The Martial Doctor

Chapter 350: Chapter 317: Father, You’re in Heat

Early in the morning, Qingye felt refreshed, something he hadn’t felt in many years. He stretched his limbs and prepared to go out for a stroll.

This time, he was accompanying the Crown Prince on a trip. Even if he returned to Juxu Pass a little later, there would be no displeasure from the Emperor.

So, he enjoyed his paid vacation with peace of mind.

At this time, moving towards winter, the Beihu people would only send troops if their brains were kicked by a mule. In recent years, there hadn’t been any natural disasters in Beihu, and with no one starving, their willingness to wage war was very low.

With nothing happening at the border, he naturally had more leisure time.

Suddenly, turning his head, he saw Crown Prince Zhao Yuanze also coming out from his room. While traveling, his identity was hidden, so Zhao Yuanze could only assume the role of his advisor. Although Qingye had arranged the best possible room for him, it was still slightly inferior to his own.

He couldn’t very well offer his own room to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess Consort, as that would easily expose himself to those who were observant.

He couldn’t possibly incur the Crown Prince’s resentment over such matters.

If the Crown Prince was of that sort, would the Fifth Prince even need to compete with him?

If he couldn’t even treat worthy individuals with respect, how could he become a leader?

"Good morning, Mr. Zhao!" Outside, Qingye naturally couldn’t directly address the Crown Prince and had to use a neutral term, "sir" being the most appropriate.

"The Marquis seems to be in a good mood today."

"Uh, well, it’s alright." Qingye clearly detected a hint of dissatisfaction in Crown Prince Zhao Yuanze’s tone. What could have happened this early morning?

"Does the Marquis wish to go out?" Zhao Yuanze noted that Qingye was wearing casual attire and looked ready to go out.

"Yes, I’ve passed by Dongshan several times before but never had time to browse properly. This time, thanks to you, sir, I’m taking the opportunity to explore."

"I, too, want to go out for a walk and relax. Perhaps I could accompany the Marquis?" Zhao Yuanze, feeling melancholic, also wished to go for a walk, not wanting to stay in the guesthouse.

"Just the two of us?"

"Yes." Zhao Yuanze nodded.

"Alright then." Qingye furrowed his brow, unable to refuse easily, so he nodded and agreed. However, he suggested that Zhao Yuanze slightly alter his appearance, perhaps by adding a mustache, to look older and less recognizable.

Zhao Yuanze readily accepted this, as opportunities to leave the palace and experience the daily lives of common folk were rare for him.

Qingye led Zhao Yuanze, with the two walking one behind the other as they left the guesthouse. Although it seemed like only two of them, there were others following behind.

This included a guardian from the royal family.

In Dongshan City, with no one knowing the Crown Prince’s identity, safety was assured. freewebnøvel.coɱ

As they walked, they found themselves in Xiuyue Square.

Having walked for some time, they were getting hungry, and it was nearly noon. Thus, Qingye suggested finding a restaurant for a meal.

To taste the culinary delights of Dongshan.

By this time, Crown Prince Zhao Yuanze had lost his morning resentment, having witnessed scenery different from the capital and another kind of urban life that filled him with freshness and high enthusiasm.

Qingye sought directions from a passerby regarding the best restaurant in Xiuyue Square.

The passerby pointed him toward: Huaye Tower.

It’s one of the finest restaurants in Xiuyue Square, indeed in Dongshan City.

Qingye was taken aback at hearing this; wasn’t Huaye Tower a brothel? How could it have become a restaurant? He certainly didn’t want to take the Crown Prince to visit a brothel.

If the Crown Princess Consort or His Majesty found out, he wouldn’t be able to escape the repercussions.

After asking for more details, he learned that Huaye Tower had long since changed its business model. The former owner had dissolved the brothel, setting the girls free, but most chose to stay, and then a restaurant was opened with unprecedented success.

Qingye originally thought it was just "hanging sheep’s head, selling dog meat," merely a ploy to attract customers by changing tactics.

However, the passerby assured him that even though Huaye Tower had performances, those were free for the guests, and indeed it operated purely as a restaurant with no other services, closing by the first watch of the night each evening.

Such an establishment didn’t typically close at the start of the night, so Qingye found it somewhat convincing.

Thus, he led Crown Prince Zhao Yuanze toward it.

At the entrance, surprisingly, young women were the ones greeting guests, dressed very appropriately in uniform attire, lightly made up, and smiling.

Such an agreeable sight immediately made one reluctant to turn away to another establishment.

Eating with the Crown Prince, naturally, couldn’t be done in public, so they selected a smaller private room.

They were lucky, as during lunchtime, there was still a private room available; by evening, most had already been booked in advance.

"This is the menu, whose handiwork is this? The paintings are so exquisite, lifelike." The waitress presented the menu, and at first glance, both Qingye and Zhao Yuanze were amazed. Meals could be ordered like this, an experience not found in the capital.

"It’s hand-painted by our owner."

"I never thought your owner to be such a refined person. Such a skillful hand is rare even in the capital." The Crown Prince’s level of appreciation was apparent; such exquisite and vivid artwork, as if a real dish lay before them, was truly astonishing.

"Our owner has many talents." The waitress smiled silently, immediately recognizing Qingye and Zhao Yuanze as outsiders since locals knew that Huaye Tower now belonged to Mr. Lin, and wouldn’t express such surprise.

"Even the cheapest dish costs two hundred wen, young lady, your prices are comparable to the capital’s."

"Our prices are set high, but we provide value for money. Patrons will know upon tasting." The waitress smiled slightly, showing a hint of her pearly teeth, clearly indicating that their service language and etiquette had undergone rigorous training.