funbook-pk Chapter 562 Xie Jue's Route: He Has Someone He Likes
Chapter 562 Xie Jue's Route: He Has Someone He Likes
"The weather is so nice today," she said.
"Hmm," he replied softly.
Sunlight filtered through the willow leaves, casting a soft glow on her eyelashes. Xie Jue turned his head to look at her.
After an unknown amount of time, a commotion arose in the distance, along with the sound of oars paddling.
"Princess! Princess! Where are you?"
It was Jiang Huaiyu and the others' voices.
Gao Wanzhi opened her eyes and turned to look at Xie Jue. "We've been found."
Xie Jue slowly sat up. "What a pity, this place was originally quite nice."
Gao Wanzhi also sat up, put her hairpin back on, and tidied her messy hair at her temples.
Jiang Huaiyu stood at the bow of the boat and finally breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Gao Wanzhi sitting safely on the boat.
"Princess," he called out, "Everyone was looking for you for a long time, but thankfully you are alright."
Before he finished speaking, his gaze had already fallen on Xie Jue.
“Young Master Xie, the princess is of noble status. Her safety is of utmost importance when she travels. It would be bad if something happened to her in this deserted bay.”
His tone was gentle, but his words were clearly implying that Xie Jue had not taken good care of him.
Xie Jue glanced at him and said, "I think this bay is quiet and secluded, perfect for the princess to rest and relax."
“The princess is also unharmed. Besides—” he paused, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes, “I will not let anything happen to the princess.”
Jiang Huaiyu snorted inwardly and said nothing more.
The group followed the mountain path back down the mountain.
Jiang Huaiyu walked beside Gao Wanzhi. "Princess, would you like to ride in my carriage back later? It's on the way."
As he spoke, he tilted his head slightly, his gaze flashing towards Xie Jue, who stood with his hands behind his back not far away.
He came alone on horseback today, without a carriage, so he had no way to send Gao Wanzhi off.
Gao Wanzhi shook her head and declined, "No need, the carriage from your residence will be here soon."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than the crisp sound of horses' hooves echoed from outside the mountain path.
A dark blue brocade-trimmed carriage slowly approached, its curtains swaying gently in the wind. The coachman dismounted and bowed respectfully: "Princess, I have come to fetch you on the orders of the Princess."
Jiang Huaiyu's smile remained unchanged, and she simply nodded, "It's good that the princess can return safely."
Just as he was about to turn and leave, he heard Xie Jue's voice behind him.
"Princess, I don't have a carriage. Could you please give me a ride if you're going my way?"
Gao Wanzhi was taken aback at first, then chuckled and said, "Okay."
Jiang Huaiyu stood there, watching the car gradually disappear into the distance, his face turning completely somber.
For the next two days, Xie Jue spent almost all his time at Fuyu Tower.
During the day, he discussed the pricing of the package deals with the shopkeeper and accountant.
That night, he discussed with Lu Xinghe how to package, promote, position, and test-sell the "Floating Jade Double Wonders" package.
Lu Xinghe is a very quick-thinking person, and the ideas he comes up with are more and more ingenious. From the tea menu design to the shop's interior decoration, and even the menu wording and service process, everything is meticulous.
She even suggested adding a lottery and complimentary drinks to the ordering process, named "Floating Jade Lottery," which would attract customers and add a fun element.
Xie Jue thought she was a valuable asset, so he specially ordered her to be appointed as "Deputy Hall Master," a position second only to the manager, with a generous salary of thirty taels of silver per month, plus additional bonuses.
Lu Xinghe took over the position and changed out of her men's clothing, wearing a green embroidered bamboo robe. Her hair was tied up with a delicate jade hairpin, making her look refreshing and neat.
Her features were already delicate, and after changing into men's clothing, she gained a touch of feminine gentleness, yet she still retained her competence.
In the Imperial Garden of the Royal Palace.
Gao Wanzhi and Gao Che squatted on one side of the flower path, watching a pair of crickets fighting fiercely.
Gao Che is already fourteen years old. He has grown much taller and is increasingly showing the aura of a young emperor.
However, at this moment, in front of Gao Wanzhi, his posture was still childlike, with his hands supporting his chin.
“That one won.” Gao Che pointed to the imposing black cricket. “Cousin, the one you raised is really amazing.”
Gao Wanzhi smiled and raised her eyebrows, "That's right, your cousin has excellent taste."
“Cousin, you’re about to come of age. The other day, a minister mentioned this and asked for a marriage decree, but I refused.”
"Although I refused, you should still keep an eye on this matter, cousin. Do you have a man you like right now?"
Gao Che said with a serious expression, "Just tell me who you are, and I will grant you marriage regardless of your background or status. You can choose any man in this world."
Upon hearing this, Gao Wanzhi's eyes lit up immediately. "Really?"
Gao Che patted his chest, "You are my only cousin. Whoever you like, I will bestow upon you."
"There's no rush. Let me ask first." Gao Wanzhi shook her head with a smile, her eyes sparkling.
She hasn't yet confirmed Xie Jue's feelings for her.
She was still waiting, waiting for him to tell her he liked her.
"Ask?" Gao Che raised an eyebrow. "So you already have someone you like?"
Gao Wanzhi lowered her head to look at the winning cricket, her ear tips turning slightly red.
Gao Che blinked, then suddenly laughed.
Five days later, the most famous restaurant in the capital, Fuyulou, reopened.
The area in front of the building was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and a newly made signboard was hung high, prominently displaying the words "Fuyu's Two Wonders".
The so-called "Double Delights of Floating Jade" refers to two newly launched delicacies: milk tea and fried chicken.
Although these two items have unusual names, they are quite expensive, costing 1500 wen for the whole set, which is almost equivalent to a month's expenses for an ordinary family.
However, unable to resist the allure of novelty, and hearing that it was personally reserved by the third young master of the Xie family, many dignitaries booked private rooms in advance and came specifically to try their luck.
At 3:15 PM, the gate of Fuyu Tower was packed with carriages and horses.
In the private room on the second floor, Qin Jiuwei and Xie Yanli sat in the main seats, with Xie Jing, Li Sheng, Xie Jingchun, and Nan Yin also on the side. Everyone was gathered together.
On the table sits an exquisite blue-and-white porcelain cup filled with milk tea, while next to it, on a bamboo tray, crispy, golden-brown fried chicken steams hot.
Xie Jingchun picked up a piece, took a bite, and his eyes immediately lit up. "This fried chicken is delicious, salty with a hint of sweetness."
Qin Jiuwei smiled and looked up, "Jue-ge'er has always liked these novel things."
“He designed it together with a girl named Lu Xinghe, and they put a lot of thought into it,” Xie Yanli said gently. “He even designed the utensils himself and then took them to the kiln to be fired.”
Qin Jiu smiled even more and picked up a piece of fried chicken, placing it in Xie Yanli's bowl. "Try it, don't just look at it."
In another private room, Gao Wanzhi also arrived, dressed in a light blue gauze dress.
She ordered ten servings of "Floating Jade Double Delight" to support Xie Jue.
She couldn't finish the food, so she gave it all to the servants.