After Being Marked by the Eldest Princess, I Got Pregnant with Her Child [Transmigration into a Novel] - Chapter 24

“What’s this?”

Song Shu Jiu looked at the neatly wrapped food package Yan Chen had brought her. It was plump and exuded a mouthwatering aroma even before being opened. Her drowsiness vanished instantly as she stared at the parcel in Yan Chen’s hands with anticipation. “What is it?”

Yan Chen was so good to her bringing her a late-night snack at this hour.

“Smells like meat.”

Oh, she finally realized that pregnancy had drastically increased her appetite, no longer limited to bland diets. This meaty fragrance was entirely different from the steamed meat the chef specially prepared for her it carried the rich aroma of sauce and a hint of cumin.

She couldn’t take it anymore; the smell was intoxicating.

Song Shu Jiu unwrapped the package to reveal a golden-brown, crispy roasted duck. She glanced at Yan Chen. “You get me.”

Seeing her bright-eyed and excited in her sleepwear, Yan Chen smirked and tapped her nose lightly. “Knew you’d still be awake.”

After finishing official duties, she had passed by a night market and spotted Deji Roast Duck under the bridge, a place Song Shu Jiu had mentioned before, praising how fresh and flavorful their ducks were. Remembering how she constantly complained about her unsatisfying pregnancy meals, Yan Chen decided to buy one to satisfy her cravings.

Yan Chen tore the duck into pieces by hand. The shopkeeper had asked if she wanted it pre-sliced, but for some reason, she opted to bring back the whole duck and now enjoyed peeling it for Song Shu Jiu. Watching her happily dip the meat in sauce, Yan Chen, who had never done such menial tasks for anyone found the moment strangely harmonious and heartwarming.

“Eat slowly. Don’t complain about gaining weight later.”

Song Shu Jiu’s weight had been gradually increasing during her pregnancy, and her wardrobe had shifted from form-fitting clothes to loose, comfortable outfits.

Her cheeks puffed up like stuffed buns as she ate, making Yan Chen’s heart melt. Having such a precious person at home to pamper every day felt surprisingly nice.

Her gaze lingered on Song Shu Jiu’s belly, and she couldn’t help but muse, “What if the baby turns out to be as big an eater as you?”

Song Shu Jiu pouted. “What’s wrong with that? A good appetite is a blessing.”

Between chews, she added, “Or can’t you afford it?”

Yan Chen clicked her tongue at her disdainful expression. She had merely made an offhand remark was there any chance she couldn’t provide?

Even if there were a dozen more like Song Shu Jiu, supporting them would be no issue.

But now, watching her sparkling eyes, Yan Chen propped her elbow on the table and feigned difficulty. “Zhao Kingdom isn’t what it used to be. My stipend has been decreasing year after year. Who knows how much longer this grand princess manor can hold on?”

Song Shu Jiu stared at the remaining roast duck, her appetite suddenly gone.

Was Yan Chen about to lose her job?

Could princesses even be unemployed?

“You wouldn’t withhold wages, would you?” She was holding her post diligently, whether she slacked off or not was another matter but Yan Chen’s salary had to be paid!

Yan Chen blinked, putting on a troubled expression. “We’re running low.”

“What?”

Song Shu Jiu’s face paled. She set down the duck, anxiety written all over her face. “What do we do then?”

Would she have to take odd jobs now? Or return to the Prime Minister’s residence? The image of herself carrying her baby and trudging back to her parents’ home shattered her heart.

Seeing her crestfallen and actually believing it, Yan Chen struggled to hold back her laughter.

“Though, now that I think about it, I might’ve saved up a little privately over the years.”

Song Shu Jiu exhaled in relief, having already imagined herself working odd jobs with a baby bump to earn milk powder money.

Yan Chen wiped her mouth, feeling a little guilty for teasing her now that she’d relaxed.

“Perhaps I should rent a shop outside as a backup plan?”

Song Shu Jiu looked at her with a serious expression.

Yan Chen, noticing her determination, asked, “Thinking of going into business?”

“Is that a bad idea?”

It wasn’t entirely impossible. After all, she was feeling stifled staying home all day. But looking at her, what line of business could this girl Song Shu Jiu possibly manage?

“I’ll go out tomorrow to scout for suitable shops.”

She had several months’ worth of allowance saved up. Glancing at Yan Chen, a mischievous idea popped into her head. “Didn’t you say you still have some private savings?”

Oh-ho!

That look in Song Shu Jiu’s eyes made Yan Chen immediately understand. She slapped away the hand reaching toward her. “Didn’t you say you wanted to be self-reliant?”

“I’m doing this for you. Whatever I earn will eventually be yours.”

If she died early, wouldn’t these assets just go to Yan Chen anyway?

“Didn’t I mention investment to you before? Hmm? Investment.”

Money sitting idle is dead money.

“Put it to work, and it will multiply.”

Song Shu Jiu’s face was full of temptation, as if the shop was already before her eyes, just waiting for the funds to materialize.

Yan Chen eyed her. “Want the money?”

Wasn’t that obvious?

“Without any incentive, how do I know you won’t lose every penny after I give it to you?”

She sat poised at the table, one leg crossed over the other, elegant and composed, arms folded as she watched her with amusement.

Song Shu Jiu’s quick mind whirred into action. She immediately went over, hugged her arm, and planted a kiss on it.

Yan Chen nodded. “Alright then.”

The next morning, Song Shu Jiu woke up early.

All night, she had been thinking about that unformed prosperous shop. In the heart of the capital, the most bustling area of Zhao Country, what would be the best business to start?

Yan Chen gave her a good morning kiss before leaving for court.

After breakfast and freshening up, Song Shu Jiu took Xiao Tao with her.

Early in the morning, the streets of the capital were already bustling with activity.

Steamed bun stalls, noodle shops, sugar painting stands, and various small jewelry stalls everything one could imagine. Further ahead were jewelry stores, silk fabric shops, restaurants, herbal medicine stores stretching as far as the eye could see.

Song Shu Jiu scanned them all. She knew nothing about the silk trade. Herbal medicine shops? She had once considered studying traditional medicine for a career change, but before she could, she ended up transmigrating into this book. Jewelry stores?

No, she lacked the expertise to appraise gems, and there wasn’t enough time to learn now.

Sugar painting?

She shook her head again. Eventually, her gaze settled on food.

Food is the first necessity of the people. Investing in the food industry in this ancient world would surely be a safe bet if done right.

“Come on, let’s take a look inside.”

Song Shu Jiu pulled Xiao Tao along and stopped at Piaoxiang Lou. The extravagant gilded characters and the four-story building, its crimson paint gleaming in the early morning sunlight, were impossible to miss. Not only was the exterior striking, but its location was also prime facing a river, surrounded by willow trees and picturesque scenery, grand and magnificent. The owner of this restaurant was surely no ordinary person.

Stepping inside,

Song Shu Jiu was stunned by the opulent interior decor. Truly, the capital was home to many extraordinary talents.

Her mind reeled from the impact.

Let’s go upstairs and see.

“Ouch!”

Song Shu Jiu collided head-on with someone. “It’s you?”

Auntie Mei?

The proprietress of Lanyue Fang was at Piaoxiang Lou early in the morning was she here for breakfast?

Auntie Mei froze. She had heard from Hong Chou about the relationship between the prime minister’s daughter and the princess. Glancing at Song Shu Jiu’s stomach, she asked anxiously, “Did I hurt you?”

Song Shu Jiu shook her head and smiled. “Madam Mei, you have such refined tastes.”

“Hey, who in the capital doesn’t know about the reputation of Piaoxiang Restaurant? Everyone dreams of dining here!”

So they really came just to show off their meal.

After parting ways with Aunt Mei, Song Shujiu continued upstairs. She found the perfect spot, where she could enjoy both the exquisite cuisine and the breathtaking riverside view outside the window, taking in the vibrant human scenery in its entirety.

Aunt Mei hadn’t lied to her; the location was absolutely ideal.

Stepping outside.

Hong Chou met her at the entrance. Aunt Mei waved, signaling her to leave. After walking some distance, Hong Chou couldn’t help but ask, “Mom, what’s going on?”

Why all the secrecy?

“The little princess is dining inside. We’d better make ourselves scarce.”

Who?

After a brief thought, Hong Chou immediately understood. Ever since they found out Song Shujiu was pregnant, they’d been calling her “little princess.” Yan Chen doted on her as if she were the heavens themselves, they’d never seen him treat anyone so well before.

“The bill has been settled. We’ll present it to Her Highness later.”

Full and satisfied, Song Shujiu returned to the estate.

Yan Chen looked at her: “What did you find out?”

Song Shujiu beamed with excitement: “I want to open a restaurant.”

Oh?

Yan Chen was quite surprised. Song Shujiu’s cooking skills were passable only when it came to that stinky noodle dish her other culinary attempts weren’t particularly impressive.

“Today, I visited the largest restaurant in the capital. Honestly, I think their decor could use some improvements.”

Yan Chen immediately focused all his attention on her: “You went to Piaoxiang Restaurant?”

“See? Even someone as powerful as you knows about it. Piaoxiang Restaurant really is famous.”

Yan Chen gently fanned himself twice with his folding fan before asking, “Aside from its renowned dishes, Piaoxiang Restaurant’s most attractive feature is its unique decor, which draws merchants from afar just to admire its style.”

Yet in Song Shujiu’s words, it needed changes?

Accustomed to hearing praise, Yan Chen was curious to hear a different perspective.

“Four floors, such vast space inside, yet many areas aren’t fully utilized. I think a garden-style restaurant would be more appealing.”

Song Shujiu rambled on to Yan Chen, pouring out all the renovation ideas she’d seen from bloggers on Xiaohongshu.

Building courtyard gardens inside the restaurant, planting flowers and trees, adding ponds and swings.

“Best to include a children’s play area too. That way, when parents bring their kids to dine, the children have somewhere to play while the adults have time to socialize.”

This style was common where she used to live.

Mid-sentence, she looked up to see Yan Chen studying her intently, his eyes brimming with interest.

“?”

“Where did you learn all these ideas?” From Song Lan?

But he’d never heard her express such unconventional opinions at court.

Song Shujiu’s thinking was remarkably ahead of its time.

Her suggestions were completely unprecedented.

Upon reflection, he found her ideas quite valuable.

Especially her point about catering to children to earn parents’ money.

It seemed his previous thinking had been too narrow, he’d never considered exploiting children as a revenue stream.

What parent doesn’t want the best for their child?

“That’s actually a brilliant idea.”

Yan Chen peeled some walnuts and fed them to her eating nuts during pregnancy couldn’t hurt.

Song Shujiu’s cheeks were puffed out when Yan Chen walked over and embraced her in his arms. Her body had begun to fill out, her back no longer bony to the touch, and her skin had grown even more delicate and smooth during pregnancy. Yan Chen tilted his head to lightly kiss the red birthmark behind her left ear, causing Song Shujiu to instantly melt against him, surrendering all her weight to his embrace.

Yan Chen’s lips were tender, the slightest touch sent waves of tingling numbness radiating outward from her heart. She stood on tiptoe, clinging to him like a koala.

The faint scent lingering around Yan Chen enveloped her heart, stirring ripples in her previously calm emotions. She nuzzled restlessly against his arm. Sensing her impatience, Yan Chen met her gaze, those eyes of hers were the worst at hiding anything, every desire written plainly within them.

Yielding, Yan Chen softened. Hong Chou had mentioned that Song Shujiu’s body was unusually sensitive during pregnancy, different from other expectant Kuns, requiring timely reassurance.

He lifted her into the armchair and removed the jade hairpin from his own hair.

Support After Being Marked by the Eldest Princess, I Got Pregnant with Her Child [Transmigration into a Novel]