Xiang Zhile quickly defended, “It’s not the cook’s fault. Qieshen wanted to cook for Wangye personally.”
Hearing this, a flicker of light flashed in Yan Junnuo’s eyes before it was quickly concealed.
She lowered her head, blowing on the scalded spot on her left hand, stole a glance at him as he had already taken his seat, and then swiftly lowered her eyelids again.
Hesitantly, she walked over to his side.
Seeing this, Chu Shan inwardly cursed the situation.
Xiang Zhile subtly raised an eyebrow, then pouted and extended her left hand to Yan Junnuo.
“Wangye, Qieshen’s hand still hurts a little. Could Wangye blow on it for Qieshen?”
Upon hearing this, Chu Shan, who was standing behind Yan Junnuo, visibly stiffened.
He hurriedly spoke up, “Wangye, this subordinate will go fetch the medicine kit right away…”
Xiang Zhile immediately withdrew her hand, her lips slightly pursed, her voice tinged with a hint of dissatisfaction, “If it’s just to get the medicine kit, then I’d rather do it myself.”
After saying this, she silently counted in her heart: Three, two…
Before she reached “one,” Yan Junnuo spoke in a calm tone.
“Chu Shan.”
Chu Shan’s voice even cracked, “Wangye, this subordinate will go right now, immediately—”
“Get out.”
“…Yes.”
Before leaving, Chu Shan didn’t forget to shoot Xiang Zhile a warning glare.
Meeting Xiang Zhile’s teasing gaze, he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine and instantly quickened his pace to leave.
Xiang Zhile bit her lip and let out a soft laugh, then quickly pressed her lips together. She pulled over a stool and sat down beside Yan Junnuo, lowering her head as she extended her slightly reddened hand to him.
A strange, alternating warmth and coolness spread across her hand. Xiang Zhile secretly glanced up and saw that he was indeed holding her hand, carefully blowing on the small reddened patch where she had been scalded.
After blowing on it, he frowned slightly as he looked at the reddened area. “Does it still hurt?”
Xiang Zhile immediately withdrew her hand and moved even closer.
Without another word, she wrapped her arms around his, her eyes sparkling with admiration as she leaned against him. “Wangye is so amazing. Qieshen doesn’t feel any pain now.”
Yan Junnuo’s ears turned red, though his expression remained impassive, his tone slightly displeased.
“Just this once. This prince is not a physician.”
Xiang Zhile leaned against his shoulder and repeatedly assured him, “Yes, yes, Qieshen will be more careful next time.”
After a moment, Yan Junnuo’s voice sounded again from above her head.
“…If you truly enjoy cooking yourself, tasks like serving soup or setting the table can be left to the servants.”
Xiang Zhile’s lips curled upward briefly before she pressed them into a thin line, replying, “Yes, Qieshen understands.”
Yan Junnuo seemed about to say more but was abruptly interrupted by her. “Wangye, have some soup first.”
Without her noticing, she had released his arm.
She ladled a bowl of soup for him.
After she said “have some soup,” a bowl of clear, amber-colored broth with a faint sheen of oil was pushed in front of him. The soup was translucent, and a few lotus seeds settled at the bottom were clearly visible.
“Fresh lotus seeds are perfect for clearing heart fire. It’s a pity the earlier bowl of sweet soup was spilled. Otherwise, having a Lotus Seed and Lily Osmanthus Sweet Soup in this weather would have been perfect.” As she spoke, Xiang Zhile’s entire demeanor was radiant.
“…This prince does not care for sweets.” Saying this, he lowered his head and took a sip of the soup.
The subtle sweetness of the lotus seeds, the fragrant aroma of lotus root, and the rich scent of pork ribs blended together, leaving a lingering sweetness and fragrance in his mouth.
His hand momentarily lost control, forcing the entire bowl of soup down his throat.
“…”
Pretending not to see his conflicted expression, Xiang Zhile picked up the serving chopsticks again, placing two slices of lotus root into his rice bowl, her fox-like eyes glinting with mischief.
“Wangye, have some vegetables.”
Yan Junnuo set down the soup bowl and reached out to grasp her hand, which was still holding the chopsticks for him.
“If you have something to say, just say it directly.”
Xiang Zhile put down the chopsticks, looking at him with hopeful eyes. “For the return visit tomorrow, Qieshen wishes to go back alone.”
Contrary to her expectation of a cold expression, Yan Junnuo merely raised an eyebrow slightly. “Why?”
Xiang Zhile guiltily turned her face away, fiddling with her hairpin for a moment, then smoothing her clothes.
After a while, she lowered her head and whispered, “Qieshen didn’t know that Xiang Fu would withhold all of Wangye’s betrothal gifts…”
“This prince…”
He was about to say he didn’t mind.
Xiang Zhile immediately looked up, interrupting him, her emotions tinged with a hint of agitation.
“Qieshen knows Wangye doesn’t mind, but Qieshen does. Those were the betrothal gifts Wangye gave to Qieshen, so they belong to Qieshen. How could anyone else dare to lay a hand on them?”
“Besides, that whole household of ungrateful wretches doesn’t deserve Wangye’s recognition.”
Seeing her slightly reddened eyes, Yan Junnuo’s expression softened instantly. He reached out and pinched her somewhat thin cheek, the smooth texture just as he remembered.
“Did you touch chili while cooking? Your eyes are red from the spice.”
Surprised by his affectionate gesture, Xiang Zhile looked at him in confusion. “Wangye?”
Yan Junnuo chuckled softly. “This prince is busy tomorrow, I’m afraid Wangfei will have to go back alone.”
Xiang Zhile sniffled. “It’s no hardship. Being the Regent Princess is a great blessing, so it’s no hardship at all.”
“Silly woman.” He pinched her cheek again and added, “This prince will trust you one more time. If you dare to sneak away…”
Xiang Zhile swore fiercely, finishing his sentence, “Then you can break my legs.”
“…”