Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 1110 - 1107_1

Chapter 1110: Chapter 1107_1

After the banquet, Shangguan Xuanyi and Shangguan Ruixi were conversing on the restaurant’s viewing balcony.

This viewing balcony offered a sweeping view of most of the Imperial City.

Gazing into the distance, one could feel as if all beneath their feet was within their grasp!

"Have you found out about the matter with the medicinal supplies?" Shangguan Xuanyi asked, gazing into the distance where the setting sun was gradually sinking.

Just as Shangguan Wanru was about to summon Shangguan Ruixi to return to the mansion, she heard these words and stopped in her tracks, hiding behind the potted plants in the corner of the room rather than stepping out.

"It’s clear now. It definitely isn’t our people who leaked the route information. The report from there also suggests that the mountain collapse wasn’t due to any human intervention, but a natural occurrence. Considering that it has been raining throughout the entire month down south, such accidents are not impossible," Ruixi said.

Shangguan Xuanyi’s ears twitched, and he nodded, saying nothing, "Considering the time, it’s about time for the third batch of medical supplies to be sent out. Is the Second Brother ready on his end?"

"Everything is ready. After the handover, it can be dispatched tomorrow."

Shangguan Xuanhao was responsible for preparing the medical supplies. Once prepared, they needed to be handed over to Shangguan Ruixi. The process involved careful checks to ensure that the supplies Ruixi received were all in order. Only then could he arrange for the supplies to be sent to the battlefield.

Although the process was complex, it was necessary to be cautious so that any issues could be identified at the earliest possible moment.

"This time we must be extra careful. Even if we are late, we cannot afford to lose the entire batch."

"Don’t worry, it absolutely won’t happen again. I have changed the route. It is much safer and more concealed now."

"That’s good!" After finishing their conversation, the two of them walked back inside.

Shangguan Wanru quickly stepped forward and respectfully greeted Shangguan Xuanyi before saying to Shangguan Ruixi, "So you were here. Father is looking for you to return to the mansion."

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Ruixi said to Shangguan Xuanyi, "Then I will return to the mansion first. Excuse me."

Shangguan Xuanyi nodded at the two of them, then went to find Xiao’er so they could return home together.

...

After the Full Moon Banquet, Shangguan Xuanyi took the bill to the imperial study room to settle the accounts with the Emperor.

Within the study room, Prince An and Shangguan Ruixi were present, reporting to the Emperor about a landslide that had caused a large batch of medical supplies to be buried.

Shangguan Xuanyi handed the bill over.

The Emperor immediately objected, eyes wide and whiskers rustling: "1.6 million taels?! Are you taking advantage of my not having eaten at a restaurant for many years not knowing the current prices!"

Even though he knew that yesterday’s meal included all kinds of delicacies, and there were nineteen dishes! But nine of them were vegetarian dishes made to look like meat. The total worth was at most 1,000 taels per table! 4,000 taels per table, isn’t this a scam? He’s been fooled of 3,000 taels out of fairness, is this what a son does? He feels giving birth to a rice ball must have been better than him, at least after giving birth to a rice ball, he could have felt full after eating it!

"Didn’t the Emperor say that yesterday we ate an abundance of delicacies and drank sweet nectar? Since these were rare and excellent dishes, and sweet nectar, isn’t this price very normal?"

Upon hearing the costs, Shangguan Ruixi and Prince An were shocked, "Yesterday’s banquet was 4,000 taels per table?"

Shangguan Xuanyi nodded confidently.

Seeing this, Shangguan Ruixi quickly argued, "No, I must go and ask if I can cancel the hundred tables I booked!"

Does 4,000 taels per table mean they are eating gold?

He might be able to accept spending 100,000 taels for a Full Moon Banquet, but spending 400,000 taels? He might as well only have one child in the future! Otherwise, he can’t afford it!

"So you all feel that 4,000 taels per table are too expensive, right? 1.6 million taels, this is enough for my grandson to hold four Full Moon Banquets!"

"Isn’t the Emperor holding a Full Moon Banquet for four grandsons? This is just enough!" Shangguan Xuanyi said after he turned to Shangguan Ruixi "From what I know, canceling the reservation requires a thirty percent fee! Because the day of your banquet is tomorrow, some of the dishes have already started being prepared. If you cancel now, the restaurant will lose money."

"How much is that in taels?"

"You ordered a hundred tables, right? Thirty percent of a hundred tables is the cost of thirty tables!"

Thirty tables of money? That’s 120,000 taels?!

So if he cancels the banquet, he will not only gain nothing but will also lose 120,000 taels?!

He had originally planned to spend 100,000 taels on the Full Moon Banquet for his child, but now the losses are even more than the planned expenses. Shangguan Ruixi couldn’t help himself to curse, "Damn! You guys are highway robbers! You even charge for cancelations, your restaurant isn’t earning money, it’s stealing money!"

The Emperor nodded in agreement, adding "This is plain robbery!"

Shangguan Xuanyi nodded, "Well, if you put it that way, it’s true. With the birth of my four children at once, the pressure is a bit too much, so I can only seek your help! The price for others indeed isn’t this one, this is a special price for relatives."

The Emperor: "..."

Shangguan Ruixi: "..."

The price for relatives is even more expensive? What kind of world is this?

"Father, remember not to skip on the bill! A gentleman’s word is his bond! You can’t break your promise to your own grandsons! I will take my leave!" Shangguan Xuanyi didn’t care about their expressions. After dropping these words, he left.

The Emperor looked at the bill in his hand again: 1.6 million taels, subtracting the silver from the national treasury and then considering his private savings, his face changed, "Shangguan Xuanyi come back! For 1.6 million taels, even if I give you all my silver, it wouldn’t be enough!"

Remember when he found out he was going to be a grandfather to four golden grandsons, he rewarded all civil and military officials! That already cost a great sum of silver!

"Father, you are mistaken, the silver isn’t for me, but for my sons! The money the Emperor spends on his grandsons!" Shangguan Xuanyi responded without turning back.

Did he really think he can call himself a grandfather without contributing anything?

...

After Xiao’er had her month of confinement and her health fully recovered, the first thing she did was go shopping.

When the Fifth Princess found out that Xiao’er wanted to go shopping, she suggested right away that she would accompany her.

Since summer was soon approaching, Xiao’er had prepared a lot of clothes for the girls but had not prepared anything for the boys. So, she needed to choose some light and comfortable fabrics to make a few outfits for the boys.

Xiao’er chose five types of fabric. There were some for outerwear and some for undershirts; all made of cotton: lightweight, comfortable, and absorbent. She bought several bolts of fabric, planning to send a few to Zhu Yan and Du Yijin’s children.

After buying the fabric, Xiao’er went to Pohli Jewelry to check the accounts and also to collect the custom-made baby bracelet and necklace that she had ordered.

This was a Full Moon gift for Du Yijin’s child.

When they finished, the two of them went to the spice shop.