West Wind Cutting Works The Eldest Daughter Should Marry, First-Rank Imperial Concubine The Eldest Daughter Should Marry, First-Rank Imperial Concubine The Eldest Daughter Should Marry, First-Rank Imperial Concubine Volume 1 Chapter 58 Cutting Husband

  The magnificent carriage drew closer and closer until it stopped in front of Xia Tingning.

  Qing Yu, who was sitting on the carriage outside driving the horse, jumped down with a very nimble flip and respectfully bowed to Xia Ting with his fists clenched, saying "Miss Xia."

  Xia Ting smiled faintly and nodded at her opponent.

  Qingyu moved another small stool and placed it on the ground next to the carriage, so that Xia Ting could step on the stool to get in.

  Xia Ting softly expressed her gratitude, her slender hand slightly lifted the hem of her skirt, and she stepped onto the stool. Since she didn't bring Wan Yu tonight, no one could assist her, so she had to get on by herself. Fortunately, she wasn't like the women of this era who needed someone to support them even when getting into a carriage.

  But Qingyu, who was standing beside him, wasn't so reassured, and could only carefully stare at Xia Tingcong, deeply afraid that he would lose his balance and fall off.

  Although he had the intention of helping her up, it was not proper for a man and woman to have physical contact. Moreover, she was going to be the future princess, making it even more impossible for him to touch her in any way. He could only stand by, watching with some tension.

  Xia Ting stepped onto the carriage with one foot and was about to use her hand to grab hold of the carriage, in order to borrow strength to climb up.

  At this time, the curtain of the carriage was lifted from inside, and Baili Rongjin walked out slightly bending his body. He skillfully grasped Xia Ting's hand and gently pulled him up with a slight effort.

  Xia Ting looked at Baili Rongyin, who was extremely close to her, and raised the corner of her lips with a curved eyebrow, allowing him to pull her hand into the car.

  In the warm carriage, Baili Yongjin gently warmed Xia Ting's hands and asked warmly, "Have you been waiting for a long time?"

  Xia Ting nodded and shook her head, the hairpin on her forehead also swayed slightly. She smiled lightly and said "I just came out, and you're already here."

  He had sent someone to deliver a letter and a cloak early in the morning, mentioning in the letter that he would come to pick her up after dinner tonight, so she came out at this time to wait for him.

  Baili Yongjin noticed the scarf wrapped around Xia Ting's body and smiled, "Looks great."

  This morning, her uncle gave her this cloak. The first person he thought of was her. Indeed, once she put it on, it made her look even more lively and charming.

  Xia Ting Cong slightly moved her head, for a moment not realizing what the other person meant. Following Baili Rongyin's gaze to the fox hair woven brocade cloak draped over her own body, she suddenly understood.

  "Softly said 'I like this one very much. Rong Jin, where are you taking me?'"

  "In a moment you will know."

  "Qing Yu, let's go."

  "Yes, Crown Prince." Qing Yu Li Suo picked up the small stool from the ground, flipped it onto the carriage, cracked the whip and skillfully turned the carriage around to head straight out.

  After swaying for a while, the horse carriage finally came to a stop.

  Baili Rongjin got out of the car first and then reached out his hand to steady Xia Tingcong.

  Xia Ting raised her head to look around after her feet touched the ground, and in front of her was a wine building with a sign hanging on it, which read "Warm Smoke Building" in three big characters.

  This made Xia Ting look at Baili Rongyin in surprise. Wasn't this the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion that she had acquired, only to be transformed into a second Warm Smoke Pavilion? What did Rongyin bring her over here for?

  Baili Rongjin seemed to notice Xia Ting's confusion, and stretched out his hand to help her tighten the cloak on her body. "This place was originally 'Zui Xiang Lou', but now it has been changed into the second Warm Smoke Building. I have booked the top floor here, from there you can see the entire Kyoto, it will be a different kind of beautiful view."

  Xia Ting smiled faintly and said so, it seemed that he had deliberately brought her out to see the night view.

  The obediently stepped forward and followed Baili Yongjin into the Warm Smoke Building. The small second floor of the wine building also enthusiastically welcomed them "This young master, miss, are you going upstairs to invite?"

  "Alright, I've booked the top floor here, lead the way."

  The young man suddenly enlightened, smiled repeatedly and said "So that's it, please come this way." It turned out that the one who had specially requested to book the entire top floor was this young master in front of him. He really had an extraordinary temperament, one look and you could tell he was either rich or noble.

  At this time, Yu Shu happened to walk out of the inner room and saw Bai Li Yongjin. He wanted to go forward to greet him personally. When he saw Xia Tingcong beside him, he hurriedly walked up three steps at a time, squeezing past the small second servant.

  Laughing brightly, he said "So it's the young master who has arrived. Please go upstairs with the miss."

  He said that the reason why King Shi's son specially booked the top floor here is to bring Miss together. Fortunately, he knew that this son was Miss's future husband, and he didn't slow down at all. He agreed as soon as the other party made the request two days ago. Otherwise, tonight would have delayed Miss and the son's alone time.

  Baili Yongjin continued to hold Xia Ting's hand and said "Let's go."

  Xia Ting nodded slightly and followed him to the rooftop.

  The top floor is very spacious and does not have tables and chairs like downstairs, only a reclining couch is placed, the entire top floor looks a bit empty. Looking down from the top floor, you can indeed take in all the beautiful scenery of Kyoto.

  "Bring some pastries and snacks over here."

  Although he wasn't hungry, the food here was quite good and could let his child have a taste.

  Yu Shu smiled and nodded "Alright, please wait a moment, Young Master and Miss."

  Even if the quiet king's son didn't instruct him to do so, he would still have done it. How could they let the young lady just sit there, of course they had to serve dishes, and they had to be good ones too.

  Yu Shu turned around and went downstairs to the kitchen. Xia Ting Cong didn't say anything from start to finish, this branch had already opened a few days ago, but she hadn't found a suitable shopkeeper yet, so she arranged for Yu Shu to come over first and take charge temporarily until a suitable one was found.

  Xia Ting's smile rose as she pulled Baili Rongjin to the side of the Luohan bed, and with a stretch of her hand, she moved the small low table on the bed down.

  Baili Rongjin looked at Xia Tingcong with some surprise, clearly not knowing what she was going to do. But still stretched out his hand to take the other side of the table and followed her.

  Xia Ting gently placed the small, low table on the thick blanket in the middle of the top floor. She had noticed this spot when she came in earlier, and thought it was perfect for gazing out at the night view - after all, one should be carefree when doing so. The couch only had a little space, no matter how you sat, it wasn't comfortable.

  So she thought of moving the small stool from Luohan's bed to the blanket, and sitting around the table on the warm blanket to watch the night view would be a different experience.

  Xia Ting's rate first took off her exquisite embroidered shoes and sat on the blanket, with a pair of bare hands placed on the low table.

  Smiling, he beckoned to Baili Yongzhen, indicating for him to sit down as well.

  Baili Rongjin looked at Xia Ting's natural behavior with surprise, and couldn't help but laugh. His Ting'er always had some strange ideas, refusing to sit on the couch, instead preferring to sit on the blanket.

  Although somewhat surprised, Baili Yongjin still followed Xia Ting's meaning and gently took off her boots and sat down beside her.

  "Look, this blanket is so soft and warm. Sitting on it to watch the night view, doesn't it feel great?"

  Baili Rongjin lowered her head and took a glance at the rug under the seat, which was indeed much more comfortable than sitting on the couch. Her beautiful eyes gazed at Xia Tingcong, nodding slightly towards her.

  The streets outside were brightly lit, illuminating the entire Kyoto. Men and women walked along the bustling roads, laughing and chatting while watching performances such as lion dances, plays, lantern riddles, and martial arts demonstrations. The lively noise carried from afar brought a long-awaited warmth to this cold winter night.

  He rushed downstairs and hurriedly shouted to the waiter, "Quick, quick, quick! Go to the kitchen and urge the chef to serve the dishes. I want that small stir-fry rose meat, curry beef rice, fragrant mushroom beef noodle soup, papaya silver ear congee, five-spice tofu fish, cucumber stir-fried vegetables..."

  He rattled off a dozen or so dish names in one breath, leaving Xiao Er stunned.

  Stammering, he said "But sir, there are so many dishes, what can we do if the head chef is not here?"

  Tonight is New Year's Eve, and there are originally few guests coming to the door. Even if there are any, most of them have had a reunion dinner at home and will come out to play tiredly and drink some tea and eat some pastries. Who would order so many dishes like the guest upstairs?

  Yu Shu Hu's eyes widened in anger. "What? He's not here? Where did he go? You're telling me this at such an important time?"

  The young lady has arrived, but the cook is not here. Are we going to let her wait upstairs all this time?

  The little servant was startled by this, and his words became even more unclear. "Th-th-this, tonight is New Year's Eve, and no one is around. The head chef drank wine and fell asleep inside."

  "Then what are you still standing there for? Hurry up and go wake him up. If he wants to sleep, he should finish cooking these dozen or so dishes first!"

  He's so anxious that he's burning with impatience, and can't wait to conjure up some food to send to the top floor. But this chef is something else, actually drinking wine and sleeping soundly inside.

  The little servant hastily and flusteredly walked inside, seeing the manager like this, the guest upstairs must be someone with a big background. Otherwise, why would the manager be so anxious?

  With great difficulty, he finally managed to shake the chef awake with a series of fatal blows. Xiao Er immediately joyfully dragged the chef in front of Yu Shu and said, "Yu, the head chef has woken up."

  Yu Shu was so angry that he could have beaten the little servant to death, and hastily said, "Now that he's awake, hurry up and let him go cook, what did you bring him here for?"

  The little servant hastily said "oh oh" several times and hurriedly pushed the person towards the kitchen.

  Yu Shu paced back and forth anxiously, urging them on every one or two minutes. He was so anxious that he wished the cook had eight arms to stir-fry all the dishes in the blink of an eye.

  It took a good half an hour of waiting, and Uncle Yu was almost beside himself with impatience. The dishes finally arrived after much calling out, causing Uncle Yu to exclaim "Heavenly blessings!" as he hastily asked the waiter to take up the tray and hurry upstairs. The young lady must be getting anxious, he thought, and he had to speed things up.

  Xia Ting Zheng and Bai Li Rong Jin were whispering to each other on the upper floor, admiring the beautiful night view, who would have thought about food at this moment.

  Yu Shu 'climbed' up the stairs with a tray of dishes, and at a glance saw that his own young lady and Jing Wang's son had actually sat down on the rug, even the low table from the bed had been moved down. He couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed, this idea was probably thought of by the young lady.

  Although he thought so in his heart, Yu Shu didn't dare to say anything. This Warm Smoke Building was Miss's after all, she could do whatever she wanted, and it wasn't something that a mere steward like him could interfere with.

  A smiling face and a small second walked by, holding a tray of dishes. He took the tray from the small second's hand and placed dish after dish of exquisite cuisine on the low-legged table on the blanket.

  With a smile all over his face, Dao said, "Young Master, Miss, please eat slowly." These were all carefully prepared by him, and they were all dishes that the miss loved to eat.

  Xia Ting's eyes widened slightly, she had just finished eating the reunion dinner and hadn't digested it yet. Uncle Yu brought so many dishes up, how could she possibly eat anymore?

  Baili Rongjin was slightly surprised, but didn't think much of it. He simply picked up his chopsticks and served Xia Ting a dish of sautéed yellow cucumber and stir-fried vegetables, saying "Ting'er, try some of this. In the middle of winter, you can only find these vegetables at Wēn Yān Lóu."

  This is also one of the reasons why Nuan Yan Lou's business is so good. After all, when winter comes, it's a matter of course that there are no vegetables to eat. But unexpectedly, this Nuan Yan Lou somehow managed to grow vegetables in the middle of winter using some unknown method.

  Even if the price is extremely expensive, many people are willing to spend a lot of money to buy a portion of vegetables here.

  Xia Ting didn't refuse, lowered her head and took a bite of the cucumber, smiling and nodding "It's delicious."

  Baili Rongjin smiled and continued to serve her some other dishes.

  Xia Ting turned her head and said to Yu Shu, "Go get the tea, and serve it with the silver lotus seed porridge."

  Yu Shu hastily nodded and led Xiao Er away.

  Xia Ting slowly savored the dishes that Bai Li Rong Jin had brought for her, and after a cup of tea's time, Yu Shu brought over a bowl of silver ear lotus seed porridge and served a pot of top-grade Huangjin Gui.

  Under Xia Ting's nodding gesture, he turned around and went downstairs.

  Xia Ting gently lifted the lid of the silver lotus seed porridge, scooped out a bowl and pushed it in front of Baili Rongjin, saying "This is for you to eat."

  He has hypoglycemia, so just in case, it's better to eat this dessert.

  Baili Rongjin picked up the small spoon and scooped up a spoonful, only to see that the contents of the spoon were transparent and crystal clear, looking exceptionally beautiful. She lightly took a sip, and the rich, sweet flavor immediately spread throughout her mouth.

  Xia Ting asked with a faint smile, "Is it delicious?" This silver ear is a nourishing delicacy that is extremely beneficial to his body.

  Bai Li Rong Jin smiled slightly "Not as delicious as the Tangyuan you made this morning."

  After Wei Shuang left this morning, he handed over the ceramic bowl filled with Tangyuan to him. He also tried some, and those Tangyuan had thin and smooth skin, with the characteristics of being fragrant, sweet, fresh, and tender. When biting open the thin skin, the aroma of oil burst out, it was glutinous but not sticky, refreshing and delicious, really extremely tasty.

  Xia Ting smiled and said "I'll make it for you again next time."

  Baili Rongjin tasted a few more spoonfuls of silver ear lotus seed porridge, and slowly said "Ning'er, these past few days you've been preparing the new house's furnishings, do you have any requests?"

  It won't be long before she becomes his wife and will live with him, so he wants to ask her if there's anything that needs special preparation, lest she feels uncomfortable after moving in.

  Xia Tingyan swallowed a mouthful of tofu noodles and said, "Can I also offer an opinion?"

  She really hadn't thought of this, although modern couples will decorate their own little nest when they get married, but this is ancient times, those who got married were mostly blind and dumb, how could there be such a habit.

  Baili Rongjin nodded slightly and said, "Whatever you like, just mention it, I'll have the servants prepare it."

  Xia Tingli immediately smiled and said, "Then I want a beautiful couch. During the noon break, I can take a short nap on it."

  Baili Rongyin was taken aback for a moment "Meiren Ta? What is that?"

  He became increasingly curious about Ning'er, whose mouth would occasionally spit out a few fresh words that he couldn't understand.

  Xia Tingjing pushed the dishes on the table slightly, took up the pen and ink, and began to draw. "A beauty couch is a couch used for short naps during the day, made with fine workmanship, elegant shape, relatively narrow surface, can be sat or lain upon. I'll draw it out for you to see."

  Baili Rongjin slightly lowered his head and leaned in closer, watching as Xia Ting's brush moved swiftly across the rice paper, sketching out a piece of furniture with a backrest and armrests, comfortable and compact, classical and elegant, resembling a bed.

  "Look, this is the beautiful woman's bed. Light blue clouds and purple smoke outside the window, green gauze curtains with peach-colored tassels, crystal lanterns shining on the green bamboo screen, drunk and sleeping on the pink beautiful woman's bed. Isn't this scene beautiful enough?"

  "Indeed, I will hand this drawing over to the craftsman and have him make it for you. Is there anything else you need?"

  Xia Ting thought for a moment and shook her head "There's nothing else, this one is fine."

  Baili Rongjin nodded slightly and picked up her chopsticks again, taking some dishes from the serving plate to her bowl.

  The two of them were extremely close, yet neither felt that there was anything wrong with it. A faint warmth filled the rooftop.

  This New Year's Eve is extremely warm.

  It has been more than two hours since they left Wēn Yān Lóu and boarded the horse carriage, with Bǎi Lǐ Róng Jǐn holding Xià Tīng Níng's hand.

  The horse carriage drove all the way to the side gate of Xia Fu, where Bai Li Rongjin gently helped Xia Tingying down from the carriage and adjusted her cloak, saying "Get some rest early."

  Although he said so, when it came time to part ways, a few strands of reluctance emerged in his heart, and his white hand couldn't help but gently stroke her face.

  Xia Ting had a slight daze, looking at the other's beautiful eyes. A different feeling grew quietly. She couldn't help but tiptoe and lightly kiss the other's cheek "You too, goodnight."

  She hastily turned around and walked into the side door of the Xia Manor, the cold night wind blowing in to cool down her flushed face.

  Baili Rongyin stood there in a daze for a long time before she came back to her senses, gazing at the receding figure of hers with an extremely beautiful smile.

  Neither of the two noticed that a sneaky old woman was hiding quietly on one side, and after the two had left, she hurriedly rushed towards Qinghua Hall.

  "Debauched (forbidden) husband?" Madam Li raised her voice after hearing the report from her mother-in-law.

  The old woman nodded repeatedly "Yes yes, I really didn't expect it, the second young lady actually had a midnight tryst with her lover. This is something that this old woman has seen with my own eyes."

  In her opinion, Second Miss had already been betrothed to the Crown Prince of Jing, yet she was still secretly meeting with another man. If he wasn't an adulterer, what was he?

  Li immediately asked hastily, "Can you see clearly? Is it really a man?"

  If that's true, then this is a great opportunity for her to take down that little brat. With such a big handle in her hands, that little brat won't be able to stir up any more trouble.

  The old woman nodded and said, "More precious than pearls, this pair of eyes of mine are really quite sharp."

  Li was overjoyed and hastily said "Let's go, to Chunxi Residence." She wanted to hurry up and report this wonderful news to the old lady.

  Digression

  Everyone, I'm still not feeling well today, so it's only 5,000 words. I'll make up for the rest of the word count tomorrow, sorry!