novelkee Chapter 378 Lü Zhi's Awakening 8
Chapter 378 Lü Zhi's Awakening 8
Before long, Chunhua returned to Lü Zhi's place with light steps, like a graceful butterfly. She bowed slightly, a professional and sweet smile on her face.
Lu Zhi sat at the table, took a sip of tea, and after putting down the teacup, asked with a hint of curiosity and inquiry, "How can I become a staff member at this inn?" Lu Zhi thought to herself that if she could become a staff member at this inn, she would surely enjoy many conveniences and make her journey more comfortable.
Chunhua straightened her back and began her detailed introduction: "This 'membership' means 'ordinary member.' Ten thousand taels of silver will make you an ordinary member, and once you become an ordinary member, you can stay at our inn. One hundred thousand taels of silver will make you a silver member. Silver members are different; they can choose any room they want. Five hundred thousand taels of silver will make you a gold member. As a gold member, you can lock your favorite room; no matter when, that room belongs only to the gold member, and no one else can even think about it."
As Lü Zhi listened, her brows furrowed. She silently calculated that she hadn't brought nearly this much silver with her. She had assumed she had enough to handle any situation while traveling, but the inn's membership system was unexpectedly expensive. She sighed softly, a hint of helplessness in her eyes.
Lü Zhi stood up, straightened her clothes, and glanced around the luxuriously decorated restaurant. Though reluctant, she had no choice but to give up. She said to Chunhua, "Let's go look at other inns." With that, Lü Zhi turned and walked out of the inn.
The streets outside were dimly lit and bustling with people. Lü Zhi took a step forward, got into the carriage, and headed towards the other end of the street, hoping to find a place where she could settle down in this unfamiliar city.
In the vast city of Xianyang, finding a suitable inn was not difficult at all. Lü Zhi and her entourage strolled leisurely through the streets and alleys of Xianyang, their eyes scanning the signs of each inn. They looked at several, some too remote, others too noisy, until they finally spotted one. It sat on a bustling yet clean street, its vermilion gate quite imposing, and lanterns swayed gently in the breeze, as if warmly welcoming passersby.
Lü Zhi nodded slightly, finding the inn quite satisfactory. Thus, the group, warmly guided by the innkeeper, checked into the inn without any trouble. Lü Zhi had been traveling non-stop for several days, and the fatigue of the journey had left her utterly exhausted, as if every last bit of strength had been drained from her body. She dragged her heavy steps into the room, looking at the clean and tidy bed, her heart filled with longing.
After a quick wash, Lü Zhi eagerly crawled into bed. She felt as if the soft mattress possessed a magical power, instantly relaxing her tense nerves. That night, she slept exceptionally well, as if in a carefree dream.
When Lü Zhi finally awoke, sunlight was already streaming through the window and falling on her face. She groggily opened her eyes, and the bright light startled her. She instinctively sat up and looked out the window; the sun was already high in the sky, and it was quite late. This was the first time in Lü Zhi's life that she had gotten up so late, and a sudden panic gripped her, her heart pounding like a frightened deer. Her father's stern face and her mother's harsh eyes flashed through her mind, as if they were right there, scolding her for being late.
However, Lü Zhi's mood quickly calmed down. She looked around and realized that she was no longer under the constant supervision of her father and mother, nor bound by the strict rules of her home. She suddenly felt a sense of relief, as if a caged bird had finally gained its freedom. This long-lost sense of relaxation made the corners of her mouth involuntarily turn up slightly.
After washing up, Lü Zhi carefully tidied her clothes. She wore a light blue long dress, the hem of which fluttered gently in the wind, and a simple white jade hairpin adorned her hair, making her look fresh and elegant. She went out with her personal maids Chunhua and Qiuzhu. Today, she planned to stroll around the bustling city of Xianyang and experience the unique charm of this metropolis.
The streets of Xianyang were bustling with activity, like a rushing river, teeming with people. Shops lined both sides of the street, each displaying a dazzling array of goods. Some sold silks and fabrics, their colorful fabrics shimmering brilliantly in the sunlight; others sold various snacks, their enticing aromas drawing passersby to stop and admire; still others sold jewelry, their exquisite ornaments radiating a captivating glow under the lights.
Lü Zhi strolled along the bustling streets, taking in the surrounding noise and prosperity. She noticed that besides the liveliness, this place was quite different from other places. On the streets of Xianyang, women were everywhere, their figures a common sight. There were female vendors sitting behind their stalls, their eyes bright, their faces beaming with enthusiastic smiles, loudly hawking their wares; there were elegantly dressed young ladies, their graceful figures moving with light steps, chatting softly with their companions; and there were also ordinary women from the poor, their clothes simple, yet their eyes shone with resilience and optimism.
These women were all warm and cheerful, chatting and laughing freely on the street. Some greeted passersby, while others happily browsed goods with their companions. Their relaxed and confident demeanor stirred a unique feeling within Lü Zhi. She seemed to be witnessing a completely new way of life, a life entirely different from her own at home. She unconsciously slowed her pace, wanting to delve deeper into this unique atmosphere and explore the stories hidden behind this city.
Gradually, without realizing it, Lü Zhi arrived at the First Building of the Great Qin Dynasty. She looked up at the tall building and stepped inside.
As she stepped into the threshold of the First Restaurant of Qin once again, she found a quiet corner to sit down and then focused her gaze on the waiters dressed in uniform. Their clothes were impeccably tailored, of excellent quality, vibrant colors, and embroidered with exquisite patterns, showcasing the unique style of the First Restaurant of Qin.
The servers all wore radiant smiles, smiles as warm as the spring sunshine, making everyone feel incredibly comfortable and at ease. Their eyes revealed composure and confidence; their steps were light and steady as they moved between tables, providing attentive and meticulous service to the guests. Whether handing out hot towels or patiently explaining the dishes, they performed each task with utmost care, without the slightest sign of panic or fear.
Watching their performance, Lü Zhi couldn't help but nod slightly, secretly praising them. She thought to herself, if the First Restaurant of Qin has such excellent waiters, the dishes must be exceptional as well. So, she took the menu presented by the waiter and selected several of the First Restaurant of Qin's signature dishes.