He Wants to See You

"Oh, who wants to see me?" Su Li sat by the stove, catching her breath.

"It's the one who cut in line. Later, he stopped cutting in but still refused to leave. He found a corner in the shop to sit in and insisted on seeing you. I told him there were many customers and you were busy cooking, so you couldn't see him. He said he'd wait, and so he's been waiting until now," the little servant said with a smile. "That young master is quite kind. We didn't let him order, and he wasn't angry. I made a stove for him to brew plum wine and brought him some cold dishes meant for those waiting in line. He just sat alone drinking and waiting, no longer breaking any rules."

Lingdang listened and craned her neck to look outside. Sure enough, she saw the haughty and noble Prince Ling, humbling himself to sit quietly in an unobtrusive corner, waiting for Su Li, patiently waiting for half a day!?

Lingdang clicked her tongue. What on earth does this Prince Ling want!?

Xiao Zetian had set a trap within a trap here. It was hard to convince Prince Ling that Xiao Zetian was already dead. Lingdang hoped Prince Ling would hurry back to the capital to get engaged to Princess Mingyu. That way, their master could restore his identity and appear openly.

But that scoundrel Prince Ling, instead of rushing back to marry his Chu Kingdom princess, came to the Serenity Vegetarian Bistro insisting on seeing their general's wife!

Xiao Zetian was the most unwilling to let Prince Ling have any contact with Su Li!

While Lingdang was quickly calculating in her mind, Su Li's slightly tired voice came from behind: "Since that young master has waited so long, he must have something important. I'll go see him."

"Master, you can't go!" Lingdang hurriedly came forward to block Su Li.

Su Li looked at her little disciple curiously and said, "Why can't I go? Maybe he has something important to say."

Lingdang rolled her eyes and said, "Master, that person is a rich young master who doesn't work and knows nothing about farming. What important business could he have? I think he's just a playboy who probably fancies you because you're beautiful and wants to flirt! Master, you can't go, or he'll really think you like him!"

"Huh? Really?" Su Li looked suspicious. She's not a heartthrob, is she? No way!

Su Li wasn't that narcissistic.

"Really, of course it's true!" The four disciples suddenly united and spoke in unison.

The three male disciples immediately surrounded Su Li and advised her:

"Master, we are men, and men understand other men best. That noble young master is obviously a womanizer who has taken a fancy to you. Master, please don't talk to him anymore, or he'll misunderstand and come to the vegetarian bistro every day to find you, which would ruin your reputation."

"Exactly, Master! Some men pretend to be innocent in front of women, but we men can see through them at a glance. I think that man has no good intentions. Master, don't be fooled by his looks."

"Senior brothers and junior brothers are right! That young master is definitely no good. Don't pay any attention to him."

"..."

The disciples were talking over each other. Su Li, already tired and confused, was stunned. Lingdang took the opportunity to link arms with Su Li and pulled her toward the backyard, saying as they walked, "Master, you just told me how to handle that vegetarian chicken. I can't remember, please tell me again..."

The other three male disciples followed behind Su Li and Lingdang, consciously forming a human wall to block the view.

Prince Ling was anxiously waiting, his heart scratching like a little cat. He mentally rehearsed everything he would say and do when meeting the little spicy pepper (a nickname for Su Li) a thousand times, just waiting to show off his charm and make this business-savvy beauty fall for him.

"Why hasn't she come out yet?" Prince Ling got up and paced, craning his neck to look toward the kitchen. He only saw three tall men walking side by side, which made him even more anxious: "Little spicy pepper, hurry up! I've been thinking about you all afternoon!"