Following the order, the coachman raised the reins and leisurely drove the carriage towards the Capital City's largest pastry shop—Thousand Flavors Pavilion.
Inside the carriage, as Qi Huan turned her gaze, her eyes inadvertently fell upon Tao Su's troubled little face.
Her lips curved slightly as she said with a smile, "If you have something to say, just say it."
"My lady, I just heard a very scandalous story at the teahouse. I'm afraid it might offend your ears if I tell you."
Qi Huan's eyes instantly lit up with gossip-fueled curiosity: "It's alright, go ahead and tell me."
"My lady, do you remember Li Yuanxiu, that toad who wanted to eat swan meat?"
"I heard that he spent last night at the Intoxicated Flower House. Somehow, a fire broke out in the room, and he ran out stark naked, embracing the scantily clad courtesan. Now the entire Capital City is abuzz with the news. The once refined and elegant young master has overnight become a libertine frequenting brothels. His reputation has plummeted, breaking the hearts of countless maidens."
"It's fortunate that you rejected him, my lady. My mother always said that men who frequent the red-light district are filthy and should absolutely be avoided!"
Just thinking about how such a scoundrel had wanted to make the young lady his concubine, Tao Su couldn't help but feel indignant, her chest heaving with anger.
Compared to her, Qi Huan was much calmer, merely nodding in agreement: "Your mother is right. Stay away from rotten peach blossoms, and the rest of your life will be filled with laughter."
As they talked, they arrived at the entrance of Thousand Flavors Pavilion.
After the carriage came to a stop, Qi Huan gracefully alighted and slowly walked into the exquisitely decorated shop.
As soon as she entered, she saw wooden trays on the counter displaying various types of pastries—red, green, white, yellow, and more, in a riot of colors. Some were shaped like flowers, others like little rabbits, so lifelike that one would be reluctant to eat them.
Qi Huan once again marveled at the vast difference between the Capital City and Mo County, as well as the wisdom and craftsmanship of the ancients that should not be underestimated.
Behind her, Yan Qing swallowed hard and whispered to Tao Su, "They look so good! I wonder how they taste. Can we try some samples?"
In the past, the shops that Sister Qi opened always had free samples. Surely such a large pastry shop would have them too, right?
Her words reached the ears of a purple-robed woman nearby, inviting mockery.
"What samples? I think you just want to eat for free."
"What's it to you?" Yan Qing replied unhappily.
Sister Tao Su had once said that her mother told her: All matters in the world can be answered with either "None of your damn business" or "None of my damn business."
However, Madam Xu had instructed them to mind their words and actions when out in public. So she forcibly changed "None of your damn business" to the more polite "What's it to you?"
The purple-robed woman was angered and glared at her, saying, "What an ill-mannered thing you are."
"Oh? And you're a well-mannered thing?" Qi Huan turned around and asked lightly.
"How dare you! I'm not a thing at all."
"Indeed, you're not a thing."
"You—!" Liu Yiting was so angry she almost tore her handkerchief to shreds. When had she ever suffered such an insult?
Although she was only the daughter of a sixth-rank official, her aunt was the side consort of Prince Shun, and she could barely call Li Yuanxiu her cousin.
Thousand Flavors Pavilion was Li Yuanxiu's property. How could she be bullied on her own cousin's turf?
Having heard about her cousin's scandalous affair this morning, she was already in a foul mood, which was why she had taken out her frustrations on a strange little maid. Who knew she would encounter such a tough opponent?
Liu Yiting wasn't reckless or brainless; she had different faces for different people.
She had never seen Qi Huan at any of the Capital City's large or small banquets, so she assumed she was just the daughter of some insignificant wealthy family.
Someone she could afford to offend!
So, she raised her chin, looking down her nose at Qi Huan: "My father is the Left Deputy Chief of the Ministry of Justice, a sixth-rank official. Are you sure you want to offend me?"
"I'm not sure," Qi Huan replied.
Qi Huan couldn't be bothered to deal with her anymore, just wanting to quickly buy the pastries and leave. There was a classic line from a drama in her past life—don't argue with fools.
She turned to the shop assistant, pointing out the pastries she liked: "I'll take a pound of each of these."
"Certainly, that'll be seventeen taels in total."
Qi Huan gestured for Tao Su to hand over the silver and quietly waited for the assistant to package her order.
Her disregard felt like an invisible slap across Liu Yiting's face.
More than the argument, it was the attitude of completely ignoring her that infuriated Liu Yiting even more.
She couldn't help but raise her voice: "You, kneel down and apologize to me."
Hearing this, Qi Huan frowned slightly: "On what grounds? Because your face is big?"
Stung by the jab at her sore spot, Liu Yiting's voice became shrill: "Because you're nothing but a commoner, while I'm the daughter of a capital official."
"Oh, and what rank is 'daughter of a capital official'?"
"......"
Liu Yiting didn't answer, but Tao Su helpfully replied: "My lady, it seems the daughter of a sixth-rank official doesn't have a rank of her own."
"Unlike you, who are of the second rank."
Qi Huan's lips curved into a faint smile, finally understanding why A Shu had gone to such lengths to elevate her status.
When dealing with fools, one can only use power to subdue them.
Seeing Liu Yiting dumbfounded, Qi Huan didn't want to waste any more time with her. As soon as Yan Qing received the food boxes from the assistant, she made to leave.
Just as she was feeling utterly humiliated, Liu Yiting's sharp eyes caught sight of Li Yuanxiu hurrying over. Tears sprang to her eyes instantly: "Cousin, she's bullying me."
Li Yuanxiu, preoccupied, casually brushed her off: "Just bear with it."
Then, he softened his voice as he addressed Qi Huan: "Miss Qi, may we talk privately for a moment?"
"No."
"Miss Qi, do you really not want to hear my explanation?"
Qi Huan wanted to say, "I'm not listening, I'm not listening, it's all nonsense."
But she didn't dare. After all, Li Yuanxiu was the Emperor's nephew. And A Shu's cousin.
In the silence of her hesitation, Li Yuanxiu spoke softly: "Things aren't what you think..."
Standing behind Qi Huan, Yan Qing thought to herself: This is when you should use "None of my damn business"...
As if in sync with her thoughts, Qi Huan coldly replied: "What's it to me?"
Stung by her aloof attitude, Li Yuanxiu's expression darkened.
At noon in Thousand Flavors Pavilion, there were only the shopkeeper, the assistant, and the bewildered Liu Yiting. No one else was present.
Li Yuanxiu spoke directly: "Miss Qi, I was set up. Otherwise, this kind of thing would never have happened."
"I've already been rejected for marriage, leaving the position of principal wife vacant. I can ask the Emperor to bestow a marriage..."
Liu Yiting glanced at Qi Huan's disgusted expression and consoled Li Yuanxiu: "Cousin! Why don't you consider me? Cousins make a perfect match. Most importantly, I don't mind your past!"
"......"
Li Yuanxiu finally looked at her properly: "Miss Liu, have some self-respect."
Embarrassed by his rebuke, Liu Yiting huffed and left with her maid, silently cursing: You're the one who slept with a courtesan, how dare you tell me to have self-respect?
Everyone she met today was so annoying!
Qi Huan felt the same way.
"Is Young Master Li planning to force me with an imperial edict?"
"That's not what I meant. I just wanted to tell you that I'm willing to give you the position of principal wife."
"I don't want it. Haven't you heard the saying, 'A forced melon isn't sweet'?"
"I've never forced a melon, so I wouldn't know."
Li Yuanxiu looked at her steadily: "Do I really have no chance at all?"
"None."
"...I see." Li Yuanxiu seemed to have all his strength drained away, laughing self-mockingly.
"Rest assured, I'm not that despicable. Since you're unwilling, I won't force you with an imperial edict."
"Thank you."
Seeing that he had given up, Qi Huan left Thousand Flavors Pavilion at the fastest speed of her life.
Watching her leave without looking back, Li Yuanxiu suddenly felt at peace. He had his pride, he had his self-respect. He had lowered himself to ask her twice, only to be flatly rejected both times.
He didn't want to be like a sticky plaster, constantly pestering her.
Better to keep a bit of beauty in his heart.
He ordered his people to use the excuse of forgotten pastries to send her ten gold ingots as an apology for his impertinence.
Then he turned and returned to his residence, resigned to accept reality.
