Once the organs had been removed and set aside, Luo Bi took a break while Wang Zhi began washing the ox carcass.
Just then, Liang Cheng came over and worked his way into the gaps, splitting open the large bones and separating the meat along the skeleton into several large chunks.
After that, Luo Bi began working with a thin-bladed knife. He slipped the blade into the gaps between the joints, avoiding the hard bones where the tendons and sinews were densely packed. Smoothly, as though cutting through butter, he separated the meat along its natural divisions.
Yan Tongshu watched Luo Bi’s technique intently.
Meng Zheng lightly bumped Yan Tongshu with his shoulder. “What are you thinking about so quietly?”
Yan Tongshu stroked his chin. “I feel like this technique for butchering an ox is a little like dissecting a corpse. They’re both just bones and flesh, so the techniques should be similar.”
A chill ran down Meng Zheng’s spine. He coughed stiffly twice and lowered his voice. “Lord Yan, please watch what you say.”
Yan Tongshu deliberately lowered his chin, then raised his eyes and stared at Meng Zheng with a sinister, terrifying look. “Lord Meng, are you afraid of ghosts?”
Meng Zheng lightly slapped Yan Tongshu on the forehead. “I’m afraid of you.”
Yan Tongshu snorted, completely unfazed.
Before long, the entire ox had been divided along its natural grain.
Luo Bi and the other two picked up cloths and wiped the blood from their hands before calling out, “Brother Zeng!”
Zeng Sen hurried over. “Lord Meng, which cut would the two of you like?”
Yan Tongshu pointed to the leg meat. “Here. It’s low in fat, so it’s just right for making shredded-meat filling.”
Yan Tongshu held up three fingers. “Three jin.”
“All right. I’ll cut it for you.”
He glanced at Luo Bi, who immediately cut off a piece of meat and hung it from the hook of the scale. He lifted it up, moved the counterweight, and got exactly three jin.
Yan Tongshu immediately gave Luo Bi a thumbs-up. “That’s incredible!”
No one disliked being praised. Luo Bi was embarrassed by Yan Tongshu’s straightforward compliment and gave a simple, good-natured smile. “You flatter me. It’s only because I’ve had plenty of practice.”
After saying this, Luo Bi lowered his head and poked a hole through the middle of the meat with his knife. Wang Zhi brought over some dried straw. He threaded it through the hole, looped it around, and tied the two ends together in a knot, so Yan Tongshu could carry the meat by hand.
He handed the straw rope to Yan Tongshu. “Young sir, take this meat home and let it sit for a while. It’ll taste better that way.”
“All right. Thank you, big brother.”
Yan Tongshu happily accepted it and examined the finely marbled beef.
At that, Luo Bi became embarrassed again.
After buying the beef, Yan Tongshu was in an especially good mood all the way home. She sat in front, humming a tune, while Meng Zheng sat behind her, holding the reins.
After a while, Meng Zheng asked with interest, “What song are you singing? I’ve never heard it before.”
Yan Tongshu smiled. “It’s a particularly festive song. Want to learn it?”
Meng Zheng said, “Start us off.”
“You sing along with me.” Yan Tongshu raised her voice and sang, “Today is a wonderful day; everything we wish for will come true…”
Meng Zheng tried singing a line. “Like that?”
“Not bad.” Yan Tongshu encouraged him. “Meng Zheng, I didn’t expect your voice to sound so good when you sing.”
Meng Zheng tugged on the reins to turn. “What’s the next line?”
Yan Tongshu sang, “Today is a wonderful day; everything we wish for will come true…”
Meng Zheng followed along.
Yan Tongshu continued, “Today is a wonderful day; everything we wish for will come true…”
Meng Zheng sang along as well. Halfway through, he suddenly realized something and called out, “Yan Tongshu.”
“Hmm?”
Meng Zheng asked suspiciously, “Is that the only line you know?”
Yan Tongshu stifled a laugh. “You caught me.”
Meng Zheng was amused. “Is there anything else? Something a little… more complete?”
“Let me think.”
Yan Tongshu hummed a few more lines, and Meng Zheng followed her lead.
They soon arrived at the entrance to the Yan residence. Yan Tongshu dismounted, lifted the beef, and looked up at Meng Zheng. “Just wait for my beef mooncakes.”
Meng Zheng nodded. “Lord Yan, please don’t make any strange flavors.”
“Don’t worry. They’ll be absolutely delicious.” Yan Tongshu waved goodbye.
“Then I’ll be counting on you.”
With that, Meng Zheng tugged on the reins and rode away.
Yan Tongshu smiled and walked into the Yan residence.
Outside the Yan residence, inside a carriage—
Lu Xi held Snowfluff and softly reminded him, “Your Majesty, Lord Yan has returned.”
Qin Yi lowered the carriage curtain and cast his eyes down. “Return to the palace.”
“Huh?”
Lu Xi froze for a moment and instinctively glanced at Snowfluff.
Hadn’t His Majesty left the palace specifically so Snowfluff could see Yuanzi? He had even been hurriedly reviewing memorials in the carriage the entire way. Why, now that they had reached the gate, had he suddenly decided not to go in?
After returning to the imperial palace, Qin Yi continued reviewing memorials.
Snowfluff lay sprawled across the imperial desk, its eyes closed as it snored softly.
When Qin Yi finished reading the memorials, he tossed them aside and reached out to poke Snowfluff’s chubby head with his index finger. “Look at you, so useless.”
Snowfluff opened its glassy eyes. “Meow?”
“They have other friends and don’t care about you.” Qin Yi continued poking its head. “Didn’t you hear? The people pursuing Yuanzi stretch from Bianjing all the way to the northern frontier. They don’t need you too.”
Snowfluff seemed to understand him. It let out an indignant “meow,” as though saying, Nonsense. Yuanzi likes me. She likes me very much.
“So useless.” Qin Yi flicked Snowfluff lightly on the head, then stopped.
Snowfluff grew angry. It stood up, turned around, and presented Qin Yi with its backside before lying down again. Its head drooped, and it looked thoroughly miserable.
Qin Yi laughed in exasperation. “They don’t want you, and you’ve dragged me into losing face. Now you’re even feeling sorry for yourself?”
“Meow!” Snowfluff lay there sulkily, even its fluffy tail drooping.
It seemed to have truly understood Qin Yi’s words. The next day, Snowfluff began to refuse food. It neither ate nor drank, refusing to move. It even kept its eyes closed, not deigning to look at Qin Yi.
Qin Yi’s entire face turned cold.
Lu Xi hurried to plead for Snowfluff. “Your Majesty, Snowfluff is only a cat. It doesn’t understand anything.”
“I think it’s clever enough—just pretending to be stupid!” Qin Yi gritted his teeth furiously. “Drag it outside and execute it! Remove its head and make braised lion’s head meatballs!”
Lu Xi was utterly helpless. “Your Majesty, Snowfluff is still young—it hasn’t even turned one yet. Please forgive it for the sake of the fact that it grew up without a mother and is still only a child.”
Qin Yi let out a heavy scoff. “It’s already learned to pine after someone. How can you still call it young?”
Lu Xi hugged Snowfluff and knelt down. “Your Majesty, please calm down. Snowfluff truly didn’t do it on purpose.”
Qin Yi: “Hmph!”
…
Yan Tongshu was off duty that day and slept until nearly noon before getting up.
She changed into clean clothes, walked into the courtyard, stretched her limbs, and gave a long, satisfying stretch. Then she asked, “Pearl, what are we having for lunch?”
“Young master.” Pearl looked troubled. “His Majesty said you were sleeping soundly and wouldn’t let me wake you.”
“What?” Yan Tongshu was stunned. “What did you say?”
Pearl looked at Yan Tongshu with a tearful expression. “Young master, His Majesty suddenly came over. He was so strange. After arriving and learning that you were still asleep, he stopped me from waking you and went to the study himself. Not long after, Eunuch Lu Xi came to the courtyard and took Yuanzi away…”
“Waaah, Young Master, has Snowfluff fallen lovesick again? Is His Majesty really going to force Yuanzi to marry Snowfluff? What if he takes advantage of our carelessness and secretly kidnaps Yuanzi into the palace?”
What?
The dog emperor still hadn’t given up on arranging a marriage between Yuanzi and Snowfluff?
Yan Tongshu swept back her robe and charged furiously toward the study. “Qin Yi!”
She pushed open the door, suppressed the anger boiling in her chest, and forced a smile. “My good friend, Qin Yi—”
Qin Yi raised an eyebrow. He looked up with a faint, pleased smile. “Not bad. You seem to be in high spirits.”
Yan Tongshu tugged harder at the corners of her mouth, pulling them into a smile that was both stiff and seemingly natural. “What brings you here?”
Qin Yi’s gaze shifted toward the spot beside the desk.
Yan Tongshu followed his gaze.
Beside the desk, Yuanzi was sprawled over a stack of thick books, eyes half-closed and looking as though she were neither fully awake nor fully asleep. Snowfluff lay beneath the books, gazing eagerly at Yuanzi. With that lovestruck expression, it looked like a living statue waiting for its wife.
Lu Xi awkwardly explained, “Lord Yan, Snowfluff probably hasn’t seen Yuanzi in too long. He’s gone on hunger strike again today. This… this cat has been spoiled rotten. His Majesty and I have no idea what to do with him.”
“Ugh…”
Yan Tongshu’s head drooped heavily.
How could Snowfluff be so hopelessly devoted?
She walked over and stroked Snowfluff’s head, half amused, half exasperated, and more than a little sympathetic.
Just look at that pitiful little face. Snowfluff had truly given his whole heart to Yuanzi.
Yan Tongshu thought for a moment, then her eyes suddenly lit up. She looked at Qin Yi. “Why don’t you let me raise Snowfluff? That way, he and Yuanzi can see each other every day.”
“Dream on.” Qin Yi rejected the idea without mercy. “Why should I let you raise my Snowfluff? Why don’t you let me raise Yuanzi instead?”
Yan Tongshu felt she had the stronger argument and immediately protested, “Snowfluff is the one who’s lovesick and refusing to eat. My Yuanzi eats, drinks, and sleeps perfectly well every day. She isn’t sick.”
Qin Yi’s eyes darkened. He gave a heavy snort. “Yes, yes, of course. Snowfluff is the one making a fool of himself, while your Yuanzi is heartless and can do nothing but eat and sleep.”
What did he mean, heartless?
Her Yuanzi was completely innocent.
Yan Tongshu drew a deep breath, calmed herself, and tried to communicate with Qin Yi in a peaceful manner.
“Your Majesty,” she said, “have you ever heard a certain poem?”
Qin Yi raised an eyebrow.
Yan Tongshu cleared her throat and recited:
“Longing, endless longing.
If you ask when longing will end,
It ends only when we meet again.”
When she finished, Yan Tongshu opened her bright eyes and gazed at Qin Yi with utmost sincerity, hoping he would understand the hint.
But Qin Yi merely curled his lips faintly. “No.”
The smile on Yan Tongshu’s face froze.
Qin Yi added casually, “I’ve only heard that passionless hearts know nothing of the pain of love; one inch of longing can become ten thousand threads.”
Yan Tongshu understood immediately. The dog emperor was using poetry to call Yuanzi heartless and unfeeling.
She and Qin Yi stared at each other, their gazes clashing like blades.
Hmph. Yuanzi wasn’t the one suffering from lovesickness. If he wouldn’t let her raise Snowfluff, then Snowfluff could stay lovesick for all she cared!
“Meow…” Snowfluff let out a pitiful, hesitant cry.
Waaah…
Yan Tongshu’s heart softened at once.
Poor Snowfluff.
How could she let her quarrel with the dog emperor affect Snowfluff? How could she curse him to remain lovesick? She was being awful.
Feeling guilty, Yan Tongshu hurried to the kitchen and asked for two cooked egg yolks for the two little ones.
Just then, Qin Yi spoke. “Have you eaten lunch?”
Yan Tongshu mentally pummeled Qin Yi.
It was all his fault. He had been eyeing Yuanzi covetously the whole time and made Yan Tongshu forget all about lunch.
In a sullen tone, she replied, “No.”
Yan Tongshu rubbed her flat stomach. Remembering that Pearl had said Qin Yi arrived in the morning, she asked, “Have you eaten?”
Qin Yi answered, “Not yet.”
Yan Tongshu lowered her hand and looked at him. “Would you like to eat together?”
Qin Yi nodded.
Yan Tongshu nodded as well and led him to the dining hall.
Yan Tongshu had gotten up late. Pearl, Jinbao, and everyone else had already eaten, so the cook had prepared only three dishes for her lunch: a plate of Dongpo pork, a serving of stir-fried vegetables, and a bowl of chilled mung bean jelly.
Yan Tongshu blinked. “Um… it’s just a simple meal. I hope you don’t mind.”
Qin Yi murmured in acknowledgment without saying anything else. He picked up his chopsticks and began eating at an unhurried pace.
After a while, Qin Yi had nearly finished his meal. He set down his chopsticks and asked, “What are you planning to do this afternoon?”
Yan Tongshu sped up and finished her food, then wiped her mouth clean before answering, “Make mooncakes. Beef mooncakes. Have you ever had them?”
At the combination of beef and mooncakes, Qin Yi instinctively frowned and let out a soft, drawn-out, “Hmm?”
Yan Tongshu laughed. “I knew you’d all react that way. Just wait until I make them. I bought three pounds of beef, so I can make quite a lot. I’ll save some for you.”
Qin Yi lowered his eyes and thought for a moment. “I’ll make them with you.”
Yan Tongshu blinked. “Aren’t you busy today?”
Qin Yi smiled. “Yan Tongshu, even an emperor needs to catch his breath once in a while.”
“All right, then.” Yan Tongshu readily agreed. “Mooncakes taste best fresh from the oven. You can be the first to try them. Come to think of it, this is also my first time making beef mooncakes.”
In the past, she had been far too busy with work to make them herself. She had always bought ready-made ones from the supermarket.
After transmigrating, however, she had spent eight years lounging around at Xianlin Hall. With all that free time, she had been able to experiment with all kinds of delicious foods and build up plenty of experience.
Now she was confident that even if this was her first time making beef filling, she would still manage to do it perfectly.
Yan Tongshu knew she would never manage to get up early, and braising beef took a long time, so she had instructed Pearl the previous night to start braising it that morning.
By the time she and Qin Yi reached the kitchen, the braised beef had already been taken out of the pot.
Yan Tongshu cut the beef into small pieces along the grain, then handed one piece to Qin Yi. “Like this. Follow the grain and tear it into thin strips.”
Qin Yi watched Yan Tongshu’s movements with some confusion, then tried tearing the beef himself.
The pastry for beef mooncakes was made the same way as the pastry for other mooncakes. Yan Tongshu prepared the filling, while Pearl and Jinbao handled the dough.
Seeing that everyone had something to do, Lu Xi also came over to help Pearl knead the dough.
Yan Tongshu tore off a small strip and popped it into her mouth. “So fragrant. You should try some too. This beef really is different—especially flavorful.”
Qin Yi also placed a strand of beef in his mouth. It was indeed fragrant, with a particularly distinctive flavor.
He lowered his head and continued tearing the beef as he asked, “Where did you buy it?”
Yan Tongshu kept working and answered casually, “I didn’t know where to buy beef at first either. But I was lucky—Meng Zheng had a connection and took me there, so I was able to buy some right away. I heard it was imported from other countries in the north. The cows are quite unusual; they have very long hair. Have you ever eaten beef from this kind of cow?”
“No.”
Qin Yi gave Yan Tongshu a deep look, then withdrew his gaze and asked in an apparently casual tone, “Are you very close to Meng Zheng?”
Yan Tongshu thought he was asking about the matter involving Meng Yi. She smiled. “I’m lucky. The people I meet are all as broad-minded as Meng Zheng.”
Qin Yi’s brows lifted slightly. He cast her a sidelong glance, his tone turning cool. “Does that include me?”
Yan Tongshu beamed at him. “Of course.”
Qin Yi was slightly taken aback. Did that include him as well?
Qin Yi lowered his eyes, his voice dropping a little. “I mean it.”
“Why would I say it if I didn’t?” Yan Tongshu replied, shooting him a glance.
Although she often pretended to be clueless, she was perfectly aware of every single offense she had committed against him. She had danced on the edge of his taboos more times than she could count, yet Qin Yi had not only tolerated it all but had even reflected on his own conduct. That breadth of mind truly was remarkable.
“Mm,” Qin Yi answered indifferently.
Without realizing it, his movements as he tore the beef into shreds had become much smoother—and much faster.
Before long, all the beef had been shredded.
Jinbao tended the fire while Yan Tongshu poured rapeseed oil into the wok. Her sleeves had loosened somewhat, so Qin Yi washed his hands and helped roll them back up.
Once the oil was hot, she put the shredded beef into the wok and fried it over low heat.
Before long, the fragrant aroma of dry-fried beef filled the air.
Pearl, who was preparing the pastry dough nearby, took a deep breath. “It smells wonderful, Young Master.”
“Of course it does.” Yan Tongshu smiled smugly. “When have I ever been wrong about good food?”
Then she looked up at Qin Yi. “Once the filling is ready, you should taste it first. I guarantee you’ll remember it for the rest of your life.”
Qin Yi nodded with a smile. “Good. I’ll never forget it for the rest of my life.”
Yan Tongshu turned the beef occasionally with a spatula. Once the shreds had become crisp and fragrant, she scooped them out, then removed most of the oil from the wok, leaving only a little behind. She returned the beef to the wok, added chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, and sugar, and stir-fried everything until the aroma was fully released. Finally, she sprinkled in white sesame seeds, stir-fried it a little longer, and transferred it to a plate.
“It smells so good! It smells so good!” Pearl exclaimed excitedly.
Jinbao also stared at the plate of stir-fried beef, swallowing hard.
Yan Tongshu picked up her chopsticks and gave a piece to Pearl first. Pearl took a bite, chewed, and practically bubbled over with happiness.
Then she gave some to Jinbao, and then to Lu Xi…
Lu Xi shook his head repeatedly. “His Majesty hasn’t eaten yet.”
All right, then.
Yan Tongshu picked up a piece and held it out to Qin Yi. “Try it.”
Qin Yi opened his mouth and ate it.
Yan Tongshu’s eyes shone as she watched him expectantly. “Well? Is it good?”
“Not…” As an emperor, Qin Yi was accustomed to never revealing his preferences too readily. He habitually used words like “ordinary,” “acceptable,” or “not bad” to gloss over everything.
But when it came to food, that was Yan Tongshu’s first rule.
She shot him a warning look, and the words caught in Qin Yi’s throat took a sharp turn. He smoothly changed his answer. “It is exceptionally delicious.”
Only then was Yan Tongshu satisfied. She pressed her lips together in a smile. “I told you it would be good. If the filling tastes this delicious, how could the mooncakes turn out badly?”
Lu Xi chuckled as he chimed in, “Of course they won’t.”
Yan Tongshu immediately blossomed with delight and turned to him. “Eunuch Lu Xi, take a few extra with you later.”
Lu Xi bowed with a smile, joy written all over his face. “Then this servant is deeply grateful.”
Yan Tongshu set the prepared filling aside. She roasted some peanuts, crushed them into bits, and mixed them into the filling. Then, using the stickiness of the cooked flour, she shaped the shredded beef and crushed peanuts into small balls.
By then, Pearl, Lu Xi, and Jinbao had finished preparing the pastry dough as well.
Everyone worked together to wrap the filling in the dough, press each piece into a round cake, and stamp different patterns on top with wooden molds. Finally, they placed the mooncakes in the oven.
This traditional oven could not control the temperature precisely, which made Yan Tongshu secretly nervous.
After roughly half an incense stick had burned, Jinbao used a spatula to take out the mooncakes, which had set into shape. Pearl brushed them with egg yolk, then put them back in to continue baking.
After another incense stick’s length of time, the fragrance of mooncakes had filled the entire room.
Jinbao drew a deep breath and carefully removed the first batch of five mooncakes from the oven.
“We did it!” Yan Tongshu and Pearl cheered at the same time.
Yan Tongshu reached for the tongs, but Qin Yi had already picked up the plate and was using them to transfer the mooncakes onto it.
Yan Tongshu watched him. Once Qin Yi had moved all the mooncakes and handed the rest of the baking to Pearl and Jinbao, the two of them carried the five mooncakes outside to the pavilion.
The mooncakes had just come out of the oven and were still scalding hot, so they had to wait for them to cool.
Yan Tongshu rested her head on her arms and lazily sprawled across the stone table, her eyes fixed on the mooncakes. “Are you looking forward to them? The crust is sweet, but the filling is spicy and savory. Can you imagine what they’ll taste like?”
Qin Yi imitated her posture and lay on the table as well, turning his face toward her. “I’m more curious about how many you’re going to give me.”
Yan Tongshu turned her head. “How many do you want?”
Qin Yi met her gaze. “How many are you planning to give everyone else?”
Yan Tongshu said, “Five per box.”
“I want six.” He paused, then added, “I want more than anyone else. I want the most.”
Yan Tongshu assumed that this desire to compete was simply the emperor’s arrogance, so she said, “All right. Since you helped today, I’ll give you one from my share. You can have six, and I’ll have four.”
Once she had placated Qin Yi and eaten her own share, she could always mooch a few more from Jinbao and Pearl.
Qin Yi seemed extremely pleased with this answer. The smile at the corners of his mouth visibly deepened.
The two of them sat there for a while before Qin Yi suddenly asked, “Yan Tongshu, do you like riding horses?”
Yan Tongshu nodded. “But my riding skills are only average.”
Qin Yi asked, “What about the autumn hunt after the Mid-Autumn Festival? Are you interested?”
Yan Tongshu pointed at herself, somewhat surprised. “Me? My archery skills are pretty average too.”
“Then that means you are interested.” Qin Yi smiled, a hint of pleasure showing between his brows. “Remember to prepare your clothes and bow in advance.”
Seeing her hesitate, Qin Yi added, “No matter what prey you manage to bring down, I’ll give you a blood-sweating horse.”
Yan Tongshu sat up straight and raised her hand. “It’s a deal.”
“It’s a deal.” Qin Yi lifted his hand and slapped his palm against hers. The crisp sound rang out in the little pavilion.
Yan Tongshu picked up a small knife and cut one of the mooncakes in half. The golden, flaky crust split open, revealing the glistening filling inside.
She picked up one half and was just about to gesture for Qin Yi to take the other when he took the mooncake from her hand and put it into his mouth.
Yan Tongshu picked up the remaining half and took a bite. The crust was crisp and tender, with a hint of honeyed sweetness. Inside was spicy, savory, and sweet beef. The crushed peanuts added a rich texture.
It was delicious.
“How is it?” Yan Tongshu asked expectantly. “Can you get used to the flavor?”
Qin Yi finished the entire half and looked up to meet her gaze. “Exquisite.”
The dog emperor had finally said something human.
Yan Tongshu rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “So you like complex flavors.”
Qin Yi had no idea what she meant.
After a moment, Yan Tongshu gave him a mysterious smile but did not explain.
Some time later, she handed the packed food boxes to Lu Xi. Carrying Snowfluff in her arms, she saw them out.
Lu Xi placed the food boxes in the carriage and reached out to take Snowfluff. Yan Tongshu finally voiced the question that had puzzled her for a long time.
“You and Lu Xi go out with only the two of you every time. Aren’t you afraid of assassins?”
“Assassins?” Qin Yi’s eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly. He then looked around at their surroundings. “What do you think of this place?”
Yan Tongshu glanced left and right. “You mean…”
Imperial Guards hidden all around?
Qin Yi bent down and whispered in Yan Tongshu’s ear, “No emperor ever leaves the palace with only one eunuch by his side.”
That was why his excursions were so complicated. Everything had to be announced in advance so the Imperial Guards could inspect the area beforehand, secure every vantage point, and lie in wait in plain clothes.
Yan Tongshu’s eyelashes fluttered.
Who said that was true?
In Iron Teeth and Bronze Tongue Ji Xiaolan, Qianlong often went out with only two civil officials accompanying him. He was constantly getting himself into trouble and nearly dying.
Oh, right. The same thing happened in The Legend of Qianlong.
Just as Yan Tongshu’s thoughts began to wander, Qin Yi’s voice pulled her back to reality. “Yan Tongshu, I’m going back.”
“Oh, all right.” Yan Tongshu came to her senses and reached out to wrap her arms around his waist. “Be careful.”
Qin Yi lowered his eyes, the faintest smile appearing at the corner of his lips. He raised a hand and drew her into his arms, resting his chin lightly on top of her head.
“Yan Tongshu,” he called softly.
“Hmm?”
There was an indistinct emotion woven through Qin Yi’s voice. “The mooncakes were delicious.”
“Mm.”
Qin Yi continued, “Making mooncakes was fun too.”
“Mm.”
“I like them very much.”
Qin Yi’s right hand tightened slightly on Yan Tongshu’s shoulder. He closed his eyes. “I like them very much.”
Yan Tongshu smiled, her voice bright and clear. “Then next time, I’ll make you some pastries with other similar flavors. If they aren’t mooncakes, you can eat them at other times too.”
“Mm.” Qin Yi’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he gave a low reply, then fell silent.
Once they were in the carriage, Lu Xi opened the food box. “Your Majesty, besides the mooncakes, Lord Yan also had Miss Zhenzhu send some other things for us to take with us.”
Lu Xi took out a plate of snacks. “Lord Yan said these are shaped like cats’ ears, so she named them cat’s ears.”
“Cat’s ears?” Qin Yi picked up a piece and held it beside Snowfluff’s ear for comparison. It really did look rather similar.
Lu Xi laughed. “Lord Yan said that every time you eat two cat’s ears, one little cat loses its ears. So you must eat them all and not waste a single one.”
“Only she could spout such nonsense with a straight face.” Qin Yi said it casually, then picked up a cat’s ear and took a bite. It was very crisp, with a complicated blend of sweet, salty, and spicy flavors—the same complexity as the beef mooncakes.
…
Late that night, at Funing Palace.
Apart from the faint sound of breathing, the vast, empty hall was utterly silent.
And yet Qin Yi heard hearty laughter and caught the scent of flowers.
He looked toward the sound.
Yan Tongshu was sitting beside the hot spring. Her long hair hung loose, and she wore a thin dress, her bare, fair feet immersed in the clear water. Every so often, she stirred the surface, sending delicate ripples spreading outward.
In her hand was a cat’s ear with a bite taken out of it.
When she saw Qin Yi, she waved to him with a smile. “Come here.”
Qin Yi walked over and sat down beside her, his gaze instinctively falling to her earlobes.
There were no piercings.
Even in a dream, he knew perfectly well that Yan Tongshu did not have pierced ears.
Yan Tongshu waved the cat’s ear in front of his eyes. “Want some?”
Her dress was so thin it was like a veil.
The mist rising from the hot spring drifted over it, rendering the fabric translucent and bathing the exposed skin beneath in a moist sheen.
The damp ends of her hair brushed lightly against the pale skin of her neck as she moved, occasionally coming to rest on her exquisite collarbones.
