Specially Preserved Its Original Flavor

The moment they walked into the hotel lobby, a dazzling, gilded luxury swept toward them.

But with Wriothesley's eye, he could naturally tell that the golden decorations were not fake, nor merely plated. They were all real gold.

Though he had entered Meropide when he was very young, after becoming duke, he had often had to go in and out of the Palais Mermonia on official business. He had seen enough by now to immediately understand the value of these ornaments.

They were absolutely priceless.

Wriothesley could not help inwardly sighing that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was truly rolling in money. Such extravagance and luxury—calling them rich enough to rival a nation was probably no exaggeration.

As expected of the wealthiest sect under heaven. Just this hotel's renovation alone probably could not have been done without a million Gold Soul Coins.

After coming to Douluo, he had only heard from others how wealthy the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was, but he had never imagined it would be exaggerated to this degree.

The moment they stepped through the main doors, a slightly plump but energetic-looking middle-aged man quickly came forward to greet them. When he saw Xue Qinghe, he immediately revealed a pleasantly surprised smile, hurried over, and bowed slightly in greeting. "Ning Wentao, manager of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Heaven Dou branch, greets Your Highness, the Crown Prince, Your Grace, the Duke, and Miss Sigewinne."

When Wriothesley heard the man speak, he could not help freezing slightly. His surname was Ning.

Although this was a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect business, would they really arrange for a direct clan member to manage a place like a hotel, where people came to eat?

"I didn't expect it to be Manager Ning. What wind blew you here today?" Xue Qinghe was also startled. He shook the other man's hand and exchanged polite pleasantries with him, yet there was not the slightest arrogance of a superior in his words.

This was the persona Xue Qinghe had built: calm and magnanimous, yet giving others a very comfortable feeling. Not only did he show none of the airs of a crown prince, that approachable manner also made it very easy for people to accept him.

Ning Wentao hurriedly said, "I happened to come to Heaven Dou City to handle some important business, so I dropped by on the way, since it wasn't far. I never expected to meet three honored guests here. This is my honor." As he spoke, he had already made an inviting gesture toward Wriothesley and the others.

"Manager Ning is too polite." Though he had been speaking with Xue Qinghe the whole time, Ning Wentao's gaze had remained on Wriothesley and Sigewinne.

The titles of the Duke and the Angel of Redemption had been like thunder in Heaven Dou City these past two years. Whether among commoners or in noble circles, these two were household names.

There was no need to say much about Sigewinne. Just like her title, "Angel of Redemption," she treated everyone equally. No matter who was sick or injured, she would do her utmost to treat them, without making any distinction between rich and poor. She had also gained the love of countless commoners. Together with her adorable appearance, even many young nobles were her loyal supporters.

As for Wriothesley's current status in Heaven Dou City, there was even less need to mention it. In any case, one only had to go back and look at Elder Gu to know.

The cautionary example was still lying in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!

So how could Ning Wentao dare show any disrespect? If he dared say even one word of refusal today, tomorrow his own sect's people would hang him from Heaven Dou City's gates.

At that point, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would definitely be looked down on by the people of Heaven Dou City!

The "nice gentleman" persona Ning Fengzhi had spent so many years building would also be destroyed in an instant...

As for these three people, Ning Wentao only felt that when the three of them stood together, there was a strange sense of combination that was hard to describe.

Thoughts flashed through Ning Wentao's mind, but on the surface, he wore a warm smile as he led Wriothesley, Xue Qinghe, and Sigewinne into the hotel's best private room.

He did not dare show the slightest negligence. He immediately brought them to their seats, then turned and left. Before long, he returned to the private room again.

"Your Highness, please order whatever you need." Ning Wentao held out a menu and handed it over with a smile. "If there is anything unsatisfactory, you may give the word, and I will immediately send someone to prepare it."

Although Wriothesley and Sigewinne were the most important to their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, priorities still had to be kept clear. He could not be too deliberate.

Xue Qinghe waved his hand. "There's no need to make it so troublesome. Don't make the guests feel so restrained while eating either."

"Then may all you honored guests please wait a moment," Ning Wentao said with a smile.

Wriothesley and Sigewinne also sat down. They did not have any special requirements. After having been in Douluo Continent for so long, their requirements had grown fewer and fewer as well, mainly because they had reduced them out of habit.

In the past, Wriothesley had had the most demands in his own home, while Sigewinne had been an extremely easygoing existence. As long as she was not hungry, anything was fine.

"For drinks, tea will do," Wriothesley said.

"No, that won't do. Drinking tea is good, but if you drink too much, it does more harm than good to your health. You've already had too much tea today. Sigh, I've told the Duke this many times." Sigewinne looked at Wriothesley and said, "To stay healthy, you also need to keep up with nutrition. Would you like to try a specially blended nutritious Milkshake?"

"Milkshake~" At that moment, the expression on Xue Qinghe's face was the same as Wriothesley's, twitching slightly.

Sigewinne's Milkshake—she had drunk it once, but to be honest, she did not want to drink it a second time.

That taste from "desolation" was truly far too intense.

Xue Qinghe shook her head, signaling that she did not need it.

Or rather, she would never need it again.

She would rather take those bitter medicines prescribed by the Head Nurse, so bitter they could let her see her grandmother, than keep drinking the Head Nurse's Milkshake.

"Head Nurse, since we're eating, let's forget it?" Though he could not bear to refuse Sigewinne, Wriothesley still spoke up. "Juice is fine."

Although the Head Nurse was not a child, with that childlike height, letting her drink alcohol seemed somewhat inappropriate, didn't it?

Moreover, from when Wriothesley had entered Meropide to when they came to Douluo Continent, he had never seen Sigewinne drink alcohol.

Originally, Xue Qinghe had wanted to order a bottle of wine, but Wriothesley and Sigewinne both did not drink. Was she supposed to drink it herself?

That would be awkward!

Sure enough, after Sigewinne heard Wriothesley's request, she revealed a regretful expression, but still agreed. "Mm, then we'll do as the Duke said and only drink juice."

When Ning Wentao heard the needs of Wriothesley and the others, he immediately ordered people to begin preparations. Once everything was ready, the dishes were brought in one after another.

Ning Wentao personally tasted every single dish. Only after confirming that there were no problems did he begin serving them.

Although this was a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect business, the people were merely hired by them. No one could guarantee whether any of them had been bought off.

If something happened to the Heaven Dou crown prince here, Ning Fengzhi probably would not even need to act—Xue Ye himself could kill him.

Not to mention that Xue Qinghe was still Ning Fengzhi's disciple, even if he was the kind of disciple taken in only because of a relationship of mutual interest.

When plates of all kinds of dishes were brought up one after another, everyone's gazes also fell on them.

"Wow~ So pretty!"

Little loli Sigewinne saw the dishes before her and let out a cry of admiration.

"I actually think it's a little strange. This ingredient is a bit..." The moment Xue Qinghe saw the dish, he felt that this thing was somewhat creepy!

Ning Wentao explained, "It is a Sea Soul Beast captured in Vast Sea City half a month ago. Because it is extremely rich in nutritional value, when it was prepared, its original flavor was specially preserved."