There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 379 Make a Deal

Eat and drink

Li Shuchen brought Li Lingxiao to the busiest West Market.

In no time, their New Year's red envelopes were half empty.

In her left hand she clutched five candied hawthorn skewers, in her right hand she held a large piece of rice cake, a bag of dragon beard candy was hooked on her right little finger, and even a small pot of rose wine hung around her neck.

Li Lingxiao glanced at himself, covered in food, and at Grape, who was in the same predicament, and couldn't help but wonder...

"Sister, you ate three bowls of dumplings for breakfast. Were you still hungry?"

Li Shuchen bit into a candied hawthorn in his hand, and said indistinctly...

"I'm full. I bought a lot of things because the money I receive as New Year's money is meant to be spent on New Year's Day. If I don't spend it today, it won't feel like New Year's Day if I spend it later."

After saying that, he glanced at Li Lingxiao from head to toe, and seeing that he didn't have a free hand to eat, he kindly said...

"Xiao'er, are you hungry? What would you like to eat? Your older sister can feed you."

"Xiao'er isn't hungry. What you said makes sense, elder sister. New Year's money should be spent today. Let's continue selling."

"Hey, there's a roasted chestnut vendor up ahead. Let's go buy some."

The three walked up to the stall, looked at the huge crowd, and stopped.

"Sister, there are so many people, can we squeeze in?"

"You two wait here for me, I'll be right back."

Li Shuchen, with his exceptional agility, squeezed left and right, weaving through the crowd of people selling roasted chestnuts. He grabbed a bag of chestnuts, tossed down the money, and then, holding the chestnuts up, pushed his way out.

Damn it, it's easy to get in but hard to get out!

She was stuck in the crowd and couldn't be pulled out no matter what she tried.

"Sister, hang in there, you're almost out!"

"Go for it, miss! You're the best!"

Hearing Li Lingxiao and Grape cheering her on, she used the same strength she had when biting into a candied hawthorn to push herself out.

One, two, three, go!

Unfortunately, it didn't move.

One, two, three, go!

Unfortunately, I didn't move around again.

Just as she was about to shout the slogan for the third time, a chilling voice came from above.

"How stupid!"

No? Who do you think you are? How dare you call her stupid? She's the smartest, okay?!

I looked up and met a pair of cold, mocking eyes.

She could never forget those eyes, so alluring yet wicked.

The tenth prince called her stupid, what could she do? Could she talk back? No!

I could only laugh awkwardly.

"The Tenth Prince is out shopping too?"

Instantly, everyone knelt down, and they knelt down incredibly fast.

"Greetings to the Tenth Prince, wishing him a Happy New Year!"

Li Shuchen's body was also liberated at this moment.

It's finally out! It wasn't easy!

As soon as she walked up to Li Lingxiao, a cold gaze swept over her.

Li Shuchen said reluctantly

"Greetings to the Tenth Prince"

"Free gift"

After everyone has knelt down, what's the point of saying "no need for formalities"? It's insincere, truly insincere.

After venting, I quickly stood up.

She cracked open a chestnut and chewed on it; it was soft, sweet, and fragrant—a top-quality chestnut, so delicious that she squinted her eyes.

After eating one chestnut, I opened my eyes and found that everyone around me was gone, the whole street was empty, and even the roasted chestnut stalls were gone.

Only Li Lingxiao and Grape stood beside her, trembling.

Li Shuchen gave the Tenth Prince a disapproving look.

What a disappointment, what a disappointment!

Why are you causing a ruckus during the Lunar New Year? If you blow everyone up, how will she be able to shop?

"You're not convinced?" The Tenth Prince narrowed his eyes, his fingers tapping absently on the window frame.

"No, you must be mistaken. Well, I won't disturb the Tenth Prince's shopping any longer. Happy New Year, Tenth Prince!" Go home early.

After Li Shuchen finished speaking with a laugh, he pulled the two people beside him and left.

Before he could even take a step out, he heard the person inside the luxurious carriage utter three words.

"Unhappiness"

What? What did he say? He's unhappy? What does his unhappiness have to do with her? It's not like she caused it.

Pretend you didn't hear it and keep walking.

He had only taken one step when someone called him to stop.

"Miss Li, how about we make a deal?"

"Tenth Prince, you are joking. I am but a common mortal. What could I possibly have that would catch your eye? You should stop trying to amuse me."

Holy crap, wait, he can't really be making fun of her, can he? Otherwise, why would he say he's unhappy and then immediately suggest making a deal with her?

He's unhappy but still wants to make a deal with her. Does he think he'll be happy after the deal is done?

It's also possible that they just wanted to see her make a fool of herself.

Not a good thing!

The Tenth Prince watched Li Shuchen's expressions shift—sometimes shocked, sometimes fearful, sometimes enlightened, sometimes resentful—and felt extremely pleased.

"Miss Li's expressions are so captivating, it's a shame she doesn't become a face-changing artist."

Damn, she was careless and didn't hide her expression well. It seems she still needs to practice more to master the skill of keeping her emotions hidden.

He then put on a dead fish face.

Looking at Li Shuchen's expressionless face, the Tenth Prince felt only boredom. He shouldn't have said that; for the first time, he had shot himself in the foot.

This experience was very unpleasant.

Feeling irritable, I turned the ring and opened it.

You'll like this deal.

"The Tenth Prince hasn't said anything yet, how do you know I'll like him?"

"One meal can be exchanged for a place at the Imperial College."

Upon hearing this, Li Shuchen immediately looked up and smiled, "Tenth Prince, you have a keen eye for people. I like this deal. When will the meal be prepared? Is the household stocked with all the ingredients? If not, that's alright, I'll go buy them. You don't need to pay anything, Tenth Prince."

"Everything you could want, right now."

"That's great! Tenth Prince, you go back first, I'll follow you right away."

"Excuse me, please get in the car."

The driver placed the footstool.

Before Li Shuchen could even take a step, he was pulled back.

"Sister," Li Lingxiao said, her brows furrowed, her expression full of worry.

"what happened?"

"I don't want a spot at the Imperial Academy. Studying at Ruhai Academy is already very good enough," she said, glancing at the Tenth Prince before pulling Li Shuchen away and whispering.

"It's too dangerous. Everyone knows the Tenth Prince is unpredictable and can kill without warning. What if... Anyway, Sister can't go."

"It's alright. He's killed far fewer people in the past six months. I'm just going to cook, and I'll go home after I'm done. My life won't be in danger."

"Heh," the Tenth Prince sneered.

"Li Lingxiao, although you have passed the provincial examination, you are ranked at the bottom. With the spring examination just around the corner, are you confident that you will pass the imperial examination? Or are you satisfied with the degree of the provincial examination, given that Miss Li has worked hard to earn money to support your studies?"

They came prepared, absolutely prepared; even Xiao'er, who came in last place in the imperial examination, remembered it.

At the last Hundred Flowers Banquet, when he saw Yu Ying, it took him a long time to remember who she was.

Li Lingxiao bowed to the Tenth Prince.

"Tenth Prince, I am grateful for my elder sister's hard work and will study diligently to achieve higher honors. I hope you will not need to worry about me."

"How can the teachers of the Imperial Academy compare to those of a small, insignificant academy like Ruhai?" The Tenth Prince's patience was wearing thin, and his tone became intimidating.

Li Shuchen pulled Li Lingxiao aside and said earnestly...

"Are you stupid? That's the Imperial Academy, a place where countless people spend money and beg for entry, but still can't get in. You can learn a lot there. Your older sister doesn't necessarily want you to pass any exams; she just wants you to learn more knowledge, understand more principles, and not be a fool in this world."

"My sister has already done enough for me, I don't want her to take risks for me," Li Lingxiao said stubbornly.