Chapter 61: The Elegant Gathering – Find Out Who She Is!
Yihuan looked at Liu Hexiao with a mix of amusement and exasperation.
Liu Hexiao glanced back at her and grinned. “Just sit back and count the money.”
Even Qing Nu and Ah-Miao, standing nearby, couldn’t help but chuckle at his playful tone.
The Scholar’s Manor was located in the southeast of Shengjing, and today its garden was unusually lively.
The daughter of the Grand Scholar, Shi Meiyin, had recently become engaged to Cao Shixun, the young master of the Cao family. Before her upcoming wedding, she had decided to host a small gathering with her close friends.
Young ladies gathered in pairs and trios, enjoying the flowers and sipping tea. From a distance, the scene was like a vivid painting—vibrant and elegant.
“Miss Shi, I hear your big day is approaching?” Miss Li set down her teacup and asked gently.
Miss Shi’s cheeks flushed as she replied, “Not at all… it’s still far off.”
Miss Wang, sitting nearby, couldn’t resist laughing. “Miss Li, don’t tease her like that! Look, she’s already blushing! She must be thinking of Young Master Cao.”
Miss Shi covered her mouth with a smile. “You’re the one talking nonsense!”
Miss Li asked with a playful tone, “Have you met Young Master Cao yet? What do you think of him?”
Miss Shi’s shyness deepened, and she replied, “I’ve only seen him from a distance… He’s very tall…”
“And?” The young ladies, eager for gossip, pressed her for details.
Miss Shi fidgeted, growing even more uncomfortable. “That’s all… I didn’t get a clear look at his face.”
Miss Wang chimed in, “I’ve heard that Young Master Cao often spends time with Liu Shizi and Young Master He… Oh!” She suddenly turned to another young lady and said, “Miss Lu, have you ever met Young Master Cao?”
The lady addressed was Lu Wei, a niece of the Prince Qi’s concubine. She paused, seemingly caught off guard, and stammered, “I… I haven’t.”
Miss Wang frowned slightly, puzzled. “But don’t you often visit the Prince Qi’s residence? I’ve heard that Young Master Cao frequently visits Liu Shizi. You’ve never run into him?”
Lu Wei felt a pang of awkwardness. Every time she went to the Prince Qi’s estate, she wasn’t even allowed near Liu Hexiao’s courtyard, let alone given the chance to meet his friends.
Forcing a smile, she said, “No… I’ve never had the chance to meet him.”
The group seemed disappointed by her response.
Miss Shi, trying to steer the conversation elsewhere, smiled faintly and said, “In the end, appearance isn’t the most important thing.”
Both Miss Wang and Miss Li nodded in agreement. Miss Li added, “As long as he treats you well, that’s all that matters.” Then, with a sly glance at Lu Wei, she teased, “Miss Lu, since you’re so close to the Prince Qi’s residence, might there be good news about you soon as well?”
Lu Wei felt a pang of bitterness. It had been days since she last saw Liu Hexiao.
In the past, she would frequently visit her aunt under the guise of paying respects, just so she could find opportunities to see him. But ever since Liu Hexiao had fallen out with the Prince Qi and stormed out of the estate, she had no idea where to find him.
After much effort, she had recently heard that Liu Hexiao had bought a small courtyard on Changming Street.
Of course, none of this could be shared openly. She simply smiled and said, “Miss Li, please don’t tease me. The Shizi and I… we merely grew up together, nothing more.”
Miss Shi smiled knowingly. “I hear the Shizi is involved in business now?”
Lu Wei froze. “Business?”
Miss Shi tilted her head in surprise. “Miss Lu, you didn’t know?” She gestured to a beautifully crafted wooden box sitting on the table nearby.
“This was sent over by the Shizi. He heard about my gathering today and sent over some desserts from his shop. They’re called ‘soufflés,’ I believe?”
The group perked up at the mention of this unusual treat.
“What kind of shop? Where is it located?” Lu Wei asked, her curiosity piqued.
Miss Shi thought for a moment before replying, “I believe it’s on Changming Street, called ‘Shengjing Dessert Shop.’”
At this, Miss Li’s eyes lit up. “Oh! Shengjing Dessert Shop—I know that place!”
Miss Wang, intrigued, asked, “What’s so special about it?”
Miss Li, now fully engrossed, explained enthusiastically, “That shop is incredible! I’ve had their pearl milk tea before. It was rich and fragrant, with soft and chewy pearls—absolutely delicious.
“And it’s not just the milk tea. Their mousse cakes melt in your mouth, and the croissants… oh, they’re as crisp and golden as real horns. The crunch when you bite into them is heavenly!”
Hearing this, Miss Wang subconsciously swallowed.
Miss Li continued, “One time, my mother fell ill and lost her appetite. I bought some hawthorn jelly from Shengjing Dessert Shop, and to my surprise, she ate it and regained her appetite! It’s truly remarkable.
“The shop doesn’t just serve great food; the owner is also very kind—a young and beautiful woman. I had no idea it was owned by Liu Shizi!”
Lu Wei’s face stiffened.
Hawthorn jelly!?
She suddenly remembered the last time she visited Liu Hexiao when he was sick. On his table was a plate of vibrant red hawthorn jelly.
At that time, Liu Hexiao had refused to share even a single piece with her…
Could it have been because she made it?
Could the reason he refused to return to the Prince Qi’s estate be because of that woman?
“Miss Lu?” Shi Meiyin’s soft voice broke her train of thought.
Lu Wei quickly composed herself and smiled faintly. “Miss Shi…”
Noticing her distracted expression, Shi Meiyin chuckled and said, “Are you hungry? Let’s open the soufflé the shizi sent and try it.”
A maid stepped forward and swiftly opened the intricately carved wooden box.
Inside, the dessert was carefully wrapped in a layer of pristine white parchment paper.
As the paper was peeled back, a perfectly round soufflé was revealed, its upper half soft and fluffy like a cloud, making one hesitate to disturb its delicate appearance.
Shi Meiyin noticed that the box even came with a small wooden knife, beautifully carved with intricate patterns.
“Everyone says Liu Shizi is particular about food, but I never expected his attention to detail to be this impressive,” Shi Meiyin remarked with admiration.
Even before tasting the soufflé, the carved box and knife alone were already a feast for the eyes.
The maid used the knife to gently slice into the soufflé, and it split open down the middle, releasing a warm, fragrant aroma that was utterly tantalizing.
The soufflé was quickly cut into pieces and distributed.
“Please, everyone, help yourselves,” Shi Meiyin said with a smile.
Miss Wang and Miss Li each took a piece. Miss Wang leaned in to smell it, then used a small spoon to scoop up a bite. As soon as it touched her tongue, her eyes widened in delight.
The soufflé’s exquisite flavor spread through her mouth instantly. It was as soft as a cloud, with a rich, sweet aroma that was simply irresistible.
“This is amazing!” Miss Wang exclaimed. “What did you say this was called?”
Shi Meiyin smiled faintly. “Soufflé.”
Miss Wang quickly added, “When I go home later, I must stop by and buy one!”
Miss Li, however, interjected, “It won’t be that easy. This must be a new item from Shengjing Dessert Shop. Their new products are always limited in quantity—you’ll probably have to wait in line for ages.”
Shi Meiyin chuckled, her expression tinged with pride. “I heard from my maid that they only make ten soufflés a day. They’re very hard to come by!”
She couldn’t deny that she owed this little privilege to her fiancé, Cao Shixun, who had facilitated Liu Hexiao’s thoughtful gift.
Miss Wang pouted slightly. “If only I had thought to befriend Liu Shizi earlier!”
The ladies all shared a laugh.
Meanwhile, Lu Wei stared at the small piece of soufflé in her hand. Though light as a feather, it felt unbearably heavy.
Noticing Lu Wei’s hesitation, Shi Meiyin asked, “What’s wrong? Don’t you like it?”
Forcing a smile, Lu Wei replied, “I… don’t have much of an appetite.” After a pause, she added, “Miss Shi, I’m not feeling well today… I think I’ll head home early.”
Shi Meiyin looked concerned. “Should I call a doctor for you?”
Lu Wei quickly shook her head. “No need. I’ll be fine after some rest.”
Shi Meiyin nodded. “Alright, I’ll have someone escort you home.”
As soon as Lu Wei left the Scholar’s Manor, her expression darkened visibly.
Her maid, noticing her foul mood, asked cautiously, “Miss, is something wrong?”
Anger flickered across Lu Wei’s face. She had spent years carefully currying favor with the Prince Qi’s household, earning the old matron’s approval and her aunt’s support, all in the hopes of securing her place beside Liu Hexiao.
Now, at this critical moment, how could some unknown woman suddenly appear and ruin everything? Could this woman be the reason Liu Hexiao had distanced himself from her and refused to return to the Prince Qi’s estate?
With a cold, steely voice, Lu Wei ordered, “Find someone to investigate that vixen from Shengjing Dessert Shop. I want to know exactly who she is!”
Souffle :
