It was late at night. The liquor houses and teahouses on both sides of the street had already started hanging lanterns outside, one after another. Among the numerous restaurants, one with a magnificent entrance was particularly eye-catching. This building had four floors with only one door. In front of the door were two extremely delicately carved jade imperial guardian lions that looked as though they were truly alive, sitting there and greeting the arriving guests. Above the door hung a sandalwood plaque, where three big and golden words were written in bold, cursive calligraphy: Drunken Immortal House. At a glance, you could tell that it was written by a renowned expert.
Imperial Guardian Lions (石獅)
Thought to protect the building from harmful spiritual influences and harmful people that might be a threat. For more info.
Yu Linglong got out of the carriage and looked up at the business plaque before examining the entrance of the building. The words on the plaque were indeed imposing and out of the ordinary. However, for her, who had long been accustomed to such a huge spectacle, it could only be similar to a four-star bar at best.
Lifting her skirt a bit, Yu Linglong led Xuan Cao into the short stairway. However, as soon as she did so, she immediately heard an arrogant and bossy voice, “Hey, hey, hey! If you’re going to collect the leftovers, go to the back door!"
Yu Linglong’s delicate eyebrows slightly frowned before she slowly raised her head. Was this thing talking to her?
At the entrance stood several men wearing matching short-sleeved robes. At a glance, one could tell that they were the gatekeepers of the building. A slightly younger man was waving impatiently at Yu Linglong, hinting at her to come in by the back door.
Yu Linglong’s black eyes narrowed as she coldly snorted. Was it because he saw that she was wearing a shabby and plain outfit? He actually said she was collecting leftovers!
Without waiting for Yu Linglong to speak, she heard Xuan Cao behind her angrily shouting, "How dare you talk to our Young Miss like that?"
Stepping forward, Xuan Cao pointed her finger at the man and continued her scolding, "Open your dog eyes and look carefully, this is the Fourth Young Miss of General Yu’s household!"
Yu Linglong was somewhat surprised. When she crossed over to this world last night, Xuan Cao gave her the impression that she was a timid girl that was afraid of getting into trouble, who would even cry every now and then. She did not expect that at this moment, upon seeing someone humiliating her, Xuan Cao actually dared to step forward on her behalf.
She originally thought that since this body’s original owner had a weak disposition, it would be unlikely that her young female servant would have a fierce persona. She did not expect that in front of others, Xuan Cao could actually step forward to defend her. Recalling the previous matter of Xuan Cao sparing no effort to steal food from the kitchen for her, Yu Linglong felt a little touched.
She guessed that probably, no matter who or what kind of person it was, as soon as they went after Yu Linglong, Xuan Cao would immediately come out to protect her without even thinking about it, right?
In all her life, she had never come across a master and servant with such deep affection.
While Yu Linglong was still pondering about it, she noticed the several men by the door laughing crazily and loudly at Xuan Cao. It was not surprising that they did not believe her. Everyday, they would see numerous high officials and nobles. This might be their first time seeing a young lady of a great family with no decent jewelry to be found anywhere on her body!
"Go, go, go! Where did these insane ladies come from? Still not rolling out at once?!" The man who spoke laughed as he stretched out his hand to push Yu Linglong.
Crack!
A crispy sound was heard. No one saw what Yu Linglong did in such a short time, they only knew that in the end, the man’s wrist had broken as it dangled softly; this sound was quickly followed by a pig-like scream.
Yu Linglong took out her handkerchief and gracefully wiped her hands as if they were contaminated with filth.
"Is this how the magnificent Drunken Immortal House treats their guests?" Her voice was as sharp and clear as the singing voice of an oriole; however, unlike an oriole, it was filled with anger and coldness.
Under the brilliance of the lantern that was bright as day, Yu Linglong stood at the entrance charmingly. Her clothes fluttered slightly in the night wind, which made people dare not stare at her intently.
Perhaps frightened by her imposing manner, the several men by the door were left speechless for a moment.
Meanwhile, the man who fell to the ground was still grieving and wailing. Immediately, a man who appeared to be in charge of the shop came out, "Why is there a lot of noise!? What is happening here?”
At last, the men finally found their backbone and hurriedly reported, "Manager Li, this woman broke Niu Si's wrist!"
Manager Li shifted his gaze towards Yu Linglong’s body and gave it a scrutinizing look. The woman in front of him was dressed in a shabby and plain outfit with her hair plainly rolled into a bun. Not even a single hairpin could be seen; behind her, there was only one young female servant. Yet, her whole body was excluding an imposing manner.
Who was Manager Li? Naturally, his gaze was unlikely to be similar to the several watchmen by the door. With just one glance, he knew that Yu Linglong’s background was not small. After all, anyone could get clothes and jewelry with money; however, no matter how much money one had, they could never buy an aura of nobility — for this is merely one’s nature.
Seeing this situation, although he was still unclear about what had happened, Manager Li still hurriedly smiled and stepped forward to greet her, "How may this humble one address this young lady?"
Xuan Cao, who had been holding back her bellyful of anger exploded and firmly replied, "Is our young miss’ maiden name something you can ask about?"
The corner of Yu Linglong’s lips raised into a smile. Very well, this girl is making me view her in a new light.
Manager Li was choked by this sentence, yet he dared not to diminish the smile on his face by even a bit, "My sincerest apology. Young Lady, please come in quickly. My last name is Li; if Young Lady has anything to instruct, please do tell this humble one."
Yu Linglong walked inside without shifting her gaze before lightly dropping a sentence, "Whatever your family name is, it doesn't matter to me."
For such a person — who looked at people as though they were food on a plate — she had no interest in showing even a superficial patience.
Manager Li braced himself before smiling obsequiously, "What does Young Lady want to eat? This humble one will quickly go and prepare it.”
For these kinds of people, the more arrogant they were, the more humble one should act. For a restaurant to open inside the Capital, filled with hidden experts, it was a must to always have a smiling and welcoming face for anyone who entered. They could not afford to take the consequence of accidentally offending an immortal.
Without much trouble, Yu Linglong casually threw out two heavy silver ingots and said, "What specialties do you have here? Put them on the table."
If Manager Li ever had doubts about Yu Linglong's identity before, they disappeared as soon as he saw Yu Linglong generously throwing money at him while exuding a noble aura.
"Yes, yes, yes. This humble one will go and prepare them quickly. I ask Miss to wait for a moment." After bringing the master and servant pair to a private room with windows, Manager Li retreated with a big smile on his face.
Xuan Cao stared fiercely at the back of Manager Li before saying, "What’s with that?! They truly are dogs with eyes that look down on people[1]!"
[1] Where dogs represent lowly people who think they are above and look down on others. In other words: Snobs. At first I wanted to keep it as “Snob'', but I feel like it would be better to put the original context and just explain it as this phrase is connected to when she said they had “dogs eyes”.
Yu Linglong handed a purse to Xuan Cao, "This thing is yours from now on."
In Yu Linglong's memory, it had been a long time since Xuan Cao had touched money. With her status, Yu Linglong would rarely use money wherever she went. And even if she needed some, there would naturally be her younger siblings to treat her. In ancient times, it truly was not the custom for someone like her to run around with a heavy purse.
Xuan Cao was startled and subconsciously withdrew her hand, "Young Miss... How can this be fine...”
"Why won’t it be fine? I am permitting you to take it!” Yu Linglong then stuffed the purse into her hands.
Xuan Cao sat, stunned; she could neither accept the purse in her hands, nor refuse it. Even after following Young Miss for a long time, she had never held so much money in her hand. For a moment, she felt that Yu Linglong's action was even more unnatural.
Looking at the bewildered appearance of Xuan Cao, Yu Linglong broke into laughter for the first time, "What's with that foolish look? Taking such a small speck of money is already enough to scare you?"
"I..." When Xuan Cao looked up at Yu Linglong and saw her smile as bright as the multicolored sunlight of sunrise, she immediately forgot her own voice.
She knew that her Young Miss had always been graceful and subdued, yet simple and elegant; but, since when did she have such a full, confident smile?
At last, the dishes arrived: four cold dishes, biscuits, and fruits were served. The waiter lowered his head and with an apologetic look on his small face said, "Inviting Young Lady to enjoy the meal. The hot dishes will arrive shortly.”
Yu Linglong picked up her chopsticks, "Quickly eat. Let's go buy clothes later."
In an instant, the chopsticks that had just been picked up by Xuan Cao fell on the table. What? It wasn’t enough to go out and eat in a restaurant, Young Miss still wants to buy clothes!?
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