Chapter 209: The First Encounter
Translator: Antonia
Since the reorganization by Mo Qianxue, in a dozen days, Yuji Restaurant had become a popular one in the capital city from an obscure ordinary restaurant.
One of the reasons was naturally because Wang Tianrui brought over, as Mo Qianxue requested, several jars of vinegar produced by the factory, which contributed to many new appetizing dishes for the restaurant.
Another reason was the employment of a new manager, who acted meticulously on Mo Qianxue’s command.
The restaurant originally had three floors. The first floor had been the lobby, the second floor a few VIP rooms, and the third floor, due to the narrow staircase, a storeroom considering the guests might not want to take the trouble to go upstairs and it was inconvenient to serve dishes too.
Yet, a higher altitude granted a farther-reaching vision! The third floor had a spectacular vista of the whole capital, something precious to tasteful people. Shame it was idle as a storeroom.
After Mo Qianxue took over the restaurant, she had the idled staff moved out of the third floor and had it decorated into two luxurious VIP rooms—Coziness and Dream.
She also had another independent staircase built which didn’t connect to the one bridging the lobby and the second floor. Both of the two VIP rooms had hallways in order to ensure safety and privacy.
Because of the change of layout, new dishes and promotions, the restaurant was now very busy and full of guests all the day.
At this moment, Mo Qianxue and Junzhu Susu was in Dream on the third floor.
This luxurious VIP room had just been open to guests, and it was preserved for many times. Quite hot. If Mo Qianxue hadn’t sent the news three days ago, she was afraid even she couldn’t get this room if she showed up this noon without preservation.
However, exquisite and tasteful as it was now, it wasn’t that good to receive a super-family master to entertain his friends. She bet it was because Ning Shaoqing had known that she was the owner of this restaurant and was trying to level it up for her.
Ning Shaoqing was no longer the eldest young lord of the Ning clan or the school teacher in the Wang village. Therefore, there couldn’t be many people that he called friends. Probably, he was discussing important matters, so it would be impolite if she suddenly took Susu over there.
After a moment of contemplation, Mo Qianxue refused and ordered Yunyao to just serve dishes for her and Junzhu Susu and not to disturb Ning Shaoqing.
Yunyao took the order, without asking why, curtsied, stepped back, and opened the door behind her.
On the moment the door was open, she saw a cold-faced man in black was standing at the door.
She was alerted because the man’s sight had passed her to dwell on Mo Qianxue. He bowed to her from afar and said loudly, “Nice to meet you, Miss Mo. I’m Saber, inviting you and Junzhu Susu over as my master requested.”
His voice was like himself, indifferent without a ghost of emotion.
Although Mo Qianxue had never seen him, she knew he must be a close guard to Ning Shaoqing, because the air he carried with him was exactly the same with that of Ghost and Shadow.
Her life was tangled with him. Certainly she should meet his friends. Clear of the man’s identity, Mo Qianxue didn’t intent to be hypocritical, “Okay. Tell your mater, Junzhu Susu and I will be there soon.”
She would blend into his life, accept his friends and everything he was facing.
Getting the words, Saber turned away and left. Yunyao, hand stiff on the door, at a lost, looked back.
Mo Qianxue said, “Later, you serve the food personally.” She believed Ning Shaoqing wouldn’t want others to know that he was here.
Afterwards, Mo Qianxue motioned to Yunyao, who turned away and closed the door behind her.
As soon as Yunyao left, Susu began to tease her, “It’s all because of you that today I’m so lucky to be meeting the most mysterious and honorable man in the capital.”
Mo Qianxue smiled, “Stop laughing at me. I’d like to see what kind of man will gain your heart…”
Mo Qianxue was joking, but on the words, Junzhu Susu’s face darkened a little, some sorrow surfacing in her eyes.
The sorrow fleeted by but was captured by Mo Qianxue’s keen sight. Mo Qianxue was shocked and almost believed she had an illusion. She used to believe that Junzhu Susu was a wayward carefree girl who laughed or cried whenever she wanted to and never had regrets…
However, on a second thought, even though the noble ladies in the capital usually got married and stayed in the original family until eighteen years old, most of them were engaged at around sixteen. Now, Junzhu Susu was over seventeen but still not engaged. Even if she never mentioned it, she must be sorry for herself.
Prince Jing, the uncle of the Emperor, was the most powerful prince in the capital, so Junzhu Susu, his only daughter, was ranked only second to princesses. There must be few men that Prince Jing deemed worthy of her.
All the thoughts went by in a flash. Then, Mo Qianxue subtly shifted to another topic, “Susu, do I look proper? …”
Dressing was always the best topic among women. Junzhu Susu held her hands and looked up and down, “You look simple but elegant… There is charm in every of your lithe steps… I bet master Ning will fall for your immediately!”
“Susu, you’re making fun of me again…”
Their nannies knowingly came up to help broom their clothes and hair after getting the news that their ladies were invited by the distinguished men to have meal together, while the two girls were still joking and laughing.
Afterwards, the nannies moved to follow behind, and Mo Qianxue and Junzhu Susu walked out of Dream hand in hand, passing the hallway, and headed for the other room, Coziness.
At the door of Coziness stood a few guards. Seeing Mo Qianxue and Junzhu Susu coming over, they didn’t talk but bowed as greeting. Saber pulled open the door and gestured them the way.
Mo Qianxue and Junzhu Susu paced in, and the nannies also followed inside in view of the presence of men. The four got in, but Yuxuan, Chuyi, Shiwu and Junzhu Susu’s servants were blocked outside. They could only join the guards and wait outside at the door.
Once she walked in, she glanced around and saw four men, Ning Shaoqing, Su Qi, a man looking familiar, and a man she never met.
Since when did Su Qi and Ning Shaoiqng become friends? Mo Qianxue was slightly stunned, but her smiling face and the steady pace didn’t give anything away.
However, she felt that Junzhu Susu’s hand holding hers was tighter and trembled a little.
To her surprise, Junzhu Susu, a seemingly careless girl, should be so nervous when meeting with men. Mo Qianxue smirked and slightly turned to her.
Her face flushed reddish, eyes blazing like being lit by flame, knuckles clenching harder from agitation.
Mo Qianxue didn’t understand but held her harder as well, as a way to comfort her.
Seeing her come in, Ning Shaoqing smiled but then frowned at the sight of their holding hands.
Due to distinguished identity Ning Shaoqing didn’t need to stand up to welcome them, but somehow he still involuntarily got to his feet and held out his arm to Mo Qianxue.
Once he stood up, everybody else couldn’t be impolite to sit down, all standing up in a welcoming posture.
Yet, Su Qi’s smile was made of efforts. Seeing Ning Shaoqing’s hands on her, Su Qi repeated warned himself that this girl belonged to Ning Shaoqing instead of himself. Nevertheless, his eyes still paled into grey.
He held Mo Qianxue to the table and introduced one by one, “This is Su Jinyu, eldest young lord of the Su clan. This is Mr. Su Qi. And this is Mr. Lu Zhengyang.”
Although Mo Qianxue and Su Qi were familiar, Ning Shaoqing found it improper to miss him out during the introduction.
Then, he turned to Mo Qianxue and continued, “This is Mo Qianxue, lady of the Founder mansion. And this is Junzhu Susu.”
Mo Qianxue greeted everyone with a curtsy, “Nice to meet you all, eldest young lord Su, lord Su Qi, and Mr. Lu.” Despite her private relationship with Su Qi, she still had to be courteous.
Junzhu Susu didn’t need to curtsy to them because of her high rank and only nodded when Mo Qianxue did.
The three slightly bowed to greet Mo Qianxue back.
Then, they turned to greet in a more formal way to Junzhu Susu, who still nodded to greet back.
Afterwards, the two nannies pulled the chair and served their ladies to take a seat.
Su Jinyu raised his glass, “I was lucky to have met Miss. Mo twice at the court. Your eloquent speech and self-composure in refuting against the impeachment and slandering of the whole house of officials still rang vivid in my mind. You’re indeed an excellent woman. I admire you very much.”
She wasn’t for him or his younger brother but became the wife of Ning Shaoqing, who was both a friend and foe. Yet, he was still willing to wish her the best and happiness.
Su Jinyu praised and bottomed up.
“You’re flattering me, lord Su! I’ve heard of your fame as a gentleman of great learning and exceptional martial arts long time ago. You’re a role model of males. The honor is mine to have met you today.”
Then, Mo Qianxue also drank all the wine in her glass. The wine Yunyao had prepared for her and Junzhu Susu were low-alcohol fruit wine, and Ning Shaoqing was here, so it was okay for her to drink a little.
Lu Zhengyang raised his glass, “No wonder you’re known as the most talented woman in Tianqi. I’ve heard master Ning mentioned you several times. Miss. Mo really deserves such a fame.”
Mo Qianxue replied politely, “I’m really flattered!”
Su Qi didn’t say much and had already hidden the shade of grey in his eyes, toasting to her out of nowhere, “Congratulations!”
He hadn’t visited Mo Qianxue in the Founder mansion for many days, because he was recently occupied with various affairs. When he left work, it was too late to visit her.
For many times, he had stood at the gate of the Founder mansion and stared silently.
No matter who she belonged, she said they were friends… No matter what, he must visit her tomorrow and teach her sword… Nothing would stop him…
In the future, once she moved to the Ning mansion, it was difficult to meet her again.
Clever as he was, he certainly understood that many things were actually arranged by Ning Shaoqing.