Inner Residence arc ー Chapter 6 (Part 1): Dream of Mandarin Ducks and Butterflies
Tian Xiang Building was situated in the business district and was a building with four stories. It had upturned eaves and high walls, looking grand and imposing. The visitors who came and left all rode in magnificent horse carriages and were immaculately dressed. It indeed lived up to the reputation of the capital's number one restaurant.
Xie Zhaoying brought me in. As soon as a waiter saw him, he came over to welcome us with a smile, "Oh, isn't this Second Young Master? You haven't come here for so long. Please come upstairs."
Xie Zhaoying was as familiar as taking a walk in the park. He raised the lower hem of his clothes and walked upstairs in a carefree manner.
We sat down in a private room which overlooked the streets. Xie Zhaoying flipped the menu open and started reading out, "Plump Chicken with Mushrooms1, Yam with Braised Pork and Cherry2, Braised Duck Strips with Sea Cucumber3, Arrowhead Stew4, Braised Bean Curd5, Smoked Bean Curd Strips6, Cooked Bean Sprouts7……"
T/n: Here comes the food! Sorry I ruined the names with my translation.
1.
Plump Chicken with Mushrooms
2.
Braised Pork and Cherry (couldn't find one with yam)
3.
Braised Duck Feet with Sea Cucumber (It seems that this is more common)
4.
Arrowhead Stew (This has roast pork in it too)
This looks more like it has been braised though.
5.
Braised Bean Curd
6.
Smoked Bean Curd Strips
7.
Cooked Bean Sprouts (This has shredded chicken strips in it though)
I quickly called him to stop three times, "There's only the two of us. Two non-vegetarian, one vegetarian and one soup is already sufficient."
Xie Zhaoying was evidently used to being ostentatious. He couldn't care less and said, "It's just a few dishes, your Elder Brother can still afford."
The waiter also immediately flattered at the side, "Second Young Master is renowned to be generous when he spends. The previous time he staked a thousand pieces of gold and got the most popular courtesan to himself. Even Young Marquis Zhao(Zhào) could only swallow his saliva at the side."
I glared directly at Xie Zhaoying who appeared to be immensely proud of himself. I definitely didn't glare out of admiration but rather because I pitied Grand Tutor Xie. He was an advanced intellectual. I wonder how much he struggled to earn money so that he can provide for such a prodigal son. No wonder he wanted to sell his third daughter into the palace.
I asked, "Who is Young Marquis Zhao?"
Xie Zhaoying smilingly said, "Zhao Ce(Zhào Cè) is the Empress' nephew. I have known that guy since young. In the past when we were accompanying the crown prince to study, he sprayed ink at me while I nailed his bench and both of us had to suffer a beating from the teacher. Now that we have grown up, I snatch his most popular courtesan while he snatches my antiques and both of us have to our fathers' lectures when we get home."
I remember Yunxiang mentioned to me about the Zhao faction and asked, "I presume that this Young Marquis Zhao is also a hedonistic son from a wealthy family?"
Xie Zhaoying said, "He's not. Although he is a rascal and lascivious, his literary talent is actually top-notch. If you are free, you can take a look at "Aspirations of the Qi's Landscape" and "Prosperous Capital". Those were written by him."
I was greatly surprised. "He…he, he is a Christian*?"
Zhao Xieying was baffled, "Chicken's stomach calling*? How does the chicken's stomach call?"
*T/n: Christianity still did not exist in the dictionary, so Zhao Xieying did not understand what she was saying and tried to mimic what she said, thus ending up with hearing about chickens.
She spurted all over the table, "I heard wrongly, it's me who heard wrongly!"
Xie Zhaoying was still mulling over it. "Calling from the chicken's stomach?"
I asked hurriedly, "What happened to that top courtesan?"
Translator Corner:
I sometimes wonder why I always choose novels that have more complex language ><
Update: Just posting the chapter first since I did mention in the previous chapter that I’ll be posting (although I’m not sure if there’s a need) but I’m currently stuck between a rock and a hard place T^T. Anyway, I am in the midst of contacting the other translator. Hope all goes well~