Chapter 161: Blazing

Cai Pin stood behind her and said softly, "Miss Hui, the Crown Prince said he will definitely help you get revenge."

Meng Qinghe curled a cold smile at the corner of her lips; in her previous life she could become a consort, just one step away from the Empress, and she could do the same in this life.

"This person once appeared in the Bai family's courtyard; perhaps he is a descendant of those treacherous traitors of the Bai clan. The Bai family is a thorn in the Emperor's side, so what does the Imperial‑granted World's First Manor matter? If the Emperor discovers she is linked to the Bai family, no Imperial plaque, not even an immunity golden ticket would help."

At this moment, inside the World's First Manor shop, the crowd stared at the menu, puzzled.

"Is this a meal or herbs? Why does every dish contain herbs? … Could this even be tasty?"

"Yeah! I drink medicinal soup every day, and now just seeing herbs makes me nauseous—how am I supposed to eat this!"

The diner who secured a seat looked at the menu and complained, "I've been queuing for so long, and this is what I get to eat?"

A few people gathered by the table lowered their voices, "Do the nobles in the palace eat things like this?"

Meanwhile, those queuing outside craned their necks to look inside, drawn by the aroma of the shop's ingredients, which made mouths water.

But hearing the doubts from inside, they also perked up their ears, listening closely to the sounds within.

"Esteemed guests, our World's First Manor is a medicinal‑cuisine shop."

"Medicinal cuisine?"

"Exactly." Shopkeeper Hao said with a smile, "As the saying goes, medicine and food share the same source; often, you can nourish the body without drinking medicinal soup."

"Shopkeeper Hao, we all came because of the provisions your shop gave us during the snow disaster; now there's no wine or dishes, only medicinal cuisine, this… this is pure swindle!"

"Exactly!"

People around shouted, "Shopkeeper Hao, during the snow disaster your shop was kind to us, we remember that, so now that World's First Manor opens auspiciously we gladly support you, but… you cannot treat us like fools! Are herbs something you can just eat? Using them as food—if it makes us sick, what then?"

Shopkeeper Hao listened as everyone spoke one after another, smiling, and said, "Everyone, please stay calm; allow me to explain in detail."

"Alright, go ahead."

"As I just said, our World's First Manor is a medicinal‑cuisine shop; before you dine here, a dedicated physician will check your pulse and, based on each guest's condition, select a suitable meal, whose effect will be immediate."

"Immediate effect?" one diner asked skeptically, "Shopkeeper Hao, are you exaggerating?"

"Whether it's exaggerated or not, you'll know after trying. Our proprietor says, if you feel no effect or the taste is unsatisfactory, we won't take any money today."

Since there was that guarantee, the crowd relaxed.

Most importantly, the shop was filled with enticing aromas that made their mouths water.

At that moment, a dozen physicians emerged from the back and began walking to each table to check the diners' pulses.

The diners had never seen such a spectacle before.

Being treated as honored guests made them feel comfortable deep down.

The most important thing was the dishes presented.

That deliciousness made them wish they could swallow their tongues.

"Delicious, truly delicious!"

"Mother! Is this really medicinal cuisine? Can herbs taste like this?"

"What a lie! If medicinal cuisine can taste like this, I'd have to eat here three meals a day."

"You all stop, Shopkeeper Hao earlier said that after eating the shop's medicinal cuisine the body would feel a bit better; I didn't believe it before, now I think I can't not believe it," one diner said, and after sipping a few mouthfuls of soup, he patted his chest, slightly shocked, "I think I really feel much more comfortable."

"Yes, yes, I feel it too; the chest seems no longer painful."

"Incredible! No wonder it's World's First Manor; this medicinal cuisine's effect is even better than soup by a few points."

Those who hadn't eaten yet heard these words and grew more anxious, urging the server repeatedly.

For a moment, other restaurants in Jingcheng were empty, while World's First Manor was bustling.

The young servants finally understood why their shopkeeper gave them extra wages; it truly was exhausting.

Qing Shan stood in the elegant room, looking out at the endless queue on the street, and clicked his tongue a few times, "A shop with such booming business, I've never seen before."

Ji Bai heard this and said lightly, "Uninformed."

"Hey, why are you so sharp‑tongued?" Qing Shan pursed his lips, "We're both guards after all, why be so quick to bite?"

"Who shares the same roots with you?"

"You… ugh, boring."

Qing Shan saw Chi Nan Yi lowering her head to write something and curiously asked, "Miss, now the shop is ablaze, aren't you pleased?"

"Pleasant." Chi Nan Yi's expression remained indifferent, not even lifting her head.

"How could I not see it?"

Seeing Chi Nan Yi ignore him, Qing Shan turned to speak with Ji Bai.

Ji Bai turned his head the other way; Qing Shan, seeing this, pursed his lips, "What are you pretending?"

"Done!"

Chi Nan Yi set down her brush, her face full of satisfaction.

"What's done?"

"Ji Bai, the Zhou mother and daughter you rescued outside Jingcheng that day?"

"Miss Hui, they have been placed in the newly purchased residence."

Chi Nan Yi nodded, "Good, later you'll accompany me back to the residence; I have important matters for her to handle, and also to see the newly renovated house."

"Alright."

Qing Shan's face turned a bit awkward; did this person have an issue with him? He had just spoken to them, yet they ignored him.

"Aunt…"

"Qing Shan."

"Here!"

He shouted with great effort.

He was seen! Finally seen!

"Guard the shop; I need to go out for a while."

"Huh? Guard the shop?"

"What, can't you?"

"\"It's not that I can't... \" Qing Shan stammered for a while, but couldn't give a clear reason."

"\"You are now my guard; whatever I order you to do, you must do. Do you still remember the Three Obediences and Four Virtues? \""

"Qing Shan's complexion shifted repeatedly, and he slowly nodded."

"Chi Nan Yi had just left, and Qing Shan's expression suddenly tightened."

"\"Come out! \""

"With those words, Yun Shan slowly stepped out from the shadows."

"\"Young Master Yunfan. \""

"\"What are you here for? Did Mo Junyan send you? \""

"Yun Shan nodded: \"Young Master Yunfan, you... \""

"\"I have already said, I don't want any entanglement with the Prince Li residence. Go back and tell Mo Junyan not to think of making a move against me; I am mortal enemies with the Mo family. \""