https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-567-Feng-Si-Niang-s-Unveiled-Secrets/12536882/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-569-Lian-Chengbi-the-Troublemaker/12536884/
Chapter 568: The Frugal Yang Kaitai
Chapter 568: The Frugal Yang Kaitai
Shen Bijun couldn't help but giggle.
Feng Siniang huffed and, with a flick of her hand, pulled her cloak to cover her delicate waist, long legs, and delicate feet. She then rolled her eyes at Lian Chengbi.
The message was clear: you're not seeing anything!
"Your husband is not a proper gentleman," Feng Siniang said to Shen Bijun.
A proper gentleman wouldn't expose someone's secrets!
Although she was in her thirties, her skin remained taut and wrinkle-free, making her look like a young beauty in her twenties.
"The wind of a gentleman speaks the truth," she replied.
Lian Chengbi smiled casually. "If I speak the truth to foil your attempt at creating discord between my wife and me, does that make me an improper gentleman? Where's the logic in that?"
"I see that your eyes are not honest either. Test it for Shen's sister," Feng Siniang challenged.
"Food and color are related to desire. A gentleman is straightforward and never pretends," Lian Chengbi said with a smile.
Feng Siniang laughed at his words. "Are you saying that those men who can't wait to devour me are all gentlemen?"
"That's lust, not desire," Lian Chengbi waved his hand. "A gentleman appreciates beauty. A wicked man's desire is to possess beauty. The two should not be confused."
Lian Chengbi spoke with such seriousness that Shen Bijun couldn't help but blush. If it weren't for the fact that they spent every night together, she might have believed him.
But Feng Siniang was truly convinced, nodding dumbly. "That does make some sense."
Shen Bijun couldn't hold back her laughter any longer. She tugged at Feng Siniang's sleeve, diverting her attention by asking about the scenery outside the pass.
Yang Kaitai rode his horse awkwardly beside the carriage, craning his neck to peek inside. Seeing that Feng Siniang was covered up, he breathed a sigh of relief.
It wasn't that he didn't trust Lian Chengbi, but he knew just how charming his friend was to women.
...
The escort team arrived in Suzhou by noon. The local branch of Hengtong Bank had received the news early on and had invited the city's top chefs to prepare a sumptuous lunch for the team after the handover.
However, Lian Chengbi chose not to join this communal meal. Instead, he bid farewell to the team, taking Shen Bijun and Yang Kaitai with him as he strolled through the streets of Suzhou.
Feng Siniang, of course, accompanied them.
Yang Kaitai followed, his face glistening with sweat.
"I said I would treat you to lunch, and I will keep my word!" Yang Kaitai declared earnestly.
Soon enough, Feng Siniang and Shen Bijun found themselves in a shop with open sides, staring at a bowl of steaming lamb noodles and a piece of flatbread the size of a pot lid.
Feng Siniang was speechless.
Shen Bijun was equally stunned.
Yang Kaitai sprinkled a generous amount of scallions into his bowl and added a dash of vinegar. With a sincere expression, he said, "I just asked the manager of the bank, and he confirmed that Buymaiti's lamb noodles are the most authentic. The price is reasonable, the portion of lamb is generous, and the noodles are chewy."
Shen Bijun managed a faint smile. "I suppose so."
Yang Kaitai nodded, then picked up the large flatbread and tore it into smaller pieces with a flourish, placing them in the center for everyone to share. "Their flatbread is also delicious when it's freshly baked—crispy and fragrant. You should eat it while it's hot!"
Feng Siniang's eyes twitched, and she gritted her teeth. "I've spent more time in the frontier than you. I know when flatbread tastes the best."
"Exactly! Exactly!" Yang Kaitai nodded vigorously, his square face beaming with a pleasing smile. "Your experience in the martial arts world is indeed extensive. Let's eat while it's hot. It won't taste as good once it gets cold."
Feng Siniang was left speechless, but she couldn't complain. Technically, Yang Kaitai had just done her a favor. It was supposed to be her turn to treat them, but he had insisted on paying, so how could she possibly criticize his choice?
"How's their flatbread, Fourth Sister?" Shen Bijun asked.
"Customers, we also have grilled meat seasoned with cumin. It's absolutely delicious. Would you like to try some?" the shop owner asked enthusiastically.
"No, thank you. This flatbread is more than enough for us," Feng Siniang politely declined.
Yang Kaitai, eager to impress, waved his hand at the shop owner and said, "I'll have what she's having! I love cumin-grilled meat, too!"
The shop owner's eyes lit up at the prospect of more orders. "How about I grill up some lamb chops for you instead?"
Feng Siniang interjected, "No, I want a whole roast lamb. It must be a nine-month-old lamb, no older."
The shop owner gave her a thumbs-up, impressed. "You're a true connoisseur, miss. Don't you worry; we'll prepare the most tender roast lamb for you!"
Yang Kaitai wiped his sweat and surreptitiously patted the money pouch at his waist, breathing a sigh of relief.
Lian Chengbi raised an eyebrow, surprised, and whispered, "Brother Yang, did you bring enough money?"
"It's better to be rich on the road than at home," Yang Kaitai replied, mopping his forehead. "I just withdrew some money from the bank, and the manager there reminded me to bring extra. It's a good thing I listened."
Lian Chengbi nodded in understanding. Even the manager at the Yuanji Bank had noticed.
...
After filling their stomachs with lamb noodles and grilled lamb, the group made their way to the largest marketplace in Suzhou.
Among the bustling crowd were foreigners with blond hair and blue eyes, some donning headscarves and others veiled, speaking in unintelligible tongues or broken Chinese.
"The Silk Road of the Han and Tang Dynasties may have declined, but even today, the number of merchants traveling from the Western Regions is just a fraction of what it used to be," Feng Siniang explained as they walked.
"The court hardly pays attention to trade in this region anymore," Yang Kaitai added. "That's why merchants big and small are flocking here. If this were a few hundred years ago, Hengtong Bank's eight million taels would have been but a drop in the ocean."
The marketplace wasn't particularly large, as Suzhou was just one of the trading posts near Jiayuguan. Dunhuang and Hami, located outside the pass, were not under the court's jurisdiction and were even more prosperous.
Powerful and wealthy clients often preferred to conduct their business in those areas.
Shen Bijun and Feng Siniang strolled through the marketplace, but nothing really caught their eye. After all, Shen Bijun lacked nothing.
Nevertheless, Lian Chengbi bought Shen Bijun several pieces of jewelry with a Persian flair, as well as some distinctive carpets for Wuji Mountain Villa, and a small dagger adorned with colorful gems for self-defense.
With each purchase, Yang Kaitai's anxiety grew, and he found himself mopping his brow.
He sidled up to Feng Siniang and asked, "Fourth Sister, is there anything you fancy? I'll get it for you!"
Feng Siniang huffed, "I don't want anything. I've been here for almost a year now. Why would I need anything?"
Yang Kaitai retreated, unsure if he should feel relieved or disappointed.
(End of Chapter)
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