The apricot grove was not too far away. The three of them arrived after walking for roughly half an hour.
Before them stretched a lush expanse of green. The branches of the apricot trees hung heavy with golden fruit, gleaming in the sunlight.
At the sight of all those golden apricots, Shen Yanshui’s mood immediately brightened. Basket in hand, she headed straight beneath the trees.
None of the apricot trees were particularly tall, so there was no need to climb; they could simply pick the fruit from the ground.
She plucked one, casually wiped it on her sleeve, and took a bite.
It was bursting with juice, her mouth filling with the fresh fragrance of fruit. It was neither cloying nor astringent, soft and yielding with a delicate texture to the flesh. One bite was enough to leave her feeling refreshed by its sweet-tart flavor.
“Delicious.” Her peach-blossom eyes curved with delight as she smiled at Chunping and Dongyi. “Once we bring these back, Shouzhong and the others can make some fresh apricot fruit tea. It’ll be a nice change of pace…”
Chunping and Dongyi: “…”
Had they not tried them before, they might actually have believed her.
Though they were much better than the usual wild fruit—sour, astringent, and bitter as it was—they were still… sour.
They could not compare at all to the fine fresh fruit served below to His Highness the Crown Prince and their mistress.
Still… so long as their mistress was happy, that was all that mattered.
As Shen Yanshui stood beneath a tree, craning her neck to pick apricots, Lady Shen was standing in a pavilion farther up the hillside, not far away, watching the scene with a dark and brooding gaze.
She had originally come here to clear her mind. The news that the Seventh Prince had been granted the title of Prince of An had spread far and wide. Others were merely surprised, but she could hardly say that she was pleased.
In her dreams, the Seventh Prince had never been granted any noble title before his death.
It was as though Emperor Pingkang had forgotten he even had such a son.
Or perhaps he had not forgotten. In her previous life, after the Seventh Prince had been lamed, one calamity after another had followed. The court had been wracked by endless turmoil—how could Emperor Pingkang possibly have remembered to grant a title to this unfavored son?
Yet in this life, the Seventh Prince had actually been made a prince?!
One had to know that the other princes had only been granted princely titles after their marriages. Even the Sixth Prince still held only the rank of duke.
What vexed her even more was the Sixth Prince… he had yet to come looking for her of his own accord!
Did he not want to know why she had known the Seventh Prince might come to harm? Did he not want to know why she had brought it up to him?
Or had she been too vague that day? No—the Sixth Prince was certainly no fool!
The more she thought about it, the more agitated she became. Yet who would have thought that, after coming out to ease her mind, she would run into this concubine-born younger sister of hers, who knew only how to eat, drink, and amuse herself?
That undisguised, joyful smile on her face, that delighted and eager appearance—it was enough to make one’s heart feel stifled just looking at it!
Lady Shen clenched the handkerchief in her hand.
“Oh?” Xiangmo suddenly exclaimed in surprise, then stepped forward and said softly, “My lady, look—isn’t that the Fifth Princess and the Seventh Princess over there?”
Lady Shen turned to look. A flicker passed through her eyes, and the corners of her lips curved faintly upward.
Well, well. It really was them.
She glanced at Shen Yanshui, who was still picking apricots, and gave a quiet laugh. “Come. Let’s go down and join the fun.”
By the time mistress and servant reached the waterside pavilion, Lady Shen could see clearly that, apart from the Fifth Princess and Seventh Princess, there was another young woman seated at the stone table. Dressed in pale yellow, with almond-shaped eyes and peach-blossom cheeks, she carried herself with dignified poise. It was Zhou Huiyuan, the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Wen’s estate and the Crown Princess’s cousin on her maternal side.
A faint glimmer flickered in Lady Shen’s eyes, and then, smiling sweetly, she entered the pavilion.
The Fifth Princess, the Seventh Princess, and the other young lady in the pavilion hurriedly rose to their feet, inclined their heads, and curtsied. “Greetings, Lady Shen.”
Lady Shen turned slightly, accepting only half the courtesy. Her voice was gentle. “Your Highnesses are too polite.”
Her gaze then fell upon Zhou Huiyuan. She paused briefly, her tone warm yet tinged with uncertainty. “This must be Miss Zhou?”
Zhou Huiyuan smiled lightly. “Zhou Huiyuan pays her respects to Lady Shen.”
Delight appeared in the Seventh Princess’s eyes as she smiled. “Why has Lady Shen come out today as well? Are you taking a stroll too?”
She had encountered Lady Shen several times in the palace before. On two occasions, when she had been too playful and nearly caused trouble, it was Lady Shen who had discreetly covered for her before her mother consort.
Ever since then, she had felt that Lady Shen was quite a good person.
The Fifth Princess, meanwhile, courteously invited her to sit.
Lady Shen smiled and took a seat beside the stone table. Her gaze swept over the chessboard before them, and she spoke gently. “I was taking a walk uphill when I spotted people in this waterside pavilion from afar. I never expected it to be the two princesses and Miss Zhou. What a coincidence.”
With that, she smiled at the three of them. “I haven’t disturbed your elegant pastime, have I?”
“Of course not,” the Fifth Princess replied with a smile. “Lady Shen, you jest.” After a pause, she added, “We were merely taking a leisurely walk ourselves. The scenery around this pavilion is lovely, so we sat down to rest our feet and played a few games of chess.”
Zhou Huiyuan also nodded with a faint smile.
At this, Lady Shen looked toward the chessboard. The black and white pieces lay scattered across it, yet the formation showed some real method. She smiled. “I have heard that His Majesty has lately often summoned several lecturers and scholars from the Hanlin Academy to play chess with him. I had not expected that the two princesses and Miss Zhou would be so fond of the game as well.”
The Fifth Princess smiled. “With nothing much to occupy us, we simply arrange a few games from time to time. Lady Shen must not laugh at us.”
The Seventh Princess’s cheeks flushed slightly, and a shy, maidenly look flickered in her eyes.
Lady Shen pretended not to notice. “The Fifth Princess is far too modest. From what I can see, this is a very fine game indeed. I have heard that Lord Xu of the Hanlin Academy possesses remarkable skill at chess, and has recently been playing against His Majesty quite often.”
Unable to restrain herself, the Seventh Princess said, “Indeed! Not only is Lord Xu highly skilled at chess, he is also courteous and refined in manner. His poetry and prose are exceptionally fine as well—truly, he is a man of extraordinary literary talent.”
As the Fifth Princess listened, she made a show of straightening her sleeve and quietly tugged at the Seventh Princess’s sleeve.
Only then did the Seventh Princess realize that she had said rather too much. She pressed her lips together and fell silent, though a faint blush had crept up to the tips of her ears.
Something deepened in Lady Shen’s eyes, but she smiled and said, “I do know a little about this Lord Xu.”
The Seventh Princess’s eyes brightened, and she could not help asking, “Lady Shen, you know Lord Xu as well?”
Lady Shen raised her teacup and took a sip before smiling leisurely. “Come to think of it, it is quite a coincidence. If not for my sake back then, Lord Xu would likely have become my younger sister’s husband by now.”
Having said this, she did not look to see the change in the Seventh Princess’s expression. She merely lowered her eyes and gently blew on the tea.
The Fifth Princess’s gaze sharpened slightly. She glanced at the Seventh Princess, saw that she had frozen, and then turned back to Lady Shen. In an even tone, she asked, “What do you mean by that, Lady Shen?”
Lady Shen lowered her eyes, took another sip of tea, and let out a soft sigh.
“Alas, it was because of me,” she said, setting down her cup, her voice tinged with sentiment. “My fourth sister had originally been discussing marriage with Lord Xu. The two of them were also rather…”
She gave a light cough. “They were both very proper, of course. But at the time, my health was poor, and I was melancholy day after day. When Mother learned how unhappy I was, and knowing that my fourth sister and I had been close since childhood, she sent my sister into the palace to keep me company. Yet who could have expected that… through a twist of fate, my fourth sister would enter the Eastern Palace instead?”
The Fifth Princess’s expression remained unchanged. She looked at her and said, “That is all in the past now. Bringing it up again at this time, Lady Shen, may lead to misunderstandings if others were to hear of it.”
Lady Shen smiled. “The Fifth Princess is right. I spoke carelessly. Still… I believe that one who stands upright need not fear a crooked shadow. Naturally, I have no fear of idle gossip.”
Zhou Huiyuan smiled faintly. “Lady Shen is right. The innocent will prove themselves innocent. Since Worthy Lady Shen and Lord Xu were perfectly honorable, there is nothing to fear.”
The Fifth Princess frowned slightly.
The Seventh Princess sat to one side, her brows drawn together, saying nothing for a time.
She had not expected that the younger sister Lady Shen spoke of—the one who had once been discussing marriage with Lord Xu—was Worthy Lady Shen, who had recently attracted so much attention and was said to be greatly favored by the Crown Prince.
Naturally, she remembered Worthy Lady Shen. In truth, it would have been difficult to forget her. Worthy Lady Shen’s beauty was simply too striking; anyone who had seen her would remember her.
As the Seventh Princess thought of this, her lips unconsciously turned down in a slight pout.
She had come here today not solely to clear her mind and play chess. Her gaze drifted of its own accord toward another direction beyond the waterside pavilion.
Not far away, beneath an old pine tree beside the path, two men sat playing chess at a stone table. One of them, dressed in a blue-green robe, was none other than Lord Xu of the Hanlin Academy—Xu Chengwen. His manner as he held and placed his pieces was calm and unhurried, while his profile beneath the shade of the tree appeared especially refined.
The Seventh Princess looked only once, yet her heart began beating faster.
She hastily withdrew her gaze and lowered her eyes. Her fingers unconsciously twisted her handkerchief as she found herself thinking again of what Lady Shen had said—that Lord Xu and Worthy Lady Shen had once been discussing marriage…
Her lips pursed. Unable to suppress the faint displeasure in her heart, she said, “That merely proves that they were not fated for one another. Worthy Lady Shen’s destined match lies with Crown Prince Brother, not with Lord Xu.”
At the Seventh Princess’s words, the smile on Lady Shen’s face stiffened slightly, but she quickly recovered. With a gentle smile, she said warmly, “The Seventh Princess is right. Those matters are long past and not worth mentioning…”
With that, she smoothly began speaking of the flowers, trees, and scenery of the imperial summer palace, as though her earlier remarks had merely been an offhand recollection.
The Fifth Princess followed her lead with a few responses, and the atmosphere in the pavilion gradually eased once more.
Zhou Huiyuan, however, remained silent.
Her gaze lowered, she held her teacup in her hands, her fingertips lightly tracing the side of the porcelain. Nothing in her expression revealed her thoughts.
Worthy Lady Shen…
Before this Worthy Lady Shen had entered the Eastern Palace, His Highness the Crown Prince had shown great respect toward her cousin, the Crown Princess.
But what about now?
Worthy Lady Shen had been in the Eastern Palace for only a few months, yet she had already forced the Crown Princess into such a situation. Her cousin was even with child, and yet her aunt was not permitted to visit her.
This Worthy Lady Shen truly had formidable methods…
*
In the study of Chengxin Hall, sunlight filtered through the half-open lattice window.
Cui Yu sat behind his desk, his handsome face faintly grim. Though he held a book in his hand, his eyes were not on the words.
Outside, the sun had risen high. It was nearly time for the midday meal. The intermittent chirping of cicadas drifted in, making the room seem all the quieter.
The news that his seventh brother had been invested as Prince of An had already spread. Their father, the Emperor, had agreed to it at the time, so there was nothing unusual about that.
But…
As for his eighth brother, Cui Yu had learned through other channels that the Emperor had ordered him confined to a side hall of the summer palace. Yet no formal edict had been issued.
More than half a month had passed. There was less and less activity from the Emperor’s side—clearly, his anger had already subsided…
Cui Yu’s gaze darkened.
Even if a formal edict were issued in a few days’ time, it would likely amount to no more than a grand show followed by a light punishment: a year or two of confinement and suspended stipend, after which his brother would be released again.
Lowering his eyes, he ran his long fingers along the edge of the page, his expression growing colder still.
Since Father Emperor had forgotten so quickly, then Cui Yu would help him remember.
He set the book down and lightly tapped his fingers against the desk, about to summon someone when a flurry of footsteps sounded from outside the courtyard, accompanied by the greetings of palace maids and eunuchs.
“Greetings, my lord!”
“His Lordship has returned!”
Cui Yu turned toward the window.
At the courtyard gate, Shen Yanshui was lifting her skirts as she crossed the threshold. Chunping and Dongyi followed behind her, each of the three carrying a basket brimming with golden apricots.
She wore a pale apricot-colored blouse that day, making her small face appear all the fairer and brighter.
The stern lines of Cui Yu’s brow unconsciously lifted, and the chill in his eyes melted away like spring ice beneath the warmth of the sun.
He had only just risen and rounded the desk when he heard a rapid patter of footsteps from outside. Shen Yanshui, holding up her skirts in one hand and carrying a basket in the other, was already hurrying toward the study.
Cui Yu quickly strode forward. The instant she crossed the threshold, he reached out to steady her by the arm, taking the basket from her with his other hand. There was a faint note of reproach in his voice.
“Why are you running so fast? It’s not as if I’m going anywhere.”
As he spoke, he cast a cool glance at the attendants following behind her.
Chunping and the others immediately bowed to beg forgiveness.
Shen Yanshui: “...I’m not crippled yet.”
She tipped up her face to look at him, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Why is Your Highness still so handsome even when you’re angry? I can hardly bear to blink, for fear of missing it.” She gazed at him with those round, clear eyes of hers.
Cui Yu: “...”
He lowered his gaze to her, his expression impassive, then lifted a hand and lightly tapped her forehead. “Smooth-tongued flatterer.”
Little sycophant.
Still, he did not pursue the matter of the palace servants any further. Chunping and the others immediately let out sighs of relief and hurriedly withdrew.
Shen Yanshui bumped her forehead against his chest, then giggled. Lowering her head, she picked the largest, yellowest apricot from the basket and held it to his lips. “Your Highness, hurry and taste this apricot. I’ve been taking great care of them these past few days. Look—aren’t they plump and lovely?”
Cui Yu glanced down at the apricot in her palm. It was indeed round and full, golden-yellow in color, its skin covered in a fine layer of fuzz. One could tell at a glance that it was perfectly ripe.
“Your Highness, hurry and try it,” Shen Yanshui urged. She took another apricot from the basket for herself and bit into it.
Seeing the contented little expression on her face, Cui Yu lowered his head and took a bite as well.
But the moment the apricot touched his tongue, his expression changed.
That sharp sourness rushed straight to his head, as though someone had squeezed a burst of acid onto the tip of his tongue. His brows drew together involuntarily. His throat bobbed once before he managed, with difficulty, to swallow that bite of fruit.
He looked down at the apricot in his hand, marked by a single bite, then looked up at A-Yan, who was eating hers with evident delight...
Cui Yu fell silent for a moment. Then he slipped an arm around her waist and drew her against him. Before Shen Yanshui could react, he half-held, half-carried her around the folding screen.
One hand cupped the back of her neck, forcing her to tilt up her face.
“Your Highness?”
The moment she opened her mouth in confusion, his tongue slipped effortlessly between her lips, stealing away the piece of apricot she had just bitten off and had not yet swallowed.
Cui Yu tasted the fruit, and his brows furrowed again. It really was sour.
That small piece of apricot quickly vanished between their lips and tongues.
He did not pull away at once. Instead, he deepened the kiss in that position, until she was kissed dizzy and limp, her whole body soft in his arms. Only then did he finally release her.
Shen Yanshui opened her eyes, still looking a little dazed. She looked at him softly, her voice as fluffy as cotton. “Your Highness... why did you steal the one in my mouth? There are plenty more here.”
She lifted the basket still hanging from her hand, her face full of puzzlement.
Cui Yu glanced down at the basket of golden apricots, the corner of his mouth twitching faintly. The sourness still lingered in his mouth. He lowered his head and lightly pecked her sweet lips once more before saying blandly, “Sour. Not good.”
At once, Shen Yanshui frowned. She lowered her head and took another bite of the apricot in her hand, tasting it carefully.
“It’s all right... It’s not that sour,” she murmured.
She could indeed taste a faint tartness, but to her, the balance of sweet and sour was just right—refreshing and appetizing.
She looked up at Cui Yu uncertainly. “Your Highness… was it really that sour?”
Cui Yu nodded, unwilling to dwell on the tart, astringent taste from earlier.
This was probably the first time in his life that he had ever tasted fruit so sour.
Anything presented before him in the past had been selected and screened layer by layer from across the realm, each piece flawless in appearance and excellent in flavor. Who would ever dare offer him fruit this sour?
At the thought of it, the corner of his mouth twitched again.
Seeing his expression, Shen Yanshui looked rather embarrassed. She muttered softly, “All right, then… I’ll keep these apricots for myself. I was originally planning to send some to Her Majesty the Empress…”
Listening to her quiet muttering, Cui Yu’s expression softened somewhat. He led her to the couch and sat down with her before saying, “Mother was very fond of the three jars of candied peaches you sent her last time. She likely has not finished them yet, so let us leave it at that for now. She knows you are devoted to her.”
Shen Yanshui set the basket in her hands on a nearby table and nodded. “Then tomorrow, I’ll go and take a look at the pomegranates. I can pick some and send those to Her Majesty the Empress instead.”
Cui Yu smiled and nodded at her.
Shen Yanshui suddenly seemed to recall something. Her brows knit faintly, and after hesitating for a moment, she asked softly, “Your Highness, I have always heard that Her Majesty the Empress has not been in very good health these past two years. Did the imperial physicians ever say what illness she suffers from?”
Cui Yu did not conceal anything. In a low voice, he replied, “The imperial physicians said it was an illness brought on by years of overwork. Mother has managed the inner palace for many years, exhausting both her mind and spirit. Over time, it damaged her constitution. In the last two years, she has also developed ailments brought on by seasonal imbalances—her spleen and stomach are weak, and her qi and blood deficient. She often feels weary and lethargic, and sleeps poorly at night. Her health has never fully recovered, though over the last few months, it has gradually improved.”
At his words, Shen Yanshui nodded instinctively.
Overwork could indeed deplete the body’s vital organs, and it did seem to match Her Majesty’s symptoms.
Could it be that she was simply overthinking things?
Never mind. Fortunately, Her Majesty’s condition did not seem urgent. When she had another opportunity to take the Empress’s pulse, she would surely be able to detect any hidden problem.
As the two spoke, they could faintly hear the palace servants outside making preparations for the meal.
Shen Yanshui rose to her feet and tugged lightly at Cui Yu’s sleeve. “Your Highness, this morning I specifically instructed Eunuch Lin to prepare a hot pot together with Shouzhong. It should be ready to eat by now.”
Cui Yu: …Hot pot in the middle of summer?
But seeing how eager she was, he said nothing. Letting her lead him by the sleeve, he left the study with her, and the two headed for the main hall.
The moment they crossed the threshold, Chunping came forward and curtsied. “Your Highness, Mistress, Eunuch Lin says that everything is ready. Shall it be served now?”
Shen Yanshui quickly nodded. “Bring it all in.”
Chunping answered, “Yes,” then turned and gave a signal toward the attendants outside.
In no time, palace servants filed in one after another, carrying an assortment of bowls, plates, and dishes, which they arranged upon the table.
Before they had even drawn near, an intense, commanding fragrance wafted over.
Cui Yu’s steps faltered slightly.
Chengxin Hall was much larger than Lianxin Court, and its small kitchen was not directly adjacent to the main hall. While he had been in the study just now, he had not caught even the faintest trace of the scent.
He lifted his gaze toward the table. At its center sat a copper pot over burning charcoal, the broth within bubbling merrily as steam curled upward.
The copper pot was divided down the middle. One side held a red-oil broth, with chilies and Sichuan peppercorns floating on its surface, looking spicy enough at a glance. The other side contained a milky-white clear broth, dotted with scallions, ginger slices, mushrooms, and red dates—far milder in appearance.
Shen Yanshui took her seat beside him with a radiant smile and pointed at the pot. “Your Highness, I had Eunuch Lin specially prepare this yin-yang hotpot. Its flavor is rather different from an ordinary warming pot. Please try it later and see whether you like it.”
A yin-yang hotpot?
Cui Yu regarded the pot for a moment but said nothing, merely taking his place at the table.
The palace servants continued laying out the dishes.
There were paper-thin slices of tripe, beef, mutton, chicken, and fish, neatly arranged on platters in alternating shades of red and white, their marbling clearly visible. There were also hand-pounded fish balls and shrimp balls, duck blood, duck intestines, and brain, all set out on small plates. Beside them lay an array of vegetables—crisp green leafy greens and snow-white radishes—as well as several kinds of mushrooms and tofu. The table was filled to overflowing.
Looking over the lavish spread, Shen Yanshui felt quietly delighted.
Hotpot had long existed in Great Yong, and she had enjoyed it before entering the palace. On cold winter days, nothing was more comforting than setting up a warming pot and gathering around it to eat.
Yet in those days, the broth was generally made from bones or mushrooms and was quite mild. Most of the ingredients were simply stewed meats, while the dipping sauces amounted to little more than soy sauce and vinegar. Compared with hotpot from later generations, the difference was still considerable.
This red-oil spicy broth had been the result of many rounds of experimentation by her, Eunuch Lin, and Shouzhong over the past several days. They had tested the soup base alone seven or eight times before finally reaching something they found barely satisfactory.
Just as she was thinking this, a hurried set of footsteps sounded outside.
Zheng Yuande sniffed the air and bowed as he reported, “Your Highness, Great General Qi has arrived.” This warming pot made by Mistress Liangyuan smelled so fragrant that he felt as though his nose might fall off.
Shen Yanshui blinked in surprise.
Cui Yu looked up. “Invite my uncle in.”
Zheng Yuande acknowledged the order and withdrew.
A moment later, a tall figure strode briskly inside.
Qi Mingchuan was dressed today in a black round-collared robe patterned with subtle designs, a leather belt fastened about his waist, making his already upright and heroic bearing appear all the more striking. Upon entering, he first paid Cui Yu a proper salute. “This subject, Qi Mingchuan, pays his respects to Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”
Cui Yu lifted a hand. “There is no need for such formality, Uncle.”
Qi Mingchuan straightened up, his gaze falling on the copper pot bubbling away on the table. One brow arched slightly as he glanced at the bowls and chopsticks before the pair, as well as the table laden with raw meat and vegetables. He could not help but laugh.
“Why are His Highness the Crown Prince and his consort having hotpot in the middle of summer?”
As he spoke, he seated himself at the table without waiting to be invited, his tone teasing.
“What a coincidence. Your Highness, Consort—surely you won’t mind if I join you for a meal?”
Shen Yanshui hastily smiled. “Of course not. So long as Uncle does not find it beneath him, please help yourself.”
The moment she finished speaking, quick-witted Quanfu—who had gone off to make preparations the instant he heard Qi Mingchuan mention joining them—returned carrying a fresh set of bowl and chopsticks. He respectfully set them before Qi Mingchuan.
Qi Mingchuan looked over the dishes on the table, his gaze pausing briefly on the half of the pot filled with vivid red broth.
He had spent many years campaigning away from home, and at the frontier he often ate hotpot in winter. Yet those were always made with bone broth or clear soup, perhaps with a few slices of ginger to ward off the cold. A pot divided between chili oil and clear broth like this was something he had never seen before.
Chilies and Sichuan peppercorns floated in the red-oil broth. It looked fiercely spicy; before even taking a bite, one could practically feel the sweat forming. He was somewhat reluctant to try it.
Yet the aroma was simply too overpowering. Merely smelling it was enough to make one’s mouth water.
Seeing that neither man was moving, Shen Yanshui instructed Eunuch Lin and Shouzhong, “Prepare dipping sauces for His Highness and Uncle.”
The two acknowledged her order and stepped forward, each holding several small dishes, which they arranged before Cui Yu and Qi Mingchuan.
Lowering their eyes, Cui Yu and Qi Mingchuan saw that each of them had been given a small bowl of prepared sauce, along with several little dishes containing various seasonings. One held a light-brown paste that gave off a rich sesame fragrance—something neither of them had encountered before.
Pointing to the sauces, Shen Yanshui introduced them. “This is sesame paste, and this is sesame oil. There are scallions, garlic, vinegar, and other ingredients mixed in as well. Eunuch Lin, Shouzhong, and I worked together to prepare these, and we think they taste quite good. If Your Highness and Uncle are interested, you may also mix your own according to your preferences.”
After a pause, she added, “If Your Highness and Uncle cannot handle the spicy broth, you can have the milder side instead. Dip the food in the sauce, and it will still be delicious.”
Qi Mingchuan raised a brow but said nothing. His eyes lingered on the dish of sesame paste for a moment longer.
After explaining, Shen Yanshui was the first to begin eating.
She picked up a thin slice of beef tripe with her chopsticks and lowered it into the red-oil broth. It had been sliced so finely it was nearly translucent. She swished it seven or eight times through the rolling broth, then quickly fished it out, dipped it into her bowl of sauce, and put it into her mouth.
“Mmm—”
It was so delicious she could have cried.
Her eyes curved into crescents as she chewed, her face filled with satisfaction.
When she opened her eyes and saw both men looking at her, she immediately felt a little embarrassed. Blinking innocently, she said, “Your Highness, why isn’t Little Uncle eating? Beef tripe is delicious. Dip it in and swish it up and down seven or eight times—that’s when it tastes best, when it’s at its most tender!”
As she spoke, she had already cooked another slice for the Crown Prince and placed it in his bowl.
The corner of Cui Yu’s lips lifted faintly. He glanced at his little uncle, then followed A-Yan’s example, dipped the tripe into the sauce, and ate it.
Qi Mingchuan: “...”
Wasn’t it just a slice of tripe? What was there to show off about? Hmph!
He had perfectly good hands and feet. He could serve himself.
With that thought, he picked up his chopsticks as well.
Shen Yanshui turned to the Crown Prince and asked, “Your Highness, how does it taste?” She was worried he might not be able to handle too much spice, so this slice had been cooked in the clear broth.
Still, the tripe had taken quite a bit of effort. She and Eunuch Lin had spent a long time figuring out how to remove its gaminess. Offal was usually eaten only by common folk and was hardly fit for an elegant table, much less for members of the imperial family. But there was no helping it—she simply loved tripe.
After swallowing, Cui Yu said slowly, “It is excellent.”
It was crisp, tender, and pleasantly springy, infused with the rich fragrance of the mushroom broth. The sesame sauce, in particular, had exceeded his expectations. Its aroma was deep and lingering; coating the tripe, it added another layer of richness entirely unlike the usual simple flavors of vinegar and soy sauce.
He picked up another slice of lamb and this time lowered it into the spicy red-oil broth.
After rolling in the crimson broth for only a few moments, the lamb was done. When he lifted it out, bright red droplets of oil still clung to it.
An intense heat burst across his tongue at once. The fiery fragrance of chili and the tingling numbness of Sichuan pepper intertwined, striking his palate. Yet after the heat came a savory freshness that rose in his throat, while the spice made the lamb’s tenderness stand out all the more.
It was just… a little too spicy.
Silently, he raised his teacup and took a sip. Then he put some greens into the clear broth, alternating between the two as he ate.
Qi Mingchuan, meanwhile, was quite different.
At first, out of habit, he ate a few pieces of meat from the clear broth. He nodded in a restrained manner, thinking the flavor was indeed good, and that the sesame sauce was rather interesting. But when he saw his nephew dip into the spicy red-oil broth twice in a row, he decided to try it himself...
His eyes lit up at once.
“This is good!” he blurted, reaching his chopsticks back into the spicy pot. This time, he picked up an entire plateful of sliced meat and dumped it all in.
Shen Yanshui stared, dumbfounded.
Qi Mingchuan fished out a slice of beef, coated it in sesame sauce, and stuffed it into his mouth, his face full of delight. Sweat had already begun to bead on his forehead, but he paid it no mind, picking up more lamb and sending it straight into his mouth.
“This spicy broth is truly excellent!” he praised between bites.
As he spoke, he tossed another plate of meat into the pot. His chopsticks scarcely paused.
Watching him eat with sweat pouring down his face and such wholehearted enjoyment, Shen Yanshui could not help but laugh.
The Crown Prince, meanwhile, remained as unhurried as ever, alternating between the clear broth and the spicy pot, his expression perfectly composed.
Watching the two of them eat with such enjoyment, Shen Yanshui was delighted as well.
The flavor of this hotpot might not have recreated its modern counterpart perfectly, but it was at least seventy or eighty percent there. Coupled with the rich sesame paste, it was more than satisfying.
The three of them gathered around the bronze pot and ate for a full two hours. Empty plates piled up one after another on the table.
At last, Qi Mingchuan leaned back in his chair. Rarely, he had eaten until he was stuffed. Forgetting all about his usual image, he sprawled in the chair, let out a long breath, and patted his stomach in contentment.
“Wonderful!”
Cui Yu put down his chopsticks and was about to speak when he noticed that A-Yan was staring at his maternal uncle.
Following her gaze, he turned his head and saw that his uncle had rolled his sleeves all the way up to his shoulders, eating with great gusto. Then Cui Yu recalled how fond A-Yan ordinarily was of his physique... His brows immediately drew together.
He rose and walked over to his uncle, giving him a light kick. His face was cold as he said, “Uncle, you are improperly dressed. Have you no sense of decorum?”
Qi Mingchuan’s eyes widened. “...What?” He had merely rolled up his sleeves. How did that count as improperly dressed?
Then he remembered Worthy Lady Shen...
At once, he hurriedly stood up and adjusted his clothes, his expression uncharacteristically awkward.
He had been enjoying the meal too much and had relaxed completely. Besides, Worthy Lady Shen was truly not the least bit coy—she was so natural and generous in manner that he had temporarily forgotten he was in the company of a lady.
Seeing this, Shen Yanshui knew the two men had something to discuss. Smiling, she rose and excused herself on the pretext of taking a walk to help digest the meal.
“What did you come to see me about today?” Cui Yu asked in an unhurried voice.
Qi Mingchuan folded his arms. “Nothing. I was bored, so I came to see my dear grand-nephew. I didn’t expect to arrive just in time for such a good meal.” Then, as if suddenly recalling something, he quickly asked, “Oh, right—how is this red-oil broth made? I’ll have the cooks at my residence come learn it later.”
Cui Yu said, “...I’ll ask A-Yan later.”
Qi Mingchuan immediately arched a brow. “Your Highness, do you know what you look like right now?”
Cui Yu’s expression remained unchanged, his eyes calm. “What?”
Qi Mingchuan said, “Like those common men in the streets and marketplaces who are afraid of their wives!” The moment he finished speaking, he burst out laughing.
“...?!”
Zheng Yuande and every attendant waiting outside froze in unison.
Great General Qi, your voice is far too loud! Ah, His Highness’s dignity...
Cui Yu paused. For some reason, he felt the tips of his ears grow faintly hot. His face instantly darkened, and he ordered his guest out.
Thus, before long, the entire imperial residence somehow learned that Great General Qi had been thrown out by the Crown Prince.
After hearing of it, Emperor Pingkang’s furrowed brows eased slightly. He placed the final chess piece on the board and laughed aloud.
“Lord Xu, your skill at chess still requires further refinement.”
Xu Chengwen rose at once and gave a slight bow. “Your Majesty flatters me. With my modest ability at chess, I am far from a match for Your Majesty.”
...
The sky gradually darkened.
Within the inner chamber of Chengxin Hall, the light was dim and golden.
Shen Yanshui emerged from the bathing chamber and changed into a moon-white sleeping gown. The steam had flushed her cheeks a soft pink, lending her an air of languid allure.
Cui Yu had already bathed as well. Dressed in a loose night robe, he reclined against the headboard with a book in hand, though it was hard to say how much of it he had actually read.
Shen Yanshui climbed onto the bed and lay down beside him. Reaching over, she plucked the book from his hand. Seeing that it was something serious, she promptly lost interest. When she noticed him looking down at her, she turned onto her side and propped her head on one hand. Her dark hair spilled over the pillow, and her peach-blossom eyes gleamed in the candlelight.
Then she suddenly asked, “Your Highness, do you think the child I’m carrying is a girl or a boy?”
Cui Yu paused slightly at her question.
When he had first learned that A-Yan was pregnant, his first thought had been that it would be wonderful if she gave birth to a daughter as sweet and lovely as A-Yan herself.
The mere image softened his heart.
But after considering the matter carefully, he had come to think that a boy might be better after all.
Better for both him and A-Yan, as things stood now.
Cui Yu pushed those thoughts aside and looked down at her, his voice gentle. “Whether it is a boy or a girl, I will love the child all the same.”
Shen Yanshui gave him a skeptical look, clearly unconvinced. “Is that truly so, Your Highness? You are not merely trying to coax me, are you?”
She edged closer to him and lowered her voice. “If I truly am carrying a girl, you will not be unhappy, will you?”
The moment the words left her lips, she felt a light smack on her backside.
“Don’t talk nonsense,” Cui Yu said above her head, his tone mildly reproachful.
Shen Yanshui gave two little hmphs, then giggled and threw herself into his arms. Like a kitten, she pressed herself against him. One hand slipped expertly beneath the hem of his loose sleeping robe, her palm settling against his abs before wandering upward to his chest. Her fingertips lingered over the firm contours of his muscles.
They felt so good.
She sighed to herself.
What a pity—no matter how much she wanted to, she could only touch, not have a taste.
She let out a resentful little sigh.
Cui Yu’s body stiffened slightly.
That small hand was roaming over him far too freely. It was faintly cool from her bath, yet every touch felt especially distinct.
He drew in a deep breath and caught her wandering hand, his voice a little hoarse. “A-Yan.”
Shen Yanshui lifted her head and blinked up at him, innocence written all over her face.
Cui Yu lowered his gaze to hers. “What of the clothes you said you would make for me? Have you finished them, A-Yan?”
Shen Yanshui’s hand froze. “I only finished them yesterday...” After completing the outfit, she had looked at the final result and, for some inexplicable reason, felt a little uneasy. She had not dared show it to the Crown Prince just yet.
But since he had brought it up himself...
She cleared her throat and looked at him. “Tomorrow evening, I’ll bring it for Your Highness to try on and see whether it fits?”
Then she hurriedly added, “But Your Highness must promise me that, once you try it on, no matter how well or poorly I made it, you must not get angry.”
Cui Yu held down the hand that was creeping lower and lower, his expression calm. “Of course I will not.”
The morning after next, there would be a court council with the emperor—just the right occasion to wear the outfit A-Yan had made for him.
