Don't disturb me, I won't be a concubine

Hearing Du Manting's evaluation of the teahouse, Dong Jiafu was secretly happy. It was the kind of happiness that came from being recognized.

"Thank you for liking Mingxin Teahouse and Future Guests."

Du Manting tilted her head and said, "Why thank me? I didn't stop going to that teahouse because of you. I just don't like their thief-like behavior. How can their writings compare to Future Guest's?"

"It is precisely because you make your judgment based entirely on your own preferences that it is more meaningful to me...our Mingxin Teahouse."

"Since you all know that the teahouse learned from you, why don't you go find them?" Du Manting came to her senses.

"My second brother and I went to look for them, but their boss avoided us. My second brother also asked around, but the boss behind this is very mysterious and no one knows."

"Humph, this is what it means to be a guilty thief!"

"Let's not talk about this anymore," Dong Jiafu poured her some more hot water, "It's almost the end of the year, and there might be snow on the way to Liangzhou. When do you plan to leave Beijing?"

"I'm not going back. I'm going to spend the New Year in Beijing this year."

Dong Jiafu couldn't help but ask, "Have you discussed this with your father?"

"Hey, what's that look in your eyes?" Du Manting was angry. "I lied before, but this time it was my grandmother who wrote to my father and asked me to stay and spend the New Year with her."

Dong Jiafu apologized quickly, "I didn't mean anything else. I just think it's Chinese New Year after all. If you leave General Du alone in Liangzhou because you're afraid of being punished like last time, I'm afraid it won't be appropriate. It must be unpleasant to spend the New Year alone, and your father will miss you too."

"I know what you said, but my grandmother is old, and my aunt and uncle wanted me to spend the New Year with her in the capital just because I came back. They were worried about me going back to Liangzhou in such a cold weather, so they wrote a letter to my father. I should receive a reply from my father in a few days, and he will agree."

At this point, Du Manting's eyes turned red. "This may be the last New Year I spend with my grandmother. Although I also want to go back to be with my father, I can still spend many New Years with him in the future, but I don't have many such opportunities with my grandmother."

Time waits for no one, and everyone will grow old. Those who are away from home will have less time to spend with their loved ones, so they should cherish such opportunities.

Dong Jiafu said gently: "Since you have decided to stay, be happy and don't think too much about sad things."

Du Manting smiled and said, "You are right. Fortunately, even if I don't go back, my father will not be alone. He can celebrate the New Year with the soldiers in the barracks."

Speaking of this, she opened up again, "You don't know, the New Year's Eve in the military camp is so lively..."

"Knock knock knock--" There was a knock on the door.

Dong Jiafu stood up and said, "Wait a moment, I'll go take a look."

Opening the door, it was the apprentice.

"Miss Dong, there is a patient who wants to see you. Is it convenient for you now?"

"Seeing patients is more important. Go ahead and do your work. I won't bother you." Du Manting stood up after hearing that. "It feels good to talk to you. I don't have many friends in Beijing. Can I make an appointment with you again when you're not busy?"

"Of course," Dong Jiafu nodded, "You can come to my house, or we can go out together."

"That's settled, I'm leaving."

Du Manting declined Dong Jiafu's offer to see her off and left the clinic.

In winter, the days are short and the nights are long. When Dong Jiafu came out of the clinic after seeing all the patients, it was already dark outside.

When Meng Dong saw her, he kept winking at her.

Dong Jiafu didn't understand, so she walked up and asked, "What's wrong?"

Meng Dong smiled and pointed outside, "The prince is waiting for you, go quickly."

Dong Jiafu looked carefully and saw the familiar carriage.

"Let's go together."

Meng Dong waved his hand, "I won't be that eyesore."

Dong Jiafu laughed, "Who said you're an eyesore? Besides, Ji Bai is here. It's getting dark soon, and I'm worried about you going back alone."

"Let's go." Dong Jiafu pulled her out.

"Are you done with your work?" Cui Qi Yan walked over with a smile.

Meng Dong bowed and quickly stepped aside.

"It's so cold, you don't have to come to pick me up in person." When Cui Qi Yan approached, Dong Jiafu could feel the coldness from his body, and she didn't know how long he had been waiting.

"You should come when the weather gets cold. Take it." Cui Qiyan took out a hot water bottle from his cloak and gave it to her.

Dong Jiafu reached out and took it, and immediately felt warm.

"Get in." Cui Qi Yan helped her into the carriage.

Meng Dong refused to enter the carriage and sat outside with Ji Bai.

Ji Bai drove the carriage happily, and did not forget to block the wind for Meng Dong.

"I'll bring you a hot water bottle next time, too."

Meng Dong put his hands in his pockets and rolled his eyes at him, "It's hindsight."

"I just didn't expect you to come with us. Next time... no, from now on, no matter whether you get on the carriage or not, I will definitely take you with me." Ji Bai apologized in a low voice.

"Watch the road." Meng Dong deliberately kept a cold face, and when Ji Bai turned his head away, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but rise.

In the carriage, Cui Qiyan and Dong Jiafu were also talking.

"Afu, what month do you think is a good time for our wedding?" Without waiting for Dong Jiafu to speak, Cui Qiyan continued, "Your second brother is getting married in February, so why don't we go with March? March is a good time because peach blossoms are in full bloom."

Seeing his serious expression, Dong Jiafu quickly expressed her opinion, "Isn't Sanyue too anxious? I haven't prepared anything yet."

"You don't have to prepare. I'll find the best embroidery workshop in the capital to sew your wedding dress and send it to you when it's done. You just have to wait for our wedding day and I'll come to marry you."

"But getting married requires not only wedding clothes, but also dowry, a lot of things."

"The dowry doesn't matter. From now on, everything that belongs to me is yours."

Dong Jiafu still shook her head. "My mother is helping me prepare these. The wedding date is too tight, and I'm afraid it will make her anxious. Her health has just recovered."

Cui Qiyan whispered, "I was inconsiderate. I only thought about marrying you as soon as possible and spending time with you, but I forgot about my aunt."

"Don't we ask someone to match our horoscopes and calculate an auspicious date for the wedding? How about we choose a suitable date from there?" Dong Jiafu discussed with him.

"Okay, it's up to you."

A few days later, Dong Jiafu handed the script of the second part of "Legend of Sword and Fairy" to Dong Jialin.

Dong Jialin was delighted after receiving it, "Great! Once this script is published, I wonder how many customers can stay at Mingxiang Teahouse."

"How is the layout of the restaurant going, second brother?"

"Almost. I plan to open it after the New Year." Dong Jialin has been holding a lot of anger these days and has put all his energy into the restaurant, hoping to expand the business and give a good slap to the face of the person hiding in the dark.

"I want to see if that person dares to imitate even the restaurant."

Dong Jiafu listened silently. They didn't know who was behind Mingxiang Teahouse, but they were able to be so mysterious and go against them at all costs, which meant that they at least had some strength.