The imperial physicians returned to Yongyan Palace once more. Fortunately, Yan Mingyong hadn't fainted this time. The younger had firmly pulled on Ye Zhizhou’s hand, looking at him with bloodshot eyes - silent but clear-headed.
Already familiar with the series of events, the imperial physicians quickly checked his pulse and prescribed the correct medicine. They did not know how many times they had already said it, but they had to say the same repetitive words every time they came. "Your highness, please avoid anything that can cause disruptive emotions; you must stay in bed for the rest of the month. The food consumed should be light, and it would be best if…"
"Shut up." Yan Mingyong finally opened his mouth, if only to chase the people out. "Everyone get out. No one is allowed to stay. De An, shut the palace door - I won't see anyone!"
The physicians were silent as they hurriedly packed their medical equipment and left.
Only Yan Mingyong and Ye Zhizhou were left in the palace. Ye Zhizhou, seeing the younger's pale and weak look, couldn't help but feel worried. Stepping forward, he helped pull up the quilt and held out his hand. "I won't leave. Just get a good rest - don't think about it too much.” Seeing his lover nearly die from excessive anger just as he found him, Zhizhou was secretly panicked in his heart.
Yan Mingyong continued to stare at him, lips pale and blue. The distorted expression on his face emitted an evil aura. "An Chengle! This prince can ignore your previous impudent actions, but remember that you'll live here for a lifetime! If you dare to leave, I will take you to hell!"
This was the first time that Yan Mingyong had used his imperial title in front of Ye Zhizhou. After finding out that the younger was his lover, Ye Zhizhou couldn't feel any fear or jealousy towards him. He couldn't help but reveal a smile at the threat. "So? You will surely follow, and you will certainly recognize me at first glance." Although his lover did not retain his past memories - it seemed that at first sight, he could recognise him with his own instincts. He believed that if there was a next life, this person would be able to recognize him once more.
Yan Mingyong was stunned by the gentle and intimate response. But soon after, his face darkened and he continued on with his threat. "Then, it won't only be you; your brother, parents, and family as well. You may not be afraid to go to hell, but what about your family? If you don’t want them to come to harm, just stay with me!"
"Yes, yes - I know you're powerful. Now, just rest." Ye Zhizhou patted his head as if he was a puppy, stroking the long hair soon after. "The imperial physician said that you have to recuperate; sleep, ok?"
Yan Mingyong stiffened with a frown, secretly liking the intimacy. He wanted to open his mouth to continue his ruthless words - however, Ye Zhizhou quickly covered his mouth with a hand. "Your eyes are clearly red and bloodshot, yet you're still not going to sleep?" He helplessly pinched his lover's overly beautiful face. Seeing a glare form on the younger's face, Zhizhou simply took off his shoes and climbed into the bed - quickly taking off his outer robes to open up the quilt and take the other person into his embrace. "Sleep, I'll guarding you."
"You!" Yan Mingyong spoke in an anger, but stopped halfway - entangling himself in the other's body in reflex. His face turned blank and gloomy, and his mouth gaped in shock - but he didn't utter a single word.
Ye Zizhou found the younger's ridiculous actions cute, kissing Mingyong's forehead then raising his hand to cover the other's eyes. “Let’s sleep. It’s late.”
His eyes covered, Yan Mingyong’s instincts tensed - only relaxing gradually due to the warmth of the person beside him. He couldn’t help but tightly cling on to the other's body, burying his head in the other’s neck. The young prince - in a show of weakness, albeit in an evil tone - said, “This time, you took the initiative to come, then refused to leave. So, you can’t leave me now.”
"Yes, yes. I won't leave." He patted his lover, sighing in his heart; in the end, just how lacking was the amount of love the youth received in his childhood to develop this kind of personality. Furthermore, this terrible physical ailment…… He poked the system and questioned it - then easing his heart, he held his lover and fell into a deep sleep.
The relationship between Yan Mingyong and Ye Zhizhou grew with time. Although Yan Mingyong was still quick to anger, Ye Zhizhou had also been quick to suppress it. As the relationship between the two grew closer, the number of imperial physicians coming to Yongyan Palace gradually lessened, Yan Mingyong's improved health shocking everyone. The Dragon Emperor Yan was very pleased, rewarding An Chengle and the Zhenguo Gongfu with a pile of treasures - as well as giving An Chengsheng the top score in the court examinations and continuously praising the Zhenguo Gong's educated children in court.
The Zhenguo Gong husband and wife duo felt relief at the turn of events. An Chengseng also gradually calmed his heart, but he was still afraid of the eighth prince's words that day. From time to time, he would find an excuse to go to the palace to 'accidently' meet with his younger brother; he didn't have any time to pay attention to An Chengjie.
The two sons of the An Family were held in high esteem by the emperor, filling the Zhenguo Gongfu with delight. An Chengjie, who had yet to be targeted by An Chengle, finally had enough time to prepare for the opening of his restaurant. On the day, he finally reconciled with Lei Baofei, intending to take the other to taste the hot pot and wine he made as a way to redeem their friendship. Since the day the 'Treasure Pavillion' was wrecked by An Chengle, the other person had begun to disassociate with him. Although Baofei didn't refuse his requests for help with the shop, they were not as close as before. Chengjie vaguely felt that after he finished helping, Lei Baofei would draw a clear line between them. If this was the case, his situation in the Zhenguo Gongfu - which had yet to be established and stabilised - would be in serious danger.
Opening a shop did not just need novel ideas and excellent merchandise - it also required a strong network of contacts and a good backing. Lei Baofei's father was the Great General, and Lei Baofei himself was also a promising young general. The reason the 'Treasure Pavilion' could grow so quickly before was because it borrowed the other's contacts. As this new restaurant was about to open, it was natural that he wanted the support of the other party. Additionally, he needed the other person's protection to avoid people from Zenguo Gongfu finding out about his businesses too early.
All sorts of ideas and plans swirled in his mind, and though it was not time for the restaurant's grand opening, a complete plan to reconcile Lei Baofei and develop his business had taken shape - awaiting its execution today.
Lei Baofei had yet to arrive. The shopkeeper hanging up the shop sign in front at the entrance saw An Chengjie and hurriedly rushed over to greet him. "Boss, the ingredients and medicinal herbs you requested have been processed - the wine has also been prepared in the kitchen. Now, it is just the customers we lack."
An Chengjie was very satisfied with the shopkeeper that was hired by his broker. Smiling, he patted the other on the shoulder and praised his efforts. "I feel relieved at the way you handle things. Let's go - first, take me to the kitchen."
The shopkeeper’s eyes flashed as he leaned forward to lead the way.
In a private room on the second floor of the teahouse across the street, Ye Zhizhou put down his teacup and smiled at the Yan Mingyong who was reading a book in front of him. Grinning, he said: "Mingyong, I'm going out to take care of a few things. I'll be back soon, so just continue reading your book - I'll take you with me to eat some delicious food later!"
Yan Mingyong stopped turning the page, looking up with a frown on his face. "Half an hour at the very most."
After calculating the time needed for the restaurant to open, Zhizhou nodded his head in assent. "Ok, I’ll be back in half an hour."
After the other had left, Yan Mingyong put down his book and gently knocked his knuckles on the table. De An opened the door and quickly walked to the window, blowing into a whistle-like thing. Outside the teahouse, a hooded figure flashed out from the shadows and chased Ye Zhizhou.
_________________
In one of the best areas on the South Street - a new restaurant, Chuan Yue, was opened; the signature dish being something called a hotpot. Several days before the opening, the shopkeeper held a free taste stall at the entrance of the restaurant. The stall itself was very simple; there was only a table, a stove, and a pot. A variety of processed ingredients were on the table, and on the stove was a large pot with two different soup bases. When the stove was lit, the soup bases began to boil - emitting an alluring scent that quickly spread out.
{Ed. Note: Quick clarification – Chuan Yue is not the protagonist's restaurant; Xi Zi is. Chuan Yue is just another restaurant that has opened.}
In just three days, the Chuan Yue restaurant that had still yet to open gained fame in the South Street. The nearby residents were tempted by the smell of the hotpot every day, and they craved for it to the point that they were unable to eat or sleep; looking forward to the day that this restaurant would open.
The Great General Lei's residence was just around the corner of South Street, and also needed to endure the enticing fragrance of the hotpot. That day, Lei Baofei went out to meet An Chengjie - and when he walked through South Street, he was surprised to find that the Chuan Yue restaurant had opened in a quiet manner. They didn't invite a lion dance group, nor did they beat the drums; they just hung up a red silk cloth and opened the shop.
The people who heard the news rushed over to visit - lining up, they were welcomed in by a passionate waiter. Lei Baofei stopped momentarily in curiosity, and was quickly noticed by the waiter inside. "Honorable guest, our restaurant just opened today - and in celebration, the first 100 guests are free. Would you like to come in and have a taste?
Remembering the appointment with An Chengjie, he shook his head in regret. "Maybe next time – today, I have already made prior commitments; though, thank you for the warm welcome."
Hearing this, the waiter also expressed his regret. He turned into the store and signalled another waiter to run out with a small basket in hand. Handing it over to Lei Baofei, he said: "A small gift for our guest. We look forward to your next visit." Then, the two waiters quickly walked back into the building - not giving Lei Baofei the chance to refuse.
Lei Baofei laughed and shook his head - his good opinion of the store deepening. With this kind of event, his not-so-bright mood improved slightly. He reached into the bamboo basket and looked at its contents; inside was a small pot and a letter. Lifting up the pot's lid, he could see red ointment-like pastes inside; and not understanding its usage, he closed the lid and took out the letter.
He thought that the letter would contain words of blessings - but unexpectedly, it was actually a detailed recipe; specifying the procedure and ways to use ingredients to better the taste. At the end, it stated that the small pot was filled with the base ingredient to make a hotpot - allowing the guest to bring it back home with them to eat it with their family.
Really… he had never seen such a generous restaurant before.
By the time he put away the letter, An Chengjie's restaurant, Xi Zi, was in front. Remembering the frequent appointments that An Chenjie had organised between them, his relaxed and happy expression disappeared - a frown in its place.
Although he was very grateful to the other for their efforts in rescuing him, their character and attitude was……. he shook his head and pressed down on the negative emotions rising in his heart. He looked at the gorgeous gates of Xi Zi, and made a decision in his heart: After helping the other gain a foothold in the capital, he would sever their relationship. Two people with differing and opposing principles - it really was impossible for them to work together.
[The probability of Lei Baofei falling in love with the protagonist has dropped to 50%. Please persist in your actions, host.]
Not far behind Lei Baofei - Ye Zhizhou, who was buying candied fruit - looked sideways to the direction of Xi Zi Restaurant. He squinted his eyes and smiled. Even before the man had even entered the restaurant, his love probability had dropped by 20%. Lei Baofei, an honest man, could really surprise people, ah!
_________________
On the second floor of the teahouse, Yan Mingyong put down his book and looked at Lei Baofei, who was standing in front of the restaurant. Then, he took a look at Ye Zhizhou - who was staring at Lei Baofei from a distance. He clenched his fist and coughed, taking out a pill to swallow.
Did Le Er like tall men like the Lei youth? He touched his own thin and weak legs, expression slightly distorted.
No! He wouldn't allow Le Er to like anyone other than himself!
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter