Chapter 6

Chapter 6

The Xu empire has big gates. Bigger than the Wang empire. There are a lot of people—mostly merchants, falling in line. Just like the other empires, those who aren't citizens of their empire need to pay before they get in. Those who are citizens just need to show some sort of small rectangular brown paper with a stamp from their imperial palace.

The Xu empire is the third biggest empire among the 5 empires. The Wang empire is at the top and the biggest of them all. Zhou empire came in second, the Xu empire in third, followed by the Li empire which Wan Shen decided to settle, and then the Hua empire.

Yu Yan and Wan Shen got out of the carriage to act as servants. His son was already wrapped in babywear. He looked around and saw most of the merchants had their wheelbarrows filled with crops to trade. They're the only one who has a carriage. No wonder most of the people in line keep looking at them. When it was their turn, they paid 12 copper, 3 silver, and 3 gold coins. The 3 gold coins are for the carriage and goods. It was quite expensive for Wan Shen. Honestly, Wan Shen doesn't know how money works in this era. He just knows that silver and gold have the biggest value.

Upon entering the empire, the busy people welcome them. Most of the people—vendors, are shouting to attract consumers to buy what they're selling. Wan Shen feels like he's inside the public market with the noise.

"Is this the capital, Mao Han gege?" Yu Yan asked.

"No. But this is the second busiest village after the capital. It takes 46 minutes to get to the capital." Mao Han replied. "I'll leave tomorrow morning if my trading is successful. What are you two going to do now that you're here in the Xu empire?" he asked as he jumped down to his horse.

"Uhmm... We'll stay here for two days to rest our bodies from travelling. We will stroll the Xu empire first before we leave. Take us to the capital and we'll split after that." Wan Shen answered. Mao Han nodded as he takes the lead. Yu Yan and Wan Shen followed.

They only walk going to the capital and that made them being targeted by those vendors and some annoying men trying to persuade them. There are a lot of things that Wan Shen got interested in while walking. He wants to do some shopping but he stops himself. He'll do that after they arrive in the Li empire.

After minutes of walking, they reached the capital. It is two times busier than the village earlier. "I'll leave here. I need to trade these things with me now. If you want to find a place to stay for a while, go to this place." Mao Han passed a paper and Yu Yan received it.

The two of them went to the place that Mao Han recommended. The inn looks decent and neat. They went inside and talked to the person who looked bored. It's maybe the receptionist.

"Hello, we would like to get a room please." Wan Shen greeted. The person lazily accommodates them. After paying, another person showed up and led them to their room. The inn is nice and affordable too but the personnel is slacking. But that's okay as they'll only stay here for today.

After placing their things, they took a bath to clean themselves. For 4 days of traveling, they only had showered 2 times when they encountered a small fall and a river. That was an experience for Wan Shen. It was fun.

Wan Shen bathed Baozi also. He's so energetic and bubbly while his mother washing him up.

"Are you happy, Baozi'er? The water is nice, isn't it?" Wan Shen cooed his son and Baozi just smiled. He dressed him up and breastfed him after washing his little one. The three of them did nothing but sleep for the whole day to regain their energy from the exhausting travel.

The morning came and tomorrow is the time they need to leave the Xu empire but before that, they need to enjoy the Xu empire first, hence the three of them decided to look around. After securing Baozi in his babywear, the two headed out.

The busy bustling capital has a lot of people and different kinds of products they're selling that Wan Shen has never seen before. He's like a kid seeing new toys and he wants to buy them all.

While strolling, they saw a line of people in a restaurant and thought that maybe it's the best restaurant in the capital. Consequently, they decided to try the restaurant. While in line, Yu Yan asked some of the customers. "Is the food here that good?" he questioned.

"Yes! They make the best soup and noodles in the capital!" The man exclaimed. They got excited to try the food because of what the man said. Their seat was located in the open window and while looking outside a woman approached them.

"Good afternoon, May I take your order?" the two gentlemen that the woman who's facing right now is gorgeous. They're so good-looking even though they're wearing simple clothes. The one she's eyeing right now has cat eyes and is fierce looking. She's her type! She arranges her clothes to show some of her cleavage to get noticed.

"What is your best seller here?" Wan Shen asked.

"Me, my lord." She teased. Yu Yan almost choked from his saliva. The girl has no shame at all. Wan Shen cocked his eyebrows after hearing it. Is she flirting with me?

"Of course, I'm just kidding! You know to enlighten the mood!" She laughed but it was phony from Yu Yan's and Wan Shen's points of view.

"The thick noodles with pork." she explained. Wan Shen snobbed the girl and her cleavage which doesn't even affect him a little. She's barking at the wrong tree.

"We'll take that." Yu Yan is the one who answered. She nodded then brought her gaze back to Wan Shen again. She made her voice cute but seductive. "Is there anything you need to add—" her sentence was cut off when Baozi interfere.

Her jaw dropped and was flabbergasted. She didn't notice the baby at all. She thought it was some sort of a bag that Wan Shen's wearing.

Wan Shen soothed his Baozi'er and played with him. It seems like Baozi woke up from the noise, especially from the annoying voice of the girl who's flirting with his mother.

"Is that your child?" she asked with visible signs of hostility. She can't seem to accept that the man she's aiming for has a child already. There's no way that's his child! It's maybe his niece or nephew.

"Yes." Wan Shen answered with no hesitation. The girl internally gasped. No way! She noticed the man's silent rejection but she'll not accept it. She's known for captivating and capturing men's eyes and hearts. She gets what she wants.

"Are you a single father? You know... If you're looking for a partner and someone can take care of your child, I can be his mother." she made her voice seductive and her eyes glistened.

Wan Shen wanted to roll his eyes and show a grimace of disapproval. He's getting annoyed and hungry. He wants to eat.

"I'm the MOTHER and I'm already married." Wan Shen answered. Although the last part is obviously a lie, he's not lying about being Baozi's mother.

"Can you just please take our order. We're getting hungry." Yu Yan butted in. He can feel his master getting irritated. The last thing he wants is to cause a scene. It's not good as they're on a run.

A red tone flushed on the girl's cheeks from embarrassment and rejection. Never in her life has a man rejected her! She gritted her teeth and stomped as she went back to prepare their order.

Wan Shen let out a sigh. Thank Heavens that his son interfered and made that woman go away. He actually doesn't know how to deal with those sticky wickets who can't accept rejections at all. It's draining his energy. He gently hugged his little one to get charged and Baozi made a cute sound that warms Wan Shen's heart.

Their food arrived and it was a different person who brought it. It's better because Wan Shen doesn't want to face the woman again. Yu Yan who was hungry tasted the food and was satisfied with the noodles. It's the best noodles he ever tasted.

Seeing Yu Yan beaming with satisfaction from the noodles, Wan Shen tasted them. But the noodles made him furrowed. It's quite bland for his taste. It's honestly not good. The instant ramen from his previous life and the noodles he cooks are far much better than the noodles he's eating now. The noodles lack some seasonings and spices.

Yu Yan saw his master's face. "Master, are you okay? Do you not like the food?" he asked.

"I'm okay. I'm just disappointed with the food. It's not good as they claim it." Wan Shen answered in all honesty.

"What do you mean, master? The noodles are good!" Yu Yan gushed.

"Mine is better though." Wan Shen replied with full of confidence. He worked in the hospitality industry after all. Cooking is one of his specialties.

Yu Yan gasped in awe. "Master, knows how to cook?" his voice sounds energetic.

"Of course! I'll let you have a taste of my favourite dish—"

"Hey! Didn't I tell you not to come back here?! You're making my customers go away!"

Wan Shen's sentence was cut off because of someone's yell. He peeked at the open window to see what was happening.

"I have money now. I can buy your noodles!" The little boy replied. He's so little and kind of malnourished. He's wearing dirty clothes and has some specks of dirt on his face. Looks like the child is an orphan. The guy grabbed the little boy's collar which made him lift a little off the ground.

"I don't care! We already told you that you should not come here again! And you're dirty!" The guy shouted. The little boy pursed his lips and gripped his earned coins tightly suppressing his anger and forming tears.

The guy freed him suddenly and pushed him a little which made the child stumble and fall from the ground. "Don't be so hard-headed!" The guy arrogantly pointed his finger.

The child stood up and still wants to go in. "Let me in! I have money! I want to try the noodles!!" He whined and forced his way in while hitting the guy with his little fists.

Wan Shen stood up from his seat as he cannot stand what was happening. He headed towards the guy and the little boy.

"M-master...." Yu Yan was alarmed, afraid that his master might get involved in the scene. He wants their profile to stay low. It's too risky.

"Let him eat. I'll take care of him don't worry." Wan Shen reassured as he holds the child's hand and puts him on his side. Wan Shen's other hand is rubbing Baozi's back to soothe him so he doesn't wake up again.

The guy scans Wan Shen while thinking if it's okay to let the child in. In the end, he did let Wan Shen but warned him that if something happened because of the child, they'll get banned. Ha! As if they're coming back here with their bland noodles.

As they seat, the boy's face beamed with happiness. "Thank you very much, mister gege!" the child thanked Wan Shen with so much joy. His face is so bright like a glowing sun because of his smile as if he didn't experience the abuse and humiliation earlier.

"What do you want to eat?" He asked.

"Ohh! Let me count first!" The child put his coins on the table and counts his money with so much focus and seriousness. Wan Shen chuckled. He saw himself as a little kid when he was young. He also counts his money from what he earned before buying something.

He patted the child's head. "Don't worry, it's my treat. Keep your money and use it for future purposes." he stated. The child's eyes twinkled from bliss. He thanked Wan Shen many times and kept saying that he was an angel. Wan Shen just laughed.

Yu Yan is the one who made an order for the little boy. He's delighted to see his master laughing genuinely and happy again. Those past months were hell for his master. Most of the time his expression is blank or stressed out. He didn't look good, it was as if he was on the verge of everything.

"Is that your baby?" The little boy asked and is curious and wanted to look to see the baby fully. Wan Shen gladly showed his sleeping Baozi.

"This is my treasure, my baby." Wan Shen arranges his son's position. "His name is Minsheng but I call him Baozi. How about you? What is your name?" Wan Shen asked the boy.

"I don't have a name." the child scratches his head. Wan Shen uttered an "Oh..." in a low voice.

"Then how old are you?" Wan Shen changes his question.

"I'm 5!" The little one exclaimed brightly. Wan Shen cannot help but smile too. The child's beaming face and adorable smile are very contagious.

"Do you have guardians with you?" Yu Yan chimed in.

"No. My master died months ago. He found me in the mountains when I was a baby when he was looking for materials for his new chariot." The child explained.

"Then where are you living now?" Wan Shen asked.

"Anywhere! But sometimes I sneaked into the horses' stables every night to sleep." The child answered with all smiles. Wan Shen felt bad. He's cheerful yet his living conditions are horrible.

His order came and they stopped questioning him. They let the child eat happily with his noodles. His feet are swinging in joy. Wan Shen wants to pinch his cheeks because he's too adorable. He's so cute!

The little bunny has a nice face if those dirts on his face are cleaned good and gone. He's a mixture of handsome but pretty at the same time. Such a good looking child! Wan Shen wondered why such a parent would leave this adorable little bun and let them survive on their own. He hates it as, he too, grew up without parents and was forced to survive with his little body.

They stayed in the restaurant for a while and continued to stroll together with the child they helped.

AHSTHAN