The attic connects the past and present; I became a tycoon and got rich overnight!

Chapter 83 Xinxiang Jade

After saying that, without waiting for Zhu Zhe's reaction, Song Youan turned around and walked quickly towards the main entrance.

"Song..."

Zhu Zhe's words caught in his throat, but seeing Song You'an's resolute departure without looking back, he swallowed them back.

"Third brother, did I do something wrong just now?" Zhu Zhe asked Zhu Lin with a frown.

Zhu Lin shook his head: "I don't think so. Miss Song probably just doesn't want you to be too polite, Second Brother. Perhaps it's a way of politely declining."

Zhu Zhe pursed his lips. This was hardly a polite refusal; it was clearly resistance.

Perhaps it is true, as my third brother said, that it is not appropriate for an unmarried man like me to give gifts to women, even if it is to express gratitude, as it might be misunderstood.

I suspect that Miss Song was avoiding this topic, which is why she acted this way.

"Cuizhu, it's going to rain today. Go quickly and bring an umbrella to Miss Song so she won't get wet on the way," Zhu Zhe said.

But when Cuizhu chased after Song You'an to the gate of the Marquis's mansion with her paper umbrella, Song You'an had already disappeared.

People hurried along Chang'an Street, as if they all had a premonition that it was going to rain. Song You'an was no exception, as she just wanted to get back to You'an Residence as soon as possible.

As a result, the weather during the plum rain season can change in an instant. Before it had even reached the halfway point, the rain began to pour down in torrential downpours, arriving quickly and violently.

People on the street cried out and hid in the shops on both sides. Seeing this, Song You'an also hid in the shops on the side of the street.

To my surprise, as soon as I stopped on the porch, someone recognized me at a glance.

"Miss Song?"

Someone poked their head out from inside the shop and looked at Song Youan with some surprise, saying, "You're here!"

Song Youan stared at the person in surprise, because he was one of the people who had cornered her in Fuhua Alley yesterday.

"Is this the Full Moon Pavilion?"

Song Youan stared at him in surprise, then said innocently, "I just came to take shelter from the rain."

"What a coincidence! Miss, there's no time like the present. I don't think the rain will stop anytime soon. Why don't you come in and have a cup of tea to warm yourself up?" The other person's warm invitation drew envious glances from passersby who were sheltering from the rain with Song You'an.

Song Youan hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded.

Since the other party sent someone to wait for her at her doorstep, there must be something going on. Although she had a feeling it wasn't anything good, she still had to deal with it.

When operating in Da Zhao, she had to try her best to avoid making enemies, since she had too many flaws and could not withstand the investigation and scheming of those with ulterior motives.

The Manyuelou Restaurant has three floors. The first floor displays a variety of exquisite pastries, including common ones such as osmanthus cake, mung bean cake, and candied dumplings, as well as some less common specialty products.

Manyuelou is very famous in Kyoto. I heard that the pastry chef came from the palace kitchen and served the emperor and empress dowager.

The pastries here are all made to order daily, emphasizing freshness. Popular items often require queuing up early in the morning, otherwise they will sell out quickly.

The second and third floors are private rooms used to entertain distinguished guests. Having afternoon tea at Manyuelou is considered a luxury for most people, as it is considered the top confectionery brand in Kyoto.

Song Youan was led to a private room on the third floor. The room faced the street, and the upturned window frame was half open. Rain was pattering on the tiles, but the sound of it inexplicably made people feel calm and cool.

"Please wait a moment, young lady. Our manager will be here shortly." The man left Song You'an alone in the private room and then withdrew.

Several plates of delicate pastries were laid out on the table in front of her. Feeling a little bored, Song Youan picked up a piece and took a bite.

It tastes pretty good, with a delicate texture and a subtle floral aroma. It also has fruit puree as a filling, creating a layered flavor profile.

The Full Moon Pavilion truly lives up to its name. In ancient times, without so much advanced technology, to create such a product using purely natural methods and flavors truly demonstrates exceptional skill.

Before long, footsteps could be heard coming from the porch outside the door, but the footsteps were soft and slow, as if...

As the footsteps approached, Song You'an subconsciously looked up at the doorway, and then saw a woman dressed in a lotus-colored dress gracefully enter.

Song Youan was taken aback; it really was a girl!

"Miss Song, you've kept me waiting." Xin Xiangyu smiled, her long, narrow eyes curving slightly, making her very beautiful.

Song Youan stood up and looked at the other person uncertainly, asking, "Are you Manager Xin?"

Xin Xiangyu nodded, raising her eyebrows slightly as she looked at her with a smile: "What? Miss Song seems quite surprised."

Song Youan nodded in agreement: "I heard that the manager of Manyuelou came from the palace kitchen. Are there women in the palace kitchen?"

Besides, Xin Xiangyu looks about the same age as me. If she were working in the palace kitchen, she would be far from being old enough to leave the palace.

“The young lady is talking about my grandfather, but that’s ancient history.” Xin Xiangyu said casually as she sat down, then gestured for Song You’an to sit down as well: “Now that Manyuelou is in my hands, my skills have long surpassed those of my master.”

Upon hearing this, Song Youan nodded knowingly. Based on their first meeting, she had a fairly good impression of Manager Xin.

In Dazhao, women who have the courage and ability to stand in front of others are worthy of respect, let alone someone who has managed the Manyuelou restaurant so well.

"Did I frighten you yesterday, young lady? Don't blame me, my two apprentices are dim-witted and could only come up with such an unseemly way to invite you." Xin Xiangyu offered the fragrant tea with both hands and said with a smile, "I'd like to offer you a cup of tea to apologize."

Song Youan took the tea and said softly, "I can tell that Manager Xin is a straightforward person. Actually, as long as you explain your purpose, I will not refuse to see you."

The tea was too hot, so she didn't drink it right away. Instead, she looked at Manager Xin and asked, "But I can guess that Manager Xin wants to see me because of the pastries, right?"

Xin Xiangyu nodded, which was taken as an admission.

Song Youan's expression turned slightly serious, and she said softly, "Did I interfere with the business of Full Moon Pavilion?"

"It's not that serious."

Upon hearing this, Song You'an felt somewhat relieved. Then she saw Xin Xiangyu suddenly show a curious expression and ask, "Miss Song, putting everything else aside, I've always been very curious about what kind of thing you can sell for ten taels of silver a piece?"

It's worth noting that Manyuelou is a renowned confectionery shop in Kyoto, and its reputation for quality is widely known.

The prices were naturally not cheap either, with quite a few varieties costing 100 coins each.

But over the years, Manyuelou has never sold a pastry for one tael of silver, let alone ten taels of silver.

Take the pastries at Manyuelou that cost 100 coins each, for example. Ten taels of silver could buy 100 pastries at Manyuelou.

She had been learning to make pastries diligently from her grandfather since childhood and was very confident in her skills. So when pastries appeared in Kyoto for ten taels of silver a piece and were sought after by all the young ladies and wives, Xin Xiangyu was very confused.

She was deeply bothered by this matter.