"Of course I didn't lie to you. Although this place is a bit rundown, if Old Man Wang's craftsmanship were to claim second place in the West Market, no one would dare claim first."
Wei Qing said, naturally pulling over a long bench.
Without minding the grease on it, she sat down with a plop.
Then she waved at Old Man Wang, who was already scared pale.
"Old man, why are you just standing there?"
"Ah... O-oh! Oh! Coming, coming!"
Old Man Wang seemed to awaken from a dream.
If it were anyone else, such a grand display would have probably scared them unconscious.
But what kind of person was Old Man Wang?
On normal days, after closing his stall, his greatest hobby was to duck into the teahouse, order a pot of Cheap Tea, and listen to the Storyteller's animated tales.
Whether it was unofficial histories of previous dynasties or interesting anecdotes of the present, as long as it entered his ears, it would spread throughout the entire West Market with added embellishments within half a day.
Especially stories about Her Highness, the Grand Princess.
Old Man Wang knew them all by heart, recounting them even more wonderfully than the Storytellers.
Although his legs were trembling with fear at this moment, a strange sense of pride also rose in his heart.
This was Her Highness, the Grand Princess!
Now she was actually sitting at his rundown stall, wanting to eat the flatbread he made?
This matter would be enough for his Old Wang family to brag about for eight generations!
Old Man Wang took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his wildly beating heart.
His movements were even more nimble than usual.
Slicing meat, sandwiching flatbread, serving soup.
All in one smooth motion.
Jiang Yuechu's expression was calm as she sat down on the bench Wei Qing had pulled out.
Her black robes spread out, looking out of place in this common, bustling street stall.
Yet, there was also a strange harmony.
The surrounding diners finally regained their senses.
Each of them wished they could bury their heads in their crotches.
They didn't even dare to breathe loudly.
Running Ox was also not polite, plopping down opposite Jiang Yuechu.
The originally spacious long bench groaned under the weight of his body.
"This smells really good..."
Running Ox sniffed, his large eyes fixed on the meat flatbread on the next table, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.
Although he prided himself on being a great demon, due to his Eldest Sister's instructions, he usually hadn't visited the Human Race's territory much... Now.
This was his first time sitting in Human Race territory eating Human Race food like this.
He found it novel.
"You ill-mannered fool!"
The Old Scarlet Flood Dragon squeezed over with a look of disdain.
First, he glared fiercely at Running Ox, then turned his face, putting on a different expression for Jiang Yuechu.
"Your Highness, this place is filthy, please wait a moment."
Saying that.
This old fellow actually waved his large sleeve.
He blew the square table in front of Jiang Yuechu completely clean, not even a speck of oil left.
After doing all this.
He somehow pulled out a snow-white silk handkerchief and meticulously wiped the corners of the table again.
Only then did he respectfully retreat to the side, bowing, looking just like an Old Eunuch from the palace.
Running Ox glared angrily at the Old Flood Dragon.
We're all demons, how are you so practiced?! Bah! Serves you right for being stuck in the Mountain Gazing Realm at this age... Wei Qing propped her chin on her hand, watching the scene unfold, the smile at the corner of her lips deepening.
Bah! Serves you right for being stuck in the Mountain Gazing Realm at this age... Wei Qing propped her chin on her hand, watching the scene unfold, the smile at the corner of her lips deepening.
Bah! Serves you right for being stuck in the Mountain Gazing Realm at this age... Wei Qing propped her chin on her hand, watching the scene unfold, the smile at the corner of her lips deepening.
Her gaze drifted, falling on the profile of the young girl beside her.
The girl lowered her eyes, quietly waiting for her food.
Morning light filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows.
Who would have thought.
This seemingly harmless appearance, just yesterday, single-handedly overshadowed everything, forcing all the Immortals and Gods in the city to bow their heads.
In a daze.
Her thoughts drifted to the Region of Longyou.
From a small Demon Suppression Guard to the current Grand Princess of Great Tang.
From the mountains of corpses and seas of blood in Longyou Circuit, she fought her way to the gathering of forces in Chang'an City.
The distance between them was more than just thousands of mountains and rivers.
In just one year.
That once inarticulate young girl... had now become the true backbone of Great Tang.
"What are you thinking about?"
A clear, cold voice interrupted her thoughts.
Wei Qing snapped back to reality.
She saw Jiang Yuechu looking at her sideways, with a hint of inquiry in her eyes.
"Nothing."
Wei Qing shook her head, completely concealing the complex emotions in her eyes.
She reached out and took the trembling Golden-Silver Tongs from Old Man Wang, placing them in front of Jiang Yuechu.
"I was just thinking, if my brother saw you now, I wonder what he would think..."
When Wei He was mentioned.
The indifference in Jiang Yuechu's eyes softened a bit.
She picked up the steaming meat flatbread, not rushing to eat it.
Instead, she looked at Wei Qing and softly asked, "How is General Wei doing in Longyou now?"
It was rather shameful to admit.
As the Commander of the Longyou Demon Suppression Division, she hadn't visited Longyou in a long time.
"He's doing well."
Wei Qing smiled, "He sent a letter a few days ago. Since your battle, Longyou Circuit has been much more peaceful. My brother has nothing to do all day and plans to return to Chang'an to visit after a while."
"That's good."
Jiang Yuechu nodded.
She took a bite.
The crispy flatbread mixed with the tender lamb melted on her tongue.
The taste was indeed good.
Compared to the exquisite imperial cuisine in the palace, this common, down-to-earth food suited her taste more.
"How is it?"
Wei Qing looked at her with anticipation.
"It's acceptable."
Jiang Yuechu's words were concise.
But her movements were not slow; she finished the meat flatbread in a few bites.
Running Ox had long been impatient.
Seeing the Jinx start eating, he dared to reach out and grab the stack of meat flatbreads in front of him, stuffing them into his mouth without caring if they were hot.
"Has your master finished eating for you to eat?!"
The Old Scarlet Flood Dragon watched from the side, frowning, and couldn't help but smack him on the head.
"Moo!"
Running Ox was nearly choked by the slap.
He was utterly helpless in his heart.
A dog relying on its master's power... a mere Mountain Gazing Realm expert dares to lay hands on him?
But he subconsciously glanced at the young girl.
He could only grudgingly give up.
Jiang Yuechu couldn't be bothered with their actions.
She picked up the coarse ceramic bowl in front of her and took a sip of the steaming lamb soup.
Warmth flowed down her throat into her stomach.
Slightly diluting the days of killing and fatigue.
Only in front of Wei Qing could she slightly shed her inaccessible demeanor.
Returning to being Jiang Yuechu, a Demon Suppression Guard of Longyou... instead of Li Guyue, the Grand Princess of Great Tang.
She once thought that if she climbed high enough, stood far enough, and possessed enough power to protect herself, she could live more freely.
Now she had achieved it.
Even better than she had initially imagined.
Immortal Masters of the Denglou Realm were merely putty in her hands.
If she wanted to.
She could simply pack up and leave, go to a broader world, and seek the so-called eternal life and carefree (Xiaoyao).
Why bother guarding this mess of a Great Tang?
Why bother confronting those Heavenly Gods and Buddhas?
Jiang Yuechu put down her bowl, her gaze somewhat vacant, staring at the few remaining garlic leaves at the bottom of the bowl.
Yes.
What was it all for?
Wei Qing's soft laughter came from beside her, seemingly teasing Old Man Wang.
There was also the Old Scarlet Flood Dragon's low curses, mixed with the foolish chewing sounds of the dumb ox.
Further away were the shouts and hawking of the common people, and the playful noise of children.
These sounds mingled together, noisy and chaotic.
A person's life must always be for something.
Perhaps a bowl of hot soup, perhaps a promise.
Or perhaps.
It was simply for the familiar faces around her to continue smiling so vividly.