When Xu Hengyan and Xu Hengyi emerged from the inner chambers, Xie Jiang was no longer on the soft couch in the outer room.
"She must have gone back to the west wing to rest."
After a glance around the courtyard and not seeing anyone, Xu Hengyi headed directly for the west wing.
Xu Hengyan, still clutching two pieces of dried sweet potato, followed behind Xu Hengyi after a moment's thought.
Xu Hengyi looked back curiously. Seeing his second brother still examining the two pieces of dried sweet potato, he handed over the paper-wrapped package in his hand.
"Since second brother is so interested in dried sweet potato, I'll give all of these to you. I'll ask young master Xie for some more later."
Xu Hengyan accepted the entire package of dried sweet potato without refusal.
Xu Hengyi waited for a moment, then walked alongside Xu Hengyan, half a step behind.
"Today is the fifteenth, and I've already spoken with young master Xie. We're going to Jade Void Palace for vegetarian meals at noon. Does second brother want to join?"
"You're planning to go to Jade Void Palace?"
"Yes."
Xu Hengyan stopped and turned to leave.
He had no interest in wasting time with them, and the vegetarian meals at Jade Void Palace didn't attract him. The matter of the sweet potatoes wasn't urgent.
"Hey? Second brother, aren't you coming with us?"
Xu Hengyi watched his second brother's retreating back with longing.
Then he shook his head.
What was he thinking?
Second brother wouldn't have time to accompany them for food and drinks.
...
"Jade Void Palace? You said you were treating me to good food, and it's here?"
Gazing at the vast and prosperous Taoist temple ahead, Xie Jiang turned and gave Xu Hengyi a sidelong glance, her eyes like knives.
Xu Hengyi's neck felt a chill, and he quickly explained, "The food at Jade Void Palace is very famous, especially the vegetarian meals on the first and fifteenth of the month. They are considered a delicacy in the capital."
Xu Hengyi pointed into the crowd, "Look at those servants, carrying food boxes. They are from wealthy families in the capital, specifically coming to get vegetarian meals."
Xie Jiang said faintly, "I've already experienced the tastes of your wealthy families."
Xu Hengyi was so choked that his face turned red and his neck thick. "What I mean is, the vegetarian meals at Jade Void Palace are expensive, and ordinary people can't afford them. They are also limited. First come, first served. No amount of money can get them if you're late."
Xie Jiang let out a snort.
Xu Hengyi listened, feeling as if it were a cold laugh. Why the cold laugh?
Did she think he was being perfunctory?
He was wrongly accused!
"My family's cook's skills are considered top-notch, among the best in the capital. No one who has eaten at my home hasn't praised it, and many people have come to ask for the menu, really! You, you, you, what kind of look is that!"
Xu Hengyi was so provoked that he almost fell off his horse. "You are an ethereal master, with refined and unconventional tastes, but you shouldn't look down on us mortals."
The message conveyed by her gaze was far beyond contempt, and Xu Hengyi dared not interpret it further.
"If you don't even think highly of my family's cook's skills, then the restaurants and inns in the capital are probably even less likely to catch your eye. But Jade Void Palace is different. I think you'll definitely like it once you've tasted it."
Xie Jiang rode her horse without much expectation, following the crowd slowly forward.
"Didn't you say the vegetarian meals at Jade Void Palace are limited, and no amount of money can get them if you're late? It's already noon, are you planning to treat me to the north wind?"
Xu Hengyi immediately straightened his back. "That's for others. I'm different. Would I let you make a wasted trip?"
Xie Jiang said expressionlessly, "Your whole family is different."
Didn't that sound like an insult?
But he had no proof.
If it were anyone else with that attitude, he would have rolled up his sleeves and fought.
But looking at Xie Jiang's face, he decided it wasn't worth getting angry over.
"I mentioned my elder brother, didn't I? Are you wondering why my second brother is the heir apparent?"
Xie Jiang was not surprised at all. How could she not know his elder brother? She had been thinking about his elder brother, wanting him to go to hell every day.