CHAPTER 280: CHAPTER 280: ZHAO DAJIANG AND SONG XIU’ER GO TO THE CAPITAL

"Let’s go, Xiaohua, Uncle will take you out for a stroll. You haven’t had a proper walk since you came to the Capital City, right?"

"Auntie Du took me out a few times," Zhao Xiaohua said.

"You mean Du Ruyi?"

"Mm."

Qi Yunye raised an eyebrow, "She left the Capital City years ago, what does she know? Uncle will take you to dine at a restaurant even better than Yi Lou."

Not to boast, though Yi Lou is still quite good, it’s no longer considered the best restaurant.

At least not compared to a few years ago.

But because Yi Lou has been open for a long time, is well known, and has a prominent location, everyone takes it for granted that it’s the best restaurant.

"Go on," Meng Yao said.

She still needed to become more familiar with the people on the list. With them gone, she could concentrate on getting acquainted.

"Sis, I’ll bring back the signature dish for you," Qi Yunye said.

"Okay."

Qi Yunye led Zhao Xiaohua away.

The place they were heading to was called Qinghuan, named after the phrase "the greatest taste of the world is Qinghuan" (Research fans, please don’t research this, the phrase is by Su Shi, although this is set in an alternate universe, the author still used this saying).

Qinghuan was located in a deep alley, unlike ordinary restaurants with multiple floors; it was set in a courtyard with three sections.

Pavilions, terraces, water pavilions, and covered corridors were all elegant and pleasing to the eye.

Of course, the prices there naturally couldn’t be compared to Yi Lou.

"Is it beautiful?" Qi Yunye asked.

Zhao Xiaohua nodded reservedly, "It’s beautiful."

"Then take a look!" Qi Yunye said.

With her eyes focused straight ahead, the scenic views she could see were limited.

"Won’t people think Uncle brought a country bumpkin?" Zhao Xiaohua whispered.

This place clearly wasn’t somewhere ordinary people could come; she was afraid of embarrassing Uncle.

Qi Yunye raised his hand, intending to tousle Zhao Xiaohua’s hair bun, then thought better of it and let his hand fall, "You little girl, what’s inside that head of yours? This elegant scenery was built for guests to appreciate. If everyone thought like you, wouldn’t these sceneries be pointless?"

Zhao Xiaohua felt a bit embarrassed.

"You don’t need to be so reserved. Just act as you usually do," Qi Yunye said.

"That won’t do. My mother said you need to know how to act according to the situation. Besides, I’m not a country lass now. I can’t embarrass the General Mansion or the Duke Qi Mansion, that’s the minimum. But I haven’t had the chance to properly learn the rules and etiquette, so if I do anything wrong, Uncle, you must tell me. Don’t indulge me just because you care about me," Zhao Xiaohua said.

"You little girl..."

"Please, Uncle!" Zhao Xiaohua said coquettishly.

"Okay, okay, of course, Uncle will listen to you."

"Xiao Ye, who is this?" A man of similar age to Qi Yunye walked over and spoke with familiarity.

"Xiao Ce, let me introduce you. This is my niece," Qi Yunye said proudly, "My niece, so well-behaved and obedient."

"The daughter of the County Princess of Le’an?" Xiao Ce clearly knew the recent big news that was the talk of all the noble families.

Xiao Ce smiled politely at Zhao Xiaohua, "Your uncle and I are as close as brothers; we grew up together. You can call me Uncle too."

Zhao Xiaohua was about to call him Uncle, but Qi Yunye interrupted.

"Scram, Xiao Ce, have some shame. This is my niece!"

"But I wasn’t wrong. We’re as close as brothers, not actually brothers, but closer than brothers. You’re her uncle, so am I not an uncle too?"

Xiao Ce felt his reasoning was undeniable.

Qi Yunye’s eyes darted, "Want to be an uncle? It’s not impossible, but you know the etiquette for first meetings, right?"

"Am I that clueless?" Xiao Ce rolled his eyes at Qi Yunye.

And then Zhao Xiaohua received a whole bunch of first-meeting gifts.

She felt it was inappropriate but couldn’t refuse because Uncle insisted.

She was puzzled why someone would carry so much while going out for a meal, then heard Uncle mentioning that Qinghuan belonged to Xiao Ce.

As for Uncle, he was like a co-owner.

Zhao Xiaohua mused that Uncle’s praises about how great Qinghuan was might have been slightly biased.

"I’ll cook myself."

"Xiaohua, Uncle is benefiting from your presence today. Nowadays, Xiao Ce rarely cooks himself," Qi Yunye said.

"Is Uncle Xiao Ce good at cooking?" Zhao Xiaohua was quite surprised.

"Not just good, I think he might be a reincarnation of a god of cooking," Qi Yunye said, "Anyway, you definitely won’t be disappointed."

Zhao Xiaohua loved eating, and hearing Qi Yunye say this, she immediately looked forward to it.

"You’ve hyped me up. If I mess up later, it’s on you," Xiao Ce said.

"Think for yourself, it’s my niece’s first time here, don’t ruin your reputation," Qi Yunye rolled his eyes.

"Uncle Xiao Ce, I’m not picky, don’t feel pressured," Zhao Xiaohua quickly said.

"No, I have to perform well. As an uncle, I can’t let Xiao Ye take the spotlight alone," Xiao Ce said.

——

For the past few days, Zhao Ting had people waiting at the city gate with Qin Zheng, calculating that Zhao Dajiang and Song Xiu’er should be arriving soon.

Today was the fifth day of waiting, and they finally arrived.

But it wasn’t just Zhao Dajiang and Song Xiu’er; there was also a young girl.

Judging by age, she seemed about the same age as Zhao Dajiang and Song Xiu’er.

Her behavior was a bit odd.

The oddness came from Zhao Dajiang’s attitude.

A bit of disdain, yet he seemed to be taking care of her.

It seemed he was compelled by circumstances.

As for Song Xiu’er, Qin Zheng noticed she didn’t seem awkward at all.

The people accompanying Zhao Dajiang and Song Xiu’er to the Capital City were sent by the Zhao Matriarch, who knew Zhao Ting’s people. They handed over the guests to Zhao Ting’s people and then returned to the Zhao Mansion to report back.

"Azeng, where’s my mother?" Zhao Dajiang asked, sounding a bit anxious.

"Madam is at the Duke Qi Mansion, the General is at home," Qin Zheng said, "Come, let me take you all back."

"When can I see my mother," Zhao Dajiang asked, "and where is this Duke Qi Mansion?"

"It’s a long story. When you see Madam, you can ask her yourself," Qin Zheng said.

Qin Zheng led them back to the Zhao Mansion, and upon seeing Zhao Dahe, the discomfort on Zhao Dajiang and Song Xiu’er faded a bit.

"Big brother, sister-in-law, it must have been tiring traveling. Let me first take you to rest. Who is this?" Zhao Dahe asked.

"Xiaofeng, she’s called Xiaofeng," Zhao Dajiang said, looking uneasy, "Find a place for her to rest too."

"I can stay with Brother Jiang," the woman called Xiaofeng quickly said.

Zhao Dahe instinctively looked at Song Xiu’er, but her expression was calm, not revealing any emotions.

"The house has plenty of rooms; there’s no need to squeeze together," Zhao Dahe said flatly.

Xiaofeng had a knack for reading the room and instantly realized Zhao Dahe was displeased. She quickly said, "I’ll listen to the second young master; whatever the second young master says, I’ll do."