Xu Lang and Shen Hanshu arrived at the front hall and saw Tianmiao already sitting at the table waiting for them.
"You’re awake? Let’s eat." Tianmiao pointed to the items on the table, "You two are hungover, so have some plain porridge and side dishes."
Xu Lang smiled and said, "Thank you, Boss Tian. Boss Tian is really considerate..." Halfway through his sentence, he saw the other things on the table, and his words got stuck.
On the table, the demarcation was clear. In front of Tianmiao was an extremely sumptuous spread: pork buns, steamed rolls, small wontons, tofu pudding, salted duck eggs, pan-fried dumplings, shumai, and several types of refreshing side dishes. On the other half where they sat, there were only two bowls of plain porridge and one heap of side dishes; nothing more, that was it.
Xu Lang and Shen Hanshu sat down in silence, watching Tianmiao calmly eat her breakfast, their emotions rather complex.
With complex emotions, they drank their plain porridge, while watching Tianmiao finish off all the other delicious food on the table, swallowing their saliva and paying their bill. They had paid a hefty membership fee, so next time they could drink as much as they wanted.
"Well, Boss Tian, we’ll take our leave. The next time we meet is likely when the Martial Arts Tournament is held." Xu Lang and Shen Hanshu rose to say goodbye.
"Are you competing to be the Martial Arts Alliance Hierarch too?" Tianmiao asked casually.
"No, just there to enjoy the excitement." Xu Lang shook his head, "My heart’s not in it; being the Martial Arts Alliance Hierarch involves too many responsibilities, I’d rather be carefree and happy."
"I’m also there to enjoy the excitement. To see who can become the Martial Arts Alliance Hierarch, it will create good connections and help my family’s business." Shen Hanshu’s purpose was quite clear.
"I see." Tianmiao nodded, "Then farewell."
The two smiled and waved goodbye to Tianmiao, thinking the next meeting might be in the Martial Arts Tournament six months later, but in less than half a month, the two came again.
They also brought another person, a young man who looked about eighteen or nineteen.
"Boss Tian, we’ve come again." Xu Lang stood at the door, waving to Tianmiao with a smile.
"Come in and sit." Tianmiao also smiled, inviting them.
Xu Lang and Shen Shuhan walked in with a smile, "Meeting again, Boss Tian. We didn’t expect to meet again so soon."
"What breeze has blown you here?" Tianmiao lifted the teacups on the table and poured three cups of tea.
"Some matters, hey, Little Prince, quickly come in and sit." Xu Lang turned his head and called out to the young man at the door.
Tianmiao looked at the young man still standing at the door and smiled slightly.
The young man seemed to have been staring at Tianmiao, only snapping back to reality after hearing Xu Lang’s call, almost losing his concentration again upon seeing Tianmiao’s smile.
"This is the current Eighteenth Prince, the Emperor’s youngest brother." Shen Hanshu quietly explained to Tianmiao, "He hasn’t been given a title yet; supposedly, he’s not satisfied with the titles proposed, so he’s temporarily untitled."
This was the youngest, full-blooded brother of the current Emperor. His reputation was known; despite being born in the royal family, he was extremely keen on the martial world. This time he came along with Xu Lang and Shen Hanshu, presumably as per the court’s discussions with Xu Lang and them.
The little prince silently sat beside Xu Lang, picked up his tea, and quietly drank.
"Did you come for some matter this time?" Tianmiao asked.
"There is indeed a matter." The smile on Xu Lang’s face disappeared, replaced by a look of seriousness, "We’re tracking a murderer, pursued to this place."
"Oh?" Tianmiao slightly frowned, "Ran to Xiangyang City?"