had admired Cheng Changyan for a long time and had taken the initiative on many occasions, yet he was always so indifferent.

She was a princess of the royal blood, courted by countless noble families — yet she had set her heart on this commoner!

Cheng Changyan was truly blind to her worth.

Her gaze shifted to Cheng Wanfeng beside him.

She sneered. “So, Lord Cheng has time to ride horses with some woman, but no time to admire the moon with me? How interesting!”

Cheng Wanfeng rarely visited the capital, and this was her first time facing someone from such a powerful family.

Overwhelmed by the other’s imposing presence, she instinctively hid behind her brother.

Princess Danyang laughed in anger. “What kind of respectable young lady stays out late, riding horses with a man? Tell me, which household raised such an ill-mannered girl?”

Clack!

There was a crisp sound — the tassel from Princess Danyang’s headpiece had been knocked off by a small stone and shattered on the ground.

Princess Danyang’s eyes widened. “Cheng Changyan, how dare you strike me! Do you have a death wish?!”

Cheng Changyan’s features were sharp and cold. “The Princess spoke recklessly and insulted my younger sister. Next time, it won’t be this simple.”

He nudged his horse and rode off with Cheng Wanfeng.

Princess Danyang was furious at first, then suddenly came to a realization. “Wait — he said… that girl is his sister?”

A maid by her side added, “The Cheng family is, after all, from humble origins. Yet he dares show no respect to Your Highness. This must be reported to the Prince!”

“What’s the rush?” Princess Danyang smiled. “I’ve got plenty of time to play this game. One day, he’ll be kneeling at my feet.”

…

The next day, the restaurant opened.

Previously named Bai’s Restaurant, it now had a new name: Fortune Hall (Fuman Lou).

Before dawn, the three business partners had already arrived at the shop, calmly starting the day’s preparations.

The manager of the restaurant, surnamed Fang, was originally part of the Fang dowry and had been running the place since. When Bai Tang took over, she didn’t replace him.

Manager Fang looked at the menu and the prices listed on it and nearly spat out blood.

“Dragon Well Shrimp — two taels of silver.”

“White Cut Chicken — three taels.”

“Osmanthus Fish — two taels.”

All the meat dishes were around two or three taels of silver, and even the vegetable dishes started at half a tael. It was absurd.

He had run this place for years, and the most expensive dish in the past had been 800 copper coins — and even that one barely sold. Now, everything was priced like this? Would anyone come?

Manager Fang sighed heavily.

Li Zhiyue happened to walk by, and he deliberately sighed even louder.

“Manager Fang, you’re being too narrow-minded,” Li Zhiyue said. “At our Li family’s teahouse, a single cup of tea goes for one tael of silver. Why shouldn’t a dish at a restaurant be worth two taels? If we think it’s too expensive, how will we convince customers to come in?”

Manager Fang stayed silent.

She could talk all she wanted — he still thought it was too expensive.

Li Zhiyue just smiled.

She intended to make money from the wealthy.

If it wasn’t expensive, how could they quickly build their initial capital?

She walked around inspecting the place. Everything was in order — now all they needed were customers.

As mealtime approached, the street grew livelier.

There were two major restaurants on this street: Yuelai Restaurant and Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

These were the top choices in the capital for entertaining guests.

Manager Tian of Drunken Immortal Pavilion and Manager Mao of Yuelai were chatting.

“I got the scoop — the backers of Fortune Hall are the Xiangyang Marquis’ estate and the Li family’s teahouse and opera house — same owner.”

“The Li family is always pulling surprises. If they suddenly start a restaurant, will they steal our business?”

“I went in pretending to be a customer. The cheapest dish is 500 copper coins — just a plain vegetable. Chicken, duck, and fish are two to three taels each. A meal could easily cost twenty-plus taels. Who can afford that?”

“The Xiangyang Marquis’ household clearly has no idea how the real world works!”

Just then, a group of riders appeared on the street, dressed in official robes and hats.

Someone recognized them: “That’s the Court of Judicial Review!”

“What are they doing at Fortune Hall?”

“Trouble already? On their first day?”

“No, wait — they don’t look like they’re here to investigate. Are they… here to eat?”

Cheng Wanfeng ran out from the kitchen. “Big Brother, Lord Zhao, Lord Zhou — what brings you here?”

Though she didn’t come to the capital often, these people frequently visited their home to talk business with Cheng Changyan, so she recognized most of them.

Zhao Shaoqing laughed. “We just wrapped up a big case. Lord Cheng said he’d treat us to a meal. Miss Cheng, bring out your best dishes!”

Cheng Wanfeng rushed to arrange things.

Li Zhiyue had a large jar of wine carried out. “Gentlemen, your visit honors us. Today, drinks are on the house — enjoy to your heart’s content.”

Cheng Changyan glanced at her. “Much appreciated.”

Li Zhiyue waved it off, saying no need for formalities.

With the officials from the Court of Judicial Review present, business at Fortune Hall immediately picked up.

People began pouring in, trying to sit near the officials — hoping for a chance to strike up conversation with Cheng Changyan.

Whether or not they succeeded in building a connection with the Cheng family was unknown.

What was certain was this: the food at Fortune Hall was unbelievably delicious!