Inside the Shenyang Palace, Princess Chenxi was waiting.
However, Chu Xiaoniang wasn't dressed in princess attire today. Instead, she had tied up her hair and donned male clothing, looking like a graceful and handsome young nobleman.
"Chenxi, you're dressed , are you planning to leave the palace?"
Upon seeing Chenxi, Chu Yuan laughed.
Although royal life can be cruel and lack familial affection more than an ordinary family, Chu Yuan's family of one son and three daughters did not have power struggles that would lead to cold detachment. Therefore, they were somewhat warmer to each other.
Additionally, the eldest and second princesses had both already left the royal dynasty.
Only Chu Yuan and Princess Chenxi remained in the capital.
"Imperial Brother, you're finally back."
Chu Xiaoniang exclaimed excitedly, "Imperial Brother, you're truly wise. I indeed wish to leave the palace. My master says my martial arts skills have greatly improved and has granted me a day's leave. Imperial Brother, wouldn't it be more interesting to accompany your sister outside the palace than staying inside or going to the Divine Martial Camp?"
Chu Xiaoniang's master was Zhu Fengfeng.
"Oh? Where does Chenxi want to go?"
Chu Yuan slightly replied, as dressing hinted she was going out of the palace.
"My master managed to get two invitations to Miaoyin House. The holy woman Mu Rou will be present today. I've heard that the holy woman is as beautiful as a goddess, and I'm very curious about her. Therefore, I wanted to invite Imperial Brother to accompany me to see this holy woman."
Two golden invitations appeared in Chu Xiaoniang's hand, with the three characters 'Miaoyin House' written imposingly.
Chu Yuan remembered that Miaoyin House was a unique power established in the Imperial City, frequented by nobles and influential families who were there for scholarly pursuits and leisure. It was a very refined place.
What was most attractive about Miaoyin House was the beauties within who surpassed those outside, especially their holy women.
The holy woman was replaced every three years. This holy woman named Mu Rou who had just arrived in the Imperial City this year, had caused many young nobles to spend their fortunes to indulge in the Miaoyin House.
[Option One: Reject Princess Chenxi's invitation, stay in the palace, create the God-Machine Cannon, gain one hundred Destiny Points.]
[Option Two: Private visit in disguise, leave the palace and go to Miaoyin House, gain one hundred Destiny Points.]
"Since my sister has such a refined interest, how can I, as a brother, bear to disappoint her? Wait a moment, I will change my clothes and accompany you to Miaoyin House to see if this Mu Rou is indeed like a goddess."
Chu Yuan turned around to change his clothes.
"Ding! The host made Choice Two, gain one hundred Destiny Points."
"Current Destiny Points balance, eight hundred points."
For an emperor on Earth to leave the palace incognito, it would be incredibly troublesome, with many experts having to accompany him for protection.
However, in a world where practitioners exist, Chu Yuan didn't need it as he himself is an extremely skilled martial artist.
Imperial City, bustling and noisy.
The wide streets were thronged with common people and merchants.
By September, a slight chill had entered the area where Dawu was located, but the city's residents were still dressed in simple clothing.
Dawu promoted martial arts, even the ordinary citizens had cultivation at the nurturing stage.
As soon as Chu Xiaoniang left the Royal Palace and saw the bustling streets, her eyes immediately lit up, and she lingered in front of various stalls and vendors.
Dawu promoted martial arts, and the people were open-minded with various peculiar skills that could create all sorts of trinkets.
"Indeed, it's lively."
Although Chu Yuan had been in this world for quite some time after crossing over, he spent most of his time cultivating within the palace. He hadn't really observed the daily life in Dawu. Seeing the prosperity all around him now delighted his heart as an Emperor.
"Young master, do you want this folding fan? It's perfect for scholars like you."
An elderly man with a face full of wrinkles but brimming with vitality marketed his folding fans to Chu Yuan from his stall.
"This folding fan is quite interesting."
Chu Yuan bought two folding fans, one for Chu Xiaoniang. He unfolded it in his hand and waved it. The landscapes depicted on the fan seemed so lifelike; it almost appeared as if the people drawn on it were moving.
"Brother, I'm hungry. Shall we go dine at the Full Moon Pavilion?"
It seemed like Chu Xiaoniang was a bit tired from playing and suggested this to Chu Yuan.
"You, I suspect your goal wasn't just to watch the fairies in the Music Pavilion but also to dine at the Full Moon Pavilion. Is the food the Imperial Chef makes in the palace not to your taste?"
Chu Yuan chuckled at Chu Xiaoniang.
"The food from the palace's Imperial Chef is good, but I'm bored from eating it every day. I've heard that the food at Full Moon Pavilion has a unique taste. Many princes and ministers from the court love eating here. I want you, brother, to taste their delicacies too."
There was a sparkle in Chu Xiaoniang's eyes.
"Let's go to the Full Moon Pavilion then." Chu Yuan had never tasted the food of this world before.
At the eastern area of the Imperial Dynasty, there was a spacious restaurant. Though it had only three levels, its area was massive. At mealtime, you could see many finely dressed individuals entering the Full Moon Pavilion.
The Full Moon Pavilion was one of the most high-end restaurants within the Imperial City. Even a casual dine-in would cost a hundred taels of silver, too expensive for ordinary civilians to afford.
"Please come in, dear guests."
The manager saw that Chu Yuan and Chu Xiaoniang were out of the ordinary and warmly asked, "Would the two of you like to dine on the first floor, sit at the elegant seats on the second floor, or take a private room on the third floor?"
"We'll take an elegant seat on the second floor."
Chu Yuan casually tossed a gold coin to the manager.
The Great Wu Dynasty had several forms of currency. Copper Coin was the most common, followed by Silver Coin, then Gold Coin, and finally Magic Crystals mined from the Magic Crystal vein.
Of course, Magic Crystals were a form of currency used only by martial arts experts, and ordinary civilians did not require it.
The elegant seats were unique and not as noisy as the first floor. The manager, pleased by the gold coin he received, escorted Chu Yuan to a window seat, joyfully asking, "What would you like to eat? Our Full Moon Pavilion's food is the best in the Imperial City, it's even better than dishes prepared by the Imperial Chef. Even the Emperor himself praises it after tasting."
"Oh? Even the Emperor praised it?" Chu Yuan laughed, "In that case, bring me the best dishes you have."
"Right away, sir. Please wait awhile." The waiter took his leave.
Before long, several waiters carrying more than a dozen trays arrived, serving up more than twenty kinds of delicacies whose invigorating aroma intoxicated them even before they started eating.
"Is this Flood Dragon meat?"
Chu Yuan expressed his astonishment. He picked up a translucent piece of meat with his chopsticks and slowly chewed, then exclaimed, "And it's from a Flood Dragon in the Original Spirit Realm too. I'm amazed the Full Moon Pavilion can get such things."
"Sir, we have experts standing by in our Full Moon Pavilion. After the tide of beasts from Mount ten thousand beasts was repelled, our experts went with the Forbidden Army to hunt beasts, and they brought back many good items."
The waiter explained, "The private rooms on the third floor even serve Divine Abilities beasts' meat. However, only guests of a certain standing can dine there. Members from the six ministries, not to boast, many significant figures enjoy dining at our Full Moon Pavilion."
"Alright, you may leave now." Chu Yuan waved his hand dismissively.
"Brother, wasn't I right? The food here at the Full Moon Pavilion tastes entirely different from what the Imperial Chefs prepare."
Chu Xiaoniang's eyes were already sparkling. She sampled a bit from each dish, her eyes squinting into crescents.
"Indeed, it tastes different from what the Imperial Chefs make." Chu Yuan did not deny, "If you like it, I will have the cooks from the Full Moon Pavilion prepare meals for you in the palace frequently."