Ashes to Crown

Chapter 59: Chapter 23: Observing the Pavilion

The restaurant was called Yaqug Pavilion. Chu Zhao had some recollection of it; it was considered one of the most famous establishments in the Capital City.

In her past life, after Xiao Xun had saved her, she’d developed feelings for him. On the pretext of thanking him, she had wanted to see him and spent several days inquiring about restaurants. She even lost sleep at night researching the best place, and Yaqug Pavilion had ultimately been her first choice.

Of course, they never went in the end. Her uncle had taken the initiative to arrange a banquet at home instead.

Now, in this life, she finally had the chance to visit. Chu Zhao looked the restaurant up and down. It was indeed an excellent place for a rendezvous.

The restaurant was built in a square, hollow shape, with three floors of spacious, open seating. It had a beautiful central hall that could be used for zither performances, singing, dancing, or storytelling.

’Since it features open seating, the emphasis is on elegance and refinement. So why is it as noisy as a street market today?’

Every floor was packed, and more people were constantly trying to enter from outside. The waiters stood guard at the entrance, not to welcome guests, but seemingly to inspect them.

Ah Le was also surprised. "It wasn’t this crowded a few days ago."

Just then, a waiter came over. He glanced at them and waved his hand dismissively. "Go on, go on. No basket-peddling in our establishment."

’What?’ Ah Le’s eyes widened. "I’m a maid sent out from my household to make purchases."

’Why would he think her attire makes her look like a street peddler!’

’What on earth?’ The waiter stared back. He was too busy today to argue with this girl. "This isn’t a vegetable market. Out, out."

"Sir," Chu Zhao said with a smile. "We’re here to dine."

Although this girl was dressed plainly, her aura was nothing like that of a peddler or a maid running errands. The waiter reined in his temper. "Do you have a reservation? Or are you with someone?"

She could have given Chu Ke’s name directly, but there was no need. She was just taking a casual look to see who her brother was associating with. She could see just as well by waiting outside; going in might actually make it harder to observe him.

"No," Chu Zhao said.

"Then I’m very sorry," the waiter said. "We’re full today."

Just as Chu Zhao was about to say something, she heard a cough from behind. She turned to see Qi Leyun, whom she had met the other day, walking in with two other girls.

Seeing them, the waiter immediately greeted them with a smile. "Miss Qi, you’ve arrived."

Qi Leyun didn’t even look at Chu Zhao. She looked around and said loudly, "It’s so crowded today. Good thing we booked a table in advance."

The other two girls also smiled and said, "Even if you hadn’t booked, how could there not be a seat for Miss Qi when she arrives?"

Ah Le glared at them, but Chu Zhao said nothing. The trio, led by Qi Leyun, walked past her with arrogant expressions, moving slowly as if to let Chu Zhao get a good look.

But a sudden commotion broke out on the third floor. Qi Leyun and her friends looked up, and their previously composed, elegant, and aloof postures instantly changed.

"Look, look, I see him."

"That sleeve, it must be! The Young Master favors black brocade robes."

"Let’s go, let’s go!"

The three girls giggled with excitement, leaving Chu Zhao behind as they cheerfully hurried upstairs.

’What are they looking at?’ Chu Zhao glanced up, a little curious. The tables near the central hall were all full. Gauze curtains hung down, and the air was filled with the fragrance of perfume and the sight of beautiful figures.

The waiter stepped forward, blocking her view. "Miss, we really are full. Please come earlier next time."

Chu Zhao said, "Oh," not particularly bothered. Just as she was about to turn away, another voice sounded from behind her.

"Miss Chu?"

Chu Zhao turned her head and saw Deng Yi walking in alone, dressed in a slightly worn blue robe. She was first startled, then delighted, and quickly curtsied. "Lord Deng."

’Is this girl afraid of him, or happy to see him?’ The subconscious step back was real, but so was the smile that filled her face. Deng Yi nodded. "And what are you doing here?"

Chu Zhao said, "My brother is drinking here." She pointed upward. "I’m worried he’ll drink too much, so I came to check on him."

’She’s this concerned about her brother? Is it because he’ll drink too much, so she’s come to beat him up?’ Deng Yi asked, "Do you need to get in quietly?"

’This is why you have to be honest with smart people.’ Chu Zhao nodded, her eyes blinking as she looked at him without a word.

Deng Yi smiled. "Come with me." He walked up to the waiter. "Deng Yi. I have a reservation on the second floor, Ding Shiqi. Miss Chu is with me."

The waiter hurriedly bowed and led the way. "Lord Deng, Miss Chu, this way, please."

「...」

Qi Leyun and her friends were already seated on the highest floor, the third. Their side of the floor was almost entirely filled with young ladies. Although they kept their voices low, the air was still filled with the twittering and chirping of their conversations.

And almost all of them were looking in the same direction, at the opposite side.

Qi Leyun’s seat was poorly positioned; a gallery pillar blocked her view, and she was very unhappy about it. As she craned her neck to look around, she suddenly spotted someone on the stairs and quickly tapped the girl beside her. "Quick, look!"

That girl was also annoyed. "Look at what? I can’t see anything."

"Look, it’s Chu Zhao," Qi Leyun said.

’Her again!’ The two girls looked over and indeed saw Chu Zhao following a man in a blue robe up the stairs.

The man was tall, in his thirties, and didn’t carry himself like a servant, but his clothes were very plain.

"She won’t hang out with us," one girl said with a pout. "Look at the kind of people she associates with."

The other girl let out a small cry. "Stop looking at her! Look, Third Young Master Xie is toasting someone!"

Qi Leyun and her friend immediately stood up. A few people had walked over from other tables to speak to the person sitting behind the pillar on the opposite side. This person stood up but didn’t step out into their line of sight. They only saw him extend a hand, holding a cup of wine.

The hand was long and fair, and the black sleeve swayed gently.

The wine cup was raised, then brought back to his lips. As he tilted his head back, a fair jawline came into view.

The three girls clenched their hands, almost crying out in delight.

’We saw him, we saw him, we saw him!’

「...」

Another sudden wave of excitement swept through the restaurant. Chu Zhao was startled; the staircase seemed to be shaking as if many people were stamping their feet at once.

She looked around in confusion. Nothing seemed to be happening. There were no strange people or objects, no storytellers or zither players, and no acrobats—

Her gaze shifted to the third floor. It was especially crowded there. Men and women were seated on opposite sides, all tables full, while many others milled about, laughing, talking, and raising their cups. It looked as though some family was hosting a grand banquet.

Deng Yi paid no mind to the commotion. He led Chu Zhao to a table by the railing on the second floor and proactively asked the waiter who had shown them in, "Do you know a Young Master Chu Ke? He’s here today as well. Where is he seated? In a moment, I—"

Before he could explain what he wanted with Chu Ke, the waiter was already answering with a smile. "Of course, of course, Young Master Chu Ke! Minister Ouyang’s protégé, a brilliant and talented young man. He’s already overcome every obstacle to receive an invitation to the Third Prince’s Wangchun Garden. Today, he’s the one treating—"

Listening to the waiter, Deng Yi glanced at Chu Zhao, who was seated across from him. He saw her raise a hand to her forehead, looking as if she couldn’t bear to listen anymore—

’He really does deserve a beating.’

Deng Yi smiled and nodded. "I also heard this news and came especially to pay my respects to Young Master Chu Ke. I hope to offer him a toast."

The waiter pointed across the hall. "There! Your seat is perfect. Young Master Chu Ke is right over there."

Deng Yi and Chu Zhao both looked over. Sure enough, at a table opposite them sat seven or eight young men. The one speaking with such high spirits was none other than Chu Ke.

Deng Yi thanked the waiter, then added teasingly, "No wonder the restaurant is so lively today."

The waiter laughed heartily, his expression growing excited. "Yes, yes, but... not entirely. It’s so lively today because of—AHEM. There’s a literary conference recently, so there are more people in the Capital City to begin with."

He seemed about to mention someone else but then remembered Deng Yi had said he was here for Chu Ke, so mentioning another person wouldn’t be appropriate. The waiter said no more, excused himself, and left.

Deng Yi didn’t mind. He looked at Chu Zhao. "Miss Chu, you can sit here with me for now. It’ll be more convenient for you to watch Young Master Chu."

Chu Zhao thanked him. "Thank you very much, Lord Deng." Then, another thought occurred to her, and she asked, "Lord Deng, are you here to meet someone?"

’In that case, I must be disturbing him by sitting here.’

’Although, she was also very curious to see who Deng Yi was meeting. Is it Xiao Xun? Or someone from the King of Zhongshan?’

The girl’s expression seemed a little tense. Deng Yi reached out to pour some tea. "I’m here to give a gift. I’ll just wait for the others to finish eating, then rush over to pay the bill."

’Huh?’ Chu Zhao stared at Deng Yi.

Deng Yi pushed a cup of tea toward her and smiled. "So, Miss Chu, please make yourself comfortable. No one is joining me."

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