Chapter 375 - Chapter 375: What Are We Afraid Of?
Chapter 375: What Are We Afraid Of?
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Qiao Mai pointed out, “There’s a noodle shop over there, and it looks like quite a few people. Let’s go there to eat.”
“Wow, seafood noodles?”
“It should be delicious.’
The group entered the noodle shop. It was almost fully occupied inside. Despite being called a noodle shop, they also sold cold dishes.
The group quickly grabbed a table, and the waiter came over immediately.
“Dear customers, our shop only sells seafood noodles. The small bowl costs fifty coins, and the large bowl costs one hundred. The braised sauce is made from crab meat and crab roe. For cold dishes, we have shredded jellyfish, spicy marinated raw clams, fresh pickled prawns, and cold shredded kelp. Shredded kelp is twenty coins per plate while the others are fifty coins.”
“The prices aren’t cheap.”
“You get what you pay for; otherwise, why would we have so many repeat customers?”
“Then, let’s have two small noodles, three large bowls, and one plate of each cold dish. We’ll try a bit of everything.”
“Altogether, it’s five silver and seventy coins.”
Yubao threw a couple of silver coins to the waiter. “The rest is your tip.”
“Thank you, customers.”
The waiter took the silver and went to the counter. The cold dishes were quickly served.
The emperor gestured towards Qiao Mai, “Wine, where’s the wine?”
Qiao Mai reached under the table and conjured up a jug. The waiter, understanding the situation, brought out wine cups.
Yubao filled the cups for them and also poured one for himself.
The emperor took a bite of the dish. “Not bad. The taste is good. Everyone, give ita try.”
Yuan Jiaqi quickly picked up a bite for Qiao Mai, but she stopped him.
“You also eat.”
The empress looked jealous. When the emperor noticed, he picked up a bite for her.
“Eat. Just try the cold dishes from the sea. Don’t stuff yourself, or you might have stomach troubles if you’re not used to it.”
As they chatted, the noodles were served on the table.
They mixed the noodles and took a bite. “Mmm, it’s good. This taste is so delicious; let’s have this for lunch tomorrow!”
Looking from the counter, the innkeeper smiled proudly at the emperor’s table.
It was evident that they were outsiders. Opening a restaurant was not only about making money but also about enjoying the compliments from customers about their food.
The more they did this, the more passionate they became.
However, the innkeeper felt eager, smelling the wine. He yearned so much that he couldn’t help but gulp, looking at their table.
Qiao Mai nudged Yubao, “Pour a cup for the innkeeper at the counter; his mouth is watering.”
Yubao grinned.
“Madam Qiao, who in this hall is not salivating?
Qiao Mai then realized that all the customers, while eating noodles, were glancing over at their table, eyes fixed on the jug.
“There is too little supply; let’s give the innkeeper a bowl and forget the others.”
Yubao poured the wine, placed it on the counter, and asked, “Drink?”
“Yes.”
Yubao rolled his eyes. He served the emperor; in this world, only these four people could command him.
This innkeeper was lucky. He could drink the wine poured by Yubao himself.
The innkeeper picked up the wine cup, took a sip, and almost choked. In the south, rice wine and watered-down wine were common at banquets.
The alcohol content of Qiao Mai’s wine was probably around forty degrees, a strong aroma of grains that most southern people were not accustomed to.
However, after taking the first sip, the second sip went smoothly.
The innkeeper smacked his lips, satisfied. Immediately, he brought out a small jug from under the counter and delivered it to Qiao Mai’s table.
“Guests, in exchange for letting me taste this excellent wine, I’ll treat you to my homemade rice wine.”
“Thank you.”
The group finished the wine in their cups and tasted the rice wine.
“This wine is good with a fruity fragrance.”
“My wife added a few pears when brewing the wine. This is a special wine she made for me; we don’t sell wine here.’
“If you don’t mind, let’s exchange this half jug.”
“That’s a good idea.”
The innkeeper, also experienced in socializing, immediately put down the jug in his hand, picked up the jug from Qiao Mai’s table, and left while afraid that they might change their minds.
The emperor chuckled. “Madam Qiao, your wine is probably worth a thousand gold, right?”
“Yeah. This rice wine is not bad either; let’s go out for a stroll. Drinking too much is not good.”
Satisfied with the meal and wine, the group left the noodle shop. The innkeeper even sent them off.
“After a meal, take a stroll. Not bad. Such days are amazing.”
As they walked, they looked around.
After the rain stopped, the streets were filled with small vendors, constantly shouting their wares.
Being wealthy individuals, they naturally had high standards. They looked at this and that but didn’t show any intention of buying.
However, Qiao Mai bought a pack of sour triangle snacks and ate them while walking. Occasionally, she turned back to hand some to the others.
She glanced back and saw a few troublemakers following them not far away.
They thought Qiao Mai didn’t know and pointed at the group, making fun of them as country bumpkins and rich bastards.
Seeing his wife looking back, Yuan Jiaqi also turned around. Were they being followed?
He quietly informed the emperor, who didn’t even turn around. “Guard your wife. What are we afraid of?”
“If it’s not the governor’s people, it’s probably local ruffians and rogues. Bullies!”
“Ignore them. Let’s do our thing. Hook out the mastermind!”
Tired from walking, the group coincidentally found a teahouse and went in.
Without private rooms, they sat directly in the hall.
After ordering tea and snacks, the emperor asked Qiao Mai, “Are they watching
“Yeah, they probably want to check our background. When the time comes to settle the score, I’ll take action.”
Although in his thirties, the empress was well-maintained. Coupled with the moisturizer Qiao Mai had been providing, she appeared exceptionally youthful. Her appearance must be outstanding to become the emperor’s concubine.
Although Qiao Mai’s appearance was ordinary, she had fair skin and an outstanding temperament, making her stand out. When the five of them sat down, they attracted the attention of some lustful onlookers.
However, considering how they dressed, they either had great wealth or high status. Many eyes gazed their way.
None of this went unnoticed by the group. Could everyone in this city be as lustful as the magistrate?
Why didn’t the people at the noodle shop act this way? Or perhaps the richer you were, the more perverted you became?
The empress, feeling embarrassed, grinned at the others. “Don’t blame me.”
“Don’t worry. With me here, you won’t be in trouble.”
As they sipped teaa and listened to the music on the stage, a distinguished guest arrived at the teahouse.
It was the son of Magistrate Wu, Wu Tianlei. His name sounded upright, but unfortunately, he was as perverted as his father.
His father maintained a decent appearance in public, while he was shamelessly lascivious publicly and privately.
As soon as he entered, he saw Rong Rui, the empress, and his eyes became enchanted. His legs moved toward them incessantly.
Disgusted by him, Qiao Mai immediately sent a burst of mental power. The man hadn’t even approached when he fainted on the spot.
Soon, those who had come with him picked him up. He fainted randomly. It had nothing to do with anyone else.
The emperor frowned. “He is lawless. Who is this scoundrel?”
Yuan Jiaqi called the waiter, giving him some silver.
“Who was the one who fell just now?”
“That was the eldest son of Magistrate Wu.” The waiter glanced at the empress and said, “You should rest and leave as soon as possible. If he wakes up later, he might come with more people. Once he sets his sights on someone, it’s rare for them to escape.”
The waiter received the silver, felt uneasy, and spoke quietly.
“Thank you; you can go about your business.”
The empress was furious. “This scumbag. I could even be his mother!”
“You still look like a young woman. Lecherous people don’t care about these things. ”
“But I’m dressed as a married woman.”
“You can never imagine how bad people can be. When perverts lose their temper, they could even violate their relatives.” “God, are there such people in this world?”
“There are plenty!”