The carriage arrived at the entrance of Yan Mansion just as the sky was brightening. The two gatekeepers, Yan Ji and Yan Xiang, were cleaning the area when they saw the unfamiliar carriage stopping in front of the house. They were puzzled until they saw Yan Ge stepping out from inside, causing them great shock. Wasn’t Second Young Master supposed to have entered the palace?
“Se… Second, Second Young Master?”
Yan Ge smiled and said, “Go and inform Madam that I have returned. Keep it discreet.”
“Yes, yes.”
Yan Ji dropped the broom and hurried inside.
Madam Yan walked out quickly, both overjoyed and shocked to see Yan Ge. She was only worried that something unfortunate had happened, and that the Emperor had driven him out of the palace. She grabbed Yan Ge’s arm, her voice trembling, “Ge’er, what… what’s going on?”
“Mother, don’t worry, it’s good news.” Yan Ge patted her hand and supported her. “Let’s go inside and talk.”
Gao Feng and Gao Yun, who were monitoring him, could not be left outside, so he signaled them to enter as well.
Once they were seated in the hall, Madam Yan immediately asked, “Ge’er, what exactly happened? Explain it clearly to mother.”
Yan Ge said, “It’s difficult to explain in a short time. In any case, it’s good news. The Emperor gave me a token that allows me to leave the palace every day, and he also assigned two skilled imperial guards to protect me. They are Gao Feng and Gao Yun, elite guards skilled in combat.”
Gao Feng and Gao Yun respectfully saluted, “Greetings, Madam Yan.”
Madam Yan carefully examined the token and saw the genuine smile on Yan Ge’s face before finally believing him. She breathed a sigh of relief and said, “You naughty child! You startled mother by suddenly returning like this.”
“I apologize for worrying you,” Yan Ge said. “Did Father leave for court? Is Elder Brother not here as well?”
“Yes, your father went to the Imperial Academy for official business,” Madam Yan looked at him affectionately. “Did you wake up early today? Are you hungry? I’ll have someone prepare food for you.”
“I’m not hungry,” Yan Ge replied. “Mother, I want to go to Liuxian Pavilion first. I’ll return and have lunch with you when Father and Elder Brother come back.”
Madam Yan had missed him a lot and felt reluctant to let him go. After hesitating for a moment, she nodded, “Alright. Don’t stay out too late. I’ll have them prepare your favorite dishes. Take this jade pendant with you, so that people in the restaurant will know you’re the owner.”
Before leaving, Yan Ge instructed Madam Yan to take good care of the household staff. It would be best if they didn’t spread the news about the palace consort had left the palace.
Madam Yan smiled faintly, and a hint of shrewdness could be seen in her normally gentle eyes. “Don’t worry, I’m not that clueless. Rest assured, no one will say a word.”
Yan Ge found Madam Yan quite cute as a woman from ancient times, and he hugged her affectionately, making Madam Yan burst into laughter.
In the capital city where every inch of land was valuable, the prime locations had already been occupied by various types of shops, including numerous restaurants. Yan Xiaojing and Yan Su had put a lot of effort into finding a suitable place on a slightly less bustling street. It was a two-story grand restaurant, but unfortunately, it lacked uniqueness and was poorly managed.
Eventually, it closed down amidst fierce competition in the restaurant industry. Yan Xiaojing and Yan Su bought it and it was now under Madam Yan’s name.
“When we go to Liuxian Pavilion later, don’t reveal my identity as the owner.”
“Yes,” all four of them responded.
Yan Ge advised Wan Xiang and Xiao Chuanzi, “I might have further use for you in the future. So, while you’re outside, observe and learn more. If you have any doubts, don’t hesitate to ask. I don’t keep useless people by my side. Understood?”
Wan Xiang and Xiao Chuanzi had seen how extraordinary there master, especially since he was able to move into Tenglong Palace, and when they heard his words, became excited and thrilled.
Gao Feng and Gao Yun exchanged a glance, slightly altering their perception of Yan Ge. From his demeanor and style of conduct alone, they could tell that this young master was extraordinary, unlike typical young masters from official families. Could it be that the Emperor had also recognized this, which led to the unprecedented decision of allowing a consort to freely leave the palace, a move considered shocking and unconventional?
Upon reaching the entrance of Liuxian Pavilion, the carriage came to a stop, and three waiters dressed in identical black attire approached them. “Welcome, esteemed guests. Allow me to take care of your horses and ensure they are well attended to.”
At the same time, a waiter dressed in clean and tidy white attire rushed down the steps from the entrance, greeting Yan Ge, who was clearly in the dominant position. “Please, young master, come inside! Is it your first time here? The dishes at Liuxian Pavilion are unparalleled. I assure you that you won’t regret this visit. Please!”
Enthusiastic without being wordy. Yan Ge nodded secretly.
The waiters in black attire led the carriage and horses to the stable behind the restaurant.
The waiter asked, “Would the young master prefer a quiet private room or to sit in the bustling main hall?”
Yan Ge surveyed the surroundings. The morning business was good, and the main hall was quickly filling up.
“In the main hall.”
“Yes, this way, please.” The waiter led them to an empty table.
Yan Ge instructed Gao Feng, Gao Yun, Wan Xiang, and Xiao Chuanzi to sit together at the same table. Gao Feng and Gao Yun hesitated for a moment but eventually sat down. Xiao Shuanzi stubbornly refused to sit with them and chose to sit at another table, so Yan Ge had no choice but to let him be.
“May I know what you would like to eat? Here is the menu.”
Yan Ge smiled and said, “Eat without worry, this meal is on me.” He ordered a steamed dumpling and a fish slice porridge for himself and asked the others to place their orders.
Wan Xiang and Xiao Chuanzi knew that their master’s word was final, so they confidently ordered what they desired. Gao Feng, Gao Yun, and Xiao Shuanzi initially had some reservations but followed suit and ordered their preferred dishes.
Yan Ge looked around the main hall. It was clean and well-maintained, with new tables and chairs. The walls had been freshly painted, each table was separated by four round wooden pillars adorned with delicate sheer curtains, creating an atmosphere of privacy and adding a touch of elegance. The neatly dressed waiter moved calmly through the aisle, silently placing each dish on the table and politely saying, “Enjoy your meal,” before moving on.
His gaze focused on the manager behind the counter. The man was a slender middle-aged man in his forties. The combination of refinement and shrewdness was not contradictory in him. He was currently engrossed in his calculations, and the smile at the corner of his mouth revealed that business had been good recently.
Yan Ge calculated silently, deducing that the main hall could accommodate at least 30 tables. Judging by the area, the second floor would have at least 10 elegant private rooms. With stable business, the minimum monthly income would be 20,000 taels. Assuming each room accommodated only four people, Liuxian Pavilion could cater to 40 distinguished guests. However, given the size of the capital city, there must be more than 40 distinguished individuals. In other words, a second Liuxian Pavilion, or even a third, could certainly be established.
As Yan Ge pondered, a customer at a nearby table suddenly clutched his stomach and fell to the ground, exclaiming, “Ah, my stomach hurts!”
Then, the other two people at the same table also writhed on the ground.
“I feel the pain too! The food at Liuxian Pavilion is contaminated. We can’t eat it—”
“We must have been poisoned!”
“What?!”
The customers in the main hall immediately panicked, standing up in alarm and looking anxiously at the food they had already consumed on their tables.
Wan Xiang and Xiao Chuanzi’s expressions changed, both turning their gaze toward Yan Ge.
“Gao Feng, keep an eye on the food at that table. No one is allowed to touch it. Gao Yun, find a doctor immediately,” Yan Ge said in a low voice, calmly sitting and leisurely eating steamed dumplings, his gaze flickering towards the manager.
Gao Feng and Gao Yun followed his orders and departed.
The Manager’s face turned pale. He stepped out from behind the counter and hurriedly walked towards the three individuals. “How could this be poisoning? The food at Liuxian Pavilion is the cleanest! Did people from other restaurants ask you to come and deliberately cause trouble? I’ve seen such tricks many times! Everyone, everyone, please don’t believe them…”
Yan Ge frowned, and he put down his chopsticks.
“Then why does my stomach hurt so much? It must be a problem with your food!”
“Yeah, I feel the same.”
“Take them away first,” the manager said with a stern expression, instructing several bewildered waiters, and desperately trying to persuade the departing customers, ”Everyone, it’s definitely not a problem with our food. Otherwise, why would only the people at that table have stomachaches?”
The customers valued their lives and wouldn’t easily believe him. Many of them hastily left, calling for a doctor. Some bolder individuals, who didn’t feel any pain in their own stomachs for now, stayed behind, crowding together to watch the commotion.
The main hall became significantly emptier.
Yan Ge walked a few steps and glanced at the three individuals, their faces indeed looking abnormal. He then asked the manager, “Manager, shouldn’t we call a doctor for them first?”
The manager, seething with anger over the potential adverse impact of this incident on Liuxian Pavilion, didn’t bother to turn his head. He retorted impatiently, “It’s obvious that those three are faking it—”
Yan Ge’s smile grew wider, although his eyes revealed displeasure. “Oh? Are you so sure? What if they are genuinely ill? Can you bear the responsibility?”
The manager looked over in fury and was about to get angry, but suddenly his mind cleared. Most of those who could afford to dine at Liúxiānju had bug backgrounds. He couldn’t afford to inadvertently offend someone important.
“Young master, please rest assured. I, Yuan Mou, will definitely handle this matter properly.”
Yan Ge glanced at him indifferently.
“Young master, the doctor has arrived.”
Gao Yun swiftly used his lightness technique and returned quickly, holding a startled old physician.
“Doctor, please examine them quickly,” urged Wan Xiang. She knew that this restaurant was owned by her master’s family and she was especially concerned.
The old physician nodded and began taking their pulses.
“Hmm, it’s poisoning. Fortunately, it’s only a mild case, with symptoms of abdominal pain. They just need to consume a medicinal concoction and they will be fine.”
“The food at Liuxian Pavilion is actually poisonous!” The customers murmured, their faces filled with anger, indicating they would not come back in the future.
Yan Ge promptly spoke up, “Doctor, could you please examine all the dishes on every table and determine if it’s only the food on one table that is poisoned or if all the dishes are contaminated?”
The manager saw his composed and tactful handling, and snapped out of his daze, wondering who he was.
Upon hearing Yan Ge’s statement, the customers became somewhat curious.
The old physician used a silver needle to examine all the dishes, and with certainty, he said, “Only the porridge on this particular table is poisoned.”
Yan Ge immediately addressed everyone, saying, “Now, everyone can see it. More than one table ordered the lean meat porridge, but only this table was affected. It’s evident that Liuxian’s food is absolutely fine; the problem lies with these three individuals.”
The guilty trio averted their gazes, trying to climb to their feet and escape, but Gao Yun drew his sword and confronted them.
The remaining customers didn’t have any adverse reactions, so they believed Yan Ge’s words and shook their heads before dispersing.
Soon, only Yan Ge and his group, the three suspects, the manager, and the staff remained in the hall.
Yan Ge issued his orders, “Gao Yun, Xiao Chuanzi, quickly find more people and spread the news about someone intentionally poisoning the food. Hopefully, we can salvage Liuxian Pavilion’s reputation in a timely manner.”
“Yes!”
Yan Ge handed Gao Yun a silver note worth one hundred taels. As for the loose coins he gave Xiao Chuanzi before leaving the palace, it was for any potential needs that might arise.
The manager instructed the wait staff to bind the three poisoned people, then bowed to Yan Ge, “Many thanks to the young master for lending assistance. May I dare to ask for the young master’s distinguished name?”
Yan Ge presented his jade pendant.
The manager’s expression changed instantly, his lips quivered, but he didn’t say a word.
