Specialty

"Isn't that the young miss of the Cheng family?"

"You mean the Cheng family that owns several businesses in the city?"

"Yes! That one! And she's with the young misses from the Wu family and Wei family.."

"Ah.. so the young misses from different families engaged in business are close friends huh.."

"Yes..It's not hard to understand. Their elders may have wanted to bond with their families through their children's friendship."

"That's not bad at all. When these children grow up, they will soon inherit their family's business. It's not at all bad to have connections already."

"I agree.. But what's strange right now is not seeing them together.. It's them coming down to eat on the first floor when they had just come from the second floor."

"Hahaha.. Isn't it because of that young man in white who arrived just now?"

"Heh.. They're still little girls after all.."

"Little? They have already reached a marriageable age!"

"Eh? Is that so? I couldn't tell.."

"Haha.. are your eyes just for show?"

"No.. really.. They look at least twelve years old.."

"No, they're fifteen this year! My daughter went to the same etiquette school as them..They're in the same class as well."

"Eh? Is she also friends with them?"

"Haha.. how can that be? Those three only saw each other as friends and the rest were only classmates. I think it's better this way, I don't want my daughter to be someone's lackey.."

Song Jia noticed the ladies take the table close to hers. After a glance, she didn't pay any more attention.

'Cheng Lan, Wu Bao, Wei Ai.. why don't I see your leader with you? Ah.. could it be that you guys were abandoned after she has successfully got engaged with the fifth prince?'

Song Yimu was friends with those three ladies. Because she was a granddaughter of General Song Qing, the others didn't mind if she acted as their leader. Especially now when she would soon become the fifth prince's wife.

When that time comes, as friends, they would also be given preferential treatment.

However, right now, Cheng Lan was more interested in getting to know this young man who even looked breathtaking upon closer look.

Song Jia could feel the gaze of one of the ladies. She recognized her. Cheng Lan, the arrogant young miss from a merchant family. She glanced at the person who was already staring at him for a while.

When their gazes met, Cheng Lan felt her cheeks feel hot, her heartbeat quickened. She shyly smiled at the young man who nodded at her before turning away once more.

Cheng Lan's smile fell due to her missed opportunity.

She gripped the hem of the sleeves of her robe tightly, almost ripping it.

She motioned for her maidservant to come near.

"Ask for his name and from which family he's from. Every detail.."

The maidservant gulped. She was only a maidservant but she was still a young woman. How could she be so bold as to ask a young man for his information? But it's either that or a beating when they get home.

She waved for the waiter and whispered something to him. A short while later, the waiter came back and brought an appetizer, it's one of the specialties of the restaurant.

She took it from him and walked towards Song Jia and Lu Ping.

"Hello.. You must be new here.. As locals, I would like to welcome you to our Cerulean Moon City. Here, this is one of the specialties of Golden Lion Restaurant. It's a welcoming gift from my young miss."

Lu Ping stared at the maidservant wide-eyed. 'Looks like she doesn't recognize me..'

She looked at her own young miss who was pretending to be a cool young man. Song Jia nodded at her.

"Many thanks. On behalf of my young master, I would gladly accept..Please send our regards." She accepted the dish and placed it on the table.

From how the girl in light blue robes addressed the young man, Cheng Lan's maidservant could tell that she's the maidservant of the young man.

The waiter arrived and brought the dishes that Song Jia ordered for her and Lu Ping, astounding the maidservant. It ranged from the cheapest to the most expensive dish in the restaurant's menu.

Seeing that the maidservant didn't leave yet, Lu Ping called her attention. "Umm.. Can I help you?"

"Ah.. hehe… little sister.. Can I call you that? My name is Peng Jian. You can call me Sister Jian if you'd like. What's your name?"

"Alright..My name is Lu Ping. Sister Jian, can I help you with anything?"

"It's no big deal, Sister Ping." Peng Jian took the chance and sat down close to Lu Ping and continued her questions in a hushed tone.

Lu Ping was also curious as to what this person needs.

"Actually sister, I was just curious where you've come from.. I hope I'm not being rude."

"I'm a local as well. My young master is not."

"Oh? You're from here? How did you meet the young master?"

"He is my master's junior brother and I'm tasked to take care of him during his visit."

"I see.. And your master is?"

"Of the Song Clan."

Peng Jian sucked in a breath. 'From the General's residence?!'

"I'm sorry.. I didn't recognize you. My young miss is friends with the young miss of Song Clan."

"That's understandable. I was always with my young miss except for when she ventures outside, the senior maidservants accompanied her during those times."

'She doesn't mean Miss Song Yimu, Teng Bi is the one who always accompanies her. Could it be the other miss? The one who just died?'

"Then your young miss.."

"Young Miss Song Jia."

"Oh! I'm sorry.. My condolences Sister Ping. You must have been heartbroken." Peng Jian didn't mean a word she said but was only saying it to leave a good impression on the young man.

Lu Ping only nodded at her.

"Sister Ping, I'm curious.. What's Young Master's name?"

Lu Ping looked to ask Song Jia's permission, who nodded.

"Young Master's family name is Shi, his first name is Jin."

"Ah! Greetings Young Master Shi Jin, I hope I'm not disturbing you. I am a maidservant from the Cheng family. My Young Miss Cheng Lan is on the table there. She's the one wearing the color of cherry blossoms..With her are Miss Wu Bao and Miss Wei Ai. They are friends with the young miss of the Song Clan, Miss Song Yimu."

Song Jia didn't reply and only nodded. She merely glanced at the three girls and nodded to them in greeting once before turning away once again. Wu Bao was wearing purple robes and Wei Ai was wearing yellow.

"Sister Ping..is Young Master…" Peng Jian wondered why the young man didn't even offer any words to the young misses.

"Sister Jian, according to the Master, Young Master Shi Jin has always kept to himself. I hope that the Young Misses won't find offence."

"I see.. Then Sister Ping, why didn't you take one of the private rooms instead?"

"It was my Young Master's decision. As to his reason, I am clueless."

"Ah.. not at all.. if you don't mind me asking, from which place is Young Master Shi Jin's family from?"

"Ah.. Actually, I'm unclear about that. Second Master didn't tell me. And I also cannot ask the Young Master about his private matters. I hope you understand, Sister Jian."

"Oh hahaha.. You're right. I apologize if I made you uncomfortable."