Miss Wen

"Grandpa, don't worry. This is not our fault. We are in the right. Don't worry. Qingyun City is so big, it will probably be difficult to meet Gao Yuan again." Xu Wenwu comforted.

The old man nodded.

They'd picked up some food on the way home for Mrs. Zhang, and now they returned to the hotpot restaurant.

"Qibao, was the city lively?" Mrs. Zhang asked with a smile as they came back.

"Auntie, there were so many people outside. It was really busy. How about tomorrow, when you're feeling better, we go together for a walk. What do you say?" Qibao asked.

"Sounds good. I've already laid out your clothes on your bed. When you wake up, they'll be right there for you." Mrs. Zhang replied.

"Thank you, Auntie. Here's the food we brought back with Grandpa and the others. Eat it while it's still hot!" Qibao placed the food on the table.

They didn't tell Mrs. Zhang about what happened today, fearing she'd worry too much.

In the main hall, a few tables of customers were still around. The old man was tired, so he told everyone to go get some rest first. Sitting in the carriage all day had certainly taken its toll.

The next day, after lunch, Xu Wenwu and Qian Xuedong went to the city gate to pick up their teacher.

The old man wouldn't let them go alone and told his second son to follow them.

Qibao entered the main hall of the restaurant and sat at the counter. She looked around at the full tables. Judging by their clothes, these people were all quite well-off.

"Boss Qian, is that your daughter?" A middle-aged man asked with a smile: "She's really pretty!"

"Hye! I wish I had that luck!" Boss Qian said with a laugh, clearly recognizing the man: "This is my niece. How many people are you bringing today, friend? I'll arrange a table for you."

"We're four people. The others will be here soon. I'll order some food ahead of time." The man replied.

"Xiao Fu, quickly tidy up an empty table and arrange it for this old brother of mine." Boss Qian shouted to the running servant.

"Got it!"

Qibao stood at the entrance of the hotpot restaurant. Next to it was a jewelry shop, and across the street was a clothing store. Most of the customers inside were young women browsing through the clothes in small groups.

"Miss, Why don't we eat hotpot at Juxiang Pavilion today? It's been ages since we've been here. I could smell the hotpot aroma from far away."

A woman's voice carried over.

"Sounds good! I feel like eating hotpot too."

Qibao looked in the direction of the voices and saw two young girls walking towards her.

It was obvious, a young lady from a rich family was out with her servant. The girl in front wore a light green dress with a white plum blossom sewn on it. She looked to be about fourteen or fifteen years old, with her face covered by a white silk veil that left only her gentle, almond-shaped eyes visible.

From those eyes alone, Qibao could tell the girl had a kind personality.

The servant girl behind her carried two oil-paper-wrapped parcels, probably some snacks.

When the girl saw Qibao standing at the entrance, she smiled and led her servant inside the hot pot restaurant.

"Boss Qian, could you arrange a private room for our young mistress?" The servant asked.

"Miss Wen, why didn't you let me know beforehand? I could've made sure a room was ready for you. As it is, most of them are already taken." Boss Qian said, bowing respectfully.

"This... Miss, why don't we just forget it. This hall is crowded and noisy, and you like quietness. Let's come next time." The maid said aside.

"No need. Boss Qian, just find us a corner table by the window." The young girl replied.

Boss Qian eagerly agreed: "Yes, yes, yes. Please have a seat and enjoy some tea, Miss Wen. I'll arrange for a table as soon as one is available."

"Thank you." she nodded lightly, her friendly demeanor showing no trace of arrogance.

After settling them at a table, Qibao dashed to the counter and asked: "Uncle Qian, who is this young lady? Why do you treat her with such respect?"

Mr. Qian whispered back: "She's the governor's daughter. She rarely ventures out, but sometimes she comes for hotpot at our restaurant. Usually, she books a private room ahead of time."

Qibao understood now. No wonder the girl's appearance and bearing were different from ordinary families. Everything about her seemed proper and refined. Even her veil, covering her face when she went out, gave her the air of a well-bred young lady.

Qibao had been sitting at the counter not only to understand the restaurant's situation but also because she was waiting for her brothers to return.

After nearly an hour, she finally spotted the eldest brother walking in. Beside him were not only Qian Xuedong and her second brother, but also five or six others. Among them were two instructors from the academy, and surprisingly, the headmaster himself.

Qibao slipped around the counter and said: "Eldest Brother, you're back! Greetings, Master Sun. Hello, Headmaster Grandpa."

"Xu Wenwu, is this the little sister you mentioned? I remember when you first started at the academy, she was there too. It's a surprise to see her grown up now!" The Headmaster smiled, stroking his beard.

"Yes, it's been years." Xu Wenwu said: "Of course she's grown up. Qibao, where's Grandfather?"

Qibao replied: "Grandfather is in the rear courtyard. I'll take you there."

Qibao led them through the main hall towards the rear courtyard.

"Miss, did you see that young master in white? He's so handsome, like a true gentleman. There's something extraordinary about him, not like most people." A servant girl remarked.

Behind her veil, those affectionate eyes followed the figure in white until he disappeared.

"Miss, why are you always staring at him? Is there something..." The servant girl asked with a grin.

"Good thing you're cute. You've got some nerve, Yuan'er, making fun of your miss. You're up for a proper punishment today."

"Miss, your face is red!"

"Keep talking, and you'll be skipping the hotpot at lunch!"

"Miss, I was wrong. Yuan'er won't make fun of you again."

...…

Qibao led the group to the rear courtyard where the old man was sitting at a stone table, enjoying his tea.

"Grandfather, Big Brother and the others are back." Said Qibao.

The old man turned, quickly set down his teacup, and came forward with a bow: "Welcome, Dean. Hello, Mr. Sun. After such a long carriage ride, please sit down and rest. Have some tea."

The dean smiled and bowed in return, saying: "We set out overnight, hoping to get to Qingyun City early to see if we could find an inn with vacancies. However, we didn't expect that there would be no vacancies when we asked along the way. We can only trouble you, old man."

"No trouble at all." The old man smiled, waving his hand: "I'm just glad you're here! Sharing the house means we can all help each other. There's plenty of space, too."

The Dean continued: "I didn't expect so many people would come for the imperial examination this year. It's much livelier than usual!"

"I know!" Said the old man: "If we hadn't already opened this shop here, we wouldn't have found a place to sleep."

The old man filled teacups for everyone.

The other students stood respectfully behind the Dean.

"Now, Wenwu, Xuedong, take your classmates to their rooms and put away their things." Said the old man.

"Thank you, Grandpa Xu." The students said, bowing politely to the old man.

Xu Wenwu said: "Dean, Master, let me take your bags too. Your rooms are ready, I'll put everything in place."

The Dean and the Master didn't refuse, so Xu Wenwu took their luggage.

The old man asked: "Dean, these students are here for the imperial examination too?"