Luo Sheng quickly dismissed this speculation.

Based on several experiences of reading too much into things, she was overthinking it.

Rather than thinking of her, Prince Kaiyang was probably just looking forward to the tavern opening for business.

“Doesn’t Miss like it?” Hong Dou looked at the simple and honest tiger lantern, finding it more endearing the more she looked at it.

Prince Kaiyang was far superior to that worthless Young Master Su. The gift he gave wasn’t flashy at all.

“It’s rather interesting. Hang it up.”

Hong Dou cheerfully agreed and took the lantern to hang under the corridor eaves.

Kou’er then recounted what she had seen and heard at the lantern festival.

“That Young Master Su shone brilliantly at the lantern festival. Many young ladies threw sachets and handkerchiefs at him…”

Luo Sheng listened quietly, the corners of her lips curving slightly.

This being the case, Su Yao had made a name for himself. From now on, he would have a place among the capital’s talented scholars.

It must be said the man was quite skilled at promoting himself.

Regarding Su Yao, Luo Sheng maintained a measure of vigilance in her heart, but without evidence she could only harbor suspicions—perhaps she was even overthinking things.

So for now she would observe this person and wait. What truly occupied Luo Sheng’s mind was still the tavern.

Once the tavern opened for business, it would be convenient to see certain people and handle certain matters.

Just as people had anticipated, after one Lantern Festival, the fame of Young Master Su from Jinsha spread with lightning speed, his reputation for talent directly surpassing Lin Shu’s.

When Su Yao sent calling cards to visit those high officials and great scholars, it became effortless. The gatekeepers all welcomed him with smiling faces.

It was said that the great scholar Wang Mao, who had created those three lantern riddles, even took the initiative to meet Su Yao.

For a time, Young Master Su from Jinsha was unrivaled in prominence, becoming a popular candidate for passing the imperial examinations.

All this excitement had no effect whatsoever on Luo Sheng. On the eighteenth day of the first month, accompanied by the sound of firecrackers, the You Jian Tavern reopened for business.

Luo Sheng brought Xiu Gu and the others to the tavern early to prepare for the evening opening.

Just past noon, waves of meat fragrance began wafting out, making passersby drool and cast angry glances at the tavern.

So delicious, yet so expensive—this really was an unconscionable black-hearted establishment!

With empty pockets, passersby could only cover their noses and quicken their steps to get away.

It was still quite early before opening, but Wei Han had already entered the tavern. Seeing that familiar figure by the counter, his heart, which had felt empty ever since the tavern closed, suddenly settled.

Shi Yan followed Wei Han inside. After entering and smelling the meaty aroma floating through the main hall, his heart also felt at ease.

With the tavern closed and having to return to the prince’s residence for New Year—that was too cruel!

In just over twenty days, his belt had loosened.

Fortunately, after the New Year, Master had him continue working at the tavern. If he had been kept at the prince’s residence—he dared not think about it. Just thinking about it made him feel suffocated.

“Your Highness has come quite early today.” Hong Dou greeted him with a smile.

Wei Han nodded slightly and walked toward the counter.

Coming early meant he could see Miss Luo sooner.

He had calmed down for those few days and thought it through seriously. He couldn’t learn flowery words to change Miss Luo’s distant attitude. All he had was a sincere heart.

He would continue to treat Miss Luo well. Perhaps one day, Miss Luo would be willing to favor him.

When their feelings became mutual, he would marry Miss Luo and bring her home.

Just thinking about that possibility made all this waiting worthwhile.

“Miss Luo, Happy New Year.”

Luo Sheng smiled. “Happy New Year, Your Highness.”

Wei Han pulled over a nearby stool and sat down, then handed something over.

Luo Sheng looked at the exquisitely crafted vermillion lacquer box, somewhat puzzled. “This is—”

“A New Year gift.”

Luo Sheng didn’t accept it and said politely, “Your Highness already gave me the tiger lantern.”

“That was a Lantern Festival gift. This is a New Year gift.”

Meeting his expectant gaze, Luo Sheng opened the box.

Inside the box gleamed brilliantly—gold ingots shaped like the twelve zodiac animals filled the container.

Luo Sheng fell silent.

This New Year gift was truly practical.

“Without any reason—”

Wei Han interrupted Luo Sheng’s words. “It’s just a small gift between friends. It’s nothing to either you, Miss Luo, or to me.”

Hearing Wei Han put it this way, Luo Sheng accepted it graciously.

Just as Prince Kaiyang said, a box of gold ingots meant nothing to either of them. Going back and forth refusing it would be affected instead. At worst, she could have Xiu Gu specially prepare a few dishes for Prince Kaiyang later.

Seeing Luo Sheng accept the gift, Wei Han smiled and reached into his sleeve to pull out a plain pouch and hand it over.

“This is—”

She had accepted the Lantern Festival gift and the New Year gift. She couldn’t think what other occasion there could be.

“New Year’s money.”

Luo Sheng stared blankly at the bulging pouch.

Prince Kaiyang was giving her New Year’s money?

The money itself wasn’t really important—after all, neither she nor Prince Kaiyang lacked for money. But for Prince Kaiyang to prepare New Year’s money for her—wasn’t that too strange?

“Your Highness giving me a New Year gift is already enough. There’s no need for New Year’s money…”

Wei Han gave a perfectly serious reason. “I’m older than you.”

Luo Sheng accepted the New Year’s money with peculiar feelings.

New Year’s money from Prince Kaiyang—when Miss Luo had yanked off Prince Kaiyang’s belt on the main street, she probably never would have imagined this.

Additionally, the New Year gift was gold ingots, and the New Year’s money was a stack of banknotes. Did Prince Kaiyang think she loved money that much?

“Hong Dou, go to the kitchen and pack some pastries, and bring a pot of tea.”

Wei Han couldn’t help but smile.

It seemed Miss Luo liked his gifts. All those days of deliberation hadn’t been in vain.

Soon, exquisite and tempting pastries were set out.

Luo Sheng personally poured a cup of tea for Wei Han. “Your Highness, please have some tea first. I’ll go check on the kitchen.”

“Alright.” Wei Han watched that figure disappear behind the thick cotton door curtain before lowering his eyes to drink tea and eat pastries.

The kitchen was steaming hot, with Xiu Yue busy at work.

“Xiu Gu, did you make the peanut crisps?”

Xiu Yue smiled. “Miss, rest assured. They were made long ago.”

“That’s good. From today on, make this peanut crisp dish every day until someone from the palace comes.”

Xiu Yue nodded, lifted the pot lid, and fished large chunks of lamb from the cauldron, placing them on the cutting board to cut into pieces.

Today’s main dish was water basin lamb.

Compared to the greasiness of pork, lamb with its tender and delicate meat was naturally more refreshing to eat during New Year.

Especially the water basin lamb with its tender meat and clear broth, eaten with flatbread and accompanied by chili sauce, green garlic, pickled radish and other side dishes—the flavor was indescribably wonderful.

Luo Sheng returned to the main hall following the aroma and saw Nanny Dou from Consort Xiao’s side entering.

After greeting Wei Han and Luo Sheng, Nanny Dou said with a smile, “It smells so wonderful. I wonder what dish has been prepared?”

“Water basin lamb. While Nanny Dou waits for the beggar’s chicken, you can try some.”

Nanny Dou hesitated briefly.

Generally speaking, someone in her position shouldn’t eat carelessly outside.

However, it really was too fragrant, and growing more fragrant by the moment…

Nanny Dou couldn’t help but nod.

Steaming hot water basin lamb was placed before Nanny Dou. White porcelain dishes held two golden flatbreads sprinkled with white sesame seeds, along with another dish of chili sauce, a dish of green garlic, and a dish of pickled radish.

Wei Han silently looked at Luo Sheng.

Luo Sheng smiled reassuringly. “Nanny Dou is pressed for time. If Your Highness isn’t in a hurry, why not wait until the tavern opens to eat? All the dishes will be ready then.”

Wei Han looked at Luo Sheng with an aggrieved expression.

Who said he wasn’t in a hurry? He was just adhering to the rules Miss Luo had set. Who knew that an old nanny could make Miss Luo break her own rules?