At this moment in the capital, there was only one person who could make Hong Ji of the Northern Yamen willingly serve as a "pawn in the vanguard."
Standing in that kitchen, so full of the warmth and bustle of everyday life, Chen Ping'an found himself thinking of all the meals and daily necessities from his years on the road to study.
Wei Bi ventured, "National Teacher, shall I speak to some regular customers and ask them to free up a room?"
Chen Ping'an waved a hand and smiled. "You're running a business. How can you hurry customers away from their table? That's no way to do business. We're in no rush either. We'll wait."
He pointed at Hong Ji and joked, "If the wait runs long—say, half an hour without a seat—don't worry, Shopkeeper Wei. We'll put it on Commander Hong's account. He's treating today."
Hong Ji looked embarrassed. Precisely because the National Teacher's Manor had sent word earlier, he had not dared make a grand show of things, for fear the National Teacher would misunderstand.
Otherwise, he would not even have needed to speak in person. How hard would it have been to have Situ Dianwu send someone to tell the restaurant to reserve a fine private room?
Hong Ji of the Northern Yamen was treating someone to a meal, yet could not even get a table. If word got out, people would laugh their teeth out.
Wei Bi stole a glance at Hong Ji. Hong Ji's scalp tightened, and irritation flared. He immediately lowered his gaze, trying with all his might to keep his heart as still as water.
Chen Ping'an smiled. "Sorry for the trouble, Shopkeeper Wei, but bring each of us a bowl of chilled plum soup first. Otherwise Commander Hong might grow impatient and