The Grand Princess looked at Mu Jianxi with concern and asked gently, “Jianxi, you made so many dishes. You must be exhausted. Go and rest well.”
Mu Jianxi shook her hand lightly. “I’m not that tired. Thanks to the Prince for calling the kitchen staff to help me, and also the Four Shadow Guards and the old man. I just directed them from the side.”
On the other side, two tables were already full in the kitchen courtyard. Everyone was eating heartily, their faces filled with satisfaction. Even the two chefs, after tasting Mu Jianxi’s dishes, felt utterly ashamed of themselves—they simply couldn’t compare at all.
Mu Jianxi had always been generous to those who helped her. Anyone who assisted her would receive proper rewards, but those who slacked off in front of her would receive nothing at all.
By now, they had just begun eating. Mu Jianxi picked up a fried chicken drumstick, dipped it into her homemade honey mustard sauce, and took a bite—crunch. The crisp sound echoed in everyone’s ears.
Everyone else also picked one up, dipped it into the honey mustard sauce, and bit down. Crunching sounds rang out one after another, and they all subconsciously took another bite.
“What dish is this? So crispy, and the meat falls right off the bone while still being so juicy inside!”
“Fried chicken!”
Suddenly, Mu Jianxi seemed to remember something and tugged at Zhao Fuhua, who was still eating. “Old man, go quickly and bring over that drink I made in the kitchen.”
“Alright!” He immediately dropped what he was holding and ran off.
In the afternoon, Mu Jianxi had tried to make cola. When everyone saw her sprinkle white powder into a pot of dark liquid that instantly began bubbling violently, they were terrified and thought she was making poison. But when she scooped some to drink, they realized it was a beverage and tried it themselves. Although the taste was a bit sharp at first, it was sweet and surprisingly good.
When Zhao Fuhua brought the cola over, the three who didn’t know what it was thought he was bringing medicine and quickly refused. Only after hearing it was Mu Jianxi’s drink did they relax. They took a sip cautiously—and immediately a sharp, fizzy sensation rushed up their noses.
Seeing their reactions to cola for the first time, the other two burst into laughter. Zhao Fuhua especially understood them well, since he had reacted the same way earlier that afternoon.
“Fried chicken with alcohol makes you richer with every bite!”
“Fried chicken with cola makes you happier with every bite!”
After that, every dish they tried felt like opening a new world. All ten-plus dishes were wiped clean, leaving only soup. Even an entire steamer of rice was finished, down to the last bit at the bottom.
The Grand Princess only ate two small bowls, the consort four bowls, Gu Ruizhe four bowls—and who would have thought the old man ate six bowls!
Mu Jianxi suddenly felt as if they had come from a famine, like they hadn’t eaten properly in several lifetimes. But then she remembered that they normally ate salt made from mineral salt, and the food must have been terrible. She had tried it once herself—it was unbearably salty and inedible. They were used to it, but for her, it was completely overwhelming. Naturally, she preferred her own cooking.
The next day, they bid farewell to the Grand Princess and the consort and prepared to return to the capital. Before leaving, the Grand Princess took out a wooden box and placed it into Mu Jianxi’s hands. Inside was a fine white jade emerald bracelet.
Mu Jianxi tried to return it, but the Grand Princess stopped her immediately. “Keep it. This is my meeting gift to you. I’m very happy to make you a friend.”
Helpless, Mu Jianxi could only accept it. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
They drove their carriage to the market, bought some ingredients, planning to cook outdoors that night, and then continued on their journey.
Inside the carriage, Zhao Fuhua was cracking salted pine nuts, while Gu Ruizhe also held a bag. He used internal energy to crack the shells cleanly, tossing the kernels directly into his mouth. Even the Four Shadow Guards riding outside each had a bag in hand.
Only Mu Jianxi wasn’t eating—she tended to fall asleep easily in the swaying carriage.
In the palace, the Emperor, Empress Dowager, and Empress had been unable to enjoy any food since tasting the snacks Gu Ruizhe brought back. Everything now tasted bland, and they were nearly suffering from loss of appetite. The Empress Dowager even planned to leave the palace to find him, only to learn he had temporarily left the capital. Her expression immediately darkened.
Even the ministers were eagerly waiting for his return, wanting to ask where on earth he had bought those snacks. They had never felt their own food taste so bad before.
The next night, the group finally returned to the capital.
Mu Jianxi returned to her small courtyard and immediately felt completely relaxed. She told Zhao Fuhua to pick any empty room since everything inside would be arranged by the “housekeeper Bao Bao,” so she didn’t need to worry at all.
Early the next morning, Gu Ruizhe went to the palace by carriage, holding a bowl of salt he had asked Mu Jianxi for the previous night. His eyes were sharp and unreadable as he thought about something.
As soon as he stepped into the court, countless gazes fell on him—not fearful as before, but filled with expectation. This sudden change made him slightly uncomfortable, but he still stood calmly at the side.
At that moment, three similarly handsome men surrounded him: Crown Prince Gu Qiandu, Prince Duanrun Gu Minli, and Prince Runan Gu Qian’an. The Crown Prince joked, “Eighth brother, where did you buy the snacks you gave Father last time? Can you tell us?”
“Not available for disclosure,” he replied expressionlessly.
These three brothers were not particularly close to him—one was the heir, one handled the Court of Judicature, and one managed the Ministry of Personnel. They rarely interacted, so it was strange to see them suddenly approaching him just for food.
Seeing that the Emperor had not yet arrived, Gu Ruizhe took out dried shredded beef from his sleeve, tore it open, and ate casually, as if he had no concern for worldly affairs.
The scent drifted out immediately. The three princes and the officials all turned to look at him. It was the same irresistible aroma as last time—spicy, savory, and mouthwatering.
The Crown Prince couldn’t resist and asked, “Eighth brother, what are you eating? Can we have a taste?”
Seeing them practically drooling, he looked at them with disgust but wasn’t stingy. He handed the bag over.
The three princes each reached in and took some. After tasting it, their eyes lit up instantly. They were extremely curious where their usually aloof brother had found so many delicious foods.
The ministers could only swallow their saliva helplessly, watching the four brothers eat.
Just as the sharing was almost finished, Gu Ruizhe was about to take the bag back when suddenly, a large hand appeared out of nowhere and snatched it away. A cold “hmph” followed.