Zi'an YiYi

FRIENDSHIPS

A month had passed after the wedding. The Five- Flavour Restaurant has become famous throughout Chang'an in the shortest time possible. Yiyi has the dual responsibility of the boss as well the lady of the Yang's mansion. From morning to night, she remained busy as a bee, inventing new dishes and managing the household. But for Yiyi, this is the happiest time of her life. This is exactly what she had dreamt of.

One day, as Yiyi was busy in her restaurant, a man came to meet Yiyi. He saluted Yiyi respectfully and said,"Mistress Shen, His Majesty the Crown Prince has invited you to the palace for dinner today."

"Diviner wants to meet me?" Yiyi asked with utter disbelief.

"Yes."

Since their wedding, they had not seen Xinyuan. But, why did he call her all of a sudden after so many days? Yiyi could almost hear her heart thumping with nervousness.

"Tell him I will be there."
"As you wish, Mistress Shen. Goodbye."
Yiyi felt a cold shiver running through her spine. What was Xinyuan up to?

Yiyi arrived at the palace. She shivered a little as a guard let her through the long corridor to the room where Xinyuan stood, hands behind his back, staring blankly outside an open window. A table loaded with food was there and maids were rushing to and fro bringing delicacies. It took the whole of Yiyi's courage to call Xinyuan.

"Diviner."

Xinyuan turned around and smiled. It was that priceless smile he gave every time he won. He gestured the servants to leave the room.

"Welcome Yiyi. Sit down."

Yiyi was surprised to find his voice warm and friendly as before, rather than cold and nonchalant. He also called her by her real name. She became confused as she sat opposite to Xinyuan.

"So, how is your restaurant going? I have heard praises from far and wide about our restaurant."

He told 'our' restaurant. Yiyi thought.

Xinyuan stared at Yiyi's confused expression for sometime before chuckling.

"Why is Shen Dieyi, the topper at Shangyi School so nervous sitting in front of her good friend?"

Yiyi was taken aback.

"Yes..no..er..I mean..I....no...you called the restaurant 'our'. And...you called me by my real name."

Xinyuan laughed.

"You have changed significantly after marriage, I see. The heroic Yiyi is now becoming more tender and feminine."

Yiyi could no longer contain her curiosity.