Exile with Storage Space: Family Fortunes in the Barren Lands-Chapter 649 - 604 Invited to Stay (2)

The red-robed woman arrived at the garden on one side of the main house, but she did not immediately go inside. Instead, she stood at the garden entrance, appraising the man in moon-white attire within the Rain Viewing Pavilion.

The man appeared to be in his early twenties, wearing a scholar’s cap, standing tall with handsome features.

He leisurely waved a white paper fan, graceful like an exiled immortal gracing the mortal world.

"Miss, this man looks quite handsome, marrying him won’t be a loss," said the maid beside her softly.

Another maid said, "Taking such a man out wouldn’t be embarrassing for the Miss."

The red-robed woman glanced at them, "But those who look good are often lofty, their eyes aimed skyward."

The maid pursed her lips with a smile, "Miss, your sword technique is formidable, can’t you handle a scholar?"

The red-robed woman raised her eyebrows and chuckled softly, "That’s correct, if logic cannot sway them, perhaps force can."

She brushed her bangs aside and walked proudly into the garden.

Ah Qing, standing in the pavilion, saw the red-robed woman approaching and hurried forward, "Miss, Mr. Li has been waiting for quite some time."

Li Xingsheng turned around, a slight look of astonishment registered as he saw the red-robed young lady.

"This is our master, you should call her Miss Ling," Ah Qing introduced.

"So it’s Miss Ling," Li Xingsheng nodded.

"I’ve heard you can prepare ten dishes using locust flowers; I’ve come to seek your advice," Ling Yuezi clasped her hands at Li Xingsheng before entering the pavilion, "Please, Mr. Li, have a seat."

"Please, Miss Ling, have a seat," Li Xingsheng smiled.

Ling Yuezi and Li Xingsheng sat down in the small pavilion.

To gain Ling Yuezi’s trust, Li Xingsheng began discussing how to make dishes using locust flowers.

In truth, he had no idea how to cook, some methods were what Li Yu En had tried, and others he heard while in the Capital.

Piecing together bits and pieces, he managed to mention about ten different methods.

"Mr. Li, I have a somewhat impertinent request," Ling Yuezi’s beautiful eyes turned gently towards Li Xingsheng.

Li Xingsheng smiled, "Please, Miss Ling, feel free to speak."

Ling Yuezi said, "My father loves to eat and relish delicacies from all over the world. Unfortunately, he has been ill recently and cannot get out of bed to enjoy outside delicacies; bought hot foods become cold after a long journey, the taste severely compromised. I’m left with no choice but to gather new ways of preparing foods to please my father’s palate desires everywhere by inviting chefs. Can you, Mr. Li, help fulfill my filial piety by staying and teaching me to make these ten or more locust flower dishes?"

Li Xingsheng certainly wished to stay, but to avoid arousing the opponent’s suspicion, he hesitated for a while and, seemingly in a dilemma, said, "I left my home intending only to leisurely enjoy scenic landscapes to paint a masterpiece of landscape art. If the Miss would allow me to appreciate the scenery of this village, then I would be willing to teach the cooking. However, regarding accommodation, the Miss must not be too exacting; my travel funds are rather limited."

Ah Qing and the other two maids couldn’t help but laugh, he truly is a down-to-earth scholar.

To be the husband of their Miss, how dare he ask for a room fee? Surely, it should be the Miss offering the bride price.

Ling Yuezi was satisfied with this scholar before her, despite his refined appearance with a humble attendant student alongside him, his attire was far from valuable.

Should she offer a high bride price to seek his hand, perhaps he wouldn’t decline such a good marriage dropping from the sky.

"Mr. Li, since I have a request for you, we won’t charge you for accommodation," Ling Yuezi smiled.

Li Xingsheng clasped his hands in thanks, "In that case, thank you very much."

One intended to deceive their way in to spy, the other sought to deceive into the household to fend off others’ pestering.

Both came to terms easily, neither having objections to the other’s conditions.

Ling Yuezi said to Ah Qing, "Mr. Li has had a tiring journey, please take Mr. Li to stay in the guest room at the Star-picking Pavilion; after lunch, I will seek Mr. Li’s guidance on the locust flower dishes."

Ah Qing replied, "Yes, Miss."

Ah Qing invited Lou Chengye from the small hall and escorted Li Xingsheng together to the Star-picking Pavilion.

The Star-picking Pavilion was located next to Ling Yuezi’s residence, a courtyard with a two-story small wooden building.

Standing on the second floor of the loft, Li Xingsheng discovered that although this courtyard wasn’t as splendidly adorned with flowers as Ling Yuezi’s own, it was yet a delightful sanctuary unto itself.