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"Such ambition!" Qing Luan smirked with a devilish grin, murmuring softly.
Fu Tianlin, seeing her wicked expression, silently mourned for Fu Jun: Brother, I hope you don't die too disgracefully. He was all too familiar with Zhu Qingluan's expression; she had worn it before when Tianxiang Restaurant was in her hands, a confident smile of someone orchestrating everything.
"I agree; if we're going to play, let's play big. Bring Fu Jun over, and let's clarify everything in person—write it down, find guarantors, and specify how the competition will be conducted... I want everything clearly stated. I don't want anyone finding loopholes!" At this moment, she was well aware that Fu Jun had someone backing him, but that person was definitely not Fu Tianlin; he wasn't foolish enough to drive her away.
Fu Tianlin was clever; after realizing the Fu Family was in crisis, he had chosen to collaborate with her. Now, although Tianxiang Restaurant bore the Fu Family name, it was firmly in her control—he couldn't go far.
"...," each one more confident than the last. What kind of performance was this? Fu Tianlin felt frustrated; why did he have to be the messenger? Time and again, what did they think of him?
Qing Luan couldn't be bothered to size up Fu Jun. She lowered her head and fiddled with the silver ring on her finger, saying softly, "Let's make the rules clear."
"Of course," Fu Jun said, carefully examining Zhu Qingluan. He was somewhat surprised by her beauty; in his mind, Merchant's Daughters were coarse and unrefined. He hadn't expected her to be so delicate and graceful, possessing an inexplicable charm in her every gesture.
Qing Luan nodded in agreement to all of Fu Jun's proposed terms except for one: he wanted to find another judge. Qing Luan disagreed; she claimed not to know anyone in the capital and questioned how she could trust someone else's background. If they played dirty behind her back, she'd be left speechless and unable to voice her grievances. Therefore, she insisted that Fu Tianlin find Bai Song.
Bai Song was a close friend of Fu Tianlin's father and someone she knew as well—he would be the best choice.
Fu Jun wanted to argue but found all his reasons countered by Qing Luan until he had no choice but to agree. Normally, Bai Song wouldn't accept such a request, but this time he surprisingly did not refuse, leaving Qing Luan somewhat astonished.
In the end, Fu Jun and Qing Luan finalized all details: Qing Luan would represent Ruyi Tower while Fu Jun represented himself. They would compete by inviting helpers on the busiest street in the capital, setting up a stage for their chefs to cook noodles without restrictions on ingredients—whoever could serve more dishes and varieties would win.
Qing Luan agreed and stated that Ruyi Tower would not hire anyone else; she would be the chef herself. She also had one requirement: everyone who came to eat would receive a token, and at the end of the competition, whoever collected more tokens would be declared the winner.
Fu Jun accepted Qing Luan's proposal. Under Bai Song's supervision, they drafted a contract, pressed their seals on it, handed it over to Bai Song, and then returned to prepare for the competition starting three days later.
"Miss, he's clearly plotting something! Why did you agree?" Little Luo asked anxiously. She thought her mistress was usually quite astute; why was she being so foolish now?
"How else can the conspiracy be revealed?" Qing Luan explained leisurely, showing no signs of impatience.
"But..." Little Luo was still worried. This time, the young lady had wagered the Jade Pavilion against Ruyi Tower. What if they lost?
"The young lady knows what she's doing, Little Luo. Don't worry," Yun Yiqing said as she rushed over after receiving the news. After calming Little Luo, she turned to Qing Luan and asked, "What are you planning?" It was clear to anyone with eyes that this competition was highly unfair.
Qing Luan was betting the profitable Jade Pavilion against Fu Jun. What did Fu Jun have? Whether he left the capital or not had nothing to do with Qing Luan; they weren't dependent on her at all. The situation clearly indicated: I have a scheme!
"If you don't bait the fish, how will the cat come out?" She smiled playfully, exuding an unparalleled charm.
"I don't know if they think you're too foolish or if they have another scheme up their sleeves. I just find this situation a bit ridiculous..." Yun Yiqing automatically found a chair to sit down, her expression serious.
"There's nothing ridiculous about it. Tianxiang Restaurant and Ruyi Tower have always been rivals. Their provocation is calculated; they just never expected that Tianxiang Restaurant belongs to me. I'm not an idiot who would pit my own things against myself—what madness is that!" Qing Luan retorted sharply, narrowing her eyes with a hint of sharpness as she coldly added, "Whoever designs against me must be prepared to pay the price!"
"Who could it be?" Yun Yiqing asked, puzzled. "Do you have any idea?"
"No," Qing Luan shook her head decisively, spreading her hands in confusion. "I don't know who else hates me so much. That old fellow wouldn't stoop to using such methods against me, so I can't figure out who it is." She firmly believed that Prime Minister Huang would never lower himself in such a way.
"What should we do then?" They were exposed in the open while someone plotted against them in secret; they couldn't guard against what they didn't know!
"Just chill!" Qing Luan arrogantly pointed ahead and said dismissively, "When soldiers come, we fight; when water comes, we block it. I've seen countless storms; how can I not handle one Fu Jun?"
Yun Yiqing wanted to say something more but seeing Qing Luan's confidence, she held her tongue and silently hoped that everything would pass quickly.
"Sister Yun, have you spoken to the emperor about that matter?" Noticing Yun Yiqing lost in thought, Qing Luan quickly asked about the important issue.
Hearing Qing Luan's inquiry, Yun Yiqing was taken aback for a moment before nodding and saying, "He mentioned wanting to talk to you in person." She understood that the Emperor felt somewhat insecure; the issues of poverty and hunger in the North had troubled him for decades. If he could resolve this during his lifetime, he would secure his place in history.
"In person?" Qing Luan asked, puzzled.
"Yes, that's what he said."
"Why? It's just a matter of agreeing or not. What can meeting me change?" The Emperor was anything but straightforward.
"I'm not sure. He just wanted me to let you know. But since you have a competition in three days, it might be better to meet him afterward," she suggested. There was no rush; those few days would pass regardless.
"Alright then, tell him that after the competition ends in three days, I will go see him!" Avoiding the issue wouldn't solve anything, and she hoped Xuanyuan Rui would return soon.
Carrying this burden alone was truly exhausting!
Their goals were the same, and they could rely on each other. At least that brought a sense of security...
Thinking of Xuanyuan Rui suddenly made Qing Luan realize that she had developed a dependence on him. Even though he wasn't by her side now, that feeling was somewhat unsettling.
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