Chapter 28: White Snow Falls on Shoulders

Chapter 28: Snow Falling on Shoulders

At these words, Yuanbao, who had been frowning at Debiao's crude eating habits, was suddenly stunned.

God, I'm terrible!

Yuanbao's heart felt sour.

He watched Debiao wolfing down his food, feeling a bit uneasy.

Yun Ran also took a few bites to sample the dishes.

The dishes on the table were almost all the same—very soft and mushy, with hardly any flavor.

As for color, there really wasn't much to speak of.

It seemed they were going for a pure, unadulterated flavor.

It seemed that Yanchi was not only a poor country, but also sadly lacking in the way of spices.

Yun Ran couldn't eat any more. These barely seasoned dishes were okay once or twice, but eating too much just left her feeling blah.

Yuanbao also licked his lips and remarked,

"Still, Master's braised pork is the best."

"No kidding!"

Yun Ran already had a game plan.

The rich and powerful here mostly cared about how soft the food was, and maybe they bought it for the old folks, women, and kids at home.

Reading the room, Yun Ran planned to first open a private wellness restaurant to fatten up the empty national coffers.

She intended to introduce some trendy health-focused recipes, including those for skin brightening and beauty, as well as those for nourishing yin and strengthening yang, and balancing the body.

She would also invite several traditional Chinese medicine practitioners to be on staff at the restaurant, offering guests personalized wellness menus. How could that not make money?

Yun Ran beckoned, and Yuanbao leaned in close.

"Set me up a big restaurant on the busiest street in Chang'an, one that can go toe-to-toe with this Zhenxiu Pavilion. The interior should be empty—I want to redo the whole interior."

Yuanbao nodded.

"Don't worry, boss. I'll get it all sorted."

After sampling the dishes, Yun Ran no longer wanted to eat and planned to return to the palace to have the imperial kitchen whip something up.

Yuanbao was done too, and they packed up the mountain of leftovers for Debiao to take home.

Having spent a long time by the emperor's side, Yuanbao had gotten used to packing leftovers, and even asked for them himself.

Yun Ran was very satisfied.

"Being thrifty is a good quality! Yuanbao is so sensible—that warms my heart!"

Yuanbao grinned, over the moon.

The three tidied up and, instead of riding, walked back to the palace, carrying the packed food.

The spring air was still chilly, and the peach blossoms outside the city gates were shivering, dropping petals of pink, drifting in the breeze and landing in front of Yun Ran.

Halfway there, snow started swirling down.

Street peddlers, the old tea seller, a woman carrying her kid to market, laughing children—all dusted with a thin layer of snow.

The streets got busier and livelier.

"Goods for sale, goods for sale! Freshly roasted melon seeds, fragrant and sweet! Sir, would you like some?"

"Sir, please step inside! Our new spring tea is just in season, and we have storytellers too—it's lively in here!"

"Mom, I want a big steamed bun."

"How much for a bun, mister?"

...

The three walked for what seemed like a long time, and before they knew it, the ground was covered in a thick layer.

It crunched under their feet.

The snow stopped, and the gray sky cleared.

The mist receded, warm golden light poured down, and the street looked brand new.

The road was a vast expanse of white, and the warm sun broke through the clouds, lighting everything up.

The sun lit up the street, and everyone passing by had a smile, as if they could feel the warmth.

A timely snow means a good harvest—this must be a good sign.

Along the way, Yun Ran waved her hand and had Yuanbao buy something from every stall Debiao even glanced at.

"If you want to eat, just buy it. You won't go hungry with me!"

Yun Ran could tell that this kid had no other interests—he just loved to eat. As long as he was fed, he was happy.

"Debiao thanks Master."

Debiao wasn't much of a talker, so he could only keep thanking Yun Ran.

He also kept emphasizing that he would work hard, even though he still didn't know what he'd been bought for.

Yuanbao's adopted son was also a parentless young eunuch, sold into the palace by his village, from a dirt-poor family.

After learning of Debiao's life story, Yuanbao no longer minded how much he ate, and even paid up more willingly.

With the early spring chill on their shoulders, the three strolled along slowly.

Until they saw the deep red palace walls and the tall, sweeping eaves.

"Let's head back to the palace."