Before long, a rich and savory aroma began to drift through the air.
“Push me outside,” Xuan Zhan ordered Jian Junyao.
Jian Junyao…
Damn it, are you really treating me like your lackey?
Though resentful, when she met Xuan Zhan’s deep gaze, Jian Junyao obediently pushed him outside.
She saw the Ling brothers gathered around the instant noodles, sniffing eagerly, their mouths practically watering into the pot.
Xuan Zhan glanced at them and commanded, “Step back, all of you. Don’t block the scent.”
At his order, they all retreated a good distance.
Xuan Zhan continued, “Find something to fan the air, spread the aroma further.”
“Your Highness…” Ling Bei couldn’t hold back and wanted to ask why, but Ling Ye grabbed him and pulled him away.
Soon, they found a broken wooden board and began fanning it toward the pot of noodles.
Watching this, Jian Junyao’s lips twitched.
This guy is truly devious. Not only does he refuse to feed the personal guards, but he deliberately creates this smell to tempt them…
Outside the walls of the Abandoned Temple, the emperor’s personal guards, already starving and dizzy with hunger, were nearly driven mad by the sudden, tantalizing aroma.
One of the younger guards was almost drooling with desire.
“Captain, I’m thirsty and starving. If I don’t get something to eat soon, I might not make it through tomorrow.”
Another guard added with a pained expression, “The emperor is truly ruthless, giving us such a mission without providing any rations. And the War King is no better—not only does he withhold food, but he also taunts us with this smell.”
The young guard swallowed hard. “Captain, we’ve been hungry for days. Could you go plead with His Highness the War Prince again?”
The leader, Song Qing, sighed.
“I already went earlier and came back empty-handed.”
“Captain, please try again?” the guard begged desperately.
Song Qing felt a knot in his stomach at the thought of begging for food and facing rejection. But the situation left no room for pride. Without food, none of them would last much longer.
Under the persistent pleas of his men, Song Qing steeled himself and stepped back into the Abandoned Temple.
Seeing that the noodles were almost ready, Jian Junyao couldn’t help but whisper to Xuan Zhan, “Now’s the perfect time to eat them for the best texture.”
Xuan Zhan glanced at Song Qing entering through the doorway and ordered, “Nanny Song, serve me some noodles.”
Nanny Song, taking him literally and thinking the Prince hadn’t eaten enough earlier, scooped the entire packet of instant noodles into a large bowl and handed it to him.
Xuan Zhan deliberately put on an expression of bliss, picking up a few strands of noodles and savoring them.
“Mmm, this is the best noodles I’ve ever tasted.”
Then, he intentionally held the bowl out to the Ling brothers.
“You all try some too.”
The Ling brothers played along, each taking a big bite and smacking their lips loudly in Song Qing’s direction.
Song Qing…
You’re definitely doing this on purpose.
After waiting a while and watching the Ling brothers finish off the bowl, Song Qing awkwardly approached Xuan Zhan, clasping his fists in salute.
“This humble subordinate greets His Highness the War Prince.”
Xuan Zhan, seated in his wheelchair, fiddled with his slender fingers, not even bothering to look up.
“What is it?”
“Um… well… Your Highness, as you can see, we haven’t eaten for several days. Could you spare some humble fare?”
Song Qing felt his confidence waning with every word.
Xuan Zhan deliberately feigned distress, rubbing his temples.
“The weather is dry and harsh, and this Prince’s provisions are only enough to sustain my trusted aides.”
The implication was clear enough—if Song Qing still didn’t understand, he would be a fool.
The positions of Song Qing and those personal guards were obvious to everyone present, even without being stated.
To put it politely, they were spies sent by the emperor to keep an eye on Xuan Zhan; to put it bluntly, they would act against Xuan Zhan and his men the moment they received orders.
Upon reflection, food was now exceedingly precious. If the War King were to share his provisions with them, it would be nothing short of foolish.
With this thought, Song Qing clasped his hands toward Xuan Zhan. “This subordinate takes his leave.”
Watching Song Qing walk away, Xuan Zhan said to Jian Junyao, “Princess Consort, it seems I have food with an even stronger aroma. Fetch some more.”
Jian Junyao…
So I’m destined to be the lackey, am I?
Fine, this time, I’ll make sure you’re satisfied.
Having made up her mind, Jian Junyao walked briskly into the room and purchased a pack of Luosifen from the Food Mall.
She deftly unwrapped the various packaging and arranged all the ingredients in a large bowl.
“Well, this is what you meant, right? It has a very strong aroma.”
Seeing Jian Junyao speak to him so earnestly, Xuan Zhan assumed she was cooperating with him and was quite pleased with her performance.
“Nanny Song, cook this as well.”
Their Prince had already produced so many unusual things today that Nanny Song was no longer as curious. She crouched by the makeshift stove and began cooking.
“Your Highness, it stinks… like someone soiled their pants…” Ling Bei couldn’t help but cover his nose and complain.
Ling Feng tugged at his sleeve. “Do not be disrespectful in front of His Highness.”
Though scolding Ling Bei, Ling Feng wasn’t much better himself, having already retreated several meters away. That pot was definitely toxic.
Though Xuan Zhan didn’t react as dramatically, the smell was so overpowering he felt like banging his head against the wall.
His dark eyes glared at Jian Junyao, demanding an explanation.
Jian Junyao looked innocent.
“Your Highness, didn’t you ask me to bring this?”
Xuan Zhan…
This Prince asked for something with a stronger aroma, not something even dogs wouldn’t eat!
Helplessly, with so many people watching, Xuan Zhan could only swallow his frustration.
He’d deal with her later…
Meanwhile, the personal guards outside the courtyard wall were also growing restless.
“Boss, do you think the Prince might be so hungry he’s lost his mind? Why is he cooking… feces?”
“Alas… to think a generation’s War God has fallen to eating feces.”
“Nonsense! What they cooked earlier smelled delicious. They clearly have food.”
“Then why is the Prince cooking feces?”
…
Nanny Song endured the pungent odor and finally finished cooking the Luosifen.
“Your Highness, the noodles are ready. What should be done with them?”
Nanny Song was certain their Prince would never eat such a thing.
Xuan Zhan glanced at Jian Junyao, who looked quite pleased with herself. “The Princess Consort is frail. Let her eat first.”
Nanny Song gave Jian Junyao a pitying look and silently placed a bowl of Luosifen before her.
“Princess Consort, please enjoy your meal.”
Ignoring the strange looks from everyone, Jian Junyao sat down and began savoring her long-missed Luosifen with deliberate slowness.
Mmm, still the same flavor—absolutely delicious.
Watching Jian Junyao eat so heartily, Xuan Zhan began to doubt whether his own sense of smell had gone wrong.
Or perhaps this woman was so starved that she would enjoy anything edible.
The personal guards outside the wall, curious about the commotion inside, stepped onto a large rock to peer in.