The Prime Minister’s Little Wife

Chapter 49: Distinguished Guests Arrive

Xiao Jingheng was extremely pleased. He saw the surprise on Xu Zhizhi’s face and the admiration in her eyes. She was even staring at him in a daze.

In the past, he had hated it when women looked at him with infatuation.

But now, he was very happy.

Xu Zhizhi smiled and led the group into the courtyard, setting up a new table.

By this time, the two coachmen had already unloaded half of the items from the carriage.

The villagers slowed down their eating, their eyes filled with envy and amazement as they looked at the carriage full of food, supplies, and beautiful fabrics in the courtyard.

There was no jealousy or resentment, only admiration.

Xu Daniu came over to set the table with bowls and chopsticks.

Xu Zhizhi said to the people at the table:

“Please sit down and eat slowly. They’ve already had a few dishes, but I’ll go make a few more.”

At the same time, she called Father Xu over to join them.

Father Xu arrived at the table and, seeing that he didn’t recognize anyone, simply sat down and said, “Please don’t stand on ceremony. We’ve already had a few dishes, but Zhizhi will make a few more.”

Soon, Xu Dahu brought out a dish of braised fish.

At this moment, the banquet was serving fish. The fish came from Xu Zhizhi’s own pond, and there was plenty to go around. Adding another dish was no problem.

Father Xu looked at Xiao Jingheng and was extremely satisfied. He had lied to his mother-in-law last night, and now this young man seemed like a gift from heaven to help him cover up that lie.

Father Xu grinned so widely that his smile almost reached his ears.

Manager Li picked up a piece of fish with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth. It was delicious, so he focused on eating.

Old Physician Shangguan was already hungry, and when the dishes arrived, he ate without hesitation.

Xiao Jingheng noticed Father Xu smiling to himself and not speaking. He roughly understood why Father Xu was so happy.

Xiao Jingheng nodded to Father Xu and said, “Uncle, please.”

Then he picked up a piece of fish with his chopsticks and ate it elegantly. The taste was good, but it wasn’t made by Xu Zhizhi, so after two bites, he stopped. He could tell the difference in flavor.

Even though he had only eaten Xu Zhizhi’s cooking twice, he remembered the taste.

Manager Li and the others didn’t speak, finding the food delicious.

Xu Daniu served rice to everyone and sat down to eat as well. A few more dishes were served.

Manager Li and Old Physician Shangguan thanked him and continued eating. The dishes were plentiful and delicious.

Then a dish of chicken stewed with mushrooms was served. This dish wasn’t part of the banquet menu. The mushrooms had been picked by Xu Zhizhi when she first arrived and stored in her space. There weren’t many left.

Xiao Jingheng picked up a piece with his chopsticks, tasted it, and his eyes lit up. This was the flavor he remembered—this was Xu Zhizhi’s cooking. Without a word, he quickly ate more than half of the large bowl.

Xu Xiaowu walked over to Xiao Jingheng and sat down beside him, saying, “Big brother, your leg is better? You’re so handsome! Why did you come today?”

Xiao Jingheng glanced at Xiaowu, thinking this kid had potential—he actually recognized him! The older ones hadn’t.

Why had he come today?

This went back to three days ago. His leg had healed enough to walk normally, though he still couldn’t run or jump.

He couldn’t wait any longer and went to Drunken Fragrance Pavilion to find his cousin, but Nangong Yunhao had left almost a month ago.

Fortunately, a few subordinates had been left behind, and these became his errand runners.

First, he sent two people to investigate Xu Zhizhi, and another to deliver a message to Nangong Yunhao.

The rest he assigned to other tasks.

By yesterday, they had thoroughly investigated Xu Zhizhi’s recent situation and where she lived.

Last night, he missed her so much that he used his qinggong to come see Xu Zhizhi.

Unexpectedly, he overheard Xu Zhizhi’s grandmother and aunt talking with Father Xu. What he heard made him so angry he almost spat blood.

What kind of nonsense was this? How dare they covet his person? Fortunately, Father Xu had refused.

So he brought Manager Li and Old Physician Shangguan to Xu Zhizhi’s house, saying that since they were building a new house, it was only right to come and congratulate them.

The two had no objections.

Thus, the three of them came in one carriage, with another carriage full of gifts.

He was the owner of Drunken Fragrance Pavilion, or more accurately, the major owner, though Nangong Yunhao handled the day-to-day operations.

But the town was too poor, and there was nothing he fancied. Manager Li, having been here for a long time, knew the local customs.

He told Xiao Jingheng that these gifts were more than enough, and anything more would be excessive.So Xiao Jingheng stopped and hurried over with the carriage.

Xiao Jingheng glanced at Xiaowu and, using his deep voice, pointed to Manager Li and Old Physician Shangguan as he spoke to Father Xu:

“They said they wanted to come and congratulate your family on building the new house. I happened to be at the medical hall, and they insisted I come along. I hope you don’t mind, Uncle?”

Old Physician Shangguan: “…”

Manager Li: “…”

Father Xu was about to speak.

He didn’t mind at all. Not one bit.

“Uncle, who are they?” A soft female voice sounded from beside the table.

Father Xu hadn’t even asked who they were yet. How could he answer?

“Young master, may I ask your surname?”

Xu Honghua, holding her skirt, walked over from the side and directly approached Xiao Jingheng. She twisted her handkerchief pitifully, her eyes glued to Xiao Jingheng as she asked.

Xiao Jingheng, being a martial artist, had very keen senses. Earlier, he had felt a disgusting gaze from afar, which made him extremely uncomfortable. But today, seeing his girl had put him in a good mood, so he ignored it.

Now that the person was right in front of him, he couldn’t overlook it anymore. The smile on his face faded, and he frowned, ignoring her.

Xu Honghua stood in front of him, staring at him infatuatedly.

If Xiao Jingheng hadn’t wanted to leave a good impression on Father Xu, he would have sent this person straight to the underworld, as per his usual temperament.

He said to Xu Daniu, “Take me to see your kitchen.”

He wanted to see his girl to cleanse his eyes.

Before Xu Daniu could respond, Xu Honghua said, “The kitchen is dirty. What’s there to see?”

Hearing the man’s magnetic voice, Xu Honghua’s eyes lit up as she looked at Xiao Jingheng, filled with admiration and reverence. She added:

“Young master, if you need anything, just ask Daniu to get it for you. Why go yourself?”

Old Physician Shangguan, still enjoying the food, ignored the commotion and continued eating.

Xiao Jingheng didn’t even acknowledge her and just looked at Xu Daniu, wanting to leave immediately.

But Xu Daniu, either not thinking clearly or feeling that the kitchen was a bit messy due to the banquet preparations (though not dirty, as Xu Honghua claimed), stood still.

Xu Xiaowu excitedly jumped down from his stool and pulled Xiao Jingheng away.

Xu Honghua: “…”

Xu Daniu: “…”

The villagers eating at the banquet watched as a man dressed in luxurious clothes, exuding an air of nobility and unparalleled handsomeness, walked past the tables. Their voices softened.

Everyone craned their necks to look in the man’s direction.

“Good heavens, such a handsome young man must be from the county town! There’s no one this impressive in our town!”

“He looks extraordinary. Zhizhi is really capable, knowing such an outstanding person.”

“The things in that carriage earlier must be worth a fortune.”

Xu Honghua, unwilling to give up, quickly followed behind. Hearing the villagers’ praises, she became even more determined.

Xu Daniu, finally reacting, also followed toward the kitchen.

(End of Chapter)