Chapter 59 – His Wife Likes To Be In Affairs And The Neighbors All Know (3)
There was an ancient bridge by the foot of a hill by the north side of the riverside. A shop was open by the bridge and a few lanterns were on top of the shop. Two tables were outside and there was a stone carved sign next to the door. Once they took a closer look, it said: this shop is skilled in slaughtering pufferfish as it was passed down from generation to generation. It promises its customers that there is nothing to worry about and if anything happens, the owner is willing to repay the loss with his life.
Whenever the owner saw someone coming, he would brush a layer of ink on the slabstone and paste a sheet of paper on it, and then write a declaration, handing it to the customers. It was like signing a promise letter. After that, he would slaughter the pufferfish.
Cheng Shiqi found this interesting and sighed with admiration, “While eating pufferfish here, we are able to admire the lights on the fishing boats and the landscape. Now, that’s carefree and relaxing, a hundred times better compared to the imperial banquets hosted in the palace.”
Zhou Xiaoxiao gave him a thumbs up and said, “Ninth Prince is indeed a gourmand.”
Momentarily, the tender and fresh pufferfish was delivered. The owner took a bite in front of everyone before he said, “Please enjoy.”
Yu Xingzhi picked up his chopsticks and said, “As expected, the sweet smell has assaulted my nose. I’m drooling at the scent so let me have a taste first and see if it’s as delicious as the rumors have said it to be.”
Cheng Shizhao stopped him and said, “Xingzhi, wait momentarily. Let me taste it first.”
Then Guo Suren blocked them. “Sixth Lord, please be patient. Please let this guard try it first.”
Zhou Xiaoxiao was quick and took a few bites before any of them could. The Ninth Prince, Cheng Shiqi, couldn’t wait anymore and hurriedly grabbed a few bites, hissing at the burning sensation.
When everyone saw this, they were at ease and took bites. Even the guards had their own table by the side.
While eating, everyone was praising at how unusual but delicious the pufferfish was.
Zhou Xiaoxiao thought that even though Chen Shizhao was shameless and despicable, he was sincere to Xingzhi. Because of him, she will let this matter go. Therefore, she said to Cheng Shizhao, “Since Sixth Prince already tasted the pufferfish, we are now friends who will stick together through thick and thin. How about we let what happened in the past go?”
Cheng Shizhao continued to eat and didn’t say anything. But he thought: although she is brazen woman, she treated Xingzhi sincerely. Because of this, this Prince will not lower myself to her level.
Everyone enjoyed the food and wine and they were all full. Cheng Shiqi rubbed his round stomach and sighed. “Too bad we have to return to the capital in a few days and we won’t be able to taste this delicacy anymore. It’s really a regret in one’s life.”
“You guys are about to go back? When?” Zhou Xiaoxiao looked at Yu Xingzhi.
He apologized and said, “There are matters that I need to deal with in the capital and although my older cousin came with me, we had left the capital without permission. It’s really not suitable for us to stay, so we need to return in a day or two.”
He didn’t finish his words and his eyes were concentrated on Zhou Xiaoxiao, revealing an expression of reluctant.
When Zhou Xiaoxiao recalled how he came over despite the distance because of her letter, her heart felt bitter and uncomfortable. An idea sprang in her mind and she proposed, “How about I accompany you to the capital? I was planning on opening a branch of December Mooncakes Store in the capital anyway, so I might as well go check it out before coming back.”
“Xiaoxiao, are you being serious?” Yu Xingzhi couldn’t help but feel cheerful at her words.
After all, he really wished to spend more time with his beloved, but was also worried that she might be implicated in the capital’s complicated affairs.
“It’s fine. I’m just accompanying you for the time being and then I will be returning.” Zhou Xiaoxiao knew what he was worried about. “When we arrive in the capital, we are probably busy with our own matter so we may not see each other. Once I finish settling everything and opened a branch in the capital, it will be more convenient for us to see each other.”
Cheng Shizhao sneered, “Earlier on, I wanted you to return to the capital but you would cause a ruckus and threaten me with your life, unstable and erratic.”
Zhou Xiaoxiao squinted her eyes. “Enough, enough. Your highness, aren’t women like this? Just stop arguing with me.”
She thought: I wanted to break up with Yu Xingzhi because you wanted to lock me up as your mistress. Of course I refused. Now that I knew Xingzhi didn’t mean to break up with me, I naturally wanted to create more opportunities to stay with him since we had made up. It’s not like I am relying on your WangFu. Who needs you to look after me?
But she said, “Xingzhi just recovered from his illness and I’m worried. At least on the way, I can take care of him. Otherwise, your highness will probably blame me if something happens to him on the way.”
“You!” Cheng Shizhao angrily said, “Only women and small-minded men are hard to deal with.”
The author has something to say:
Cheng Shiqi: Wu Lang, what are you drinking? The smell is unique. Let me have a taste as well.
Yu Xingzhi: Ninth Prince, I’m drinking medicine.
Cheng Shiqi: Oh, then let me have a taste.
Comment