Xiao Che rubbed the tip of his nose; he had spoken those words impulsively in a moment of heat.
Seeing the embarrassment on Xiao Che's face, Duoduo also realized what was happening.
Could it be that Xiao Che was worried she might be scared?
This Eighth Uncle was really amusing!
He probably didn’t know that her courage was immense!
Back in the Song residence, mice would scurry along the beams, yet she and Lüdou still slept soundly.
Duoduo had completely forgotten that she was just a little tot.
“Did you come specifically to see me?” Duoduo asked Xiao Che curiously.
Xiao Che put down his hand. “Yes.”
“I heard some things about you today, and since I had nothing to do at noon, I came to take a look.”
“Mm, you seem fine, not scared into tears yet.”
Duoduo was amused by Xiao Che’s awkward demeanor.
But she also knew that Xiao Che was not favored and was a short-lived prince.
“I’m fine, you should go back now.”
Duoduo urged him to leave.
Xiao Che understood that aside from bringing Duoduo some delicious food, he was essentially unable to do anything for her.
He felt a bit downcast.
“Alright,” he responded.
“If, if there’s anything you need my help with, just let me know.”
Worried that Duoduo might misunderstand, Xiao Che explained.
“Consider it my way of repaying a favor!”
Duoduo blinked curiously.
“Didn’t we already settle things between us?”
Xiao Che’s face showed a trace of annoyance.
“I want to!”
With that, Xiao Che turned and walked away without looking back.
Duoduo beamed a bright smile.
“Eighth Uncle, thank you!” she called out to his retreating figure.
Xiao Che neither turned around nor replied, nor did he pause.
Duoduo watched until Xiao Che’s figure disappeared at the end of the corridor.
Only when she could no longer see him did she turn back.
Behind her, Lüdou and Nanny Li were watching her.
Duoduo smiled. “What is it? Why are you two staring at me like that?”
Lüdou looked at Duoduo with delight.
“Princess, come take a look!”
Duoduo walked over with a puzzled expression.
The food box Xiao Che had brought was already open.
Inside were delicate pastries, each one exquisite.
Duoduo’s eyes lit up. “Wow! So beautiful!”
Lüdou’s eyes also sparkled as she pointed at one of them.
“Nanny Li says this one is chrysanthemum cake. Princess, look, doesn’t it look just like a chrysanthemum?”
“If Nanny hadn’t said so, I would have thought this box was full of flowers!”
The golden-yellow chrysanthemum cake had curling petals, just like the real thing.
The center of the chrysanthemum was even dotted with color, making it very realistic.
“And this one is peach blossom—it looks way better than the peach blossom cakes I make!”
Lüdou carefully examined each pastry, her eyes unable to take them all in.
The box of pastries Xiao Che had brought for Duoduo were all in the shape of various flowers.
Many styles were ones Duoduo had never seen before.
“No wonder my old master said that the imperial chefs at the palace are the true masters of pastry-making.”
“Now I finally understand what my master meant.”
After looking at every pastry, Lüdou spoke with genuine admiration.
Duoduo suddenly remembered a saying her father had used that day: go with the flow, and perhaps you’ll reap greater rewards!
Indeed, her father was the wisest!
Wasn’t this pastry a greater reward?
Thinking this, Duoduo’s spirits soared.
“Lüdou, let’s taste these beautiful pastries and see if they’re actually good!”
Seeing the pastries in the box, Duoduo felt her stomach rumble again.
Lüdou quickly waved her hands.
“Princess, I just ate and can’t eat any more.”
Nanny Li also turned away.
“Save these pastries for the Princess’s breakfast; that would be just right.”
Seeing how weakly hungry Duoduo had been that morning, Nanny Li felt great pity.
Hearing this, Lüdou nodded in strong agreement.
Duoduo blinked.
“It’s so hot now. If we keep these pastries for too long, they won’t taste good.”
“And if we get an upset stomach from eating them, what then?”
Lüdou glanced at Duoduo and mercilessly called her out.
“Princess, this is a prison; the temperature here isn’t high.”
“Besides, these are pastries—they won’t go bad even after ten days or half a month.”
“Princess, if you want to eat, just eat. Lüdou and Nanny won’t have any.”
After saying this, Lüdou swallowed.
Not because she was greedy, but because these pastries looked so exquisite that anyone would hesitate to eat them.
Duoduo tilted her little head.
“Lüdou, aren’t you curious about what these pastries taste like?”
“What if they only look good but aren’t as tasty as yours?”
“And don’t you want to learn how to make pastries this beautiful too?”
Duoduo’s last sentence made Lüdou’s heart waver.
She had just been thinking that if she could make pastries like these, their shop would definitely become an instant hit!
Lüdou noticed Nanny Li staring at her and forced herself to look away.
“I believe there will be more opportunities in the future!”
“This box of pastries is all for the Princess!”
To show her determination, Lüdou deliberately sat down beside Nanny Li, away from the food box.
Duoduo was amused by Lüdou’s reaction.
“How about this: I want to taste the chrysanthemum cake.”
“Let’s divide one pastry into three parts, and we’ll all try it together.”
“Then, we’ll analyze its strengths and weaknesses together.”
“Lüdou, you can figure out the texture and preparation method.”
“That way, once we leave this place, you can make it for me!”
After saying this, Duoduo saw that Nanny Li and Lüdou were still unmoved, so she continued to persuade them.
“If you don’t eat, what if I eat too much and get indigestion?”
“Besides, if I eat alone, I won’t be able to describe the flavors clearly, and that would be a waste of a learning opportunity.”
Duoduo’s first sentence moved Nanny Li.
And Duoduo’s second sentence swayed Lüdou.
Lüdou looked at Nanny Li. “Nanny, should we split it?”
Nanny Li put on a stern face. “The Princess is the mistress; of course, we do as she says.”
Lüdou stuck out her tongue.
Just a moment ago, Nanny Li hadn’t been saying that!
But being able to taste the imperial kitchen’s pastries excited Lüdou greatly.
“I’ll handle the dividing,” Nanny Li said, worried that Lüdou might not know the proper etiquette, so she took charge herself.
Duoduo took a hairpin from her head.
Twisting it back and forth, she revealed a very small dagger.
Nanny Li’s eyes widened in surprise.
Then, her expression quickly returned to normal.
Nanny Li took the dagger from Duoduo’s hand and carefully divided the chrysanthemum cake into three portions.
The largest piece, she offered with both hands to Duoduo.
Of the remaining two, one was slightly larger, and the other slightly smaller.
Lüdou glanced at the pieces and directly reached for the largest one.
Nanny Li’s eyes flickered, but she said nothing, simply reaching for the slightly smaller piece.
