"Young master? I'm not acquainted with any young master, so how could someone possibly extend an invitation to me?" Sheng Er responded instantly, a frown creasing his brow.
"My master is the owner of that clothing shop over there," he said, gesturing toward the bustling storefront. It was hard for him to fathom that anyone could resist the allure of meeting his young master.
"Oh! Is that the man from the capital?" Sheng Er inquired, a hint of doubt lacing his voice as he began to make the connection.
"Yes," the attendant confirmed, anticipating a response, but the atmosphere remained still. There was no sign of excitement from Sheng Er, which was unusual for someone from the countryside who would likely be intrigued by a figure from the capital.
The attendant was unaware of Sheng Er's genuine curiosity. Since his brother remained silent, he chose to keep his own thoughts to himself, patiently awaiting his brother's decision.
"Thank you for the invitation, Mr. However, please inform your master that we cannot accept it, as we are merely villagers and have an urgent matter to attend to," Ling Ling said with humility. Their purpose was to enjoy themselves, and the idea of meeting a wealthy man who might look down on them for their lack of sophistication did not appeal.
"Please, wait. My master meant no harm. He noticed you in the garments from the shop and became curious, wishing to speak with you. I hope the young masters will not make it difficult for this servant," the little attendant said with a tone of pleading, stepping forward to obstruct their path once more.
Ling Ling cast a swift glance at his brother's clothing. It became clear to him that the attention his brother was receiving stemmed from his attire. With this realization, he began to ponder whether they should accept his invitation or not.
Sheng Er could not comprehend the attendant's words; all he could perceive was the man's pitiful demeanor.
"Brother," Xiao Sheng said, turning to his sibling and leaving the decision in his hands. While the young attendant appeared somewhat pitiable, he was still unfamiliar with his young master. Xiao Sheng respected his brother's sharpness and sought his perspective on the matter.
"I'll let my brother see your master, but I should be there," Ling Ling finally declared after a brief pause. He understood that the attendant was eager to bring Sheng Er alone, yet he could not allow that, knowing his brother's honest nature. Rejecting the attendant was an option, but offending someone from the capital was not a wise choice.
"But—" The little attendant hesitated, torn by the situation, before ultimately deciding to compromise. "Okay. Okay." He reasoned that bringing people was better than bringing none at all; it was best to include this other man and deal with any issues later.
"Hey, who is that man who's being escorted by the shop owner's slave?" one man in the crowd asked another. These onlookers had gathered outside the shop, eager to catch a glimpse of the figure rumored to hail from the capital.
"Isn't that the limited edition from this shop? No wonder I haven't seen it lately. I thought it was being kept hidden since no one could afford it."
"Yeah, right. He might be a rich young master," another man remarked, his words dripping with envy for the wealth that surrounded this individual.
The noise of their conversation was impossible to ignore, and Sheng Er soon realized they were talking about him. A wave of intimidation washed over him, the weight of their attention bearing down like a heavy cloak.
As he finally stepped into the shop, he breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for the reprieve from the prying eyes that had followed him. Inside, the atmosphere was quieter, a welcome change.
Standing in front of the door were three people when the young attendant raised his voice to announce, "Young master, I brought him here."
"Let him in," came the reply from within, steady and commanding.
"Young master, please," the attendant urged, gesturing for Sheng Er to enter as he opened the door. He cast a look toward Ling Ling, hoping to intercept him, but received only a sharp glare in return. With a resigned sigh, he stepped aside, permitting both to enter.
"Hello, young master," Sheng Er said casually as he laid eyes on the man who seemed to have stepped out of a painting. The rumors had not been exaggerated.
"Please, take a seat," the young master replied, frowning slightly at Sheng Er's informal greeting. It appeared his initial assessment was mistaken, and he wondered why there was another man present.
"Thank you, young master," Sheng Er responded. He thought that although the man carried the air of someone who could be the son of a minister, he did not come across as arrogant.
The young master elegantly took a sip of his tea, observing the other man, who bore an uncanny resemblance to the one he had invited. "Identical twins," he muttered.
"I am Xu Jing. What is your name?" the elegant man inquired.
"My name is Xiao Sheng," Sheng Er responded, offering a casual introduction accompanied by an innocent smile.
"I am Xiao Ling Ling, Young Master Xu," Ling Ling added, noticing the man's gaze shift toward him.
"Little Yan, bring the desserts over," Xu Jing commanded from outside.
"Yes, Young Master," Little Yan replied, coming in with two plates of pastries.
"This is moon cake," he said as Little Yan placed a plate of moon cakes on the table. "And that one is an osmanthus jelly," he continued, gesturing to another plate that soon joined the first.
Little Yan found himself puzzled by his young master's generosity, especially since he was offering his favorite pastries to them.
Sheng Er's eyes sparkled at the mention of moon cakes. Hadn't he heard that these delicacies were reserved for the royal family and high-ranking officials? The thought of tasting one had seemed like a distant dream, and yet here he was, faced with the opportunity.
Without hesitation, he reached for one, ignoring Ling Ling's attempts to warn him. By the time Ling Ling stopped him, he had already taken a bite. Though he knew Sheng Er is a foodie, his action was a little reckless. His brother's innocence was truly without limits.
A frown crossed his face as the flavor hit his palate, and he blurted out without thinking, "Not so good."
Ling Ling's eyes widened in surprise as he quickly covered his brother's mouth, eager to explain. "Please ignore his words, Young Master Xu. My brother was just speaking nonsense."
The little attendant nearly stumbled backward at Sheng Er's remark. It was the first time he had encountered someone bold enough to criticize a royal pastry.
Xu Jing merely raised an eyebrow, seemingly unfazed by the situation. He sipped his tea nonchalantly, as if Sheng Er's words held little significance for him.
"What nonsense? This dessert doesn't even compare to half of my wife's homemade cakes," Xiao Sheng declared, pulling his brother's hand away from his mouth as he praised Yize's creations, seemingly unaware of the implications of his statement.
His wife prepared desserts for him daily, and he adored them. After tasting such well-known pastries, he felt they were merely bluffing him, unable to match the quality he was used to.
"Presumptuous!" Little Yan exclaimed, his voice rising with indignation. He had eaten the pastry himself, and it was undeniably the finest he had ever tasted. How could someone from such a humble background dare to disparage something so exquisite?
Xu Jing set down his teacup, raising a hand to silence his attendant. He turned his attention to the now quiet Sheng Er, who seemed to shrink back, likely aware of the mistake he had made.
"Mr. Xiao, I find myself quite interested in the cake you mentioned," Xu Jing said, his gaze fixed intently on him.
"I apologize, Young Master Xu. I truly didn't mean it; it's just—" Xiao Sheng began to explain, eager to defend his statement, but he hesitated when he caught the sharp glare from his brother. He had promised himself not to anger his brother again, yet this time, he strongly felt the need to justify his claim.
"Oh? You quite clearly stated that my pastries are terrible. My attendant also heard you. Are you now denying it?" Xu Jing asked, a chilling smile spreading across his face, causing a shiver to run through Xiao Sheng.
"I sincerely apologize, Young Master Xu. My brother is rather ignorant. I hope you can overlook his offense," Xiao Ling Ling said, his voice trembling with unease. He feared that if his foolish brother continued to speak, he might provoke Xu Jing even further.
They were present to honor this young master's invitation, not to offend him and bring trouble upon themselves.
Xu Jing locked his gaze with Ling Ling's steadfast eyes. Although the brothers shared a striking resemblance, their personalities were worlds apart. One was cautious and astute, while the other was naive and simple.
"I will overlook it, but..." Xu Jing began.
Sheng Er waited anxiously for the next words to come, while Ling Ling gripped his brother's hand, ready to squeeze it if he slipped up once more.
"If you can convince me that your cake is truly exceptional, then I'll consider the matter settled," Xu Jing said with a smile, his eyes narrowing slightly as he turned his gaze to the streets below.
"I can do it," Sheng Er replied confidently, not hesitating for a moment. Ling Ling, feeling a mix of exasperation and helplessness, thought about smacking his brother on the head to silence him.
Xu Jing shifted his attention back to Sheng Er, watching as he reached into his sleeves and pulled out a neatly wrapped item. Carefully, he unwrapped it to reveal a slice of a soft, fluffy cake.
"Young Master Xu, if you don't mind trying my cake, I encourage you to have a taste," Sheng Er offered with eagerness. Though he felt a twinge of reluctance in sharing it with others, he was determined to prove the integrity of his claim.
He raised his brows at this sudden turn of events. He had thought he might be able to intimidate him for long, but it appeared that he was unexpectedly ready for this.
Ling Ling was equally taken aback, caught in a moment of uncertainty whether to laugh or cry. He had been pondering how to convince Xu Jing, never imagining that Sheng Er would simply showcase the cake Yize had made for him. He let out a sigh of relief, recalling the deliciousness of that cake. If his brother claimed the mooncakes were less than delightful, then surely the cake he brought was even better.
Little Yan shifted from his position, eager to sample the cake before the master, but Xu Jing intervened, stopping him.
Though Xu Jing was often meticulous about hygiene, he made an exception this time, curious to try the cake that Sheng Er confidently asserted was superior to his beloved moon cakes.
He grasped the piece of cake with his slender fingers, a hint of surprise crossing his face. It appeared fluffy, yet the remarkable truth was that it truly was fluffy.
Xiao Sheng adjusted his posture as he watched intently, his anticipation growing as Xu Jing prepared to taste the delicacy before him. At the instant Xu Jing took his first bite, he instinctively swallowed his own saliva, a shared tension hanging in the air. He was not alone in his eagerness; the two other men present mirrored his enthusiasm, their eyes focused on this young master for his opinion.
Xu Jing, unaware of the growing suspense around him, felt a wave of surprise as the treat melted in his mouth. A sweet, creamy flavor cascaded gently down his throat, a sensation so sublime it eluded description. Having been privileged throughout his life, surrounded by the finest delicacies and desserts, he had never encountered anything quite like this. The delight was so overwhelming that he momentarily lost his composure, yet, as Xu Jing, he managed to maintain a facade of nonchalance, despite the stirring sensations within.
"How is it? How is it?" Sheng Er eagerly inquired. This cake was his absolute favorite, a treat he believed was unmatched by any moon cakes.
"It's delicious," Xu Jing replied honestly. He wasn't just being polite; he was genuinely impressed and curious about who had crafted this delightful dessert.
"I knew it! I was right, hahaha," Xiao Sheng exclaimed, his joy bubbling over as laughter filled the air.
Ling Ling, caught up in his brother's happiness, momentarily forgot that just before, his brother had offended Young Master Xu. For some reason, he felt a wave of gratitude towards Yize for bringing this sense of carefree joy to his brother's spirit.
"I wonder whose hand created such a delicious cake?" Xu Jing inquired of Sheng Er, catching him off guard.
"Of course, it is my wife," Sheng Er replied instinctively, without a moment's hesitation.
Xu Jing was taken aback by the response, yet he recognized the sincerity behind it, as it was a reflexive answer. The thought of a woman stepping into the kitchen confused him momentarily, but he restrained himself from probing further and returned to his tea, sipping quietly.
"By the way, Young Master Xu, may I ask why you have invited my brother here?" Ling Ling inquired, trying to remind Xu Jing of his purpose and drawing his attention. He's worried about his brother's next move, fearing that if they lingered too long, Sheng Er might inadvertently offend Xu Jing again, leaving them with no way out.
"Oh, right. I was just about to ask about his clothes," Xu Jing responded, as if recalling his original intention.
"This dress?" Sheng Er asked, pointing to his attire in confusion. "What about my dress? This was given to me by my wife."
The mention of 'wife' again caused Xu Jing's brows to furrow slightly as he narrowed his eyes.
"That brocade dress you're wearing was a limited edition in this shop, priced at around three to four silver coins. We actually have a freebie for someone who purchases that dress, but the person in charge at that time was new and didn't know about those rules," Xu Jing explained, weaving together a blend of truth and embellishment.
Young Master, what freebies are you referring to? When did you ever establish those so-called rules? Little Yan thought to himself, feeling a rise of protest in his mind.
"What!" Sheng Er nearly choked on his own saliva. His surprise wasn't about the freebies; it was the price that left him astonished. How could his wife spend so much on a dress? Yet, as he considered how casually he had worn it, he quickly adjusted his sitting posture and began to smooth out the wrinkles in his clothes with care.