Chapter 43: My Husband

Not only was the Fifth Young Master utterly perplexed, but even Du Xiaomei was left half-bewildered, her eyes glazed in confusion.

The Orleans Set Menu?

When had Drunken Immortal Tavern begun serving such a celebrated delicacy? How was it that she had not heard a thing about it? Judging by the fervent discussions among the passersby and the look of righteous indignation on their faces, it seemed that this dish... was truly delicious beyond compare. Otherwise, it could never have gained such renown, becoming the talk of the entire street!

"Fifth Young Master, shall we go and have a look ourselves?" Du Xiaomei suggested, her eyes sparkling.

"Good idea!" The Fifth Young Master was immediately intrigued and nodded in agreement, accompanying Du Xiaomei straight to the Drunken Immortal Tavern.

Before long, Du Xiaomei and her three companions arrived at their destination and found a comfortable spot to sit.

"Waiter, bring us each an Orleans Set Menu!" Du Xiaomei ordered after taking her seat, eager to sample the flavor of this dish everyone seemed to be praising to the skies—was it truly as delicious as they all claimed?

However, the waiter who greeted them wore an apologetic expression. "I'm terribly sorry, gentlemen, but the one hundred Orleans Set Menus allotted for today have all been sold out. Perhaps you would like to order something else?"

"What, sold out?!" Du Xiaomei and the Fifth Young Master exclaimed in unison, almost unable to believe that the rumors were true. This Orleans Set Menu was not only limited to one hundred servings a day, but once sold out, there was no chance at another. If one wished to taste it, one had to come back the next day.

Du Xiaomei was immediately disappointed. Crestfallen, she asked, "Waiter, are you sure the Orleans Set Menu is really sold out?"

"Completely sold out, sir," the waiter replied earnestly, handing over the menu with a smile and continuing to recommend other signature dishes. "Our other specialties are also quite delicious. Why not have a look?"

"Oh, all right..." Du Xiaomei pouted, her face tinged with regret. Still, she maintained her composure and did not trouble the waiter further, simply taking the menu and glancing through it with little interest. Her appetite had all but vanished.

It was the Fifth Young Master, however, who wrinkled his nose a little and tried his luck. "Waiter, you see, the two of us came all this way especially to try the Orleans Set Menu." With a charming smile on his handsome face, he pleaded, "Is there any way you could make an exception for us?"

Du Xiaomei, her appetite rekindled, looked at the waiter with wide, hopeful eyes. Her husband always said that those who were naturally adorable and coquettish were the most popular. Surely, with the Fifth Young Master's appeal, the waiter would acquiesce...

She calculated silently in her heart. Of course, she herself would never act cute in front of anyone but Li Yi.

Yet the waiter's response was unwavering. "I'm terribly sorry, gentlemen," he said smoothly, his expression unchanged. "Our proprietor has set the rule: one hundred servings per day, and once they’re gone, that’s it. If you wish to try it, please come again tomorrow."

Du Xiaomei and the Fifth Young Master exchanged speechless glances. The other diners nearby, witnessing this, felt a sense of kinship in disappointment.

One patron chimed in, "There's no point in insisting, gentlemen. The owner's rules at Drunken Immortal Tavern are set in stone."

"That's right... Just now, another young master offered fifty taels of gold for a single Orleans Set Menu. He ended up meeting the owner and left with his tail between his legs."

"The proprietor of this tavern is truly a strange character!"

"Isn't that so? Most business owners are eager for profit and treat customers as royalty, but this one dares to run things his own way!"

"Still, the Orleans Set Menu is so delicious that I'm perfectly willing to return tomorrow..."

The faces of the diners were all aglow with a reluctant admiration, while the waiter could only smile apologetically.

For Du Xiaomei and the Fifth Young Master, the more they heard, the more astonished they became.

"Could there really be such a person in this world?" they wondered, baffled.

In the end, they had no choice but to give up on tasting the Orleans Set Menu that day. Faced with such a business owner, they could only accept their fate. They certainly would not use their status to coerce someone into breaking the rules.

Both of them were well-mannered, far from the sort who would act unreasonably or with entitled arrogance. Such a thing was beneath them.

"Never mind, bring us two of your signature dishes instead," the Fifth Young Master said at last, sighing in resignation.

"Certainly, gentlemen. Please wait just a moment; your food will be out shortly." The waiter heaved a sigh of relief and hurried off to the kitchen.

At that moment, Du Xiaomei looked at the Fifth Young Master, her face full of disappointment. "Fifth Young Master, this is my fault. Tomorrow morning, I'll have someone deliver the Orleans Set Menu to your residence."

"There's no need for that, Xiaomei," the Fifth Young Master replied with a wry smile and shook his head. "It's not a big deal that we missed out. It's hardly your fault anyway—how could I blame you? With our friendship, there’s no need for such apologies."

Still, the Fifth Young Master found himself ever more curious. Was the Orleans Set Menu truly so delectable?

"Ah, I have no appetite at all now..." Du Xiaomei sighed, unable to summon any interest in the signature dishes that were brought before them.

She let her gaze wander around the tavern, and suddenly, she caught sight of a familiar silhouette. Her eyes widened, and she froze in place, as if turned to stone.

"What's wrong, Xiaomei?" the Fifth Young Master asked, intrigued. He had never seen her in such a state—except, of course, when her husband was involved.

"Fifth Young Master, I... I think I just saw... my husband..." Du Xiaomei replied, her voice trembling and her eyes sparkling with unconcealed delight.

"Uh, your husband...?" The Fifth Young Master stared in confusion, following her gaze with deep skepticism.

(End of this chapter)