Chapter 748: Chapter 749: Reunion

Realizing he wouldn’t get any more information from the waiter, Shui Xingqiu didn’t press further.

The waiter quickly brought him a pot of Snow Drink.

Shui Xingqiu poured a cup, brought it to his nose to smell it, then set it back down.

...

Meanwhile, Xue Ran had just finished organizing the accounts when a waiter approached him and said in a low voice, "Shopkeeper, a customer just came in who seems a bit strange..."

Xue Ran found it odd. "How so?"

The waiter gestured with his hand, hidden below the counter, in a certain direction and briefly recounted what had just happened.

Xue Ran didn’t pay much mind at first, but his expression grew more serious as he listened.

"He asked several questions, all of them circling back to the Second Miss. I didn’t tell him anything, but I have no idea what he’s up to."

Xue Ran pondered for a moment. "I understand. You can go back to your work. Act as if everything is normal. I’ll handle the rest."

The waiter agreed and soon went back to cheerfully greeting customers.

It was as if nothing had happened.

Xue Ran finished tidying up the things in his hand, lost in thought.

Since the tavern opened, there had been people who tried to cause trouble, but none had ever succeeded.

For one, Ye Chutang’s status had risen accordingly. For another... everyone working in the tavern had been carefully selected.

The daily clientele included many powerful and noble figures. Even the slightest misstep could lead to trouble.

Therefore, even the most ordinary waiters in the tavern were meticulous, cautious, and handled matters with propriety.

The moment he sensed something was amiss, he had immediately come to report it.

Xue Ran, of course, recognized the man sitting over there. The day before yesterday, the Southern Hu Mission had arrived in the capital with great fanfare. The remarkably handsome Shui Xingqiu, in particular, had drawn a great deal of attention.

Xue Ran was well-informed, so he recognized the man’s identity at a glance.

And it was precisely because he knew this that he was all the more perplexed.

’Why would an official from Nanhu suddenly be so curious about the Second Miss?’

’And from the looks of it, his intentions are likely malicious...’

Just as he was thinking this, another waiter came over.

"Shopkeeper, Mr. Xun just sent someone with a message. He said he won’t be coming today, so his private room can be given to other customers."

Xue Ran was taken aback. "What? He’s not coming?"

The waiter nodded. "That’s right! It seems Mr. Xun isn’t feeling well and needs to rest at home, so he won’t be coming."

Yunlai Tavern was almost always fully booked every day, so a sudden cancellation like this was extremely rare.

However, Xue Ran had met Xun Cheng before. Since the man himself said he couldn’t make it, it must be true that it was inconvenient for him.

"Alright, I understand." Xue Ran paused, then asked, "Was it Mr. Xun’s personal attendant who delivered the message?"

"It was him."

Xue Ran’s mind was made up. "Alright. I’ll prepare a gift. Take it to him as soon as possible and ask him to pass it on to Mr. Xun. Say it’s a small token of our concern, and tell him to take care of his health."

The waiter was a little surprised, but on second thought, it wasn’t that strange.

’After all, the Shopkeeper himself said that Mr. Xun is a friend of the Second Miss!’

’If their friendship wasn’t deep, the Second Miss would never have allowed Mr. Xun to eat and drink at the tavern for free, right?’

’In that case, sending a gift at a time like this is perfectly normal.’

The waiter broke into a grin and nodded. "You got it! I’m on my way!"

Long Jiu had come alone and hadn’t even stepped through the doors of Yunlai Tavern. He had simply relayed the message and left, saying his young master needed his constant care.

Fortunately, he hadn’t been gone long, so it should still be possible to catch up to him.

Soon, the waiter hurried out the door, carrying an exquisite box.

Shui Xingqiu lifted his gaze and took in the scene.

He narrowed his eyes slightly.

However, his seat was indeed a bit secluded, and he soon lost sight of the waiter.

As for what was happening outside the entrance, he couldn’t see it at all.

The tavern was bustling with people coming and going; it was simply too lively.

Shui Xingqiu withdrew his gaze and once again began to discreetly survey his surroundings, but his mind suddenly recalled the scene from the Prince Jing Mansion.

He remembered that Yunlai Tavern had specially sent someone to deliver two jars of medicinal wine to Xiao Chenglin.

A flicker of mockery crossed Shui Xingqiu’s eyes.

’It seems the owner of this Yunlai Tavern really knows how to do business.’

’If nothing else, she certainly doesn’t neglect her social obligations.’

’I wonder how much it costs to be sending out gifts all day long?’

Shui Xingqiu had initially held a certain curiosity and anticipation, wanting to see what all the fuss was about. Now, however, he only felt that the outside world had greatly overrated both Yunlai Tavern and that Ye Chutang.

’They’re nothing but money-grubbers, reeking of coin...’

"Shopkeeper!"

A clear, bright female voice suddenly cut through the tavern’s din, like the gurgling of a fresh spring.

Shui Xingqiu subconsciously looked toward the source of the voice, but he froze the moment he saw the beautiful and radiant face.

Almost instinctively, a memory he thought he would never recall again suddenly surged forth.

Old scenes flashed before his eyes like a spinning lantern, the once-faded images growing vivid again with the sound of her voice.

Shui Xingqiu was rooted to the spot.

The woman was dressed in red, a long whip hanging from her waist. Her black hair was tied up, and her entire being exuded an air of uninhibited freedom.

She strode in, her gaze sweeping casually around the room.

The next moment, her eyes fell upon him.

Shui Xingqiu was finally jolted back to his senses and immediately lowered his head!

Fortunately, the woman was only glancing around aimlessly and hadn’t noticed him. Her gaze lingered for but a moment before lightly moving on.

Hearing her voice, Xue Ran immediately came out from behind the counter, a familiar smile on his face as he personally went to greet her.

"Commandery Princess, what brings you here today?"

Since King Yan Nan’s return to the capital, Princess Qingyang had been spending most of her time with her father. She hadn’t been able to properly visit Yunlai Tavern, a place she usually frequented, for some time.

As he spoke, Xue Ran immediately ordered a waiter, "Go upstairs and prepare the Commandery Princess’s private room, and also get ready—"

"Don’t trouble yourself." Princess Qingyang interrupted him with a beaming smile. "I’m just here today to pick up a few pots of wine and go."

She had drunk too much at the Ye Mansion the day before yesterday and had gotten terribly drunk. Now that she was finally sober, she didn’t dare be so indulgent in front of her father again.

So Princess Qingyang’s trip today wasn’t for herself, but for—

"I’m going to personally pick out a few good ones to give as a gift."

King Yan Nan was stationed in the capital and didn’t touch a drop of alcohol. Princess Qingyang had thought it over and decided to prepare some for him to drink after he returned to the Southwest.

Xue Ran understood immediately. "Not a problem, Commandery Princess. Please wait a moment, and we’ll have them ready for you right away."

Princess Qingyang named a few varieties, and Xue Ran went to fetch them himself.

He returned a short while later.

Once everything was taken care of, Princess Qingyang indeed didn’t linger and got up to leave.

"Commandery Princess, these pots and jars are cumbersome to carry. How about we have them delivered to your residence later?"

Princess Qingyang readily agreed.

"Alright. I only rode one horse here today, so it would be inconvenient. I’ll have to trouble you then, Manager Xue."

With that, Princess Qingyang mounted her horse. Just as she was about to leave, she tilted her head and glanced back into the tavern, a sharp glint flashing through her almond-shaped eyes.

The next moment, she grabbed the reins, gave them a sharp tug, and abruptly turned her horse around.

Xue Ran was stunned. "Commandery Princess, you’re—"

"I suddenly remembered I have something urgent to do, so I won’t be going back just yet. Manager Xue, just proceed as planned. Someone will be at the Commandery Princess Mansion to receive the delivery!"

With that, Princess Qingyang cracked her whip.

CRACK—!

Rider and horse galloped away.

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