Chapter 19: The Day Before Departure

After everyone had departed, Zhao Bin felt a wave of mental exhaustion and rose to head toward the back hall. In the courtyard, the three maids—Xing’er, Cui’er, and Ling’er—were sitting by a stone table chatting. Seeing Zhao Bin emerge from the front hall, they immediately stood up.

“Your Highness, is the meeting over?” Xing’er asked.

“Yes, it’s finished,” Zhao Bin replied, sitting on a stone stool.

“You must be tired, Your Highness. Shall I rub your shoulders?” As she spoke, she moved behind him, her body pressing against his back as her hands gently kneaded his shoulders.

Zhao Bin didn’t stand on ceremony; he leaned his head back, resting it against Xing’er’s soft chest, which made her blush deeply. Ling’er, resting her chin on her hands atop the stone table, giggled as she watched them.

Zhao Bin glanced at her and said with mock annoyance, “Little girl, what are you laughing at?”

“I’m just laughing at how lucky Sister Xing’er is,” Ling’er said between giggles.

“You little brat, be careful or I’ll pinch your mouth shut,” Xing’er teased back.

“Those weren’t my words; you said it yourself!” Ling’er replied with an indifferent shrug.

Zhao Bin lifted his legs and placed them on Ling’er’s lap. She smiled and straightened his legs, beginning to massage them gently.

“There, your good fortune has arrived too,” Xing’er joked.

Ling’er stuck her tongue out playfully at Xing’er.

Cui’er watched the two of them—one rubbing shoulders, one massaging legs—and, feeling left out, pouted as she looked at Zhao Bin.

Zhao Bin was not the type to favor one over the others; he believed in sharing the affection. He opened his mouth toward Cui’er. Realizing his intention, she immediately picked up a small plate from the stone table. “Your Highness, these are the jujubes the guards picked this morning. They’re very crisp; have a taste.” She popped one into his mouth.

As he closed his mouth, he gave her slender fingers a playful nip.

“Mmm, not bad. Crisp and sweet. Where were these picked?” Zhao Bin asked.

Before Cui’er could answer, Ling’er chuckled, “Your Highness, which is sweeter—the jujube or Cui’er?”

“Hahaha, both are sweet,” Zhao Bin laughed.

“Go away, you brat! You teased Sister Xing’er, and now you’re teasing me?” Cui’er huffed. “Just wait, I’ll deal with you tonight.”

“Hmph, His Highness said they’re both sweet. Careful, or His Highness might be the one dealing with *you* tonight,” Ling’er teased cheekily.

“You little wretch!” Cui’er said, throwing a jujube that lightly tapped Ling’er on the head.

“Ouch! If you don’t go, Sister Xing’er and I are going to go instead, okay?”

“You…” Cui’er was left speechless, unsure if she wanted to say “go ahead” or “don’t you dare.”

“You’re becoming more shameless by the day,” Xing’er chided gently.

Zhao Bin closed his eyes, leaning against Xing’er. Listening to their banter and catching the occasional scent of their fragrance, he felt that this leisurely life was the true essence of being a Prince.

“Xing’er, you always have a scent about you. Is it some kind of incense?” Zhao Bin asked suddenly.

“Your Highness, Sister Xing’er doesn’t use incense. She has a natural fragrance. I don’t have it,” Ling’er answered before Xing’er could speak.

“Don’t you have a fragrance too?” Zhao Bin asked.

“Mine comes from the sachets I make with dried flower petals. Sister Xing’er’s is natural. It’s truly the envy of everyone,” Ling’er explained.

“Cui’er, go fetch my charcoal pencil, wooden ruler, and paper. I’m going to teach you how to make something good,” Zhao Bin said, sitting up straight.

“As you wish, Your Highness.” Cui’er turned and hurried into the house.

Soon, she returned with the supplies. Zhao Bin took them, and the three girls gathered around, watching him sketch on the paper. Half an hour later, the page was filled with diagrams of various bottles, jars, and drainage tubes. The three looked at each other, confused about the purpose of these items.

Zhao Bin handed the drawing to Ling’er. “Have Chunxi find a pottery workshop and have them custom-make two sets for the manor as quickly as possible according to these dimensions.”

“Your Highness, what is this?” Cui’er asked curiously.

“Simply put, it’s a distiller,” Zhao Bin said. “You wouldn’t understand even if I explained it now. You’ll see once it’s made.”

“If you have nothing to do these next few days, gather more flower petals and dry them out. Once the distiller is ready, I’ll teach you how to make something all women crave.” Because they truly couldn’t grasp the use of these items, they didn’t ask any further questions.

“By the way, Xing’er, how much money is left in the manor?” Zhao Bin asked.

“Your Highness, there isn’t much left. After purchasing the two adjacent properties, acquiring copper, buying charcoal for salt refining, and hiring labor, we’ve spent about three thousand taels. We have less than four thousand remaining,” Xing’er said with a worried expression.

“Less than four thousand? An ordinary house in the capital costs around a thousand taels, and a larger storefront on the main street likely costs no less than three thousand. However, it’s fortunate we are only renting. With initial costs and renovations, five or six hundred taels should suffice for the first month,” Zhao Bin muttered to himself.

He then took Xing’er’s hand, pulled her close, and sat her on his lap. “Xing’er, would you be willing to make a trip to the capital? I don’t feel comfortable sending anyone else.”

“I will follow your arrangements, Your Highness,” Xing’er said, looking even more charming as she sat on his lap.

“Then you shall leave with Tian Qi and the others the day after tomorrow. Return once the shop is open. Also, have Master Zhang and Master Liu from the kitchen go with you. Hot pot alone is too monotonous; we need a few signature dishes. I’ve taught them quite a few recipes lately—let them handle the kitchen, while Zhang Guide and the others handle the front. You won’t need to show your face,” Zhao Bin said, wrapping his arms around her slender waist as he gave his instructions.

The following evening, Zhao Bin called the key members of the household together for a farewell dinner. Xing’er, Chunxi, Tian Qi, Wang Dayong, the two kitchen masters, Zhang Guide, and Li Youcai sat around the table. Aside from Xing’er and Chunxi, the others were visibly uneasy. They were sitting with the Prince of Yan—something an ordinary person would never dare imagine. Even if this Prince had effectively been exiled here, he was still royalty.

Zhao Bin raised his glass for a toast and said, “This trip to the capital is to earn money, but you must be cautious. The capital is a place where many forces mingle. Old Seven, Dayong, I leave the safety of the group to you both. Unless there is a direct threat to life, do not resort to violence. In business, harmony is the most valuable asset.”

“Yes, Your Highness, we understand,” the two men replied, bowing.

“Manager Zhang, Manager Li, since this is your first time in the capital, if you encounter anything you don’t understand, ask Xing’er. I have entrusted her with the details. She will return once the restaurant is established, and then I will rely on the two of you,” Zhao Bin said, gesturing to them with his glass.

As a prince, he had no obligation to do this, but to win their loyalty, he chose to treat them this way, ensuring they would serve the manor wholeheartedly.

The two men quickly raised their glasses. “Your Highness, you honor us too much. Being able to serve you is our family’s good fortune. Please rest assured, we will consult with Miss Xing’er on all matters and serve the manor with all our heart.”

“Good. Since you are working for me, you need not call yourselves ‘commoners’ anymore. Like Dayong and the others, address yourselves as ‘subordinates’.”

“Yes, Your Highness!” The two men finished their drinks in one gulp, displaying a newfound sense of boldness.

Xing’er poured another drink for Zhao Bin. He turned to the two chefs and said, “Masters, I leave the kitchen to you. You may choose your own staff once you reach the capital; you can offer wages twenty percent higher than the market rate. Winter is coming in a month, which will make meat transport easier. I will have people regularly send you lamb.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Rest assured, we will work hard.” The two stood up and clinked glasses with Zhao Bin to show their respect.

In the eyes of the ancients, the concept that “a gentleman stays away from the kitchen” was deep-seated. Cooks and maids were servants with no status to sit with their masters, let alone a prince. Thus, they felt immense honor, a story they could boast about for a lifetime.

Because they were departing the next morning, no one drank too much. After the meal, everyone returned to their quarters. That night, Ling’er and Cui’er consciously stayed away from Zhao Bin’s room. The sounds of heavy breathing and the creaking of the bed drifted from the room, and it was only when Xing’er was utterly exhausted that they finally fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, under Zhao Bin’s watchful gaze, the group and a dozen guards slowly departed the manor, heading toward the capital.