Xiyan was shocked. She had never expected that a jewelry store opened by Third Young Madam and Princess Duanjia would be so profitable. Why did it seem like Third Young Madam was the reincarnation of the God of Fortune …

Jinxiu looked at Xiyan's gaping mouth and glared at her reproachfully. "Actually, it's not that much. Don't tell me that Guilin Restaurant earns less than this."

Xiyan was embarrassed. "That's not it."

She sighed in her heart. It was precisely because Guilin Restaurant earned so much that Third Young Madam left Shengjing that the restaurant became the target of other people's attention.

Jinxiu didn't stay for long either. She left after an hour.

Immediately after Little New Year, Guilin Restaurant actually closed its doors the next day!

This made life miserable for the group of customers. They waited at the entrance of Guilin Restaurant early in the morning. Even after noon, they still didn't see Guilin Restaurant's quaint door open. Only then did they really give up and sigh as they left.

Actually, even if it was a business, it would still be closed on Lunar New Year. However, for a restaurant or inn, even if it was closed, it would only open two days before Lunar New Year's Eve. After the New Year, it would reopen on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year.

However, the sign hanging on Guilin Restaurant's door said that it would be closed on Lunar New Year. After the New Year, it would be renovated and reopened later …

Even though the customers gathered outside Guilin Restaurant were so angry that they wanted to curse, Guilin Restaurant had always had its rules, and they had never seen anyone violate them. Even if they wanted to barge in and demand an explanation, they probably wouldn't change their mind.

Moreover, Guilin Restaurant seemed to have become an empty restaurant overnight. There wasn't a single person left. It was obvious that they had already been notified.

It was almost noon when Lord Protector Zheng arrived at the back door of Guilin Residence in a carriage with a green canopy. The manservant stopped the carriage and knocked on the door with familiarity. Not long after, the door was opened by a blue-clothed manservant from the inside.

This time, the blue-clothed manservant didn't politely lead the carriage for Old Duke Zheng. Instead, he bowed deeply to Chang Sui and said apologetically, "Duke, I'm really sorry. From today onwards, we will no longer be doing business."

At this moment, Old Duke Zheng came down from the carriage. When he heard this, his wrinkled but bright eyes glared at him. "What?

Not doing business?

You own a restaurant, why aren't you doing business?

Are you trying to slack off while your boss is not in the capital? "

The corner of the manservant's mouth twitched, and he respectfully said, "What are you saying, High Duke? We can't wait to earn more money, so how could we dare to be lazy? This decision was not made by us, but by Third Madam. Please understand, High Duke."

Old Duke Zheng frowned and muttered, "What the hell is this girl doing?"

He raised his head and asked the blue-robed manservant, "Is there a chef in Guilin Restaurant?"

Upon hearing High Duke Zheng's words, the blue-clothed manservant knew that he had not given up. He could only grit his teeth and reply, "High Duke, everyone in Guilin Restaurant left last night. Now, only I and a few old servants are left to guard the restaurant."

In the end, High Duke Zheng could only return home, but his face was extremely dark.

That day, the blue-clothed manservant blocked at least twenty waves of nobles who came to dine at Guilin Restaurant.

In a private room on the second floor of a newly opened teahouse next to Guilin Restaurant, a middle-aged man snorted coldly and slammed the porcelain teacup in his hand onto the table. The tea spilled out and wet a small part of the table.

The middle-aged man's voice was low and carried the dignity of a superior. "Yang Yanfeng, is this the famous restaurant that you brought Us here to close down?"

Official Yang coughed awkwardly. "Your Majesty, please quell your anger. This humble subject did not expect Guilin Restaurant to close down so suddenly."

Sitting across from Lord Yang was the current Emperor Cheng Ping. Today, Emperor Cheng Ping was dressed in a low-key gray brocade robe and a white jade crown. He looked no different from the usual rich masters. If one ignored the majestic aura he exuded, he would look like a handsome middle-aged uncle with a lot of charm.

Through the window, Emperor Chengping's sharp, eagle-like eyes narrowed as he looked at the nearby back door of Guilin Restaurant.

Great, this bunch of stinky officials. So every day after court, they came here to enjoy their food.

They had only been sitting here for an hour, so they wanted to see what kind of people had arrived.

The High Duke, the Great General, the Head of the Secretariat, the Minister of Works, the important officials of the Cabinet, and even that reclusive Confucian scholar had come. Haha, what a group of good people.

Emperor Chengping did not understand. It was just a restaurant in a rundown alley. Why was it attracting so many people? All the important people who lived in seclusion all rushed here.

Any one of them could make the capital tremble with just a stomp of their feet. Could it be that these people were not only here to eat, but also to do something big?

But it did not seem right. Did someone bring empty food boxes to do something big?

This was clearly the rhythm of eating a portion and taking away a portion!

Wasn't that Li Xiuxian from the western suburbs?

Emperor Chengping had personally sent people to invite this Confucian scholar three times, but the old fellow refused to enter the palace to be a guest of the princes. He was like a thousand-year-old tortoise that refused to budge. Now, he had been lured here by a restaurant's food.

Look at that old fellow's trembling body when he got off the carriage. It was as if he would be blown over by the wind in the next second. But he did not fall. Instead, he stood at the back door of Guilin Restaurant in high spirits.

Emperor Chengping almost fainted from anger.

Official Yang saw the Emperor's face darken and laughed bitterly in his heart. He could only patiently console the Emperor. "Your Majesty, let's go back. It looks like Guilin Restaurant has really closed. There is no point in waiting any longer."

However, Emperor Chengping was stubborn. "Let's sit a while longer. We want to see what other gluttons are coming!"

Official Yang's forehead was covered in sweat. He pitifully lit a candle for his colleagues who had come to Guilin Restaurant today but had been refused at the door.

"Yan Feng, is this Guilin Restaurant's food so magical?

Half of the imperial court has been lured here. "

Emperor Chengping was somewhat indignant.

Official Yang naturally did his best to answer the Emperor's question. "To be bold, this official feels that even the imperial chefs in Your Majesty's palace cannot compare."

He had come here a few times. Ever since Guilin Restaurant opened, no matter how busy he was, he would accompany his wife to Guilin Restaurant for a meal every month. Guilin Restaurant had its own small courtyard that was separated from each other. The soundproofing was very good and the design was ingenious. Even if many of his colleagues ate here, they would not be able to see each other unless they specifically wanted to meet.

If not for the fact that he was busy with official business, Official Yang hoped that he could come to Guilin Restaurant for a meal every day.

Unfortunately, most of them could not be like old Duke Zheng, who had resigned from his official position and enjoyed a life of luxury. He could only eat three meals a day at Guilin Restaurant.

Emperor Chengping was shocked when he heard this. Better than the imperial chefs … That was incredible!

Emperor Chengping began to feel indignant at the thought that the food his subjects ate was even more delicious than what he, a dignified emperor, ate.

"Humph, it turns out that all of you are eating such delicacies every day. All of you are truly loyal!"

Official Yang felt that he was just speaking the truth. He hadn't expected to offend the Emperor.

He swallowed nervously. He felt that being in the emperor's company was like being with a tiger.

"Your Majesty, this official only has this much entertainment. What's more, Guilin Restaurant is now closed. I'm afraid that I won't be able to come again in the future."

Emperor Chengping felt more at ease as he looked at the tightly shut doors of the restaurant.

"Who opened such an amazing restaurant?"

Official Yang sighed in relief when he saw that the Emperor was no longer pursuing the matter. He hurriedly answered, "Actually, Your Majesty has seen the owner of this restaurant before."

"Oh?

Tell me about it. "

Official Yang smiled slightly. "It's the Jinyi Village Lord that you personally conferred."

"Jinyi?"

Suddenly, a familiar face flashed in front of Emperor Chengping. He paused for a moment before regaining his composure. A rare faint smile appeared on his lips. "So it's that girl. Where is she? In a moment, send someone to call her over. Zhen wants to ask her why this damned girl closed the restaurant."

Official Yang blushed with shame. "Your Majesty, Jinyi Village Lord has gone to the north. She's not in the capital now …"

"What?

She went to Liangzhou in the north? "

Emperor Chengping's brows instantly furrowed. He stared at Official Yang with a pair of sharp eyes. Official Yang felt unwell.

He could only brace himself and explain. Fortunately, Madam Yang was on good terms with Chu Lian. Otherwise, he wouldn't have known about these things.

"She's been gone for two or three months. Your Majesty, have you forgotten? He Sanlang is also in Liangzhou!

The rebellion in the north was probably because Matriarch was worried and requested the Empress Dowager to issue an imperial decree. "

"Even so, where would a woman go to the north?!

Count Jing 'an's residence is simply ridiculous! "

Official Yang felt a headache coming on. "Your Majesty, there's no one else in Count Jing 'an's residence other than Jinyi Village Lord."

Emperor Chengping suddenly understood after being reminded by Official Yang. He narrowed his eyes. Even though he knew that Matriarch He had no choice, he still didn't feel good about it.

No matter what, Jinyi Village Lord was considered half a member of the imperial family. He had personally conferred the title of village lord. How could he be tormented by that old woman from the He family?

As soon as the topic was brought up, the topic shifted to the war in the north. Emperor Chengping no longer had the mood to travel incognito and brought Official Yang "home".

Once the Little New Year was over, time flew by like a white steed.

In the blink of an eye, another four or five days had passed. It wasn't far from New Year's Eve.

Even the atmosphere in the northern border army's camp had relaxed. The cooks and soldiers had begun to prepare the food and wine for New Year's Eve.

However, Chu Lian, who had been busy with her maids a few days ago, was listless these past two days. She couldn't muster up the slightest bit of interest.

It had been almost ten days, but He Changdi still hadn't returned.

According to the news that Lai Yue had brought, the Snow Mountain Mist Flower on Mount A Ming had already withered yesterday.

Chu Lian's hands were tucked into her warm rabbit fur sleeves. Her sleeves were stuffed with a hand warmer, but she still felt cold all over.

Every day, she would send Wenqing and Wenlan to keep an eye on the gates. Occasionally, she would send people to the northern border army's camp to ask for He Changdi's news.

Every time, she would be disappointed. Chu Lian leaned against the warm pit. She wasn't in the mood to do anything else. She carefully recalled the events in the original novel. Unfortunately, the novel didn't mention the war in the north in detail.

Just as she was lost in thought, Steward Qin ran in in a panic. He had even forgotten his etiquette.

His face was full of anxiety and fear. "Third … Third Young Mistress, quickly go take a look. Third Young Master is injured!"