Taking her into his tent, he incurred the wrath of a powerful and mad minister, from which he could

The next day, Mingyi and Yuegui left the mansion and went to Baixianglou.

About a month ago, Mingyi took the initiative to approach Fan Jing, the owner of Baixianglou, and discussed a business deal with her.

Bai Xiang Lou was not a big restaurant in Beijing and was not particularly eye-catching. With such fierce competition, its business was dismal.

Before Mingyi transmigrated into the book, she worked in a hotel as a manager. She knew about kitchen matters, though not an expert, but enough for the job in ancient times.

When she took Mingzhe to escape, they hid in a fishing village where seafood was plentiful, but it was only consumed by the locals and did not spread beyond the village.

Food is the most important thing for people. Mingyi keenly sensed a business opportunity and kept it in mind. Later, after settling down in the Xie family, she used Xie Huaiyu's name to negotiate a deal with the village chief.

Unfortunately, before the business could get off the ground, something happened to the Xie family, and she and Xie Huaiyu came to the capital.

Xie Huaiyu was busy with his official career and had lost all interest in Mingyi's suggestion. He even advised her to stay in the backyard of the Zong family mansion and not to always think about showing her face in public, saying that he would take care of her.

Would Mingyi listen to him?

She was not skilled in any of the arts, such as music, chess, calligraphy, or painting, and could not compare to the noble ladies in the capital. Even if Xie Huaiyu kept his promise and married her as his principal wife, he would eventually tire of her face.

When the time comes, he'll just throw a divorce letter at her, and she won't even have a family to rely on. Where will she go with her younger brother?

Mingyi will not depend on anyone; she only trusts herself.

Putting aside these distant matters, let's talk about the current crisis. She wants to leave the Zong family mansion and find a new place to settle down, so she needs money, right?

You can't do anything without money.

Moreover, Mingzhe's health is so weak that he has to spend a lot of money on medicine. It would be difficult for her to save money by relying solely on the monthly allowance from the Zong family, and it would be far from enough.

Therefore, she had to plan ahead and show her face in public; she didn't care about such things.

While Fan Jing was still busy, Mingyi sat in the lobby, drinking tea and waiting.

At this moment, a young man dressed in an indigo brocade robe suddenly sat down in front of her.

"Young lady, you look very familiar. Have we met somewhere before?" Lin Han said, waving his folding fan.

What a cliché pickup line, but it's obvious what I'm thinking.

She looked at the young and handsome man in front of her, assuming he was just a playboy from the capital, and said with slight wariness, "I have no recollection of you, sir. You must have mistaken me for someone else."

As she spoke, she got up to leave, but the other person stood up and blocked her way.

Mingyi hurriedly took a step back, her delicate brows furrowed, her expression not very pleasant: "What are you doing in public, young master?"

Lin Han's servant immediately rebuked him, "How dare you! Do you know who my master is?"

Lin Han raised his hand to stop the servant with displeasure, and the servant immediately lowered his head and respectfully retreated to the back.

Lin Han looked at Mingyi and smiled, "We just met a couple of days ago, have you already forgotten, young lady?"

Mingyi thought about it carefully and then suddenly remembered that she had indeed seen it before.

But at the time, they didn't have a chance to speak, and she didn't really recognize him.

Lin Han observed her expression and knew that she had remembered. A smile appeared on his lips, and he immediately put away his frivolous attitude and cupped his hands in greeting.

"I apologize for the intrusion, young lady. We only met briefly last time, and I didn't have a chance to greet you. I am Lin Han, the heir of the Rongguo Duke's mansion. May I ask your honorable surname, young lady?"

Mingyi's eyes flickered slightly; he hadn't expected the other party to be of such high status.

The heir of the Rongguo Duke's mansion seems to be a member of the imperial family.

Knowing she couldn't afford to offend him, Mingyi immediately composed herself, but still returned the greeting with a hint of distance: "This humble woman, Ji Mingyi, greets Your Highness."

Lin Han supported her wrist with his folding fan, showing some restraint, "No need for formalities."

He asked with great interest, "Your surname is Ji, so you're related to the Zong family?"

Lin Han had never heard of any relatives with the surname Ji in the Zong family, and she didn't seem to be from the capital.

Mingyi straightened up and nodded slightly.

She deliberately didn't explain, hoping he would be mindful of the Zong family and treat her with some courtesy.

Mingyi didn't want to get entangled with him, so she said, "I have other things to do, so I won't keep you company any longer."

Lin Han didn't stop her anymore, and tactfully stepped aside.

Mingyi then led Yuegui upstairs.

Lin Han waved his fan, watching her disappear into the distance, a hint of infatuation in his eyes. He said to the servant beside him, "Don't you think she looks like a fairy descended from heaven?"

Servant: "..."

Lin Han withdrew his gaze, his expression returning to its arrogant demeanor. He beckoned to the servant, "Let's go, we have important business to attend to. Are your night clothes ready?"

"Yes, sir, it has been prepared long ago."

"Let's go."

Yuegui went up to the second floor and said, "That Young Master Lin seems to have feelings for you, young lady."

Mingyi frowned and said, "Ignore him."

-

Mingyi only stayed at Baixianglou for half an hour, and almost finalized the arrangements. The seafood would be served one after another that day.

People need time to accept new things, but Mingyi is very confident.

Fan Jing personally saw her out. Before parting, she held Mingyi's hand, her eyes red, and said, "Miss Ji, thank you so much for helping me. Otherwise, I really wouldn't know what to do."

Fan Jing is from Guangdong, with a heavy accent, and has an indescribable bandit-like air about her.

This restaurant is her husband's family property, and it was originally run by her husband while she stayed at home taking care of her husband and children.

But the man died in an accident a year ago, leaving her, her child, and this huge family business behind.

Fan Jing had no talent for running a restaurant, but she wanted to protect her husband's hard work, so she entrusted the entire responsibility to a trusted manager.

As it turned out, the manager had run off with all the money six months ago, leaving Fan Jing to have to pay the workers their own wages.

However, the restaurant has been operating at a loss for the past six months. Many of the original staff have left because they saw no hope, leaving only a few loyal old employees who are about to collapse.

Mingyi's arrival gave Fan Jing hope, although it seemed very slim to her, but it was better than nothing.

Mingyi gently patted her hand, comforting her, "Just do as I say, and you'll be making a fortune."

Fan Jing only wanted to improve the situation of not making money and keep the restaurant running. She didn't dare to hope to make a lot of money.

Mingyi didn't say anything more and left Baixianglou.

She first went to a herbal medicine shop to buy some herbs, then strolled to Zhuque Street, where there was a clothing store that Mingyi frequented.

She came out secretly this time, not wanting to attract attention, so she did not take a carriage.

Mingzhe was still at home. Mingyi wanted to go back quickly after shopping, but unexpectedly, something happened.

Whoosh whoosh!

A dozen or so men in black suddenly flew down from above.

They were all armed with sharp weapons and rushed towards a carriage bearing the insignia of the Imperial Clan!

In an instant, swords flashed and people scattered in all directions, creating utter chaos. Mingyi and her maid were separated from each other.

Looking back, he saw Yuegui fall to the ground. Without thinking, Mingyi decided to go against the flow of people.

Yuegui tried to get up, but was stepped on again. She looked up and saw Mingyi walking back. Ignoring the pain, she shouted urgently, "Miss, don't worry about me! It's dangerous here, please leave!"

But her voice was drowned out by the noisy crowd.

Besides, even if Mingyi heard it, she wouldn't abandon her and ignore her.

They've been through so much together, supporting and relying on each other, and Mingyi would never abandon her.

Finally squeezing through the crowd, Mingyi reached the maid's side and quickly helped her up, asking, "Are you alright?"

Laurel was in pain all over, but she forced herself to shake her head.

"Let's go quickly..." Mingyi said.

Suddenly, Yuegui raised her voice and shouted, "Miss, be careful!"

Mingyi turned around abruptly and saw a sharp sword coming straight at her face, inches away!

Mingyi's eyes widened, and she froze completely.

At the critical moment.

Clang—!

The sword was knocked away, and Mingyi was pulled into a strong embrace.