This tavern was called Yaqu Pavilion. Chu Zhao still had some impression of it—it was considered one of the capital’s famous establishments.

In her past life, after Xiao Xun had saved her, she had harbored feelings for him and wanted to see him under the pretext of expressing gratitude. She had spent several days inquiring about various taverns, staying up late to research which place would be best, with Yaqu Pavilion ending up as her first choice.

Of course, in the end, she hadn’t gone. Her uncle had taken the initiative to arrange a banquet at home.

In this life, having the opportunity to come here, Chu Zhao examined the tavern up and down. It was indeed a good place for meetings.

The tavern was shaped like the character “回” (hui), with three floors of spacious open seating and a beautiful central hall that could be used for playing instruments, singing, dancing, and storytelling.

Since it featured open seating, it emphasized refinement and taste—so why was it as bustling as a marketplace today?

All floors were fully occupied, with people continuously arriving. The attendants stood at the entrance, not to welcome guests but seemingly to screen them.

A-Le was also surprised: “There weren’t this many people a few days ago.”

An attendant approached them, looked them over, and waved dismissively: “Go away, no peddling allowed in our tavern.”

What? A-Le glared: “I’m a maid who came out to shop for my household.”

Why did he think her disguise was that of a street vendor?

This was absurd. The attendant also glared, but being busy today, he didn’t bother arguing with this girl: “We’re not a market either. Out, out.”

“Young man,” Chu Zhao said with a smile, “we’re here to dine.”

Though this girl was dressed plainly, her demeanor was certainly not that of a peddler or shopping maid. The attendant tempered his attitude: “Do you have a reservation? Or are you joining someone?”

Although she could directly mention Chu Ke’s name, there was no need. She was just casually walking around to see who Chu Ke was associating with. She could wait outside to see, and going in might make it harder to observe.

“No,” Chu Zhao said.

“Then I’m very sorry,” the attendant said. “We’re full today.”

As Chu Zhao was about to speak, a cough came from behind her. She turned to see Qi Leyun, whom she had met the other day, along with two other girls, entering.

Seeing them, the attendant quickly greeted them with a smile: “Miss Qi, you’ve arrived.”

Qi Leyun didn’t look at Chu Zhao but gazed around, saying loudly: “So many people today! Fortunately, we reserved seats in advance.”

The other two girls also smiled and said, “Indeed, without reserving seats in advance, could Miss Qi ever be without a place to sit?”

A-Le glared at them. Chu Zhao didn’t say anything as the three girls walked past her with arrogant expressions. They walked slowly, as if wanting Chu Zhao to get a good look.

But suddenly there was some commotion from the third floor. The three girls looked up, and their previously composed, elegant, and aloof demeanor instantly changed.

“Look, look, I see it!”

“That sleeve—it must be him! The young master favors dark-colored brocade robes.”

“Let’s hurry, hurry!”

The three became excited and giggling, abandoned Chu Zhao, and went upstairs happily.

What were they looking at? Chu Zhao was somewhat curious and glanced upward. The seats near the central hall were all occupied, with gauze curtains hanging down, a scene of elegant refinement.

The attendant stepped over to block her view: “Miss, we really are full. Please come earlier next time.”

Chu Zhao responded with an “Oh” and was about to turn away when another voice sounded from behind.

“Miss Chu?”

Chu Zhao turned to see Deng Yi wearing a somewhat worn blue robe, entering alone. She was first startled, then delighted, and quickly bowed: “Official Deng.”

Was this girl afraid of him or happy to see him? Her reflexive step backward was genuine, but so was the smile on her face. Deng Yi nodded: “What brings you here?”

Chu Zhao said: “My brother is drinking here.” She pointed upward. “I’m worried he’ll drink too much, so I came to check on him.”

Would she care that much about this brother? More likely, she came to beat him up because he would drink too much. Deng Yi asked: “Do you need to go in quietly?”

This is why it’s best to be honest with intelligent people. Chu Zhao nodded, her eyes blinking as she looked at him without speaking.

Deng Yi smiled: “Come with me.” Walking up to the attendant, he said, “Deng Yi, I reserved table D-17 on the second floor. Miss Chu is with me.”

The attendant quickly bowed and led the way: “Official Deng, Miss Chu, this way please.”

…

…

Qi Leyun and her companions had already taken their seats on the highest third floor. This half was almost filled with young women who, despite lowering their voices, still chirped and chattered like swallows.

And they were almost all looking in one direction across from them.

Qi Leyun’s seat wasn’t good, blocked by a corridor pillar, which made her very unhappy. She was craning her neck to look up, down, left, and right when suddenly she spotted something on the stairs. She quickly tapped the girl beside her: “Look quickly, look!”

That girl was also annoyed: “Look at what? I can’t see anything.”

“Look, Chu Zhao,” Qi Leyun said.

Chu Zhao again! The two girls looked over and indeed saw Chu Zhao following a blue-robed man up the stairs.

The man was tall, in his thirties, with a bearing that wasn’t that of a servant, but his attire was quite ordinary.

“She doesn’t play with us,” one girl pouted, “yet see who she associates with.”

The other girl exclaimed: “Don’t look at her anymore! Quick, look, Third Young Master Xie is toasting someone!”

Qi Leyun and the girl immediately stood up. They saw that in the area blocked by the pillar opposite them, because a few people had walked over from elsewhere to speak with the person behind the pillar, that person had stood up. But he hadn’t emerged into Qi Leyun and her companions’ line of sight. They could only see his outstretched hand holding a cup of wine.

That hand was slender and fair, with a dark sleeve gently swaying.

The wine cup was raised, then brought to the lips as the head tilted back, revealing a fair jawline.

Qi Leyun and her companions clenched their hands, almost crying out in joy.

They saw him! They saw him! They saw him!

…

…

There was another sudden bout of commotion in the tavern. Chu Zhao was startled—the staircase seemed to be shaking as if many people were stomping their feet at once.

She looked around in confusion. Nothing seemed amiss. There were no strange people or objects, no storytellers or musicians, not even any acrobats—

She looked toward the third floor. There were especially many people here, with men and women sitting on opposite sides, all seats filled. Many people were moving about, laughing, raising cups, looking as if someone was holding a great banquet.

Deng Yi paid no attention to the commotion and led Chu Zhao to a railing-side position on the second floor. He took the initiative to ask the attendant guiding them: “Do you know a Young Master Chu Ke? He’s here today. Where is he sitting? I want to—”

Before he could explain what he wanted to do with Chu Ke, the attendant was already answering with a smile: “Of course, of course. Young Master Chu Ke, Ouyang Secretary’s protégé, learned and talented, promising youth who has already passed the five barriers and six generals to obtain an invitation to the Third Prince’s Wangchun Garden. Today he’s treating guests—”

Listening to the attendant, Deng Yi looked at Chu Zhao sitting opposite him and saw her pressing her hand to her forehead, appearing unable to bear hearing more—

She should indeed come beat him up.

Deng Yi smiled and nodded: “I also heard this news and came specially to pay respects to Young Master Chu Ke, hoping to toast him.”

The attendant pointed across: “There, your position is perfect. Young Master Chu Ke is right opposite.”

Both Deng Yi and Chu Zhao looked over and indeed saw seven or eight young men seated at a table, among whom one was speaking animatedly—it was Chu Ke.

Deng Yi thanked the attendant and joked: “No wonder the tavern is so lively today.”

The attendant laughed heartily, his expression somewhat excited: “Yes, yes, but, not exactly. Today’s crowd is because of—ahem, with the recent literary gathering, there are naturally more people in the capital.”

He seemed about to mention someone else, but recalling that Deng Yi said he came for Chu Ke, it didn’t seem appropriate to mention others. The attendant said no more and took his leave.

Deng Yi didn’t mind and looked at Chu Zhao: “Miss Chu can sit here with me first. It’s more convenient to keep an eye on Young Master Chu.”

Chu Zhao thanked him: “Thank you, Official Deng.” Then, thinking of something, she asked, “Does Official Deng have an appointment with someone?”

If so, she would be intruding.

Though she was also curious to see whom Deng Yi was meeting. Was it Xiao Xun? Someone from the Prince of Zhongshan?

The girl’s expression seemed somewhat tense. Deng Yi poured tea: “I’m here to give a gift. Once others finish eating, I’ll rush to pay the bill.”

What? Chu Zhao looked at Deng Yi.

Deng Yi pushed a cup of tea toward her and smiled: “So, Miss Chu, please sit as you wish. There’s no one else joining me.”