Bringing two gluttons to dine at the You Jian Tavern?

He’d have to be crazy to do that.

Lin Teng watched the bright gleam in his two subordinates’ eyes dim, completely unmoved.

He wanted to be soft-hearted, but alas his purse wouldn’t allow him to do so.

“Then Young Master Lin, take care.” Luo Sheng smiled as she saw Lin Teng to the door. Turning back around, the smile at the corners of her mouth turned cold.

Those in their positions should fulfill their duties—she appreciated Lin Teng’s approach.

But appreciation was appreciation; redirecting her anger was still something she needed to do.

Luo Sheng walked to sit by the counter, her fingers curling up to tap repeatedly against the smooth surface.

A longbow transforming into a green snake—this matter was quite thought-provoking.

Had someone accidentally discovered the longbow in the tree hollow, or had they been observing her actions all along?

If it was the former, there was no need to take it to heart.

That bow had been specially selected by her—utterly ordinary without the slightest distinguishing characteristics. Even if it fell into the hands of Minister Zhao’s most capable subordinate, Young Master Lin, she needn’t worry he could trace the bow back to her.

But if it was the latter—Luo Sheng pressed her lips together, her gaze deepening.

If it was the latter, it might be somewhat troublesome.

Under the premise of the latter, had that person placed the green snake there after taking away the longbow, or had the green snake coincidentally crawled in to cool off?

The green snake coincidentally crawling in needed no further discussion. But if someone had deliberately placed it there, were they targeting her or those searching for the “criminal”?

Both were possible.

If that person was from Prince Pingnan’s side, the purpose of placing the green snake was self-evident—waiting for her, the “murderer,” to expose herself because of the green snake when she went to retrieve the murder weapon.

If it was a party unrelated to Prince Pingnan, placing the green snake might simply be a small joke.

Seeing Luo Sheng continuously lost in thought, the female manager couldn’t help but ask: “Boss, are you in a bad mood?”

Luo Sheng withdrew her thoughts, looking calmly at the female manager: “Why do you think that?”

The female manager poured a cup of tea and brought it to Luo Sheng’s side, sighing: “Last night such a thing happened, not only quite close to our tavern, but the person had just left the tavern. Boss, are you worried our tavern’s business will be affected?”

It was already time for the tavern to open. Under normal circumstances, even if not completely full, there would be several tables of customers by now.

Yet now there wasn’t even a single customer.

There could have been one table—that Young Master Lin clearly wanted to dine at the tavern. But the boss was too honest, and with one sentence made Young Master Lin remember he couldn’t afford to treat guests.

In her opinion, what was there to fear about not being able to treat guests? Young Master Lin was Grand Academician Lin’s eldest grandson—just put it on account.

The boss was truly too kind-hearted.

Seeing the female manager sigh, Luo Sheng smiled: “An incident just occurred, everyone is on edge. It’s perfectly normal for the tavern’s business to be somewhat affected. Manager, you needn’t worry too much.”

The female manager thought for a moment, then tentatively suggested: “Boss, what if—we lower the prices of the food and wine a bit?”

“Lower prices?” Hong Dou, who had just sat down cracking sunflower seeds, suddenly raised her voice several notches, looking at the female manager incredulously. “Lower what prices? There’s not even enough for us to eat ourselves—why would we lower prices?”

The corner of the female manager’s mouth twitched violently.

After all, this was a tavern open for business—couldn’t they have just a little bit of awareness?

Kou’er expertly spat out a sunflower seed shell, wiping the corner of her mouth to smooth things over: “Hong Dou, quickly stop talking. How can you only think about eating for yourself? But lowering prices won’t do either. If we lower prices and too many people come, won’t that exhaust the miss and Xiu Gu… Right, Manager?”

The female manager had nothing to say, silently drinking a mouthful of tea.

After two quarters of an hour passed with still no customers arriving, Sheng Sanlang brazenly sidled over: “Cousin, we’ve been open so long without any customers. Why don’t we eat the food first—”

The rest of his words came to an abrupt halt when he saw a blue-robed figure walk into the tavern.

Prince Pingnan had just had an incident—wasn’t Prince Kaiyang afraid of death? Why had he come again!

Sheng Sanlang looked at Shi Yan with resentment.

Shi Yan gave him a look that said “you’re overthinking this,” hurrying forward to receive the guest.

What did their master have to fear?

Did they really think that because their master kept getting swindled by Miss Luo, he was a soft persimmon?

“Master, you’ve arrived.”

Wei Han surveyed the room.

Not a single table of customers—perhaps today there would be no limit on portions?

Thinking this, he nodded at Luo Sheng in greeting.

Luo Sheng nodded in response, coldly watching as Shi Yan led Wei Han to his usual seat, falling into contemplation.

Last night, after she had shot at Prince Pingnan and returned to the tavern, only Prince Kaiyang had remained in the main hall.

He had helped straighten her pearl flower—thinking of Wei Han’s unusual behavior yesterday, Luo Sheng’s heart couldn’t help but sink.

Could the person who had taken the longbow from the tree hollow be Prince Kaiyang?

Wei Han sat down, the corner of his eye sweeping toward the counter.

It seemed that ever since he had changed into blue robes, Miss Luo had looked at him a few more times than usual.

Fine feathers make fine birds—could this be what that saying meant?

“Master, what would you like to eat?”

Wei Han suppressed his chaotic thoughts, asking: “Are there any new dishes today?”

Shi Yan said with a beaming smile: “You’ve come at just the right time—there happens to be a new dish today!”

Hong Dou on the side rolled her eyes.

Called the right time? Prince Kaiyang clearly came to report every single day—it would only be called the right time if he didn’t come one day.

Shi Yan paid no attention to the little maid’s eye roll, hurrying to introduce the dish to his master: “Today our tavern is introducing a new dish called Tofu Boxes. You absolutely must try it.”

Only by serving his master well would he avoid being sent back to scrub chamber pots.

Wei Han listened to his young guard’s introduction, raising an eyebrow.

“Our tavern”?

It seemed this fellow had already forgotten who he was.

“Then bring one serving of Tofu Boxes, two plates of braised beef…” Wei Han skillfully ordered his dishes and sat quietly drinking tea.

Luo Sheng walked over carrying a small tray.

One dish of chili oil bamboo shoots, one dish of crispy fennel beans, one dish of purple sweet potato jelly, one dish of crystal shrimp aspic.

These were precisely the You Jian Tavern’s famous complimentary dishes.

Only gifted, never sold—who knows how many old glutton regulars gnashed their teeth over them.

Wei Han watched as Luo Sheng placed the small dishes one by one before him, somewhat dazed.

After recovering, he finally spoke: “Miss Luo, these are—”

“Complimentary dishes.”

Wei Han pressed his thin lips together.

Of course he knew these were complimentary dishes. After all, every time watching that fellow surnamed Lin come to eat and have them while he didn’t, the impression was deep enough.

What he wanted to ask was why he had complimentary dishes today.

Thinking this, Wei Han lowered his gaze to look at the blue robe he wore.

Having changed his clothes, could there really be such an effect?

Luo Sheng sat down across from Wei Han, a faint smile playing at the corners of her mouth: “Won’t Your Highness try them?”

Wei Han picked up his chopsticks, tasting each one.

“Are they good?”

Wei Han met Luo Sheng’s gaze, nodding slightly.

It should have nothing to do with changing clothes.

His gaze moved upward, falling on the young woman’s hair.

Hair like dark clouds, casually pinned up, a pale-colored pearl flower adorning it.

He couldn’t help but think of the light pink pearl flower the young woman before him had casually tossed onto the table last night.

She had said when the pearl flower was crooked, she didn’t want it anymore.

In truth, what she disdained wasn’t the pearl flower at all, but clearly the person who had touched it.

Wei Han lowered his gaze to look at the four dishes of small plates arranged on the table, deciding not to ask anything.

Eat first, then talk.