Song Qingling supported Song Yaoyao as they prepared to board the carriage, when someone asked:
"Little Lord Song, where are you going next?"
"Home," Song Qingling said without hesitation.
At the same time, however, Song Yaoyao gave a different answer: "To the Fortune House for a meal."
Many people had also assumed that, with Little Lord Song injured so badly, she ought to go home. They had never expected her to still want to dine at a restaurant.
A meal was a splendid idea! They could follow along and feast on the gossip a little longer.
Little Lord Song was truly Little Lord Song. Even injured like this, she was still thinking about good food.
Amazing. Little Lord Song really was amazing!
Song Qingling, however, said unhappily:
"Yaoyao, you're hurt so badly. We should hurry home."
But Song Yaoyao clung to Song Qingling's arm and began wheedling:
"Big Sister, we finally got a chance to come out. Let's eat before we go home!
"Sister, I'm begging you!
"My wonderful big sister..."
Worn down by Song Yaoyao's pleading, and seeing her pitiful expression, Song Qingling finally agreed!
Only then did Song Yaoyao happily climb into the carriage, while the hundred-odd people behind them once again surged along after it.
Song Yaoyao lifted the carriage curtain and glanced behind them. Even she was stunned!
This procession was a little too over the top!
If everyone carried an axe, they would be a proper Axe Gang, ready to go out and brawl!
Song Yaoyao thought that, with so many people going to eat at the emperor's Fortune House together, the emperor would make another tidy profit. Considering how many customers she had brought him, might he grant her a few extra days off?
Song Yaoyao only dared think that to herself!
Sigh!
The carriage swayed along until it reached the entrance to the Fortune House and stopped.
After getting out and seeing the people in the restaurant's main hall, Song Yaoyao already knew there would be no seats again today.
Sure enough, a waiter came up to them:
"Ladies, did you make a reservation?"
"No."
The waiter said apologetically:
"I'm terribly sorry, but the restaurant is full. You'll have to wait a while."
She had been so focused on eating that she had forgotten how wildly popular the Fortune House was!
It seemed they could only turn around and go home!
Seeing Song Yaoyao come back out, then looking at the state of the restaurant's main hall, everyone understood that there were no private rooms available.
Some of the gossip-seekers had standing reservations for private rooms here. Bringing Little Lord Song inside with them would be no trouble at all!
That way, they could share a private room with Little Lord Song and hear even more gossip up close.
Someone was just about to invite Song Yaoyao to join them when a voice came from behind:
"Little Lord Song."
Everyone turned to look in unison. The newcomer was none other than the Sixth Prince, Chen Yixiao.
Everyone knelt together and greeted him: "Greetings, Your Highness."
Once the Sixth Prince drew near, he said, "Rise, all of you!"
Only after everyone stood did the Sixth Prince ask:
"I saw your group heading toward the Fortune House from a distance. Why are you leaving as soon as you've reached the entrance, Little Lord Song, without even going inside?"
Song Yaoyao answered honestly:
"This official came at a bad time. The Fortune House is full, and I didn't reserve a table beforehand, so I was planning to leave."
The Sixth Prince waved a hand:
"If you don't mind, Little Lord Song, you can join us."
This was the first time anyone had invited Song Yaoyao to a meal. Her eyes instantly lit up, and before Song Qingling could speak, she answered:
"Since Your Highness has extended such a sincere invitation, it would be discourteous of this official to refuse."
The Sixth Prince nodded.
And so, the Sixth Prince's party walked ahead, with Song Qingling and Song Yaoyao following behind.
Song Qingling leaned close to Song Yaoyao and whispered:
"Yaoyao, why did you agree to dine with the Sixth Prince and his party without discussing it with me?"
Song Yaoyao looked up at the people ahead. Seeing nothing unusual in their behavior, she leaned closer to Song Qingling and lowered her voice:
"Big Sister, someone's treating us to a free meal. Isn't that a good thing?
"How does that saying go? Only a bastard passes up a bargain!
"I, Song Yaoyao, am no fool! I certainly don't want to be that bastard!
"Besides, last time we came to the Fortune House, I saw several dishes I wanted to try, but they were so expensive I couldn't bear to order them!
"Today, we don't have to spend a penny. How wonderful is that?
"In a moment, we can order the most expensive dishes and let me experience feasting at a rich man's expense!"
Song Qingling said, "Yaoyao, isn't that a bit improper?"
Song Yaoyao said dismissively:
"What's improper about it?
"Besides, this restaurant belongs to the emperor. A father earning his son's silver is just moving money from his left pocket into his right, isn't it?
"There's nothing wrong with it!"
Song Qingling said, "You can look at it that way?"
Song Yaoyao nodded with complete seriousness:
"Yes, yes, yes. That's exactly how you should look at it!"
Song Qingling had been thoroughly hoodwinked by Song Yaoyao. All that filled her mind was that line: a father earning his son's silver was just moving money from his left pocket into his right, wasn't it?
The Sixth Prince and his companions were all martial artists. No matter how quietly the Song Household sisters spoke, they heard every word with perfect clarity!
So Little Lord Song had taken them for suckers!
They had kindly invited the sisters to a meal, only to find that she was planning to fleece them!
Did their party really look that much like a bunch of suckers?
Even if an uncle could stomach this, an aunt certainly couldn't!
After hearing that exchange, the corners of the Sixth Prince's mouth twitched despite himself.
One of the people beside the Sixth Prince was so incensed that he was about to turn around and rebuke her, but another companion stopped him.
The Sixth Prince hadn't said anything yet. They had better not take matters into their own hands.
They reached the fourth floor, where the manager welcomed them into the Red Plum Pavilion. It was much larger than the private room Song Yaoyao and her party had used last time.
The Sixth Prince said:
"Little Lord Song, Eldest Miss Song, please sit."
After Song Yaoyao and Song Qingling sat down, the Sixth Prince spoke again:
"What would you ladies like to eat?"
Song Yaoyao didn't even know how to spell "polite restraint." She said outright:
"I like expensive food. The more expensive, the better!"
Everyone's mouths twitched even harder when they heard that. She really had the nerve to say it!
Song Qingling also felt that this was inappropriate and tugged at the hem of Song Yaoyao's clothes.
Of course Song Yaoyao knew what Song Qingling meant. She leaned a little closer and said:
"Big Sister, why are you tugging at me?
"His Highness asked me sincerely, didn't he? I was just telling the truth."
The Sixth Prince still looked as gentle and refined as jade. A single meal was nothing to him. Since he had already offered to treat them, and Little Lord Song had stated what she wanted to eat, he said to the manager:
"Bring us a few of your signature dishes, along with your two most expensive dishes.
"As for the rest, arrange whatever you think suitable."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The manager had someone bring a pot of tea, then went to make arrangements in the kitchen!
Song Yaoyao noticed that a man sitting beside the Sixth Prince kept rolling his eyes at her.