Tang Jin saw that the System gave no response and finally relaxed a little.
“Thank you, my wife.”
Chu Lingyue said nothing more. She stood up to clear the bowls and chopsticks, then headed to the backyard.
In the main hall, Tang Jin finished pasting up the menu. She gazed at the goods shelf hanging in the void and let out a soft sigh.
A temporary alliance wasn’t entirely stable, after all. She could only hope they would part on good terms down the line…
After all, things like transmigration and having a System were far too shocking for this world. Right now, aside from Chu Lingyue, it wasn’t wise to let anyone else sense anything off.
Even if they eventually went their separate ways, handling just Chu Lingyue alone would be far simpler.
She needed to figure out her exit strategy soon…
Meanwhile, at the Miao Mansion, breakfast was underway.
Madam Miao noticed that Lord Miao and her daughter had barely touched their food before setting down their chopsticks. She couldn’t help asking, “Is the food not to your liking?”
The old man was picky with his food, and his appetite was off now and then. She was used to it by now.
But her daughter wasn’t one to be picky. Why was she eating so little today as well?
Lord Miao stroked his beard and sighed. “Madam, you wouldn’t know, but a new restaurant opened across from Tower Beyond Towers. The flavors there are out of this world. After trying their dishes, I can hardly swallow this stuff anymore.”
Especially since he wouldn’t get to eat there for the next few days—his mood was utterly glum.
Miao Liu chimed in. “Exactly. Even though the people at that restaurant aren’t the friendliest, the food is truly delicious. Mom, why don’t you go to the Prefecture City with Dad instead? I’ll stay here.”
Her uncle was so bored, insisting that Dad take her to the Prefecture City for some reason. What could be more important than good food?
Madam Miao shot the father and daughter a playful glare. “Enough. Eat a few bites quickly and hit the road. Don’t delay my big brother’s business.”
As she spoke, she gave Lord Miao a meaningful look.
It was just food. Was that more important than their daughter’s marriage prospects? Her big brother had gone to great lengths for Liu’er’s betrothal, securing such a fine opportunity to meet the match. They couldn’t afford to miss it.
If not for the fact that her big brother had no daughter of his own, this golden chance wouldn’t have fallen to their family.
Lord Miao caught her meaning and mustered his spirits. “Liu’er, let’s go. We’ll make it quick and hurry back.”
After seeing the father and daughter off, Madam Miao went around to the various silk shops to collect her ledgers. By the time she finished, it was noon.
She glanced at the sun and instructed the coachman to head to… the spot across from Tower Beyond Towers.
She was determined to see just how amazing that restaurant’s food really was.
The carriage pulled to a stop. Madam Miao first glanced at Tower Beyond Towers, bustling with customers as always, then looked across the street.
Delicious Restaurant?
The name was straightforward, at least. Why were the doors shut?
As she puzzled over it, she spotted a familiar face.
Cao Kesang was pacing outside Tower Beyond Towers. He turned and immediately noticed Madam Miao standing by the carriage.
“Sister-in-law! You and Brother Miao got here early too, huh?”
Oh no—that old bro brought his daughter and his wife. A whole family of three; they’d snag several dishes for sure. Disaster!
Madam Miao had met Cao Kesang a few times before. She knew he was a merchant from the neighboring county who dealt in cloth. He got along decently with her husband and was always calling him “brother.”
“It’s Shopkeeper Cao. The lord is tied up with business, so I came alone.”
So the old man had been eating at that restaurant plenty with this Cao Kesang. What a gem—hanging out with his drinking buddies, taking his daughter along, but never once bringing her.
When he got home, she’d settle that account properly.
Cao Kesang blinked in surprise. “Brother Miao isn’t with you? Sister-in-law, are you here waiting for this place to open too?”
That old bro wasn’t here—perfect! One fewer rival snapping up dishes.
They chatted a bit longer, and Madam Miao learned that the restaurant only served dinner, with limited dishes in limited quantities.
In that case, she wasn’t in any rush. She could grab a private room at Tower Beyond Towers, eat while going over her ledgers, and wait at her leisure.
Back at the restaurant, Tang Laidi had been hauling bags and bundles for what felt like ages. She finally dragged in one last large wooden chest before Old Madam Tang declared it enough.
Eyes glazing over, Tang Laidi slumped down at the table. “Tang Jin, serve the food already.”
She was finally done!
Tang Jin grinned. “Have some water first. You must be beat.”
Tang Laidi replied weakly, “What do you think?”
She was exhausted to the bone—like she’d single-handedly thrown up a hundred-meter city wall overnight. Right now, all she wanted was to sprawl out and stuff her face.
Tang Jin laughed. “Hang on. Food’s ready—I’ll bring it out right now.”
There were four of them altogether, but Chu Lingyue had a small appetite. Three dishes would do nicely.
Tang Jin didn’t hesitate to pick the Abalone Chicken Wing Stew. One pot was just right.
The other dishes naturally went to paying customers first, to earn silver. They didn’t need to fuss among themselves.
Besides, the Abalone Chicken Wing Stew was like the Garlic Honey Glazed Chicken Wings—two pots of each. And she was confident she’d keep earning rewards for both dishes every day.
The daily question had to continue. With Chu Lingyue’s sharp mind and willing cooperation, it should be a breeze.
After the meal, Old Madam Tang retired to her room for her usual midday nap.
Tang Jin glanced at Tang Laidi, still sprawled facedown on the table, and feigned urgency. “I haven’t bought today’s ingredients yet. Gotta head out for veggies pronto.”
From here on, she had to sell the act completely.
Chu Lingyue couldn’t be fooled, but she at least had to keep Tang Laidi and Old Madam Tang in the dark.
Chu Lingyue held out her hand. “A-Jin, give me a kitchen key. I’ll put the dishes away.”
It wasn’t ideal to leave all those dishes piled in the backyard. For now, they could go back in the kitchen.
In the future, she’d take them out early to sell, dodging Tang Laidi and Old Madam Tang.
Tang Jin got the hint and handed one over without protest.
Tang Laidi suspected nothing. Seeing them head off to their tasks, she rested briefly in her room before getting to work steaming rice and boiling tea.
By the time the rice began filling the air with its aroma and the tea was ready, Tang Jin strolled back at a leisurely pace. She carried a vegetable basket covered by a cloth—except what was inside wasn’t vegetables, but books fresh from the bookshop.
The original host had grown up poor and never set foot outside Ping’an County. Her grasp of the wider world came solely from books.
Since transmigrating, Tang Jin had only the original host’s memories to go on. She was more or less clueless about this dynasty.
That was why she’d made a special trip for books on history and biographies of contemporary notables, hoping to learn more about the era’s background and customs.
Tang Jin stowed the books carefully and gave herself a silent pep talk.
Once she saved up enough silver, she’d leave Ping’an County behind—head to the Prefecture City, the Imperial Capital, explore the ancient world’s wonders. This rare second chance at life couldn’t be wasted rotting away in some backwater.
“Tang Jin… Tang Jin, bad news!”
Urgent knocking rattled the door.
Tang Jin stepped out and locked it behind her. Tang Laidi blurted anxiously, “Disaster! The second our restaurant opened, Chu Shaoyang showed up and dragged Lingyue off. Go check on it!”
“Chu Shaoyang took my wife away?” Tang Jin blinked in surprise.
Chu Shaoyang had cornered her alone last time. Now it was Chu Lingyue’s turn?
Tang Laidi grabbed Tang Jin’s arm and hauled her toward the main hall. “Yeah! Lingyue’s way too guileless. Chu Shaoyang said she had something to discuss, and she just went. Hurry!”
Why was her little sister dawdling like this? Wasn’t she worried her wife would get snatched?
Tang Jin wasn’t worried at all. She slipped her arm free and replied calmly, “If Chu Shaoyang wants private words with my wife, what’s the point in me chasing after? Let’s just stay put and greet the customers.”
Hadn’t she noticed them already filing in?
