The market street buzzed with people, their voices mingling with the convivial sounds from inside the tavern, creating a lively atmosphere. Though unfamiliar with Tanggolian customs, Chinua found herself thoroughly enjoying the environment. She loved seeing the smiles on people's faces as they spoke, noting that Tanggolians often smiled during conversation, making exchanges livelier. Sitting on the upper floor of the tavern, looking at the plates of food opposite Ge Ming, Chinua wasn't sure what to say.
Ge Ming looked at Chinua with a smile. "Are these dishes not to your liking?" he asked.
Chinua met his gaze. "I am not familiar with the taste and smell," she admitted.
"Most of the dishes I ordered are meat dishes," Ge Ming explained. "You're not familiar with them, but you can try them. Perhaps there are some you'll like." He smiled, picking up a piece of meat with his chopsticks and placing it in Chinua's bowl. "When I first went to Hmagol, I didn't like the food either, but it turns out I really like fermented mare's milk."
"Many Southerners don't like it," Chinua remarked. She noticed that Wang Yong did not sit down but stood respectfully beside Ge Ming. "Why don't you sit down?" she asked Wang Yong.
Wang Yong replied, "I am not allowed to sit at the same table as my master."
Chinua frowned. "I don't understand why servants can't eat at the same table as their master. There is no difference in Hmagol. Personally, I think it doesn't matter whether they are servants or not, but if they have served you since childhood and are the people you trust most, you should allow them to share the same table while eating."
Ge Ming chuckled, fanning himself lightly. "Chinua is very wise."
"Sorry, I forgot your name," Chinua confessed.
Ge Ming feigned hurt. "Really? You forgot my name, how hurtful is that? I keep thinking, since I haven't forgotten you, you will remember me." He chuckled again. "My name is Ming."
"I'm sorry," Chinua said with a small smile. "I'm not good at remembering names. I only remember your face, not your name."
Ge Ming's eyes twinkled. "I asked you to come to Tanggolia with me back then, but you refused. Why did you suddenly decide to come to Tanggolia now? Are you here for a military inspection?" He took a sip from his teacup; his gaze still fixed on Chinua.
"After I released you, I was severely punished and exiled to the South," Chinua stated, maintaining a straight face. "I am now a common citizen. And you, are you still spying for Tanggolia's army?"
Ge Ming smiled, a knowing glint in his eyes. "I retired from the army when I came back, and I am an ordinary citizen just like you."
Their eyes met, and both knew in their hearts that they were lying. Yet, in that shared understanding, they discovered a peculiar form of companionship. Their conversations were full of white lies, but they seemed to know each other well enough that they didn't ask too many questions or cross each other's personal boundaries.
After talking for two hours and trying more than two dozen different foods and desserts, Chinua discovered there were some dishes she absolutely loved. Of all the dishes, Beggar Chicken was her favorite. She also loved many of the desserts she had tried.
"I think I have a sweet tooth," Chinua admitted cheerfully. "I like almost all the desserts you ordered. There's no such thing in Hmagol. If we want something sweet, it's honey water or melted honey. I wish Khunbish and Khenbish could taste these delicacies."
"I asked the cook to prepare some for you to take back," Ge Ming offered. "When are you leaving?"
"Oh, then I'll thank you first," Chinua said, her eyes lighting up. She took a piece of dessert, ate a little, and savored the taste. "I don't know yet, but as soon as we find some peanut seeds, we'll be off."
"Peanut seeds?" Ge Ming questioned, his brow furrowing slightly. "Why are you looking for those seeds?"
Chinua explained, "I wanted to try growing peanut seeds, but there were no peanut seeds in the South, so I took the risk and came to Tanggolia."
Ge Ming smiled. "Oh, how much do you want?"
"I don't know," Chinua admitted, "maybe one or two bags."
"Why do you want peanut seeds all of a sudden?" Ge Ming pressed.
Chinua looked at Ge Ming. "If I tell you, you cannot laugh."
Ge Ming smiled and nodded. "I promise that I will not laugh," he said.
Chinua then broke into a laugh herself. "I found that there's nothing to do in the South. At least I should learn to grow peanuts." She chuckled again. "But I couldn't find any peanut seeds, and then I got lost and got separated from the man who was supposed to be my guide."
"Shall I help you find peanut seeds?" Ge Ming offered.
Chinua looked up, surprised but pleased. "Well, if you want, I'll be happy to take it."
"Out! Out!" Loud shouts erupted from below in the tavern.
The shopkeeper rushed over, a look of distress on his face. "Dear sir, you drove away my customers, what about the bills owed?"
Wen smirked, radiating arrogance. "Do you know who will dine in your restaurant? Our young master decided to dine in your ugly tavern; you should be happy." He pulled a gold ingot from under his shirt and handed it to the owner. "Our young master is having dinner with Lady Hui. Go and tell everyone sitting upstairs to leave now."
The innkeeper protested, "But they have already started to eat."
Wen didn't care. "Men." He looked back at the ten soldiers behind him. "Go tell those people to leave; if they don't want to, just drag them out."
"Yes!" The ten guards responded in unison and hurried upstairs.
Ge Ming turned to Chinua. "Why don't you accompany me today, and I'll get your peanut seeds for you?"
Chinua considered. "Even so, I have to go back and tell my men, so they don't have to worry about me."
"Okay," Ge Ming conceded. "But try this, this is my favorite dessert."
Chinua took the piece of cake from Ge Ming's hand. Just as she was about to eat the dessert, the ten guards rushed upstairs and began forcefully removing people from their tables. One of the guards strode directly to Chinua and Ge Ming's table.
The guard slammed his right palm on the table, making the plates collide with a jarring clatter. "You three get out!" he bellowed, pointing at Chinua, Ge Ming, and Wang Yong.
Ge Ming calmly looked up at the guard. "What reason do you have to drive other customers away?"
The guard shouted, "The young master invites Lady Hui to dinner; therefore, everyone must leave at once!"
Chinua scoffed. "Your master and Lady Hui can only occupy one table at most. Why bother driving everyone else away? It's unreasonable."
The guard's face contorted in anger. "Unreasonable or not, it doesn't matter! The only important thing is that when our young master is eating, no one should be inside!"
"In this case," Chinua said, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "he should eat at home. This will relieve a lot of trouble for others."
"You still dare to argue!" the guard roared, enraged.
The guard reached out and grabbed Chinua's hair to drag her out, but Chinua was lightning fast. She quickly bent back slightly, grabbed the guard's right hand, and simultaneously reached for the dagger at her waist with her left. As soon as she brought the guard's hand down onto the table, she drew her dagger and plunged it into the guard's hand, pinning it to the table. Chinua's left foot then swept out, connecting with the guard's right leg, sending him tumbling onto the table. Chinua drew out the dagger and kicked the guard hard in the stomach. He reeled backward, stumbling against Wen, who was standing nearby.
Chinua looked angrily at the men standing in front of her, her eyes blazing. "I hate minions who think they are above the law," she declared.
Wen looked at Chinua with pure fury. "You dare to hurt the guards of the Xin family?" he snarled, staring at Chinua, his teeth gritted.
Chinua pointed her dagger at Wen. "If you dare to hurt the citizens, I dare to hurt you," she said, her voice cold and full of righteous anger.
Ge Ming stood up and calmly positioned himself beside Chinua. Fanning himself elegantly, he smiled at Wen and his guards. "His hand is injured, which is reasonable," he said smoothly. "He caused it himself, and no one can be blamed for his injury but himself." He then turned to Wang Yong. "I'll leave them to you." He looked at Chinua and smiled. "Let's finish our meal before we go." He gently grabbed Chinua's hand and pulled her back to the table.
While Chinua and Ge Ming resumed their meal, Wang Yong single-handedly engaged the guards. He kicked one guard down the stairs. He grabbed Wen by the collar and started dragging him downstairs. As soon as he reached the ground floor, he flung Wen to the floor, stepping on his chest just as Zhiyuan led Hui Fen into the tavern.
Zhiyuan looked at Wang Yong, a small smile playing on his lips. "Oh, I didn't know you were here," he remarked casually.
Wen, pinned under Wang Yong's foot, pleaded, "Young master, please help me!"
Zhiyuan said indifferently, "Wen, there are many people whom you could have offended. Why did you choose to offend him and his master?" He shook his head in mock disappointment. "Tsk... tsk... tsk... you deserve it." He looked at his own men. "Let's find another restaurant." With his hands clasped behind his back, he led Hui Fen outside.
After walking out of the tavern, Hui Fen looked at Zhiyuan, confused. "Who is he? Why are you afraid of him?"
Zhiyuan replied, "I'm not afraid of him. I'm afraid of offending the person sitting upstairs."