Chapter 385: Three-in-One Gift

Their eyes met.

Mu Nan Zhao closed his eyes in defeat, "Gu Xixi you..."

At this moment, Gu Xixi showed a sly expression.

Obviously it was deliberate.

Mu Nan Zhao sighed helplessly, yet the corner of his mouth couldn't help but curve upward.

The two smiled at each other.

In an instant, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the bamboo branches, scattering into bright specks that fell upon them.

Neither of them mentioned why Jiang Mingyuan fell into the water.

Because Gu Xixi now trusts Mu Nan Zhao.

And Mu Nan Zhao did not doubt this fact.

In the afternoon, after half the time had passed, the guests began to leave one after another.

Zi Yan came in to pass along word that the Top Scholar had already left first.

He Jinglan glanced at Gu Xixi and said, "Sir Jiang didn't even wait for us to see him off; that's really aloof."

Zi Yan laughed and said, "The Top Scholar actually left a message."

"Today's fine food and scenery, he enjoyed himself thoroughly, even made new friends; thank you, miss, and our host's hospitality."

"Besides, he also wants to pick a day to act as host and invite a few close friends."

"First, to thank everyone for looking after him while he was in the capital."

"Second, only the closest friends can gather, free from restraint, able to talk about anything."

He Jinglan naturally loves bustle; hearing this, she was quite pleased, "The Top Scholar is thoughtful."

She thought for a moment and said, "Since they are close friends, we should also prepare a formal gift."

"No need to use the He household's name; just the shared intention of An Qinghe, myself, and Gu Xixi."

Gu Xixi nodded in agreement, "That's good."

Jiang Mingyuan refuses to be aligned with any faction.

If the gift were sent in the name of the modest He household, Jiang Mingyuan would accept it, but inevitably be seen by those with ulterior motives as a person of the Minister of Revenue.

Previously, He Jinglan hadn't even sent a courtesy gift, precisely out of this concern.

But after today, things will be different.

Gu Xixi has already appeared at the banquet; within three days, every household in the capital will have heard something about it.

And the merchant An Qinghe is an old friend of the Top Scholar, and Gu Xixi is the Top Scholar's cousin; likewise, it's no longer a secret.

He Jinglan selected two rare volumes, both of which she personally sought out as fine things.

Scholars wouldn't fail to like this.

Gu Xixi brought nothing else, just placed a small medicine bottle with a sealed label.

He Jinglan saw it and exclaimed in surprise, "Aren't you supposed to keep this bottle for yourself to eat?"

"If you give it to him, you'll have none left."

Gu Xixi smiled and said, "No problem; I can just make more slowly when I get back."

The capital is not as cool as the northwest.

Before taking office, Jiang Mingyuan certainly wouldn't lack social engagements and travels; perhaps this bottle of Snow Melt Pill would be just right.

Snow Melt Pill.

This is the only pill Gu Xixi has ever formulated herself, aside from poisons and antidotes.

The reason is simple: it tastes good.

The recipe comes from the secret manual of Old Doctor Lao's school.

More than ten medicinal ingredients, among which three are rare.

Three kinds of rare honey from different sources.

And three kinds of medicinal flower dew harvested at different seasons.

Gu Xixi started gathering the materials from last summer's end, searching for a long time before finally collecting them all.

She also expended considerable effort, ultimately producing the pills in an almond-white color.

Each pill is only the size of a pearl, melting upon entry.

Consuming it not only leaves a fragrant aftertaste in the teeth and cheeks, but also gives a refreshing, fluid-generating sensation, suitable for clearing the mind and refreshing the spirit in hot weather.

In case of heatstroke, it can also be taken as an emergency remedy.

Gu Xixi only managed to obtain two bottles in total; one bottle was originally prepared as a gift for He Jinglan.

The other bottle she intends to carry with her for personal use.

Such a rare thing, it's no wonder He Jinglan feels sorry for her.

Shortly after, Guang Zhu brought the gift that An Qinghe had prepared from the front courtyard.

Upon entering, she exclaimed excitedly, "Young Master An was delighted to hear he was to give a gift to the Top Scholar."

"He said he had actually prepared it long ago, but because it's a personal item, two grown men delivering it alone always feels awkward, so he kept postponing it."

Gu Xixi and He Jinglan exchanged glances, their expressions as if they had eaten sour apricots.

Personal item…?

I never expected him to have such a fetish?!

Guang Zhu waved her hand, "Oh, it's not some weird, embarrassing thing!"

The two simultaneously let out a sigh of relief.

He Jinglan asked, "What is it?"

"Young Master An's things, the two young ladies surely wouldn't have guessed!" Guangzhu said, spreading her palm.

A pale gold, semi-transparent circular cord strung with a white pendant.

Gu Xixi leaned in to look closely, "This is... a tooth?"

Guangzhu nodded, "Wolf fang! The longest tooth of the desert wolf's bloodthirsty hunt!"

The little girl looked full of admiration, "This is the first wolf Young Master An hunted at age thirteen under the moonlight in the great desert!"

He said this item can ward off evil and ensure safety; there are two long fangs, one he has always worn on himself.

The other fang he had long planned to give to his lifelong good brother.

Gu Xixi nodded, "Now I understand."

Zi Yan picked up the wolf fang and said, "This hanging cord is also somewhat special; you can't tell what material it is."

Guangzhu laughed, "Wolf sinew!"

Everyone suddenly understood.

Since it was everyone's first time seeing it, they couldn't help but look at and touch each one.

Guangzhu said longingly, "Under the moonlight in the great desert, what are the sand dunes, the gravel plains, and the wolves like? I've never seen them."

"Young ladies, Xixi, you've stayed in the northwest for so long, hurry and tell me about it!"

Zi Yan had already gone to find a suitable wooden box for the gift.

She picked up the wolf fang and placed it inside, shaking her head and sighing:

"Another one whose soul has been hooked by the northwest."

Why use "again"?

Of course, because their family's master is the first in the whole family.

Before sunset, the three gifts were combined into one and sent to the inn where Jiang Mingyuan was staying temporarily.

The next day, the sweet drink shop opened.

Gongs and drums sounded together with firecrackers, and the crowd that gathered soon filled the area outside the shop, leaving no gap.

When the signboard was unveiled, the three characters "Gan Yu Ju" were revealed.

The onlookers burst into thunderous applause instantly.

Because earlier it had already spread that this name was given by the Regent Prince, and moreover it was written in his own hand.

Among them were many young masters from aristocratic families and precious daughters of noble houses, who came first and foremost for this signboard.

Besides the shop door, two prominent banners were hung high; one read: "Various sweet drinks."

The other read: "Exclusive specialty."

Compared to the central signboard, it may be a bit vulgar, but it's clear at a glance; we can just regard it as something both refined and common can enjoy.

The newly appointed shopkeeper, surnamed Tang, was jointly selected by Gu Xixi and He Jinglan.

He enthusiastically attracted customers, announcing the new shop's opening, with a buy-one-get-one-free offer on all sweet drinks for three days.

Additionally, he introduced a membership prepaid discount system.

By the time Mu Nan Zhao calculated his arrival at Gan Yu Ju, both floors of the shop were already fully seated.

He was about to approach when he suddenly saw He Jinglan's carriage stopped on the other side of the road, so he temporarily changed direction.

After He Jinglan personally unveiled the curtain, she returned to her carriage.

From time to time she lifted the curtain to look out, but what she was looking at was not her own shop.

Finally seeing Mu Nan Zhao, she anxiously waved at him.

The two spoke through the window; Mu Nan Zhao had already seen that Gu Xixi was not inside, and his brow furrowed.

He Jinglan whispered, "His Majesty has summoned Xixi."

Two eunuchs have come, one of whom is the Grand Attendant who serves by His Majesty's side.

They left half an hour ago.