Chapter 155: Did She Come Alone?

Why is her life so charmed! Why!

Why did she receive everything she could never even dream of the moment she was born?

Wu Miaofu looked at Shen Nanyuan, biting her lip fiercely.

After she left, Shen Jinyu clicked his tongue and said, "Sister, you should really stay further away from our cousin in the future. I get the feeling that she..."

He didn't quite dare to finish with the words "is not a good person." Besides, she was his mother's niece; if word got back to his mother, it wouldn't be good.

"I know."

Shen Nanyuan's attention was slightly diverted by his words. Remembering what Wu Miaofu had just said, she pursed her lips and continued, "I will go talk to Mother later and ask her to find a good match for Miaofu."

Wu Miaofu's birthday was approaching, and she would soon reach the age of fifteen, becoming eligible for marriage. Furthermore, her original purpose in coming to the capital was for Lady Shen to help her find a suitable husband. Yet, after being at the Duke of Zhen’s estate for over half a year, there had been no progress. Since her uncle was expected to come to the capital for her coming-of-age ceremony, she could use that as a reason to persuade Lady Shen.

"What my cousin treats with such disdain is exactly what I desire."

Shen Nanyuan narrowed her eyes.

What did she want?

Lately, she had felt that Wu Miaofu’s behavior was extremely strange. Occasionally, she would catch a glimpse of a dark, brooding look in her eyes when she stared at her, which made Shen Nanyuan feel deeply uneasy.

Lady Shen always said that Wu Miaofu was the type to bury things in her heart. That was true; she kept things to herself, which meant she harbored many hidden thoughts.

Lately, this had become increasingly apparent.

Wu Miaofu felt like a ticking time bomb, and it would be better to defuse that bomb sooner rather than later.

—

Ever since the Linglong Restaurant opened in the capital, business at Mingyue Restaurant had suffered a heavy blow. In the past, one would have to wait for a table if there were no private rooms available, but this time, they walked straight in without any wait. This was especially true for the casual dining area on the first floor, which was far less crowded than before.

The waiter was overjoyed to see Shen Jinyu and hurriedly ushered them toward a private room on the second floor, his face beaming with smiles.

"Young Master Shen, you have finally arrived! I have been waiting for you for several months, but I haven't seen you once."

"Your private room is cleaned every day. You should come more often, Young Master Shen! The dishes you like are only authentic here; nobody else can master them. Those shoddy imitators can’t compare to us at all."

Shen Nanyuan mused that even in this dynasty, backhanded insults and competitive posturing were already in fashion.

Shen Jinyu gave a perfunctory smile. After entering the room, he sat down with practiced ease and ordered a few of his favorite dishes. He clicked his tongue and shook his head, saying, "This place just doesn't compare to Linglong Restaurant anymore."

Shen Nanyuan remarked, "I remember you being the one who loved this place the most."

"People must always progress," Shen Jinyu said lazily. "So I, too, have chosen something better."

This comment made Shen Nanyuan chuckle. She walked slowly to the window to get some air, but when she glanced down, her brow furrowed abruptly.

Qingrui, noticing this, asked, "What is it, Miss?"

"I just..." She looked down again. "I think I saw Miaofu."

"Cousin?" Shen Jinyu shook his head. "Is she here at Mingyue Restaurant? Did she come alone? That's impossible. Cousin is not the type to come to a place like this by herself."

Shen Nanyuan paused. "...I don't think I was mistaken. It must have been her."

Jinyu was right; it was unlikely for Wu Miaofu to come to a crowded restaurant alone. Moreover, the direction she was heading wasn't toward the main entrance of Mingyue Restaurant, but toward a side entrance where there were very few people.

"Let’s not concern ourselves with it, Sister," Shen Jinyu said nonchalantly. "If Cousin is out and about, it’s none of our business. Besides, she hasn't been coming to Shaohua Courtyard to see you lately; she might have made some new friends outside."

Qingrui added, "Indeed, Miss. We shouldn't meddle in the cousin's affairs."

Lately, she had observed that this cousin was not a simple person. It would be best to keep their distance to avoid getting their mistress involved in any trouble.

Shen Nanyuan nodded in agreement. After catching the breeze for a while, she turned to leave.

Wu Miaofu had not gone to see Lady Shen that day. Shen Nanyuan walked into Lady Shen's courtyard and said with a smile, "Mother."

Lady Shen looked up, delighted. "Come here, I was just about to send someone to fetch you."

"What is it?" Shen Nanyuan sat in the chair next to Lady Shen and asked curiously.

"Since Miaofu's birthday is coming up, and it is her coming-of-age ceremony, your uncle will be coming as well. I was thinking of making the banquet a bit grander."

Lady Shen continued, "These are the dishes for the banquet; take a look and see if anything needs to be added."

Shen Nanyuan glanced down and shook her head gently. "No, it's already more than enough."

She continued, "I actually wanted to discuss something with you, Mother."

"What is it?"

"Cousin has been in the capital for over half a year. You said Uncle wanted you to help her find a good husband, but so much time has passed and there hasn't been any good news. With Uncle coming to the capital soon, I thought it would be best to resolve this matter sooner rather than later."

Lady Shen sighed upon hearing this. "I am anxious about it too, but it’s not that I haven't done anything. It seems there is no one Miaofu has taken a fancy to, and she hasn't expressed any interest herself. I cannot force her."

"...Why don't you go and ask Miaofu what kind of person she fancies, Yuer? You two are close in age; perhaps she will tell you."

Shen Nanyuan thought for a moment and nodded. "Alright."

Wu Miaofu had not yet returned to the estate, so she left word with the servants to have Wu Miaofu come to Shaohua Courtyard once she returned. It was not until the hour of Shen (between 3 PM and 5 PM) that she arrived.

"Cousin, did you look for me?"

Shen Nanyuan took a bite of a pastry. "Sit down first."

Wu Miaofu sat in the chair opposite her. Shen Nanyuan asked slowly, "I think I saw you at Mingyue Restaurant today."

"Is that so?" Wu Miaofu smiled, her expression unchanging. "I did indeed go to Mingyue Restaurant."

She continued, "My father will be arriving in the capital soon, and the food at Mingyue is quite good. I was thinking of taking him there to taste it once he arrives, so perhaps you did see me."

A sharp glint appeared in Shen Nanyuan's eyes. "I see."

She admitted to going to the restaurant, but the direction she was heading was not the main entrance. If she was going to the restaurant, why use the side door instead of the front?

"I called you here today because I wanted to ask you one more thing."