Chapter 31: Tailored Exclusively

 

Yihuan widened her eyes innocently and looked at Liu Hexiao.

 

“Shizi… I’m counting money for you…” she said, finishing her statement by grabbing a handful of copper coins she had just counted and placing them in Liu Hexiao’s palm.

 

Liu Hexiao: “……”

 

His face darkened with irritation as he snapped, “Who asked you to count money for me!?”

 

Yihuan tilted her head with a puzzled “huh” and timidly asked, ” Shizi… aren’t you here to collect your share… I mean, your share of the profit?”

 

Liu Hexiao’s expression froze.

 

He almost laughed out of anger and said, “Xie Yihuan, are you out of your mind!? Do you think a handful of copper coins is worth making me do a special trip!?”

 

He threw the coins onto the table and pushed them aside disdainfully.

 

Yihuan was momentarily at a loss for words. Uh… that did make some sense.

 

Noticing his displeased expression, she cautiously asked, ” Shizi… could it be… that you’re here to eat?”

 

Liu Hexiao was utterly speechless. His tone was stiff as he replied, “What else would I be here for—taking a bath and lighting incense!?”

 

Yihuan immediately understood, plastering on a professional smile. “Got it! Shizi, please wait a moment!”

 

She hurriedly scampered to the counter, fetched a prepared menu, and presented it to Liu Hexiao.

 

The so-called menu was nothing more than a piece of paper set in a decorative frame.

 

Liu Hexiao, after letting his hand dangle mid-air for quite some time, finally received the menu with an irritated sigh.

 

“Donuts, croissants, strawberry mousse cake, fresh cream puffs, papaya stewed with milk…” Liu Hexiao silently counted the items to himself. After reading, he asked, “Why isn’t there anything new?”

 

Yihuan replied, “These items are still very popular right now, and there’s a lot of demand…” She initially wanted to explain her business strategy but figured he wouldn’t care, so she simply said, “I’ve been experimenting with some new items recently, but I haven’t started promoting them yet… I was planning to have the girls at Qianjiao Pavilion try them first.”

 

According to Yihuan’s strategy, Tianshui Alley was closest to her shop, making it the most convenient area to develop a customer base.

 

In Tianshui Alley, Qianjiao Pavilion was the most famous brothel. If she could win over this “big client,” it could set a trend for other establishments in the area.

 

Thus, her current focus was entirely on this endeavor.

 

Liu Hexiao frowned slightly. “What? You’re prioritizing the girls at Qianjiao Pavilion!?” He paused, then added, “Xie Yihuan, have you already forgotten what you promised me?”

 

Yihuan was momentarily stunned. “That… that promise?”

 

Liu Hexiao’s expression darkened further. “Aside from the 40% cut, what else did you agree to do?”

 

Yihuan suddenly remembered—she had promised to make him fresh desserts every day!

 

Caught up in her excitement, she had completely forgotten!

 

Liu Hexiao continued, “And now you’re using my name to flaunt yourself at Qianjiao Pavilion… If the things you make taste bad, wouldn’t that tarnish my reputation!? Therefore…”

 

His tone became deliberate, “From now on, anything you plan to send to Qianjiao Pavilion must first pass my approval.”

 

Yihuan was speechless. Indeed, with just one word from Liu Hexiao, she could either enter Qianjiao Pavilion or be barred from it.

 

So, she nodded and said, “Yes, Shizi. Today I made a peach crystal jelly, which I was planning to send to Qianjiao Pavilion tomorrow. Would you like to sample it first?”

 

A faint light flickered in Liu Hexiao’s eyes as he leaned forward slightly. “Crystal? Jelly!?”

 

Yihuan was surprised to see his attitude suddenly shift.

 

Liu Hexiao, realizing his momentary lapse, quickly resumed his usual indifferent demeanor and said casually, “Well, since I’m not busy now, bring it over and let me take a look.”

 

Yihuan thought to herself, When are you ever busy!?

 

But she kept her smile intact and went to retrieve the peach crystal jelly.

 

Meanwhile, Lin Yiran, who had been hiding behind the counter, quietly observed the interaction between Liu Hexiao and Yihuan.

 

When Yihuan brought out a plate of peach crystal jelly, she said, “Please, Shizi, have a taste.”

 

Liu Hexiao looked at the transparent peach crystal jelly and suddenly found himself unsure how to start.

 

As he hesitated, a sudden thud came from the upstairs kitchen, as if something had fallen.

 

Yihuan quickly said, “Shizi, take your time eating. I’ll go upstairs and see what happened.”

 

Liu Hexiao waved her off nonchalantly.

 

As Yihuan headed upstairs, he moved the plate of peach crystal jelly closer to himself.

 

The sharp yet elegant glint in his peach blossom-shaped eyes softened with a subtle expectation, even accompanied by a hint of a smile.

 

Liu Hexiao extended his hand to pick up a piece of jelly, but to his surprise, the slippery dessert almost slipped right out of his grasp!

 

He hastily clutched the jelly and shoved it into his mouth in one swift motion.

 

The round jelly puffed up one side of his cheek, making him look absolutely ridiculous.

 

From behind the counter, Lin Yiran couldn’t hold back anymore—he covered his mouth and burst into laughter.

 

“Ha-ha-ha…”

 

Liu Hexiao’s face stiffened, and an embarrassed flush crept across his cheeks.

 

Chewing the jelly awkwardly without taking the time to savor its soft sweetness, he glared at Lin Yiran and scolded, “You brat! What are you laughing at!?”

 

Startled, Lin Yiran immediately stifled his laughter, pursing his lips tightly.

 

Seeing the boy’s silence, Liu Hexiao pressed further, “Daring to mock me—are you asking for a beating!?”

 

Lin Yiran had never encountered someone with such a temper. After just a few sharp words, his eyes turned red with tears.

 

After all, he was only six years old. The first time he met Liu Hexiao, the man had been recklessly galloping on horseback, nearly injuring his sister. Now, he was being scolded so harshly that he didn’t dare make a sound.

 

As Liu Hexiao chewed on another piece of jelly, he glanced at Lin Yiran, who was now biting his lip nervously.

 

Just as Liu Hexiao swallowed his second piece, the boy couldn’t hold it in any longer. With a loud wail, Lin Yiran burst into tears.

 

Startled, Liu Hexiao froze mid-motion and hurriedly exclaimed, “Hey, brat, what’s wrong!?”

 

Lin Yiran remained silent, sniffling and sobbing. This prompted Liu Hexiao to instinctively get up and approach him. “Why are you crying? I didn’t even hit you!”

 

Between hiccups and sniffles, Lin Yiran cried out, “Big Brother is so mean, so mean! Waaah~”

 

With his fair complexion and chubby little hands wiping away his tears, the boy looked utterly pitiful. His cries grew louder and louder—such an overreaction to being scolded for just a laugh.

 

Liu Hexiao was at a complete loss. He’d never dealt with a crying child before! Frustrated and flustered, he tried to placate him.

 

“Okay, okay, stop crying! I won’t hit you, and I won’t scold you either! Happy now?” He scrutinized Lin Yiran from every angle, clueless about how to calm him down.

 

“Just stop crying, all right? If your sister comes back, she’ll think I bullied you!” Liu Hexiao’s voice carried a trace of desperation.

 

The moment he finished speaking, though, he realized something felt off.

 

Why do I care if that girl misunderstands me? Even if I made her little brother cry, so what? What can she do about it?

 

“Waaah~” Lin Yiran’s crying escalated, his face turning beet red like a bomb detonating all of Liu Hexiao’s rational thoughts.

 

The boy cried harder and harder, his small, innocent face swelling with grief.

 

Liu Hexiao was on the verge of fleeing. But abandoning a crying child? That wasn’t something a man of honor should do… Besides, if word got out that Liu Hexiao, the heir apparent, was scared off by a child’s tears, he’d be the laughingstock of the entire capital!

 

“Hey, hey, little ancestor, stop crying!” Frustration crept into his voice as he turned to Cheng Lingwei. “What are you standing there for? Help me calm him down!”

 

Cheng Lingwei smiled wryly. “Shizi… I… I’m no good with kids either. Maybe try a little trick or funny face?”

 

The suggestion seemed to spark an idea in Liu Hexiao.

 

“You!” He pointed decisively at Cheng Lingwei. “Go make a funny face!”

 

Cheng Lingwei reluctantly crouched in front of Lin Yiran and began contorting his face with exaggerated expressions.

 

Unexpectedly, Lin Yiran’s cries didn’t subside—instead, they grew louder.

 

Liu Hexiao sighed, exasperated. “What kind of ridiculous face is that? You’d scare off even a ghost!”

 

Cheng Lingwei retreated in defeat.

 

Left with no other choice, Liu Hexiao crouched down in front of Lin Yiran himself, his expression steely.

 

“Hey, brat,” he said, his tone cool and steady, “didn’t you just say you wanted to protect your sister?”

 

The calm voice caught Lin Yiran’s attention, and his sobbing paused slightly. “Y-Yes…”

 

Liu Hexiao pressed on, “Then how do you expect to protect her if all you can do is cry when something happens?”

 

Lin Yiran blinked, momentarily stunned. He thought about it and realized… Liu Hexiao had a point.

 

“So… how can I protect my sister?” Lin Yiran asked earnestly, his tear-streaked face full of determination and innocence.

 

Liu Hexiao’s gaze softened for a moment. He thought for a bit and replied, “For starters, you’ll need to know how to fight.” He immediately second-guessed himself and quickly corrected, “I mean, you’ll need some skills. If someone tries to bully your sister, you’ll have to step up and protect her.”

 

Lin Yiran listened intently, his little head nodding in agreement.

 

But moments later, worry returned to his face. “But… I don’t know how to do anything… Waaa—”

 

Before he could start crying again, Liu Hexiao interrupted, “Stop crying! I’ll teach you, okay!?”

 

The boy froze, his tears miraculously halting as he stared at Liu Hexiao with wide, curious eyes. “Really?”

 

His tilted head and innocent gaze, with just a touch of mischief, were reminiscent of Yihuan.

 

Liu Hexiao hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Of course.”

 

Cheng Lingwei, observing Liu Hexiao’s serious demeanor, couldn’t help but feel a bit surprised.

 

Despite his current carefree lifestyle, Liu Hexiao had grown up under the strict discipline of the royal household. Trained alongside his elder brother, he excelled in both academics and martial arts, with unparalleled skills in horse riding.

 

If not for his brother’s untimely demise and the subsequent rift with their father, Liu Hexiao—given his abilities and charm—might have long since become the most sought-after young man in the capital.

 

Cheng Lingwei couldn’t help but feel a twinge of regret as he thought about it.

 

Liu Hexiao, however, was oblivious. He folded his fan and used the end to poke Lin Yiran in the stomach, giving a light command, “Tighten your stomach!”

 

Lin Yiran froze for a moment before straightening up completely, sucking in his stomach obediently.

 

Liu Hexiao tapped his knee and instructed, “Squat down… yes, just like that! Hold a horse stance. If no one can push you over, you’ve mastered it.”

 

 

Lin Yiran had already forgotten his earlier tears, fully immersed in practicing what Liu Hexiao was teaching.

 

Liu Hexiao smiled with satisfaction. “Not bad, not bad. Now, focus your energy in your dantian.”

 

Lin Yiran frowned slightly. “Where’s my dantian?”

 

[T/n:- The dantian, often translated as elixir or cinnabar field, is a core energy centre of our body. A dantian is different from a chakra as it is a storehouse of energy, whereas a chakra is a gateway.]

 

Liu Hexiao laughed out loud. “Here.” He reached out and gently pressed Lin Yiran’s stomach, causing the boy to squirm and giggle from the ticklish sensation.

 

The sound of Lin Yiran’s cheerful laughter was amusing, and Liu Hexiao couldn’t help but laugh along.

 

The atmosphere lightened considerably, and even Cheng Lingwei had to suppress a chuckle.

 

“Your Highness… what are you doing?” A clear, gentle voice broke in. It was Yihuan, descending the stairs.

 

Liu Hexiao immediately straightened up, erasing his grin as he stood with practiced ease. “Nothing important,” he replied coolly.

 

But Lin Yiran happily dashed over to Yihuan. “Sister! The Shizi is teaching me kung fu!”

 

“Ah…” Liu Hexiao hadn’t planned on saying anything, but the child’s quick tongue betrayed him.

 

For a fleeting moment, Liu Hexiao’s cheeks flushed slightly, and he turned to look away, awkwardly scratching his nose.

 

“Look, Sister! I have a dantian! It’s here!” Lin Yiran earnestly pointed to his stomach, making an unintentionally hilarious gesture.

 

Earlier, Yihuan had gone upstairs to clean up a fallen papaya that had smashed on the floor, spilling juice everywhere. She had only just finished tidying when she heard Lin Yiran crying and rushed downstairs.

 

By the time she arrived on the first floor, however, she found Liu Hexiao and Lin Yiran engaged in a peculiar face-off, poking at their stomachs.

 

Yihuan chuckled softly and asked, “Yiran, aren’t you a little too young to be learning kung fu?”

 

Lin Yiran nodded with conviction. “Shizi says I can! I want to practice hard and be a manly protector for my sister!”

 

Yihuan’s smile softened, her voice full of affection. “Alright, I’ll look forward to it. But just now, I think I heard crying. Did something happen?”

 

Liu Hexiao froze and shot a glance at Lin Yiran before clearing his throat loudly.

 

Yihuan turned to him with concern. “Your Highness, are you feeling unwell? Shall I prepare some tea for you?”

 

Liu Hexiao, striving for composure, waved her off. “No need.”

 

Lin Yiran, quick on his feet, chimed in, “I wasn’t crying just now! Sister, you must’ve misheard.”

 

Yihuan raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Really?”

 

Lin Yiran nodded vigorously. “Really!”

 

Liu Hexiao finally exhaled in relief, for reasons he couldn’t quite pinpoint. “It’s getting late. I’ll be on my way,” he said with a briskness that seemed almost forced.

 

Yihuan nodded politely. “Allow me to see you out, Your Highness.”

 

She escorted him and Cheng Lingwei to the entrance of the dessert shop.

 

The moon hung in a hazy sky, casting a gentle light that gave the night a unique beauty.

 

Changming Street was still bustling with activity. Shengjing, free from curfews, was always lively at night.

 

“Stay here,” Liu Hexiao said coolly, motioning for her to stop.

 

Remembering the plate of jelly on the table, Yihuan hastily asked, “Your Highness, did you try the peach crystal jelly? Were you satisfied with it?”

 

Liu Hexiao was momentarily taken aback. “It was… acceptable.”

 

In truth, he only vaguely recalled a trace of sweetness—the rest of the experience had been drowned out by Lin Yiran’s sobbing.

 

With a faint shake of his head, he turned and disappeared into the crowd with Cheng Lingwei.

 

—

 

At Qianjiao Pavilion

 

“You useless girl! What’s the point of keeping you around?”

 

Hongyu, her face flushed with anger, pointed furiously at Huan’er, who stood trembling, not daring to move.

 

“But… but Miss, how was I supposed to know that Shengjing Dessert Shop really makes beauty-enhancing desserts?”

 

Hongyu’s expression darkened further. “How could you not know? You even went to their shop, and yet you still didn’t get any answers!?”

 

Her irritation was palpable.

 

Huan’er had overheard from Yunming’s maid that Shengjing Dessert Shop had all kinds of rare and good delicacies, so she had gone there herself.

 

But Yihuan had been out that day, leaving Huan’er to deal with Ah-miao, who was utterly clueless about what beauty-enhancing desserts might be. Worse still, Huan’er herself couldn’t articulate what she was looking for, so the matter was left unresolved.

 

Hongyu had intended to keep this lead to herself, hoping to monopolize the opportunity.

 

But now, Shengjing Dessert Shop had reached out to Qianjiao Pavilion directly, offering their beauty-enhancing treats to everyone. What advantage did she have left!?

 

“I heard they all placed their orders for tomorrow’s desserts this afternoon… Ugh, you’re completely useless!” Hongyu fumed.

 

Huan’er timidly suggested, “Then tomorrow, should I go place an order for you, Miss?”

 

Hongyu’s eyes glinted with sudden inspiration. “What’s the point of eating the same thing as everyone else? Tomorrow, I’ll go speak with the owner myself.”

 

Huan’er nodded hesitantly. “That might work, but… I heard that girl… belongs to Liu Shizi.”

 

Hongyu’s expression changed, her barely-recovered composure reigniting into fury. “What? She’s one of Liu Hexiao’s people!?”

 

Huan’er nodded nervously. She knew all too well that Liu Hexiao was a sensitive topic around Hongyu.

 

When Hongyu had first arrived at Qianjiao Pavilion, she had heard that Liu Hexiao never selected any of the girls during his visits.

 

Confident in her youth and beauty, she had dared to try seducing him—Hoping for Glory, but becoming a Laughingstock

 

Hongyu had once dreamed that if she succeeded in catching Liu Hexiao’s eye, her fame would skyrocket, and she might even have a shot at becoming the next flower queen.

 

Who could have predicted that Liu Hexiao would unceremoniously kick her out of his private room?

 

That incident turned her into a joke at Qianjiao Pavilion.

 

Hongyu’s voice turned icy as she sneered, “Wasn’t he supposed to be indifferent to women? How come he’s now taken a liking to some businesswoman?”

 

Huan’er, trembling, corrected her cautiously, “That girl isn’t exactly a businesswoman. I heard she’s… a chef.”

 

“What!?” Hongyu’s fury only grew. “A mere chef caught his eye!?”

 

Huan’er dared not utter another word, shrinking into silence.

 

But Hongyu quickly composed herself. What did it matter who this girl was, so long as she could be useful to her plans? She pushed aside her jealousy and said with a smile, “Tomorrow, I’ll have a chat with this girl myself.”

 

—

 

The Next Afternoon

 

The lavish hall of Qianjiao Pavilion bustled with unprecedented excitement.

 

“Ladies, please don’t push! There’s enough for everyone!”

 

The girls, decked out in their finery, surrounded Ah-miao, who was struggling to distribute the Papaya Milk Pudding (Papaya stewed with fresh milk).

 

Yihuan, seated nearby, handled the transactions with composed efficiency.

 

“Miss, you left a deposit of five coins yesterday, so just five more coins today. Oh, by the way…” She gestured to a tray beside her. “For two more coins, you can get a Peach Crystal Jelly. Would you like to try one?”

 

The young girl opposite her, still slightly immature in demeanor, glanced at the tray of neatly arranged jellies and asked hesitantly, “What’s inside these?”

 

Yihuan smiled warmly. “That’s fresh peach pulp. These peaches were picked straight from the tree yesterday morning, still dewy. They were rushed to our dessert shop and turned into Peach Crystal Jelly while still at their peak freshness.”

 

Hearing this, the girl could almost imagine the scene and timidly asked, “Is it… really delicious?”

 

The question, though seemingly hesitant, was as good as saying, I want to buy it.

 

Yihuan’s smile widened. “Of course it’s delicious! Especially if you like juicy peaches.”

 

The girl nodded. “Alright, I’ll take one!”

 

Yihuan placed the jelly on a small plate and handed it to her.

 

The girl carefully carried the plate to Ah-miao, where she joined the queue to pay the remainder of her deposit and collect her pre-ordered Papaya Milk Pudding.

 

While waiting in line, she couldn’t resist examining the jelly on her plate.

 

Standing beneath the skylight, the afternoon sunlight streamed down, piercing the Peach Crystal Jelly and making it gleam translucently.

 

Inside, the finely chopped peach pulp resembled delicate flower petals encased in the jelly’s shimmering surface—utterly mesmerizing.

 

Unable to hold back any longer, she pinched up the jelly with her fingers and popped it into her mouth.

 

The burst of sweet, juicy flavor exploded as her teeth pressed down, and the silky texture delighted her senses, sending a rush of pleasure straight to her heart.

 

Her eyes widened in astonishment. “Mmm!!!”

 

The girls ahead and behind her in line turned to look. “What’s wrong?”

 

The girl, too excited to contain herself, almost stomped her feet in glee. “This is so good!”

 

She hurried back to Yihuan, holding up her plate. “Give me three more! No, five!”

 

The other girls, intrigued, began whispering among themselves.

 

“Is it really that delicious?”

 

“It certainly looks appealing.”

 

Even those happily eating their Papaya Milk Pudding glanced over with interest.

 

Someone remarked, “If the pudding is this good, the jelly must be excellent too.”

 

Soon, one voice rose above the murmurs. “I’ll take a Peach Crystal Jelly as well!”

 

That single declaration broke the dam, and the hesitant girls quickly swarmed around Yihuan, clamoring for their share.

 

The hall grew even livelier as the desserts sold out in no time.

 

From the second-floor of the pavilion, Madam Tian leisurely savored her exclusive serving of Peach Crystal Jelly.

 

Initially, she had been annoyed that the desserts delivered that afternoon were distracting the girls and delaying their dance practice.

 

But after tasting the jelly herself, her perspective shifted. Happy girls danced with brighter smiles—perhaps even more likely to win the favor of their customers.

 

As she chewed slowly, she noticed the commotion below, with girls jostling to place their orders. A smug sense of pride settled over her.

 

—

Hongyu emerged from her second-floor chamber, noticing the lively scene in the hall below.

 

A sly smile graced her lips as she adjusted her hairpins and walked gracefully down the stairs.

 

By this time, both the Peach Crystal Jelly and Papaya Milk Pudding had sold out.

 

When Hongyu approached Yihuan, her elegant demeanor intact, Yihuan greeted her apologetically, “Miss, I’m sorry, but today’s desserts are all sold out.”

 

Hongyu covered her mouth with a fan, letting out a soft, melodious laugh. “Miss, might I have a word with you in private?”

 

Yihuan blinked, then returned her smile. “Of course.”

 

Hongyu led her to the rear courtyard of Qianjiao Pavilion.

 

The courtyard was lined with vibrant flowerbeds, the spring-summer transition painting the garden in a riot of colors.

 

Hongyu’s voice turned gentle. “I’ve heard that Miss Yihuan is highly skilled in crafting desserts that nourish beauty. How impressive.”

 

Yihuan smiled modestly. “You flatter me, Miss.”

 

Hongyu continued, “No need for false modesty… Look at this garden, brimming with flowers. Tell me, which one do you think stands out the most?”

 

Sensing a deeper meaning in her words, Yihuan replied tactfully, “Each has its own charm. The variety leaves me dazzled; it’s hard to choose the best.”

 

Her answer was without any loopholes, subtly redirecting the conversation back to Hongyu.

 

Hongyu twirled her fan, her tone lowering. “I think only the peony is the true queen of flowers.”

 

She stepped into the garden, gently lifting a blooming peony. “It’s my favorite. What do you think?”

 

The sight of her holding the peony, her beauty rivaling the flower’s, was stunning.

 

Yihuan smiled. “If you have something to say, Miss, feel free to speak plainly.”

 

Hongyu released the peony and stepped closer to Yihuan, her voice dripping with intent. “I appreciate dealing with clever people who grasp things quickly. I’d like to ask you for something.”

Translator’s Note:- Hello dear readers, for few days we will have only 1 update every 2 days due to some work after that i will complete this novel in a month. Thank You !! Enjoy <3  ❤️❤️