Chapter 347

Gu Xixi's heart has already been occupied by delicious food.

She quickened her pace forward, softly urging Mu Nan Zhao to hurry up and follow.

Mu Nan Zhao watched her back, the smile in his eyes fading away.

Replaced by a deep, complex emotion.

He confirmed a fact once again.

She indeed did not want to marry him, at least for now she was very resolute.

But for Mu Nan Zhao, he had long known her choice, so it wasn't a loss.

What he valued was another discovery.

Just now in the imperial study, Mu Nan Zhao, in front of the emperor, showed that he wasn't that concerned about Gu Xixi, and throughout he didn't even glance at her properly a few times.

This was of course done on purpose.

But every reaction and expression of Gu Xixi, Mu Nan Zhao caught them all in his sight.

He could be certain, she did not like this splendid and magnificent palace that in others' eyes symbolized glory.

Realizing Gu Xixi was forcing herself to adapt, Mu Nan Zhao actually felt heartache.

So after leaving that place, he intentionally used food to lure her, so she would think of things she liked and quickly forget the feeling of having to bow down and suppress herself.

Mu Nan Zhao finally glanced back, thinking, from now on he should try to bring her here as little as possible.

Gu Xixi and Mu Nan Zhao met with He Jinglan inside the palace.

Just after leaving the palace, they boarded He Jinglan's carriage and left the palace gate.

Now it was convenient to speak; He Jinglan looked at Gu Xixi's expression and knew her wish had already been fulfilled.

He sincerely rejoiced for her, "Although serving a ruler is like serving a tiger, as long as you can later travel freely throughout the realm and do what you want without having to beg grandparents and plead for favor, today you haven't risked everything for nothing."

Gu Xixi thought of the future, her heart full of hope, and she showed a sincere smile.

"Exactly so, not to mention future farther matters. Right now, seeking Qing Tian County to grant me wasteland, plus obtaining official tea status, these two major problems could be readily solved."

She has limited funds; partnering with the County Office to run a tea farm is currently the most cost-effective and swift method.

He Jinglan took Gu Xixi's hand and shook it, "Today we must properly celebrate!"

She looked toward Mu Nan Zhao.

Mu Nan Zhao appeared resigned, "The Ju Xian Lou, just order anything."

He Jinglan laughed, "Xixi, this Ju Xian Lou is no ordinary place; even the cheapest dish costs a tael of silver."

"Originally I wanted to bring you there, but now it's perfect—someone wealthier than me is footing the bill, saving me money."

Gu Xixi cooperated earnestly, "That sweet soup shop—you've already poured money into it like water; in the early stages of a startup you still need to burn cash, so you ought to be frugal everywhere."

He Jinglan pursed her lips and exchanged a look with Gu Xixi, nodding pitifully.

"It's true, think about it—you're also in the early stages of entrepreneurship; fruit trees and tea trees take a long time to profit. We two are truly like sisters in hardship, a pair of poor little bitter melons!"

Gu Xixi stiffly pulled the corner of her mouth into a smile, thinking, "Is this act a bit over the top?"

Mu Nan Zhao saw through everything, his face expressionless, asked, "Speak, what else do you want?"

The previously wilted He Jinglan instantly became energetic, "You give the sweet soup shop a name, and also personally write the plaque!"

Mu Nan Zhao sighed, "You two opening a shop, why don't you just come up with a name yourselves?"

Xixi not being skilled in calligraphy is fine.

He Jinglan, however, has been trained in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting since childhood.

There's something fishy.

Mu Nan Zhao firmly looked at He Jinglan, "You aren't proud of your own calligraphy, are you?"

"To let the world look up to your ink treasure, such an opportunity is rare—how could you bear to give it to me?"

He Jinglan slapped the tea table, declaring righteously, "Of course there's a reason."

"Think about it—over the past six months, in the spring dreams of all the young ladies of the capital, who is the top choice?"

Mu Nan Zhao's face stiffened, and he unconsciously glanced at Gu Xixi from the corner of his eye.

Coincidentally, Gu Xixi also gave him a half-smile glance.

For the first time, Mu Nan Zhao felt seen through, quickly withdrew his gaze, "It's just inscribing a plaque—tell me when you need it, a day's notice is enough."

He Jinglan clapped her hands, delighted, "Look, the main clientele of the sweet soup shop are still women."

"Everyone knows the Regent Prince's calligraphy is superb; among them, how many people seek his ink treasure, pulling strings through connections? Unfortunately, the Regent Prince never inscribes for anyone."

"So we just need to have the Regent Prince personally name it and personally write the plaque, then hang it outside the main door!"

He Jinglan imagined that scene, and couldn't help but laugh out loud first.

Mu Nan Zhao glanced sideways, "If your brother saw you with this profit-driven merchant air, he'd really want to see what expression he'd make."

He said while looking at Gu Xixi, clearly implying something.

Gu Xixi, however, returned his look with an innocent face, then calmly turned to the window to view the street scene.

Even if one who stays near vermilion becomes red and near ink becomes black—so what?

He Jinglan also didn't care much, continuing to expound her grand plan.

"When the shop opens, there will be plenty of people vying to view the ink treasure—it's definitely better than setting off ten thousand firecrackers!"

"Plus the shop name is yours; I only need to hint slightly, and our sweet soup would even earn praise from the Regent Prince himself."

"The moneybags of the whole capital… oh no, the young ladies won't fail to flock to it?"

Gu Xixi turned back, speaking earnestly, "Although the Prince isn't short of money, the proper ink fee should still be paid."

He Jinglan nodded firmly, "Mm! Count it in the capital!"

Mu Nan Zhao had no strength left even to sigh, and without a trace glanced at Gu Xixi, saying, "Those attracted to me aren't only women."

He certainly didn't want to be branded in Gu Xixi's heart with the stigma of "overly attracting bees and butterflies."

He Jinglan thought for a moment, then finally, as Mu Nan Zhao wished, she took up this topic.

For example, colleagues who are genuinely convinced by your own strength and follow you wholeheartedly? And also… the vast stream of literati and scholar-officials attracted by your talent?

Mu Nan Zhao pretended not to care, giving a slight nod.

In fact, he arrogantly stole a glance to observe Gu Xixi's reaction.

However, He Jinglan then said, "These people might prefer to go to a teahouse."

"After thinking it over, repeat customers make the reputation, but we mainly have to rely on women."

Mu Nan Zhao's face turned slightly green.

So in the end, his role is still to attract bees and butterflies, right?

And judging by Gu Xixi's attitude, she seems to agree as well.

Or perhaps this terrible idea was simply Gu Xixi's suggestion?!

Gu Xixi didn't know what Mu Nan Zhao was thinking at the moment; she thought he had lost a bit of face, and naturally was displeased.

She thought, having gained such a great benefit, pressing the host too hard would indeed be impolite.

Thus Gu Xixi changed the subject: "The Jingdong eunuch who guided me today."

"He started to speak of the Regent Prince but then stopped."

She looked at Mu Nan Zhao and earnestly asked, "Is there any unknown past between you and him?"

"Oh, I'm just a bit curious; if it's inconvenient to say, then forget it."

Mu Nan Zhao glanced at her lightly and said, "There's nothing I can't tell you."

"Last year, when I handled the old-year wrongful case, his family was merely one of the cases…"

As he spoke, Gu Xixi felt hungry, saw the silver eight-treasure pine-branch pot on the table, and wanted to drink some tea to ease her hunger.

Because the tea table was on the side where Mu Nan Zhao sat, she couldn't reach it, so she had to stand up and lean over to get it.

At that moment, the carriage suddenly made a sharp turn, then a hard stop!