The Prince's Beloved Little Wife

Looking through the security camera in her office, Chen Mengyao saw that everything was running smoothly and the staff were handling customers with ease, which filled her with a sense of satisfaction. She glanced at the clock in her office and realized it was almost noon. An idea struck her: she would take the Emperor and the Crown Prince to a nearby restaurant for a meal to celebrate the shop's successful opening. She also planned to pack some food from the restaurant and send it to Lin Yu and the others later, as they had also put a lot of effort into the shop.

While formulating these plans in her mind, Chen Mengyao also shared her ideas with the Emperor and others. She believed that for the daily operation of the department store, some chefs and servants should be arranged to help with tasks such as cleaning and organizing shelves. Moreover, if employees needed to live in the store in the future, these chefs and servants could take care of their daily lives, ensuring they could work with peace of mind.

The Emperor and his entourage nodded in agreement to Chen Mengyao's suggestion. Just as they were discussing which restaurant to dine at, the Grand Tutor and his family entered the department store, led by a shop assistant. Upon seeing the Emperor and his entourage, they immediately bowed respectfully. The Emperor, seeing this, smiled and told them to rise, saying there was no need for such formality.

Seeing this, Chen Mengyao was secretly delighted, feeling this was a rare opportunity. She quickly stepped forward and said warmly to the Taifu family, "Father, Mother, brothers, and sisters-in-law, you've come at the perfect time. We were just about to have lunch to celebrate the successful opening of the shop. Since you're here, please join us. After lunch, I'll show you around the department store and let you see the fruits of our labor." The Taifu family smiled happily at Chen Mengyao's words and gladly accepted her invitation.

The eldest son of the Grand Tutor laughed heartily, “We were just craving it. We heard there’s a restaurant nearby with excellent food, and we were planning to come and try it. We didn’t expect that it would be the same thing that Your Majesty and my sister had in mind.”

Upon hearing this, the Emperor laughed heartily: "What a coincidence! Today I will savor the delicacies of the common people and experience their lives."

His Highness the Crown Prince, the distinguished princes, empresses, princesses, and their consorts carefully selected their necessities—daily necessities, bath products, skincare products, and various items specifically for women—from Chen Mengyao's dazzling array of goods in her department store. They then instructed their servants to carefully place these items into their respective carriages. Following this, the group, riding in ornately decorated carriages, slowly made their way towards the renowned restaurant mentioned by the Grand Tutor's eldest son, accompanied by the soft clatter of hooves and the rumble of wheels. Each person's face was filled with anticipation and joy.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, Chen Mengyao and her group were led to a spacious and elegant private room. She carefully surveyed her surroundings and finally chose a seat right next to the window. This spot was exceptionally advantageous, offering a panoramic view of the entire room and, through the bright window, a clear view of the bustling, vibrant street outside. The street teemed with people and vehicles, a cacophony of vendors' calls and laughter creating a lively and vibrant scene.

Chen Mengyao's first thought was for the food for Lin Yu and his group, as they had worked the hardest that day. Therefore, they specially selected many highly-rated dishes, known for their excellent color, aroma, and taste, and carefully instructed the waiters to prepare them to perfection before delivering them to the newly opened Wanbaoxuan restaurant, personally presenting them to Lin Yu there. This gesture not only demonstrated their respect and care for Lin Yu but also showcased their thoughtfulness and attentiveness.

After arranging everything, Chen Mengyao turned her attention to the dishes on her table. She gracefully invited the Emperor to order first, and he smiled and nodded, selecting a few of his favorite dishes. Following this, Chen Mengyao let everyone order their preferred dishes in turn, and everyone made choices according to their own tastes and preferences, creating a harmonious and pleasant atmosphere.

Soon, the waiters filed in like a flowing stream, bringing them a series of meticulously prepared delicacies. These dishes were not only beautifully presented, like works of art, but also vibrant in color and incredibly fragrant, instantly whetting the appetite and making mouths water. The steamed fish was tender and delicious, its flesh as delicate as silk, the steaming method bringing out its freshness to its fullest. The braised pork belly was fragrant, with a perfect balance of lean and fat, melting in the mouth and leaving a lingering aftertaste. The fried chicken wings were golden brown, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, each bite offering a satisfying crunch. In addition, there were various seasonal vegetables; every dish was a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate, truly a culinary delight.

Chen Mengyao raised her wine glass, stood up, and smiled sweetly, "Today's meal is to celebrate the successful opening of Wanbaoxuan. Everything went so smoothly today thanks to the presence of my father and crown prince, as well as the support of all my brothers, sisters, parents, and everyone else. I'd like to toast everyone with this glass." Everyone raised their glasses in response.

After finishing her drink, Chen Mengyao looked around, her eyes filled with gratitude: "Although Wanbaoxuan is just a small department store, it embodies my hard work and is like my child. Now that it has opened, I am grateful for everyone's support, which has made this place so lively. I only hope that in the future, this department store will be like a stream flowing into the sea, with its business flourishing and bringing lasting benefits to everyone."

The Emperor smiled and nodded: "I find Wanbaoxuan novel and interesting, with a wide variety of goods, and it provides a lot of convenience for the people's lives. It will certainly live up to your expectations." The Crown Prince echoed: "Sister-in-law, your idea is ingenious. Wanbaoxuan will surely become a great sight in the capital."

Chen Mengyao curtsied gracefully once more, performing a dignified and elegant gesture. Her voice was gentle yet firm: "Thank you for your kindness, Father Emperor, and for your wise words, Crown Prince. I, Chen Mengyao, will certainly do my utmost to manage this business diligently and will never fail to live up to the high expectations and trust placed in me by Father Emperor and my brother." Seeing this, everyone present offered their sincere and heartfelt blessings. At this moment, the shop was filled with laughter and joy; the warm and enthusiastic atmosphere seemed to proclaim to the world the glorious and promising future that Wanbaoxuan was about to usher in.

Throughout the meal, everyone was immersed in enjoying the delicious food, with constant laughter and cheerful conversation, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

Throughout the meal, Chen Mengyao behaved with exceptional poise and grace. She frequently picked up her chopsticks to serve food to the Emperor and the Grand Tutor's family, each time doing so perfectly. This demonstrated her thoughtfulness and consideration, as well as her respect and care for them. The atmosphere in the private room was warm and harmonious. Everyone ate and chatted, their laughter filling the air, enjoying a wonderful and unforgettable afternoon together.

After lunch, the sun shone brightly, and a gentle breeze blew. Outside the ornately carved doors of the restaurant, Chen Mengyao reluctantly bid farewell to the Emperor, Empress, concubines, the esteemed Crown Prince, several princes, and princesses. They departed slowly in a magnificent carriage, laden with gifts, raising clouds of dust, leaving behind only laughter and praise for the day's feast.

Only Chen Mengyao, Ouyang Han, and the Taifu family remained. Chen Mengyao turned around, a gentle smile on her face, and personally led the Taifu family into her newly opened department store. The department store was decorated in a magnificent style, and the shelves were filled with a dazzling array of goods, from exquisite porcelain to fashionable fabrics, from practical household items to delicious snacks, everything was available, making it a feast for the eyes.

As Chen Mengyao led the Taifu family through the various shelves, she enthusiastically introduced them to the features and uses of each product. She patiently answered their questions, occasionally interjecting with the store's business philosophy, such as a focus on quality, honest operation, and customer first. Her explanations were lively and engaging, captivating the Taifu family, who nodded in approval, their eyes shining with affection and appreciation for the department store.

At Chen Mengyao's recommendation, the Taifu family selected some suitable items, including everyday necessities and things they each liked. Seeing this, Chen Mengyao generously signed them up for membership cards, allowing them to enjoy more discounts and services in the future. The Taifu family held their chosen goods and membership cards, their faces beaming with satisfaction.

As they parted, the Grand Tutor's wife held Chen Mengyao's hand and kindly reminded her to move back home the next day. Chen Mengyao smiled and nodded in agreement, a warm feeling welling up inside her. She knew this was not just a simple reminder, but also a testament to the care and love of the Grand Tutor's family. In this warm atmosphere, Chen Mengyao waved goodbye to the Grand Tutor's family, and they each embarked on their journeys home.