Shopping, That Him

Lu emerged from the flower hall with a somber expression, nodded to Qin Tan who was waiting outside, and said, "Your wife's illness is somewhat complicated. Before she begins treatment, she has something she wants to say to you. Please come in."

Seeing his solemn expression, Qin Tan also became cautious, cupped her hands in greeting, and pushed open the door to the flower hall alone.

As soon as the door closed, Youlu's expression changed instantly. He stretched out his hand to Old Chen and said, "Old Chen, do you have any potent tonics for me?"

Old Chen chuckled, without asking why, and took out a white porcelain bottle from his medicine box and handed it to him, saying, "These are pills to replenish qi and blood. Now that you have my medicine, you must tell me all about this heart-changing technique."

"Sure, sure," Youlu replied with a grin, putting the pill into her sleeve.

Qin Tan went into the flower hall and didn't come out for a while. When he came out, his eyes were slightly red and the corners of his eyes were wet. He looked dejected and no longer had the spirit he had before.

You Lu knew that Meng Tianhong had been honest with him, but he didn't know if they had made things clear or what decision they had made.

Qin Tan closed the door to the flower hall, turned around and said politely, "I'm sorry to trouble Your Highness and Headmaster Chen, but my wife is not feeling well today and it's inconvenient for her to receive treatment. Please leave."

Lu Xin understood; it seemed the two hadn't reached an agreement yet.

So he nodded and said, "Then we'll take our leave."

He turned to leave, but after taking only one step, he turned back and approached Qin Tan, saying, "Lord Qin, could you do me a small favor?"

Knowing he was full of tricks, Qin Tan didn't dare to agree casually, and only asked, "Your Highness, may I ask what it is?"

He secretly praised her for her prudence and said with a smile, "I remember that Miss Qin and Miss Shen Yuyao from the Yongchang Marquis's Mansion are very close friends. I would like to ask Miss Qin to pass on a message to Miss Shen, saying that the Emperor is worried about disaster relief and has set up donation boxes in the downtown area to raise funds."

Qin Tan was slightly taken aback, looked at him with surprise and suspicion, and after a long while nodded and said, "This humble official understands."

That's an agreement.

The deer smiled and thanked them.

Although he had already asked Lao Xu for help, Qin Rongrong was more likely to see Shen Yuyao, so it was always good for him to have a backup plan.

As for Meng Tianhong, he was not in a hurry. After all, it concerned the diplomatic relations between the two countries, and he still needed to consult with his father before curing Meng Tianhong's poison.

After leaving the Qin residence, Youlu did not rush back to the palace. He and Old Chen casually found a teahouse to sit down and chat. The two had lunch together and did not part until nearly Shenshi (3-5 PM). Afterwards, he went to Huaihua Lane.

Hey, you didn't expect that, did you? A gentleman takes revenge even after ten years. He's come looking for Li Gou to get his revenge!

Li Gou was beaten and it took him several days to recover. Afterwards, fearing that Gu Cheng would kill him to silence him, he hid and dared not go out. One day, he couldn't hold back any longer and sneaked out for a stroll. However, he didn't expect to be put in a sack and beaten as soon as he returned, which almost killed him.

Suspecting that Gu Cheng had sent someone to warn him, Li Gou dared not report it to the authorities and could only swallow his anger.

Emerging from the alley, Deer clapped its hands with a refreshed expression and continued strolling down the street with Pixiu.

He'd been in ancient times for a week, and he still hadn't had a proper chance to explore the streets of Shengjing.

As the saying goes, one should buy things, not things from north and south. This is because in ancient times, the trading areas of a city were generally concentrated in the east and west districts, which is why West Street and East Street were the busiest places in a city.

Youlu spotted Dongda Street and charged straight ahead.

On the other hand, after seeing the person off, Qin Tan felt uneasy. He felt like he had forgotten something, but he couldn't remember it. The shock he received today was too great, and his mind was a little confused.

"My husband."

A gentle call rang out, and Qin Tan saw his wife hesitating, instantly pushing aside any unease he felt.

He sighed softly, "Never mind, if I can't remember, then so be it."

With a flick of his sleeve, he instinctively stepped forward to support Meng Tianhong.

He has more important things to deal with.

The streets were bustling with people, lined with shops and vendors. Once inside East Street, Youlu felt right at home, looking around and touching everything, finding everything fascinating. He helped the old man selling candied hawthorns hawk his wares; he performed fire-breathing for the acrobatic troupe; and he even gave chicken legs to a little beggar under the bridge. He was having so much fun that he didn't even notice it getting dark.

Even after nightfall, the bustling streets remain vibrant, filled with the lively atmosphere of everyday life under the bright lights, creating a unique charm. A deer, carrying osmanthus-flavored glutinous rice balls in its left hand and a pea flour cake in its right, with a sugar figurine tucked into its belt and a golden, crispy sesame seed cake in its mouth, walked along with a Pixiu, eating non-stop.

This was the most he had eaten in all the time he had been in Dayong.

Passing by a wonton stall, a deer seemed a little weak, patting its already empty belly, and asked the Pixiu on its shoulder, "Do you want some?"

The wontons, with their thin wrappers and generous fillings, served in a clear broth drizzled with lard, topped with a pinch of vibrant green scallions, were a feast for both the eyes and the nose. The Pixiu drooled, "Yes, yes, the beast wants to eat!"

"Then we'll split it in half!" Youlu happily made the decision, but when she took out her money, she found that her purse was empty.

The man and the beast looked at each other in bewilderment. It was all gone; they had run out of money.

The fragrant wontons were visible, but unattainable. The Pixiu cried out, "Wontons! My dear white wontons! It's all your fault! If you hadn't given your money to those little beggars, we wouldn't be unable to afford wontons!"

Youlu awkwardly touched the tip of his nose and muttered, "How was I supposed to know money would disappear so quickly?"

It's not that money doesn't last, it's that he's too extravagant.

He hadn't brought any money with him when he left the palace. He had taken Li Gou's silver, which was only a dozen taels, when he went to seek revenge. He had spent it all on various things and it was all gone long ago.

【I don't care, I want to eat wontons!】 This time, Pixiu, who is usually easy to coax, refused to do anything and threw a tantrum on his shoulder, rolling around and crying loudly.

Youlu was so annoyed by the crying that he wondered if he should ask the stall owner to let him work in exchange for wontons. Just then, a hand reached out from behind him and placed a silver ingot on the wonton stall owner's stall.

He turned around in surprise, and what came into view was a deep and aloof face. Under the warm yellow light, his sharp eyebrows and eyes looked a little gentler than during the day.

What is he doing here?

A deer tilted its head.

After receiving the money, the wonton stall owner quickly scooped up the wontons, sprinkled them with chopped green onions, and handed them over.

You Lu reached out to take it, but Cang Shuyue took it first.

You Lu was stunned. Wasn't it for him?

The wonton stall owner smiled and said, "These wontons are fresh out of the pot, please be careful as they're hot."

Cang Shuyue held the tall bowl of wontons in one hand and said expressionlessly, "It's time to return to the palace."

The deer blinked and nodded.

The streets were bustling with people and vehicles. The two walked one after the other against the flow of people toward the palace gate, like a boat going against the current. Cang Shuyue walked in front, his tall and upright figure and aloof and dignified temperament causing passersby to unconsciously make way for him. You Lu walked behind him without even having his clothes touched by anyone.

In the distance, cheers could be heard, along with the sounds of children chasing and playing. But looking at the broad, sturdy shoulders in front of him, Youlu felt as if he had entered another time and space, and everything around him became hazy.