Although he had managed to live through it with determination alone, the Naihe Xiang drug still damaged his body, especially when Cui Buqu's body was never in prime health in the first place, so this was equivalent to adding salt to the wound. A day later, when he woke up and touched his forehead, he knew that he had caught a fever again.
He breathed out some warm air. Cui Buqu had long been used to such a feeling, but it did not mean that he enjoyed it.
No one would be willing to endure pain, but since there was no way of escaping, he could only choose to get used to it.
On the bed lay a clean set of clothes and a thick robe. It had to be items that Pei Jingzhe ordered for someone else to take them here. Feng Xiao would not bother about such trivial matters; hence Cui Buqu did not say anything but put them on and wrapped himself up until he looked all strict, dignified, and proper. In the room, someone had also prepared a pail of water, so he used it to freshen up before walking out of the room.
Feng Xiao waited impatiently outside, making Pei Jingzhe come in to urge him to be quicker.
Pei Jingzhe had previously thought that Cui Buqu was always very slow, but when he saw that the other's face was even paler than before, he coughed into his fists and felt a little guilty, his voice was also low when he spoke.
"Master Daoist Cui, are the clothes comfortable enough for you?"
"They are just right, thank you."
Pei Jingzhe laughed coldly, "Today, we are not eating in the manor. My Lord has said that we are dining outside."
Cui Buqu, "That is hard to come by. Just as I have woken up, there is a fresh meal waiting for me."
Pei Jingzhe laughed awkwardly, "You just woke up yesterday. You cannot eat too many oily dishes."
Cui Buqu looked at him: This person's skin isn't even half as thick as Feng Xiao's.
He did not move, not wanting to make it difficult for the other.
As soon as Feng Xiao saw the other two emerging from the manor, he could not help but snort a little bit, "You are even more delicate when wearing those clothes compared to a little maiden riding her carriage!"
When ordinary people had a fever, their faces turned red, but Cui Buqu's face radiated paleness as he wore a white robe, making the colour of his entire person similar to the snow falling at his feet.
Cui Buqu said blandly, "My host is abusing. I'm poisoned and left with no food, what can I do?"
Feng Xiao seemed as if he was in a good mood and smiled, "Then you are in luck today. There is a tavern in the city that just opened, and they've employed the famed Lady Hong. You have lived here for two months; surely you would have known her name?"
Cui Buqu, "Lady Hong from the Hong Baked Pastries Family?"
Feng Xiao, "That is correct."
This Hong Baked Pastries Family made baked pastries which were famed in the city. It was run by the Hong father and daughter. Both father and daughter were skilled in the arts of culinary and made delicious dishes. Their name travelled across the city. It was said that people who came here from Qiemo had to visit them at least once.
Cui Buqu also visited them once. The taste was not bad, the soup boiled from bones, the noodles were as fine as silver strands. After the noodles were cooked in the soup and taken out, they were mixed with some braised pork sauce and sprinkled with spring onions. Eating one bowl of such delicacy could warm one's stomach; making their entire body feel comfortable and relaxed. The dish was no different than those from the biggest chefs in the capital.
However, a while ago, the father had passed away, leaving his daughter alone in the world. Discussions regarding the remaining successor took place and everyone agreed that it was difficult to manage the business alone. They were certain that Lady Hong would marry into a rich family and become a concubine, and then it would be even more difficult to taste her dishes any more.
Yet contrary to public opinions, Lady Hong refused that kind of luxurious life, instead, she went ahead and accepted the job of a master chef.
Because of the Linlang Guild's auction, martial artists carrying swords were seen everywhere on the streets. Ordinary people could not help being intimidated, yet Feng Xiao pretended as if he could not see them, taking both Pei Jingzhe and Cui Buqu, as he walked through the streets towards the restaurant.
Those who knew martial arts often with themselves carried some amount of pride. These people from Jianghu were no exception. They displayed a sort of arrogance and walked with their heads high.
Some people formed groups of three and five, even if they were not wearing the same uniform, but the jade pendants on their swords were the same. Usually, this meant that they were from a famed Clan: some were loners and travelled solo, carrying either a cold or a threatening expression. Most of the time, the latter would not have a good temper.
There were also some men and women who walked side by side, laughing as they spoke. The woman was high-spirited and confident; her steps fast and light. These were most probably young juniors who had just joined a sect.
Cui Buqu's gaze swept over them. With only one look, he could analyse where they came from, and vaguely know who they were, and their current set of mind.
"Do not forget what I brought you out for, Master Daoist Cui, it is about time you show me what you are capable of."
Cui Buqu rolled his eyes after hearing what Feng Xiao had to say, "I have yet to eat breakfast, I have no strength to speak."
Feng Xiao smiled lightly, "If you are good and cooperate so I can solve the case early, you can leave early as well. Is there any meaning in trying to spar words with me now?"
Cui Buqu laughed coldly, "Forgive me if I am wrong, but yesterday you said that if I am willing to cooperate, you would consider neutralizing the poison, but you will certainly not do it. Yesterday I was plagued by the poison, unable to fight back. With merely these sorts of ambiguous promises, what are you trying to expect from me?"
Feng Xiao took out two bottles as thick as the width of two fingers from his robe and raised them in front of him.
"I will give you a chance. Among these two bottles, one is empty, and the other contains the remedy that can help you be at ease for three days. Whether you get it or not, depends on your choice. Do not say I was not nice to you."
Cui Buqu felt like his heart was burning right now as if someone lit a fire to his chest, but the fire had not spread out yet. Even the bones felt agony, similar to a thousand invisible hands holding onto his body. It was both itchy and numbing, but he understood that this was the effects of the poison. Although it was not as painful as when the poison was reacting, it was enough to make one sit uncomfortably.
However, he did not choose from those two bottles. Without even looking at them, he took a detour and pressed his lips, walking ahead.
Feng Xiao gasped, "How can you be so stubborn, there goes my kindness to waste!"
Cui Buqu smiled coldly and did not respond.
The remedy was simply a temporary solution; it would not heal him completely. Was Feng Xiao showing kindness? Not really. He solely wanted to wait until the poison took effect before demanding him for answers again.
Seeing that the other refused to take the bait, Feng Xiao put the bottle back into his robes.
Not far off from them, there was indeed a new restaurant that had opened. Above it wrote: 'Five Tastes'. Before its doors, many people were wandering here and there. It seemed that it was quite crowded.
Pei Jingzhe had booked a table earlier on. This way, once they arrive, they need not wait for the others, they could simply get a table for themselves.
The waiter led them in.
From the outside, it did not look like much, but inside, there was a skylight. After Pei Jingzhe walked behind their waiter for a while, he noticed that this restaurant bought down the few stalls next to them and merged them. Creating two sections — a big common hall and a VIP area. Once they entered the VIP area, it was peaceful. Flowers and trees were everywhere, and it was quite interesting.
"This tavern hails from a rather impressive background. Who was it who invested in it? Was it the Boling Cui Clan, or the Longxi Li Clan?" Pei Jingzhe asked in shock.
The City of Six Craft had always been a small city from the beginning. It could never compare to the grandness of the capital. If it had not been for the Linlang Guild's auction event, there would not have been so many merchants, businessmen that come here to live for a few days and barter for resources while purchasing some goods. Opening such a big restaurant here, Pei Jingzhe thought, eighty percent of its investment was a waste.
The waiter smiled and told them, "Then you have guessed wrong. It's not the Li Clan or the Cui Clan. Our Young Master is a local and has been working for the greater half of his life. You young Lords are very fortunate. I have heard that Lady Hong has even invented a few new dishes!"
The three of them were invited into the VIP area. There, one hall had four tables altogether. On one table, there was a young man and woman with a few servants standing behind them.
Although they did not have a whole room to themselves, the four tables were not so close to each other. They were far apart and did not stand in the way of the other.
Feng Xiao ordered the dishes and not long after; they were served one by one. Although the cooking crew was not just Lady Hong alone, her style could be seen on them.
"Silver strand noodles with braised pork sauce, Cauliflower Soup, Fresh Vegetable soup, Hong Baked Pastries, you can choose what you want to eat, do not say that I was mean to you. Now, I'm truly treating you well, right?" He used his chopsticks to poke at the dishes, and then three more bowls of lotus soup were served.
This was not the season for lotuses to bear fruit. The City of Six Crafts was never a place to produce lotus either. These lotuses were brought from a thousand miles in the south, dried and stored throughout winter. The price of these three bowls of lotus soup could be said, was more expensive than all the other dishes added together.
For the sake of the lotus soup, Cui Buqu finally opened his mouth. "That woman's surname is Lu. She is from a very wealthy family, and it is said that they are related to the Fanyang Lu Clan. However, they have not been exchanging messages for a while now. The father's name is Lu Ti and is the owner of an antique shop. It is said their branches were open all over Jiangnan. He is one of the top wealthiest men in the City of Six Crafts."
His voice was neither high-pitched nor heavy; it was audible for Feng Xiao and Pei Jingzhe to listen, but not loud enough for the couple to hear.
Feng Xiao was very content with his initiative to act without being told. It was rare that the two were not bickering and were speaking calmly.
"And the man? Is he also part of the Lu family?"
Cui Buqu shook his head, "His surname is Su, named Xing. He is a cousin of the Lu family. A few years ago, both his parents died, and his home fell apart. He came here to live under the roof of his cousin sister's family. Lu Ti funded him to study, and it is said that he has the intention to make Su Xing his son-in-law if nothing goes wrong, they are to be wedded within these two years. Lu Ti has no sons, so the one who succeeds his business would most likely be Su Xing."
Feng Xiao, "And this restaurant? Is it opened by Lu Ti?"
Cui Buqu said blandly, "I am unsure. After all, I have been locked up for a few days; I could have missed a lot during that time."
He was using the opportunity to roast the other; however, the other did not respond to it. Feng Xiao picked up a pastry, breaking a small piece from it, putting it in his mouth. He ate as he spoke, "The taste isn't bad. The feel in my mouth is great; usually, someone who just recovered from their illness or had been poisoned wouldn't have the chance to taste such a delicious thing. Buqu, wouldn't you want to try?"
Cui Buqu: …
Pei Jingzhe almost let out a laugh, but quickly turned his head away.
Then he saw that young man picking up a fried fuchok with his chopsticks and putting it into the woman's mouth, "Miao Miao, is this not your favourite dish? Come, eat more of it!"
"Thank you; cousin brother." Her voice did not hide her glee.
The people of this era were very open, especially those in the North. Unmarried men and women, if accompanied by family, and if they were in public venues, would be intimate with each other most of the time. Pei Jingzhe turned his gaze back and heard Feng Xiao speaking to Cui Buqu in a high pitched voice.
"QuQu, is this not your favourite dish? Come, eat more of it!"
Pei Jingzhe had some baked pastry in his mouth, but he almost spat it out.
However, the one genuinely suffering right now was Cui Buqu. The latter had just picked up some vegetables and froze on the spot, the corner of his lips twitching, a murderous look on his pale and elegant face.
Upon hearing that someone was copying his actions and words, the young man's face turned irritated.
"We do not know each other. Sire, why are you deliberately provoking?"