Chapter Fifty-One: Deyuan Restaurant

After Liu Zhu left, Su Lilu checked once more to make sure the jade pendant was well hidden. Only then did she finally feel at ease enough to take a sip of hot tea. Her earlier attempt to mislead Liu Zhu had been for their own safety; if anyone discovered she possessed the military tally, her death would not be far off.

Suppressing the anxiety in her heart, Su Lilu clenched her fist and silently vowed, “No one must ever discover that the tally is in my hands. I must protect it at all costs.”

The following day, Su Lilu slipped out of the residence along the old path. With Liu Zhu and Liu Ying guarding her courtyard, she had no worries. As soon as she left the Prime Minister’s mansion, she headed straight for her destination.

At the entrance of the largest restaurant in the capital, Deyuan Restaurant, stood a woman in white, her face veiled. Beaded ornaments adorned her head, and she wore a robe of embroidered brocade—every movement betraying the grace and presence of a noble lady. She breathed out softly, quietly clenched her hanging hands, then raised her chin and strode into the restaurant.

Inside, a waiter hurried forward to greet her. “Miss, would you like a private room on the second floor or a seat in the main hall?”

“I wish to see your manager,” the woman replied crisply.

The waiter looked troubled, but seeing the lady’s determination, he bowed and said, “Please wait a moment, miss. I will inform my superiors.” He quickly walked over to the counter, whispered a few words to the man there, and soon returned to her side. “Miss, please wait in a private room upstairs; our manager will be with you shortly.”

The waiter led her to the private room, set a pot of tea, and, seeing no further instructions, soon withdrew.

Su Lilu gently removed her veil and exhaled deeply. “At last, I can breathe freely.” There was a plate of pastries on the table; she took a piece, tasted it, found it a bit cloying, and left it alone.

She surveyed the arrangement of the private room, nodding to herself. “It seems the owner of this restaurant enjoys a life of comfort. I wonder if I’ll succeed today?”

A trace of worry clouded her features. Finding that military tally yesterday had made her painfully aware of her own insignificance. She no longer wished to be trampled underfoot, but to have a force of her own to protect her—and for that, she needed money.

Her mind made up, she had sneaked out today in search of a way to earn—she waited patiently, passing the time by admiring the room’s furnishings.

The heir of Annan and Prince Yi entered Deyuan Restaurant together, about to head upstairs to the private rooms when the manager stopped them.

“Master, there’s a young lady upstairs who wishes to speak with you,” the manager whispered, glancing up from time to time to gauge the heir’s reaction.

The heir’s expression soured; he said impatiently, “Am I someone anyone can just meet? Find an excuse and send her away.”

The manager hurriedly agreed, and the heir smiled again, leading Prince Yi toward their room. “Your Highness, forgive the servant’s lack of sense. Later, let us discuss the new prescription for the pharmacy in detail.”

“No harm done,” Yun Yan Yi replied indifferently. As they passed a room on the second floor, a woman’s voice drifted out, causing them both to pause.

“What? Your manager refuses to see me? Please, go ask again. I truly have something important to discuss with him.” Su Lilu’s patience snapped at the waiter’s answer; after waiting so long, she was not going to be dismissed lightly.

“So it’s her? It seems I am fated to keep running into the Prime Minister’s daughter,” the heir of Annan mused, snapping open his folding fan despite the winter chill.

He strode straight toward the room where Su Lilu waited, with Yun Yan Yi following silently, his face inscrutable.

“Who is it that wishes to speak with me?” The heir of Annan pushed open the door. Su Lilu, still veiled, recognized the two men and offered a gentle smile. “So it’s the heir of Annan. I came to discuss a potential partnership.”

She removed her veil—there was no need for pretense among acquaintances. Now she understood why this restaurant thrived; it belonged to the heir of Annan himself. The capital truly was a small place.

The heir dismissed the manager with a wave. As the manager withdrew, the heir closed his fan and smiled comfortably at Su Lilu. “Miss Su, what brings you to seek me out? And this disguise—surely you’ve sneaked out of the Prime Minister’s residence?”

“Please do not take offense,” Su Lilu replied, bowing. “I didn’t know you were the owner of this place. I’ve come today to discuss a matter of some importance.” Her heart raced as she awaited his answer. She believed there was at least a fifty percent chance of success, but until the matter was settled, she could not be at ease.

The heir of Annan had not expected to see Su Lilu again so soon. Hearing she had important matters to discuss, his interest was piqued. He nodded in agreement. “If it’s business, then let’s sit and talk. If you keep standing, Miss Su, I shall begin to worry for your comfort.”

A blush crept up Su Lilu’s cheeks. Glancing up, she saw Yun Yan Yi standing at the heir’s side, cold as the King of Hades. Her expression faltered, but mindful of rank, she knelt to pay her respects. “Your subject greets Prince Yi.”

Yun Yan Yi shot her a frosty glance but said nothing. Su Lilu lowered her head in grievance, remaining kneeling, waiting for him to speak. When he did not, she stayed bowed.

The heir of Annan, unable to watch any longer, teased, “Your Highness, you have no pity for a beauty. Miss Su greets you, but you forget to bid her rise. Please, take your seat—His Highness will not mind.”

Su Lilu shot a look at Yun Yan Yi. Seeing he remained silent, she straightened her legs and, though displeased, dared not show it.

A small round table stood in the room; Su Lilu sat between the heir on her right and Prince Yi on her left. She poured tea for them both before sitting down herself.

Carefully choosing her words, she pondered her approach. The other day at the Annan Prince’s residence, the heir had treated her differently; perhaps this was her chance to strike a deal.

With hope in her heart, Su Lilu’s smile grew more confident. She looked sincerely at the heir of Annan and said, “Your Highness, I have come today to seek a partnership. If you are willing, I can help Deyuan Restaurant reach new heights.”

The heir’s eyes narrowed in a smile, encouraging her to continue. “I have many ideas. Deyuan Restaurant already has branches nationwide. I can help make them as successful as this one in the capital. However… I would like a share of the profits.”