There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 196 Hysterical Patients

Li Shuchen wholeheartedly agreed with this, and she couldn't let such an awkward and uncomfortable situation happen.

"After we finish eating, let's see what new drinks they have, and we can buy some to enjoy."

Upon hearing this, Li Lingxiao was deeply moved. His older sister must have felt sorry for him and wanted him to have a pleasant time at the temple fair, which was why she offered to buy him some fresh drinks.

"My older sister is so good to Xiao'er."

Li Shuchen looked completely bewildered. What was this silly boy thinking about now?

Li Shuchen ate two more baskets of Jade Celery Shrimp Dumplings and one basket of Crystal Winter Melon Dumplings, until her stomach was completely full, before getting up to find a drink.

They came across a coconut juice vendor, asked the price, and it was a bit expensive, but she couldn't resist wanting some, so she bought two—one for Li Lingxiao and one for herself.

The coconut juice was so sweet and refreshing that she couldn't get enough of one, so she bought another and held it in her hand to drink.

Li Shuchen sipped coconut juice, wandering aimlessly, looking at trinkets and gadgets as he walked...

He bumped into Princess Changning, who was holding a candied hawthorn.

Princess Changning's eyes lit up when she saw Li Shuchen, and she hurriedly said...

"Li Shuchen, what are you drinking? Let me have a taste."

"If you don't mind..."

Princess Changning gulped down an entire coconut of water in one go, leaving Li Shuchen completely bewildered.

What did you do? You're so thirsty.

Li Shuchen quickly pulled Changning aside.

Li Lingxiao stepped forward and blocked Shen Fenghuang.

She asked in a furtive, low voice

"What did you do? Why are you so thirsty?"

Princess Changning licked her lips and said

"Young Master Shen has been dragging me around. Since we parted ways, I haven't been able to sit down and rest. We've been walking and walking, and I'm so thirsty and hungry."

Li Shuchen frowned upon hearing this.

"Hungry and thirsty? Didn't Young Master Shen say he would take you to buy food? You didn't?"

Princess Changning raised the candied hawthorn in her hand and said...

"I bought this candied hawthorn, but after one bite it was both sweet and sour. The sweetness made me thirsty, and the sourness made me even hungrier, so I never dared to eat it again."

Upon hearing this, Li Shuchen inwardly rolled his eyes at Shen Fenghuang. Who would be so kind as to buy candied hawthorns to stave off hunger? But Changning was truly foolish.

"Aren't you rich? Buy it for yourself."

Princess Changning sighed helplessly.

"I wanted to buy it for myself, but I was afraid he would say I was extravagant and didn't know how to manage money, and I was also afraid of embarrassing him as a man."

What's the value of a man's pride? What's it worth? Pride is earned, not given by a woman! Aren't you ashamed?

What on earth is Shen Fenghuang thinking? Doesn't he want to leech off Princess Changning? Why doesn't he let Changning take him on a shopping spree, buying him all the wonderful things he's never eaten, drunk, or seen before?

Instead, he's become frugal, not even letting her eat or drink. Could it be that he really wants to marry Changning and is therefore restricting her spending so that he can keep all the money she saves for himself? How could he have such a malicious intention?

No, she has to try.

Li Shuchen shouted loudly

"Changning, isn't this coconut juice delicious? It's not expensive, only one tael of silver each. It's a rare commodity that was transported with great difficulty from the south. The stall owner has almost sold out. Let's hurry and buy two more to try!"

Li Shuchen, pulling Princess Changning along, was about to leave when Shen Fenghuang hurriedly said...

“No, Princess Changning, Miss Li, no matter how rare coconut juice is, it’s just water. Its only purpose is to quench thirst. Spending one tael of silver is too extravagant. If you are really thirsty, there is a tea stall across the street. It only costs two coins to quench your thirst. I think it’s cheaper and more practical than drinking coconut juice. Why don’t we go to the tea stall?”

Li Shuchen thought about it carefully after hearing this. Shen Fenghuang said that the reasoning was sound. If one's economic conditions were not good, drinking tea would be the most suitable option. However, with Changning's economic conditions, she didn't need to consider such things at all. She had her own shop, making a fortune every day; she could spend money as she pleased.

She can afford coconut juice and wants to drink it, so why force herself to downgrade herself to drinking tea?

Is Young Master Shen perhaps using PUA tactics on Changning?

Li Shuchen cleared his throat and said

“What Young Master Shen says makes perfect sense. I see your lips are chapped from thirst. In that case, Young Master Shen, why don’t you go to the tea stall for some tea?”

Shen Fenghuang swallowed hard.

"Thank you for your kindness, Miss Li, but I am not thirsty."

Upon hearing this, Li Shuchen's lips curled into a smile. It was just as well; she was only asking Changning for help. So she replied slowly with a smile.

"Oh, you're not thirsty, Changning. Come on, I'll treat you to coconut juice."

"it is good"

Princess Changning happily followed Li Shuchen.

Li Lingxiao quickly followed, and Shen Fenghuang also went along.

When we arrived at the coconut juice stall, there were only three coconuts left.

Li Shuchen spoke with a flourish.

"Boss, I'll take all three coconut juices."

"Alright, sir, that'll be three taels of silver in total."

Shen Fenghuang's inner monologue: Miss Li bought three coconut juices, she must have wanted one for me. I didn't expect her to care so much about me. I noticed my lips were chapped and I was finding it hard to drink.

She was flirting with me during the game of pitch-pot; she must like me. But since she's friends with Princess Changning, she's too shy to compete with me, so she can only be nice to me secretly. It's really hard on her.

Shen Fenghuang became happier and happier as he thought about it, and the corners of his mouth turned up higher and higher.

Li Shuchen readily paid the money and immediately handed Princess Changning a coconut juice.

Princess Changning accepted the drink with both hands and happily sipped it. She had gulped it down earlier without really tasting it, but this time she wanted to savor it properly. Wow~ the coconut flavor was rich and sweet!

Shen Fenghuang could already smell the fragrant coconut juice, and his thirst intensified. He waited expectantly with a smile for Li Shuchen to hand him one, but unexpectedly, Li Shuchen turned and handed it to Li Lingxiao.

"Xiao'er, please hold this coconut juice for me, I'm saving it for your Sister Gu."

"Okay, sister."

Upon hearing this, Shen Fenghuang's furrowed brows relaxed. So this was for Gu Xiangjun; the remaining one must be for himself.

Shen Fenghuang revealed his most satisfied smile and stood aside waiting.

Li Shuchen picked up the last serving of coconut juice from the stall and put it in his mouth.

Upon seeing this, Shen Fenghuang's lips instantly drooped. She was actually giving herself the drink! She'd already drunk from it, so why was she drinking more? What a waste!

Having solved Changning's thirst problem, the problem of hunger remained, Li Shuchen said.

"Changning, let me take you to Xue's Steamed Buns. Their steamed buns are delicious; Ziying just took me there."

Princess Changning's eyes lit up upon hearing this.

"Hurry up, I want to eat!"

The two happily arrived at Xue Ji Steamed Buns stall while drinking coconut juice.

The four found seats and sat down. Li Shuchen raised his hand to signal the waiter.

"Waiter, one steamer of Jade Celery Shrimp Dumplings, one steamer of Crystal Winter Melon Dumplings, and a serving of Abalone Cups."

The waiter recognized Li Shuchen and teased him.

"Sir, are you still not full?"

Li Shuchen wasn't annoyed and replied with a smile.

"Your steamed dishes are delicious; I'll bring my best friend to try them."

"Alright, please wait a moment, sir."

Li Shuchen ordered the steamed dishes for Changning, then turned to look at Shen Fenghuangdao.

"If Young Master Shen is also hungry, please order whatever you would like to eat. I am only inviting Changning."