The Han Sisters 16 Yu Xiang Pavilion 2

"I apologize for making you wait, Prime Minister.", Lou Yi made her presence known to the man.

"This official greets the Second Princess.", he curtseyed.

"I didn't know you will pick me up this early.", Lou Yi stated after allowing the man to rise.

"Did I come at a bad time?", the man asked with a clear look of uncertainty on his face.

"No.", Lou Yi denied. "Me and the Third Princess had just finished eating. I was on my way to my courtyard when I was informed that the Prime Minister has come. In a way, you are just right on time."

"That's good.", Xuan Xu Chen obviously breathed a sigh of relief.

Lou Yi eyed the man in front of him. Wearing a dark purple brocade with golden threads that accentuate the cuffs, Xuan Xu Chen was dressed quite handsomely today.

"You are dressed quite handsomely today.", Lou Yi noticed. Her words' underlying meaning is that Xuan Xu Chen is quite overdressed. If they stroll on the street with him looking like an extremely wealthy young master, they'd probably encounter troubles instead.

"I plan to bring you to the Guilin teahouse today to let you taste some of our kingdom's exquisite snacks." Xuan Xu Chen relayed his plans for the afternoon. "After that, we'll go shopping at Yu Xiang Pavilion. We'll have dinner at Qixing restaurant."

The three places that Xuan Xu Chen told her are all famous places in Xin Kingdom. Guilin teahouse and Qixing restaurant are two of the popular food houses that only n.o.bles can get into. On the other hand, Yu Xiang Pavilion is popular for n.o.bles to shop exquisite dresses, pieces of jewelry, and other unique items. Of course, no one knows that she owns the Yu Xiang Pavilion.

"That sounds like a good plan.", Lou Yi nodded. "Please sit down and enjoy some light snacks as I go and change my clothes."

"Please don't worry and take your time.", Xuan Xu Chen replied with a smile on her face.

Lou Yi left some instructions for Xiao Mei while Xiao Cui and Xiao Ning went back with her to her own courtyard. The two will be helping her with her clothes while Xiao Mei was instructed to get some snacks for the Prime Minister.

Since Xuan Xu Chen said to take her time, that was exactly what she did. It took almost an hour for her to prepare. She was fully expecting a black-faced Prime Minister when she returned to the lakeside pavilion. However, the Prime Minister just stared at her for a while before smiling and inviting her to go.

Like the gentleman that he supposedly was, Xuan Xu Chen held out his hand to personally a.s.sist Lou Yi into the carriage. She, on the other hand, didn't feel the need to be polite and immediately accepted his a.s.sistance. Once Lou Yi entered the carriage, Xuan Xu Chen followed her inside.

Xuan Xu Chen a.s.sisted her personally in getting off the carriage when they arrived. They entered a private room and he ordered Lou Yi's favorite Longjing tea and a couple of snacks for them.

"Since this is the first time you are eating here, be sure to sample each of the snacks they'll serve. Next time we come over, you'll know which one you'd want to order."

She had earlier said to Xuan Xu Chen that she'd never been to Guilin teahouse and Qixing restaurant. On the other hand, she told Xuan Xu Chen that she is quite familiar with Yu Xiang Pavilion as the place had a branch back at Zhao.

"Okay."

After the snacks were served, Xuan Xu Chen would attentively place a piece of bite-sized pastry on her bowl every time she finishes a piece. He would also introduce the pastry to her. Lou Yi was silently savoring the flavor of the food as she listened to his words.

"You seem to know a lot about pastries.", Lou Yi offhandedly commented when she finished her fourth piece.

"I heard that my future madam is a foodie so I researched which places in the capital to bring you to as well as what to feed you.", Xuan Xu Chen honestly replied, making Lou Yi's chopsticks pause midway.

"Is that so?", she nonchalantly continued tasting her fifth piece of pastry.

The two spent quite some time chatting about pastries and snacks while sipping tea. After a while, the two decided to leave and head to Yu Xiang Pavilion to shop.