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墨書 Inktalez
In the Imperial Palace Courtyard of the capital.
Ling Zhiyuan sat as usual on his resplendent dragon throne, currently summoning the leader of his most trusted imperial spies—Yu Lang.
He repeatedly inquired about what his several princes had been busy with during this time. Did they all care for him and worry about him?
"Your Majesty, reports from the subordinates of Vassal indicate that all the princes have now gathered in the capital. They personally go to Dongling Tower every day to pray for Your Majesty, showing great filial piety."
Yu Lang respectfully replied.
"Hmph! I am willing to believe that my sons sincerely pray for me, but I am not yet so old that my eyes are dim. Who is sincere? Who is insincere? I still have some understanding of this."
"By the way, you previously mentioned that you inadvertently encountered my Sixth Prince at Eastern Palace, accompanied by a young Masked Man who bore a striking resemblance to him. They sneaked into Eastern Palace and rescued another woman, said to be brought back by the Sixth Prince from the common folk?"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"This Crown Prince's Residence really cannot stay quiet! Did you manage to see the true appearance of that Masked Man youth?" Ling Zhiyuan seemed to express a slight dissatisfaction regarding Crown Prince Ling Xianjun, then continued to press on.
"I am incompetent and did not see the true appearance of that youth. The young man has been staying at the Zi Family Spiced Braise restaurant, which is a new Dining House opened by Xiang Wang Ye and that woman from the common folk. Moreover, they have many skilled guards there, making it impossible for Vassal, Subordinate, and others to approach."
"I see. Then send someone to thoroughly investigate the detailed identity of the woman who partnered with my Sixth Prince in opening the shop." Ling Zhiyuan thought it wise to start investigating this girl; perhaps it would yield unexpected results.
"This—reporting to Your Majesty, news from Vassal's Subordinate indicates that the woman and that young Masked Man seem to be returning home today." Yu Lang appeared somewhat troubled.
"Oh! Their new shop has just opened successfully, and now they are leaving so soon?" Ling Zhiyuan was puzzled; could it be that he was overthinking?
After a moment's thought, Ling Zhiyuan asked again, "Have you found out where this woman is from? How did she come to know my Sixth Prince and decide to collaborate in business?"
"Indeed, I have heard that this woman is from a rural area in Chu County Hengfeng County. Her family possesses a unique Fragrant Braising Technique, so they currently run a Spice Shop in Hengfeng County Town. It was because Xiang Wang Ye happened to visit Chu County for leisure that he came across this woman's shop, leading to their acquaintance and subsequent decision to collaborate." Yu Lang replied earnestly.
"Fragrant Braising Technique? Dining House? It seems that my Sixth Prince is truly cut out for business!" Ling Zhiyuan felt a bit confused. As a ruler, he had tasted all kinds of delicacies, but he had never heard of the Fragrant Braising Technique before!
From his observations since childhood, his Sixth Prince was naturally picky yet loved to eat.
If he liked a dish, it must be exceptional and of the highest quality. Otherwise, how could it catch his eye?
Thinking of this, Ling Zhiyuan couldn't help but feel a twinge of blame towards his son.
Back in the day, little Ling Feng shared a deep friendship with his unacknowledged sibling, Xiao Ling Yuxuan. This was partly due to his encouragement since he couldn't publicly acknowledge that child.
However, whenever he missed Miao'er and Gu Yuxuan, he would instruct Xiao Lingfeng and his mother, Ling Yuxuan's sister, to secretly bring Gu Yuxuan home for a gathering.
This was the most convenient and least suspicious way for him at the time.
"Ah! The Fragrant Braising Technique is truly a rare and exceptional skill. The various meats and vegetables she prepares are incredibly delicious," Yu Lang said enthusiastically upon hearing about the technique.
"Oh—are you saying there are delicacies in this world that I have yet to taste?" Ling Zhiyuan looked at Yu Lang with a somewhat incredulous expression.
Uh? Yu Lang felt a bit startled but dared not meet the emperor's gaze.
He continued, "Your Majesty may not know, but this country girl who opened the Zi Family Spiced Braise restaurant has already gained fame throughout the capital in just over ten days. She even held a three-day free tasting event before opening, which spread like wildfire through the streets. Currently, the popularity of Zi Family Spiced Braise has surpassed all the old establishments in the capital and has become the undisputed top Dining House."
"Wow! Such a thing exists? It seems I have really been cooped up in this palace for too long. There are such interesting happenings outside that I was completely unaware of?—Sigh—" Ling Zhiyuan felt a deep sense of loneliness from being confined in the palace for so long and sighed helplessly.
"Your Majesty, if you like it, I could personally ride swiftly to Zi Family Spiced Braise to procure all their Fragrant Braised Dishes for you to taste," Yu Lang boldly suggested as he noticed the Emperor's interest.
"Hahaha—what should I say about you, my dear minister? I've been feigning illness for some time now; it's time for me to show my eager princes that I'm still vigorous," Ling Zhiyuan made a decision that surprised even himself.
"Uh? Yes! I understand," Yu Lang nodded in agreement, indicating his understanding of the Emperor's intent.
"Zhe zhe—Your Majesty is so great—" Chief Steward Pan, who was always the best at flattery and pleasing his master, began once again to praise loudly.
This immediately earned him disdain from both Ling Zhiyuan and Yu Lang. Ling Zhiyuan shot him a dismissive glare, while Yu Lang lowered his head, secretly amused.
Chief Steward Pan had always been like this; he was a source of amusement for Ling Zhiyuan. This eunuch had provided him with entertainment for most of his life, and it would indeed feel strange if one day he were to lose such a servant.
Although he often scolded and mocked him, even using him as a punching bag, over the years he had grown quite dependent on him and trusted him greatly.
"Go on, tell me, what makes me great?" Ling Zhiyuan looked at his pale old face and couldn't help but want to tease him a bit.
"Hehe—Your Majesty's greatness lies in your ability to unexpectedly eliminate matters that could be detrimental to the country or the royal family while they are still in their infancy. For instance, after this incident, those who might have had ulterior motives among the princes or subjects will surely be discouraged. Time and again, as they lose heart, even the strongest willpower and determination will gradually crumble."
"Be clear! Which prince has ulterior motives? Which subjects have ulterior motives?" Seeing him unusually verbose, Ling Zhiyuan deliberately seized the opportunity to intimidate him a bit.
"Uh? Oh dear, Your Majesty, look at me, I'm truly getting old and confused. You can just scold me for my foolishness! I know I was wrong; please forgive this old servant for being muddled!" Chief Steward Pan finally realized he might have said too much this time and could potentially upset His Majesty. Instantly, he felt a wave of anxiety wash over him. In the end, he even slapped himself several times.
"Hahaha—you dog servant, you certainly have your own set of twisted logic. Fine! I won't hold it against you today." Ling Zhiyuan couldn't help but be amused by his somewhat cowardly expression.
However amusing it was, the principle remained: he needed to continuously challenge and train his many princes so that the nation he had painstakingly built up—despite facing criticism and disdain—could endure.
Of course, this was merely Ling Zhiyuan's one-sided wishful thinking; his princes were increasingly engaging in activities that did not align with his desires.
Not long after, Emperor Ling Zhiyuan decreed: in order to reward the princes for their concern over the past few months and their recent prayers for him, as well as to encourage the Sixth Prince's entrepreneurial spirit of self-reliance,
Ling Zhiyuan surprisingly decided to leave behind his grand Imperial Palace Courtyard and specifically instructed Chief Steward Pan to prepare Zi Family Spiced Braise shared by Ziyan and Ling Feng for a royal banquet.
Upon receiving this decree, Xiang Wang Ye Ling Feng was naturally delighted; this would undoubtedly enhance the reputation of his Dining House.
Soon enough, word spread from one person to ten, from ten to a hundred, from a hundred to a thousand...
If this continues, in just a few days, the entire Nanchu Kingdom, and even several other countries far away, will hear about it. Opening more branches will then be a natural and effortless task.
At this moment, Ling Feng was exceptionally happy and wanted to share such great news with Ziyan immediately, but she—
Sigh! Just thinking of Ziyan made Xiang Wang Lingfeng unable to help but feel a sense of helplessness. He wondered where she and his cousin were at that moment.
In an instant, Ling Feng felt a bit lost and somewhat dejected!
Falling for someone he shouldn't have, loving someone who didn't belong to him—how could his heart not be conflicted?
Yet letting go of that longing immediately was easier said than done; once you fall in love, you are in love.
Meanwhile, Xiang Wang Lingfeng was still immersed in beautiful memories, while Ziyan was nestled in the arms of a certain Monster handsome man, inexplicably sneezing repeatedly—"Achoo! Achoo! Achoo!"
Ziyan's first thought was of her parents and older sister back in Hengfeng County Town at the Zi Family Spiced Braise. She wondered: Could they be missing her?
Ling Yuxuan, however, had other concerns. While gently touching the forehead of his Beloved Child in his arms, he asked, "Girl, have you caught a cold from traveling these past few days?"
Feeling warm from his concern, Ziyan quickly shook her head and smiled at him. "Don't worry, I haven't caught a cold. I'm doing well."
"Mm!" The man, feeling pained for his Beloved Child, nodded and finally relaxed his worried heart.
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