Chapter 71: If You Dare to Call, I Dare to Answer

Quan Quan Aoyu frowned and began chatting with Jun Jun Zijin about the ambush and murder attempt from yesterday:

"The Wu family is easy to deal with, but the gray-robed man from yesterday is connected to an enemy nation; this matter is not so simple. I fear you are already implicated in yesterday's incident. Are you afraid?"

"Afraid? Not really. But if there were no traitor within, how could people from an enemy nation so easily cause trouble on our turf time and again!" Jun Jun Zijin said.

Quan Quan Aoyu's eyes sharpened. "You are right; this traitor must wield great power in the court. I have already sent people to investigate secretly. But since they acted so urgently, I fear there is a greater conspiracy in the near future. Recently, do not leave the manor alone. You must not eat anything until the two nannies, Xu and Chen, have inspected it thoroughly. At night, when you sleep, place melon seeds and peanuts beside you. Be extremely careful. If anything happens, come to Bi Bo Ting to find me. That restaurant is mine, and it is also yours."

He gave his instructions earnestly. Jun Jun Zijin knew he was worried about her and listened carefully, nodding in agreement.

Jun Jun Zijin suddenly remembered the Heavenly Blood Steed Quan Quan Aoyu had given her. She was too lazy to bother raising it in the Jun manor. Tilting her head, she said to Quan Quan Aoyu:

"Keep the Heavenly Blood Steed at your place. I will ride it over to your place to ride."

In fact, among all the fine gifts Quan Quan Aoyu had given her, her favorite was not the cloud brocade, but that Heavenly Blood Steed. Even in the 21st century, a purebred Heavenly Blood Steed was worth 80 million RMB. In this era, there were probably only a few in the entire Emperor Tianqi realm; it was truly too precious. And in her past life, horseback riding had been one of Jun Jun Zijin's hobbies.

"Very well." Quan Quan Aoyu nodded. He had dedicated servants to care for the steed, so it was indeed more suitable.

Finally, the words were spoken, and the last wisp of sunset glow had fallen behind the mountains. He felt somewhat reluctant, but he truly had to leave. He said, "I will come to see you often."

Jun Jun Zijin urged him away: "Go back quickly."

"Wooden head!"

Quan Quan Aoyu had turned and taken only a few steps when Jun Jun Zijin called him back. His heart trembled. She had called him "Wooden head." Was she referring to that person in her mouth? But why did he feel a sense of familiarity? Clearly, this was the first time she had called him that, yet he felt as though it had been many years.

"You be careful too," Jun Jun Zijin said softly.

Quan Quan Aoyu felt a warm current spread through his entire body. The corners of his mouth rose involuntarily as he said:

"Rest assured, I will be careful myself." With that, he strode away.

Jun Jun Zijin stood in place, gazing at his retreating back for a long time without shifting her gaze. At that moment, Guazi whispered in a small voice, "Master, the wind is picking up outside. Let us return to the room." Only then did Jun Jun Zijin come back to her senses.

Meanwhile, Quan Quan Aoyu was in high spirits all the way back and did not mention punishing Bai Yu.

These few days had been relatively peaceful. Jun Jun Zijin went to the Old Lady's courtyard every day to sit with her. Seeing that her injuries had mostly healed, she began considering preparations for rehabilitation treatment.

Jun Jun Yiyi only cursed Jun Jun Zijin shamelessly within her own courtyard, complaining that Jun Jun Zijin had dragged the Crown Prince into her Ao Xue courtyard immediately after the imperial betrothal. However, as a daughter trained by the Wu family, she had not completely lost her reason to go to Jun Jun Zijin's courtyard to seek a beating.

As for Jun Jun Zhidie, she had not been seen coming out these past two days. Perhaps her face hurt terribly; it was said she could only eat liquid food each day and could not even speak clearly.

Jun Jun Zijin went to the old man's home to perform acupuncture on the old woman. The old woman was already able to rise, so Jun Jun Zijin felt relieved.

These few days seemed peaceful, but in reality, undercurrents were surging. To be safe, she brought Guazi and Miss Huasheng out today. Hanxiao and Miaozhu remained in the manor to look after the newly bought maids. Jun Jun Zijin went to Tong An Tang to deposit her medicine chest. Seeing that it was nearly noon and having nothing else to do, she prepared to go check out Bi Bo Ting. That was Quan Quan Aoyu's place. She had heard from Quan Quan Qingle how booming the business was there. In Jingcheng, whether court officials, young masters, or ladies and young ladies, all considered it an honor to dine at Bi Bo Ting. Ordinary families could not even get a reservation, but she had never gone to see it herself.

She had just stepped out of the medicine shop's main door when she ran into He Ling'er and Quan Quan Qingle, who had come to the shop to find her. The two had been craving Bi Bo Ting's dishes for a long time, but they could never get a reservation on ordinary days. Today, they came to find her, the half-owner of Bi Bo Ting, to go eat at Bi Bo Ting together.

Jun Jun Zijin and He Ling'er had not seen each other for some time. Upon meeting, their eyes were full of surprise. After the three exchanged smiles, Quan Quan Qingle joked:

"Jun Zijin, should I call you Jun Zijin, or should I call you Sixth Sister-in-law?"

Jun Jun Zijin laughed: "If you dare to call me, I dare to answer. If you call me by my name, we are friends. If you call me Sister-in-law, then I must fulfill the duties of a sister-in-law. Should I go ask the Emperor to grant you a betrothal as well?"

Upon hearing this, Quan Quan Qingle quickly covered her mouth:

"I was wrong, Jun Zijin. Just spare me."

He Ling'er, standing nearby, was amused and laughed heartily.

After the three had their fun and laughter, Quan Quan Qingle asked again why Jun Jun Shuyan, that little glutton, had not come. Jun Jun Zijin chuckled softly. Good, two sparrows together would certainly not be boring. So Jun Jun Zijin instructed Miss Huasheng, who was skilled in lightness kung fu, to go back and fetch Jun Jun Shuyan directly to Bi Bo Ting.

The group walked toward Bi Bo Ting while chatting and laughing. On the road, Quan Quan Qingle chattered endlessly about Bi Bo Ting's signature dishes, making He Ling'er swallow her saliva.

Upon arriving at Bi Bo Ting, although she had mentally prepared herself, the enchanting scenery and the bustling, lively scene still made Jun Jun Zijin greatly marvel, silently praising Quan Quan Aoyu for truly knowing how to find a location.

Jingcheng had a moat 160 meters wide. By the river stood a dyke called Lovers' Dyke. The dyke was semi-circular. Bi Bo Ting was built upon Lovers' Dyke. More than half of the restaurant stood right on the banks of the great river. The river water flowed gently, its surface shimmering with waves, as if draping the restaurant in a flowing silver gauze.

Whenever the sun set, the afterglow sprinkled upon the river surface, glittering with gold, complementing the restaurant's architecture. The elegant seats inside the restaurant were set facing the windows. Outside the windows, half was the clear, gurgling green water reflecting the buildings along the dyke, resembling a moving ink-wash painting. The river breeze blew gently, carrying the fragrance of water weeds, refreshing the mind and spirit. On the other side, flowers bloomed with overflowing fragrance, and butterflies danced gracefully, making one feel as if placed in a paradise.

When night fell, Bi Bo Ting possessed yet another unique charm. Lanterns hung high by the river, their light and shadows interlacing, reflected upon the river surface like countless stars. The lights and starlight danced together. The painted boats on the river swayed gently upon the shimmering water. The music was melodious, overflowing with romance, and the beauty was beyond description.

Bi Bo Ting, with its unique geographical location and enchanting scenery, leaned half against the great river, full of charm. The river hummed softly, the years were peaceful and good. It was the poetry and distant land in the hearts of diners, making people linger and forget to return. People strolled along Lovers' Dyke or sat by the restaurant windows, enjoying this tranquility and beauty, as if the entire world had stopped for them.

Quan Quan Aoyu truly knew how to find a location. The corners of Jun Jun Zijin's mouth rose; her mood was extremely good.

As soon as the group entered the door, a waiter recognized Guazi. The waiter saw this and warmly rushed forward to greet them:

"Yo! It's Miss Guazi here."

Hearing that Guazi had arrived, the Shopkeeper knew that the person on the Crown Prince's heart had come. He personally came out to welcome Jun Jun Zijin. The Shopkeeper reasoned that this was the Crown Princess's first visit. He ordered all the restaurant's signature dishes to be served at once, while respectfully guiding them up to a private room on the second floor called Xian Ying Ge:

"Master, this private room is the best in our restaurant. Half offers a view of the moat's scenery, and half offers a view of the fairyland-like courtyard inside the restaurant. This room was specially reserved for you by the Crown Prince and is not open to the public." The Shopkeeper bowed and ushered Jun Jun Zijin and her party into the private room.