Chapter 148: Three Major Events

Although Liu Ling’er was not trained in civil engineering or architecture, her extensive exposure to various structures, combined with the concepts she had seen in the modern world, allowed simple yet charming design sketches to emerge from her small hands.

With every sketch she completed, Master Wuyou would immediately take it. From the very first drawing, he was deeply enthralled. The reason was simple: Liu Ling’er’s sketches were all three-dimensional, incredibly vivid, and lifelike. They opened his eyes to an entirely new approach to architectural drafting.

As he laid the sketches out on the table one by one, the shock in Master Wuyou’s heart was beyond words. He was like an addict encountering his vice, completely unable to tear his eyes away.

Baili Xian rarely saw Wuyou so agitated. Curious, he took a look at the sketches. Although he was not well-versed in architecture, having spent so much time with Wuyou, a master of the craft, he had gained some understanding. Looking at Liu Ling’er, who was still sketching, he felt a sudden sense of admiration; he never imagined his Ling’er possessed such talent.

In less than a quarter of an hour, Liu Ling’er finished the final drawing. As she set down her pen, she noticed Master Wuyou’s burning gaze fixed upon her. "I never expected the Princess Consort Xian to be a kindred spirit. Would you be willing to join the Hall of Architectural Mastery? I would make you the chief designer."

Liu Ling’er paused, guessing that her display had earned his professional respect. However, as these ideas were merely borrowed from the world she had come from, they were not truly her own skills. It was fine once or twice, but she could not keep it up indefinitely.

She shook her head and declined, "I appreciate your kind intentions, Master Wuyou, but my ambitions do not lie in this field. I must respectfully decline."

Master Wuyou looked regretful. "That is truly a pity. But tell me, why is this last drawing like this? I cannot decipher its intent. I seek your guidance, Princess Consort."

The final sketch depicted lotus flowers and leaves—some in bud, some standing gracefully, and others in full, competitive bloom. While it could pass as a mere painting, it seemed out of place as a design for a great hall. Wuyou could not grasp its function, though he knew that since Liu Ling’er had spent the most time on this piece, it could not simply be a work of art.

Liu Ling’er smiled. "You are just looking at it from the wrong perspective, Master Wuyou. If you invert the drawing, given your brilliance, you will surely see the meaning immediately."

"Oh!" Upon hearing this, Master Wuyou turned the sketch upside down. After merely two glances, he slapped his thigh. "Marvelous! The Princess Consort’s idea is truly a stroke of divine inspiration! To think that installing the lotus flowers and leaves on the ceiling would create such an effect—brilliant, simply brilliant!"

Master Wuyou danced with excitement, like a child who had just received a treat. He could hardly contain himself. "Princess Consort, I believe I am the only one capable of perfectly constructing this restaurant. Could you provide the complete blueprints by tomorrow? I guarantee that I can finish the construction within three days."

Baili Xian interjected sarcastically, "Wuyou, does this not violate your own rules? You usually only take one commission a month. If I am not mistaken, you are currently designing a private villa for the Prime Minister, and I certainly have no fine wine to offer you today."

"What is the Prime Minister’s villa compared to this? It is not even in the same league. I will cancel his project tomorrow. Besides, while thoroughbred horses are common, true connoisseurs are rare. Having finally found a kindred spirit, once I build this restaurant, the fame of my Hall of Architectural Mastery will only grow." Master Wuyou was remarkably decisive and possessed great foresight.

As for his third rule, Master Wuyou shot a cold glance at Baili Xian. "Ever since that last drinking bout with you, I swore to touch not a drop of alcohol this month. Besides, I am now too impatient to build this restaurant to care about such trivialities as drinking."

Baili Xian was stunned, wondering if the man had lost his mind. From the looks of it, this was a losing deal for him, yet he seemed desperate to play the fool. It was beyond comprehension.

Upon returning to the Prince Xian residence, Liu Ling’er did not go to her chambers but went straight to the Ma Family Tea House. After talking with the Ma couple for an hour, she returned home satisfied. She summoned Xiao Tao and ordered her to guard the door, refusing entry to anyone—even the Emperor.

During the period Liu Ling’er spent in seclusion working on the designs, Baili Xian came to visit, only to be blocked by the trembling Xiao Tao. Had he not known Liu Ling’er was rushing to finish her work, he would have considered selling Xiao Tao to the Yuefeng Pavilion. The girl was a nuisance; every time he wanted to spend time with his wife, this maid would find a way to intervene. He truly did not understand why Prince Su was so infatuated with such a girl.

The next day, three major events shook the Imperial Capital, creating a buzz in every street and alleyway that lasted for nearly a month.

The first was that the famous Ma Family Tea House had ceased operations, closing its doors for three days. After three days, it would reopen within the Pavilion of Flowing Water. From then on, those who wanted their morning breakfast would have to queue there.

The Pavilion of Flowing Water was a name unheard of in the capital. No one knew how this establishment had appeared, but one could not go without the Ma family's breakfast. It was said that the founding Empress, Ma Ling’er, had decreed that any official in the Eastern Chu Kingdom who did not eat at the Ma Family Tea House once a month might as well prepare to lose their official cap.

Some had disbelieved, refusing to go, and the results were clear: officials were dismissed and thrown into prison. Over time, no one dared to doubt it anymore. This was a failsafe left by Ma Ling’er for her descendants, and the secret to the tea house's enduring prosperity.

For a time, the entire capital spoke of the Pavilion of Flowing Water, yet no one knew any details about it.

The second event was that the Hall of Architectural Mastery had recalled all its architects, even those hundreds of miles away, requiring them to return within two days or face expulsion.

When Master Wuyou received Liu Ling’er’s sketches the next morning, he went into a frenzy. His excitement was like that of a madman who had missed his medication. The recalled architects looked at their Hall Master, who appeared clearly unhinged, and cowered in silence, fearing that in his excitement, Wuyou would banish them from the Hall.

After a long time, Wuyou calmed down enough to announce, "For the next three days, I want everyone in the Hall to be on high alert. We are going to build a restaurant, an event that will go down in the history of our Hall."

The architects and designers were speechless, wondering if their master had lost his mind. But when they saw the sketches Wuyou had reproduced, they realized their own excitement far surpassed even his.