The saintess is pregnant, what does that have to do with me, a spoiled brat?

"The eldest son of the Chen family licked the plate clean, even though it cost a thousand taels of silver for a plate!"

The news spread like wildfire, reaching the entire inner city in less than half an hour.

The entrance to Zuixianlou was almost broken by the throngs of diners.

Those high-ranking officials and nobles who had initially adopted a wait-and-see attitude due to the Chen family's suspension of payments have now gone mad. Who wouldn't want to taste what kind of heavenly flavor this "pig swill"—which even Chen Yunfei was willing to pay a thousand taels of silver for—truly tastes like?

The lobby was bustling with noise, while sparks flew from the iron woks being swung around in the kitchen.

Xu Nuo sat calmly in his armchair, watching the accountant pack silver ingots into a box, his mouth practically stretched to his ears in a grin.

This money is earned faster than robbery.

Just then, two girls walked in through the gate.

The girl walking in front wore a pale yellow dress, her skin as white as porcelain, her almond-shaped eyes bright and clear, revealing a mischievous and playful air. Her nose was small and straight, and her slightly pouting red lips carried a hint of defiant naiveté.

Li Wanning.

The most favored princess of the Great Li Dynasty, now using the alias Ning Wan, is on a private visit with her personal maid.

She had come to the inner city today to check on the tax revenue of the shops. Her father had been so worried about the empty treasury that his hair had turned white, and she was wondering if she could squeeze some money out of these wealthy merchants.

As soon as I reached the street corner, I was captivated by the aroma wafting from Zuixianlou Restaurant.

"Miss, this place belongs to Xu Nuo, the number one playboy in the capital. Should we not go in?" The palace maid lowered her voice, her face full of worry.

Li Wanning wrinkled her nose slightly and snorted, "What's there to be afraid of? In broad daylight, what makes you think he can eat me? I'd like to see what kind of dish can sell for a thousand taels!"

She strode over to an empty table, sat down, and slapped the table with an air of grandeur.

"Hey buddy, bring me your most expensive dish!"

Manager Li quickly came forward with a beaming smile: "Sir, our most expensive dish here is the 'Jadeite and White Jade Soup' that Young Master Chen just ate. It's one thousand taels a serving. Are you sure you want it?"

Li Wanning's eyelids twitched suddenly.

One thousand taels?!

Her father, the emperor, doesn't even spend this much money on a regular imperial meal! This promise is practically robbery!

"Go!" Li Wanning gritted her teeth, her heart bleeding. To uncover the secrets behind this exorbitant profit, she was determined to risk everything.

Not long after, a bowl of clear soup with a few cabbage leaves floating on top was served.

Li Wanning looked at the bowl of clear soup and was so angry that he almost overturned the table.

That's it?

She picked up the spoon, took a small spoonful with a look of disgust, and put it in her mouth.

next moment.

Li Wanning froze on the spot.

That indescribable, exquisite aroma instantly overwhelmed all her taste buds. She had eaten all sorts of delicacies since childhood, and the top chefs in the imperial kitchen had come and gone, but compared to this bowl of clear soup, those things were practically dishwater!

"Miss? What's wrong?" The palace maid was startled.

Li Wanning didn't have time to pay attention to her at all. He picked up the bowl and gulped down the contents without any regard for his image.

It tastes so good!

How on earth was this made?!

After finishing a bowl of soup, Li Wanning licked his lips with lingering satisfaction, his gaze instantly turning fiery.

Her mind raced as she calculated things.

A bowl of cabbage soup that costs less than a few coins to make can sell for a thousand taels! If we could get our hands on the recipe and promote it throughout the entire Great Li, would the national treasury ever have to worry about money?!

Li Wanning suddenly stood up and walked straight to Xu Nuo.

"You're Xu Nuo?"

Xu Nuo was looking down at the accounts when she heard this, so she looked up and sized her up.

She's quite pretty, but her tone is a bit harsh.

"What is it?" Xu Nuo asked calmly, unfolding his folding fan.

Li Wanning placed his hands on the table, leaned forward, and lowered his voice: "Young Master Xu, let's not beat around the bush. I've got my eye on the secret recipe in your soup. Name your price, or we can cooperate and split the profits fifty-fifty."

Xu Nuo was delighted.

Who is this girl? She came up to him and demanded half of his money?

"Fifty-fifty split?" Xu Nuo leaned back in her chair, looking at her with a half-smile. "What are you betting on?"

"I'll provide the connections and the distribution channels!" Li Wanning said confidently. "As long as you hand over the secret recipe to me, I guarantee this dish will sell throughout the thirteen states of Dali, and you'll earn a hundred times more money than you would by running this one restaurant!"

Xu Nuo picked at his ear.

They've made empty promises to him.

"Not interested," Xu Nuo refused decisively. "Goodbye."

Li Wanning was stunned.

She's a princess! She actively sought cooperation, and was actually rejected?

"Do you know who I am?" Li Wanning blurted out anxiously.

Xu Nuo glanced at her, his gaze falling on the exquisite jade pendant at her waist.

This material, this carving—it's a tribute from the Imperial Household Department.

A member of the royal family?

Xu Nuo had a plan in mind, but she kept her expression unchanged.

"I don't care who you are." Xu Nuo stood up, looking down at her. "Want to cooperate? Fine. I have a shop in the south of the city, planning to sell some novelties. If you're really capable, bring ten thousand taels of silver to find me there tomorrow. As for the secret recipe for this Drunken Immortal Pavilion, don't even think about it."

After saying that, Xu Nuo ignored her and turned to walk out the door.

Li Wanning was so angry that he stomped his feet.

That bastard! He's completely impervious to reason!

But the thought of the exorbitant profits from that bowl of soup forced her to suppress her anger.

"The shop in the south of the city, is it? I'll go and meet you tomorrow!"

……

The Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion.

Xu Nuo hummed a little tune as she stepped into her yard.

Today's scheme, which involved getting something for nothing, not only allowed them to acquire Zuixianlou, but also allowed them to extort money from Chen Yunfei. They're in a great mood.

As soon as I stepped into the backyard, a sharp whooshing sound came rushing towards me.

Xu Nuo paused in his steps.

In the center of the courtyard, a woman in a blue dress was practicing swordsmanship.

Shen Qingyi.

The Holy Maiden of the Primordial Holy Land is now nominally his "fiancée".

Her figure was exquisite; her green dress billowed in the wind from the sword, outlining breathtaking curves. Her face was as cold as ice, her beauty like that of a celestial being untouched by worldly concerns.

However, that sword technique, every move exuded a murderous aura that kept strangers at bay.

Xu Nuo leaned against a pillar, watching with great interest.

This woman has a terrible temper. Ever since he forcibly brought her back to the Duke's mansion, she's always had a cold face, and the way she looks at him is no different from looking at a dead man.

Shen Qingyi noticed Xu Nuo's gaze, and suddenly turned her long sword, pointing the tip directly at Xu Nuo's throat.

"Have you seen enough?" The voice was icy cold.

Xu Nuo didn't dodge; with a gentle flick of his folding fan, he precisely struck the spine of the sword.

when!

A crisp sound.

Shen Qingyi felt a numbness in her wrist, and the longsword almost flew out of her hand.

Her pupils contracted sharply, and she took two steps back, staring intently at Xu Nuo.

How is that possible?!

She was the Holy Maiden of the Primordial Holy Land, her cultivation already among the best of her generation. Although she hadn't used her full strength in that sword strike, it was still far beyond what a spoiled brat, weakened by wine and women, could possibly withstand!

The force with which he swung his sword just now was steady, domineering, and even carried a kind of oppressive aura that made her heart tremble.

"My lady, you're so quick to anger, be careful you don't get wrinkles." Xu Nuo put away her folding fan and walked forward with a smile.

Shen Qingyi gripped the sword hilt tightly, her eyes filled with surprise and uncertainty.

"Who exactly are you?"

"Your husband," Xu Nuo leaned closer, inhaling the faint, cool fragrance emanating from her. "What? You don't recognize him after just a few days?"

Shen Qingyi snorted coldly and sheathed her sword.

"Stop with your smooth talk. You'd better not mess with me, or else..."

"Or what?" Xu Nuo interrupted her, her eyes suddenly turning deep. "Kill me? And then go back to your Primordial Holy Land to continue being a saintess?"

Shen Qingyi shuddered and abruptly looked up.

How did he know?!

Xu Nuo ignored her shock and reached out to pat her shoulder.

"Stay at the Duke's mansion and don't worry about the storms outside. It's not your place to face them as a woman."

After saying that, Xu Nuo walked past her and went straight back to her room.

Shen Qingyi stood there, watching Xu Nuo's back, her heart skipped a beat for no reason.

Just how many secrets is this bastard hiding?

inside the room.

Xu Nuo closed the door and sat cross-legged on the bed.

He pulled open his collar, revealing the ancient jade pendant on his chest.

Inside the jade pendant, a huge phantom of an ancient dragon was slowly moving.

"The Primordial Holy Land..." Xu Nuo sneered.

In the original owner's memories, the Primordial Holy Land was no good. These high and mighty cultivators had always tried to interfere in the power of the Great Li Dynasty. Shen Qingyi's arrival in the capital was definitely not with good intentions.

But now that the person is in his hands, it won't be so easy for them to leave.

Xu Nuo closed his eyes and activated the Primordial Dragon Soul within his body.

The jade pendant emitted a faint red light, and strands of pure primordial power flowed into the limbs and bones through the meridians.

The outline of the first dragon pattern was faintly emerging on the surface of his skin.