The Meal

 The owner still didn't show any sign of panic. He still had a smug look on his face. "That's correct too. Just the last one and you can have a free meal."

Jiao Qingxiao bit her lips. She could guess that this one would indeed be the hardest given the owner's confidence. 

"Through the winds of winter and stones of the wall, a woman's sorrow brought down a mighty fort. "

Her eyes lightened up immediately. She knew this one by heart. That man told her the story. She was struggling to open her eyes. Yet she failed to see his face. It was a pity. 

"Lady Meng Jiang"

In the Qin dynasty, Lady Meng Jiang's husband was forcefully sent to the service by the imperial officials and sent as corvee labour to build the Great Wall of China. Lady Meng Jiang heard nothing after his departure, and so she set out to bring him winter clothes. However, fate was cruel. By the time she reached the Great Wall, her husband had already died. Hearing the news of his death, she wept so bitterly that a part of the Great Wall collapsed, revealing his bones.

She uttered, staring into the owner's eyes, happily.

The owner frowned. Such a little girl figured it out so easily? 

He turned around to take a look inside. The restaurant was almost filled. Well, a free meal would be worth the good amount of customers.

Still, with a half hearted smile he welcomed her in. 

Grabbing He Qilin with her, Qingxiao gladly ran inside.

Looking at the food, her smile stiffened. How stingy can one be? You opened a restaurant, organised a competition and now can't keep your own damn words?

On the white plate, rested two single thin mooncakes. 

"What is this?" Qingxiao slammed her hand on the counter, glaring at the man counting money.

"Your reward." The man looked unwavering, as he continued counting the pennies. 

"Reward? You call this a reward?"

"You can't expect anything better for free, lady."

"The hell do you mean by saying that? I literally solved three entire riddles and…"

He Qilin standing behind her felt so embarrassed that she wished she could dig a hole and hide inside it at that very moment. 

She tried to pull on Qingxiao's hand as hard as possible, in vain.

"Miss, there's your fully served meal." The owner suddenly appeared in front of the enraged Jiao Qingxiao. He gave a warning glare at the cashier to not open his mouth anymore. 

He rubbed his hands together embarrassedly, as he politely brought the two of them to a special seat inside a reserved room. Who knew such a young girl from nowhere knew such a big shot? 

As Qingxiao happily feasted on the delicious noodles, a man standing in the dark corner of the upper floor stared into emptiness. 

"Did she receive it?" 

"Yes, yes. She seems satisfied with the selection of dishes." The owner offered a gratifying smile, despite the other person's inability to see so.

The man had a fond gentle smile on his lips. "From now onwards, every time she visits, offer her everything for a low price. I will bear the cost."

"Sure, sure." The owner nodded his head like a chicken pecking on grain. 

The man dismissed him. 

'It's so good to have you back again. It's just that ....last time still turns out to be the last I could see you again.' He sighed to himself. 

Walking down the stairs he got inside the sedan with the help of Tang Lei. 

—-------------------------

"Say, who sent you here?" A cane was ruthlessly struck on the back of Chang Jing. 

A man dressed in eye -catching bright red robes with golden azure clouds embroidered on it, rested on a seat in front. As his subordinate continued to cane Chang Jing.

"I…I truly don't know anything."

"What is this token then?" 

He held the jade white token in front.

A while ago,

He was with the master discussing the failed secret assassin attempt, when he heard a splashing sound. Hurrying out of the shelter he went outside, only to see a well dressed young man submerged in the cold water, trying to get up, holding a white token in his hand. 

Swiftly he jumped in, grabbing the man by his neck. And now here they were. 

Tang Liang coldly stared at Chang Jing. This shelter was hidden from the eyes of even the imperial guards. In that case, how could this man find out about its existence? No way…he can't be allowed to live. 

Raising his two fingers in the air, he gestured at his subordinate. 

Chang Jing's heart raised. He was well aware of what that indicated. Bowing with his head touching the floor, he shouted as loudly as possible, "I am the finance minister's nephew. You can't do this to me."

He was too young ok? Yet to marry, yet to have a child and yet to pass the imperial exam. 

Tang Fenghua frowned. He raised his hand to stop Tang Shao. 

"The finance minister?"

Chang Jing looked up, nodding his head as vigorously as possible, and he responded, "Yes, yes, I am the son of his third sister."

"How did you end up here?"

"I just said that I was having a headache and …

"Forget it."

He took out a token, throwing it at him.

Chang Jing picked up the lion printed token with shaky hands. His eyes widened.

"Gree..greetings..this humble servant greets the fourth prince."

"Work for me. And your safety will be my responsibility. Don't inform anyone else."

Turning beside him, he nodded at Tang Shao.