Chapter 67: Good Girl
Prefect Li was not mesmerized by the aroma of fish balls and Dongpo pork; he was drawn in by the dogwood sauce. It was spicy and numbing, and when added to the fish ball noodles, it was fresh, fragrant, and appetizing.
Yan Shiyi watched him add three spoonfuls of the sauce and said admiringly:
“Most people can only handle half a spoonful of this, and their tongues go numb for a long time afterward. I never expected Lord Li to like it so much.”
Li Heng looked towards the southwest, his eyes filled with longing and yearning:
“I am from Shu Province, and I’ve eaten Sichuan peppercorns and dogwood since I was young.”
However, looking at the bright red sauce in his bowl, he praised:
“What kind of dogwood is this? It’s much more fragrant and spicy than the dogwood from Shu.”
The cook who was boiling the fish balls chuckled:
“This isn’t dogwood, nor is it wasabi. It’s something the Prince brought from Chang’an, called chili pepper.”
He added:
“Only our Forceful Restaurant in all of Yandi has this; you can’t get it anywhere else.”
Li Heng was stunned for a moment. The three spoonfuls of sauce stirred up intense homesickness, making him wish he could eat it for every meal.
And yet, you tell me it can’t be found anywhere except the borderlands.
I secretly vowed then that I would never come to the borderlands again.
He looked up at Yan Shiyi, pleading with his eyes to this ‘salt carrier’.
Yan Shiyi, who usually wasn’t good at reading people’s subtle cues, actually understood this time, and became even prouder. My role as a salt carrier is truly valuable!
“The Prince said that the restaurant doesn’t have many ingredients, and no matter who it is, they cannot take food out. It can only be eaten here.”
The purpose of the eatery is to attract people and liven up the border city. If takeout were allowed, the Yan family members alone could buy it all out.
Miss Yan Shierniang was pleased to see Chen Yunniang. Although Chen Yunniang hadn’t heard her comments about her at all, Miss Yan Shierniang still apologized sincerely.
Holding Chen Yunniang’s hand, she comforted her, promising like a Jianghu heroine that she was on her side and would help her retrieve her sale contract from the Zheng Family.
The fear and panic Chen Yunniang felt while hiding in the cellar disappeared because of Miss Yan Shierniang’s comfort, leaving only moved.
How could she be so fortunate to have Elder Brother Cheng risk his life to save her, the Prince protect her without any disdain, the Black Feather Camp Soldiers support her, and the noble Yan Clan daughter assist her?
She had endured for so many years and was finally about to see the light of day.
Looking at Cheng Yu and Chen Yunniang holding hands and gazing at each other tenderly, Miss Yan Shierniang quietly walked over to Jinsui and saw the Prince’s gentle expression, his eyes full of affection.
Miss Yan Shierniang’s heart skipped a beat. However, the Prince’s gaze seemed to be recalling someone.
Miss Yan Shierniang couldn’t help but ask softly, “What is the Prince thinking about?”
Jinsui smiled, “I’m thinking that there is still true affection in this world. To be able to share life and death, it’s truly moving!”
Her words were unintentional, but they were heard with intent.
In the past, Miss Yan Shierniang was not interested in royal affairs, but these past two days, she had asked her Elder Brother, her Second Brother, and the scholars at the manor.
She finally gathered most of the information about Li King, and setting aside the case of Li King’s attempted coup, she saw that Li King was isolated and helpless, with even his closest loved ones wanting him dead.
His fiancée of several years of engagement was snatched away by Prince Yu.
His trusted and respected maternal grandfather’s family, in league with the Empress and Prince Yu, sought to kill him…
Seeing Cheng Yu and Chen Yunniang, did the Prince think of himself and Miss Lin?
They were also childhood sweethearts with years of affection, but as soon as the Prince ran into trouble, Miss Lin abandoned him without a second thought.
Miss Yan Shierniang suddenly felt a bit angry at the never-before-seen Miss Lin, while also feeling envious and a touch of jealousy.
If she could have been childhood sweethearts with Li King, she would have stayed by his side through thick and thin, no matter what.
Even though Miss Lin treated the Prince this way, he still thought of her…
Miss Yan Shierniang couldn’t bear to think further and looked at Jinsui comfortingly, saying:
“I believe the Prince will also find such love.”
Jinsui was taken aback and, knowing she had misunderstood her meaning, quickly said:
“Forget about me. The priority now is to lead the border soldiers to survive in the border city. Love is a luxury, something that can be found but not sought.”
Miss Yan Shierniang felt even more heartbroken. Such a good Li King was exiled to the borderlands to suffer like this.
Before leaving, Jinsui did not forget her business and gave Yan Shierniang a copy of the Thirty-Six Stratagems:
“I’ve stamped my personal seal on this. It’s a rare book, the only one in existence. It costs one hundred taels of silver per copy. Can you help me ask in Yanzhou City if anyone wants to buy it?”
“This one is for you.”
Miss Yan Shierniang’s eyes lit up. Holding the book as if it were a treasure, she asked in a low voice:
“Is this the military strategy book you sold to my Elder Brother for Ten Thousand Taels a copy?”
Jinsui smiled awkwardly, “My Elder Brother was generous and insisted the book was worth that price.”
I didn’t cheat Yan Jiu; he insisted on buying the signed edition himself.
First, Yan Shiyi accused her of cheating her brother, and now hearing Yan Shierniang say this, it did seem a bit like cheating.
Miss Yan Shierniang quickly said, “I didn’t mean that. I meant, you sold it to my brother for Ten Thousand Taels, sell it to others for One Hundred Taels, but, but you gave it to me for free.”
Jinsui nodded, “If you can bring in customers, I’ll give you an additional Ten Taels of silver in dividends for each book!”
Miss Yan Shierniang’s eyes darted, “I don’t want dividends. I want the Prince to do me a favor, is that okay?”
Jinsui became wary, “That depends on what kind of favor it is.”
Miss Yan Shierniang smiled, a beautiful smile, and mounted her horse, her robes fluttering.
“Your Highness, please wait. I will definitely do my best to help with Chen Yunniang’s matter.”
“And I will help Your Highness sell these books.”
Yan Shiyi, who had finished his fish balls, chased after them, and the siblings hurried back to Yanzhou City while there was still daylight.
Watching Miss Yan Shierniang ride away like a shooting star, Jinsui exclaimed admiringly:
“What a good girl!”
The veins on Han Xing’s temples twitched. She’s only good in front of you; in front of us, she’s fierce and arrogant.
Wei Assistant Secretary, who had been watching the Prince and Miss Yan Shierniang talk from afar with an aunt-like smile, stepped forward and said meaningfully:
“In Yandi, marrying a Yan Clan daughter is like adding wings to a tiger!”
Jinsui nodded as she listened, “Exactly! Miss Yan is beautiful, has a great personality, is forthright and not pampered. Whoever marries her will truly be blessed!”
Wei Assistant Secretary: …
It seemed he needed to be more explicit: “The status of a legitimate daughter of the Yan Clan is suitable for royalty as well. What do you think, Your Highness?”
Jinsui gave him a thumbs-up, “Of course! What’s so good about marrying into royalty? It’s not as good as being free and unfettered in Yandi.”
Han Xing couldn’t listen anymore, “Wei Assistant Secretary means that Your Highness can propose marriage to Miss Yan.”
Jinsui was greatly alarmed, “How can that be?”
When I return this account to Gu Changxiao, he will have land and grain, and Gu Changxiao will surely be happy to accept it.
And to give him a fiancée on top of that, wouldn’t that be setting him up for failure?
It would be a disservice to both Gu Changxiao and Miss Yan Shierniang.
Who knows if Gu Changxiao has a white moonlight in his heart? He and that Miss Lin are the talk of the world.
She quickly warned Wei Assistant Secretary:
“Your idea is very dangerous! Don’t scare Miss Yan, or she won’t dare to come to the border city anymore.”
“I can barely protect myself right now, how can I even think about marriage!”
Jinsui escorted the Yan siblings, and Li Heng, after finishing his delicious fish ball noodles, returned to the city on his own.
What they didn’t know was that someone was silently watching Li Heng’s procession with tears in their eyes.
