The small restaurant was quiet, everyone waiting for You Rong's reply.
You Rong lowered his eyes, gazing at Lin Qinghe. After a moment, he cupped his hands towards the Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, this commoner thanks you for your kindness, but rather than holding an official post in the capital, this commoner wishes to remain in this small town, living a simple life with his wife, managing our little eatery."
Upon hearing this, the others exchanged looks of astonishment.
In this world, power was paramount, and holding an official position was a dream for ordinary citizens and even merchants. You Rong had actually refused the Emperor's offer, how could they not be surprised?
Lin Qinghe's heart warmed. She understood that You Rong valued her more than power or status.
The Emperor wore a regretful expression. "Since that is the case, I shall not force you. If you wish to stay here, then stay. Your reward for saving my life will have to be something else… Tell me, what do you desire, and I will do my best to satisfy it."
You Rong cupped his hands again. "Your Majesty, this commoner needs nothing."
"That will not do! You saved my life, you must be rewarded!" The Emperor pondered for a moment, then a spark lit up his eyes. He chuckled, "How about this: I see your little eatery does not yet have a plaque. How about I bestow one upon you?"
Lin Qinghe and You Rong exchanged a glance. To refuse the Emperor's kindness again would seem ungrateful.
You Rong said, "This commoner thanks Your Majesty for your grace!"
The Emperor laughed heartily. "Then I must think carefully about what kind of plaque to bestow upon you. Your little eatery hasn't even been named yet. You two as a couple are so loving, it's a rare sight. How about calling it… Tong Xin Restaurant? How does that sound?"
You Rong and Lin Qinghe exchanged smiles. Both were very pleased with this suggestion.
You Rong said, "This commoner thanks Your Majesty for the plaque. 'Tong Xin Restaurant' is an excellent name."
"Hahaha… Good, it is decided! I will have people deliver the imperial plaque tomorrow." The Emperor thought for a moment, then added, "However, you two saved my life. Bestowing only a plaque seems a bit too simple."
"Your Majesty, this is already a tremendous kindness. We are profoundly grateful to Your Majesty. How could we possibly say the reward is too simple?"
"No, no, I don't think it's enough." The Emperor pondered for a long while, then took out a gold tablet from his robes and handed it to You Rong. "This is a death-exempt tablet. I bestow it upon you today."
"This…" You Rong's expression was hesitant. "The death-exempt tablet is too precious. This commoner is undeserving to receive it."
"You saved my life, and you deserve it." The Emperor urged, "Quickly accept it."
Lin Qinghe gave You Rong a look, signaling him to accept it quickly. Only then did You Rong take the death-exempt tablet, kneel, and say, "This commoner thanks Your Majesty for your grace!"
The Emperor's guards took away all the black-clothed assailants. They left a portion of their men to help Lin Qinghe tidy up the small restaurant before departing.
After everyone had left, Granny Zhang and the others excitedly surrounded You Rong and Lin Qinghe, chatting animatedly.
"Shopkeeper, is this really a death-exempt tablet? Is it made of pure gold? If we show it in the future, won't even the prefect, or an even higher official, be able to do anything to you?"
Granny Zhang lightly tapped a waiter on the head and chuckled, "This is an imperial death-exempt tablet bestowed by the Emperor himself, how could it be fake! From now on, our little restaurant will no longer fear being bullied by those corrupt officials. With the death-exempt tablet in hand, even the highest official will have to show our little restaurant some respect."
The waiter touched his head and grinned foolishly. "Granny Zhang is right. I'm so stunned. We saw the Emperor bestow it upon our shopkeeper with our own eyes, yet I still can't believe this death-exempt tablet is real."
"You… you're probably just overwhelmed by such a grand spectacle, aren't you?"
"Don't just talk about me, none of us here have ever seen such a grand spectacle…"
"Exactly, exactly…"
The group burst into laughter. Lin Qinghe smiled faintly and shook her head helplessly, saying, "Alright, all of you, go back to your tasks and prepare yourselves well. The imperial plaque bestowed by the Emperor will arrive tomorrow, and we need to hang it up immediately."
"Yes, boss lady, we'll go prepare ourselves now."
The waiters and Granny Zhang and the others busied themselves. Lin Qinghe and You Rong met eyes. Before they could speak, they both let out a soft chuckle.
Lin Qinghe playfully gave You Rong a sidelong glance. "Earlier, the Emperor asked you to join the court. Why didn't you agree? If you had accepted, with your intelligence and skill, you would surely have achieved great things in the court. You might have even become a renowned war god general in the hearts of the people."
You Rong held Lin Qinghe's hand, a smile in his eyes. "Having you is enough for me. Fame and fortune, power and status, mean nothing to me compared to you."
Lin Qinghe met You Rong's affectionate gaze, pursed her lips, and her heart pounded fiercely, as if it would leap out of her chest.
***
The next day, just as noon arrived, the Emperor's attendants arrived with great fanfare, delivering the imperial plaque. After it was hung high, firecrackers were set off, and the red cloth was removed from the plaque. From then on, the small restaurant was officially renamed Tong Xin Restaurant.
After the Emperor personally bestowed a plaque upon the small restaurant, its reputation spread even further, and business became increasingly prosperous, with every seat always occupied.
Lin Qinghe seized the opportunity to introduce new dishes like grilled meat, which were immensely popular, propelling Tong Xin Restaurant's business to even greater heights.
Unconsciously, a month passed.
Lin Qinghe was calculating accounts under the lamplight, looking at the daily earnings with great satisfaction.
You Rong picked up an outer garment and draped it over her shoulders. He hugged her from behind and said in a deep voice, "You little money grubber… are you counting money again?"
Lin Qinghe playfully pushed him. "Stop it… come sit down, I have something important to discuss with you."
After You Rong sat down, Lin Qinghe said, "I bought this small restaurant from the previous owner. We still have some money left over. A few days ago, I learned that a house in town is for sale. The house is quite good, spacious, with a yard… Tomorrow, you'll come with me to see it. If you like it too, we'll buy the house and move in before the New Year. What do you say?"
You Rong took Lin Qinghe's hand and kissed it. "Yes, I'll do whatever you say…"
The next day, Lin Qinghe and You Rong went to see the house together. They both found it to be excellent and promptly agreed to buy it. They paid the money, received the deed, and returned home to arrange the move.
Although their home in Xinghua Village didn't seem to have many belongings, when it came time to move, they actually unearthed quite a lot. The back-and-forth moving process even required Lin Qinghe to enlist the help of some people from Xinghua Village. It took several days to complete the move.
In the new residence.
Tomorrow was New Year's Day, and the small restaurant had already closed for business. Lin Qinghe and You Rong had been busy all afternoon preparing a lavish meal. They happily had a reunion dinner with Mother You.
After the meal, Mother You said that she was old and couldn't endure the fatigue of staying up all night, so she asked Lin Qinghe and You Rong to keep watch together while she went to her room to rest.
Lin Qinghe and You Rong kept a brazier burning, staying up together in the courtyard.
Lin Qinghe leaned against You Rong's shoulder, talking in soft whispers until the sound of crackling firecrackers echoed from outside.
You Rong lowered his head and kissed Lin Qinghe's forehead, gently saying, "New Year's Day has arrived."
Lin Qinghe smiled slightly. "You Rong, Happy New Year."
"You too, Happy New Year."
You Rong and Lin Qinghe clasped hands, his deep voice filled with an unshakeable affection. "Qinghe… I love you. I wish for us to grow old together and spend our lives by each other's side."
Lin Qinghe replied, "...Mm, I wish for us to grow old together and spend our lives by each other's side."
As soon as she finished speaking, specks of snow began to drift down from the night sky, a truly beautiful sight.
Lin Qinghe heard the familiar system prompt: "Progress bar increased by two percent, total progress reached one hundred percent. Congratulations, Tasker Lin Qinghe, on completing the auxiliary mission in this world. You will now be transferred to the next world."
Lin Qinghe leaned her head on You Rong's shoulder and slowly closed her eyes, losing consciousness.
The moment her soul was drawn away, Lin Qinghe realized with a start that she felt a touch of reluctance.