Bright Moon Enters My Embrace - Chapter 21
21
Lin Yanran and her five followers exited the gate, hitched up the mule cart, loaded the hunted preys, and prepared to set off when Liu Zhenzhen suddenly came running in a hurry.
“Lin Yanran, are you all heading to Shimen County?”
“Yes.” Seeing her carrying a bundle on her back, Lin Yanran asked, “What are you doing here?”
Liu Zhenzhen climbed straight onto their mule cart and claimed the frontmost seat.
“I’m also going to Shimen County. Give me a ride.”
Lin Yanran’s thoughts immediately turned to the remaining eight hundred taels of silver notes Liu Zhenzhen possessed. A super-rich woman—it would be a sin not to fleece her a little while the chance is here.
She eyed her and said, “You can ride, but Physician Liu will have to pay a small fare.”
Liu Zhenzhen’s eyes widened instantly. “Lin Yanran, didn’t you just take—”
“Physician Liu, I only took a bit of medicinal powder from you, didn’t I? Business is business. The fare is still due.” Lin Yanran smoothly glossed over the matter of the two hundred taels.
Liu Zhenzhen was so angry her brows stood on end. This person is clearly a genius—how can she be such a money-grubber?
Lin Yanran grinned cheekily and rubbed her fingers together at her. “Physician Liu, that’ll be fifty wen.”
Liu Zhenzhen grew even angrier. “Are you robbing me? Even a horse carriage only costs twenty wen at most!”
Lin Yanran replied leisurely, “It’s not the same. That’s just an ordinary carriage. We, however, come with an escort team. Six master archers of exceptional skill will protect and accompany Physician Liu the entire way. Isn’t fifty wen worth that?”
Originally, Lin Feng and the others thought Lin Yanran was being far too greedy and stood by awkwardly. But after hearing her explanation, they suddenly felt she made perfect sense and nodded in unison. “Right, right, right—we’ll protect Physician Liu.”
Liu Zhenzhen felt that she wasn’t just greedy but also sharp-tongued. Yet looking at Lin Yanran’s smiling face and remembering that she only dared travel with her because she trusted her, she fished out a small piece of broken silver from her bundle.
Lin Yanran counted out fifty wen and handed it over. Liu Zhenzhen accepted it with utmost reluctance.
Lin Yanran immediately said, “If Physician Liu doesn’t want it, that’s fine too—give it back, give it back.”
“Who said I don’t want it? It’s my money—not a single wen is going into your pocket!” She stuffed the fifty wen into her bundle and kept glaring at her.
Unexpectedly, Lin Yanran snatched her bundle, tossed it onto the cart’s plank, and lay down using it as a pillow to sleep.
Liu Zhenzhen: “…” She ground her teeth in fury but finally decided she couldn’t stoop to her level, or she’d shorten her own lifespan by ten years.
The mule cart jolted along. Everyone gradually dozed off. Eventually, even Liu Zhenzhen couldn’t resist, her head bobbed and finally came to rest on Lin Yanran’s shoulder.
Lin Yanran hadn’t actually been asleep at all. Feeling herself being used as a pillow, she simply returned the bundle for Liu Zhenzhen to rest on and moved to sit beside the cart driver.
“Uncle, you’ve been driving carts for many years, haven’t you? Have you ever seen a carriage that’s comfortable to sit in and fast at the same time?”
The driver was an elder of the Lin clan named Lin Dashan. He had once been on the battlefield, after becoming lame in one leg, Lin Dahai arranged this cart-driving job for him as a way to keep him fed.
Lin Dashan knocked his dry pipe against the shaft to empty the ash, refilled it with tobacco, lit it with a small piece of charcoal he carried, took a deep drag, and only then answered leisurely, “How could I not have seen one? Back in the day when I drove for General Sima, I handled a four-horse war chariot. That thing flew like the wind—fast as lightning!”
Lin Yanran was speechless and tried to guide him: “Uncle, I’m talking about a carriage where people sit comfortably without their butts getting jolted to pieces.”
Lin Dashan’s burly frame shook. He immediately set down his pipe, clasped his fist toward a direction, and said, “That would have to be His Majesty’s imperial carriage.”
Fine, the old man has no idea. Looks like I’ll have to invent shock-absorbing carriages myself, or sooner or later this world’s mule carts will split my backside into eight pieces.
Lin Yanran gave up completely, crawled back onto the plank, and dozed off.
It wasn’t until noon that they finally reached Shimen County.
At the city gate, an enormously long queue had formed. Lin Dahai and the others’ carts were at the very front and had already been waiting for quite a while.
Lin Yanran, nearly shaken apart by the ride, quickly jumped down and asked, “Uncle Lin, what’s going on? Can we still enter the city?”
Lin Dahai puffed on his pipe. “They’re conducting strict checks.”
“Something happened in the city?”
Hearing there was fresh gossip, Alpha and the Beta hunters all crowded over.
Lin Dahai took another puff and said, “I just asked old Xu who guards the gate. He says a murderous demon appeared in the city. In a single night he slaughtered over thirty people—blood flowed like rivers, corpses piled as high as roof beams…”
In this world of poor communication and blocked information, any piece of news could captivate everyone. Lin Dahai was clearly enjoying spreading the rumor, his expressions wildly exaggerated.
He glanced sideways at Lin Yanran and added, “Yanran, Uncle has to warn you—the city isn’t safe right now. Whatever you do, don’t go to the Yuanbao Gambling Den.”
Lin Yanran asked, “Who is this ‘demon’?”
Lin Dahai shook his head. “That’s unclear.”
At that moment, a squad of blade-carrying yamen runners approached, led by a burly head constable whose face was dark as a thundercloud. He bellowed, “Check everything thoroughly! See if any wanted criminals are hidden inside. If anything goes wrong, we’ll all lose our heads!”
“Yes, sir!”
Lin Dahai whispered to Lin Yanran, “That’s Wang Chong, the chief constable of the Shimen County yamen.”
As he spoke, he hurried forward with an obsequious smile and tried to press some copper coins into the man’s hand.
Wang Chong shoved him to the ground.
“Scram! Obstruct this constable’s duties again and I’ll arrest you too!”
The copper coins in Lin Dahai’s hand scattered across the ground. He knelt in terror, kowtowing while frantically gathering the coins. Lin Yanran quickly dragged him back.
Then everyone could only watch as Wang Chong led his men to stab every single piece of preys on the carts, over and over.
Lin Feng gritted his teeth. “Yanran, we worked so hard to hunt all that. We were counting on selling it in the city for money. Now that the hides are all ruined, what do we do?”
Lin Yanran didn’t even turn her head. “We’ll talk about it later. Right now, pass the word to everyone—no matter what they do, endure it.”
Lin Feng grunted in acknowledgment and quietly passed the message through the hunting party.
Lin Yanran narrowed her eyes and fixed her gaze on Wang Chong.
Wang Chong was a high-level Alpha.
She could feel the killing intent radiating from him. If she hadn’t pulled Lin Dahai back quickly just now, Wang Chong might have stabbed him too.
The murder case in the city must be extraordinarily serious.
They waited a full half hour before Wang Chong finally left, cursing all the while. Only then could the queue enter the city. Lin Dahai beat his chest and wailed.
“What a disaster! All the preys hunted are ruined—we won’t get a good price! We were counting on this spring hunt to earn money for the second half of the year!”
Liu Zhenzhen had watched the entire scene in silence. Now she spoke softly, “Lin Yanran, you did the right thing just now. When a case involves so many lives, the prefectural yamen will get involved. Ordinary people must never get entangled.”
Lin Yanran glanced at her. Liu Zhenzhen said apologetically, “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help either.”
Lin Yanran replied, “It’s fine. Physician Liu, where are you headed? Shall I escort you?”
Liu Zhenzhen hesitated, then shook her head. “I’ve been here many times and know my way around. No need to trouble yourself. I’ll be off.”
Lin Yanran watched her disappear into the distance, then suddenly turned to Lin Dahai. “Uncle Lin, do you trust me?”
Lin Dahai was still red-eyed and sighing. “What are you planning?”
Lin Yanran said, “If you trust me, don’t sell the preys yet. Wait for me to come back, I’ll get you a good price.”
Lin Dahai eyed her for a long moment. “Yanran, are you sure? This is the livelihood of the whole town for the second half of the year.”
Lin Yanran answered, “I’m not one hundred percent sure, but I think it’s worth a try. If it works, we’ll definitely earn several times more than now.”
Lin Dahai’s interest was immediately piqued. “How many times more?”
Lin Yanran said uncertainly, “Three or four times, maybe.”
Lin Dahai stared at her again, then suddenly gritted his teeth. “Alright, Uncle will trust you this once. If you mess it up, Uncle won’t let you off easy!”
Lin Yanran thought to herself, If I mess it up, so be it—what can you really do to me? But on her face she showed full confidence. She instructed Lin Dahai to wait with the others, then took her own squad and left.
At the street corner, she spotted Liu Zhenzhen’s figure just vanishing at the far end of the main road. She told Chi Bao, Lin Feng, and the others, “Go find out which is the best ready-made clothing shop in the city and wait for me at the door.”
“Yanran, where are you going?”
“No questions—just go.”
The five betas already revered her and headed toward the prosperous district. Lin Yanran, meanwhile, quietly followed Liu Zhenzhen.
She was a little worried about Liu Zhenzhen. A potential golden patron, I have to keep an eye on her.
Liu Zhenzhen walked straight along the main road of Shimen County and arrived directly at the county yamen gate.
Lin Yanran was shocked. What is Liu Zhenzhen doing at the yamen?
Two runners immediately stepped forward to question her. Liu Zhenzhen produced a waist token. Their attitude changed instantly, one ran inside to report. Moments later, a handsome middle-aged man hurried out. Upon seeing Liu Zhenzhen, his face lit up with a broad smile as he enthusiastically welcomed her inside.
Lin Yanran grabbed a passerby and asked. Only then did she learn that the handsome man was actually the county magistrate. Her earlier worry turned out to be unnecessary, and she became even more certain that Liu Zhenzhen’s background was extraordinary.
A rich beauty who might even be of noble birth—this thigh must be hugged tightly.
Grinning, Lin Yanran strode toward the clothing shop. The five betas were waiting eagerly at the door. Seeing her approach, they asked, “Yanran, why did you have us come here?”
Lin Yanran replied, “To buy clothes, of course. Come on, follow me in.”
Hands clasped behind her back, she swaggered into the largest ready-made clothing shop in the city. The shopkeeper immediately came forward to greet her.
He first sized her up, then glanced at the five hesitant betas behind her—hands and feet unsure where to rest, bows and arrows still on their backs. Country bumpkins.
His expression instantly carried a hint of disdain as he asked obliquely, “What would the customers like to purchase?”
How could Lin Yanran miss his attitude? She paid it no mind and declared loudly, “Bring out all the latest styles in your shop. We six need a full set each.”
The shopkeeper’s face stiffened, yet he still spoke with disdain, “That won’t be cheap. Are the customers certain?”
The five betas were dumbfounded. Chi Bao and Lin Feng quickly whispered to her, “Yanran, we have no money.”
Lin Yanran shot them a sideways glance. “With me here, what are you worried about?”
She directly pulled out an ingot of silver—the very one she had reclaimed from Zhu Shiyu, still five taels left—and weighed it in her hand. “Are you selling or not? If not, I’ll go next door.”
Only then did the shopkeeper realize he had looked down on the wrong person. He hurriedly put on a welcoming smile. “Of course I’m selling! Customers, please come in, please!”
This was big business. The shopkeeper’s attitude did a complete turnaround, he beamed so widely his eyes nearly disappeared. He instructed the clerks to bring out every fashionable item in the shop.
Naturally seeing that Lin Yanran was the leader and a high-level Alpha, he personally recommended a refined purple dress for her.
Once Lin Yanran changed into it, everyone felt their eyes light up. The shopkeeper showered her with praise: “This young master is already tall and extraordinarily handsome. Wearing our shop’s signature outfit, you are simply stunning—graceful and dashing. In a crowd you would stand out like a jade tree in a courtyard of orchids, a crane among chickens, truly extraordinary!”
“Ha ha, the shopkeeper has a silver tongue.” Lin Yanran brushed it off, then had the others choose their outfits and paid without hesitation.
“Total comes to five taels and two qian.”
The shopkeeper grew even happier, looking at her as if she were the God of Wealth himself, his smile impossible to close.
When they stepped outside, the five betas kept admiring their new clothes, unable to let go. They rarely got new clothes even once every year or two. Now not only did they have new clothes, but they were bought at the grandest clothing shop in Shimen County—and it cost over five taels! When they returned to town, they could brag about this for three years straight.
Lin Yanran stood with hands behind her back, surveying them. The five had chosen narrow-sleeved archer outfits. The four younger ones, including Lin Feng, wore blue, they looked spirited and full of youthful vigor. Chi Bao, being older, chose brown, which made him appear steady and capable, like a head steward.
Lin Yanran herself wore an elegant light-purple dress—perfectly tailored, in the current dynasty’s fashionable style. It highlighted both feminine grace and the free-spirited charm of an Alpha, making her look exactly like a young lady from a wealthy family out for a leisurely trip with her retinue.
Chi Bao, being the eldest, came over and asked, “Yanran, you spent so much money on us—how can we possibly accept this?”
Lin Yanran raised a brow. “Lin Feng, come here.”
Lin Feng immediately ran to her side, eyes shining with adoration. “Yanran, what is it?”
Lin Yanran said, “Record the cost of these clothes. After we finish the next deal, we’ll have your father reimburse it.”
“Reimburse?”
“That’s right. We bought new clothes for official business, so of course it goes on the public account. Let’s go—next stop, we eat and drink like kings!”
Lin Feng, being eighteen or nineteen and hot-blooded, immediately agreed gleefully.
Chi Bao quietly asked him, “Aren’t you afraid your dad will beat you?”
Lin Feng puffed out his chest. “With Yanran here, what’s there to fear? Didn’t she say we’re doing this for the public good?”
Chi Bao thought about it—over the past few days, there seemed to be nothing Lin Yanran couldn’t accomplish—and felt reassured. He followed her briskly.
They arrived at the city’s most luxurious restaurant. The five betas immediately turned timid.
Lin Feng, who had been full of bravado moments ago, now muttered softly, “Yanran, are we really going in? This Drunken Immortal Tavern looks insanely expensive. How about we just find a normal place to eat?”
Lin Jianghe and the other two Beta also looked terrified and echoed agreement. Even Chi Bao’s legs shook at the sight of the opulent building.
“Yanran, maybe we should forget it?”
Lin Yanran refused to back down halfway. She stopped and looked at them all. “Do you want to wear new clothes every year from now on?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want to eat well and drink well every day from now on, with meat and wine at every meal?”
“Yes… but Yanran—”
“No buts. If you want that, charge in with me. Pretend you’re still hunters and everyone inside is your prey. Stare at them until none of them dare meet your eyes.”
The five betas stared at her in shock and confusion.
Lin Yanran suddenly roared, “Can you do it?”
The five instinctively straightened up. “We can!”
“Move! Stare them to death!”
She took the lead and stepped onto the long stone staircase. A blue-clad waiter spotted their group and hurried over.
“Honored guests, please come in!”
Lin Yanran didn’t even glance at him. With a cool expression she said unhurriedly, “Reserve your best private room. Lead the way.”
Hearing this, the waiter’s smile became much more genuine. He secretly sized her up: hands behind her back, walking as if strolling through her own garden, a spring breeze on her face and autumn water in her eyes, dressed in purple finery—she clearly looked like a young lady from a wealthy house.
Then he looked behind her—good heavens, five ferocious-looking beta followers, each more intimidating than the last, all glaring at him. Especially the one in brown—his eyes were like a leopard’s. The waiter jumped in fright and quickly averted his gaze. “Our best private room is on the third floor with an open lake view. This way, young master—please!”
He bowed and fawned as he led them.
The corners of Lin Yanran’s mouth lifted. As expected, people respect the clothes first and the person second. In the blink of an eye I’ve gone from “guest” to “young master”.
They reached the private room—a spacious independent chamber surrounded by water on three sides. The wide-open windows overlooked the central lake: lotus leaves spread across the water, emerald and beautiful, the spring breeze carried waves of fragrance. Truly a magnificent view.
The waiter secretly watched Lin Yanran’s expression and asked, “Young Master, how do you find this room?”
Lin Yanran remained impassive and said casually, “Acceptable.”
The waiter’s esteem for her rose another notch. He seated them and had tea served.
Once the waiters withdrew, the five betas—who had been so nervous they were ready to bolt—finally let out a collective sigh of relief and crowded around her. “Yanran, let’s leave. We really can’t afford this place.”
Lin Yanran smiled. “Do you think you’ll never in your lives be able to afford a meal at Drunken Immortal Tavern?”
The five fell silent in embarrassment. Lin Yanran continued, “We’re already here. Leaving now would only invite ridicule. Today we eat here.”
Hearing that, they steeled themselves—worst case, they’d spend the rest of their lives paying off the bill by selling everything they owned!
With that thought, it somehow didn’t seem so terrifying anymore. They gradually relaxed, touching this and examining that, constantly exclaiming in wonder.
“Yanran, this place is just too luxurious. One meal here must cost as much as ten years of our hunting earnings!”
Lin Yanran inwardly laughed, then gave a light cough. Footsteps approached outside, the five instantly stood at attention like spears behind her.
The restaurant manager arrived with waiters to take their order.
“What would the young masters like to eat?”
Lin Yanran casually took the host seat. The five betas immediately lined up behind her, standing tall and imposing.
The manager’s attitude grew even more respectful. He asked again, “Young Master, if you’re unsure what to order, why not try our signature dishes?”
Only then did Lin Yanran lift her eyelids and glance at him lazily. “Manager, tell me—what are your signature dishes?”
The manager eagerly rattled off a long list. Lin Yanran deliberately frowned and tapped the tabletop with her fingers.
“I heard your Drunken Immortal Tavern offers a Full Deer Banquet. How come everything you listed is something this young master has already grown tired of?”
“Full Deer Banquet?” The manager was taken aback, then humbly asked, “May I ask what exactly a Full Deer Banquet is?”
Lin Yanran looked at him with a subtle but unmistakable expression of “you don’t even know what a Full Deer Banquet is?” and said lightly, “As the name suggests, a Full Deer Banquet is a feast made from an entire deer. Every part is prepared differently—each part becomes its own dish.”
The manager listened in secret amazement. Lin Yanran added faintly, “So you don’t have a Full Deer Banquet either?”
The manager hurriedly replied, “Young Master, our humble establishment has never offered a Full Deer Banquet. Perhaps—”
Lin Yanran frowned again, looking disappointed. “Then just serve a table of your signature dishes.”
The manager sighed in relief, waved to the waiters to relay the order to the kitchen, and personally poured tea for Lin Yanran before withdrawing.
Chi Bao immediately asked, “Yanran, what are you planning?”
Lin Yanran curved her lips into a smile. “Of course—to sell our prey.”
About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea later, dishes began arriving. The manager returned to serve them personally.
“Young Master, this is one of our signature dishes—Jade Palace Beauty. Please taste it.”
Chi Bao very perceptively scooped a spoonful for Lin Yanran. He had been extremely curious about this dish—it looked like plain tofu, but when he scooped it he discovered loaches inside.
Chi Bao’s eyes widened. So this is Jade Palace Beauty!
Lin Yanran smiled. Yes—its common name was “Loach Drills Tofu.”
She tasted the tofu: “Tender and smooth.”
She picked up a piece of loach, chewed twice, then frowned. “Fresh, yes, but the muddy taste hasn’t been fully removed.”
With that, she set down her chopsticks.
The manager heard her pinpoint the exact flaw and said nothing. More dishes arrived. Lin Yanran tasted each one, succinctly pointing out shortcomings. With every dish, her beautiful brows furrowed a little more.
The manager grew increasingly nervous.
People’s attitudes differ depending on whom they face.
If Lin Yanran were still wearing the coarse clothes she left home in, carrying bow and arrows with a group of equally rough hunters, this manager probably wouldn’t spare her a proper glance.
If she then criticized his signature dishes, he would definitely take her for a troublemaker—perhaps even a spy sent by a rival establishment.
But the current Lin Yanran was not the same Lin Yanran who had left home. The five betas were no longer the same either.
From the very first look, the manager had sized up all six of them.
The leader was a high-level Alpha wearing the latest fashionable purple dress of exquisite craftsmanship and material. Her looks and bearing were refined and transcendent, her demeanor calm and composed, her speech relaxed and confident—she was clearly a legitimate young lady raised in a great house.
Her guards behind her all had fierce, wolf-like eyes and wore fine clothes.
The manager racked his brains but couldn’t place her among the young masters and misses of the city. He concluded she must be a distinguished guest from the prefectural capital.
With that thought, he immediately lowered himself mentally. Lin Yanran’s criticisms now sounded perfectly reasonable to his ears.
By the time the last dish arrived and she gave yet another negative review, she tossed down her chopsticks. “Not to my taste. Clear it away.”
The manager cautiously asked, “Young Master, is there something not to your liking?”
Lin Yanran lifted her eyelids. “Everything.”
Chi Bao, catching her cue, immediately barked, “Our young master loves fine cuisine above all else. We came to your Drunken Immortal Tavern because we heard you offered a Full Deer Banquet. We never expected you to be all reputation and no substance!”
By now the manager’s mindset had hit rock bottom, he felt he had failed to serve a noble guest and hurriedly apologized. “My apologies, truly my apologies. Our establishment indeed has never had a Full Deer Banquet. I have failed to satisfy the young master—it is this old man’s fault.”
Lin Yanran raised a hand to stop Chi Bao, drew out a silk handkerchief, a gift from the clothing shop, delicately wiped her fingers, and sighed. “What a pity. If the restaurant had a deer, this young master would surely show you what a true Full Deer Banquet looks like. Back when I attended the Wind-Lotus Banquet in the capital…”
She paused, glancing at the eagerly hopeful manager.
“Never mind. Bring the bill—we’re leaving.”
The manager’s heart jolted. The Wind-Lotus Banquet in the capital? This young master is actually a distinguished guest from the capital itself? Then the Full Deer Banquet must be a delicacy only the capital’s nobles enjoy!
Seeing her rise to leave, he panicked, feeling huge sums of silver slipping through his fingers. At that moment a waiter whispered something in his ear.
The manager’s entire body shook. He immediately called out, “Young Master, please wait—”
Lin Yanran had been waiting for exactly this. She glanced at him sideways but said nothing.
The manager hurried over with an apologetic smile. “Young Master, this old man has just learned that a group of hunters entered the city today bringing fresh whole deer—plump, prime specimens. If the young master does not mind, could you stay a little longer and give this old establishment the chance to witness the splendor of a Full Deer Banquet?”
Lin Yanran stood with hands clasped behind her back, her expression proud and lofty, looking down at him, yet still not answering immediately.
Chi Bao shouted, “Insolence! Our young master only personally instructs the kitchen to prepare a Full Deer Banquet when important guests visit the estate. Who do you think you are to dare request our young master’s guidance?”
The manager’s hopes plummeted from sky to earth.
Only then did Lin Yanran speak slowly, “Chi Bao, no need to be so harsh. Since we have come to this land, we should follow local customs. Very well—since the manager is so earnest, this young master shall graciously accept.”
The manager was overjoyed, his eyes narrowing to slits. After repeated thanks, he immediately ordered the waiters, “Quickly go purchase the finest, fattest deer available!”
Lin Yanran then said, “There are particular requirements for the deer used in a Full Deer Banquet. Let one of my attendants accompany you. Lin Feng, go. When you see the deer, stab it a few times to drain the blood first.”
Lin Feng had listened to the entire performance and now worshipped her like a god. Hearing the order, he boomed, “Your subordinate obeys!”
He strode out after the waiter.
The manager and the waiters all rushed to the kitchen to prepare. Lin Yanran immediately instructed Chi Bao, “Take the shortcut to find Uncle Lin. Sell the first deer for three times the price, all the rest for five times, and act like you don’t know us. Go—fast as you can!”
Chi Bao instantly understood and sprinted off.
About the time of one cup of tea later, a waiter indeed returned carrying a deer on his shoulder.
Lin Feng, beaming, ran to Lin Yanran’s side and whispered, “Yanran, sold at a high price—we’ve made a fortune.”
Shortly after, Chi Bao returned and gave her a look that said “everything is taken care of.”
Now it was Lin Yanran’s turn to shine.
Sure enough, the manager brought three master chefs in, bowed to her, and earnestly sought instruction.
Chi Bao played along again: “Young master, the method for the Full Deer Banquet is a closely guarded secret in the capital. How can you just teach it so freely?”
The manager immediately swore oaths that he would never divulge it and declared that today’s entire meal and drinks were on the house.
Lin Yanran merely smiled without speaking.
Just then, a commotion came from outside. A young man’s voice asked, “Manager, I heard your restaurant has a new dish today called the Full Deer Banquet. I happen to be hosting distinguished guests—serve us this Full Deer Banquet as well so we may taste it.”
As he spoke, the voice drew nearer. A waiter opened the door, and a tall, handsome youth shaking a folding fan appeared at the entrance. Glancing inside, his face immediately darkened with displeasure.
“Manager, you clearly have a superior private room—why didn’t you save it for this young master?”
The manager recognized him as the most troublesome young master in Shimen County and hurriedly apologized.
At that moment another voice came from outside: “Brother, have you found a room yet?”
It was a clear, pleasant girl’s voice. Everyone instinctively craned their necks to look.
On the waterside corridor stood two young ladies walking together.
One was in the bloom of youth, pretty and charming. The one she held by the arm had a graceful figure, a slender waist and lotus-like face—extremely captivating.
Lin Yanran’s gaze sharpened. She rose abruptly and strode outside. Stopping in front of the youth, she looked down at him with cool arrogance yet perfect courtesy: “Excuse me, may I pass?”
The youth, overawed by her presence, immediately stepped aside.
Lin Yanran brushed past him and walked straight to the two ladies, smiling. “Little Sister Liu—what a small world. To think we’d meet again here.”
The lady was none other than Liu Zhenzhen, who had earlier entered the yamen.
Now lightly powdered and wearing a fashionable goose-yellow silk dress, she looked countless times more beautiful than her usual rural-Physician attire.
Liu Zhenzhen was equally stunned to encounter Lin Yanran here.
Lin Yanran suddenly winked at her. “Little Sister Liu—”
Liu Zhenzhen instantly understood and put on a shy expression, then fiercely rolled her eyes at her. She hadn’t expected that not only had she changed clothes and dolled up—so had Lin Yanran.
That hateful Lin Yanran—change clothes and she suddenly looks this handsome. I actually forgot to blink staring at her!
Lin Yanran winked again.
Liu Zhenzhen immediately realized she didn’t want her real identity exposed. Covering her lips with a smile, she deliberately said, “Young Master Lin, wherever have you come from?”
Lin Yanran smiled. “Naturally from the capital.”
Liu Zhenzhen inwardly cursed again. Annoying fellow—lying so boldly to my face. If I didn’t know your background, I might really be fooled by that pretty face.
Hmph. Liar.
The youth had been staring dumbfounded. Now he walked over awkwardly. “Cou… Miss Liu, you know each other?”
Liu Zhenzhen glanced at him casually, her smile cooling a few degrees. “Indeed, she and I are old acquaintances. Yanran, this is Young Master Qi Ming, eldest son of the county magistrate of Shimen County, and this is his younger sister Qi Huan.”
Lin Yanran gave the pair a slight nod. “I heard Young Master Qi mention wanting to try the Full Deer Banquet. As it happens, I am just about to instruct the kitchen on how to prepare it. Since we’ve met by chance, why not join me, Little Sister Liu, and recreate the splendor of that day’s Wind-Lotus Banquet?”
She glanced at Qi Ming and Qi Huan. “If the two of you don’t mind, please join us as well?”
The Wind-Lotus Banquet? She’s even dragging out that pretentious capital banquet? Liu Zhenzhen instantly understood what game she was playing and decided to watch the show. Smiling sweetly, she said, “I’d be delighted.”
With her agreement, Qi Ming and Qi Huan were even more shocked and hurriedly nodded, mentally elevating Lin Yanran to the same status as Liu Zhenzhen.
The manager now inwardly congratulated himself for keeping this distinguished guest from the capital. He hadn’t expected her to be acquainted with the county magistrate’s son’s honored guest—and judging by the young master’s deferential attitude toward that lady, it was clear this “young master” was also a person of considerable background.
Liu Zhenzhen followed Lin Yanran back into the room and immediately spotted the five betas. Chi Bao, Lin Feng, and the others were all grimacing, desperately holding back laughter!
They were shocked that Physician Liu had appeared here and even knew the magistrate’s son, yet they had to pretend not to know their old acquaintance—so they could only struggle to contain themselves.
Liu Zhenzhen found it hilarious too. She deliberately swept them a glance, then said to Lin Yanran, “Young Master Lin’s attendants are truly impressive and extraordinary.”
Lin Yanran naturally knew she was teasing but merely smiled without replying.
The others, however, took it seriously. Qi Ming and Qi Huan secretly glanced over—just five betas, what’s so extraordinary?
Chi Bao and the others were already struggling to contain their laughter. Remembering Lin Yanran’s earlier instructions—treat everyone else like prey and stare them down—they practically bulged their eyes out glaring.
Qi Ming and Qi Huan were so frightened their hearts pounded. Indeed, truly impressive and extraordinary!