The Darling of Heaven Owns a Rip-off Shop

Why does Liao Wu feel troubled?

Because Gushan Temple is welcoming two distinguished guests today.

One is the Princess of Prince Kang. That one is easy—they were notified in advance and have already made preparations for her.

But there’s another guest, even more esteemed. It’s the Emperor himself.

The biggest issue is that the Emperor is incognito, disguised as a commoner. He just brought a few guards and eunuchs to Gushan Temple. The Chief Eunuch specifically instructed not to reveal their identities.

Liao Wu thought it over again and again, and finally made a decision; for the next two days, Gushan Temple will be closed, receiving only these two distinguished guests. No one else can be admitted. Otherwise, if things become disorderly and something happens, even demolishing Gushan Temple wouldn’t suffice for this responsibility.

The Princess arrived close to noon, and the vegetarian meal at Gushan Temple was already prepared for her.

Looking at the table laden with fragrant vegetarian dishes, the Princess nodded with satisfaction and said to Xia He, ”Remember to add more incense money.”

”Yes,” Xia He responded.

After the Princess finished her evening meal, Liao Wu personally received the Princess.

”Princess Kang, please try our Gushan Temple’s bitter tea. At first taste, it might seem somewhat bitter, but the aftertaste is sweet,” Liao Wu personally poured tea for Princess Kang.

”Thank you,” the Princess nodded, ”I’ve heard that after a rain, many fresh mushrooms grow on your back mountain.”

”Yes, there is a house by the entrance to the back mountain, where two little monks guard the area. If the Princess is interested, she can go there and ask them for a basket and a small hoe to harvest mushrooms or dig bamboo shoots. Once brought back, the kitchen will cook the dishes you specify,” Liao Wu said.

”This idea, did you come up with it?” The Princess smiled at the monk before her. Gushan Temple’s fame now, this Master Liao Wu has contributed immensely. Fireflies, delicious vegetarian meals, and encouraging visitors to pick their own ingredients themselves are very appealing to the nobility.

”Let the Princess see humor in it,” Liao Wu laughed, ”Today’s air is quite humid, perhaps it will rain tonight. Tomorrow, the Princess can experience the joy of picking mushrooms and digging bamboo shoots firsthand.”

”Thank you,” the Princess nodded, ”Then I won’t trouble Master Wu for now. If there’s anything, I’ll send someone to find the Master.”

”Then this humble monk won’t disturb the Princess’s elegant interest. By the way, Princess, there’s another distinguished guest in the temple. Hmm, the Princess should know them, so I won’t say more,” Liao Wu stood up to take his leave.

”Oh? Okay,” the Princess was slightly puzzled but did not ask further, thinking it might be some lady or noblewoman she recognized.

Despite the summer heat, Gushan Temple remained lush green and remarkably cool.

At sunset, after finishing her evening meal, the Princess prepared to go to the little lake on the rear mountain to admire the evening scene of fireflies dancing; she didn’t want to miss it.

The winding stone path led to the back mountain, and the path wasn’t difficult to walk because the stones were polished very smoothly. There were garden lanterns illuminating the road at intervals, and there were various insect noises in the air. Walking on such a path provided a great experience, undoubtedly another touch by Master Liao Wu.

Xia He and Qiu Ju walked in front, both holding lanterns.

”The wind’s picking up...” the Princess suddenly stopped and whispered.

”Master Liao Wu suggested it might rain tonight,” Chun Lan said, so they also prepared rain gear in case it starts raining halfway through.