Waving her hand casually, Yun Shu brushed off the concern, saying it was nothing more than a touch of chill and that she had already recovered completely.
She settled comfortably into the high-backed armchair she had personally designed in a traditional style and casually asked about the current recruitment situation.
Tang Xinhua answered honestly and in full detail.
"As you instructed, we spread word of the hiring at the restaurant entrance, through the Capital Weekly collection posts, and even in the teahouses where people read the paper.
We emphasized many times that the position was open to both men and women, regardless of age, so long as they were quick-handed and diligent.
These past few days, quite a few women have come to inquire, but most of the applicants are still men. Some of those men even said unpleasant things when they saw the women coming in, so..."
"In that case, add one more item to the recruitment announcement."
The idea that 'men handle the outside, women stay within the inner chambers' had long been ingrained into the bones of too many people in this era.
Yun Shu was not surprised. Her tone remained calm as she said,
"Make it known to everyone that at Tian Waitian Restaurant, all staff are equal, regardless of gender.
No one is to insult or belittle another because of their sex. Not even whispering behind someone's back will be tolerated. Anyone caught doing so shall be dismissed immediately."
"Understood."
Tang Xinhua's eyes shone even brighter at hearing the words 'equal regardless of gender.'
After covering all matters related to the restaurant's main building, Tang Xinhua brought up the courtyard renovations.
"As for the courtyard, I've shown the designs you sent to the craftsmen. But the layout is quite intricate, and just crafting the pieces alone will take at least three months. By the time it's all installed, it may well be summer already."
"That's fine. The main hall can open first, it will not affect anything."
Direct communication was much smoother than relaying instructions through intermediaries.
Since she was already outside the palace, Yun Shu took the opportunity to settle all matters related to the restaurant. She also entrusted Tang Xinhua with overseeing the external installations of the Di Long systems.
After completing all business, Yun Shu intended to check on the palace chefs who had been reassigned to her by Imperial Father. She wanted to see how well they had mastered the recipes she provided.
Just then, noise erupted on the street outside.
In the distance, someone could be heard shouting,
"The Bei Xiang envoys have arrived!"
Yun Shu's mind immediately went to what Yun Chuhuan had said a few days prior. She couldn't resist walking to the street-facing side and opening the window.
"Your Highness, your cold just cleared up!"
Ting Xue hurried after her with a cloak in hand, complaining as she wrapped Yun Shu tightly.
"What is there to see about a bunch of Bei Xiang barbarians? It's freezing by the window!"
"It's fine, it's still warm inside the room."
At four stories tall, Tian Waitian was the tallest building on the entire street.
Yun Shu stood at the window with an excellent view, able to see all the way to the end of the road. Although the distance made details unclear, she could make out a line of riders on tall steeds, surrounding several carriages as they slowly advanced in this direction.
Officials dressed in Tian Sheng court attire had also gone to receive them.
But from this distance, she couldn't make out any faces clearly, let alone hear what they were saying. After watching for a while, Yun Shu gave up on craning her neck and simply had Ting Xue bring over a chair.
Perhaps seeing her so interested, Cen Yiyi dragged another chair over and sat beside her.
"I heard this time Bei Xiang sent their Eldest Prince and the heir of Prince Lian.
That Prince Lian's grandfather, the old Prince Lian, was the commanding general defeated by our Tian Sheng forces over twenty years ago!"
"How do you know all this?"
Yun Shu was surprised.
"Did the Marquis of Wu'an tell you?"
"They were defeated by my grandfather, after all."
Cen Yiyi puffed out her chest with pride.
"His Majesty even specially sent my grandfather, along with the Third Prince and the Ministry of Rites, to receive the Bei Xiang delegation.
Grandfather is over there right now!"
Yun Shu couldn't help but laugh.
No wonder her Imperial Father had been so sneaky, having the hidden guards watch her drink nine doses of medicine in three days.
He really knew how to provoke others.
Bei Xiang had been restless lately, and even took the initiative to send Prince Lian's legitimate grandson as an envoy to Tian Sheng. Surely they wanted to signal that the defeat of the past was history, and they were now strong enough to move past it.
But Emperor Xuanwu had sent back the very man who had crushed them—Marquis Wu'an.
A silent, cutting slap across the face.
So then, will you truly not be provoked again? We do not believe it.
How unfortunate. Yun Shu could not witness the Bei Xiang delegation's expressions firsthand. It must be quite a sight.
She rested her chin in her hands, regretting not having finished making her telescope sooner.
On the other side, the Bei Xiang envoys, upon seeing Marquis Wu'an, reacted exactly as Yun Shu had imagined.
Their expressions changed instantly.
The heir of Prince Lian could not restrain himself. He spurred his horse two steps forward and gave a mocking smile.
"Old General Cen, still able to eat your meals?"
His very first words were a jab—insinuating the general was too old to even chew his food.
Such a greeting would be enough to warrant a beating in any situation.
Thankfully, while the Marquis of Wu'an had a fiery temper, he was also a man of enduring discipline. He only cast a cold glance at the youth, his face showing the faintest trace of confusion.
"And you are?"
Prince Lian's heir had imagined all sorts of scenarios. He had pictured the general getting angry, or loudly proving that his skills had not faded.
He had even entertained the idea of the general swallowing his pride in silence.
What he had not expected was this—dismissive, indifferent, as though the general did not even care to remember who he was.
After a brief moment of shock, anger surged in him.
Just as he was about to speak again, the Third Prince, who had come along with the Ministry of Rites, cut in with a cheerful tone.
"Marquis Wu'an, this is the legitimate grandson of Prince Lian—Prince Lian's heir, Huyan Yi."
"Prince Lian?"
Marquis Wu'an furrowed his brows slightly, as if trying to recall.
"That name sounds somewhat familiar."
The Third Prince played along with a laugh.
"Of course it does. Over twenty years ago, you commanded the troops who fought against him."
"I see."
Upon hearing this, Marquis Wu'an gave a perfunctory nod in Huyan Yi's direction.
"Forgive this old man, Your Highness. I've spent a lifetime on the battlefield and defeated far too many opponents.
Now that age has caught up with me, though I can still eat ten bowls of rice a day, my memory is not what it used to be."
Wasn't he just asking if this old man still had an appetite?
Well then, here is your answer. He could still eat ten bowls.
He simply could not remember your useless grandfather.
After all, he had trampled over so many losers in his time, yours did not even make the list.
===
天外天
天 (Tiān) – sky, heaven
外 (Wài) – outside, beyond
天 (Tiān) – sky, heaven (again)
So 天外天 literally means "Heaven beyond Heaven" or "A world beyond the heavens."
In Daoist, Buddhist, and literary contexts, 天外天 refers to a transcendent realm that lies beyond the known universe, usually home to immortals, gods, or enlightened beings. It evokes the feeling of otherworldly peace, luxury, and escape from mundane worries.
Naming a restaurant "Tian Waitian" suggests it's not just a place to eat, but an elevated experience, as if stepping into another world. It implies exceptional quality—food, ambiance, and service so good, it's like heaven beyond heaven.
The name "Tian Waitian" mirrors the grandeur of Tian Sheng (天盛), but with a twist.
天盛 (Tian Sheng) means "Heavenly Flourishing" or "Flourishing under Heaven"—a name loaded with political ambition and imperial authority.
By naming her restaurant Tian Waitian, Yun Shu subtly redefines what "heaven" is. Rather than aligning with the empire's dominance, she creates a parallel realm—possibly better, freer, and more peaceful.