Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 78 Meeting of all parties
There are always some pills and cotton bandages in the restaurant. Pei'er hurriedly found the medicine box and saw the second young master carefully holding the eldest lady's arm to check it, his brows tightly furrowed, and his eyes full of heartache.

Tan Huaike comforted her, "This gentleman has already applied medicine to me. The bleeding has stopped. It's nothing serious."

Shen Tu Zhuo looked around, his eyes stern: "Who did it?"

"That's a long story. I've already sent those scoundrels to the authorities for punishment." Zhou Wencong interrupted him. "The most urgent thing is to bandage your sister-in-law's wound first."

"Pei'er, bring me the cotton yarn." Shentu Zhuo stretched out his hand towards Pei'er.

Tan Huaike said, "Let Pei'er apply medicine and bandage me. She is much more careful than you."

Thinking that this was indeed the case, Shen Tu Zhuo stepped aside and watched Pei'er apply medicine to Tan Huaike's arm, wrap it with cotton gauze, and finally help her gently pull down her sleeve.

Tan Huaike told the waiters to clean up the shop quickly and gather up the broken cups to prevent them from hurting others. He then personally apologized to the other diners, saying that the shop had been poor in hospitality and that the meal fee would be waived. He then politely sent them out.

After this incident, today's business will definitely not be able to continue.

The restaurant closed early, and including the loss of the shop and the diners' free meals, it really lost a lot of money. After several calculations, Tan Huaike felt much more pain in his heart than in his arm.

At this time, there were only two diners left.

Xu Guanbai bowed to Zhou Wencong and said, "Greetings to His Highness the Third Prince."

Zhou Wencong was very surprised to see her coming out of the private room. He blurted out, "Why are you here?" Then he seemed to think of something and frowned, "My mother sent you? How come you are..."

Due to the large number of people around, he didn't say anything more, but his expression was no longer as relaxed as before.

Xu Guanbai lowered his eyes and replied, "The Queen asked me to teach Princess Mo He etiquette."

Zhou Wencong nodded and said to her in a cold but polite manner, "In that case, you should teach him well after you get him."

Shentu Ji stood huddled to the side, having never expected to run into such a distinguished figure while out shopping and dining. He dared not move or interrupt, but only secretly observed Xu Guanbai and Zhou Wencong, wondering what kind of relationship this lady had with the Third Prince. If he stayed with her more often, he might even catch the prince's eye...

While Shentu Ji was daydreaming, Tan Huaike was also closely watching the two men's every move.

She had heard the anecdotes and secrets between the two from Shentu Zhuo a long time ago. Now the two main characters were standing in front of her. She pretended to let Pei'er tidy up the scattered fruits and snacks on the cabinet while listening attentively to what they were talking about.

Are they a pair of star-crossed lovers, bound by rites and forced apart by a marriage alliance? Or are they a desperate chase after a man who has failed her husband? Will they embrace and cry, or will they blame each other?

Such a lingering love-hate entanglement is more interesting than any other folk song.

The result disappointed her greatly. After saying those few words, the two of them sat in silence, each looking away, as if there was some incredible spectacle in her shop that had been badly smashed.

Tan Huaike quietly asked Shentu Zhuo: "Does the Third Prince really have feelings for Guan Bai Niangzi? Why do I feel that..."

It was rare to see her prying into gossip like a common woman. Shen Tu Zhuo couldn't help but laugh, feeling the anger and frustration in his heart dissipate a lot. He leaned over to her ear and said, "I've been away from Andu for a long time, so I don't know a lot of things. But the relationship between these two is so complicated that even the Queen can't figure it out. It's best for others not to interfere."

"From my observation of the Third Prince's demeanor and bearing, I can see that he is a true gentleman, not someone who would abandon his lover after having an affair."

"You have a good opinion of him." Shentu Zhuo snorted coldly.

"What? Did I make a mistake?" "No, that's not the case. Song Shu has always been very respectful and polite. Apart from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, he is the most favored student by the teachers in the Imperial Academy. When he was good friends with me, the teacher even tried to persuade him, fearing that I would lead him astray."

"..." Tan Huaike said helplessly, "Has my uncle been a naughty boy since he was a child?"

"What are you talking about! Although I'm naughty, my academic performance is quite good. If you ask me, Song Shu is just too serious, which is why he likes to have a dashing friend like me."

"Suave? Or dandy?"

"Well, let's not talk about this anymore. Anyway, I know Song Shu's character. He would never humiliate a young lady casually. But the engagement between Bai Niangzi and him hasn't been confirmed yet, but everyone in Andu knows about it. Don't you think it's strange?"

"Could it be that this marriage, which is not in name only, involves a court struggle?"

"The Shentu family has been away from the court for too long, and I'm not aware of their current situation. I dare not make any rash statements, but since Daxuan's marriage was chosen, I've had a vague suspicion... Perhaps the Third Prince is using this opportunity to openly and honestly break away from the marriage proposed by the Xu family? It would also avoid damaging Guan Bai Niangzi's reputation."

"Using one engagement to save another?" Tan Huaike sighed. "What's the point? No matter who they are, they are just birds in a cage."

"Who says it's not true?" Shen Tuzhuo looked at her and said, "Some birds can even choose a cage they like, but some birds don't even have the chance to choose."

Even those who want to let her go have to look ahead and behind, worrying about gains and losses.
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After a while, the restaurant was almost cleaned up, and the people present did not leave first. Instead, they sat down, as if they were having tea and reminiscing about the past.

When a distinguished guest comes, Tan Huaike will naturally accompany him to the end.

Shentu Zhuo once again asked what happened today and how it had come to this.

Zhou Wencong said, "As the saying goes, the emperor is far away. I have witnessed how difficult it is to govern these remote counties."

After hearing the information from the waiter, Tan Huaike confirmed that the four people were the ruffians specially hired by Hu Ji Restaurant, Luotian Restaurant and Yuchun Pavilion.

Shen Tuzhuo also questioned this: "They often fight among themselves and even throw dirty water at each other. Why did they suddenly team up to bully you?"

Tan Huaike said, "I also feel it's strange. When I pressed them, they said it was their own family who set me up, so I'm suspicious..."

knock knock knock.

Someone knocked on the locked door, and Aisha's voice rang out, "Why are you closing so early today? Madam, can I come and have a drink from you?"

"Ah, this..." Tan Huaike looked at everyone present, especially the confused Third Prince, and felt a little embarrassed.

"Sister-in-law, what are you hesitating about? You're not planning to open the door and welcome customers at this time, are you?" Shentu Ji sneered, "You really know how to run a business in this restaurant. The Third Prince and Guan Bai Niangzi are still discussing things. Are you reluctant to spend a few more dollars on the wine? Just chase them away."

"If it were anyone else, I would definitely close the door and refuse the visitor, but this is no ordinary diner."

Lun Gong, he was the Mohe envoy who came with the princess to marry.

Personally speaking, based on Daxuan’s relatives, he should be the Third Prince’s elder brother-in-law?
Then, is White Snake the love rival of the princess who is being married?
How could her small restaurant, which had just been smashed, have the goodness to invite so many giant Buddha statues in at once...
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　Next chapter: Let’s just settle this mess!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)