Chapter 27: Yun’s Counsel

“Let go!”
No one knew how long the embrace lasted; Yuan Rou’s gaze seemed fixed upon Qiao Qingyun, unable to look away. The warmth of his chest, the sound of his powerful heartbeat—these were sensations Yuan Rou had never experienced with a man, and her heart fluttered wildly.
Fortunately, Pin’er reacted swiftly, pushing Qiao Qingyun aside and helping Yuan Rou to her feet.
“My apologies, it was thoughtless of me. Please forgive me, Princess,” Qiao Qingyun said, wishing he could slap himself. How could he have been so careless? What if someone had discovered his secret?
He failed to notice the burning intensity in Yuan Rou’s eyes, as if she wanted to devour him whole.
“Um… Mr. Yun, do you intend to stay here?” Yuan Rou, perhaps caught off guard by her own emotions, addressed Qiao Qingyun as Mr. Yun.
“In response to the Princess, I plan to take over this restaurant. Firstly, it allows me to spend more time with my sister; secondly, I hope it will provide a means to make a living.”
Yuan Rou nodded at Qiao Qingyun’s reply, said nothing more, and turned to leave. Yet even after stepping outside, feeling the cool breeze, her heart continued to pound violently.
“Princess, what’s wrong? Your face is so flushed—are you feeling unwell?”
Pin’er asked with concern, but Yuan Rou shook her head and remained silent, acting as if she were a young girl with a secret, hurrying toward her carriage.
Qiao Qingyun let out a sigh of relief, quickly returning to his seat. His voice shifted from the rough tone he had used earlier to his usual one. “That was terrifying, simply terrifying.”
Hong Ying looked somewhat dazed. “Miss, who was that princess just now? She seemed so imposing!”
Zhong Shi, noticing Hong Ying’s question, heard Qiao Qingyun respond with a helpless smile, “Anyone from the royal family is bound to be imposing—you’ll get used to it.”
As they chatted, Zhong Shi returned and found the three of them engrossed in conversation. “Did something happen?”
Hong Ying recounted what had transpired, giving Zhong Shi a general understanding, and he nodded in acknowledgment.
“Miss, you had the waiter and all the other cooks taken away—what will happen to the restaurant?”
Upon hearing Hong Ying’s question, Qiao Qingyun frowned in thought. Suddenly, a figure flashed across his mind—it was none other than Feng Ke!

“Do you remember Young Master Feng? I recall he owns a restaurant, doesn’t he?”
Hearing Qiao Qingyun mention Feng Ke, Qing Luo froze and shook her head repeatedly. “No, no!”
Hong Ying and Zhong Shi were unfamiliar with the situation, so they watched the exchange quietly.
“Why not?”
Qiao Qingyun was puzzled. Qing Luo sighed in exasperation. “Miss, have you forgotten? He practically wants to write ‘ulterior motives’ across his face! It’s obvious what he wants… oh dear!”
“If it weren’t for your cleverness in declaring yourself the Crown Prince’s fiancée, he would have done everything possible to have the Crown Prince grant you to him!”
At this, Zhong Shi grew alert; though he usually showed little interest in such matters, he spoke in agreement, “Miss, if it’s really as Qing Luo says, perhaps…”
“Oh, business is business. Besides, the imperial decree is already issued—what can he do to me now? You’re overreacting. We can’t just let the place shut down, can we?”
Qiao Qingyun sighed in resignation, and seeing she wouldn’t be persuaded, they could only let it be.
After a hasty meal, Qiao Qingyun led the three straight to Baixiang Pavilion.
The place was bustling with guests, especially those dining inside, who seemed full of praise—there wasn’t a single empty seat to be found.
“Ah! Four distinguished guests, all the private rooms upstairs are full. I’m afraid you’ll have to wait,”
The waiter hurriedly stopped them, for there was no room left inside.
Qiao Qingyun opened her white paper fan, smiling as she addressed the waiter, “I wish to speak with your proprietor.”
“The proprietor? And you are…?”
Since it was Qiao Qingyun’s first visit, the staff didn’t recognize her and were extra cautious.
“Just tell Feng Ke that I have a way to free them from the torment of poppy—he’ll know who I am.”
Qiao Qingyun spoke with deliberate mystery; though the waiter didn’t understand, he dared not delay and quickly went upstairs to relay the message.
Shortly after, the waiter returned, smiling and bowing. “Please, come right in!”
The four followed him upstairs, heading straight for Room Number One. As soon as they entered, a heady scent of roses filled the air, causing Qiao Qingyun to frown.
“Ahem.”
The three behind her also rubbed their noses uncomfortably but said nothing.

“Who might you be?”
Feng Ke’s voice drifted from within. Qiao Qingyun, making no effort to disguise herself, replied with a smile, “It’s been barely half a month, and Young Master Feng has forgotten me?”
Upon recognizing Qiao Qingyun’s voice, Feng Ke, who had been seated behind a curtain, appeared in a flash before her. “Beauty! What brings you to me?”
The term ‘beauty’ made Zhong Shi instinctively tighten his grip on his sword, but Feng Ke paid it no mind, his face alight with delight as he looked at Qiao Qingyun.
“I’ve come to discuss a business matter with you, Young Master Feng.”
Qiao Qingyun took a seat beside the tea table, and it must be said, Feng Ke’s quick recognition showed his attentiveness.
“Beauty, what business is there between us? Tell me—if I can be of help, I certainly won’t refuse!”
The promise was bold enough to make Qiao Qingyun laugh softly. “My father left me a little place, Qing Kitchen, but its staff have been sent to the magistrate’s office. At the moment, I can’t find a waiter or a cook…”
Hearing this, Feng Ke wished he could bite his tongue—how could he have agreed so hastily?
Seeing the regret in Feng Ke’s phoenix eyes, Qiao Qingyun smiled, “Don’t worry, I won’t make you pay dearly. I simply hope to use the Baixiang Pavilion name, but change it to Baixiang Courtyard.”
“Baixiang Courtyard?”
Feng Ke was puzzled. “Why?”
“Because its future proprietor will be Yun Jian.”
It was a sudden inspiration Qiao Qingyun had while deceiving Princess Yongning—a new identity would make her actions more convenient.
As the owner of a restaurant, there would be no restrictions.
“Oh… So it’s you?”
Feng Ke teased with a smile. Qiao Qingyun, taking the initiative, poured tea for them both and said, “I’ve come today to sincerely form a partnership with Young Master Feng. Even the Crown Prince wishes to befriend you—surely you are no ordinary man.”