In truth, Shopkeeper Qian wasn’t solely driven by profit. After all, his pharmacy had been operating for many years, and its reputation had been painstakingly built over time. He wouldn’t casually risk his hard-earned name.
As a businessman, Shopkeeper Qian naturally knew that Ye Ningxin had the Prince backing her. If any problems arose, she could always invoke the Prince’s status—though this particular Prince wasn’t exactly the most reliable pillar of support.
More importantly, Shopkeeper Qian had personally witnessed Ye Ningxin’s medical skills. She always had many strange yet highly practical methods. For someone like her, developing peculiar Weight-Loss Pills didn’t seem all that surprising.
Moreover, the temptation of five taels of silver was simply too great. Even if it meant taking a risk, Shopkeeper Qian still felt it was worth a try.
Immediately, Ye Ningxin left behind three boxes of pills and five sample packs. She carefully explained to Shopkeeper Qian the bodily detoxification processes that might occur during the medication period. Finally, she instructed him that each person could only purchase one box. After that, Ye Ningxin traveled light and headed home.
Both the big and small ones at home were waiting for her to return and cook.
Ever since Gu Fusheng arrived, Ye Ningxin felt much more at ease. With someone taking care of the Prince’s daily needs—clothing, food, and daily routines—she no longer had to worry about these details.
The child was knowledgeable and diligent. During the house construction period, Fusheng busied himself overseeing the work, allowing Ye Ningxin plenty of time to focus on her own research.
Although in Fusheng’s heart, his family’s Prince was the best in the world, after these days of interaction, he saw how well the Princess Consort took care of the Prince. Gradually, he came to accept Ye Ningxin as the Princess Consort.
Usually, when the Princess Consort went to the county town, she would always bring back lots of delicious treats. She especially looked out for Fusheng, bringing him small snacks and trinkets. So, on this day, he was again peering out the door, eagerly awaiting Ye Ningxin’s early return.
Looking left and right, he saw a worker returning, followed by a beautiful young woman.
Looking more closely, that beautiful young woman turned out to be his own Princess Consort!
These days, the Princess Consort had been visibly slimming down at a remarkable pace. Of course, Fusheng noticed this more clearly than the Prince. However, since she still wore her old clothes, the change wasn’t particularly striking.
Now, the Princess Consort was wearing a well-fitted outfit that made her figure appear less broad than before. A faint waistline was visible, and her exposed skin glowed like pristine snow. Her bright, sparkling eyes shone like stars, complemented by cheeks slightly flushed from walking. For some reason, Fusheng suddenly felt that his family’s Princess Consort was rather pretty.
“Fusheng!” Ye Ningxin called out when she saw the child peering from the doorway. As she smiled, her eyes curved like crescent moons, making anyone who saw her feel cheerful.
Fusheng quickly ran out and took the things from Ye Ningxin’s hands. Seizing the moment, Ye Ningxin pulled a packet of candies from her pocket and handed it to him.
“Wow! It’s Linji’s Dragon Whisker Candy again!” A child’s happiness is always simple.
Hearing the commotion, the Prince also came out. Although his face didn’t show any particular joy, the Prince always came out to greet Ye Ningxin whenever she returned home. Ye Ningxin interpreted this as a socially anxious person’s difficulty in expressing themselves.
Similarly, Ye Ningxin stuffed a packet of candy into the Prince’s hand as a welcoming reward.
“Are you treating me like a child too?” the Prince frowned, his voice tinged with a hint of displeasure.
“Of course, I don’t want to treat you like a child, but every time I buy candy for Fu Sheng, most of it ends up being eaten by you. As an adult, snatching things from a child—doesn’t that mean you haven’t grown up yet?” Ye Ningxin showed no mercy, directly exposing him.
After saying this, Ye Ningxin looked at Fu Sheng, and the two exchanged playful grimaces.
Unable to refute the truth, the Prince ignored her and took the candy straight back to his room.
During these days, Ye Ningxin had discovered that the Prince truly had a sweet tooth. Whether it was the sweet and sour pork from before or the pastries and candies now, he welcomed them all without hesitation.
Fu Sheng absolutely loved seeing his Prince at a loss. Back in the Prince’s mansion, the Prince’s word was law, and no one dared to say otherwise. But now, this country Princess Consort was quite the formidable one. Watching the stern-faced Prince rendered speechless was such an amusing contrast.
Taking advantage of the still-warm weather, Ye Ningxin decided to have a barbecue for dinner.
The iron grill for the barbecue had been custom-made by a blacksmith earlier. When Fu Sheng asked her a couple of days ago what it was for, Ye Ningxin had kept him in suspense, refusing to tell him.
The meat was freshly bought today—beef with a perfect balance of fat and lean. She lightly marinated it with salt, sugar, and a few spices to enhance the flavor when grilled.
She finely chopped scallions and chili peppers, then added sesame paste, sugar, and vinegar to make a dipping sauce.
Once the firewood had burned down to embers, Ye Ningxin placed the meat slices one by one on the iron grill. The fat quickly sizzled as it heated, releasing oil that dripped onto the embers with a popping sound. The aroma of grilled meat instantly filled the entire courtyard, making Fu Sheng swallow hard, his stomach rumbling audibly.
Seeing the child so eager, Ye Ningxin smiled and picked up a piece of grilled meat, holding it to his lips.
Without waiting to blow on it, Fu Sheng snatched the meat into his mouth, only to find it scalding hot. Unable to swallow it or bear to spit it out, he hastily chewed a couple of times and gulped it down, then puffed air into his mouth to cool it off.
Ye Ningxin watched, both amused and concerned.
“Is it good?” she asked.
“It’s so delicious!” Fu Sheng nodded repeatedly.
“It’ll taste even better with the dipping sauce!” Ye Ningxin’s words filled Fu Sheng with even greater anticipation for the next pieces of meat.
Soon, the first batch was ready. Ye Ningxin placed all the grilled meat on a plate and handed it to Fu Sheng to enjoy at his leisure.
Instead of eating it himself, the child brought the plate to the Prince, presenting it like a treasure. “The Princess Consort says it tastes even better with the sauce.”
Following the suggestion, the Prince took a bite. The charred aroma of the grilled meat, combined with the rich sesame flavor, struck his taste buds, making it impossible for him to stop.
After eating several slices in a row, the Prince finally put down his chopsticks and said, “Not bad!”
“Not bad” was an understatement—it was absolutely delicious! Compared to this, the barbecue Gu Si made was enough to make one sick.
Seeing the Prince enjoying the meal, Ye Ningxin brought wine and cups from the kitchen.
Since crossing over, Ye Ningxin had never seen the Prince drink alcohol.
She poured a shallow cup and handed it to the Prince. “Roasted meat paired with fine wine. Please enjoy this cup, Your Highness.”
The wine was an ordinary peach blossom brew, but to Gu Haoyuan, it tasted more fragrant and mellow than any refined liquor he had ever tasted. After two cups, two faint blushes had already appeared on his fair cheeks.
Seeing the Prince and Princess Consort drinking, Fu Sheng automatically took on the task of roasting the meat. While serving the two of them, he also picked the pieces he fancied for himself. The three of them relaxed in this manner—eating roasted meat, sipping wine, and enjoying the pleasant evening breeze.
The rosy clouds on the horizon gradually faded, but the blush on their faces grew deeper. As they chatted about trivial matters and stories from the streets, the Prince suddenly reached out and grabbed Ye Ningxin’s hand as she was about to pick up some food.
His palm was dry and warm, leaving Ye Ningxin momentarily at a loss. She struggled to pull away.
But Gu Haoyuan tightened his grip and smiled faintly. “Princess Consort, I suddenly feel that this kind of life is something I cherish deeply. When will your anger toward me finally fade?”