Liu Zhiwen didn't know why Qi Xingjie was here, nor why he was eating at the same table as the newly appointed female emperor. Even the former manager of the restaurant was present. He had no idea what their relationship was...
"Reporting to Your Majesty, all handover work has been completed. This subordinate came to Yong'an Town mainly to bring his wife's younger brother back to Cangzhou to reunite with his family." Liu Zhiwen was still quite flustered, but he managed to answer calmly.
"Wife's younger brother? Is your wife's younger brother in our private room? ... Could it be young master Qi?" As if she had thought of something, Su Muqing looked at Qi Xingjie with a smile.
After all, besides Old Tu and Qi Xingjie, everyone else in the private room was someone she had brought. It was impossible for her companions to be Liu Zhiwen's wife's younger brother.
Su Muqing vaguely remembered that when they dealt with those thugs, they had to leave and couldn't stay to handle the situation. Qi Xingjie had said that besides the town mayor, there was someone else who would back him up.
Later, by the time they started handling the matter, Su Muqing and her group had already left Yong'an Town, so they hadn't met the person Qi Xingjie mentioned.
Judging by age, Old Tu looked even older than Liu Zhiwen, so he couldn't be his wife's younger brother. That left only Qi Xingjie.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Xingjie is indeed this subordinate's wife's younger brother. He..."
The conversation between Su Muqing and Liu Zhiwen was like a thunderclap. The moment it sounded, Old Tu and the young master Qi Xingjie trembled uncontrollably.
So it was her! It was actually her!
"Brother-in-law, you, who are you calling? You said she, she is the emperor? Su Muqing is the emperor? The newly appointed one..."
"Presumptuous! Before Your Majesty, do not speak nonsense. Why aren't you kneeling down to beg for forgiveness... Your Majesty, my wife's younger brother is usually unruly and undisciplined. He did not disrespect you. I beg you to forgive him this time." Qi Xingjie's words truly terrified Liu Zhiwen. He quickly rebuked him and then hurriedly pleaded with Su Muqing for forgiveness.
Well, now it was confirmed. The person they thought couldn't possibly be the female emperor, turned out to be the female emperor...
"Plop"
"Plop"
Old Tu and Qi Xingjie's faces turned pale, and they knelt down together, bowing deeply to Su Muqing. Even though it was already a cool season, both of them broke out in a cold sweat from fright.
Seeing their expressions, Su Muqing sighed helplessly. It seemed she was about to lose two friends she could get along with.
"Lord Liu, there's no need to be so afraid. I have known your wife's younger brother for some time and have become accustomed to his way of speaking and actions, so there's no need for forgiveness."
In fact, Su Muqing quite liked the previous way she interacted with Old Tu and Qi Xingjie. Back then, they thought she was a divine physician. While they respected her greatly, they weren't afraid of her.
They also spoke to her directly, without being timid or hesitant, and they could sit together to discuss matters and express their opinions freely. It was just that now her identity had been revealed, and she feared such a scene would never happen again.
Su Muqing glanced at the two who had clearly become frightened and reserved. She first asked them to rise, and then said to Liu Zhiwen, "Shopkeeper Tu, young master Qi, you may also rise! Ignorance is not a crime. It was I who intentionally concealed my identity to befriend you both. Naturally, I will not blame you for not adhering to proper etiquette."
Seeing Su Muqing's attitude, Liu Zhiwen breathed a sigh of relief. "Many thanks, Your Majesty the Empress!"
"Many thanks, Your Majesty the Empress!" Compared to Liu Zhiwen's relaxation, Shopkeeper Tu and Qi Xingjie's hearts were still pounding.
Qi Xingjie felt a little guilty. Although they became acquainted after a quarrel, the circumstances of their initial meeting weren't very pleasant. At that time, he had even brought a group of people to confront her!
Old Tu also felt a bit guilty. After all, before he knew Su Muqing's true identity, he had blurted out a lot of irrelevant things to them.
The three slowly stood up. Compared to Liu Zhiwen's calm composure, Old Tu and Qi Xingjie had to support each other to stand firm.
The atmosphere in the private room had shifted from cheerful to cautious. Su Muqing disliked this atmosphere, so she said to Liu Zhiwen.
"An unexpected encounter is better than a planned meeting. Since we've met by chance today, let's sit down and have a meal together! Someone, add a set of bowls and chopsticks for Lord Liu."
Liu Zhiwen hadn't expected Su Muqing not only wouldn't be angry but would also ask him to sit down and eat together. He quickly thanked her in a flattered manner, "Many thanks for Your Majesty's grace. This minister thanks the sovereign for her kindness!"
Leng Ao and the others chimed in at the opportune moment, "Young master Qi, Shopkeeper Tu, you should sit down too! We've only eaten halfway through. We haven't had enough yet!"
Even though Su Muqing had stated her intention, Leng Ren and the others were still trying to liven up the atmosphere. However, the subsequent hot pot session felt like it could never return to its original state.
Old Tu and Qi Xingjie abandoned their hearty eating style. Not only did they not dare to speak as freely as before, but they couldn't even look directly at others. Their expressions and actions became somewhat timid and subservient.
As for Liu Zhiwen, there was no need to say more. He had always maintained his official demeanor and was respectful from beginning to end, leaving no room for criticism. Naturally, he couldn't blend in.
Thus, the hot pot ended quickly. Liu Zhiwen also sensed that his presence had made the atmosphere a bit awkward. After finishing the meal, he said he had other matters to attend to and left alone.
The same group of people sat together. Shopkeeper Tu and Qi Xingjie were still somewhat restrained. Later, seeing Su Muqing and the others speaking and interacting in a similar manner to before, without any difference due to their changed identities, the two gradually relaxed a bit.
In the time that followed, although the two were not as active or as unrestrained as before, they were at least more at ease than when they had first learned of Su Muqing's identity.
When their conversation neared its end, Su Muqing and her group had to leave. Before departing, she entrusted Qi Xingjie and Old Tu with the responsibility of opening hot pot branches in several nearby prefectures.
Of course, under Su Muqing, the person who was originally in charge of training talent for the hot pot restaurants would stay for a while to guide them, leaving only after the two became familiar and proficient.
Thus, the main group left Yong'an Town again. It had to be said that this reunion with old friends was not as enjoyable as it could have been. Because from then on, the world gained two more people who respected and revered her.
And Su Muqing, from then on, lost two friends with whom she could sit at the same table, talk casually, and be completely uninhibited.
The heights were lonely indeed!