There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 469 Yin Yang County Magistrate

"General Liang had prepared several negotiation strategies, and Boss Ruan had also calculated various terms for exchanging benefits... but none of them were used! All that preparation was for nothing!"

"You know, didn't this go a little too smoothly? There wasn't a single challenge, making our trip seem like a leisurely sightseeing trip."

With each "easy" or "simple" she uttered, the magistrate's smile froze a little more.

Upon hearing the words "sightseeing," the magistrate's beard trembled slightly, and his face flushed red and then turned pale.

How could he not hear the sarcasm in Li Shuchen's words?

This was clearly referring to the hard-won achievements of their mission, which they had gone through countless hardships and even life-or-death struggles, but in her mouth, it was described as effortless and easily obtained!

This is simply... this is simply taking advantage and then acting innocent! No, it's deliberately trying to provoke people!

But can he refute it?

Can he say, "I know you're working very hard and it's dangerous for you"?

He couldn't, because his previous words were based on a dismissive tone that "it's only natural for the Celestial Empire to subdue the barbarians."

He could only swallow his anger and grit his teeth, forcing out a smile that was more like a grimace.

"This...hehe, Miss Li is quite the joker...The might of our Celestial Empire is vast and its blessings extend to distant lands, so the King of Boyu naturally...naturally admires and submits to usurpation...General and all of you have worked hard and made great contributions..."

Before he could finish speaking, he caught a glimpse of Liang Yuying sitting in the main seat behind and to the side of Li Shuchen out of the corner of his eye.

General Liang held his wine cup, his face expressionless, but his gaze swept over the magistrate calmly and without wavering, yet the magistrate instantly felt an invisible pressure, and cold sweat broke out on his back.

This female general was decisive in her actions and possessed a calm and composed demeanor.

With Liang Yuying in charge, how could he dare to have the slightest dissatisfaction with Li Shuchen's "sarcasm"?

"Shu Chen is straightforward; Your Excellency need not take offense."

Liang Yuying finally spoke, her voice calm.

"The affairs of Boyu Kingdom are entirely due to His Majesty's great fortune, the soldiers' valiant efforts, and the intervention of astute and decisive individuals like Shu Chen. The hardships involved are beyond the comprehension of outsiders. Today's banquet is merely a welcome feast, not a discussion of official business. I deeply appreciate the magistrate's hospitality."

With a few understated words, the speaker acknowledged Li Shuchen's contributions, subtly reprimanded the magistrate, and ended the awkward topic.

The magistrate, feeling as if he had been granted a pardon, quickly raised his cup.

"Yes, yes, yes! General Liang is right! I misspoke, I'll punish myself with a cup! Please, everyone, have some food!"

The banquet continued, but the atmosphere had become much more subtle.

Li Shuchen happily munched on a chicken leg, occasionally exchanging a knowing glance with Princess Changning beside him.

Princess Changning suppressed a laugh and whispered...

"Your mouth... look how angry you've made that magistrate, his beard's all crooked!"

Li Shuchen proudly raised her chin.

"Who told him to act like he was just taking a stroll in some barbarian lands? I'm going to show him that this 'melon' isn't so easy to pick!"

The delegation's return journey to the palace proceeded without hindrance, and they arrived in Weijing City in less than a month.

According to custom, one must report to the emperor.

Li Shuchen grabbed Liang Yuying's sleeve and opened her mouth.

"Yuying, the palace is a place with hard floors and lots of rules. My knees hurt, and I'm too lazy to kneel," she said, blinking her eyes, sounding quite self-righteous.

Ye Bingli, standing beside her, adjusted her snow-white cloak and said in a clear, crisp voice, "Yeah, I'm too lazy to go either, it's too much trouble."

Liang Yuying was both amused and exasperated: "His Majesty held a banquet to bestow rewards, what an honor! You two..."

"Can honor feed you?"

Li Shuchen shrugged. "Just tell the Emperor that Li Shuchen is a rough man who only loves gold and silver. If he really wants to reward someone, he'll give them cash! As for Bing Li..."

She glanced at the ice-sculpted beauty beside her, "She lacks nothing; you have to reward her in a way that suits her tastes."

Ye Bingli nodded slightly and added, "Nothing with too strong a fragrance, and the sheet music doesn't need to be anything commonly available on the market."

Liang Yuying sighed helplessly, "...Fine, you two are the oldest. Changning, Ziying, let's go."

Watching the delegation gradually disappear into the distance, Li Shuchen grabbed Ye Bingli's wrist, his eyes sparkling.

"Let's go! Back to our nest, let's eat and drink to our hearts' content! I'm so craving roast duck from this trip!"

Happiness Inn

"Uncle Xu! We're back!"

The moment Li Shuchen stepped into the threshold of the Happiness Inn, a clear shout blew the roof off.

Manager Xu, who was rapidly calculating on his abacus behind the counter, suddenly trembled, and the abacus beads nearly flew out of his hand.

He looked up abruptly, beaming with joy: "Oh, my boss! You've finally..."

Before he could finish speaking, a pink figure rushed down the stairs like a cannonball, nearly knocking Li Shuchen off balance.

"Miss! Miss, you're finally back! Grape has missed you so much!"

Grape, with her hair in two buns and her eyes red-rimmed, tugged at Li Shuchen's sleeve, looking him up and down and left and right.

"You've lost weight! You must not have been eating well! Were there many bad people on the street? Did you get hurt?"

"Good, good, all good, it's perfectly round!"

Li Shuchen chuckled and pinched Grape's cheek, only to be instantly surrounded by two tall figures.

Old Eight crossed his arms, his cold face expressionless, but his eyes shone with an alarming light: "Miss"

Old Nine followed closely behind, calling out, "Miss!"

Muqi smiled slightly, still holding the boning knife she hadn't had time to put down: "Miss, I specially saved the fattest lamb for you."

"You have good taste!"

Li Shuchen patted Muqi's firm arm

"Hurry up, the usual routine: two roast ducks, a whole roasted lamb on the rack, and a mountain of golden-fried chicken wings! Open a few jars of good wine too. Our inn is closing early today, so let's have some fun with our friends!"

Manager Xu finally squeezed through the crowd, still clutching the account book, and was so excited he was almost incoherent.

"Miss, business has been good while you were away, but everyone felt a little empty... It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back!"

Soon, the lobby was filled with an irresistible aroma, and the waiters ran around, their faces beaming with joy.

Li Shuchen was pressed down into a high-backed chair by the counter by Grape, listening to her chattering report.

"Miss, after you left, a new restaurant opened across the street, trying to steal our business. But Manager Xu used an improved version of the 'Fragrant Roast Duck' recipe you left behind to fight back! Also, that little beggar Afu we rescued before is now working in the kitchen, and he's very diligent..."

Lao Ba silently handed over a cup of warm wine.

Old Jiu brought over a plate of the first golden-brown, crispy chicken wings to come out of the oven: "Miss, have something to eat first, the lamb still needs to roast for a while."

Li Shuchen munched on a chicken wing, listening to the familiar clamor and looking at the lively faces before him, feeling utterly relaxed and comfortable—more so than any imperial banquet he had ever eaten in the palace.

This is her territory, her home.

Ye Bingli was caught up in the lively atmosphere and couldn't help but laugh along with Li Shuchen.