After leaving the back kitchen, they were just about to go up to the second floor when they encountered a group of well-dressed people. They were all cl.u.s.tered around an old man, who had a healthy glow and wore a bright yellow belt around his waist, and they were also about to go up the stairs.

　　"Ah-Xu! You're back?" County Magistrate Wu's son greeted him and looked towards Yu Xiaocao who was behind him. He frowned slightly and whispered, "Ah-Xu, didn't I ask you in advance to clear out the restaurant? Why are there other people here?"

　　Before Zhou Zixu could answer, he heard a resonant voice saying, "Oh? Isn't this the little demon who patrols the mountains? What? Did you also come to eat?"

　　Yu Xiaocao felt as if she had heard this voice somewhere before, so she looked over. The fat old man wore an ivory headdress, a dark brown brocade gown, and had a bright yellow belt with jade inlays fastened on his waist. Wasn't he the white-bearded grandfather who had talked with her about the Eight Immortals Cross the Sea all the way to town this morning?

　　So, he was the honored guest of the county magistrate! She had guessed that he had an extraordinary background, but she hadn't expected that he was a member of the imperial family from the capital! It would be a foolish question to ask how she knew that he was part of the imperial family. Other than members of the imperial family, who would dare to wear a bright yellow belt on his waist? Wouldn't that be like starting a rebellion?

　　County Magistrate Wu was a middle-aged man with elegant features and refined manners. He was slightly stunned as he looked at the little girl who was dressed in coa.r.s.e cloth. She had a young appearance and was short in stature. It was inevitable that he had some doubt within his heart: 'How did the emperor emeritus know someone from the countryside?'

　　However, his confusion was resolved when he recalled how the emperor emeritus and his entourage were dressed this morning. The emperor emeritus was born and raised in poverty, so he had always been friendly to the commoners from the same poverty-stricken backgrounds. Thus, it wasn't surprising for him to become acquainted with a few commoners when he travelled incognito.   

　　"Oh? Aren't you the old grandfather who rode the donkey backwards this morning?" Yu Xiaocao feigned surprise and asked.

　　The retired emperor walked forward with a laugh and stopped two steps away from her. He nodded and said, "That's right! We just parted this morning and met here again; we really have a predestined relations.h.i.+p!"

　　He looked around with his big, bell-like eyes and clicked his tongue, "County Magistrate Wu, this restaurant that you recommended doesn't seem that great ah! It's already lunch time, but there's no other customers beside us and this little girl. It seems that their food doesn't taste very good! Should we go to another restaurant?"

　　Third Young Master Zhou and Yu Xiaocao exchanged eye contact and had imaginary black lines on their heads: County Magistrate Wu had already reserved the entire restaurant, so how would there be other customers?

　　County Magistrate Wu couldn't just say that he had reserved the entire restaurant in order to entertain him, the emperor emeritus. The retired emperor hated being treated with the extravagant bureaucratic style the most when he travelled incognito. Thus, Magistrate Wu didn't know how to respond for a moment.

　　At this time, Yu Xiaocao spoke up to defend Zhenxiu Restaurant, "Old grandpa, the food here tastes delicious. You will know after trying it!"

　　The imperial guards and servants of the emperor emeritus inwardly sneered and thought: 'You're just an ignorant and inexperienced little girl. Do you really think that your words will sound convincing? It's better to not say anything at all.'

　　The emperor emeritus was in a good mood and wanted to tease the little girl, "Oh? Then tell me, what delicious food do they have here?"

　　Yu Xiaocao didn't think and immediately listed, "There's a lot! Listen to me… steamed lamb, steamed bear's paw, steamed deer's tail, roasted duck, roasted, chicken, roasted goose, braised salted duck, marinated chicken, cured pork, preserved eggs, smoked pork belly, deep-fried dried pork, sausage, a.s.sorted meat, smoked chicken, boiled pig tripe, steamed eight treasure pig, glutinous rice stuffed duck, pheasant in clay pot, pot cooked quail, a.s.sorted braised food, braised duck, stewed shrimp, braised prawn, fried shrimp…"