Chapter 174: My Master Is in Trouble

"No."

An Shi, guarding the food, placed the duck leg in his own arms.

An Liu wasn't really trying to snatch An Shi's duck leg; he was just teasing him.

They ate first before going to the restaurant Qiao Sheng opened.

At this moment.

It was noon.

Qiao Sheng and the others were busy.

An Shi and An Liu arrived, and they didn't notice them.

An Liu smelled the aroma of food inside, called An Shi to find a place to tie the horse, and walked toward the restaurant Qiao Sheng opened.

Qiao Hushui was greeting customers when he suddenly saw them enter; he came over to welcome them.

"Two esteemed guests, please sit here."

Qiao Hushui's politeness made An Shi a little nervous; after all, he is Qiao Sheng's father, and if their master found out they came straight to his place to eat, would he punish them?

"Y‑you, no need, no need to be so polite."

An Liu pulled An Shi Yi down.

They walked to a side and sat down.

An Liu glanced at the menu Qiao Hushui handed over, quickly ordered six dishes without asking An Shi what he wanted.

Because he had been with An Shi for so long, he already knew what he liked to eat.

When Qiao Hushui left, An Shi lowered his voice and said, "Brother An Liu, is this really okay for us?"

"What's wrong with it? It's just a meal."

An Liu had Qiao Hushui bring them a pot of daughter‑red wine.

The two of them didn't order many dishes, yet they ate the longest; when the other customers left, they were still eating.

It wasn't early today either.

Qiao Sheng and the others didn't wait for them to finish before preparing lunch; they made lunch at that moment.

At noon today they ate spicy boiled fish, stir‑fried shredded pork with green peppers, and vegetable soup.

"Check, please."

An Liu said.

Qiao Sheng first, and Qiao Hushui stood up; she went to check the dishes they had ordered, and after finishing said, "You have spent a total of 138 wen at our shop; we'll charge you 135 wen."

"Here."

An Liu counted the money and handed it to Qiao Sheng.

Qiao Sheng took it; not long after,

An Liu, bringing An Shi over, said, "Qiao Niangzi, we have met you. We have long heard of your superb cooking, and today we finally got to experience it."

"Qiao Niangzi, hello, I am An Shi."

An Shi then said.

They are the Dark Guard sent by Shi Lin?

Qiao Sheng realized and invited them to rest in the back courtyard, then returned to the front to eat.

"Big sister, who are they?"

Qiao Xuehua asked Qiao Sheng curiously.

Qiao Sheng opened his mouth and said, "They, ah, they are people sent by Shi Jin's uncle. Aren't both of those brothers here with me? Their uncle worried I couldn't take care of them, so he sent them…"

He ate a bowl of rice.

Qiao Sheng was about to get a second bowl when a crisp female voice came from outside: "Qiao Niangzi…"

Her voice sounded somewhat urgent.

Qiao Sheng found the voice somewhat familiar; he rose and went to the doorway, where a woman in a blue dress ran over from one side.

It wasn't anyone else but Li Xia, Cheng Xianglan's prized disciple.

Qiao Sheng had often seen her when he went to Cheng Xianglan's place before.

"What's wrong, did something happen?"

Li Xia said in a rapid voice, "My master, my master is in trouble; she's bleeding a lot…"

"What!"

"Run!"

Qiao Sheng didn't even think to call An Liu and the others, and followed Li Xia running outside.

Guided by Li Xia, Qiao Sheng followed her into a medical hall.

They entered the back courtyard.

Qiao Sheng looked around and saw, outside a nearby room, several women in dresses of different colors standing; they were undoubtedly the Tou Niang of Cheng Xianglan's embroidery workshop.

"Master… what's wrong?"

(End of chapter)