Chapter 25.5

She hurriedly stepped in front of Pei Yan to block him, grabbed the corner of his sleeve, and said softly, “Your Highness, I’m a little hungry… Ah Chan said that there’s a Chunfeng Inn in the East market, and that it’s the best restaurant in Chang’an city. Let’s go there for lunch, okay?”

Slightly startled, Pei Yan looked down at the little maiden who was tugging on his robe sleeve. Her head was tilted upwards, and her clear, gleaming eyes were gazing at him, like a spring breeze brushing past snow, so pure that it was heart-warming.

Thinking that she was probably worn out from all the shopping, he nodded and said gently, “Alright, let’s go for lunch.”

This time, when he helped her into the carriage, she reached out her hand very cooperatively.

The carriage left the West market without a hitch…

During lunch break, the merchants of the West market sat at the entrance to bask in the sun, chatting casually.

“Old Ma, listen, a big spender came to my shop today!”

“Oh? What a coincidence, there was one at my shop too!”

“That customer was not only generous, but also extremely handsome! At first, when he entered my shop with his wife, I even thought, ‘My goodness, immortals have descended upon the world.’”

“The one who came to my shop was also very handsome! Tsk, tsk. Just one look at his bearing and you can tell he’s no ordinary person. I wonder which family he’s from? He should at least be a young master of a marquis, right?”

“Hearing what you’re saying now, could we be talking about the same person? Was the gentleman wearing a silver-grey robe, and the little lady beside him in a pear blossom-white dress?”

“Yes, yes, yes!”

For a moment, the attendants from several other shops also joined in and echoed the same experience. After some talk, they were gobsmacked to learn that the gentleman had spent so much money that morning.

“Oh my stars, that gentleman treats his wife too well!!”

“Right? He bought that agarwood incense that was worth a thousand gold without even blinking! And that huge string of Southern pearls, the little lady said it was okay and he just bought it without saying anything more! “

“By the way, did any of you see that little lady’s face?”

“Sign, she was wearing a veiled hat, and that white veil was covering her face from all angles. Only a vague outline could be seen at the most, there was no way we could see her actual face.”

“That’s right. How can the missus from such a highborn family be seen by outsiders so easily? But to make that handsome gentleman cherish and dote on her so much, she must also be a peerless beauty, right?”

At that very moment, the “peerless beauty”, Tao Ti, was sitting in a private room in Chunfeng Inn that faced the streets, speaking solemnly to her handsome husband about the importance of spending reasonably.

Pei Yan listened quietly, a gentle smile never leaving the corners of his lips. Seeing that she was thirsty from speaking, he even thoughtfully poured her a cup of water.

Tao Ti, “…”

Pei Yan, “Drink some water before continuing.”

Tao Ti picked up the teacup and took a sip; her delicate red lips immediately seemed like a flower that was full and brilliant from having absorbed enough rain and dew.

“Then, do you understand what I’ve just said? Although your family really does own mines, you can’t just squander your wealth like this…”

Pei Yan’s gaze fell on her little rosebud mouth that was opening and closing as she spoke; seeming to have thought of something, his eyes became a little darker.

Tao Ti finished the water, pursed her lips, and her eyes were full of seriousness. “By the way, most of the things in the carriage are mine… When we return, I will get Linglong to calculate the total cost, then return you the money…”

That carriage of goods wasn’t cheap, but Tao Ti estimated that her dowry was pretty sizeable, so she should be able to afford it.

Hearing her words, Pei Yan’s brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. He said gravely, “There’s no need.”

Tao Ti shook her head. “No, I have to. Even blood brothers have to ensure that the accounts between them are clear. Moreover…”

Their current relationship was not one of husband and wife, nor that of relatives. They could just barely be considered friends… And even if they were friends, she couldn’t accept such generous gifts with peace of mind.

Pei Yan said, “These are all gifts from me.”

Tao Ti was also very resolute. She said softly, “It’s wrong to receive things for nothing. I don’t deserve you suddenly giving me so many valuable things…”

Her eyes were bright and firm. Pei Yan understood what she was thinking with a glance, and the smile on his lips iced over a little.

By right, he should be happy that she was so perceptive and sensible.

But seeing her draw the line so clearly between them caused an inexplicable burst of annoyance to rise within him.

Fortunately, the restaurant’s server came in just then to serve the dishes, interrupting the topic for the time being.

“One kidney with wine and vinegar, one fried quail with fresh bamboo shoots, one roast partridge, one stir-fried frog’s legs with pepper, one spicy soup with prawn, one stewed with green shrimp, one golden stewed wings, one braised tofu, two bowls of sophora leaf cold noodles, and one pot of lychee dew.”

The dishes were laid one by one onto the table, emitting an enticing aroma.

“Esteemed guests, your dishes have all been served. Please enjoy your meal.” The server bowed respectfully, then retreated.

Tao Ti was already hungry to begin with, and now looking at the spread on the table, her attention was instantly drawn to the food. “Everything looks good.”

Seeing her switch from solemnly talking about paying him back one second, to staring unblinkingly at the food in the next, Pei Yan didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry.

“Didn’t you say you were hungry? Let’s eat first.”

“Alright!”

Tao Ti didn’t stand on ceremony; she picked up a pair of chopsticks and started tasting the dishes of the restaurant of ancient times one by one.

It was a shame that she didn’t have a mobile phone with her. Otherwise, if she began a mukbang stream now, she would definitely attract a lot of viewers.

“Oh, this is delicious… Mhm! This is good too… This spicy soup with prawns is also good… It’s full of flavour…”

Her little head swayed gently as she ate, and she felt so blissful that she could burst into song.

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