The Lucky Heiress

Chapter 610: A Last Look at Jiliao City_1

"Just as I was worrying, I met Fan Chengxu. I had only seen him from a distance once before, and heard about him from others. Despite being from the Fan family, he was unorthodox, preferring independence and indifference to power and wealth. Coincidentally, he was no longer young, and was being set up for a marriage by the Fan family."

"I thought perhaps we could give it a try together, so I secretly had my maid deliver him a message, arranged a private meeting with him, shared my thoughts, revealed my identity as the concealed owner of Tongde Hall, and as expected he showed interest in me. He agreed to my proposal and we got married."

Wei Ruo laughed, "I was quite surprised when I received your letter about this, but looking at it now, you two seem quite suitable for each other. For example, you took such a risk to come to Jiliao to see me, and he even accompanied you. He treats you well."

"Indeed, he treats me well. I didn't make a mistake in that gamble. In the three years after our marriage, I have been living contentedly. He took me to many places and I experienced many new things that my father and brothers never exposed me to before."

Seeing the light that sprang up in Xie Ying's eyes and the joy that spread across her face as she spoke, Wei Ruo couldn't help but feel happy for her.

"I'm glad to hear that you got what you wanted in the matter of your marriage."

"I did get what I wanted, but..." Xie Ying pursed her lips, swallowing the words that had reached her lips, then continued, "Ruo Ruo, why don't you take me to see the sights? I find Jiliao to be very interesting, it's not at all as I had imagined."

"Sure," Wei Ruo responded eagerly.

It also happened to be the last time she would see this small city, which she had put her heart and soul into building.

Wei Ruo knew very well that once she went to Capital City, regardless of success or failure, she might never get the chance to return.

"So we'll go change into men's clothes," Xie Ying said.

"There's no need. We can just go out like this."

"Really? I was thinking about going to the tavern on your side of town."

"Jiliao City doesn't have many noble families, it's mostly common people. The women of common families often show their faces for a living. I haven't been a woman who stays obediently at home since the beginning, so there are few limitations on young ladies in Jiliao City, except for the red light district, there probably aren't any places we can't go."

"That's great! I like this kind of place with few rules. In Capital City, there's a lot of hubbub when you go out. Busy taverns and tea houses have to be avoided, or else you have to book the whole place, which is a big hassle."

"Let's go then." Wei Ruo led Xie Ying out the door.

There's a boulevard running east-to-west outside the main entrance of the King Rui Residence, and a north-to-south boulevard on either side. The east-to-west boulevard is especially broad, wide enough for two four-horse carriages to run side by side.

At the same time, this street is the busiest commercial street in Jiliao City, with all kinds of shops lining it.

Among them were Wei Ruo's own shops: branches of the Four Treasure House, Daiyue Residence, street food vendors, and grain shops were all present.

Jiliao City had no curfew, and even after dusk, there were still shops open for business.

And now, it was noon, the busiest time of all.

However, it was slightly quieter than usual, because during the nation's period of mourning, feasts and amenities were forbidden as a show of respect.

Fortunately, the Daxing Emperor had issued a decree earlier, stipulating what should be done after his death, demanding simplicity. All farming and trading activities should be business as usual during this period of mourning so as not to impact the normal lives of the common people or further burden the already suffering population.

Xie Ying was left goggling at the variety of shops: "On the way here, I wanted to browse these shops, but we were in such a hurry to see you, I had to miss it."

Wei Ruo smiled, feeling warmed by Xie Ying's actions.

"What's for sale over there? It smells fantastic!" Xie Ying asked, pointing to a shop in front of them.

"That's fried potatoes." Wei Ruo said.

"Fried potatoes? Are they good?"

"Most of the shops that can open on this street probably won't taste bad."

"Then I'll give it a try."

Xie Ying ran happily to the shop selling the fried potatoes.

In the frying pan, a bunch of golden balls of similar size were sizzling.

"How much for this, sir?" Xie Ying asked.

"Five coins a portion."

"I'll take one."

As Xie Ying reached for her portion of fried potatoes to pay, the shopkeeper refused.

"You're a guest of the Queen, we can't take your money. Please help yourself." The shopkeeper said with a warm smile.

Xie Ying turned to look at Wei Ruo.

Wei Ruo had been standing there the whole time. The shopkeeper recognized her, but was not nervous. He simply continued to run his shop.

Xie Ying was confused for a moment, but eventually left the five coins on the counter. Then, holding the bag of fried potatoes, she walked away, pulling Wei Ruo with her.

"Ruo Ruo, they recognize you, but they didn't bow to you. It seems they're used to seeing you out on the street." Xie Ying voiced her confusion.

"Yes, I told them they shouldn't bow. Because I often come to this street, if they bowed to me every time they saw me, it would be very inconvenient, and it would also cause me trouble." Wei Ruo explained.

"I see." Xie Ying nodded in understanding. Then she used the bamboo stick that was in the oil-paper bag to spear a hot fried potato ball and put it into her mouth.

After taking a couple bites, Xie Ying's eyes lit up.

"It smells so good! The outside is crispy and the inside is soft, sweet, and salty. It tastes really good!" She couldn't help but exclaim.

Then Xie Ying said to Wei Ruo, "Ruo Ruo, this food feels like it has a bit of your touch, these abundant seasonings, it's very much like something you would make."

"Very perceptive."

"What do you mean? Is it really your creation?"

"I taught him."

"Is it your shop?"

"No."

"Then why did you teach him?"

"There are many dishes I can make, but if I were to sell them all myself, how could I manage? If I teach him, he acquires a new skill, Jiliao City gains another restaurant, what's not to like? When I myself want to eat, I can simply go outside, I don't need to prepare it myself, why wouldn't I do it?"

Wei Ruo had taught not only this shopkeeper, but several other food shops on this street were established with her inspiration.

"You make a good point!" Xie Ying couldn't help but agree.

After speaking, she couldn't resist taking big bites of the fried potatoes again.

After eating one, Xie Ying's attention was attracted by another shop in front of her.

She pulled Wei Ruo over again. "Sir, I'll have one of those too."

"Alright, please wait a moment."

The shopkeeper complied and got to work.

Xie Ying asked, "What is this?"

"This is grilled cold noodles."

"Cold noodles? Where's the noodle part?"

"This flat sheet is the noodle."

"I see."

Xie Ying got another portion of grilled cold noodles and started eating with relish.

For the rest of the afternoon, Xie Ying was like a curious, playful child, bustling around the streets of Jiliao City.

While marveling at the distinctive features of Jiliao City, she began tasting all sorts of local delicacies.

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