Ling Shumo asked, "Shangguan Xu, have you ever tasted what you cooked?"

Shangguan Xu didn't understand the true meaning of Ling Shumo's words. He said with a hint of seeking credit, "I will wait for Your Highness to come back and taste the first bite. From now on, when I cook, I will save the first bite of every meal for Your Highness."

Ling Shumo scooped up a spoonful of porridge and held it to Shangguan Xu's lips. "It's sweeter than syrup. You don't need to sprinkle sugar into the porridge next time. I suggest you put a few grains of steamed rice and plum petals directly into the syrup jar. Isn't that much easier than spending so much time and effort to make a pot of plum blossom porridge?"

Shangguan Xu finally understood Ling Shumo's hidden meaning. He stopped drinking the porridge and pushed away the spoon that was passed to his lips. "Your Highness, you really dampen my enthusiasm. Do you know how long I have been preparing?"

Shangguan Xu said this, and poked his burned left index finger in front of Ling Shumo's eyes. "Even if it doesn't taste good, it was made by me. From washing rice to picking flowers, I didn't ask anyone else to do it. My hands have been burned, so Your Highness, can't you comfort me? Is it so difficult for you to say it's delicious?"

Ling Shumo pushed the bowl of porridge toward Shangguan Xu and said, "You don't have to finish it all. If you can drink half a bowl, I can praise you for the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, without repeating it."

Shangguan Xu was completely unaware of the seriousness of the matter. He picked up the bowl of porridge and took a big gulp, then sprayed it all over the table and the floor.

Originally, Ling Shumo was standing in front of Shangguan Xu, but when she saw Shangguan Xu's movements, Ling Shumo retreated to the side as quickly as possible.

Shangguan Xu felt like his throat was blocked and he was about to cry from coughing. "Ruyan, why don't you go and get me a glass of water?"

Ling Shumo took the cup of water from Ruyan's hand. Shangguan Xu took a few big gulps and felt that he was finally alive again.

Shangguan Xu slammed the water glass on the table and said, "There are still several dishes in the kitchen. I don't believe that none of them are edible."

Shangguan Xu didn't say anything and dragged Ling Shumo towards the small kitchen.

Jiufu watched Shangguan Xu and Ling Shumo's backs getting farther and farther away, then glanced at Lu Jinshu who was still standing there, "Master, aren't you going to follow?"

Lu Jinshu's face was expressionless. "Why are you following them? Are you going to continue being their background?"

Jiufu was silent for a moment, then tried his best to console her, "Then next time someone from Changqiu Palace comes to invite you, just find a random excuse to decline. Master, seeing them like that, you feel bad, and I feel bad too."

Lu Jinshu did not answer.

He poured the peach blossom porridge from the casserole into a bowl, then scooped up a spoonful, blew on the boiling porridge until it reached the right temperature, then put it into his mouth and swallowed it.

Lu Jinshu's fingers gently stroked the edge of the bowl. He smiled at Jiufu, "Why are you looking for excuses to refuse? I think this is fine."

Lu Jinshu tapped the porcelain bowl with the knuckle of his index finger. "I came to Changqiu Palace and can drink porridge from the same bowl with Your Highness. If I stay in my own courtyard, I don't know when I can see Your Highness again."

Jiufu's eyes naturally fell on the porcelain bowl. He felt strange just now. There were brand new bowls and plates placed on the corner of the table, but Lu Jinshu chose to take the bowl used by Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess.

Lu Jinshu took the porcelain spoon and slowly stirred the still hot plum blossom porridge in the bowl.

He always felt unfair in the past. He was jealous of Shangguan Xu and cursed him in his heart, hoping that he would suddenly die one day.

But after what happened with Bai Lin, he actually came to his senses. The princess had so many men around her, and if he was jealous of every one of them and tried to frame every one of them, then he wouldn't be able to do anything else in his life. He would be so angry every day that he would die.

Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess and Shangguan Xu were being affectionate with each other there, and it was nice for him to watch from the side.

He didn't know whether Ling Shumo had him in her eyes, but as long as he could see her, that was enough.

In the small kitchen.

Ling Shumo tasted every dish Shangguan Xu made. They were either too sweet or too salty. She pointed at one dish, the stir-fried bok choy, which was obviously mushy. "Shangguan Xu, have I offended you in some way?"

Shangguan Xu's eyes were filled with innocence, "Your servant has really tried very hard..."

He held his breath as he ate half a plate of potato chips that had been sugared with salt, then looked at Ling Shumo with great anticipation. "It's not particularly hard to swallow. Your Highness, please stay in Changqiu Palace for dinner. I, your servant, got up before dawn to prepare this table of dishes."

Shangguan Xu picked up a piece of potato and passed it to Ling Shumo's lips. "The sugar on this potato slice is just right. This is my sweet token of my love for you. Your Highness, please try it..."

Ling Shumo didn't even listen to him finish, she turned around and walked out. She didn't have the tendency to abuse herself. "I suddenly remembered that there are still many government affairs that I haven't completed. This time I won't be able to enjoy the meal you made yourself. You should eat well even if you are alone. Don't starve yourself just because I'm not here. I'll leave first, and I'll come to see you next time when I'm free."

The door to the kitchenette was opened and closed.

Not long after, Lu Jinshu saw Ling Shumo walking out in a hurry, as if there was a ghost behind her demanding her life.

Shangguan Xu chased out unwillingly, but Ling Shumo had already disappeared.

Shangguan Xu complained aggrievedly, "Why is Your Highness like this?"

Lu Jinshu smiled and said, "You can't become fat in one bite. Just because you didn't cook well the first time doesn't mean you won't cook well in the future. Once your cooking skills improve, His Highness will naturally be willing to try your food. If you are willing to learn how to cook, I can come to Changqiu Palace every day to teach you."

Shangguan Xu happily took Lu Jinshu's hand and said, "Jin'an, thank goodness you're willing to teach me, otherwise I really don't know what to do."

The smile on Lu Jinshu's lips became even more intense.

For someone of Shangguan Xu's status, it's fine if he doesn't have brains. His methods may not work on the Princess Royal, but if he devotes a bit of energy to coaxing Shangguan Xu, he can easily get her.

As long as Shangguan Xu's sister does not fall, he can continue to live a carefree life like this.

And he can also enjoy the shade by leaning against the big tree of Shangguan Xu, right?

…