Resplendent – Chapter 391

Chapter 391: Eager

Prince Tai was pacing around the hall, anxious like an ant on a hot pan, turning in circles! 

Guo Chao, who had been hiding off to the side, turned red-eyed when he saw Grand Pharmacist Jiang and his party head to the third floor, especially to the Buchan Palace.  He immediately dashed over to Prince Tai, huffing angrily, and said, “Prince, are you playing me for a fool? You clearly booked the Buchan Palace already, and yet you asked me to lend you a private room? Isn’t this just messing with me?” 

That’s right! 

Prince Tai had been utterly confused! The young lady from the Gu family clearly said she was waiting for him in Buchan Palace to drink tea, which meant what?

 It meant the Buchan Palace had already been reserved! He had foolishly been waiting around down here, feeling anxious!

Prince Tai Jun’s face stiffened. He placed his hands behind his back, puffed out his beer belly, and snorted coldly, saying, “So, it turns out that our brotherhood is so fragile!  A little test, and you show your true colors!  As expected, wine and meat friends are unreliable. From now on, don’t come to me for help with anything, Guo Chao! Hmph!”

Guo Chao had always looked down on this good-for-nothing, wine-loving prince! Aside from his title and a bit of wealth, what else did he have going for him?

But to his surprise, this seemingly useless prince had actually managed to get in good with the grand pharmacist, someone so elusive that even people who broke their heads trying to find ways to connect couldn’t reach him. He could even strike up a conversation with the Gu family, who had just arrived in the capital.

This made Guo Chao reassess the value of this good-for-nothing prince! No, when they sit down at the dinner table later, he’d have to talk with his friends about how to make up with this good-for-nothing prince!

Prince Tai hurried upstairs, reaching the door of the Buchan Palace. He rubbed his hands together in excitement. He gently knocked on the door, and from inside came a crisp “Come in,” which made his small eyes light up instantly.

He pushed the door open and heard the young lady and an unfamiliar boy discussing the famous paintings and calligraphy hanging on the wall. Prince Tai quickly approached with a smile and said, “Little Aunt Master, do you like famous calligraphy and paintings?  I happen to have a landscape painting by the great master Wu Pinyan from the previous dynasty. Look at me, I’m not exactly someone who appreciates fine art, but I’ve always given swords to heroes and beautiful makeup to lovely ladies. If you don’t mind, I’ll send it over to you tomorrow!”

“Wu Pinyan’s landscape?” Jun Qicheng let out a soft exclamation. “There aren’t many surviving works by Master Wu, and his landscape paintings are especially rare! No matter how much money you have, you might not be able to buy one!”

“Flattery always comes with a hidden agenda… Come on, what’s your purpose?” Gu Ye sat down on one of the Eight Immortals chairs, comfortably leaning back against the chair. She held a glass of fruit tea, sipping it with great enjoyment.

Prince Tai quickly moved over and sat in the empty chair beside her, grinning as he said, “Look at you, what purpose could I have? In the evening, I may have had a bit too much to drink and almost accidentally hurt you. This painting is my way of making it up to you.”

“I’m not saying you! When you’ve been drinking, don’t ride a horse! Luckily, my brother is strong enough to control the galloping horse. If it had been anyone else, they’d have already been trampled under its hooves! As a royal family member, you should set a good example, not bring shame to the royal family…” The young girl, about ten or so, scolded the chubby man in his twenties like he was a child. The scene was quite amusing.

Prince Tai was even more obedient than in front of his own father, frequently nodding and saying, “You’re right, Aunt Master! It won’t happen again!” 

The dignified Prince Tai was so willing to humble himself that Gu Ye decided to stop scolding him. Despite his frivolous behavior, Prince Tai wasn’t an evil person, otherwise, Jiang Zhongtian wouldn’t have treated him with any courtesy.

When Prince Tai saw that Gu Ye finally gave him a favorable look, he eagerly said to her and Jiang Qiu, “Grand Pharmacist Jiang, Aunt Master, let me treat you all to this meal. Consider it a welcome dinner for you and Elder Master Gu! We met as soon as you arrived in the capital, and you know, I have quite a connection with Aunt Master.”

Gu Ye rolled her eyes—Who has any connection with you? Stop deluding yourself!

Prince Tai, seemingly oblivious to her unflattering eye roll, continued enthusiastically, “Aunt Master, what would you like to eat? Just order whatever you like! The dishes here at Qingfeng Pavilion are the most unique in the capital, with the most interesting and delicious flavors. How about… we get a little bit of everything for you to try?”

Gu Ye looked at him as though he were a fool and replied, “Qingfeng Pavilion has 68 signature dishes alone. Just ordering one of each signature dish would fill this entire table. If you want to serve every dish here, you’d need ten or more tables. Are you planning on throwing a grand banquet?”

“I didn’t expect you’d know so much about the restaurant!” Prince Tai said, somewhat surprised, though his gaze seemed to glance modestly at Gu Ye’s luxurious water glint silk dress. 

This kind of silk was something even the favored concubines in the palace might not have, so the Gu family was clearly not ordinary!

Gu Ming exchanged a look with Jun Qicheng, both of them smiling slightly at the corners of their lips. Speaking of his sister, she was more than just knowledgeable about Qingfeng Pavilion. Most of the signature dishes there were created by her… with her mouth. She was also practically half the owner of Qingfeng Pavilion!

Gu Ye didn’t hold back when Prince Tai asked her to order.  She grabbed the menu, asked her senior brother for his favorite flavors, and then quickly ordered six cold dishes, eight hot dishes, and two soups.

When Prince Tai saw the dishes ordered, he knew she was a true foodie. All the most famous and tastiest dishes from Qingfeng Pavilion were among the selections!

The dishes were quickly brought out, and Gu Ye, feeling hungry, grabbed a few of her favorite dishes and began to eat heartily. Halfway through, she suddenly remembered her cheap master, who had arrived in the capital two months before her.

“Senior brother, where’s master?” He loves Dongpo pork and boiled fish, could you please pack some for him to take back?” Gu Ye thought about how the lodging for the Pharmacists’ Association was some distance from the restaurant. Going to fetch him now wouldn’t be quite proper. So, she came up with the idea of packing the dishes.

Jiang Qiu took a sip of fine wine, savoring it slowly. He usually didn’t drink much, but he enjoyed savoring wine. The Five Grain Liquor from Qingfeng Pavilion was rich and fragrant, but not too strong, giving a good kick when drinking.

Hearing this, he smiled and said, “Master has always been restless. A month ago, he went to Lin County to visit friends, saying he would return before the convention. When he left the capital, he specifically asked me to take care of you.”

Gu Ye smiled and replied, “Then I’ll trouble senior brother.”

“I’ve already arranged for a guest room in the inn’s courtyard. After the meal, Elder Master Gu and the two young masters can move to the inn to rest,” Jiang Qiu clinked glasses with Grandpa Gu and drank another cup of wine.

Jiang Zhongtian had never known his father’s alcohol tolerance was so strong. He had already drunk several cups of fifty-proof distilled liquor without his face turning red or his heart racing, as if he hadn’t drunk at all.

Gu Xiao drained his cup of wine and smiled, “Thank you for your kindness, Grand Pharmacist Jiang, but I have a small house in the West City. I’ll trouble you no more!”