There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 73 Dating Lovers

On top were three cantaloupes, a bunch of grapes, eight oranges, four sweet pears, and ten pieces of watermelon (Li Shuchen had cut half a watermelon into pieces).

Princess Changning: "Li Shuchen, these fruits smell so good, give me some!"

Li Shuchen said, "Don't worry, you'll get your share."

After saying that, he asked Gu Ziying, "Shall we pray for blessings first?"

Gu Ziying nodded: "Yes."

Li Shuchen then asked, "So what should we beg for?"

Liang Yuying replied, "Legend has it that the Seventh Sister (the Weaver Girl) was a skilled weaver in heaven. We begged her to teach us her ingenious craftsmanship."

Three people had already knelt down during the conversation, and Li Shuchen quickly knelt down as well. The four of them faced the full moon and put their hands together in prayer.

Li Shuchen silently rejoiced in his heart.

"Weaver Girl, do you see the fruits and snacks I've prepared for you behind me? They're delicious! Please try some. I, Li Shuchen, hereby express my gratitude..."

Beg for beauty and skill; beg for a pretty face;

I beg for knowledge, I beg for wisdom;

I pray for health, I pray for peace of mind;

I beg for wealth, I beg for talent;

I pray that my family will always be healthy;

May my dear friend be free from worries year after year;

I beg you to become rich overnight and make a fortune.

May everything go smoothly and may you be free and unrestrained;

I, Li Shuchen, once again make a wish to the Weaver Girl, hoping that she can bless all the girls in the world with confidence, happiness, freedom, wealth, good fortune, fair skin, beauty, and long legs.

I beg you, I beg you, Goddess Weaver Girl, please grant my wish, seeing how sincere I am!

Li Shuchen recited the prayer three times from beginning to end. After making his wish, he kowtowed three times with great sincerity.

When Li Shuchen opened her eyes after kowtowing, Gu Ziying, Princess Changning, and Liang Yuying were all staring at her.

Princess Changning asked, "What did you wish for? Why did it take so long?"

Li Shuchen smiled mysteriously and said, "I can't say, or it won't work."

Princess Changning: "Oh, now I can finally eat some fruit, right?"

Li Shuchen didn't reply to Princess Changning, but instead clasped his hands together and murmured, "Weaver Girl, have you finished tasting it? If you have, I'll eat it."

A flash of light suddenly appeared on Li Shuchen's desk, then disappeared.

This must be the Weaver Girl telling herself that she has already tasted it all.

Li Shuchen said, "Alright, we can eat now. The Weaver Girl said she's finished eating."

Princess Changning: "How did you know?"

Li Shuchen? Could it be that only he saw that fleeting light?

Li Shuchen replied, "It's just my intuition. Eat quickly."

He then handed each of the three girls a slice of watermelon. The watermelon had been chilling in well water before being cut, giving it a cool, sweet flavor.

Li Shuchen couldn't wait to take a bite. Mmm~, this is the taste, this is the feeling!

Liang Yuying: "Shu Chen, this watermelon is so sweet!"

Li Shuchen nodded: "It is indeed sweet."

Princess Changning: "It's about the same as what was offered as tribute."

Li Shuchen: "Really?"

Gu Ziying nodded: "I was fortunate enough to have it once before, and it's indeed about the same."

Li Shuchen laughed and said, "Then I'm going to make a fortune! You guys should try some other things!"

The four of them, holding fruit, sat in a row on the steps, eating and gazing at the stars.

"The night sky is cool as water, I sit and watch the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl stars."

Princess Changning: "Li Shuchen, your fruits are so good, let's cooperate. My connections with the imperial relatives and nobles will guarantee you a smooth sale, and I don't mind paying a high price. What do you say?"

Li Shuchen didn't rush to answer. He thought for a moment. The title of Princess Changning carried its own intimidating power. Presumably, fruit shops bearing her name wouldn't be disturbed or ostracized by powerful families, and they would have a stable sales channel. It was indeed feasible, but he still needed to ask Ziying's opinion.

Li Shuchen looked at Gu Ziying, who nodded in agreement.

Li Shuchen replied, "Okay, Ziying is also a partner, and Yuying will also be involved in the shops that Ziying opens."

Liang Yuying was clearly confused and asked, "Me?"

Li Shuchen: "Yes, I need many highly skilled martial artists to transport the fruits and vegetables, and to guard the fruit and vegetable shops day and night. You provide the manpower."

Gu Ziying and Princess Changning had no objections, and neither would they. First of all, these were fruits grown by Li Shuchen, and it was her decision who she wanted to cooperate with.

Secondly, everyone is aware of Liang Yuying's situation, and they understand that Li Shuchen wants to help her, which is good.

What Gu Ziying and Princess Changning understood, Liang Yuying naturally understood as well. She knew that Li Shuchen simply wanted to help her, and that she did indeed need it.

Liang Yuying replied, "Thank you, Shu Chen."

Li Shuchen grinned: "No problem, how do we split the profits?"

Princess Changning spoke up: "Li Shuchen gets 40%, Gu Ziying gets 30%, I get 20%, and Liang Yuying gets 10%. Is there a problem?"

After listening, none of the three had any objections, and the matter was settled amicably. They also finished eating all the fruit.

Li Shuchen washed his hands and asked, "What should we do next?"

Gu Ziying: "Go to North Street, there's a lantern festival, it's very lively."

Li Shuchen: Let's go.

The four walked to North Street. Li Shuchen looked into the distance and saw a row of bright lights illuminating the entire North Street.

The streets were bustling with people, and the girls, all dressed in new clothes, gathered in small groups, beaming with joy.

After the four entered, Li Shuchen saw a group of people playing games; the women were tying colorful ropes and threading needles with holes.

Li Shuchen asked, "Ziying, what game is this?"

Gu Ziying: "'Threading the needle' - the faster a woman threads the needle, the more she begs for, signifying her dexterity. Shu Chen, do you want to play?"

Li Shuchen: "No," she only wanted to get rich quick.

Li Shuchen saw the candied hawthorn vendor, quickly caught up, and bought four sticks.

When they went back to find them, Gu Ziying was gone.

Li Shuchen asked, "Where is Ziying?"

Liang Yuying replied, "She said she had something to do and would meet us later."

Li Shuchen: "Oh, oh"

Then, a candied hawthorn was given to Princess Changning and Liang Yuying each. Li Shuchen kept one for herself, one in each hand. Since Ziying wasn't there, she had no choice but to eat two by herself, tears welling in her eyes. The sweet and sour taste was quite to her liking.

Lantern vendor: "Girls, come and see my lanterns! They're exquisitely beautiful. You can write a wish on them and release them into the river."

Li Shuchen, make a wish! She loves making wishes.

Li Shuchen: "Boss, give me three lanterns, the biggest and most beautiful ones."

Lantern vendor: "Alright, young lady, please take this. You can write here."

Li Shuchen gave each of them one, then took one for himself, went to the side, dipped a brush in ink, and began writing on the lampshade.

"Women are all free, like birds surveying the four continents."

The three of them finished writing and came to the riverbank, where thousands of lanterns floated, carrying the girls' best wishes.

Li Shuchen also squatted down and released the river lantern in his hand, then closed his eyes and prayed. If his wish came true, he would exchange it for anything.

When I opened my eyes again, the river lanterns had already drifted far away, blending into the crowd.

Li Shuchen asked, "What else do we need to do?"

Princess Changning: "Let's just wander around."

Li Shuchen: "Then let's continue walking in."

The three turned and walked onto the street.

This step forward had a significant impact. Li Shuchen saw a man and a woman in the shadows ahead, gazing deeply into each other's eyes. They were a handsome couple, looking exceptionally well-matched. Ziying hadn't lied to her after all; they really were lovers, pouring out their hearts to each other.

These two figures... why do they look so familiar to her?