Rebirth: Find a General as Your Backer

After all the fuss, the princess finally finished washing and dressing. At this time, Chu Mohan was already quietly sitting at the table. He had noticed while in the palace that although the banquet was laden with delicacies, the occasion was hardly suitable for peaceful eating. He was quite worried to see that Su Lianxue had barely eaten anything.

When Su Lianxue came out, Chu Mohan gently coaxed her to eat something. Su Lianxue reluctantly ate some before he let her go to rest.

Su Lianxue was utterly exhausted, as if all her strength had been drained. Once her tense nerves relaxed, a wave of drowsiness washed over her, irresistible. She fell into a deep sleep almost immediately upon touching the bed, drifting into a sweet dream.

......

Inside the Prince Rui's residence, as dawn broke, Granny Zhang was already busy at work. The residence was already short-staffed, and there was no room for carelessness in preparing food for His Highness and the Princess.

"He Qin, go and get the fresh bamboo shoots over there. We'll make bamboo shoot porridge for the Princess today." Zhang Mama gave the instructions methodically as she deftly chopped vegetables, the cleaver making a rhythmic sound as it struck the cutting board.

"Yes, Granny." He Qin responded crisply, taking light steps and quickly walking towards the food storage area.

He Qin arrived at the place where the ingredients she had just bought that morning were piled up, her eyes full of seriousness as she carefully selected them. Nowadays in Beijing, there is a wide variety of ingredients available, and each one is fresh and vibrant.

Everyone else in the kitchen consciously stepped aside, not daring to interfere. This was because Zhang Mama came from Mofang City, was Prince Rui's wet nurse, and had even served in the palace; she was of noble status and had extensive experience. Everyone treated her with great respect and dared not disobey her orders.

After a moment's thought, Granny Zhang decided that she should also make some noodles. After all, His Highness was also in the mansion, and staple food was essential.

Just then, Xiao Tao tiptoed in and said, "Granny, the masters have risen."

Upon hearing this, Granny Zhang quickly arranged the prepared breakfast and handed it to Xiao Tao.

Xiao Tao took the food box and walked lightly toward the residence of His Highness and the Princess. Along the way, the scenery of the palace appeared even more elegant in the morning light; the rockeries, ponds, pavilions, and towers all seemed to be gilded with a layer of gold gauze.

In the kitchen, Granny Zhang wiped the fine sweat from her forehead and began directing the tidying up again. "Clean this place up thoroughly, make sure nothing is left behind, and arrange every utensil neatly." Everyone responded in unison and got to work again.

Xiao Tao arrived at the Prince and Princess's room and gently knocked on the door. "Come in," came the Princess's gentle voice from inside.

Xiao Tao slowly pushed open the door, placed the food box on the table, and began to set out breakfast. The bamboo shoot porridge was thick and flavorful, with fresh bamboo shoots, like white jade, peeking through the broth and emitting a delicate fragrance. The noodles were exquisitely crafted in various shapes, steaming hot and incredibly aromatic.

After washing up, His Highness and Princess Consort sat down at the table. Looking at the carefully prepared breakfast, His Highness smiled and said, "Granny Zhang really knows my tastes. This bamboo shoot porridge smells so tempting." Princess Consort smiled and nodded, "Granny, you've put a lot of thought into this. These dishes look very appetizing."

......

After breakfast, Su Lianxue instructed Xiao Tao to have the servants prepare the carriage. Xiao Tao obeyed and left, and soon everything was ready.

The carriage moved slowly along the bustling street.

The roads in the capital are very wide, but the streets are also bustling with pedestrians.

Xuan Ying drove the carriage steadily, carefully controlling the speed to avoid accidentally injuring passersby. The sound of the horses' hooves clattered, possessing a unique rhythm amidst the hustle and bustle.

Inside the carriage, Xiao Tao and Zhou Qi accompanied Su Lianxue.

Xiao Tao's gaze wandered around the car, and when she saw the exquisitely decorated interior, she couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

The carriage seats were made of sandalwood, sturdy yet elegant, and covered with thick brocade cushions.

The cushion was meticulously crafted from the finest silk, embroidered with exquisite floral patterns, each flower seemingly bursting with life. Xiao Tao gently touched it, feeling its soft, smooth texture, like a baby's skin.

On a small table on one side of the car, there was an exquisite tea set. The teapot was like a serene beauty, with steam rising from its spout, while the teacups beside it were like carved pieces of warm jade, radiating a soft luster, quietly waiting for their owner to enjoy them.

"Tsk tsk..." Xiao Tao looked at everything in front of her, making incredulous exclamations, her expression as if she had discovered a rare treasure.

Su Lianxue and Zhou Qi looked at her with a helpless smile and let her sigh to herself.

Su Lianxue gently lifted a corner of the carriage and quietly gazed at the shops on both sides. As the shops passed by, familiar scenes flooded her mind. Everything was so strange, yet it carried a deep sense of familiarity.

Her grandfather used to take her through these streets; those were her fondest childhood memories.

But now, her grandfather has disappeared without a trace. Looking at these familiar shops, a determined look flashed in Su Lianxue's eyes. She secretly vowed to take back what she had lost, bit by bit.

Just then, the carriage slowly came to a stop in front of a restaurant. This was the renowned Chu Yun Lou in the capital, a century-old establishment that stood as a witness to history, witnessing the rise of the Great Chu Kingdom.

The waiter at the shop entrance, seeing Su Lianxue and her entourage's attire from afar, knew they were no ordinary people. Most people in the capital were quite perceptive.

Xuan Chen stepped forward and said to the waiter, "To the Starry Sky Pavilion." The waiter quickly bowed respectfully, his face full of smiles, "Yes, sir, please come in."

Meanwhile, inside the Starry Sky Pavilion, Li Xin and the others were already quietly waiting in their rooms. The moment Su Lianxue stepped in, they all involuntarily bowed and said in unison, "Greetings, Your Highness."

Cai Lian was so excited that she couldn't contain herself, her eyes reddened, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Today, Su Lianxue specially sent a message to invite Li Xin and the others to meet here. In her previous life, she left the capital and never returned. To her, the capital was like a dusty book, its contents long since blurred, and she knew very little about the events that had occurred in the city.

She had carefully considered her decision to send Li Xin to the capital first. Firstly, Li Xin was a native of the capital, and the streets, alleys, and social customs of the city were deeply ingrained in his memory, making it much easier for him to get things done.

Moreover, he comes from a prominent family and has extensive connections and resources, giving him unique advantages in handling various matters.

Secondly, Su Lianxue needed a capable person in the capital to gather information for her. In this way, she could learn about what was happening in the capital through Li Xin, so that she could make a plan.