Holding a lantern, guiding souls across, Lady Hou comes from the underworld.

Ren Fengjue could tell that the shopkeeper's voice was trembling when he spoke to Xia Ximo.

She seemed afraid of something…

Just then, a figure appeared at the doorway and called out, "Grandma Yan, are you in there?"

The shopkeeper immediately put down the copper spoon in his hand, picked up a cane, and went to greet him at the door.

"I am here."

Ren Fengjue then realized that the woman's difficulty in moving was due to an ailment in her right leg.

The person who came to find her was a pretty young girl, who, judging from her attire, should be a maid from a wealthy family.

The two exchanged a few words in hushed tones at the door, the girl slipped something to her, and then hurriedly left.

Ren Fengjue deliberately walked to the door and glanced in the direction the other person had left, just in time to see the carriage parked by the roadside.

A strange light flashed in his eyes.

Xia Ximo was still examining the sugar figurine, and it was easy to tell from her expression that she had noticed something was wrong.

After the shopkeeper came in, his expression darkened further. "Gentlemen, our shop is closing soon. Why don't you go somewhere else?"

Hearing the other party's order to leave, Xia Ximo knew it was a sign of a guilty conscience.

But this matter has nothing to do with her, and she has no intention of meddling in other people's business.

So, without saying anything, she turned around and walked out.

Ren Fengjue followed behind her, and only after they went out the door did he ask, "Did you find anything?"

Xia Ximo still looked indifferent: "There's a wisp of soul hidden inside that sugar figurine."

Upon hearing this, Ren Fengjue paused, unable to resist glancing into the shop again.

The shop had already closed its doors, but a small candle flame shone through the crack in the door.

Perhaps the person inside hasn't left and is still drawing that unfinished sugar figurine.

"How could a soul be hidden inside a sugar figurine?"

Ren Fengjue was somewhat curious about this.

Xia Ximo replied, "I'm not quite sure. That wisp of soul harbored no resentment; it probably willingly allowed itself to be trapped inside..."

I knew there were many talented and extraordinary people in the East Market, but I never expected that there would be one hidden in this sugar figurine shop.

Ren Fengjue sighed softly, "It seems we won't be able to eat this sugar figurine."

Xia Ximo glanced at him, then asked, "Besides sugar figurines, is there nothing else to eat?"

Upon hearing this, Ren Fengjue smiled and took her hand again.

"Come on, I'll take you somewhere else."

The two continued along the stone-paved street, passing by the Red Sleeve Tower, and finally arrived at a small tavern by the moat.

Xia Ximo raised an eyebrow: "Want to drink with me?"

Ren Fengjue smiled but remained silent.

Just then, a burly man, swinging his arms, walked out from inside and sneezed loudly as soon as he stepped out.

Ren Fengjue quickly stepped in front of Xia Ximo and called out, "Chai Hua."

The man rubbed his nose, looked closely, and was greatly surprised: "Young...Young Marquis? What brings you here?"

He was overjoyed and strode forward, but then he saw Xia Ximo behind him and his expression immediately changed.

"Who...who is this?"

Ren Fengjue stated directly, "My fiancée is Miss Xia."

"Not...fiancée?"

Chai Hua's eyes widened in disbelief.

Ren Fengjue laughed, "Haven't seen you for half a year, why are you stuttering now?"

Chai Hua scratched his head sheepishly, "Wasn't it because I was so excited to see the young marquis?"

He then remembered to invite the two inside. "Come, young master, Miss Xia, please come in!"

Ren Fengjue still held Xia Ximo's hand and strode inside.

Inside the shop, there was only one table of customers drinking. Chai Hua led the two to a seat by the lake and specially set up a bamboo screen next to them to avoid being disturbed by others.

"This location is quite quiet, and you can even see the lake view from the window."

As Chai Hua spoke, he instructed the waiter to bring over fruit, snacks, and tea, and said to Ren Fengjue, "What would you two like to eat? It's on me."

Ren Fengjue smiled slightly, "I'll be a patron of your business. What are your signature dishes? Bring them up, and we'll try them..."

Chai Hua hurriedly said, "You've already been very supportive of my business. The guys from the Ministry of Justice always come here to treat me to meals, and even after they're off duty, they'll come over for a visit."

He personally poured tea for the two of them, and said, "As for you, young marquis, you're always so busy that we hardly ever see you. Since our shop opened, you've only come once. We've been waiting for you like the stars and the moon!"

As he spoke, he glanced at Xia Ximo again, not forgetting to say something nice: "It's all thanks to Miss Xia..."

Ren Fengjue patted his shoulder and said, "Go ahead and get busy. Miss Xia and I are waiting to taste your cooking."

Chai Hua chuckled and hurried off.

After he left, Ren Fengjue introduced the bold and generous shopkeeper to Xia Ximo.

It turns out that Chai Hua had worked as a cook in the Golden Feather Army for three years and was most skilled at cooking various kinds of wild game.

During the years Ren Fengjue spent training in the army, he received "care" from him and was able to taste all sorts of strange and unusual mountain birds.

Later, when Ren Fengjue returned to the capital, this cook, having offended General Yang, was also expelled from the army and returned to the capital, where he opened this tavern.

Xia Ximo asked, "What did he do to offend General Yang?"

Ren Fengjue smiled and said, "He found a roe deer that had been poisoned on the mountain. After taking it back and stewing it, the soldiers ate it and suffered from vomiting and diarrhea for three whole days."

Xia Ximo frowned. "Then why did you bring me here to eat?"

Ren Fengjue explained with a smile, "That's because in the wild, ingredients were limited, and he had nowhere to show off his skills. Now that he's in the capital, he can have everything he needs, so he can really shine."

Xia Ximo was still somewhat doubtful when Chai Hua came to serve the dishes.

Before them lay a plate of roasted pork skin, a plate of braised duck, a plate of cold rabbit, and a plate of fish soup.

The waiter behind me brought over a bowl of ice cream and a bowl of sweet candy, making the table full.

Xia Ximo glanced at it and saw that it wasn't "wild game," which made her feel a little relieved.

Chai Hua then turned around and picked up another jar of wine, saying to the two of them, "This is wine I just brewed recently, and it hasn't been opened yet. You two must try it."

As he spoke, he lifted the lid, poured three full bowls, and handed them over to the three bowls.

Normally, Ren Fengjue would never have drunk it, but today he was in a good mood and didn't refuse when the wine was offered to him.

It wasn't until Xia Ximo glanced at him from the side that he remembered his promise.

Chai Hua, unaware of their complicated relationship, drank first as a sign of respect, then smiled and said, "I'll drink first, you two can drink as you please."

Xia Ximo brought the wine closer and smelled it. He was greeted by a refreshing fruity aroma. He took a small sip and found it to be as clear and sweet as spring water. It was indeed unique.

Ren Fengjue didn't dare drink much, only taking a small sip. Chai Hua saw this and quickly said, "Young Marquis, drink with confidence. My fruit wine won't make you drunk, it definitely won't cause any problems!"

Just then, the waiter came over and whispered, "Manager, Granny Yan is here."