Yun Jinnian was silent while Dai Hanmi smiled, Hu Shuiling looked down, and Chen Danyan grabbed something to eat.
Yun Zihan sighed inwardly.
Yun Musi and Yun Mulan were afraid of ruining Yun MuYou’s affair and dared not make a sound, let alone make up random excuses.
Yun Zuomo, Yun Qingqing, and Yun Qingzhi dared not speak recklessly and merely smiled obediently.
"It shouldn’t be!" Yun Muyou spoke faintly.
"It seems the eldest miss understands your cousin quite well, oh, I almost forgot, the eldest miss and the young miss from Xu Family are on good terms, you must understand her quite a bit!" Ruan Wanrong said, then burst into laughter.
Yun Muyou’s face turned red.
Embarrassed and agitated.
Ruan Wanrong then talked about other matters, and after sitting in Niannian Garden for a while, Yun Jinnian suggested going to Huiquan Tower.
"Lunch at Huiquan Tower?" Ruan Wanrong asked.
The meals at Huiquan Tower were so expensive, they only went once or twice a year; Ruan Wanrong loved the dishes there.
Hu Shuiling and Chen Danyan’s eyes also lit up, their faces filled with anticipation.
Dai Hanmi, however, went there more often, but also loved the cuisine of Huiquan Tower immensely.
"Mmm, Mother has already reserved a private room, and the dishes ordered are Huiquan Tower’s signature dishes. We can go over first, drink some tea, have some snacks, and chat," Yun Jinnian said softly.
Yun Muyou was somewhat annoyed in her heart.
She was annoyed by the fact that they weren’t eating in the Yun Residence, wondering if it was a show of wealth to dine out.
But she too was looking forward to eating at Huiquan Tower.
"Then let’s go now!" Ruan Wanrong suggested.
She truly couldn’t wait to go at once.
Not only were the dishes at Huiquan Tower exquisite, but the teas and pastries were also varied and delicious.
On Mrs. Han’s side, Bai Que came over and told them they could simply leave without needing to ask for permission first.
The group left the Yun Residence in six carriages. Ruan Wanrong and the others insisted on squeezing into Yun Jinnian’s carriage, chatting and laughing on their way to Huiquan Tower.
Yun Jinnian, Ruan Wanrong, Hu Shuiling, Dai Hanmi, and Chen Danyan were in one carriage. Yun Muyou, thick-faced, wanted to squeeze in, but the carriage seated five people and was truly quite crowded, she reluctantly got into another carriage with a cold face.
With Yun Muyou in a bad mood, Yun Zihan looked down, Yun Musi and Yun Mulan didn’t dare to provoke her, not to mention the three daughters from the second room.
The party arrived at Huiquan Tower, where the shopkeeper immediately came out to warmly welcome them to the private room on the second floor.
In Great Chu Country, social customs were quite open, so a group of ladies going out would at most draw comments, but wouldn’t face much criticism.
They entered the private room where two tables were set; one for the masters and the other naturally for the maids.
Tea and pastries were already arranged, looking attractive and exquisite.
"Wow, they look so delicious!" Ruan Wanrong exclaimed, grabbing a piece to eat.
"Sister Ruan, you should eat less. If you’re full, you won’t be able to eat the dishes later!" Yun Jinnian advised softly.
Ruan Wanrong, realizing this, hastily put down the pastries, causing everyone to laugh heartily.
Perhaps it was the absence of adults’ eyes or because of Ruan Wanrong’s antics, the atmosphere suddenly became lively. They were less guarded with Yun Muyou’s group and even cracked a few jokes.
Yun Muyou spoke of the banquet for her eighteenth birthday, and Dai Hanmi and the others said they would attend.
Only then did Yun Muyou completely relax, joyfully eating.
Among the twenty-some dishes, there was a soup that was said to have been simmered over low heat for three days and nights, costing several hundred taels of silver for a single bowl.
Mrs. Han was generous, and the maids’ table had the same dishes as their masters’.
Each had a bowl of soup, "It’s so fragrant!"
"The first sip is light and refreshing, and as you take more sips, the flavor deepens. After a few bites, it becomes delicate once again!" Dai Hanmi praised.
The soup was indeed delicious, but after a few sips, she stopped drinking it.
"What’s wrong? Doesn’t it taste good?" Dai Hanmi asked.