Chapter 39: Leaving the Estate (Part 2)

Yu Qingyan smiled. "Let's go, while there are still few people about."

"But—" Gu Jinshi seemed to feel this was improper.

"There are no 'buts', hurry up." Yu Qingyan had already walked to the door. "If you're not coming, I'll go by myself."

Gu Jinshi quickly followed. The two slipped out of the Prince Leisure's Manor in silence. Although they had left early, the streets were already echoing with hawkers' cries.

"Are you hungry?" Yu Qingyan asked Gu Jinshi, who was walking beside her.

Gu Jinshi raised an eyebrow, looking at her with amusement. "Do you have any money?"

Yu Qingyan frowned. "Speaking of money, are there any pawnshops in the city?"

"What do you want with a pawnshop?"

"To pawn things, of course. How else would I get money?"

Gu Jinshi chuckled. "I was only joking just now. I have money. Come on, let's get some breakfast first."

Pulled along by his tug on her sleeve, Yu Qingyan had no choice but to follow.

"This place is nice. I've eaten here before."

"How long have you been in Nandu?" Nandu was the capital of the Southern Chu.

"Two months. It's quite a lively place."

"Have you always been with your master before this?"

"Mhm. My master treats me like family."

Yu Qingyan followed him to a table, and before long, a selection of delicate breakfast dishes was served.

"Try it. Does it suit your palate?"

Yu Qingyan reached out and picked up a white, glutinous little sphere from the plate.

"Ah—"

"What is it?"

Gu Jinshi frowned and shook his head. "It's nothing. Eat."

Yu Qingyan took a bite. It was sweet, infused with the subtle fragrance of lotus, and tasted quite good. "Delicious."

Gu Jinshi took a sip of soy milk. "Then eat your fill."

"Why aren't you eating?"

Hesitantly, Gu Jinshi also picked one up with his fingers and took a bite.

"This place makes the most authentic lotus-scented rice balls."

Yu Qingyan had eaten three in one breath when the figure of Zuo Xuan suddenly appeared at the entrance. Choking slightly, Yu Qingyan quickly took a gulp of soy milk to wash it down.

Gu Jinshi clearly saw him too, though fortunately, it seemed he was merely passing by.

"Why is he here?"

"The Prince himself is sitting in that sedan chair. At this hour, he must be on his way to court."

Yu Qingyan frowned. "Doesn't he usually skip morning court?"

"Perhaps there is some pressing matter..."

"Why have you stopped eating?"

Gu Jinshi smiled. "I've had enough. You go ahead."

Without ceremony, Yu Qingyan finished the last rice ball on the table, and the two stood up to leave the small eatery, which was named Lotus Garden's Fragrance.

"Why do you still want to go to a pawnshop? Do you need money? I can give you some."

Yu Qingyan crossed her arms and looked at the excessively striking man before her. "Are you that rich?"

"How much do you need?"

"Come on, take me to a pawnshop first."

Unable to win the argument, Gu Jinshi gave in. Yu Qingyan pawned all the jewelry she had brought with her, exchanging them for a stack of silver notes. Imperial treasures were naturally valuable; these two hundred thousand taels would keep her well-provided for quite a while.

"Qingyan, the manor provides more than enough food and clothing. Why do you need so much money?"

"Just in case. Come on, show me around Nandu."

For the entire morning, Yu Qingyan followed Gu Jinshi as they explored every corner of Nandu. As noon approached, the two of them chose a nearby restaurant.

"I'm starving. Aren't you? Hurry up and eat."

Gu Jinshi frowned as he watched her table manners. Fortunately, she was currently dressed in men's attire, otherwise she would truly have shocked onlookers.

"Slow down." Gu Jinshi shook his head and handed her a cup of water.

Instead, Yu Qingyan pushed the water aside, tipped her head back, and drained the cup of wine before her.

"Do take it slowly."

Gu Jinshi ate his food with refined grace, occasionally lifting his eyes to look at her, a faint smile touching the corners of his lips.