Chapter 1164: Chapter 1163: This Place Is Simply Heaven
Ouyang Kui respectfully escorted Lu Zheng and the others out the door, then announced he was going into seclusion to craft a zither, not seeing any external guests for a month.
Jing Qianyu hooked her arm around Shen Ying’s, chattering and marveling at Lu Zheng’s prowess.
"Young Master Lu is really amazing. I’ve heard that Master Ouyang is usually very proud, yet..."
"Who would’ve thought Young Master Lu could play for the Phoenix Goddess!"
"I wonder how beautiful the Phoenix Goddess is?"
"I’ve only heard that there’s a phoenix in the Southern Border, witnessing the rise and fall through the ages, the change from sea to mulberry fields. It’s my first time realizing I’m so close to the Phoenix Goddess!"
"Young Master Lu’s music was so enchanting, I felt as though I really saw the phoenix!"
Shen Ying, being held by her, smiled and said, "You’re so curious, why don’t you let your family’s Ancestor take you to visit her?"
Jing Qianyu shrank her neck, "I’ve barely seen my family’s Ancestor enough times myself, and I’m brave enough to ask him to take me to see the phoenix?"
Jing Gaoqi, who belongs to generations of ancestors from the Lingwu Royal Mansion, usually retreats to the Royal Ancestral Hall to cultivate, rarely appearing before descendants unless for significant days or major events.
Jing Qianyu’s cultivation talent is ordinary and not enough to merit Jing Gaoqi’s attention for personal guidance.
Jing Qianyu looked up at the sky, "It’s almost noon. Shall we return to the Prince’s Mansion for a meal, or find a restaurant?"
Shen Ying looked at everyone and then smiled, "You’re the local, find us a distinctive restaurant, then take us for a tour in the afternoon."
"Great, great!" Jing Qianyu nodded repeatedly and led the group away, "Immortal Encounter Building is a famous restaurant in the Capital City. It is said that back in the day, a high sage drank here and understood the profound principles of heaven and earth, ascending on the spot with thousands witnessing, all blessed by immortal light, living long lives free from illness."
"Ascend just by drinking wine? What kind of immortal wine is this?" Lu Zheng clicked his tongue.
"I’ve had it, though not so magical, still very tasty, and their Immortal Wine is one of the royal tribute wines." Jing Qianyu said.
"Then let’s try it," Lu Zheng smiled, wanting to see how it measures up against his Wuliangye and Flower Carving.
So everyone headed to Immortal Encounter Building.
With Jing Qianyu’s presence, the group was directly led to a private room on the third floor, served personally by the chef.
It must be said, it was indeed great!
A table full of dishes, delicious to the eye and palate, delightful in appearance, aroma, and taste, although not surpassing Lu Zheng, was the best meal Lu Zheng had had in Great Jing.
Especially the Immortal Wine, crystal clear, with a strong aroma, slightly sweet with a hint of rice wine, but with a higher alcohol content.
"Pretty good, indeed a famous restaurant in Central Capital City, much better than Juya Pavilion in Yizhou."
Juya Pavilion is already one of the best restaurants in Yizhou, where Duan Changzai had booked a private room several times to host Lu Zheng.
The dishes at Immortal Encounter Building, though not with the fancy techniques of some new-style dishes on Blue Star, were equally delicious, with an exquisite selection of ingredients and showcased many natural flavors, even Lu Zheng found them commendable.
Lu Zheng did not shy away from praise and got enthusiastic, pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of each dish eloquently, leaving the shopkeeper at the entrance, ready to greet the guests, in awe.
Understanding that a culinary expert had arrived, he decisively invited the chef upstairs to greet them in person.
...
A delightful lunch banquet that fostered closer relationships between Jing Qianyu and the ladies.
In the afternoon, heading out once more, Jing Qianyu linked her arm with Shen Ying’s, guiding the group and introducing the sights.
"Central Capital City has four markets, divided into Southeast, Northeast, Southwest, and Northwest. Most items are similar, only Southeast has more affordable items, and Northwest has more rare offerings."
Jing Qianyu introduced, "Guangde Square we just visited is Southwest Market, generally with common items. If my sisters want rare items, they can visit Northwest Yuxiang Square, which has the finest silks, richest sandalwood incense, most splendid rouge, and exquisite jewelry that can’t be explored fully in a few days."
Shen Ying nodded and asked, "Besides the four major markets, are there other places worth visiting in Central Capital City?"
"Of course, of course!"
Central Capital City, Jing Qianyu was well acquainted, "There are many music clubs, painting clubs, chess clubs, and calligraphy clubs in the city where people play music, play chess, paint, read books, and discuss literature.
Also, there are theaters with plays, storytelling, magic tricks, and acrobatics.
There are also many competitions such as polo, cuju, pot throwing, archery, kite flying, and boat racing.
Rooster and dog fights are too cruel. If my sister is interested, there are insect fights, flower fights, and bird fights.
Besides..."
"Bird fights? What kind of birds? How do they fight?" Lu Zheng suddenly asked.
Si Lingxi squinted her eyes, while Liu Qingyan pinched Lu Zheng’s side.
"It’s a contest of voices!"
Jing Qianyu didn’t notice anything amiss and showed interest in bird fights, "Yellow Oriole, Canary, Hwamei, Magpie, Cuckoo, all have wonderful voices."
Lu Zheng nodded seriously, "I see, I misunderstood. I thought it meant falcons, hawks, or eagles fighting."
"Oh, that’s not it," Jing Qianyu shook her head.
Upon hearing Jing Qianyu’s introduction, Liu Qingyan was intrigued by one of the entertainments.
"Are there many opera performances in Central Capital City?"
"Many!" Jing Qianyu’s eyes gleamed, "Various troupes travel to different places for inspiration, launching new shows every year. Troupes from outside also enter the capital, bringing many operas."
Liu Qingyan’s eyes lit up, "Any good operas?"
"Absolutely!"
Jing Qianyu nodded repeatedly, counting them off on her fingers, "Chengyue Garden’s ’Mi Mountain Myth,’ Jade Water Garden’s ’Love Flower’s Story,’ Zhanhua Pavilion’s ’Fan’s Fate,’ Zhibu Studio’s ’Three Lifetimes of Love,’ all are excellent operas, captivating audiences."
"Hiss——"
Liu Qingyan inhaled sharply, her eyes instantly brightened. Aside from practicing medicine, her greatest hobby was watching opera and listening to music.
The wealth of opera troupes and abundance of operas in Central Capital City was evidently unmatched by Tonglin County and even Yizhou Prefecture.
This place was simply... Heaven!
Just as well, Shen Ying and Si Lingxi were not as obsessed as Liu Qingyan but also enjoyed watching opera.
Thus, the afternoon activity was decided.
"Which opera troupe is the nearest?" Liu Qingyan turned to ask.
"Zhibu Studio, though I’m not sure if they’re performing ’Three Lifetimes of Love’ this afternoon," Jing Qianyu said.
Shen Ying nodded, making a decision, "Let’s go have a look, even if it’s not, surely it won’t be a bad opera."
Jing Qianyu nodded, "Certainly, if any play gets booed by the audience, the theater’s reputation would be crushed, and it would take a tremendous effort to rebuild.
Zhibu Studio is regarded as one of the top theaters in Central Capital City."
"So what are we waiting for? Let’s go!"
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