Chapter 102: The Fresh Fish Restaurant

Long Chen had originally thought they would be delighted to bathe together, but unexpectedly, Di Luoxi led Zhang Qian and the others to a room to play mahjong instead.

In the summer, with their light clothing, Long Chen taught them to play Dou Di Zhu, a card game, where the loser had to remove an article of clothing.

When winter arrived and their heavy clothing made Dou Di Zhu cumbersome, Long Chen switched to mahjong, with the rule that each lost tile meant removing one piece of clothing.

The four entered the room to begin playing mahjong, so Long Chen had no choice but to call Xiang Ning over.

“Help me get my clothes; I’m going to bathe,” he said.

Xiang Ning grinned cheerfully. “I’ve already prepared everything. Follow me, sir.”

Eager to lead Long Chen to the bath, Xiang Ning was afraid that Di Luoxi and the others might regret their decision.

Upon reaching the bathroom door, Xiao E and Xiao Daiyu said, “Sister Xiang Ning, you’re working too hard alone. Let us help you.”

It was obvious the two little girls had mischievous intentions.

Xiang Ning’s expression darkened as she snapped, “Go away!”

Startled, Xiao E and Xiao Daiyu turned to leave, but Long Chen said, “They’re still young. No need to be so harsh. It’s freezing cold; letting them bathe together will help keep everyone warm.”

Long Chen was a noble man, selfless and considerate of the palace maids.

In such bitter cold, if they wanted to bathe together, he would surely allow it.

“You’re so kind, sir,” Xiao E and Xiao Daiyu said excitedly, rushing into the bathroom to help arrange the clothes and test the water temperature.

Xiang Ning looked on with a hint of jealousy, muttering, “I thought I’d get to serve him alone, but these two little hussies are shameless.”

Long Chen stepped into the bath, with Xiao E and Xiao Daiyu helping to put away his clothes and then supporting him into the tub.

This bath was specially made by Long Chen: beneath it lay a large cauldron heated with honeycomb coal.

The two little girls held onto Long Chen, attentively scrubbing his muscles.

“You’re so strong, sir. You’re no different from a real man,” Xiao E said, her eyes shining as she gazed at his well-defined chest.

Xiao Daiyu, too, rubbed his muscular back admiringly. “Your physique is amazing, sir. Will there be a chance to bathe together again?”

Xiang Ning snapped irritably, “No way. You wouldn’t even get a turn if you lined up.”

Long Chen laughed softly. “Alright, bathing is a wonderful thing—no need to make it feel like a battle.”

“How about this: from now on, we’ll draw lots. Whoever’s name comes up serves during the bath.”

Xiao E and Xiao Daiyu agreed eagerly. “We’re fine with that. It’s fair.”

Xiang Ning had wanted to refuse but thought that this way, she could compete with Zhang Qian and the others, so she consented as well.

“Then lots it is from now on,” Long Chen said, amused that as a fake eunuch, he was playing this game in the harem—a rare sight indeed.

After leaving the bathroom, Xiang Ning took the clothes to wash, while Xiao E and Xiao Daiyu helped each other back to their rooms, their steps unsteady.

Watching their shaky gait, Long Chen wondered if he had been a bit too harsh; after all, the two little girls had never experienced such things before.

“Everyone has a first time. Next time will be easier,” he told himself.

With that thought, his guilt vanished, and his mood lifted.

Turning away from the bathroom, he could hear the lively clatter of mahjong tiles from the room. Just as he was about to enter, Wu Jian appeared at the door.

Long Chen hurried to the entrance, noticing a slip of paper wedged in a crack between bricks.

He pulled it out and unfolded it, reading a line of words: Fresh Fish Restaurant, East Sea Private Room, Feng He.

A surge of joy filled Long Chen’s heart. He had once told Feng He that if he could no longer stay in Nan Liang, he was welcome to come to East Zhou for refuge.

It had been a casual remark, but now Feng He had actually come.

Pocketing the note, Long Chen returned to the room where Di Luoxi and her three companions were engrossed in their mahjong game.

He changed into a new set of clothes, donning a sable fur hat that concealed most of his face, a sable fur coat, and beast-skin boots.

Usually, Long Chen wore down jackets in the palace, but this time, to conceal his identity, he chose the sable fur coat.

“Sir, are you going out?” Zhang Qian asked, noticing his preparations.

Di Luoxi turned to see that Long Chen was nearly ready.

“You’re going out? At this hour?”

Long Chen was currently opposing Jing Tianlie, so venturing outside was clearly dangerous.

“Yes, I’m going to find someone.”

He took out a dagger and hid it in his sleeve.

“Who are you looking for?” Di Luoxi asked.

Long Chen didn’t mention Feng He, knowing it would only worry her more.

“An old acquaintance. I’ll tell you when I return.”

Zhang Qian immediately dropped her tiles. “I’m coming with you.”

Xuan Yi and Qing Yue also put down their tiles, quickly changing clothes to follow.

Long Chen said firmly, “You’re not going. Everyone knows you stick close to me. You stay here playing mahjong; that way, they’ll think I’m still inside the palace.”

If the three followed him, his target would become much larger.

Conversely, if they stayed behind playing mahjong, others would assume Long Chen hadn’t left the palace.

“This is risky. What if something happens to you?” Di Luoxi objected.

Long Chen smiled. “Because of Jing Tianlie, I don’t even dare step outside. What kind of fight is that?”

“Don’t worry. You just stay here playing mahjong and wait for me to come back.”

Rising, Long Chen left through the side door of Qiuxing Hall, winding through several corridors before exiting the imperial palace.

Inside the room, Zhang Qian anxiously said, “Princess, he’s going out alone...”

Di Luoxi replied gravely, “He’s right. If he can’t even step outside, how can he fight Jing Tianlie?”

The three women fell silent.

Di Luoxi gathered herself. “Come on, continue playing mahjong. A few rounds, and he’ll be back.”

Long Chen emerged onto the street.

Snow blanketed the rooftops and roads. Few pedestrians were out, all bundled in heavy clothes with hats that concealed their faces.

Step by step, Long Chen walked along the roadside, the snow crunching beneath his feet.

Having spent so long in East Zhou, Long Chen had mostly lingered in the harem, rarely venturing out to the streets, for the palace was filled with beauties.

The Fresh Fish Restaurant was a renowned establishment in the capital, specializing in fresh seafood and known for its high prices.

Long Chen had never been there but roughly knew its location.

After some effort, he found the restaurant.

A sign hung at the entrance, bearing the character “Fish,” and white lanterns were hung high, faintly glowing.

In fact, ancient lanterns were originally white; only later did they become red.

At the door of the fish restaurant hung two thick leather curtains to block the wind and snow.

Long Chen slipped inside, where a waiter greeted him warmly. “How many, sir?”

Long Chen replied coldly, “East Sea private room.”

The waiter immediately said, “Follow me, sir.”

Following the waiter upstairs, Long Chen arrived at a private room marked “East Sea.”

“Please come in.”

The waiter knocked on the door, then left to attend other guests.

Long Chen pushed open the door. Inside, four honeycomb coal stoves were arranged around the room with a table and several chairs. Sitting in the head seat was a man.

He wore a thick sheepskin coat, had slanted eyes, no beard, and a cold glare.

“Feng He?”

Long Chen seated himself opposite.

“Minister, we meet again,” the man said.

It was Feng He, though his appearance had changed completely.

It was obvious that Feng He had altered his looks surgically.