Chapter 36: Su Xiao’Er: This Little Bug Actually Feels a Bit Prickly to Pinch

Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Su Xiao’Er: This Little Bug Actually Feels a Bit Prickly to Pinch

"Feng, is there a problem?" Seeing that Su Han had fallen into a daze after confirming their names, Feng Muxi hesitated before asking in confusion.

"Huh?" Snapping back to reality, Su Han shook his head. "It’s nothing. I just think the names of you and your sister are quite unique. I wonder if there’s any special meaning behind them."

"I see." Feng Muxi nodded and casually explained, "Our mother gave us these names. There’s really no special meaning to them."

The mention of their mother subconsciously reminded Su Han of the Huaxu Clan, who had accidentally wandered into a great marsh, stepped on a dragon’s footprint, and consequently become pregnant with Fu Xi. Nodding, Su Han refrained from asking the foolish question of who his mother was. Being curious about the origin of someone’s name was acceptable, but asking about someone’s mother right after meeting them couldn’t be simply brushed off as innocent curiosity.

He still hadn’t figured out their true identities, nor did he know their purpose for coming to Lingzhou City. For now, Su Han felt it was best to hold his ground and observe them in secret.

"Feng, as this is your first day in Lingzhou City, it is only right for this Crown Prince to act as the host and welcome you with a banquet," Su Han said. Turning his head, he ordered, "Su Xiao’Er, go to Yunshui... go to Natural Residence and tell them to prepare their finest food and wine. Today, this Crown Prince is hosting esteemed guests."

Su Xiao’Er complied and left ahead of them.

Su Han and the others didn’t delay for too long either. After having Xi serve tea, Su Han returned to his room and changed his clothes with Qiao’s help. He then instructed the servants to inform Prince Jing and the Princess Consort that they wouldn’t be dining at the Prince’s Residence for lunch. Following that, the group of four headed toward Natural Residence.

As the most upscale dining establishment in Lingzhou City, Natural Residence was located in the center of the city, not too far from the Prince’s Residence. They didn’t prepare a carriage or horses. Since they all possessed cultivation bases, they walked from the Prince’s Residence and arrived at the entrance of Natural Residence in less than the time it takes an incense stick to burn.

In front of the main doors of Natural Residence, Su Xiao’Er was already waiting. Seeing Su Han’s group of four arrive, he trotted over to Su Han.

"Crown Prince, I’ve already instructed Shopkeeper Sun. The kitchen is prioritizing our order, and the food and wine will be ready shortly."

Su Han nodded and turned to Feng Muxi. "Today, we’ll be holding your welcome banquet here at Natural Residence. The preparations were a bit rushed, so I hope you don’t mind, Feng."

Feng Muxi chuckled and shook his head. "Natural Residence is surrounded by green water and filled with rockeries. The environment is serene and secluded. Even just standing in front of the door gives off a leisurely and relaxed feeling. Why would I ever disdain such a wonderful place? Instead, I must thank Su for going to such expense."

As he spoke, Feng Muxi’s gaze fell on the couplet flanking the entrance of Natural Residence.

"A guest arrives at Natural Residence, unexpectedly a heavenly guest." After reading it softly, Feng Muxi’s eyes lit up. "What a brilliant couplet! This alone is enough to add immense charm to Natural Residence. The person who came up with this must be highly talented."

As soon as Feng Muxi finished his praise, Su Han ’embarrassedly’ shook his head. "Not at all, not at all. You flatter me, Feng. It’s merely a clumsy work of mine, not worth mentioning."

"Oh? From what you’re saying, Su, did you write this couplet?" Feng Muxi looked at Su Han in surprise, a hint of disbelief in his eyes.

Su Han nodded in ’shame.’ "Natural Residence was funded and built by the Prince’s Residence. It’s our own business. The food and wine should be almost ready by now. Let’s not stand outside anymore. We can talk inside."

Feng Muxi glanced at Su Han. Seeing that he seemed unwilling to elaborate on the couplet, he assumed Su Han was a talented man who didn’t boast. He nodded and didn’t press the matter further.

Led by Su Xiao’Er, the group entered Natural Residence. They bypassed several corridors and stepped into a Peach Blossom Pavilion, where they took their seats as host and guests.

"Crown Prince, there have been quite a few guests at Natural Residence lately. When I arrived, this Peach Blossom Pavilion was the only one left among the Celestial Pavilions."

Su Han nodded. "It’s fine. Just have them bring the food and wine."

Su Xiao’Er nodded in compliance and went out to order the dishes to be served. Before long, beautiful, aromatic, and delicious dishes were brought out one after another. During this time, Shopkeeper Sun paid a special visit to report on recent business matters. Su Han wasn’t interested in any of this, so after listening to a few sentences, he waved his hand and dismissed Shopkeeper Sun.

After Shopkeeper Sun left, Su Xiao’Er waited outside the pavilion while the four of them chatted, laughed, and ate.

After several rounds of drinks and numerous dishes, just as the atmosphere was peaking, a sudden clamor erupted in the distance.

Frowning slightly, Su Han put down his chopsticks and looked at Su Xiao’Er. Su Xiao’Er understood and headed toward the source of the noise.

Before long, a waiter from Natural Residence trotted over.

"Young Master Heir, some guests in Cui Zhu Hall seem dissatisfied with our serving speed and got into an argument with a waiter. Shopkeeper Sun is handling it, and Mr. Xiao’Er is also there. They asked me to come over and report the situation to you first."

"Causing trouble?" Su Han couldn’t help but feel a bit perplexed.

His Natural Residence had been open for six or seven years. With Prince Jing’s Residence as a massive backer, there was truly no one in Lingzhou City who dared to cause trouble here. Yet now, just as he had finally invited guests for a meal, someone actually decided to stir up trouble.

A blind fool stirring up trouble, followed by the protagonist showing off and slapping their face—wasn’t this the standard trope of trashy web novels?

So, should he go with the flow, act cool, and slap some faces?

Su Han thought about it and shook his head. Forget it. Acting cool and face-slapping was meaningless. He could just leave such low-level entertainment to Su Xiao’Er.

Glancing at the waiter, Su Han nodded. "Tell Su Xiao’Er and Shopkeeper Sun to handle it quickly. Don’t ruin the dining mood of the other guests."

The waiter nodded in compliance and retreated.

Watching the waiter leave, Feng Muxi gave Su Han a rather surprised look. "Someone is causing trouble. Aren’t you going to take a look, Su?"

Su Han shook his head. "They’re just jumping clowns. Su Xiao’Er can handle it perfectly well. Let’s continue eating; let’s not let these people ruin our good spirits."

Feng Muxi’s mouth twitched a few times, but upon second thought, this Su was the Crown Prince of Prince Jing’s Residence after all. With Natural Residence backed by the massive tree that was Prince Jing’s Residence, any ordinary troublemaker could easily be dealt with by the servant named Su Xiao’Er. Thinking of this, Feng Muxi lost interest in the troublemakers as well, and the four of them resumed their previous casual conversation.

It wasn’t until their meal was almost finished that Su Xiao’Er finally resolved the disturbance, albeit a little slower than Su Han had expected.

Seeing Su Xiao’Er return, Su Han put down his chopsticks and looked at him. "Was the situation tricky?"

Su Xiao’Er shook his head and bowed slightly as he replied, "No, it was just a little bug that could be squashed effortlessly. However, I don’t know if that little bug had a death wish, but fueled by liquid courage, he actually refused to give face to our Prince Jing’s Residence. Seeing that polite words were useless, I gave him two slaps, and that finally quieted him down."

Saying so, Su Xiao’Er chuckled twice. "Heh, this little bug... was a bit prickly to squash."

Su Xiao’Er seemed to have a great talent for storytelling; his words never failed to pique Su Han’s interest.

"Oh? Which family is he from? We’ve visited all the major and minor families in Lingzhou City these past few days, and I didn’t see anyone with a tough backbone."

Su Xiao’Er curled his lips slightly. "He’s not from any prominent family. He’s the youngest son of Liu Laoer, who runs a jade business. His family owns a mine, but they don’t even count as a third-rate family in Lingzhou City. In the past, that Liu San would bow and scrape even when he saw me. I don’t know where he got the nerve to cause trouble in Natural Residence this time."

Nerve! Yes, that was it—nerve!

Ever since Su Xiao’Er began his account, Su Han felt something was off. Hearing Su Xiao’Er’s final exclamation, he finally realized exactly what was wrong.

This Liu San of the Liu Laoer family seemed to have a bit too much nerve. Logically speaking, he was nothing more than a petty merchant in the jade business. Even with a mine at home, they were a nameless, minor family in Lingzhou City. Knowing full well that Natural Residence was backed by Prince Jing’s Residence, even if he were dead drunk, Liu San shouldn’t have had the guts to cause trouble here.

Yet, the fact was that not only did he cause trouble, but he initially didn’t even give face to Su Xiao’Er. From Su Xiao’Er’s words, it seemed it took two slaps to wake the man up before he settled down a bit.

When a person’s consciousness is clouded by alcohol, they are most prone to losing self-control and revealing their secrets. "In wine, there is truth," as the saying goes.

So, having drunk enough to show his true colors without fearing the prestige of Prince Jing’s Residence... Where did he get this kind of nerve? Or rather... what power was backing him, inflating his guts to such an extent?