FDNL CH 45

Chapter 45

As expected, having silver made things easier. In the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the little maid had already led Liu Mama hurriedly out of the courtyard. She walked carefully, keeping an eye on her surroundings, afraid of being seen.

Liu Mama vaguely caught sight of Su Lianyi and smiled with delight.

Old Wang was puzzled. He turned to ask Old Matou, “Since when did Liu Mama get so close to Miss Lianyi? I’ve never heard of it before.”

Old Matou smiled. “You old thing, there are still many things you don’t know. Our Miss Lianyi isn’t quite like you imagine.” His tone carried pride, as if Su Lianyi were his own cherished daughter.

Lianyi was clear-minded. Liu Mama’s happiness wasn’t because of seeing her, but because she saw money through her.

“Lianyi, is there really something so urgent that you had to come out so late? Be careful with your health,” Liu Mama said as soon as she approached, sounding somewhat concerned.

Liu Mama was no ordinary person. Having spent her life navigating the ups and downs of the backyard, her eyes were nearly as sharp as a hawk’s. Seeing the little maid so attentive, she immediately knew she had been given a reward. Upon asking, she learned it was fifty copper coins. She couldn’t help but marvel at how generous Su Lianyi was!

Lianyi immediately replaced her earlier cool expression with a warm smile. “There are indeed some matters, but I also wanted to see you, Liu Mama. I was afraid you’d be too busy during the day, so I could only trouble you at night.” She then turned to say, “Uncle Ma, could you please take us to Fengshan Restaurant? I want to treat Liu Mama to a late-night meal.”

Old Matou and Old Wang were both surprised. Fengshan Restaurant was the finest restaurant in the county. Eating a meal there would cost at least a few taels of silver. At this hour, smaller establishments were usually already closed; only a large restaurant like this remained open for the wealthy to indulge.

Liu Mama was also taken aback but pleased. She had never been to Fengshan Restaurant, and her earlier complaints from being dragged out of bed vanished. “Miss Lianyi really has such refined tastes,” she thought.

Lianyi smiled but said nothing. She personally helped Liu Mama onto the donkey carriage and got in herself. Old Matou, knowing that Lianyi handled things with discretion, felt at ease and drove the carriage toward Fengshan Restaurant.

This world resembled ancient China in some ways, but details were slightly different. One tael of silver equaled one string of coins, and one string of coins equaled a thousand copper coins. One tael of silver seemed little, but a little maid’s monthly salary was only about one and a half taels of silver. This explained why the little maid had been so happy to receive fifty copper coins.

Fengshan Restaurant could be likened to a modern five-star hotel. It offered every delicacy imaginable, and a single meal would cost at least two taels of silver. How many people could spend more than a month’s wages on one meal? That was why Liu Mama was especially pleased.

Fengshan Restaurant had five floors and was the tallest building in Yuewang County. The top floor was called the Star-Picking Pavilion, implying the building was so tall one could reach out and pluck the stars. This was one of the restaurant’s main attractions.

Many carriages were parked in front of Fengshan Restaurant. These luxury carriages were made of fine materials, pulled by tall, strong horses. The drivers, dressed neatly, sat in the carriages chatting while waiting for their masters. When they looked back, they all laughed heartily upon seeing a shabby little donkey carriage clattering toward the restaurant.

Against the backdrop of these carriages, the Su family brewery’s little donkey carriage looked extremely humble. The donkey pulling it barely reached the shoulder height of the fine horses.

A waiter assigned to greet guests hurriedly ran forward. “Delivery carts should use the back entrance. Don’t come in the front. Don’t you know the rules?” He had mistaken Old Matou’s donkey carriage for a delivery.

A slender, fair hand gently rested on the carriage. The curious drivers stopped laughing and stared, eager to see who was inside the little donkey carriage.

First to step out was Su Lianyi. Her turquoise dress, tailored perfectly by the skilled hands of Chu Ying, did not make her look fat. On the contrary, her ample figure gave an impression of wealth and status.

Her hairstyle was a simple woman’s bun. Her long, black hair was neatly pinned, with only a silver hairpin.

Her forehead was smooth, and her large black eyes were bright. Though she wore a faint smile, careful observation revealed a cool, clear aura—like the full moon on the fifteenth night, pure and luminous, yet captivating.

Her lips were naturally rosy, and her eyebrows were naturally elegant—truly a beauty.

Her beauty was not seductive; it was in her serene and dignified temperament.

Su Lianyi felt the gazes of the drivers but paid them no mind. She turned to help Liu Mama. “Liu Mama, please be careful.” Her voice was crisp like a silver bell, gentle and refreshing, making even Liu Mama, accustomed to being served by little maids, feel delighted.

“Miss, I suppose you are from out of town. This is Fengshan Restaurant. Have you heard of it?” Just as Su Lianyi was about to enter, the waiter hurriedly stopped her.

The waiter did not want to appear rude, but seeing a lady arrive in a donkey carriage to Fengshan Restaurant, he worried that if she couldn’t pay later, he would be scolded by the manager.