NOVGO.NET Chapter 657 - 322: Originally, It Took Just One Move
Chapter 657: Chapter 322: Originally, It Took Just One Move
A few days later, the sky finally cleared, and Zhao Yao took Song Jicai and the other three down the mountain to explore Jinling City. They were awestruck by the city’s prosperity.
Jinling City is the capital of Jiangnan, historically the most prosperous and wealthy prefecture in Jiangnan. Although it experienced the turmoil of the previous dynasty, Jinling City is still more prosperous than the capital. Furthermore, Jinling City has always been a place that nurtures talent. Over the centuries, it has produced countless scholars and talented people.
Faced with the grandeur and luxury of Jinling City, Zhao Yao remained calm, having seen even more flourishing countries and cities in his dreams, but Song Jicai and the other three had never seen such a bustling city. They were as excited and curious as country bumpkins entering the city for the first time, looking around and touching everything.
Zhao Yao was only interested in the delicious food in Jinling City. Before coming to Jinling, he had already inquired about the city’s culinary delights.
All morning, Zhao Yao took his four good brothers to try the famous and delicious foods of Jinling City. By noon, they went to have a meal at Jiangnan’s most prestigious tavern—Jiangnan’s First Tavern.
This Jiangnan First Tavern truly lives up to its name as Jiangnan’s premier tavern, offering the finest wine and food in Jiangnan.
Every day, the place is packed with people dining, and if you don’t reserve in advance, you’ll have to wait a long time for a meal here at noon.
Zhao Yao had already sent Tong Xi to reserve a table at Jiangnan First Tavern early in the morning, so they didn’t have to queue for lunch.
They didn’t book a private room; instead, they reserved a table by the window on the second floor. This way, while dining, they could hear the conversations of other guests and watch the bustling street scene outside.
The staff at the First Tavern are astute, judging the guests’ identities from their attire, behavior, and demeanor.
When Zhao Yao and his group stepped into the First Tavern, a server greeted them warmly and politely. He discreetly sized up the five young gentlemen before him. Although they were all dressed in ordinary clothes, their demeanor wasn’t that of ordinary people, especially the shortest young gentleman among them.
This young gentleman appeared to be eleven or twelve years old, with fair skin and exceptionally handsome features, particularly his bright, clean, and expressive eyes. Most importantly, he exuded a noble air, different from the noble young gentlemen the server usually encountered.
He had seen and served most of the noble young gentlemen in Jinling City. They hailed from prestigious families and carried themselves with different kinds of elegance—some noble, some aristocratic, some scholarly, and so on. However, compared to the young gentleman before him, the noble young gentlemen of Jinling seemed to pale in comparison.
The young gentleman in front of him possessed not only greater nobility than the renowned noble young gentlemen of Jinling but also a sense of authority. This sense of authority made him not dare to be disrespectful.
Various thoughts flashed through the server’s mind, but he did not show any of it on his face, which only became more respectfully smiling.
He politely greeted Zhao Yao and his group, then immediately inquired if they had a reservation.
Zhao Yao mentioned the table they had reserved.
Upon hearing Zhao Yao’s accent, the server’s eyes flickered with surprise, and he became even more courteous in inviting Zhao Yao and his group upstairs.
Zhao Yao led the way, followed by Song Jicai and the other three.
Tong Xi walked at the back, covertly observing the surroundings, and noticed that many guests were staring at them.
The server led Zhao Yao and his group to their table, "Are you gentlemen from the capital?"
Zhang He looked surprised at the server’s question, "How did you know?"
"From your accents, you sound like you’re from the capital." In Jinling City, people from the capital are not uncommon. These young gentlemen deliberately wore ordinary clothing, but their status is undoubtedly either wealthy or noble. "Is this your first time visiting Jinling City?"
Zhao Yao glanced at the astute-looking server and replied with a smile, "Yes, it’s our first visit to Jinling City. Could you tell us about the best food and attractions here?"
"Young master, you’ve asked the right person. Let me tell you..." The server, like reciting a menu, enthusiastically shared with Zhao Yao and his group the culinary delights and interesting places in Jinling City.
The way he spoke, with its rhythm and Jinling accent, combined with the way he talked non-stop like pouring beans, sounded very amusing and entertaining.
Zhao Yao and his companions noted down all the interesting places the server mentioned.
After his introduction, the server proceeded to describe the culinary offerings of the First Tavern. Once Zhao Yao and his friends finished ordering, he left. Shortly afterward, the server returned with tea and snacks specially prepared for guests of the First Tavern.