At this time, there were still many diners in the restaurant, all soldiers from the Garrison. Upon hearing the news, they all stood up, each with different thoughts.
“Congratulations, Ning Zongqi! To be promoted to Zongqi before the age of twenty, there’s no second person in the entire Yongwang Garrison!”
“Exactly, exactly! Ning Zongqi is a young hero; the position of Zongqi is like taking something from a bag for him. It truly shames us older folks; we’ve wasted our years!”
“Ning Zongqi, do you happen to need more people under your command? This humble official is untalented, but I wish to recommend myself and serve under your esteemed leadership!”
.......
For a time, the entire second floor of Gaoyang Restaurant was filled with words of praise, and many young, intelligent Xiaoqi officers already harbored thoughts of pledging their allegiance.
A Xiaoqi officer only held an official position but no rank, and on the household register, he was merely a commoner. But a Zongqi was vastly different; he not only held a ninth-rank official position, was exempt from taxes and labor, but could also protect his descendants, be granted land, and have his title inherited indefinitely!
It could be said to be the ultimate goal for ordinary small families. One person was comparable to an entire family. If the collateral branches of the Ning Family got wind of the news, some might even come knocking, requesting to be taken in.
For a moment, everyone was not only surprised but also incredibly envious, as if they saw a rising family head standing before them.
Ning Yue first humbly clasped his hands and returned the greetings to the crowd who had come to congratulate him, then urged everyone to take their seats again.
Then he turned his gaze towards Xie Mu Han.
His gaze was indifferent, devoid of both the hostility of someone enraged by humiliation and the arrogance of someone triumphant after being promoted to Zongqi.
Xie Mu Han dared not meet his gaze. She dodged left and right, instantly regretting her actions to the extreme!
A Zongqi under twenty years old—the phrase “young and promising” wasn’t enough to describe the excellence of the person before her.
Just take her Xie Family’s eldest brother, Xie Yanming, the representative of the Xie Family’s younger generation; he only became a Zongqi at twenty-three, and that was with the Xie Family Head’s strenuous promotion, providing countless opportunities to earn merits.
And her own brother, Xie Qing, well, there’s no need to even mention him; no matter how many opportunities he was given, he was never useful.
Xie Mu Han’s mind was in turmoil for a moment, like a tangled mess of hemp.
“Miss Xie, are there any private rooms available in the restaurant?”
......The restaurant fell silent for a moment.
Ning Yue looked at the Xie Family’s concubine daughter, whose face was flushed and whose eyes darted around, and could only helplessly ask again.
“Miss Xie, are there any private rooms available in the restaurant so I can change my clothes?”
Xie Mu Han, whose forehead had been sharply poked by Xie Qing, suddenly snapped out of it and hurriedly replied, “Oh, yes, there are! Many private rooms are still available!”
She turned to her maid and instructed, “Caiyun, go, take Ning Gongzi to the Heavenly Character private room on the third floor to change.”
“Yes, Miss.” The maid dared not say more and led Ning Yue away.
The diners watched the scene of the Xie Family’s daughter, first arrogant and then deferential, each stifling their laughter until their stomachs ached.
Xie Qing also followed him upstairs, advising as they walked, “Ning Yue, my little sister is young and ignorant, and her temperament is mischievous. Please don’t be angry with her. I’ll teach her a good lesson when I get back!”
Before, there were only rumors of promotion, and Xie Qing considered his status and position to be higher than Ning Yue’s. Relying on their friendship, he didn’t need to bother with comforting him. Now, however, that was absolutely impossible.
A Zongqi could govern a specific area. If Ning Yue insisted on making trouble for Xie Mu Han and chose his jurisdiction here,
then, if he simply issued a command, Gaoyang Restaurant would lose all its customers and wouldn't be able to stay open!
Ning Yue smiled at this and said, “No, Brother Xie, she operates a low-status business and often deals with merchants. It’s inevitable that she’s short-sighted and forgets righteousness for profit. It won’t affect our friendship.”
“Ah?!” Xie Qing was stunned by these words and could only respond with a bitter smile.
His younger brother truly wouldn’t take any losses!
Ning Yue’s measurements had been taken twice before the silver-white Flying Fish Robe was made, so it fit him perfectly now.
Ning Yue had also practiced martial arts for many years and had even cultivated Dragon Tendon Tiger Bone, perfecting his skin, flesh, and sinews. His skin was fair and translucent, subtly glowing with a jade-like luster in the sunlight.
Xie Mu Han and the other diners watched Ning Yue, now changed into his new clothes, gracefully descend the stairs. The wide-sleeved silver fish robe made him appear as handsome as jade, elegant and dashing. There was no trace of his previous embarrassment, and they were all momentarily stunned.
However, the black wooden broken saber still hung at his waist, subtly spoiling his demeanor, causing Xie Mu Han’s brows to furrow slightly.
Ning Yue calmly strolled to the stairwell, then turned to the Xie Family siblings and said, “Brother Xie, please stay here. Ning Yue will visit you another day!”
He was about to turn away but hesitated, then turned back, pulled a heavy silver ingot from his waist, and without a word, pressed it into Xie Mu Han’s hand.
“Keep this. This is for the meal.”
With that, he strode away with the messenger!
Xie Mu Han’s eyes were blank. She subconsciously took the money, but Xie Qing, who was already furious, slapped it onto the ground with a “smack”!
“You... you... you, what can I even say about you?! How many years have you been managing this restaurant, and you’ve picked up this terrible habit of forgetting righteousness for profit! You actually drove such a talent out the door! From now on, find your own husband; I can’t help you anymore!”
Xie Qing finished speaking with a dark face and turned to leave.
Xie Mu Han’s palm was red from the slap, and tears welled up in her eyes, but she couldn’t care about that now. She frantically grabbed Xie Qing and said, “Brother, brother, don’t be anxious. Another day, another day, please invite him again! Your sister will definitely sweep the house clean to welcome him!”
Xie Qing, whose sleeve was being pulled, refused to turn around. He glared at his sister sideways and said with a sneer, “Still thinking about next time?! Go dream your impossible dreams!”
Xie Qing shook off Xie Mu Han, pointed at her nose, and scolded, “Why did he give you money for the meal?! He wants to settle the score, draw a clear line, and never interact with you again! You, on the other hand, are average-looking but have grand ideas. You still want a next time?”
“You thought he was truly poor just because he dressed simply. Let me tell you, that ‘broken wooden saber’ you looked down upon is a treasured item privately held by the Xue Family. It’s just a hint of spiritual essence away from being a priceless artifact worth tens of thousands of gold, enough to buy our entire restaurant!”
“And after today, with your meager status and looks, even if you knelt at his door and knocked your head bloody, he wouldn’t step foot into this Gaoyang Restaurant!”
Xie Qing finished speaking without any mercy and turned to leave.
Xie Mu Han had fallen to the ground at some point, her eyes vacant, tears streaming down her face. No matter how much Caiyun tried to console her, it was useless.