Chapter 170: I Will Not Shortchange You

Gu Shiyan could not help letting out a soft laugh: "Alright."

She then followed closely behind Shen Nanyuan, walking with her back toward the restaurant.

The talent for talking nonsense was something she had mastered even before transmigrating into the novel. Back then, there were always people trying to strike up conversations with her, which she found immensely annoying, so she had always resorted to this trick. Never had she imagined that even after crossing into a book, this method would still prove remarkably effective.

Gao Xueluo had observed the entire scene clearly from the second floor. Having previously witnessed Shen Nanyuan's ability to spout utter nonsense, she stood by the window, clicking her tongue and shaking her head. "Aren't you afraid that someone might recognize you and spread all those things you just said?"

"Nobody recognizes me. I rarely step out of the estate anyway."

That was precisely why she dared to talk nonsense with such brazen confidence. However, if Madame Shen were to overhear this... she could already vividly imagine Madame Shen's expression.

With that, Shen Nanyuan cast a few more glances at the spot where Gao Xueluo was staying, her gaze suddenly pausing a moment later.

She recalled that when she had previously visited the Bright Moon Restaurant with Shen Jinyu, she had happened to spot Wu Miaofu lingering around there.

At that time, Wu Miaofu had claimed: "My father will be arriving in the capital very soon, and the dishes at the Bright Moon Restaurant are quite good, so I was thinking of bringing him there to try them once he arrives. That must be why my cousin happened to see me."

Back then, she had found it strange—why would Wu Miaofu use the side entrance of the Bright Moon Restaurant instead of the main gate? At the time, she had been unaware that Wu Miaofu was secretly entangled with the Second Prince. But thinking about it now, Wu Miaofu's motives for visiting the Bright Moon Restaurant were clearly less than pure.

It was naturally impossible for the Second Prince to meet her out in the open, so the place where the two of them met was most likely right there in the Bright Moon Restaurant.

Shen Nanyuan narrowed her eyes slightly, shifting the topic as she rested her chin in her hand. "My birthday is coming up again soon."

"Indeed," Gao Xueluo remarked. "The years really do fly by so fast."

Turning her head to look at Liu Yuli, she added, "Yuan-yuan's birthday is approaching! Hurry up and figure out what birthday gift to send her!"

"..."

"This is your chance to get on the good side of the Defender-General's Mansion," Gao Xueluo said, blinking with a playful tone. "When the time comes, Yuan-yuan can invite Uncle Shen and Eldest Brother Shen over for a meal. They'll be living signboards, and surely many people will come flocking here upon hearing the news. Look at me, I'm already helping you round people up."

Liu Yuli immediately played along, "I was already planning to meticulously select a generous gift to send to the Defender-General's Mansion for Miss Shen's birthday this year."

He smiled warmly. "I just don't know what Miss Shen might fancy."

Meeting his gaze, Shen Nanyuan replied, "I am a rather superficial person. As long as it is expensive, I like it."

"You shouldn't have gone to such trouble, Young Master Liu."

Liu Yuli's smile stiffened slightly. "Miss Shen need not be so courteous."

"How about this then," Shen Nanyuan pondered aloud. "For this year's birthday gift, Young Master Liu can give me something rather special."

As she spoke, a bright, completely innocent smile spread across her face. "You and Luo-luo can accompany me to catch some unfaithful lovers in the act."

As her words fell, not only Gao Xueluo and Liu Yuli, but even Gu Shiyan lifted her head in startled disbelief, her gaze landing blankly upon Shen Nanyuan.

Liu Yuli's voice instantly drifted off into uncertainty. "...Catch people in the act? I wonder what Miss Shen is referring to..."

"The Second Prince."

Shen Nanyuan curved her lips into a faint smile. "When the time comes, I hope Young Master Liu will not only help me bear witness, but also spread the news throughout your restaurant. The bigger the commotion, the better."

For a moment, the group was too stunned to utter a word. Then, their gazes simultaneously shifted to fix upon Gu Shiyan.

Shen Nanyuan held no guarded wariness toward Gu Shiyan. After all, she was Xiao Yan's biological elder sister, and furthermore, she doted on Xiao Yan deeply, desperately hoping for him to ascend the throne. Therefore, regarding matters concerning the Second Prince, Gu Shiyan would undoubtedly support her.

Gu Shiyan spoke up, "Don't look at me. I'm hoping even more than Yuan-yuan that her engagement with that second prince is canceled immediately."

Gao Xueluo let out a breath of relief.

"Then why must it be Liu Yuli and me accompanying you?"

"You two own this restaurant," Shen Nanyuan pointed out. "With guests coming and going like clouds, the moment any news spreads from your place, it is equivalent to the entire capital knowing about it. Besides, it wouldn't be appropriate for my eldest brother and the others to accompany me."

It would be unseemly for Shen Sinians and the others to go around the capital vividly recounting such scandalous affairs. After much thought, Liu Yuli and Gao Xueluo were simply the most suitable choices.

By then, Wu Miaofu's reputation would echo throughout the entire capital.

Which would happen to play right into her hands.

A cousin stealing her own cousin's betrothed—such a story would certainly be fascinating once spread abroad.

"Most people in the capital have no idea that the two of you are actually the proprietors behind the Exquisite Restaurant. Such an exciting event, and you two aren't going to partake?"

Gao Xueluo immediately slammed her hand onto the table. "We're going!"

Clenching her teeth, she continued, "Our Yuan-yuan is the absolute beauty of the capital, the Second Prince must be blind..."

Right as the words reached her lips, she frantically clamped her mouth shut, casting a nervous, sideways glance at Gu Shiyan. Ultimately, she didn't dare utter that curse word: "... blind, completely unworthy of our Yuan-yuan! He's bound to regret this later on! I must go and see just who that shameless little vixen is!"

Liu Yuli pinched the bridge of his nose, reaching out to grab the furious Gao Xueluo to make her quiet down. "Since Miss Shen wants us to accompany her to catch them in the act, it means she has long been aware of this matter, and it also means she knows..."

"Knows who that vixen is?" Gao Xueluo whipped her head around instantly. "Who is it?"

Shen Nanyuan laughed nonchalantly. "You'll know once you go and see for yourselves."

They just needed to have someone keep watch for when Wu Miaofu left her estate, and another person stationed at the Bright Moon Restaurant. When the time came, they could simply head straight there.

Especially given how eager Wu Miaofu seemed to entangle herself with the Second Prince, executing this plan should prove far easier than expected.

The weather was growing increasingly hot, and with only a few days left until Shen Nanyuan's birthday, the entire Defender-General's Mansion was bustling with preparations.

Although they had assumed the Second Prince would have no time to visit Wu Miaofu lately, just as Shen Nanyuan was reading a vernacular novel, someone suddenly rushed over to report that Wu Miaofu had left her residence. Shen Nanyuan instantly snapped to full alertness. Turning her head, she urged Qing Rui anxiously, "Quickly go fetch Luo-luo and Young Master Liu."

Qing Rui replied, "Understood, Miss. This maid will dispatch someone to summon them right away."

***

Wu Miaofu lowered her gaze, a trace of grievance coloring her tone.

"Your Highness has not come to see Miaofu for a long time."

"There have been numerous affairs occupying me these past few days. Am I not taking the time to see you now?" Gu Shengyu's expression remained somewhat aloof. "Your cousin's birthday is in a few days, and I will be attending. Everything will be concluded very soon, and by then..."

His expression softened slightly. "Since you have followed me for so long, I will not treat you unfairly."

Though Wu Miaofu did not fully grasp what he meant, hearing him promise that he would not treat her unjustly brought a faint smile back to her face. "To be able to follow Your Highness, Miaofu considers it her greatest fortune."