Minister Zhao truly wanted to cry.
Was it easy for him? Enduring a month or so in such a bland and tasteless manner that even his beard had lost its luster—he had finally awaited the return of Miss Luo’s… cook!
Entering the city, the procession moved grandly toward the Imperial City.
The family members at the end of the procession dispersed directly, each returning to their own residences.
Minister Zhao sidled up to Grand General Luo, smiling cheerfully: “Grand General, you’ve worked hard being away for a month.”
“Not hard at all. What’s hard about hunting?”
Minister Zhao, who had originally just been making polite conversation, couldn’t help but chime in: “True, I noticed the Grand General seems to have gained some weight.”
Grand General Luo was pleased: “The daily meals were quite good.”
Minister Zhao asked sourly: “It was the head chef from A Certain Tavern who cooked, wasn’t it?”
Grand General Luo nodded matter-of-factly.
Minister Zhao took the opportunity to inquire: “Grand General, has your esteemed daughter mentioned when the tavern will open for business?”
Open for business?
Upon hearing these two words, Grand General Luo’s good mood immediately vanished.
Why did Minister Zhao have to bring up exactly what he didn’t want to hear!
How would he know when Sheng’er’s tavern would open for business? It would be best if it never opened—then Xiu Gu could just stay at the Luo residence to cook.
“My daughter hasn’t mentioned it. After traveling for two or three days, she’ll need to rest for a few days at least.” Grand General Luo said casually.
Minister Zhao tottered away and delivered this bad news to his good friend Minister Qian.
Minister Qian was somewhat more patient than Minister Zhao. Stroking his beard, he analyzed: “No need to panic. Let today pass. Tomorrow, when it’s time to open, we’ll go and see. Head chefs generally have good stamina—I don’t think she needs to rest for several days.”
“That’s right, it’s not Miss Luo who’s doing the cooking.” Hearing Minister Qian say this, Minister Zhao immediately felt less dejected.
Minister Qian shook his head: “Brother Zhao, as Minister of Justice—”
Minister Zhao’s beard trembled: “What? I have Lin Teng.”
Someone who spent every day dredging sewers dared to look down on him, who sought justice for the people?
Minister Qian was reminded: “Bringing Lin Teng’s younger brother gets half price, doesn’t it? How about—”
Before Minister Qian could finish, Minister Zhao shook his head repeatedly: “Not worth it—”
“What?”
“Uh, I mean it’s not appropriate. Young people would feel constrained eating with us old fellows.”
“Sir, this subordinate doesn’t feel constrained.”
Behind Minister Zhao, a clear voice rang out.
“Shut up!” Minister Zhao turned and rebuked quietly, then turned back to smile cheerfully at Minister Qian. “See? Young people love to show off.”
Minister Qian chuckled twice.
Whether it was worth it didn’t matter. He was thinking that he was one person, while Old Zhao bringing the Lin brothers would be three people—surely Old Zhao should treat then, right?
This old codger who never reciprocated!
Minister Qian once again had the thought of breaking off their friendship.
At the entrance of the Luo residence, a row of people similarly stood waiting for their masters to return.
The most conspicuous was a clear-featured young man.
Of course, he was conspicuous not because he was handsome—the Grand General’s residence never lacked handsome men—but because he was holding a large white goose.
“They’re here, they’re here!” Someone with sharp eyes saw the carriages and horses and called out, immediately causing a commotion.
Shi Yan bounded forward past everyone, being the first to reach Luo Sheng.
“Miss Luo, you’re finally back! Big White has missed you so much it’s gotten thin.”
Hong Dou was surprised: “Big White is so well-behaved now?”
This silly goose would even try to peck when it saw Miss—how come it was so docile in Shi Sanhu’s arms now?
“What do you mean well-behaved? Don’t you see Big White’s wings and feet are tied up?” Kou’er, who had caught up, said with pursed lips.
Shi Yan hurriedly explained: “I was afraid Big White would startle Miss.”
Luo Sheng slowly scanned the circle.
There was the grinning Shi Yan, the smiling Kou’er, the slightly smiling Luo Ying, and the Luo residence servants with respectful expressions.
She was back.
After going out for over a month, she had brought back the precious bracelet but lost Zhaohua.
However, no matter how difficult, she still had to come back, had to go on living.
Luo Sheng lifted her skirt hem and stepped through the Luo residence gate step by step.
A group of concubines was waiting in the courtyard.
“Miss is back!”
Someone called out, and the concubines surged forward, all greeting Luo Sheng in unison.
Luo Sheng nodded in acknowledgment.
The concubines then greeted Luo Chen.
Luo Chen nodded reservedly.
After that, the concubines rushed to surround Luo Qing and Luo Yue.
“Oh my, Fourth Miss has gotten darker! Is the sun in Beihe very strong?”
“Darker, and fatter too.”
“Usually when people get darker they get thinner—how did you get fatter?”
Luo Yue stamped her foot in anger: “Stop talking about it!”
“Alright, alright, we’ll stop. Second Miss, are you tired? Your complexion doesn’t look too good…”
Luo Chen watched coldly, gave a cold snort, and caught up with Luo Sheng, who was walking toward Leisurely Cloud Courtyard.
Luo Sheng looked at him in surprise: “Not going back to your own courtyard?”
“Going.”
“Then why did you follow me here?”
Luo Chen said with disappointment: “The concubines treated you like that—don’t you mind?”
Luo Sheng paused, then smiled: “I don’t mind at all.”
“Why not?” The youth was very puzzled.
They were both young ladies of the residence, yet she was treated so differently. If it were him, he would definitely mind.
With Luo Sheng’s carefree temperament, who knew how many hidden losses she would suffer.
Luo Sheng walked forward slowly, saying lightly: “Probably because I like punishing concubines by making them kneel on abacuses?”
Luo Chen’s steps halted.
Luo Sheng looked at him.
“I’m going to my room.” The youth said ungraciously.
He had overthought it!
A calm voice came from behind: “Go rest well. We’ll go to the tavern tonight.”
Luo Chen turned around, his expression slightly surprised: “Going to the tavern today?”
Luo Sheng looked up at the sky: “It’s only morning. Isn’t half a day’s rest enough?”
“Enough.” Thinking of Xiao Qi who had run ahead to A Certain Tavern, Luo Chen quickly nodded.
“Then go rest.” Luo Sheng raised her hand, habitually wanting to ruffle the youth’s hair, but discovered he had grown taller.
This one month’s time seemed most evident in Luo Chen.
Seeing Luo Sheng’s hand suspended in midair without moving, Luo Chen reflexively wanted to move his head closer.
The youth who used reason to overcome this impulse had a slightly darkened expression: “What is it?”
“I noticed that after a month or so of diligent riding and archery practice, you’ve grown quite a bit taller.”
“Really?” The youth subconsciously straightened his back.
Luo Sheng smiled: “You should thank Xiao Qi.”
Luo Chen’s face completely darkened: “You said you would teach me archery.”
But after teaching once or twice, she stopped caring.
If anyone should be thanking anyone, it should be Luo Sheng thanking him.
Wait, that would be even worse!
The youth walked away with a straight face.
Soon it was evening.
Luo Sheng’s group walked onto Apricot Green Street and arrived at A Certain Tavern.
Before stepping into the tavern, Luo Sheng stopped, staring blankly at the opposite side.
Across the road from A Certain Tavern, the original teahouse sign had been taken down at some point and replaced with a new sign.
On it were written four large characters: A Medical Hall.
Looking back at her own A Certain Tavern, then turning to look at the opposite A Medical Hall, Luo Sheng slightly frowned.
If it were A Certain Teahouse or restaurant, she would have thought it was here to spoil the scene.
However, A Medical Hall—Luo Sheng’s thoughts turned slightly, and she thought of a person.