Chapter 43: The Truly Wise Seem Foolish

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Shen Lian’s attitude truly caught him off guard. Zhao Xiang was still racking his brain, preparing his arguments to persuade Shen Lian once more.

But Shen Lian said, “The current emperor has five sons; three have been crown princes. The previous crown prince was the most virtuous but died under mysterious circumstances. Your uncle once sat on the throne but was later deposed and imprisoned for life. Yet only your father, who was never favored by the emperor before, was appointed crown prince in this new dynasty. Everyone knows the position of crown prince is a fiery pit, one that should be declined, but your father accepted it gladly. People in the streets say your father is weak and dull-witted. Do you, as his son, think the same?”

Zhao Xiang was momentarily stunned. Since childhood, he had been brave and decisive; even his grandmother, though cold-hearted, praised him highly. In sharp contrast, she treated his father with indifference.

People said his father was made crown prince because of his grandmother’s favor. Yet Zhao Xiang had studied the classics from a young age and understood the complex political landscape; one should not rashly leap into the imperial power struggle. But his father did not refuse and accepted the edict cheerfully.

Since arriving in the capital a month ago, Zhao Xiang had been walking on thin ice. Even so, while open threats could be avoided, hidden daggers were hard to guard against. His father had fallen ill with a strange disease that baffled all physicians.

What chilled him most was that his grandmother never once inquired about his father’s condition.

Despite his imperial talents, he was still young and unsettled, which was why he sought out Shen Lian.

Shen Lian’s words were laden with meaning. As a son, he naturally understood his father best and admitted that his father was sometimes far from clever—he neither pleased his grandmother nor maintained a prudent distance from the ministers to bide his time, but merely drifted without conviction.

Yet upon reflection, their family had managed to remain safe all these years.

Zhao Xiang was also shrewd and saw through Shen Lian’s subtlety. He couldn’t help but feel a trace of fear and suspicion, wondering what Shen Lian, a man of cunning and intelligence, truly intended.

He kept his doubts to himself, showing no sign on his face.

After some idle conversation, he took his leave.

Shen Lian watched Zhao Xiang depart, then his gaze shifted to the imposing imperial city, whose majesty seemed to grow heavier by the day.

“My brother, I’m hungry,” a tender voice suddenly sounded behind him.

Shen Lian lifted her up effortlessly and smiled softly, “Not going out to scrounge a meal today?”

“I want to eat something delicious,” she said, grabbing his chin. His face was so smooth, not a hint of stubble.

Shen Lian said, “Then today we’ll go to ‘Fortune Abounds’ to eat roast duck. Do you want some wine?”

“I’m still a child; I can’t drink, and you shouldn’t either,” she tugged a lock of his hair.

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‘Fortune Abounds’ wasn’t truly a grand restaurant, but a small tavern located on the next street over. Beside this street flowed a river called Anping Canal, the widest artificial waterway in the capital, stretching more than twenty zhang wide.

It was dug by imperial decree from the Empress herself to benefit the vast farmlands outside the city. Before its construction, rice was expensive and living in the capital was difficult. Since the canal’s completion, the Empress further promoted improved crop varieties, causing rice prices in the capital to fall year after year.

Policies like these that benefited the common people were countless, so despite the change of era, the Empress’ reign was not a misfortune for the masses.

‘Fortune Abounds’ was not busy every day; after all, those seeking to take advantage and make gains had long since stopped coming.

But the landlady was not only beautiful but also an excellent cook. Initially, this earned her many loyal customers, though she had a peculiar flaw: her dishes were hit or miss.

When good, her cooking was unmatched—even palace chefs couldn’t compete. When bad, it was worse than swine feed.

The difference was not visible by appearance but only evident in taste.

Shen Lian had eaten here once about two months ago and was fortunate to taste a memorable roast duck.

Today, however, he was surprised to find the tavern completely empty, a sign of hard times.

The landlady was a woman in her thirties with a charming figure. Upon seeing Shen Lian, she greeted him with a warm smile, her slender waist swaying gently like willow branches in the breeze.

“What would you like to order, sir?” she asked.

Ruoxi quickly replied, “Two plates of roast duck, no wine.”

The landlady chuckled softly, seemingly amused by little Ruoxi, then looked at Shen Lian. He nodded in agreement.

The landlady called out, “Xiao Bai, come wipe the table for the guests. I’m heading to the kitchen.”

After speaking, she went back to the kitchen.

The waiter named Xiao Bai had been lying in a corner but stood up upon hearing her voice.

Xiao Bai was still a youth, expression cold, seemingly burdened by debts. When he saw Shen Lian, he hesitated slightly, but Shen Lian showed no reaction.

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Xiao Bai was the very young man whom Shen Lian had saved from an enemy’s pursuit that night.

His real name was Bai Shaoliu. That night, he had lost so much blood that he collapsed at the door of this tavern and was rescued by the landlady.

Bai Shaoliu recognized Shen Lian as somewhat familiar but couldn’t recall when they had met. Their hurried glance that night had not allowed them to properly connect.

After a while, a plate of roast duck was served, sliced with remarkable evenness. To an ordinary eye, it might seem typical, but to Shen Lian, it was a masterpiece of knife skill.

This roast duck was carved with the precision of a skilled butcher, separating bone from flesh with perfect technique.

Few noticed that the landlady’s most captivating feature was not her waist but her hands—white, delicate, without a hint of roughness.

Though the landlady was exceptional, Shen Lian had no other thoughts; he had come simply to eat.

Despite abstaining from grains and living apart from worldly desires, he still had a palate to satisfy.

Today’s seasoning was exquisite, perhaps even better than the first time he came.

The landlady did not sit to eat with Shen Lian. After Xiao Bai wiped the table, he leaned outside in the sun, not attending to any customers, and the landlady did not ask him to solicit business.

By the water, it was noon but comfortably cool.

Shen Lian wondered if he should move his clinic to this street—it was far better than his previous location.

Ruoxi ate with great seriousness, savoring each slice of roast duck. Remarkably, she ate even more than Shen Lian.

Suddenly, Bai Shaoliu flew in from outside, heading straight toward their table.

Luckily, mid-flight he flipped and bumped into a nearby table.

Ruoxi was a bit annoyed as some dust fell onto her plate.

ps: Thanks to Tianma Di, Oheheheheha, Meiyou Xiaolili, Xiangxiang De Xin, and Chen Sheng Zui Ji for their generous support.