The aroma of cooking filled the house: I sent my eldest brother to become the Grand Secretary.

Thanks to the word of those who had dined at Zuixianlou, no ordinary person ever stepped foot inside its doors again.

They were all afraid to eat at Zuixianlou Restaurant, fearing they would be ripped off.

As for those who are rich and powerful, such news doesn't reach them.

However, from then on, the business of Zuixianlou declined day by day.

A year later, this shop, which had been open for more than ten years, closed down completely.

Before closing the door, the shopkeeper gave the Hundred Herbs Garden across the street a fierce look.

Seemingly recalling something terrible, he left Xin'an County with his luggage without looking back.

This incident did not affect Baicaoyuan's business.

Grandma Zhou came to Baicaoyuan for a meal.

"Little Grass Sister, we meet again."

Shen Cao greeted Grandma Zhou with a smile, "Grandma, what brings you here?"

Grandma Zhou smiled and took Shen Cao's hand, "How could your grandmother not come to support the opening of your Hundred Herbs Garden?"

"Qingzhu told me that there were too many people a few days ago, so I didn't join in the fun."

"I've come to see your herb garden today."

"Qingzhu has praised it to me many times, which makes me even more curious."

Now that I see it, it's indeed wonderful.

Shen Cao first showed Grandma Zhou around the entire Hundred Herbs Garden, and then led them to the 'Chrysanthemum' private room on the fourth floor.

Inside the private room, Mrs. Zhou wore a satisfied smile.

"Qingzhu, look at your sister, she's built such a big restaurant. You should really learn from her."

"Grandmother, we came here for dinner today, why are you scolding me?"

"How can I compare to Sister Cao'er? Her cooking skills are so good that you probably can't find another one like her in the entire Great Xia Kingdom."

When Grandma Zhou heard someone praise Shen Cao, she felt honored and very proud. "That's only natural."

"Grandma, I'm embarrassed by what you've said."

"However, it's the truth." When it comes to cooking skills, Shen Cao is exceptionally confident.

"Haha!" Old Mrs. Zhou turned to Zhang Mama and said, "How was I right? This girl's personality is exactly the same as mine when I was young."

Shen Cao smiled and took Grandma Zhou's hand, "Grandma was just as shameless as I was when she was young."

"Pfft!" Zhou Qingzhu couldn't help but chuckle. "You do have some self-awareness."

"Ha ha ha ha……"

The private room was filled with laughter and cheerful conversation.

"Knock knock knock!" A knocking sound came from outside the door.

"Head Manager, the Second Manager is looking for you."

Shen Cao frowned. Wan Yue knew she was with Old Madam Zhou and wouldn't bother her unless there was something important.

Has something happened?

She followed the person who came to the "Plum" private room.

"Wanyue, why did you suddenly call me? Is something wrong?"

Before she even got close, the people inside came out to greet her.

When she saw who it was, her face lit up with joy, "Brother Shen!!"

No wonder Wanyue came looking for her; it turns out it was Brother Shen.

"Brother Shen, why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

Shen Yu'an looked exhausted, clearly from the long journey, but he still had a relaxed smile on his face. "I was just thinking of giving you a surprise!"

"How's it going? Are you surprised?"

Shen Cao nodded, "Surprise! Surprise!"

"By the way, Brother Shen, you haven't eaten yet, have you?"

"Sister Cao'er, I've already made arrangements."

"That's fine."

After the group sat down, Shen Yu'an glanced at Ji Lingfeng, who had a dark expression on his face.

He remembered that when he hugged Shen Cao just now, a murderous aura suddenly came from behind him.

It seems to have originated from this Jade-Faced Yama.

He likes Shen Cao!

Shen Yu'an was very certain.

He had already learned about Ji Lingfeng's situation from Wei Siyu's letters.

He never expected that Shen Cao would have such a connection with this General Ji.

Ji Lingfeng frowned as he looked at the handsome gentleman in front of him.

He had inquired beforehand and learned that this Young Master Shen was the first person Shen Cao knew, and the two had a close relationship.

But he didn't expect the two to have such a good relationship.

He never hugged Shen Cao.

But this person beat them to it.

Shen Yu'an tried to ignore the gaze coming from beside him, but it was simply too hard to ignore.

Judging from Shen Cao's expression, she didn't seem to have such thoughts.

He opened the jade fan he always carried with him with a 'whoosh' sound, saying, "I originally planned to arrive on the opening day."

"But even though we rushed as fast as we could, we still couldn't make it." As he said this, he glanced at Ji Lingfeng.

He felt that the delay on the way to that matter was not simple.

Moreover, it is related to Ji Lingfeng's visit to Xin'an County.

He'll talk to him alone in a little while.

"By the way, Cao'er, you actually recognized Old Mrs. Zhou as your grandmother."

"Perhaps this is fate!"

"Brother Ji, do you know Grandma Zhou too?"

Ji Lingfeng shook his head. "It seems that my grandmother had met Old Madam Zhou a few times."

"When I first came to Xin'an County, I also visited the head of the Zhou family."

"However, since we've run into her today, we should go and say hello."

Shen Cao led Shen Yu'an to the "Chrysanthemum" private room.

Grandma Zhou smiled as she looked at this outstanding younger generation, "Nephew Shen, I never expected you to be Cao'er's friend."

How is your grandmother's health these days?

“My grandmother has always been in good health, but in recent years she has had difficulty walking and rarely goes out anymore.”

"I have to admit I'm getting old. You younger generations have all become successful, and we're getting old!"

After Shen Yu'an left, Old Mrs. Zhou stared blankly at his retreating figure.

She glanced at Shen Cao beside her and thought that Shen Cao looked somewhat like Shen Yu'an.

She remembered that jade pendant with the character "草" (grass).

I think I heard Old Mrs. Shen mention before that their family heirloom was a grass-shaped jade pendant.

Could it be?

She quickly asked Shen Cao, "Cao'er, I remember you once said that your mother found a grass-shaped jade pendant when she was a child, and you have worn it since you were little."

"Can Grandma take a look?"

Shen Cao was a little puzzled as to why Old Mrs. Zhou had suddenly become interested in her jade pendant.

She waved her hand with some regret, "Grandmother, that jade pendant is no longer with me. I gave it to my sister Wanyue before."

"Grandmother, if you want to see it, I'll go ask Wanyue if she brought it or not?"

Grandma Zhou waved her hand regretfully, "Never mind, since you've already given it away, let it go." What was she thinking? How could Shen Cao be related to the Shen family in the capital?

Putting aside the fact that they were separated by a great distance, if it were true, how could Shen Yu'an not have recognized him?

It's a waste of her time, someone who's completely unrelated to us.

It might just be a coincidence.

Ji Lingfeng frowned as he looked at Shen Yu'an in front of him.

He must have realized that I don't like him, so why did he still come to see me alone?

"Young Master Shen, if I remember correctly, we don't seem to know each other well?"

Shen Yu'an clasped his hands in a fist and said, "General Ji, you may not know me, but I know you."

"Actually, I came to see you because I have something important to verify with you!"