133: Chapter 13 Little Beggar Huang Rong

Zhongdu was actually Yanjing, but it was currently occupied by the Jin Dynasty and renamed Zhongdu.

Although the area was occupied by the Jin Dynasty, people from the Song Dynasty and the Great Desert were not prohibited from entering or leaving, so Meng Li and his group were not worried about being harassed.

However, Meng Li did not enter the city with Guo Jing and the others.

This was because the Dream Travel Residence needed to be handled; otherwise, it would be too conspicuous.

Additionally, the Jiangnan Six Monsters had been away from the Central Plains for over ten years, and they likely had a lot of pent-up energy. Once they entered the city, they would most likely disperse immediately to go about their own business.

For example, Han Baoju would go for fine food and wine.

Quan Jinfa would browse the markets to investigate the current prices.

Han Xiaoying would go to have new clothes made.

Zhu Cong would take Ke Zhene to revisit old haunts, listen to songs, and admire flowers.

In the original story, that was exactly what they did. Upon entering the city, they were like wild horses breaking free from their reins, leaving Guo Jing behind as they each ran off in different directions.

Therefore, this gathering was bound to end sooner or later.

Meng Li simply decided to leave a bit earlier.

After parting ways with Guo Jing and the others, he drove the Yunmeng Residence to a secluded, uninhabited spot. He unhitched the horses, waved his hand to store the entire RV into his Storage Space, and then led the horses toward the city gate.

The Storage Space could only hold inanimate objects, so the horses needed to be settled elsewhere.

Meng Li planned to find an Inn to stay in and stable the horses in the Inn's stables.

Once things were settled, he stepped out of the Inn, intending to find a place to eat. Unexpectedly, just after asking which restaurant in town was the best, he saw Guo Jing being pulled in this direction by someone who looked like a beggar.

Has he encountered Huang Rong?

Meng Li was stunned.

At that moment, Guo Jing also spotted him and immediately greeted him warmly, "Elder Brother Meng, this little brother is going to take me to eat. Why don't you come along?"

After saying that, he added, "It's my treat, a perfect way to thank you for your hospitality on the road."

Meng Li didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Inviting someone to a meal as a gesture of thanks—how could there be a tag-along?

It was fortunate that he knew Guo Jing was just starting out and was still a greenhorn who didn't understand the ways of the world; otherwise, this could have easily led to an unpleasant situation.

The little beggar, who was actually Huang Rong disguised as a man, saw that Meng Li and Guo Jing knew each other. She couldn't help but size him up, then frowned slightly.

This wasn't because she had anything against Meng Li, but rather because she was planning to "fleece" Guo Jing to give this big dummy a taste of how treacherous the world could be. However, Meng Li gave her the feeling that he was not someone to be trifled with—a feeling that came from nowhere, pure intuition.

If Meng Li went along, she was afraid it would be difficult to pull off her plan to "fleece" Guo Jing.

However, Huang Rong didn't say anything.

Because at this moment, the decision rested with Meng Li.

After a moment's thought, Meng Li readily agreed, "Alright then, I'll let you foot the bill."

Thus, the three of them walked toward the best restaurant in the city.

As soon as they entered the restaurant, Huang Rong, without a second word, asked for a private room on the second floor.

Guo Jing walked into the private room and looked around curiously. Finally, he walked to the window and looked down at the street and the flow of people, unable to resist saying, "Elder Brother Meng, little brother, did you know? This is my first time eating on the second floor."

Meng Li smiled and said, "I know. I've been traveling with you the whole way."

Huang Rong, on the other hand, crossed her arms and gave a casual hum before saying sarcastically, "This is the most famous restaurant in the whole city. It's expensive, and you won't even get full."

Hearing this, Guo Jing was startled. He walked up to the waiter and asked, "Can we not get full here?"

The waiter, unhappy to hear his restaurant being mocked, and seeing that Guo Jing and Huang Rong didn't look like they had money, originally wanted to retort with a comment about their lack of funds. However, Meng Li, who was standing nearby, was dressed exceptionally well and clearly didn't lack money.

So, his eyes darted around as he replied, "You must be joking, sir. A restaurant is a place for people to eat. As long as you have enough money, how could you not get full?"

Huang Rong countered, "By that, do you mean you're afraid we don't have money?"

Without waiting for a response, she turned to the dazed Guo Jing and asked, "No matter how much I eat, are you still paying?"

Guo Jing was currently pulling money from the belt pouch where he hid his silver. Hearing this, he nodded without hesitation, then slapped the money he had pulled out onto the table. He turned his head and asked the waiter, "Is this enough money?"

The waiter took a look and said with a fawning smile, "Enough, it's enough."

Huang Rong leaned onto the table and began ordering on the spot: "First, bring four types of dried fruits, four types of fresh fruits, two salted and sour items, and four types of candied fruits."

The waiter was stunned: "You want dried fruits and candied fruits? This..."

He wondered if she was crazy; this was a restaurant, not a dried fruit shop.

Guo Jing was also a bit dazed.

He had never heard of the things Huang Rong mentioned, but he could roughly guess from the names that they didn't seem like main dishes, though he wasn't sure.

Instinctively, he looked toward Meng Li.

He remembered that the other man had quite a bit of knowledge about food, and along the way, he had taught him many things.

Huang Rong noticed this and couldn't help but look at Meng Li as well.

Meng Li looked at Huang Rong with a half-smile and said, "Little 'brother,' you're quite the expert when it comes to food. However, these requirements are a bit difficult for others. This waiter doesn't have your level of knowledge. You should lower your standards a bit and explain things more clearly."

"After all, we're here to eat, not to make things difficult for people."

Hearing this, Guo Jing also said, "Indeed, little brother, this is the first time I've heard of the things you mentioned."

Seeing this, Huang Rong curled her lip: "Fine, anyway, this small place and poor restaurant probably can't produce anything truly good."

After saying that, she said to the waiter, "Alright then, for the four dried fruits, bring lychees, longans, steamed dates, and ginkgo nuts."

"For the fresh fruits, pick whatever is in season."

"For the salted and sour items, I want fragrant cherries and ginger plum."

"For the candied fruits, bring rose kumquats, fragrant medicine grapes, sugared peach strips, and pear meat 'good husband' slices."

"As for the appetizers..."

"I doubt there are any fresh fish or shrimp here, so just bring eight mediocre ones."

Guo Jing was stunned: "Ei-eight?"

The previous ones were already enough, and now eight more?

The waiter was also shocked. He didn't hear clearly for a moment and, thinking Guo Jing wanted to order, asked, "Sir, what would you like to order?"

Guo Jing shook his head and looked at Meng Li: "Elder Brother Meng, what would you like to order?"

Meng Li smiled and said, "This little 'brother' is more of an expert in food than I am. Just listen to her."

I'm just here for the free meal and to watch the show!

Seeing this, Guo Jing pointed at Huang Rong and said to the waiter, "Listen to her."

The waiter followed his instructions and turned his gaze toward Huang Rong.

Huang Rong sighed and said in detail, "For the eight appetizers, bring roasted quail, stir-fried duck webs, chicken tongue soup, mandarin duck fried tripe, deer tripe stuffed with scallops, chrysanthemum rabbit shreds, stir-fried venison leg, and ginger-vinegar gold and silver trotters."

"I'm only picking things you might be able to make. We'll skip the more rare and expensive items."

At this point, the waiter finally realized he had misjudged her. His smile became somewhat strained: "And for the wine?"

"The shop has ten-year-aged Sanbai Fenjiu. Would you like two measures?"

Huang Rong nodded slightly, "Fine, that'll do for now."

"Please wait a moment, it will be ready soon," the waiter said before turning to leave to place the order.

After the waiter left, Guo Jing looked at Huang Rong in surprise and said, "Little brother, seeing you dressed as a beggar, how do you know so much?"

Huang Rong asked back, "Who says a beggar can't know much?"

"That's true," Guo Jing said with a silly laugh. He didn't ask further and instead began to introduce himself: "My name is Guo Jing."

"This is Elder Brother Meng Li, he knows a lot of things too."

"Little brother, what's your name?"

"Huang Rong."

...