The people in the main hall once again turned in unison to look at the crimson-robed man sitting alone at his table.

Prince Kaiyang had also tried to get complimentary dishes but was refused by the tavern?

Who would have thought—Prince Kaiyang was someone who could swallow his pride like this just for food.

Wei Han gripped his silver chopsticks, his expression unchanged.

He had realized that the golden cleaver he’d sent the other day didn’t seem to please Miss Luo.

He also wanted to get up and leave, but his stomach disagreed.

Sensing the cold aura surrounding Prince Kaiyang, everyone hurriedly withdrew their gazes.

Even if Prince Kaiyang could swallow his pride, it certainly wasn’t for their benefit.

They couldn’t afford to provoke this Prince.

As for Zhu Hanshuang, after hearing Hong Dou say this, she found herself at a complete loss for words.

If the comparison had been with anyone else, she could have said a few things, but this wretched servant girl just had to bring up Prince Kaiyang.

At this point, the table full of delicacies could no longer satisfy Miss Zhu.

She thought resentfully: With Prince Kaiyang’s status, what rare delicacy couldn’t he eat? Why must he come to Luo Sheng’s tavern to suffer such indignity?

He… couldn’t he be a bit more dignified!

Thinking this, she cast him a resentful glance.

Wei Han didn’t spare a glance in this direction, expressionlessly instructing Shi Yan: “Bring another plate of braised beef.”

Zhu Hanshuang: “…”

“Since it’s only given as a gift and not for sale, then forget it.” Seeing that they had attracted everyone’s attention, Wei Wen said coolly.

There was no need to be the subject of people’s attention and discussion over a single dish.

However, she absolutely had to let her mother consort taste the amber winter melon.

“This dish looks like amber, quite captivating. Does the tavern not plan to add it to the menu?”

Hong Dou replied: “We’re giving it to these two guests to try today. If they find it good, we’ll add it to the menu tomorrow. However, amber winter melon is troublesome to make, so even if we add it to the menu, it won’t be served every day.”

Everyone’s eyes lit up.

Does this mean they could eat this amber winter melon tomorrow?

But then they became dejected again.

After eating this meal, where would they find money to come eat tomorrow?

Wei Wen naturally didn’t worry about money. She smiled and asked the two Miss Wangs: “How do you find this dish?”

The elder Miss Wang was fairly reserved, sincerely praising it as delicious.

The younger Miss Wang nodded repeatedly: “It melts in the mouth, extremely delicious. I can’t taste at all that this is made from winter melon…”

Hearing the younger Miss Wang’s description of the amber winter melon’s flavor, everyone silently swallowed their saliva, then rationally felt for their money pouches.

Hold back, no money!

Hong Dou seemed to remember something and called out loudly: “Oh right, tomorrow our tavern will launch a new dish—braised pork knuckle in pot. Everyone knows what pork knuckle is, right?”

Everyone nodded in unison, then shook their heads in unison.

Of course they knew what pork knuckle was, but what was this braised-in-pot method?

They didn’t know why, but just hearing about it made it sound delicious.

Hong Dou smiled smugly: “Braised pork knuckle in pot is a grand dish, not served every day. Everyone has heard of roasted pig head, right?”

Everyone nodded in unison again.

They’d heard about it far too much.

Minister Zhao had expressed regret countless times that he’d only eaten it once on the tavern’s opening day, and hearing about it made them feel quite uncomfortable.

To eat the roasted pig head that Minister Zhao described just once—what were a hundred taels of silver?

It was just money; scattered wealth returns again.

Hong Dou said with reluctant heartache: “So everyone, seize this opportunity and don’t miss it again.”

Actually, she didn’t hope at all that these gluttons would seize the opportunity. It would be best if no customers came tomorrow evening, leaving it all for their own people to eat.

Everyone nodded vigorously.

They’d already missed the roasted pig head; they couldn’t miss the braised pork knuckle in pot again. They must come eat tomorrow!

Money? They could put it on account anyway, eat first and worry later.

The young Princess Wei Wen also strengthened her resolve to come again tomorrow.

Father Prince loved eating pork knuckle.

“Has the Princess finished eating?” After the commotion over the amber winter melon passed, Zhu Hanshuang asked Wei Wen.

Wei Wen nodded.

“Then let’s settle the bill.”

Hearing Kou’er announce the total, Zhu Hanshuang’s heart trembled, but she did her utmost to maintain a calm expression on her face: “Put it on the Duke’s manor account.”

After Kou’er finished recording the charge, only then did Wei Wen say: “Pack me a portion of black garlic sauce duck tongue.”

The duck tongue with its sweet-and-sour taste and moderate spiciness—mother consort would definitely love it.

Kou’er smiled slightly: “Please be informed, guest, that our tavern doesn’t do takeout.”

“No takeout?” Wei Wen raised her eyebrows slightly and glanced at the plain-clothed young woman by the counter.

“That’s right. Previously, Prince Kaiyang had matters and couldn’t come, wanting delivery to the Prince’s manor, but our tavern followed the rules and didn’t agree to that either.” Kou’er said gently.

Wei Han, who was eating braised beef: “…”

Wei Wen glanced at Wei Han, her eyes complex.

Uncle Prince could put on elder’s airs even before the Crown Prince, so how could he let a mere tavern have him so completely under control?

However, no matter how dissatisfied she was, with Prince Kaiyang’s example preceding, Wei Wen couldn’t insist further.

In terms of status, father Prince was equivalent to Uncle Prince. Since this tavern didn’t buy Uncle Prince’s account, there was no need to bring up father Prince.

If she were refused, it would be Pingnan Prince’s manor that would lose face.

“In that case, I’ll reserve a table in advance for tomorrow. That should be acceptable, right?”

Kou’er smiled: “Apologies, our tavern doesn’t accept reservations.”

This rule was also set by the Miss. Though it was somewhat harsh, they fully supported it.

It would be better if these people left in anger and never returned.

Wei Wen could bear it no longer. She rose with a flick of her sleeves and walked before Luo Sheng.

“Miss Luo, is this truly the tavern’s rule?”

Luo Sheng smiled faintly: “Naturally, these are rules the tavern established long ago. Does the Princess think I’m targeting you?”

Hearing these words, Wei Han looked up at her.

He’d recently become somewhat sensitive to the words “targeting you.”

Luo Sheng seemed to sense it. Her eyes turned and met his gaze.

In that instant, Wei Han’s heart skipped a beat, and an ominous premonition arose.

The young woman looking over smiled sweetly, tilting her chin slightly toward Wei Wen: “If the Princess doesn’t believe it, you can ask the Prince whether I’m targeting you.”

Wei Han raised his cup and took a sip of liquor.

The strong liquor entered his throat, burning like fire.

Don’t ask him—he’d been constantly targeted all along anyway.

Wei Wen naturally didn’t dare go ask.

Uncle Prince’s temper wasn’t as good as it appeared. It was only because Luo Sheng catered to his tastes and captured the Prince’s stomach that she could be so arrogant.

If she went to ask, that would be foolish.

“Since Miss Luo says so, how could I not believe it?” Wei Wen forced a smile through her anger, nodding slightly to Zhu Hanshuang. “Hanshuang, let’s go.”

Zhu Hanshuang rose, feeling quite reluctant in her heart.

He hadn’t left yet.

Unfortunately, under everyone’s watchful eyes, she had no excuse to delay and could only give up.

Luo Sheng watched the two figures’ backs disappear at the tavern entrance, then lazily withdrew her gaze.

Reservations were impossible.

Her target was Prince Pingnan. If the day of action happened to be a day reserved in advance by Pingnan Prince’s manor, wouldn’t that give people reason to suspect her?

Although the possibility of being suspected as the Grand Commander’s daughter was very low, she was unwilling to risk even the slightest chance.

She didn’t need to use reservations to determine whether Prince Pingnan would come.

With food and drink catering to his preferences, she wasn’t worried the other party wouldn’t follow her arrangements.

The diners in the tavern gradually dispersed, leaving only Wei Han sitting alone.

Shi Yan smiled awkwardly: “Master, shall we settle the bill?”

“Settle the bill.”

Finally waiting for the other patrons to leave, a certain someone rose and walked before Luo Sheng, handing over the item wrapped in blue cloth.

Luo Sheng glanced at it and pressed her lips together slightly.

Was he going to give her another cleaver?