The cheerful laughter in the courtyard came to an abrupt stop the moment Xiao Jing shi appeared.
The first to react were the two young princes.
When they saw him, it was as if mice had seen a cat. Their lively expressions froze instantly. They even forgot to chew the dumplings in their mouths, their cheeks puffed out as they stood up nervously.
“C-Crown Prince Brother…”
Toward this elder brother, they felt both admiration and fear. They admired his vast knowledge and the fact that he was the future emperor. But they feared his eternally icy face and the cold aura that kept people at a distance.
Ye An’an also stood up. Looking at the man at the doorway, cool and aloof as ever, she raised her eyebrows.
Speak of the devil, and he appears.
“Your Highness is back,” she greeted him with a bright smile.
Xiao Jing shi’s gaze swept over the crystal-clear shrimp dumplings on the table and the steaming pot of oden, then returned to his younger brothers. He gave a faint “Mm.”
Seeing his expression soften just a little, she felt a hint of relief—and even a bit of happiness.
She smiled at the two princes. “Don’t be afraid. Your elder brother doesn’t eat people. Sit down and keep eating, or the food will get cold.”
The two princes looked at Xiao Jing shi, then at the delicious food. In the end, they couldn’t resist the temptation and carefully sat back down. But they ate much more slowly now and didn’t dare laugh loudly anymore.
Xiao Jing shi walked over and stopped beside the stone table.
Ye An’an found it amusing.
This man wanted to eat, didn’t he?
The way his eyes were fixed on the shrimp dumplings—it was practically written on his face: I want to eat. Yet he kept up his composure and refused to speak.
Such a proud and shy person.
She spoke directly. “Crown Prince, have some too. I just made these today. They’re very refreshing.” She set out chopsticks and a bowl for him.
The translucent dumpling skins had a faint pink hue, making them look extremely appetizing.
Xiao Jing shi picked one up and put it in his mouth. The rice skin was fragrant, the shrimp inside fresh and springy, mixed with crunchy bamboo shoots and a subtle sweetness. It was tender and delicious, making him want another bite immediately.
The two young princes saw their elder brother eating so much. One steamer was almost empty. They grew anxious—clearly, the temptation of food was stronger than their fear.
They quickly ate too, but since they had already eaten quite a lot earlier, they soon became full.
“Crown Princess, we’re full. Thank you for the hospitality.” The Seventh Prince stood up and bowed properly.
“Crown Sister-in-law, will you call us again if there’s more good food in the future?” the Ninth Prince asked eagerly.
“Haha, of course. But you two mustn’t overeat,” Ye An’an said with a smile, looking at the little food lovers.
“Yes, yes! We will remember your teachings!” Their eyes lit up. They bowed to Xiao Jing shi again and then ran off as if a fierce tiger were chasing them.
The courtyard instantly became quiet. Only Ye An’an and Xiao Jing shi remained, along with the distant maids and Chang Ting.
Seeing how much he enjoyed the food, she didn’t say anything. For Ye An’an, a diner’s satisfaction was the best feedback.
Xiao Jing shi’s gaze moved from the half-empty plate to the pot of oden.
The white radish inside had been stewed until soft and flavorful. The tofu pouches had absorbed the broth, round and plump, looking extremely delicious.
A clear swallowing sound echoed.
It wasn’t loud, but in the quiet courtyard, it was unmistakable.
Ye An’an almost laughed out loud.
His expression didn’t change, but she noticed his ears turning red.
Oh? He was embarrassed.
Chang Ting, watching from afar, thought enviously: Even her pancakes were that delicious—how amazing must these dishes taste?
The atmosphere stretched in a strange tension until Fu Yun finally couldn’t bear it anymore.
Gathering her courage, she said quickly, “Your Highness, you must be hungry too, right? Her Highness made a lot today. There’s still plenty left. Would you like to try some? The oden soup is very warming!”
Her words instantly broke the stalemate.
Ye An’an followed up smoothly. “Oh, right. Look at my memory. Your Highness has been busy all day. You must be hungry. Come, sit and eat a little.”
She went to the kitchen, brought clean bowls and chopsticks, and placed them in front of him.
Xiao Jing shi looked at her, his gaze somewhat complicated, but he finally sat down.
Ye An’an personally served him a bowl of oden with radish, tofu pouches, and fish balls. She also added two of the most beautiful shrimp dumplings.
“Try it and see if it suits your taste.”
He said nothing. He picked up the chopsticks and first took a shrimp dumpling.
He had regretted missing the pancakes that morning. He hadn’t expected to eat something even more refined that evening.
With one bite, the springy shrimp and crisp bamboo filled his mouth. The savory juices burst across his tongue.
Delicious.
Even better than he imagined.
He quickly finished one, then took another.
After the dumplings, he began to drink the oden soup slowly.
The broth, made from kelp and bonito, was clear yet rich. It carried a lingering sweetness. With each sip, warmth spread from his stomach to his entire body, driving away the fatigue and chill of the day.
He ate slowly and elegantly, yet not slowly at all.
Soon, the bowl was empty.
“Would you like more?” Ye An’an asked.
He looked up and met her smiling eyes. The warmth in his ears rose again. After two seconds, he nodded almost imperceptibly.
Her smile deepened.
She served him another bowl, this time with more ingredients.
After finishing it, he finally felt satisfied.
He set down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth gracefully, leaving no trace of how eagerly he had eaten.
“Thank you,” he said. It was the second word he had spoken all day besides “Mm.”
“You’re welcome,” Ye An’an replied cheerfully. “I couldn’t finish it anyway.”
Xiao Jing shi: “…”
For some reason, he felt she was teasing him.
But he had no proof.
After eating and drinking, he didn’t leave immediately. He sat on the stone stool for a while.
Ye An’an didn’t mind and calmly drank tea, digesting her food.
Neither of them spoke, but the awkwardness from before had disappeared, replaced by a strange harmony.
The setting sun cast its warm golden light over the courtyard, bathing everything in a gentle glow.