The next morning, Ye An’an was woken up from her cozy bed by Chen Zhu.
“Your Highness, wake up! Chief Steward Gao has delivered an imperial edict. The Emperor and Empress have invited you and the Crown Prince to the palace for lunch today.”
“What?” Ye An’an sat up groggily, rubbing her eyes. “Go to the palace for a meal?”
It took her a moment for it to sink in.
Looks like last night’s two boxes of braised delicacies had made quite an impression! In no time, she had hooked both the Emperor and Empress—the two top bosses—into her orbit.
“Alright, got it.” She yawned, slowly getting up to wash and dress.
Since she was going to “meet the Emperor,” she couldn’t dress casually. Ye An’an chose a bright but understated autumn-yellow ruqun (a traditional skirt and top), styled her hair neatly into a “duoma” bun, and inserted a few delicate jeweled hairpins. She looked gentle yet lively.
Once she was ready, Xiao Jingshi sent Changting to escort her.
The two met at the entrance of Tinglan Pavilion and rode together in the imperial carriage toward Yangxin Hall.
On the way, they hardly spoke.
Ye An’an was too busy savoring the memory of last night’s braised pig trotters, wondering if she could braise another batch today.
Xiao Jingshi didn’t know what to say either. Looking at this quietly seated woman beside him, he felt a strange, unfamiliar sensation.
Not long ago, he had loathed her to the extreme, thinking she was a troublesome gift from his father. Yet now, he realized he was growing accustomed to—and even enjoying—having her nearby.
Especially when it came to the food she made…
At that thought, his stomach let out an untimely growl.
Ye An’an turned her head and teased him with a mischievous wink. “Your Highness, feeling hungry?”
Xiao Jingshi’s handsome face flushed a visible shade of pink. He cleared his throat, turned to look out the window, and forced out a stiff, “Not hungry.”
Ye An’an almost burst into laughter at his reddening ears.
This Crown Prince was charmingly innocent.
…
At Yangxin Hall, lunch was already prepared.
Emperor Xiao Yuanzheng and Empress Wei sat at the head of the table. Seeing Xiao Jingshi and Ye An’an enter, both wore gentle smiles.
“Your Majesties,” the two bowed properly.
“Rise, sit down,” Xiao Yuanzheng gestured. “We called you here today for no particular reason—just to eat a simple meal together as a family.”
Though called a “simple meal,” the table was still filled with exquisitely prepared dishes from the imperial kitchen, each looking like a work of art.
Ye An’an eyed the food and pursed her lips.
It looked beautiful, yes, but the flavor was likely bland and watery.
As expected, the meal passed with a polite, harmonious atmosphere, yet everyone ate without much relish.
The Emperor and Empress were clearly thinking about last night’s braised dishes, Xiao Jingshi was savoring everything Ye An’an had made previously, and only Ye An’an herself truly found the imperial fare unsatisfying.
After the meal, palace attendants served tea and snacks.
Empress Wei took Ye An’an’s hand, smiling kindly. “An’an, that… braised dish you sent yesterday was truly delicious. It has been a long time since I’ve enjoyed something so rich and flavorful.”
“I’m glad Mother enjoys it,” Ye An’an replied humbly. “They were all simple, lowly ingredients. If you praise them, it’s my honor.”
“Don’t speak like that,” Xiao Yuanzheng interjected, looking at her with appreciation. “The quality of a dish does not depend on the ingredients’ status, but on the cook’s effort. I tasted your braised dish as well—it was indeed unique. Especially the… intestines. Tender, rich, and flavorful. I truly enjoyed it.”
The Emperor personally praised braised pork intestines!
If word got out, the price of pig offal in the capital would probably skyrocket overnight.
Ye An’an was overjoyed internally, but remained modest outwardly: “Father, you flatter me.”
Just then, a commotion arose outside the hall.
“Royal Brother! Royal Sister-in-law!”
Two crisp, youthful voices drew closer, and soon the Seventh and Ninth Princes came rushing in like a whirlwind.
The moment they entered, they ran straight to Ye An’an, each hugging one of her legs.
“Crown Princess! We heard you came to the palace!” the Seventh Prince said, eyes sparkling.
“Sister-in-law, what delicious food did you bring today? Is there any for us?” the Ninth Prince asked immediately, thinking only of eating.
The two little ones instantly livened the atmosphere.
Empress Wei, watching the eager, mischievous expressions of her children, shook her head with amused helplessness.
Ye An’an crouched down, pinching their tiny cheeks with a smile. “Today is unlucky—you see, Sister-in-law just came to join the meal and didn’t bring treats. But…”
She deliberately lengthened her tone, “I still have some braised dishes left from yesterday. Braised duck wings and braised duck collarbones—do you want to try?”
“Yes! Yes!” the two chorused, nodding excitedly.
Ye An’an smiled and stood up, giving Fuyun a few instructions.
Soon, Fuyun returned from the Eastern Palace carrying a food box.
When the box was opened, that familiar aroma of braised dishes wafted out again.
The Seventh and Ninth Princes immediately swarmed, each picking up a duck wing and biting in without hesitation.
“Mmm! Delicious!”
“These duck wings smell amazing! The meat is so chewy!”
The two little ones’ cheeks puffed as they stuffed their mouths, looking like tiny greedy hamsters.
They were enjoying it so much that even Emperor Xiao Yuanzheng and Empress Wei couldn’t help but swallow hard.
“Um… is there more?” Empress Wei asked, unable to resist.
Ye An’an quickly handed over another plate.
Thus, a strange but delightful scene unfolded in Yangxin Hall: the revered Emperor and Empress, and two little princes, each with a braised duck wing in hand, eating with unrestrained delight, completely abandoning their usual regal composure.