Chapter 205 - 128: From Then On, the Monarch Held No Morning Court

Chapter 205: Chapter 128: From Then On, the Monarch Held No Morning Court

Hmm?

In the taxi, Su Ran gnawed on his finger, staring intently at her two-word reply. ’I said "I’ll be there shortly," which I meant as today. She replied, "Another day." Did she mean I should come tomorrow, or... was that a verb?’

Su Ran was confused but didn’t dare ask for clarification. ’Maybe it’s better to leave it vague,’ he thought.

After buying groceries, he returned home along West Lake, enjoying the beautiful sunset view. The Shan family had already started preparing their New Year’s Day dinner. The Old Master rarely cooked, but he was in high spirits for the holiday and decided to personally handle the culinary delights. For him, cooking was a matter of interest. Normally, his daughter-in-law, Liu Piaopiao, was responsible for the three daily meals. Over time, she’d grown tired of the routine and paid less attention to the finer details. But the Old Master, who only cooked once in a blue moon, was meticulous. He demanded the highest standards for everything, from plating to the color, aroma, and taste. He was like a master chef who only did the stir-frying, while Shan Weizi and Liu Piaopiao served as his assistants, scrambling around so busily the kitchen looked like a battlefield.

As for Shan Zhentian, the man was hopeless in the kitchen. So, he was by the rockery and pond in the courtyard, brewing a pot of tea and pondering matters of the Art World. Occasionally, Shan Weizi would run over with a piece of food she’d picked up with her chopsticks, feeding it to Shan Zhentian so he could taste his grandfather’s handiwork. The life of this financially independent family was harmonious without being extravagant; they were accustomed to this kind of simple, down-to-earth lifestyle.

Night fell. By the West Lake Shore, the lights came on in the courtyard of the classical garden. In the antique-styled dining room, the two women were bringing dishes to the table. The Old Master untied his apron and walked over, looking at the feast he had personally cooked: West Lake Vinegar Fish, Longjing Shrimp, Dongpo Pork, Sister Song’s Fish Soup, Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin, Dry-fried Tofu Skin Rolls, and the vegetable dishes his daughter-in-law and granddaughter loved most.

Shan Weizi took several photos and sent them to Su Ran. "I’ve been secretly learning the recipes," she wrote. "When you get here, I’ll cook for you myself."

"By the way, Grandpa, isn’t your friend here yet? I’m starving. If he doesn’t come soon, I’m going to have a taste first." As she spoke, she picked up a small piece of the sweet and sour pork tenderloin and popped it into her mouth, giving a big thumbs-up in praise.

Liu Piaopiao tapped her with her chopsticks. "Mind your manners. Not everyone is here yet. No more sneaking bites."

The Old Master chuckled. "Let me give him a call and see where he is..." Shielding his phone from the two women, he dialed Su Ran’s number. "Hello... Are you here yet..." Shan Weizi tried to lean in and eavesdrop, but the Old Master did a tactical lean-back. Weizi scoffed, pretending she didn’t care to listen anyway. The Old Master smiled. "Mm... okay... It’s New Year’s Day, so traffic in Hangzhou is understandable. We’re still cooking, so no rush. Oh... you want to drink the wine my granddaughter brewed?" The Old Master started making things up, glancing at Shan Weizi.

Shan Weizi shook her head, signaling no. The Old Master replied with great regret, "Forget it then. My granddaughter won’t let you have any. When you get here, we’ll drink my infused liquor instead. Oh... you’re not used to infused liquor, huh? Well, in that case, you’ll just have to ask my granddaughter yourself when you arrive. I don’t have the final say; it’s only okay if she agrees. Mm, okay, take your time."

The Old Master hung up, a wide grin on his face. "Weizi, my ’friend’ says he’ll ask you for the wine himself when he gets here."

Shan Weizi said stingily, "What kind of friend insists on drinking my wine? No way. Let him drink the Moutai Feitian."

Shan Zhentian pointed to the Moutai on the liquor cabinet. "Oh no, you don’t. That Moutai is mine. It’s way more expensive than your homemade stuff. Can’t be done." He also started teasing his unsuspecting daughter with a laugh. Only he and the Old Master knew who their guest was.

The Old Master said, "Weizi, how about this? Let’s make a bet. I’ll bet that you’ll personally take out your wine to share with my friend tonight. What do you say?"

Without a second thought, Shan Weizi nodded. "Fine. There’s no way I’m taking it out, anyway. How about this: the loser has to paint a picture on the theme of New Year’s Day. Deal?"

The Old Master and Shan Zhentian exchanged a look and pointed at Shan Weizi. "You’re definitely going to lose."

Just then, the Old Master’s phone rang. He glanced at it and said, "My friend is here."

"I’ll get the door." Liu Piaopiao, who had an apron tied around the wasp-waist of her qipao, tidied a loose strand of hair. Her high-slit dress and high heels crossed the threshold of the dining room. Her full hips swayed in the qipao as she walked toward the main gate in the night. Shan Zhentian watched his stunning wife. ’She’s incredible. A woman raised on Spirit Sword Mountain truly has a special aura.’

The Old Master asked with a grin, "Weizi, aren’t you going to greet him?"

Shan Weizi was slumped over the dining table, her eyes fixed on the West Lake Vinegar Fish. "Nope. I don’t know him."

「At the gate.」

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK...

"Coming, coming!"

Liu Piaopiao walked over gracefully, unlocked the main gate, and pushed it open gently. Eh? Her eyes lit up and a smile bloomed on her face when she saw Su Ran standing at the door, panting slightly and holding bags of fruit and milk.

"Su Ran? What are you doing here? Oh... so you’re the friend the Old Master was talking about?" Liu Piaopiao was very surprised by this sudden, pleasant turn of events. "You’ve learned some bad habits, haven’t you? Ganging up with the Old Master to trick us, eh?"

"Hello, Sister Piaopiao. Long time no see. You’ve gotten even more beautiful. For a second, I thought you were Weizi."

Hehehe~

"That silver tongue of yours is getting smoother and smoother. No wonder you have our Weizi wrapped around your finger. She’s been all distracted and lovesick ever since she got back from Spirit Sword Mountain. Why are you blushing now?" Liu Piaopiao gave him a playful glare with her beautiful eyes. "Hurry and come in." She grabbed Su Ran’s wrist, pulled him inside, and closed the gate. "Let’s go."

"Okay." Su Ran started walking ahead with the gifts, as if he knew the way. He heard Liu Piaopiao’s laughter from behind him. "Making yourself right at home, huh?"

"Should I walk behind you then, and you in front?"

"It doesn’t matter. Let’s go... Whoops, wrong way. This way. We’re eating in the East Courtyard today for New Year’s Day." Liu Piaopiao pulled him back and led the way, heading from the entrance hall toward the East Courtyard.

The residence was vast, a typical classical garden of Hangzhou. It featured winding corridors where every step revealed a new scene, and every scene was accented by a unique stone.