IHOEAYSTTTIW Chapter 49
by VolareYun Song watched Lin Yan leave, a meaningful smile appearing on his face: “Brother, I think I understand why you took a fancy to him. He really is a…smart person.”
“What do you mean?” The tenderness in Yun Qi’s eyes instantly dissipated. He turned to look at Yun Song, his eyes full of displeasure and vigilance.
“Nothing.” Yun Song shrugged, not wanting to waste time on these sentimentalities. As long as it didn’t affect his throne, he wouldn’t care if Yun Qi liked some random man, or even if Yun Qi wanted to marry a tribute monkey. But if Yun Qi had other intentions, or even used sentimentality as a shield…
Yun Song’s gaze turned cold, and he once again offered an olive branch laced with poison: “Speaking of which, I’ve been too busy recently. Since brother can manage Xiang Taste so well, I’m sure he could handle the Ministry of Revenue’s affairs…”
“No.” Yun Qi refused without hesitation, his eyes full of annoyance.
“Then the Ministry of Public Works…”
“I have plenty of things to do in the shop. I have no interest in arguing with those old fogeys.”
“Tsk, then I’ll just have to work harder myself.” Yun Song clicked his tongue, looking somewhat helpless, but his expression softened considerably.
Yun Qi casually hummed twice, his eyes constantly drifting towards the door. Clearly, his body was present, but his mind had already wandered off.
Yun Song’s probing was annoying, but with all the differences between them, probing was all they could do. So, when was his brother coming back? He’d been gone for so long, just to pack some milk tea, why wasn’t he back yet?
Finally, the sound of knocking on the door of the private room rang out. Yun Qi couldn’t wait to rush to the door, naturally snatching the tray from Lin Yan’s hand and welcoming him in.
Lin Yan secretly squeezed Yun Qi’s hand, reminding him to restrain himself, and then, under Yun Qi’s resentful gaze, poured milk tea for Yun Song: “This is a newly developed recipe from the shop. Please try it, young master.”
Yun Song’s acceptance of Xiang Taste’s offerings was already high. He took a sip, his eyes lighting up, and downed the entire cup. There was no imagined milky stench, but instead, a mellow and sweet taste. After finishing the milk tea, Yun Song put on a solemn appearance again, pontificating about the country: “Not bad, but some of the dishes are just so-so and need to be improved.”
Lin Yan acted as if he were listening attentively, but Yun Qi secretly rolled his eyes and exposed Yun Song’s lies: “I was originally going to pack a few portions for you, but since you think they’re just so-so, then…”
“Who said the dishes were just so-so? The dishes are very delicious.” Yun Song groveled at light speed, rubbing his hands together expectantly. “Brother said he’d pack them, so he can’t go back on his word.”
“OK.” Having received the Emperor’s praise, Lin Yan became smug. He made a gesture and turned to prepare, dragging Yun Qi along with him.
Although these two seemed to have brotherly affection, who knew if they were just putting on an act for him?
“Thank you for your hard work, Master Lin.” Yun Song cupped his fist at Lin Yan, watching with an “auntie smile” as Lin Yan dragged his brother away, and didn’t forget to give Lin Yan a reassurance before sending him to the door. “Master Lin can just stay in the Capital City without worry. There are many fun things to do in the Capital City, and besides…I only have one relative in my brother, so I will definitely let him enjoy wealth and honor.”
Before Yun Song’s promised wealth and honor could be realized, various rumors about Xiang Taste were already rampant.
At a roadside tea stall, two men in coarse linen clothes were drinking tea and bragging. As they talked, they began to discuss Xiang Taste.
“I heard that people from the palace came to Xiang Taste a few days ago? They’re all spreading rumors that Xiang Taste is going to soar. It’s been a few days and there’s been no movement. Could those words be just Xiang Taste making things up for publicity?” The man clicked his tongue in disdain, rolling his eyes in the direction of Xiang Taste. “That’s why they say merchants are always unscrupulous. For a little silver, they’ll make up anything.”
White happened to be patrolling. He let out two intimidating “meows” at the two men and strutted off to patrol elsewhere.
The other man didn’t speak, respectfully watching the shiny black cat walk towards the store.
“Hey, it’s just a fat cat, you…”
The man made a shushing gesture, and waited until the fat cat jumped into the store before continuing, with a slightly angry look from his companion: “It’s really not made up, look at the pendant on that cat’s neck, it’s pure gold.”
“So what?” The man was full of disdain, scoffing at the extravagant waste of these nouveau riche.
“I heard that it was even personally…”
Before the man could finish his sentence, a loud gong rang out from the other end of the street. The sound of the gong was crisp, making people’s ears buzz. Someone shouted at the top of their lungs: “The government is handling official business, everyone clear the way!”
The crowd turned to look, and saw a team of yamen runners heading this way. The official at the front of the team, riding a tall horse, had a dignified expression, and the crane embroidered on his clothes shone brightly.
The onlookers obediently moved to the side, discussing in low voices.
“What rank is it to have a crane embroidered on their clothes? Third rank or second rank?”
“That’s first rank.”
“First rank! Who’s in trouble?”
“Stop, stop.”
The team stopped in front of Xiang Taste’s entrance. The waiter outside the store froze, no longer caring about the customers he was serving. He ran into the store, tripping over himself.
Manager Luo from One-Taste Restaurant leaned against the door frame to watch the show. Seeing this situation, he smiled particularly arrogantly, clapping his hands and cheering: “Look, look, I told you that Xiang Taste’s stuff isn’t clean, they’ll be sealed up sooner or later. You see…”
The official riding the tall horse shot a glance over, and Manager Luo’s smile instantly disappeared.
He had been blinded by the great joy just now, and now he had reacted. The attitude of these people was not one of questioning and punishing the crime of exterminating the family, but rather…
The people from Xiang Taste came out of the store to greet them, led by the insignificant small shopkeeper, who was said to be named Mo.
The high-ranking official dismounted and pulled out a scroll of bright yellow silk from his sleeve, loudly proclaiming: “Imperial Edict!”
The originally noisy street instantly fell silent. Everyone consciously knelt on the ground, and Manager Luo from One-Taste Restaurant didn’t even dare to breathe loudly.
“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees…”
The official’s sonorous voice echoed in the air, and the content of the imperial edict was read out one by one.
The new shopkeeper who came to Xiang Taste was named Yun, and was the brother whom the new Emperor had been searching for nearly a year. The new Emperor conferred the title of Prince to his brother, bestowing the title “An”. He also specifically mentioned the Lin Ge’er who took in Prince An, showering him with flowery rainbow farts, and then directly bestowed marriage, gifted a mansion, and set a date.
After the imperial edict was read, the official immediately changed his expression. With a face full of smiles, he presented the imperial edict to Yun Qi, and directed the eunuch behind him to carry over a plaque covered with red silk, respectfully saying, “Your Highness Prince An, Your Highness the Princess Consort, this is the plaque His Majesty bestowed upon Xiang Taste.”
The official lifted the red silk on the plaque, his tone full of flattery, “His Majesty truly values Your Highness Prince An. The words on this are written by His Majesty himself.”
Yun Qi nodded slightly, with a faint smile on his face, and said politely, “Thank you, Lord Li. Would you like to come inside for some tea, sir?”
Lord Li waved his hand, his face full of smiles, “No, no, this official still has matters to attend to, so I won’t disturb the two Highnesses.”
Cheng Que shoved a purse into Lin Yan’s hand, pushing him forward.
Lin Yan awkwardly handed the purse to the official, saying dryly, “This is just a small token of our appreciation, please don’t dislike it, sir.”
Lord Li feigned refusal for a moment, then accepted the purse and stuffed it into his chest, his smile growing even wider: “Your Highness the Princess Consort is too kind.”
Lord Li exchanged a few polite words with Yun Qi and then left, and various rewards flowed into Xiang Taste like a river.
Lin Yan stretched and yawned.
How wonderful, another day off from work.
Opening the door just to close it again, the diners at Xiang Taste dared not complain, obediently walking out, not even one trying to skip the bill. The waiter politely sent them out, closing the shop doors before the dinner rush arrived.
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