Chapter 317: What does Versailles Speak Mean?
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Herlyee Translations
After settling the shop, Ji Zhao began to design and renovate.
She locked herself at home for two days and two nights before finally drawing the design of the shop.
"Tada-"
She handed the design to Shen Yao as if she was presenting a treasure. Ji Zhao raised her eyebrows smugly. "Quick, take a look at my design. It will definitely
Impress you-I'
Shen Yao put down the book in his hand and looked at it seriously for a while.
Although the process was a little difficult, he still understood the blueprint.
"Are you planning to change the second floor of the shop into private rooms?
What about the first floor? What are these strange marks?" Shen Yao pointed at the thick dot on the blueprint and asked curiously.
"This is the entry point. Look, there are dots on the side. I plan to build a koi pond. Only live water can invite money! I don't plan to use the first floor for guests. These four rooms are the four themes of spring, summer, autumn, and winter.'
"Look, I'll set up a winding staircase above this location. The second floor is the four rooms used to entertain guests. There are four private rooms, named zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. They are independent from each other and don't interfere with each other.'
'What's Zhaozhao's intention in designing this?" Shen Yao asked curiously.
"In the beginning, I wanted to open an ordinary small restaurant, but after talking to Shopkeeper Qian, I realized that every restaurant in the prefecture capital has their own characteristics. For example, Tianxiang Restaurant is luxurious enough, and Gaosheng Restaurant has a deep meaning. I started to think about who my Spring Breeze Pavilion targets. Later, I thought of those madams and young ladies from wealthy families who don't leave their houses."
"The Spring Breeze Pavilion is designed for this group of people. The highlight is that it's low-key and luxurious. It's elegant with a hint of mystery. Most importantly, the dishes in the Spring Breeze Pavilion are unique!" "To put it simply, it's a high-end custom-made luxury meal!"
Listening to her enthusiastic introduction, Shen Yao was at a loss.
Although he did not quite understand what high-end custom-made meant, he felt that his wife's culinary skills were indeed unparalleled.
After Ji Zhao finalized the renovation plan for the Spring Breeze Pavilion, she immediately chose an auspicious day to start construction.
Looking at the silver in her hand flowing out like water, Ji Zhao's heart ached. "It's only when you need money that you regret not having enough!"
"If Ah Tao is short of money, why don't you let me invest?" Qin Minghong, who was playing Go with Shen Yao, quickly raised his head and suggested, "Coincidentally, I still have some spare money on hand. It's not much, only about 800 taels."
"Brother Qin, can you stop the Versailles speak?" Ji Zhao rolled her eyes at him.
'What does Versailles speakO mean? '
"It means to show off." As Shen Yao placed another stone, the outcome was obvious.
Qin Minghong waved the folding fan in his hand in frustration and said, "How boring, I don't want to play anymore!'
He had lost three rounds in a row. If he continued to lose, where would he put his face?
"Brother Qin, why do you have to do this?" Ji Zhao rested her chin on her hands and said gloatingly, "You know that you're not my Shen Yao's match. Why do you have to torture yourself?"
Qin Minghong drank three cups of herbal tea in a row to calm his anger. "Ah
Tao, when do you plan to open your Spring Breeze Pavilion?"
"No hurry, no hurry," Ji Zhao said with a smile. "When the time is right, it will naturally open!"
Qin Minghong felt that he had asked for nothing. Then, his gaze landed on Shen Yao's face. "The rankings will be revealed tomorrow. How are you feeling?"
"Nothing," Shen Yao said calmly.
"So you're not nervous at all?"
"The die is cast. Nervousness won't change the outcome, will it?"
Qin Minghong nodded silently in agreement.
"I heard from my father that the questions for this year's provincial imperial examination are especially tricky." Before Qin Minghong left, he looked at Shen Yao and said, "I wish you good luck."
"Thank you."
On the fifth day of the ninth month, on the day of the release of the provincial imperial examination results.
Before dawn, there were already many examinees gathered outside the examination venue.
Ji Zhao tilted her head to look at Shen Yao beside her and quietly held his palm.
Shen Yao looked at her and smiled back.
Halfway through the morning, the door of the examination venue was slowly opened.
After a while, the honor roll was pasted on the white high wall.
Those examinees were like carps crossing the river. They all squeezed forward to take a look
Those who saw their names were extremely excited and shouted excitedly.
There were also people with disappointed expressions who shed tears of sadness.
Ji Zhao tiptoed to see the name list on the list, but there were too many people. She could not squeeze in at all.
"Zhaozhao." She smiled when Shen Yao pulled her into his arms. "You won."
An hour later, as she listened to the gongs and drums outside and looked at the good news in her hand, Ji Zhao felt a little dazed.
Although she had long expected Shen Yao would be ranked, she never expected him to be first!
"Are you so happy that you've gone silly?" Shen Yao looked at her stunned expression and smiled helplessly. He tapped the tip of her nose dotingly. "I'm not silly!" Ji Zhao, who had regained her senses, deliberately made a face at him. "I just didn't expect you to be the Jieyuan!'
"Is Zhaozhao happy?'
"Of course!" Ji Zhao laughed and snuggled into his arms. She placed her hands on his strong shoulders and smiled brightly. "My husband is too awesome!'
"Then, is there a reward?" Shen Yao lowered his head and leaned close to her forehead, asking softly.
'What reward do you want?" Ji Zhao asked instead of answering.
"Of course..."
Crack! Crack!
Before Shen Yao could finish speaking, another firecracker sounded outside the courtyard!
Qin Minghong hired a team of lion dancers to come to Ji Zhao's courtyard door and begin the lion dance performance!
"Isn't this lineup a little exaggerated?" Looking at the scene outside the courtyard, Shen Yao held his forehead helplessly.
"Exaggerated?" Ji Zhao shook her head silently. "I don't think so. Actually, there are even more exaggerated ones. '
"Mm?"
It was not until Zhao Lanhua came to Shen Yao with a loud voice that he understood what Ji Zhao meant by even more exaggerated.
"Third Brother, you're finally successful. Boohoo, Mother is so happy!"
"Mother." Shen Yao's eyes could not help but turn red. "I've made you worry."
The news of Shen Yao getting first place in the provincial imperial examination instantly spread throughout the streets and alleys of the prefecture!
Zhao Lanhua and Shen Dashan were also overjoyed. They planned to hold a grand banquet to invite their good friends when they returned to Shanghe
Village.
"Mother, since you've all come to the prefecture capital, you should take a good look around the prefecture capital!" Ji Zhao intimately held Zhao Lanhua's arm and suggested with a smile.
"That won't do." Zhao Lanhua smiled and shook her head. She patted the back of Ji Zhao's hand and said softly, 'There are still two little monkeys at home. Your father and I can be free these few days because your second brother is on leave for a few days. We still have to rush back in two days."
"But Ah Tao, I think you've lost a lot of weight." Zhao Lanhua pinched her face with heartache. "Have you been too tired recently?"
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Chapter 318: Can I?
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Herlyee Translations
Ji Zhao subconsciously rubbed her chubby cheeks and asked softly, 'Mother, I've clearly gained weight! "
"Nonsense!" Zhao Lanhua's heart ached even more. "Third Brother has been busy with his exams recently. He definitely doesn't have the time to take care of you, right? I also heard that you bought a shop in the prefecture capital?
Then do you have enough money to spend?"
"Mother, don't worry. Shen Yao and I are fine." Ji Zhao smiled sweetly and said sincerely.
After some conversation, Ji Zhao finally understood that feeling.
There was a kind of thinness called your mother felt that you had lost weight-
"Mother, Shen Yao is already ranked. Shouldn't we set up a few tables of banquets?" Ji Zhao suggested with a smile. "It just so happens that Spring Breeze Pavilion is opening in the next two days. Our family can be said to have two blessings! "
Ever since the good news of Shen Yao ranking asthe Jieyuan came, there was an endless stream of people coming to congratulate him. In addition, the lion dance team that Qin Minghong had invited was extremely lively. It was only when night fell that the outside of the courtyard gradually calmed down.
Early in the evening, Zhao Lanhua helped Ji Zhao prepare a table full of good dishes.
Smelling the fragrant red braised pork, Qin Minghong couldn't help but swallow his saliva. "I'm ashamed to say this. Actually, the chef in my house isn't bad at cooking, but ever since I tasted Ah Tao's cooking, the dishes made by others always taste like chewing wax-"
"Then Brother Qin, eat more!" Ji Zhao smiled and said, "But Brother Qin, don't think that just because you praised me, I'll help you settle the salary of the lion dance team!"
"Hahaha!" Qin Minghong laughed heartily. "Ah Tao, is your Brother Qin such a petty person?"
"As soon as the good news arrived, the lion dance team rushed over." Shen Yao slowly raised his eyes and stared at Qin Minghong calmly. He silently curled his lips. "Brother Qin always gets the news faster than others."
"Cough, cough." Qin Minghong smiled awkwardly, then said with a sincere gaze, "l heard my father mention it before. Although the questions for this year's provincial imperial examination are a little tricky, one examinee surnamed Shen's answer sheet can be said to be outstanding. Even Prince Xian praised it."
"I see." Shen Yao nodded slightly.
"So, Brother Qin already knew that Shen Yao would definitely be able to enter the ranking?" Ji Zhao was a little surprised.
'Yes, Shen Yao is knowledgeable and talented. How could he not get it? It's just that I didn't expect him to be the Jieyuan." Qin Minghong chuckled and said, "Come, Shen Yao, let's have a good drink?"
"Thanks a lot."
After three rounds of drinking, the atmosphere became even more lively. Qin Minghong, who was depressed, took the opportunity to get drunk. In the end, he was helped back by his servant.
Immortal Crane, who had drunk a few more cups, also returned to his room to rest.
Only the two elders of the Shen family and Shen Yao and his wife were left in the courtyard.
"Father, Mother." Shen Yao lifted his robe and knelt respectfully in front of the two elders. "I'm unfilial. I've made you two elders worry."
"Third Brother, get up quickly! " Zhao Lanhua, who was sobbing uncontrollably, helped Shen Yao up. She was filled with emotions. "It's already early autumn. The ground is cold. Get up quickly!"
Shen Dashan also patted his shoulder hard and said in a low voice, "Listen to your mother. Get up!'
"Third Brother, I'm a boorish person. I haven't studied much and don't understand those twists and turns. However, I'm really happy that you got in and got first place. However, I still want to say a few words to you. First, you have to take good care of your wife. I've read a lot of books. Many sons of good families are blinded by power and wealth and will disdain their wives and turn to marrying those rich young ladies from noble families. I'll get the unpleasantness out of the way. If you dare to do such a thing, not only will your father and I break your legs, but we'll also expel you from the family!"
Ji Zhao, who was sitting at the side, was stunned. She did not expect Zhao Lanhua to think of this. Her warnings to Shen Yao were all for her sake.
"Mother, I believe in Shen Yao." Ji Zhao smiled sweetly and said firmly, "I believe in him."
Shen Yao subconsciously looked up at Ji Zhao, the doting look in his eyes self-evident.
"Mother, don't worry. I won't do anything to hurt Zhaozhao."
Zhao Lanhua nodded repeatedly. "I know. You're my son. How can I not know your temper? However, I still have to say what I should say. Old man, didn't you say that you had something to say to your son?"
Perhaps because he was too happy tonight, Shen Dashan drank a lot more.
Now that he was drunk, he patted Shen Yao's shoulder heavily and said earnestly, "1 hope you can work harder. When the Spring Quarter Examinations arrive next year, you must get good results. In the future, you must be a good official and serve the Imperial Court to benefit the people! Your mother and I hope that you and Ah Tao can be well. As long as you two are well, your mother and I will be relieved."
"Thank you, Father."
After the family had a heart-to-heart talk, Zhao Lanhua helped Shen Dashan to the guest room to rest.
Early in the evening, Ji Zhao handed over a cup of sobering tea with a smile.
"And this is?'
"It's hangover tea." Ji Zhao walked up to him and said with a smile, "Mung bean dandelion hangover tea, it's sweet."
"Okay," Shen Yao replied with a smile and took a sip.
As expected, it tasted sweet.
"Mung beans have a very strong effect of clearing heat and detoxifying poison." Ji Zhao looked into his eyes and said gently, "Wine is harmful to the liver, and dandelions can eliminate liver fever and protect the liver and gallbladder, so you have to drink this big bowl obediently—"
"Okay." Shen Yao nodded slightly and immediately drank the cup of tea in one gulp.
"I specially added two rock sugars. Is it too sweet?" Ji Zhao asked nervously when she saw his frown.
"Zhaozhao." After Shen Yao put down the teacup, he suddenly reached out and pulled her into his arms. He pressed his lips between her brows and his deep voice was filled with gentleness. 'This sobering tea is not as sweet as you." Upon hearing this, Ji Zhao lowered her eyes shyly.
A full moon hung in the silent night sky, and the moonlight gently shone on the ground.
"Shen Yao."
"Mm?"
"I think you're getting more and more glib-tongued now?" Ji Zhao suddenly looked up and pinched his earlobe angrily, teasing him with a smile.
"If Zhaozhao doesn't like it, then I won't say it again?" Shen Yao raised his eyebrows tentatively.
"It's not that I don't like it..." Ji Zhao looked away in embarrassment, avoiding his sincere, direct, and passionate gaze. "It's just that I'm not used to you being like this.'
"It's been so long, but Zhaozhao still hasn't gotten used to it? Huh?" Shen Yao suddenly hugged her and said softly, "Zhaozhao, do you know what the four greatest blessings in life are?"
Ji Zhao lowered her eyes and said softly, "I know."
Rain after a long drought; the pleasant surprise of meeting an old friend; one's wedding night; and successfully getting ranked on the imperial examination.
"I've always hoped to experience this kind of luck one day. Now, it's the right time and place with the right person. What do you think?"
After a moment of realization, Ji Zhao finally understood the meaning behind this man's words and nodded shyly.
The moonlight was bright and the tide was turbulent.
Deep inside, the flower quivered.
After an unknown period of time, Ji Zhao, who was leaning in his arms, fell asleep..
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Chapter 319: Indeed My Fault
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Herlyee Translations
The next day, late in the morning.
The moment Ji Zhao opened her eyes, the intense scenes that had happened last night kept flashing in her mind. Caught off guard, her cheeks turned red.
It was as beautiful as the sunset in summer.
Hearing the sound of footsteps, she hurriedly pulled the thin blanket beside her and covered her face.
She bit the blanket nervously, her face full of shyness.
She was really crazy. She actually allowed Shen Yao to be so rash.
"You're awake?" Shen Yao sat on the side of the bed and gently lifted the thin blanket covering her head. He asked gently, "Mother has made red bean porridge. Do you want to try it?"
"Mother? Red bean porridge?' Ji Zhao suddenly lifted the blanket and reacted.
"How can I let Mother cook? No, what time is it now?"
"It's late."
"Shen Yao, you... Boohoo..." Ji Zhao's eyes suddenly turned red as she glared at him aggrievedly.
The moment he saw her cry, Shen Yao panicked. "What happened?"
Shen Yao hurriedly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and asked with heartache, "Zhaozhao, did I hurt you?'
"You're still talking! You're still talking!" Ji Zhao turned her anger into a fist and punched his chest fiercely. "It's all your fault!"
"It's indeed my fault." Shen Yao's heart ached even more. He coaxed her gently, "Zhaozhao, don't cry anymore, okay?"
Ji Zhao responded gloomily, but from the corner of her eye, she inadvertently glanced at the mark on his neck. She asked in surprise, "Your neck?"
"Zhaozhao forgot?" Shen Yao was caught between laughter and tears when he met her surprised gaze.
Ji Zhao bit her lip silently and calmed herself down to recall. In the end, her face turned even redder.
Shen Yao was not the only one who went crazy last night!
After all, the scratches on Shen Yao's neck were evidence that she had also committed a crime.
"Cough, cough." Ji Zhao pretended to cough twice. Just as she was about to get off the bed, her legs went weak and she almost fell.
Shen Yao hurriedly carried her up. "I'll go to the kitchen and bring the red bean porridge over."
Fifteen minutes later, Ji Zhao seemed to have heard Zhao Lanhua's complaints.
"Look at you, you don't know how to dote on your wife at all! Ah Tao has already lost so much weight, yet you're still bullying her?" Zhao Lanhua glared fiercely at Shen Yao, her hands on her hips as she raged.
"Mother, Ah Tao is hungry..."
'Wait a minute, I'll get Ah Tao two sesame cakes!"
When Shen Yao lowered his head and walked into the room with the tray, Ji Zhao couldn't help but laugh.
"You still have the energy to laugh at me? Huh?" Shen Yao walked up to her and tapped the tip of her nose angrily.
"I was wrong-I' Ji Zhao was instantly terrified and obediently ate the porridge.
She did not dare to provoke Shen Yao anymore. After all, if she angered him, she would not be able to get off the bed!
Ji Zhao secretly sized up Shen Yao from the corner of her eye. Many question marks appeared in her mind.
Shen Yao's figure belonged to the category of looking lean when wearing clothes while being muscular underneath, but from the outside, he clearly belonged to the category of weak scholars!
"Haven't you seen enough?" Shen Yao couldn't help but raise his eyebrows. He looked into her eyes and chuckled.
'Who's looking at you?" Ji Zhao turned her face away arrogantly and took a fierce bite of the sesame cake.
Shen Yao smiled helplessly and wiped the porridge at the corner of her lips dotingly.
"I indeed can't get enough of my Zhaozhao." Shen Yao kissed her cheek gently and smiled.
"Of course..." Ji Zhao smiled smugly. "After all, it's difficult to find a wife as beautiful as me who's talented and good at cooking!'
"Zhaozhao is right." Shen Yao smiled and ruffled her hair. His tone was extremely gentle.
Fifteen minutes later, Ji Zhao felt that she had been revived and was full of energy.
"Mother, it's rare for you and Father to come to the prefecture capital. Let's not cook at home this afternoon. We have to stroll around and then go to the restaurant to eat a good meal!' Ji Zhao came to the kitchen and stopped Zhao Lanhua, who was picking vegetables, and suggested happily.
"But..." Zhao Lanhua looked hesitant.
"Mother." Ji Zhao shook her arm, her coquettish tone overflowing with grievance. "Previously, in order to let Shen Yao prepare for the exam in peace, I couldn't even take a good look around the prefecture capital. Mother, you're the best. Can you accompany us out for a walk?'
"Alright!'
Faced with Ji Zhao's cuteness attack, Zhao Lanhua instantly surrendered. "Ah
Tao, wait a moment. Mother will go back to the house to get the pouch. '
"Mother, there's really no need. I have money on hand!" Ji Zhao said with a smile.
Halfway through the afternoon, there was still an endless stream of customers in Tianxiang Restaurant.
"I didn't expect the prefectural city to be so lively." Walking among the bustling crowd, Zhao Lanhua nervously grabbed Ji Zhao's sleeve and asked softly, "Ah Tao, are we really going to this restaurant to eat? The food here shouldn't be cheap, right?"
Ordinary restaurants would at most have four doors, but the Tianxiang Restaurant in front of them had eight doors!
"Mother." Ji Zhao thought for a moment and whispered something into Zhao Lanhua's ear. In the end, Zhao Lanhua walked into the restaurant's lobby with her chest puffed out.
Surprise flashed across Shen Yao's eyes. He approached Ji Zhao and asked softly, "What did Zhaozhao say to Mother just now?"
"Actually, it's nothing much." Ji Zhao pursed her lips and smiled faintly. "Let's try the dishes of Tianxiang Restaurant first. I'll tell you later!" x"Guests, please come in." The enthusiastic waiter quickly led Zhao Lanhua and the others to the empty table in the hall and introduced them with a smile, "This is your first time in our prefecture, right? Our Tianxiang Restaurant is the number one restaurant in the prefecture. Our signature dishes are crispy chicken, eight-treasure duck, steamed fish, and steamed pork with rice powder. What would you like to eat?"
Zhao Lanhua subconsciously looked at Ji Zhao beside her. "Ah Tao, what should we order?'
"I'll have crispy chicken first, then steamed fish, then lettuce with garlic and corn flatbread." Ji Zhao casually looked at the menu hanging on the wall and quickly made up her mind.
"Ah Tao, these dishes are not cheap." After glancing at the menu, Zhao Lanhua looked at Ji Zhao with heartache and complained softly, 'This crispy chicken costs six taels of silver. Isn't this too expensive?"
Zhao Lanhua remembered that the chickens that she had painstakingly fed for an entire year would at most be sold for two taels at the end of the year.
When the crispy chicken was sewed on the table, Zhao Lanhua felt that it was even more unworthy.
"Isn't this chicken too small?"
"Mother, try it first!" Ji Zhao picked up a chicken drumstick and placed it into the bowl in front of Zhao Lanhua with a smile. 'Try it first and see what's so special about this Tianxiang Restaurant's signature dish."
Zhao Lanhua thought for a moment and opened her mouth to take a bite.
This crispy chicken was really fragrant and crispy, especially the golden and shiny chicken skin outside. It was crispy and smooth. It was indeed delicious..
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Chapter 320: How Could I Dare to Disobey Madam's Orders?
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
A moment later, Zhao Lanhua put down her chopsticks in satisfaction.
"1 admit that this crispy chicken tastes extraordinary, but isn't the price a little ridiculous?" Zhao Lanhua still felt that it was not worth it. After all, she could not figure out how a chicken could be sold for six taels of silver.
"Mother, the crispy chicken 1 make costs at least ten taels of silver."
"Uh..." Zhao Lanhua blinked blankly.
"Mother, although this crispy chicken isn't big, there's a need to be particular if you want to make this crispy chicken well." Ji Zhao smiled and explained, "First of all, it's to choose the ingredients. Generally speaking, it's best to use hens."
"The cooking method of the crispy chicken is also very complicated. If you want this chicken to be fragrant and crispy, you have to steam the chicken with broth first. When the heat is enough, you have to fry it in the pot. Only then can you make a fragrant and crispy outer skin."
"It does sound complicated." Zhao Lanhua did not expect this crispy chicken to be so complicated. "But 1 still think six taels is a little expensive...'
Although the prefecture was prosperous, the expenses were too high.
After the family finished lunch, Zhao Lanhua felt a little tired.
"Father, accompany Mother home first," Shen Yao suggested softly. "1 still have to accompany Ah Tao to the Spring Breeze Pavilion to see the progress."
"Alright" Shen Dashan nodded and went back with Zhao Lanhua.
"What did you say to Mother just now?" Shen Yao looked curiously at Ji Zhao, who was chewing onacandied hawthorn. He chuckled and asked, "Mother doesn't like to be extravagant. You actually convinced her to enter the expensive Tianxiang Restaurant?"
'Actually, it's nothing." Ji Zhao smiled and shrugged. "1 just told Mother to come to the Tianxiang Restaurant to investigate and see what dishes the people in rhe prefecture city like to order in rhe restaurant. This way, I can set the menu of the Spring Breeze Pavilion."
Shen Yao smiled and tapped the tip of her nose affectionately. His tone was filled with admiration. "My Zhaozhao is smart,"
"Shh!" Ji Zhao deliberately looked around, then put her index finger to her lips She deliberately lowered her voice and said, "1 know I'm extremely smart, but don't say it so loudly. Aren't you afraid that someone will kidnap your wife?"
"No!" Shen Yao suddenly squeezed her hand tightly and said firmly, "No one can take my wife away.
He deliberately emphasized the word 'wife', causing Ji Zhao's heart to beat wildly.
'Ahem." Ji Zhao hurriedly avoided his gaze and muttered softly, "Let's go to Spring Breeze Pavilion quickly!'
Spring Breeze Pavilion.
Thanks to the craftsman introduced by Innkeeper Qian, the renovation of the Spring Breeze Pavilion was coming to an end.
Ji Zhao had looked at the lunar calendar before and felt that the day after tomorrow would be a good day.
The eighth day of rhe ninth month would be an auspicious day
"Shen Yao." Ji Zhaor who wfas standing in the middle of the hall, looked at the surroundings. Her heart skipped a beat as she rushed in front of him and hugged his arm intimately. "1 have a favor to ask.'
"Mm?'1
"Can 1 ask for a few of your calligraphy treasures?" Ji Zhao looked up at him and grinned foolishly. "Can you help me write a calligraphy piece and then draw two more paintings?'1
"Let me think about it."
"You still have to think..." Ji Zhao frowned in grievance.
"How can 1 not obey Madam's orders?'1 Shen Yao gently tapped the tip of her nose and smiled helplessly.
Ji Zhao's eyes lit up. She tiptoed and leaned in front of him, planting a light kiss on his cheek. "My husband is so good-"
"Little fool.1' Shen Yao smiled dotingly and could not help but pull her into his arms again. "Zhaozhao, you're even better."
"Shen Yao/' Ji Zhao said shyly, "Hurry up and let go. There are people watching us.'1
"It's fine." Shen Yao raised his eyebrows and glanced at the craftsmen who had stopped their work to wTatch the show. "1 hope the masters can finish it on time. If it's overdue, your salary will be deducted."
The craftsmen shuddered when they heard that their salaries would be deducted. They quickly averted their gazes and continued working.
Ji Zhao, who was leaning in Shen Yao's arms, did not expect him to be so scheming. She punched his chest angrily and smiled helplessly.
■'Shall we go to the backyard to take a look?1' Ji Zhao suddenly suggested. "Innkeeper Qian said earlier that there's a wine cellar in the backyard. Let s go take a look. If those wines are still usable, they can be used to cook,"
"Okay."
"Eh? Where's my candied hawthorn?" Ji Zhao turned to look at the empty counter and blinked blankly. "1 remember there's still half of it?"
There were a total of seven hawthorn balls on a stick of candied hawthorn. Ji Zhao clearly remembered that she had only eaten three.
Moreover, she clearly remembered that she had casually placed the candied hawthorn on the counter just now.
"Why don't we buy two more when we go back?" Shen Yao held her hand and smiled. "Let's go to the wine cellar to take a look first?"
"Alright." Although she was a little unhappy, Ji Zhao still obediently wTent to the backyard.
The two of them passed through the side door of the hall and arrived at the backyard.
The two rooms on the east side of the backyard were the kitchen, and the room on the west side was the original wine cellar,
When they pushed the door open and entered, they were greeted by thick dust that choked Ji Zhao to the point of tears.
"There's too much dust in here, isn't there?"
Shen Yao hurriedly took out a handkerchief and handed it to Ji Zhao. "Zhaozhao, wait for me outside."
He picked up the broom leaning against the corner of the wall and quickly tidied up the wine cellar. Then, he pushed open the window and called Ji Zhao in. "Done."
There are actually so many wine vats here?" Ji Zhao looked around in surprise.
This wine cellar was not big, only about 40 square meters. However, the ground was densely packed with wine jars of various sizes,
In the west corner of the wall, there was a shaky wooden frame.
Ji Zhao subconsciously approached the wooden frame. Just as she was about to reach out, the wooden frame suddenly fell!
Shen Yao hurriedly hugged her and dodged.
"Areyou alright?" Shen Yao asked anxiously. ''Zhaozhao, are you hurt anywhere?"
Ji Zhao shook her head subconsciously.1 I'm fine, but Shen Yao, look at this wall.r
Following the direction of her finger, Shen Yao also discovered the strangeness of this wall.
This wall was really strange.
"The marks on this should be formed by the wooden frame just now. But look here, why is there a golden lotus flower here?" Ji Zhao pointed at the marks on the wall and said in surprise.
The golden lotus pattern on the wall was only the size of a baby's fist.
The surrounding walls had long fallen, but the lotus flower was still shining brightly.
For some reason, Ji Zhao subconsciously stretched out her finger and touched the golden lotus.
With a flash of golden light, the lotus in front of her suddenly let out a loud bang.
Boom—