Chapter 45: What a Monster

Hearing An Changming's words, Shen Xuan's expression paused, and he couldn't help smiling as he spoke.

"So Lady Miaoyu is your granddaughter? What a coincidence."

"My young friend knows my granddaughter as well?"

An Changming asked, looking rather surprised.

"To be honest with you, Elder An, I am the owner of this Come Again Pavilion."

Without beating around the bush, Shen Xuan answered straightforwardly.

"What!"

An Changming exclaimed in disbelief.

His loud voice immediately attracted the attention of the other guests in the restaurant.

Among them were the Empress and her companion.

"My Lord, why does that man look so familiar?"

Nanqiong Wan raised a hand to point toward the window and said.

The Empress's phoenix-like eyes narrowed. After recognizing An Changming's face, she spoke in a cold voice.

"That is Grand Chancellor An from the Imperial Hospital."

"An Changming? What is that old man doing here at the Come Again Pavilion instead of staying at the Imperial Hospital?"

Nanqiong Wan said with a hint of surprise.

"Unknown."

The Empress clearly showed little interest in the matter. She picked up the meat skewers that had just been served, took a very elegant bite, and savored the unique flavor lingering in her mouth, a look of profound satisfaction appearing on her face.

"Ahem! My young friend, do not jest with me. This is no laughing matter."

Noticing that quite a few gazes were fixed upon them, An Changming coughed lightly in embarrassment, then turned a rather serious look upon Shen Xuan.

"Elder An jests. How could I possibly use such a thing to fool you?"

Meeting An Changming's mildly warning gaze, Shen Xuan's expression remained completely unchanged as he spoke in a measured and confident tone.

"You really are the owner of this restaurant, young man?"

An Changming stared at Shen Xuan for a long moment. Seeing that the youth showed no signs of deceit, he believed him for the most part, yet still asked with a touch of lingering uncertainty.

"Without a doubt."

Shen Xuan's reply was concise and clear.

"Hiss..."

Looking at Shen Xuan's calm and composed expression, An Changming could not help drawing a sharp breath, and his voice dropped significantly.

"Then that Ten-Ingredient Vitality Porridge! You invented that as well?"

"Naturally."

Shen Xuan nodded, his expression remaining as tranquil as before.

"This... you young man are truly a monster! Even the most brilliant geniuses I have ever laid eyes on seem like mere fireflies compared to the bright moon when placed beside you!"

An Changming's expression was wonderfully vivid. The look he gave Shen Xuan was filled with a complex mixture of delight, shock, and a trace of incomprehension.

Yet all these conflicting emotions ultimately crystallized into a remarkably high praise.

If An Changming's words were to spread outside, the entire capital would likely be shaken to its core.

"You flatter me, Elder An. It is merely a bowl of medicinal broth; how could it be as miraculous as you say?"

Shen Xuan only smiled, speaking with absolute indifference.

To Shen Xuan, this was truly nothing worth boasting about. Given better medicinal ingredients, he could concoct even superior remedies.

Yet to An Changming's ears, Shen Xuan was simply being overly modest. Frowning slightly, he could not help offering some advice.

"My young friend, modesty is a virtue, but excessive modesty borders on arrogance. You are young; showing a bit of edge is hardly a bad thing. Have the vigor of a youth, rather than acting like an old man day in and day out."

"Elder An is right; I shall keep it in mind."

This time, Shen Xuan did not argue, but instead agreed with a cheerful smile.

An Changming nodded in satisfaction, wearing the expression of one who found his pupil teachable.

As he looked at the steady and poised youth before him, An Changming grew more fond of him by the moment. Remembering Shen Xuan's extraordinary attainments in medicine, he felt a strong urge to invite him into the Imperial Hospital on the spot.

However, rules were rules, and even as the head of the hospital, he could not easily break them.

Besides, the Imperial Hospital examinations were only a few days away. With Shen Xuan's capabilities, as long as the boy participated, passing was an absolute certainty, so there was no need for undue haste.

Having reasoned this out, a smile returned to An Changming's face. Just as he was about to speak and converse further with Shen Xuan, a commotion of arguing voices drifted in from the entrance of the Come Again Pavilion.

"I say, you old fellow, how can you not even know where your own grandson's restaurant is?"

Lu Wenrong looked at Old Master Qin before him and spoke with visible annoyance.

"Is that my fault? How many years have I been bedridden? It is already a miracle that I still remember the way to Vermilion Bird Avenue, and besides, this is my first time here as well."

Old Master Qin rolled his eyes, his tone equally displeased.

"On the contrary, you scoundrel Lu—since you didn't know the way either, why didn't you find someone who did to guide us? I daresay your mind has truly gone senile in your old age."

Old Master Qin sneered, looking at Lu Wenrong with undisguised contempt.

"You old immortal, you have the nerve to talk! How was I supposed to know that you old ghost didn't know the way either!"

Old Master Qin shouldn't have brought it up; the moment he did, Lu Wenrong's temper flared instantly and he launched right into a tirade.

"Look at you, why are you so hot-tempered? It only took us an hour longer! You are a dignified Vice Chancellor of the Taiping Academy and a renowned Confucian scholar of the realm—how can your composure be so lacking?"

Feeling a bit guilty, Old Master Qin nevertheless maintained a stubborn front.

"You still have the face to mention that hour! Do you have any idea how busy I am today? A journey that should have taken less than half an incense stick of time was dragged out into wandering the entire city because of you old fraud!"

The more Lu Wenrong spoke, the angrier he became. So much for scholarly composure! So much for the dignity of a grand scholar! To hell with all of it.

Right now, Lu Wenrong didn't care about anything else; he just wanted to berate this old bastard until he had nowhere to hide his face.

"Lu, you endless scoundrel, at least look at what kind of place this is!"

Hearing the words ringing in his ears, Old Master Qin's expression turned sour as he spoke in a cold voice.

"What is it, Mr. Qin? You make a mistake and refuse to admit it?"

Lu Wenrong refused to back down and instantly snapped right back.

"You old codger, are you looking for a fight?"

Old Master Qin pointed straight at Lu Wenrong's nose and demanded.

"Who's afraid of whom? Today I'll let you witness what the Six Arts of Confucianism truly mean!"

Lu Wenrong retorted without the slightest sign of weakness.

Seeing that the argument between the two was growing increasingly fierce and that a crowd of curious onlookers was beginning to gather around them, Shen Xuan frowned slightly at the familiar sounds echoing outside. He turned to An Changming with an apologetic expression.

"Please excuse me, Elder An. I need to go see what is happening at the entrance."

"No matter. I shall accompany you to take a look as well. Their voices sound rather familiar, don't they?"

An Changming waved a hand, stood up promptly, and spoke with a rather puzzled expression.

"Very well."

Shen Xuan raised no objection. With a nod, he took the lead and walked toward the exterior of the restaurant.

"My Lord, shall we go take a look?"

Nanqiong Wan stretched her neck to peer outside and, seeing the lively scene, asked the Empress with a smile.

The Empress set down the meat skewer she had just finished eating. Her pretty brows furrowed softly as she listened to the external clamor. For some reason, she also found those voices quite familiar, and after a brief thought, she instructed:

"Let's go take a look."