Starting in Exile: Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Lucky Little Wife

Chapter 174 Manager Chen Returns to the Hot Pot Restaurant

The old man took a deep breath, took a few steps forward, and said in a slightly nervous but firm voice, “Everyone knows that when Master Chen was here, he was very good to us, and the shop's business was always good. But after this guy came, he started to ostracize Master Chen. The other day, some money went missing from the shop, and without even investigating, he immediately accused Master Chen of stealing it. Master Chen is usually an upright person, how could he…”

Could he possibly do such a thing? Moreover, I later overheard him and his confidants talking privately about how he deliberately hid the money and framed Master Chen, all to get rid of Master Chen and become the manager himself.

As soon as the old man finished speaking, the hall erupted in an uproar. The waiters whispered among themselves, their faces showing anger and surprise.

"You...you're slandering me!" the current manager shouted hoarsely, his eyes filled with ferocity. "What evidence do you have to prove that I framed you?"

At this moment, Xiao Jingchuan stepped forward, his eyes as cold as frost, exuding an invisible aura of authority: "How dare you! Still trying to argue! Do you think you can get away with what you've done?"

As he spoke, Xiao Jingchuan gestured for his guards to step forward. Several guards swiftly subdued the current manager like ghosts; he struggled desperately but could not break free from their grip.

“We investigated before we came. Your confidant has confessed truthfully under our questioning.” Gu Liuli said, taking out a confession from her bosom and waving it in front of everyone. “This details how you plotted to frame Master Chen and how you embezzled the shop’s money. What else do you have to say?”

Upon seeing the confession, the current manager deflated like a punctured balloon, collapsing to the ground with despair and fear written all over his face.

“Master Chen, it was our negligence that caused you such great injustice. Today, in front of everyone, we will clear your name.” Gu Liuli walked up to Master Chen, bowed slightly, and said sincerely.

Tears of emotion welled up in Master Chen's eyes. He quickly stepped forward to help Gu Liuli up, his voice choked with emotion: "Madam, sir, it is my honor to have you help me get justice. I will certainly live up to your expectations and run the hot pot restaurant well."

“Good! From today onwards, Chef Chen is reinstated to his original position and will continue to serve as the manager of the hot pot restaurant. As for you,” Gu Liuli turned to look at the current manager who was slumped on the ground, her eyes filled with disgust, “you will receive the punishment you deserve, as a warning to others.”

After saying this, Gu Liuli signaled to the guards to drag the current manager away. The shop assistants, witnessing this, burst into applause that lasted for a long time.

When Gu Liuli and Xiao Jingchuan returned to the Nanzhao Kingdom's palace, it was already getting dark, and palace lanterns were being lit one after another, casting a soft glow in the corridors. The two were in high spirits, having resolved the hot pot restaurant issue and even gotten justice for Chef Chen.

They walked side by side toward the palace, and before they even stepped inside, they could hear the gentle coaxing voices of the palace maids. Gu Liuli raised an eyebrow slightly, exchanged a glance with Xiao Jingchuan, and quickened her pace.

Upon entering the room, they saw Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Nan Yao sitting on the couch, their faces flushed red and their eyes filled with displeasure. The palace maids surrounded the couch, some whispering words of comfort, others offering delicate pastries in an attempt to cheer them up, but Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Nan Yao remained unmoved.

"Mother, Father!" Little Nan Yao was the first to see Gu Liuli and Xiao Jingchuan. A hint of surprise flashed across her originally sullen face, but she quickly pouted and turned her head to the side.

Xiao Nanyi also crossed his arms, turned his head away, and looked angry.

Gu Liuli immediately understood. She walked to the bedside, sat down next to Xiao Nanyao, gently stroked her hair, and asked softly, "Yaoyao, tell Mother what happened? Who made our little princess angry?"

Xiao Nanyao twisted her body to avoid Gu Liuli's hand, and said in a tearful voice, "Mother is bad, and Father is bad too! They don't take us with them when they go out. We've been waiting for so long."

Xiao Nanyi chimed in, "That's right. We originally wanted to go check out the hot pot restaurant with you guys, but you didn't invite us. You must not like us."

Gu Liuli and Xiao Jingchuan felt a pang of guilt upon hearing this. Xiao Jingchuan walked over to Xiao Nanyi, knelt down, looked into his eyes, and said, "Yi'er, Yaoyao, it's your father and mother's fault for not taking you with us. But the place we're going to is a bit complicated, and we were afraid you might be in danger, so we didn't call you."

Xiao Nanyi snorted and said, "We're not afraid of danger. We're all grown up now. We can protect ourselves and our mother."

Xiao Nanyao chimed in, "Yes, we are all very brave and won't cause trouble for Daddy and Mommy."

Looking at the two children's serious yet angry expressions, Gu Liuli felt a surge of love in her heart. She hugged Xiao Nanyao tightly and said, "Yaoyao, Yi'er, Mother knows you are very brave and sensible. But in Mother's heart, you will always be children, and Mother can't bear to see you get hurt in the slightest."

Xiao Jingchuan continued, "Yes, Yi'er, when you grow up a bit more, your father will teach you more skills. Then, we'll do many, many meaningful things together."

Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Nan Yao's expressions softened slightly after hearing this, but they were still somewhat unhappy.

Xiao Nanyao raised her head, looked at Gu Liuli, and said, "Then, Mother, when you and Father go out in the future, can you take us with you? We promise we will be good."

Gu Liuli smiled and nodded, saying, "Okay, Mother promises you that she will take you with her wherever it's a suitable place. But you must also promise Mother that you will listen to her and not run around, understand?"

Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao nodded vigorously at the same time. Xiao Nanyi said, "We promise we will be obedient."

At this moment, Xiao Jingchuan remembered something, took out a delicate little box from his pocket, and said, "Yi'er, Yao Yao, Father brought you gifts on this trip."

Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Nan Yao's eyes lit up instantly, their earlier displeasure seemingly vanishing in an instant. Xiao Nan Yao eagerly asked, "What gift is it, Daddy? Let us see it!"

Xiao Jingchuan opened the box, inside was a pair of exquisite jade pendants. The jade pendants were entirely emerald green, warm and translucent, and carved with lifelike little animals.

"Wow, so beautiful!" Xiao Nanyao and Xiao Nanyi exclaimed at the same time.

Xiao Jingchuan picked up a jade pendant and put it on Xiao Nanyi's head, saying, "Yi'er, this is a gift from your father. I hope you can be like this jade pendant, gentle and warm, brave and strong."

Then he picked up another jade pendant and put it on Xiao Nanyao's head, saying, "Yaoyao, this is for you. May our little princess always be safe, happy, beautiful and kind."

Xiao Nanyao and Xiao Nanyi touched the jade pendants on their chests, their faces beaming with happy smiles. Xiao Nanyao threw herself into Xiao Jingchuan's arms and said, "Thank you, Daddy, we love this gift so much."

Xiao Nanyi chimed in, "Father, Mother, we're not angry anymore."

Looking at the two children, Gu Liuli felt a surge of joy. She said, "Alright, it's getting late. Yi'er, Yao Yao, it's time to rest."

Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Nan Yao nodded obediently and lay down on the bed with the help of the palace maids.

Gu Liuli and Xiao Jingchuan sat down by the bed, watching their two children drift off to sleep. Xiao Jingchuan gently held Gu Liuli's hand and said, "Liuli, we really need to spend more time with the children in the future. They're growing up day by day and have their own thoughts now."

Gu Liuli nodded and said, "Yes, we can't let our busy schedules make us neglect their feelings. I hope they can grow up happily."

The two sat quietly for a while before getting up and leaving the room, leaving the two children with sweet smiles in their sleep.