“Mmm, although it’s not as good as before, I still think it tastes better than the cooks in the mansion. Are you really not going to eat?”
As she spoke, Xiang Zhile picked up another piece of chicken and put it in her mouth.
Watching her chattering little lips continuously inviting him to eat, Yan Junnuo silently calculated the probability of Chu Shan being outside and being able to fetch a doctor to save his life. After confirming the survival rate was higher than the death rate, he finally picked up a small piece of rib with a resigned determination and placed it in his mouth.
The rib was tender and soft, melting in his mouth. It wasn’t greasy and retained the original meaty flavor of the ribs.
After finishing one piece of rib, he couldn’t help but pick up a piece of chicken.
The chicken was fragrant and smooth, soft and tender. Even after swallowing it, the lingering sensation of its softness remained on his tongue.
He froze for a moment.
Had she really perfected her cooking skills to such an extent for Yan Beimo?
“Keep going, why did you stop using your chopsticks?” Xiang Zhile propped her chin with both hands, watching him with a bright smile, her fox-like eyes sparkling.
“This Wangye is full.” He hesitated for a moment before putting down his chopsticks.
“Full?” Xiang Zhile looked at the dishes that had only been touched once or twice in astonishment, her face filled with concern. “You ate so little. Is the food not to your taste?”
Although his stomach condition was severe now, it shouldn’t be to the point where he couldn’t eat anything.
Xiang Zhile’s concerned words sounded different to Yan Junnuo: Why are you eating so little? Such a small amount isn’t enough to trigger the poison. Hurry up and eat more.
Forcing down the urge to kill someone, Yan Junnuo tried to keep his tone calm. “This Wangye has matters to attend to. You should return first.”
If he said he wasn’t happy that she was willing to cook for him, that would be a lie.
However, the cost of eating her cooking was too high. He still needed to keep his life to protect her.
Therefore, even if it was like drinking poison to quench thirst, he could only take a small taste.
Seeing how busy he appeared and not wanting to engage with her, Xiang Zhile couldn’t help but feel a wave of disappointment.
But when she thought about the cold shoulders Yan Junnuo had endured from her in their previous life compared to the slight resistance she was facing now, it wasn’t even worth mentioning. She immediately regained her spirits.
Skillfully packing the bowls and chopsticks back into the food container, she said eagerly, “Then you go ahead with your work. What would you like for dinner? I’ll cook for you.”
Yan Junnuo’s eyebrow twitched imperceptibly: So the dosage wasn’t enough to poison him, and she was planning to take it slow.
Just as he was about to refuse, Xiang Zhile beat him to it.
“Since you’re not saying anything, I’ll make you lotus root powder meat patties and lotus root rib soup tonight. It’s August now, with the lotus flowers blooming—it’s the perfect time to eat lotus root.”
After saying this, she picked up the food container and turned to leave as quickly as if she were being chased by a ghost.
On her way out, she even bumped into the door of his study.
He wanted to stand up, but seeing her run off without looking back, he suppressed the impulse to stop her.
“Chu Shan.”
He called out.
Chu Shan timidly poked his head in from the doorway. “Wangye?”
If he hadn’t seen wrong, that woman seemed very guilty just now.
“Invite Doctor Gongsun to come here.”
!!!
Chu Shan looked at him anxiously and blurted out, “Wangye, should this subordinate go kill that woman?”
If this continued, Wangye wouldn’t die at the hands of his enemies but at the hands of his own woman.
“You dare?” Yan Junnuo shot Chu Shan a sharp glare.
“Wangye…” Chu Shan attempted to persuade further.
Yan Junnuo looked at him sternly and spoke with authority, “Chu Shan, Commander of the Qilin Guard, heed my command.”
Upon hearing “Qilin Guard,” Chu Shan had no choice but to drop to one knee, bow his head, and clasp his fists. “Your subordinate is here.”
“I, as the Regent Prince of Huang Kingdom and master of the Qilin Guard, command you: no matter what happens, regardless of what Wangfei does, if I am no longer here in the future, you must protect Wangfei’s safety with your life.”
Chu Shan abruptly raised his head, his eyes flashing with reluctance. “Wangye…”
“Do you dare disobey your master’s command?” Yan Junnuo swept another authoritative glance at him.
Since childhood, this was the first time Wangye had used his status to pressure him. Suppressing the reluctance in his eyes, Chu Shan obediently bowed his head to accept the order. “Your subordinate… obeys.”
Only then did Yan Junnuo nod with relief. “Go now. Do not attract attention.”
Left with no alternative, Chu Shan could only accept the command and withdraw.
Before leaving the estate, he decided to first make a trip to the kitchen to instruct the cooks never to let Wangfei near the stove again.