This world is full of people troubled by marriage, regardless of status—an emperor has an emperor’s worries, and ordinary people have their own frustrations.
It wasn’t until the two Qin family maids had taken their leave that Madam Zhou’s suppressed anger finally erupted, flaring up along with the teacup she threw.
“Are the Qin family toying with me?” she shouted.
“Mother.” Zhou Liu-lang entered from outside, kneeling as he saluted.
He had been waiting outside all along, and the moment he saw the Qin family members leave, he hurried in.
“This is Young Master Qin’s decision,” he said. “It is not Madam Qin breaking her word and going back on her promise.”
Madam Zhou glared at Zhou Liu-lang in anger for a moment before shifting her thoughts.
“You—useless thing!” she scolded, sitting up straight and pointing at him. “Do you think that just because the Qin family won’t marry her, you will? Dream on!”
Zhou Liu-lang’s face flushed red.
“I never intended to marry her,” he said. “Mother, she isn’t suited for the Qin family.”
Madam Zhou spat in frustration.
“I gave birth to you—do you really think you can hide what’s in that little mind of yours from me?” she snapped. “So, she isn’t suited for that little cripple of the Qin family, but she is suited for you, is that it?”
Zhou Liu-lang straightened his posture.
“Mother, please don’t keep calling him a little cripple!” he couldn’t help but protest.
Madam Zhou looked at him, then clutched her chest with one hand.
“Look at you, look at you,” she said. “Already talking back to me—for the sake of that lowly wench!”
“Mother, if you want her to treat Shi’san’s leg, she cannot marry into the Qin family. The Qin family has no other intentions—this is all they mean. Don’t overthink it.” Zhou Liu-lang rose as he spoke, then turned and strode away.
Madam Zhou was so furious that tears welled in her eyes.
“Then what about Jiang-zhou? Am I still going or not?”
Master Zhou, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, listened to Madam Zhou’s tearful complaints in their entirety. After a moment of contemplation, he asked.
“Go. Why wouldn’t you go? It’s only a matter of time. If not the Qin family this time, there will be another family. I will make sure she is properly married off!” Madam Zhou declared.
A sudden spring rain came pouring down, prompting pedestrians on the street to quicken their pace.
Three or four people, pulling and tugging at each other, stopped in front of Immortal’s Abode.
“Come on, on a rainy day, this is the best place to eat,” one of them said.
But another pulled him back.
“This place is boring and expensive. Let me take you somewhere better,” he said with a grin.
“But ‘Passing Immortal’ is delicious,” the first person hesitated.
“’Eat-as-you-please’ is just like ‘Passing Immortal’, only better,” the other man said, tugging at the two of them. “Come on, let’s go. Didn’t you also want to check out the new courtesan at Moonlit Pavilion? Immortal’s Abode may have passing immortals, but it certainly can’t summon a courtesan.”
Lately, Immortal’s Abode had been hearing more and more remarks like this.
At the entrance, the waiter who had been about to welcome guests exchanged glances with a colleague as they watched the group walk away.
“Go inform the boss—quickly,” one of them said before turning and running inside.
A crisp shattering sound came from one of the rooms inside Immortal’s Abode.
“Go find out! Go see for me! I want to know exactly what this ‘eat-as-you-please’ is!” Dou Qi shouted. His powder-covered face grew even paler, and the flower tucked in his temple quivered uncontrollably.
Just then, Cheng Jiao-niang stepped out, and upon hearing the news, Jin Ge’er came running over, beaming with excitement.
“Miss, are you taking us out shopping?” he asked.
Cheng Jiao-niang had already changed into her outing attire—a spring blouse sent by Madam Chen, paired with a cinnabar-red skirt and a golden begonia-patterned top. She preferred plain-colored clothing, but as an elder, Madam Chen believed that young girls should wear bright colors, resulting in this blend of understated elegance and vibrant hues.
Since she was going out, her hair had been neatly tied up, adorned only with a small silver comb.
A maid approached from behind and placed a veiled hat on Cheng Jiao-niang’s head.
“That’s right. Do you not want to go? Or are you afraid of getting lost again?” she teased with a smile.
The young boy was not pleased to be mocked by a maid. Jin Ge’er huffed.
“Ban Qin, I’m not afraid of your teasing,” he said, happily pushing open the door as he spoke.
Cheng Jiao-niang stepped forward, her maid following closely behind. Just as she thought of something, she turned back to look.
Under the eaves, Ban Qin quickly shrank back.
“Ban Qin, hurry up!” the maid called out to her with a smile, waving her over.
Since people don’t usually call themselves by name, everyone knew who she was referring to.
Ban Qin flusteredly shook her head.
“I-I’ll stay and watch the house,” she said.
“Watch the house? In these peaceful times, if a thief dared come, the whole yamen would be useless!” the maid chuckled, then simply walked over and pulled her along. “Come on, come on, Miss is kindly taking us out for some fun. Don’t embarrass her by refusing.”
Ban Qin looked uneasy but didn’t dare refuse outright. Timidly, she followed the maid forward.
“I’ll lead the way, and Ban Qin, you can stay by Miss’s side,” the maid instructed. Before Ban Qin could say anything, she was already pointing outside. “Our house is in a great spot—just step out here, and you’ll find yourself in the busiest part of the market…”
Ban Qin hesitated for a moment, watching Cheng Jiao-niang walk out with the maid before quickly catching up.
At the back, Jin Ge’er happily locked the door behind them.
They had been in the capital for several months, but this was the first time their group of mistress and maids had gone out to explore the streets.
With spring in full bloom, the streets were livelier than ever. As flowers blossomed, more and more people adorned themselves with floral hairpins—men, women, young and old alike. Shops lined the streets, and the air buzzed with merchants’ endless calls.
“…This tunnel under the bridge leads all the way outside the city gates,” the maid said, pointing at the stone bridge’s arch beneath their feet. “They say there’s even a big beast living inside…”
Jin Ge’er, happily munching on a handful of fruits, burst into laughter upon hearing this.
“Ban Qin, you’re trying to fool me again,” he said. “Big beasts live in the mountains—how could one be in the capital?”
“She’s not making it up,” Ban Qin blurted out instinctively. Without realizing it, she had edged closer to Cheng Jiao-niang. “I heard people say… there really was one…”
Jin Ge’er, the maid, and Cheng Jiao-niang all turned to look at her.
With so many eyes on her, Ban Qin suddenly snapped back to her senses, her expression turning uneasy.
She had heard people say…
Back when she had first arrived in the capital, as a maid favored by Zhou Liu-lang, she was met with flattery from all around.
People would take her out to stroll the streets, show her the famous sights of the capital, and share all sorts of city rumors with her.
But back then, she had not been happy.
Ban Qin lowered her head, a sour sting rising in her nose.
“I don’t know about that, I only heard there was something, but I don’t know what happened,” the maid said with a smile, her curiosity piqued as she reached out to gently shake Ban Qin’s arm. “Come on, tell us. Do tell.”
Ban Qin hesitated, not daring to lift her head.
“…I heard that a wealthy merchant had caught it and kept it. But it ran away, and at the time, the whole city searched but couldn’t find it. They even imposed a curfew for quite a while. That big beast stayed in the tunnel for over a month,” she said, her voice low.
“So what did it eat?” Jin Ge’er asked curiously.
“This is a dry path, so there were rats and wild dogs running around inside. If it weren’t for the heavy rain later on in the capital, the drainage couldn’t keep up. The beast finally came out, and that’s when they discovered it. Otherwise, who knows how long it would’ve stayed hidden?” Ban Qin replied, and at this point, she couldn’t help but lift her head.
“Ha, that’s really interesting,” Jin Ge’er said, delighted.
“Interesting, right, Miss?” the maid asked Cheng Jiao-niang with a smile.
Ban Qin, a little nervous, kept her gaze lowered.
“Mm, very interesting,” came the voice of Cheng Jiao-niang.
At those words, Ban Qin unknowingly let out a relieved breath, her lips curling into a faint smile she couldn’t hold back.
“We’ve been walking for half the day, let’s go eat,” Cheng Jiao-niang said, reaching out as she stepped off the bridge.
There were many people coming and going on the bridge, with the maid and Ban Qin flanking her on either side to protect her.
“Which restaurant in the capital is good?” the maid asked, leaning her head to glance at Ban Qin. “Sister, which places have you been to?”
Being asked about her previous visits to the capital, Ban Qin didn’t feel as ashamed as before. She took a moment to think seriously.
“I’ve only been to Spring Breeze Crossing and Willow Pond Tavern,” she replied.
“Oh, those two,” the maid waved her hand dismissively. “The girls who sell wine out front are the most cunning.” She then turned to Cheng Jiao-niang. “Miss, how about we go to Spring Serenity? The drinks aren’t great, but the location is excellent, and the food is top-notch.”
By the time she spoke, they had already reached the street, where restaurants and tea houses lined the sides.
“This place will do,” Cheng Jiao-niang said. “No need to go to the more prestigious restaurants.”
“That’s true, no matter how good a place is, can it be better than Tai Ping Residence?” the maid laughed.
Jin Ge’er and Ban Qin both laughed, and the group casually walked towards the nearest restaurant.
“Miss, please this way,” the waiter greeted them warmly.
The ordinary restaurant had only one floor, with no private rooms, just scattered seating in the main hall. At this time, several people had already taken seats, and Cheng Jiao-niang and her party chose the one at the farthest end.
“Two meat dishes, two vegetarian dishes, and a bowl of fried tea. Also, bring a pot of plain water,” the maid ordered.
The waiter loudly acknowledged the order and went off, just like in all eateries. Before the main courses arrived, cold appetizers were served. The difference was that in well-known restaurants, the cold dishes were more refined and used expensive ingredients, while in ordinary eateries, they were simple fruits and preserved treats.
New customers walked in outside the door.
“Shopkeeper, do you have ’eat-as-you-please’?”
This question suddenly cut through the noise, making the maid jump in surprise, unable to resist looking up.
The three people sitting at a table were still ordering with the waiter.
“Yes, yes,” the waiter laughed heartily. “We have ‘eat-as-you-please’. Would you like the vegetarian or the meat version? Spicy or plain? Ten dishes or four?”
Hearing the waiter list off the options so quickly, the three people ordering were unfazed, but the maid’s eyes widened in shock.
“Th-this… this ‘eat-as-you-please’… has so many variations already?” she blurted out.
“Of course,” someone at a nearby table chimed in quickly. “Otherwise, why would it be called ‘eat-as-you-please’? You can have it however you like, eat it however you want.”
The maid looked at Cheng Jiao-niang, her expression peculiar.
The three people at the table over there had already expertly taken up the waiter’s words.
“Bring the meat, ten dishes, clear broth.”
Cheng Jiao-niang looked at the table beside hers.
“With so many dishes, I’m afraid it will be expensive?” she asked.
Seeing such a clean and beautiful young lady asking, the man next to her couldn’t help but laugh.
“Not expensive, not expensive. A few dishes aren’t worth much. Let me tell you, these are just side dishes. If you only order these, the shopkeeper will lose money. Everyone still orders drinks, or they’ll get some main dishes as well.” He laughed, and as if to prove his point, he raised his hand and called the waiter loudly, “Give me one ‘eat-as-you-please’ the spicy vegetarian broth with three dishes.”
After saying this, he looked at Cheng Jiao-niang with a hint of pride.
“Would you like to try one too, my lady? Simple, casual, and tasty. Better than that ‘Passing Immortal’, you know about it, right?” he said, then patted his head and laughed, “Of course, everyone knows about ‘Passing Immortal’. I’m sure you know it, but try the ‘eat-as-you-please’ today, and you’ll see the difference.”
Cheng Jiao-niang smiled but didn’t respond, lowering her head to pick up her chopsticks.
The expression on the maid’s face grew increasingly complex, as if she were surprised, happy, and perhaps a bit pleased.
“I really didn’t expect this to spread so quickly, and with so many… variations. It’s only been a few days.” She murmured.
Cheng Jiao-niang picked up a piece of food and ate it.
“There’s never a shortage of clever people in this world,” she said slowly, a faint, almost imperceptible smile forming at the corner of her lips.
Dou Qi entered with a stern face. Inside the luxurious private room, there were already a dozen people seated, of various ages. When they saw Dou Qi enter, some smiled, while others remained expressionless.
“Master Dou, you’ve delayed our fortune. Why have you called us here?” One of the older men asked with a smile.
Dou Qi’s face showed no trace of a smile.
“Fortune?” He snorted, while lifting his clothes and kneeling down, “I would like to ask all of you, why have you cut off my living!”
