Hearing this familiar opening line, Su An felt helpless. She knew without a doubt that her mother was pressuring her to get married again.

She shrugged innocently, her face full of guile. "Mother, it's just friends calling each other by name. What's the big deal? Please stop thinking about it."

"Nonsense."

Li Guihua gave her a reproachful look and said lightly, "You two have been getting more and more intimate lately. Anyone with eyes can see that. Do you think you can hide it from your mother?"

Su An sometimes wanted to pry open her mother's simple and unpretentious head to see what she was thinking.

She spread her hands: "As the saying goes, one must know one's own limitations. Look at your good-for-nothing daughter, is she worthy of that prince?"

She revealed Fu Zhun's identity last time to prevent the family from rebelling one day.

Little did they know that after spending so much time with Fu Zhun and his group, Li Guihua and the others felt that any identity they held was illusory. After all, they didn't eat people and were very kind and friendly, so they continued to treat them like close neighbors.

Hearing Su An say this, Li Guihua thought to herself that her daughter was the best in the world, but she was also very unconventional.

If she really became a princess, who knows how chaotic things would get?

He couldn't help but sigh: "Whether you're a prince or the Emperor, you have to think about yourself, right? You're not young anymore, it's time to settle down and start a family."

Upon hearing this, Su An curled her lip in disdain: "Our goal is to make the shop bigger and stronger. Men will only slow down my money-making speed, no way!"

"You little brat!" Li Guihua nearly choked, grabbing her and earnestly admonishing her, "Throughout history, women have always given birth to children, supported their husbands, and raised their children. How could you be so unconventional?"

"Aren't you afraid of being gossiped about behind your back and being too ashamed to go out in public?"

"Ouch, I can't listen, I can't listen, the old woman is nagging—" Su An covered her ears and ran into the house, unable to hear a thing.

As expected, there's always pressure to get married, no matter the era. Just try to avoid it if you can!

Li Guihua was even more exasperated as she watched her daughter run faster than a rabbit.

The next day.

Su An was full of energy early in the morning, telling Zhang San to light up the signboard while he himself was calling out and making arrangements at the door.

"Come on, take a look! Our new dish, authentic Beijing-style roast duck! The juicy sliced ​​duck dipped in sweet bean sauce, wrapped in spring roll wrappers, is so delicious it's like a dog chasing a duck—quack quack quack!"

"See? Even our county magistrate has tasted it and said it's delicious, inscribing it 'Unparalleled,' making him green with envy!"

Her clear voice, coupled with the gleaming signboard next to her, immediately attracted the attention of many people who gathered around.

Then, upon hearing the county magistrate's praise, everyone was in an uproar, but at the same time, they were completely relieved.

"The magistrate is an upright and just official. If he says it's delicious, then it must be amazing. We have to try it!"

"That's right! The Su family always has something new to offer. They've got roast duck now. We can't wait to try it!"

"Get out of here—hey, don't push me!"

Diners flocked in, and even those who still had reservations immediately felt reassured upon seeing the plaque inscribed by the county magistrate, rushing inside with drooling mouths.

Su An was pushed back to the counter, grinning from ear to ear, and said, "Line up, no rush, everyone can order!"

She was beaming with joy, but she didn't notice that the richly dressed man at the innermost table was staring intently at her as he finished most of his roast duck.

"Interesting, very interesting."

This man, dressed in magnificent robes and with extraordinary handsome features, was none other than Emperor Chu Yi, who had come on a private visit incognito.

He came in when the shop first opened and witnessed it grow from having very few customers to being so crowded that people can't even remember their names.

"I never expected this young cook to have such amazing skills, and she's also quite eloquent. She's rather interesting to watch, don't you think, Fuhai?" He tore off a piece of plump duck leg with a half-smile.

The taste in his mouth made his eyes burn even more intensely.

"Yes, yes." Fu Hai swallowed hard, too hungry to answer the question as he looked at the table full of dishes.

His Majesty didn't give him permission to start eating, and he was just forced to smell this overwhelming aroma, which was truly unbearable!

Chu Yi chewed, his eyes still fixed on Su An, who was busy at work, with interest. "Hmm... although she doesn't look like a lady from a prestigious family, she's lively and pretty, and quite charming."

"However, apart from being better at cooking, there doesn't seem to be anything else that makes her stand out?"

Chu Yi made his judgment with a smile, but the smile never reached his eyes, making him seem somewhat strange and unsettling.

Just as Fu Hai was about to agree, his eyes darted around and widened when he saw the person entering through the door. "Your Majesty, that person..."

Disturbed, Chu Yi frowned and followed his gaze, only to suddenly see the familiar wheelchair enter.

The man, with his black hair and jade crown, was cold and aloof—none other than his beloved imperial uncle, Fu Zhun!

His expression changed slightly, and he immediately stood up and walked into the back private room. "Useless trash, hurry up and come in! Don't let the Imperial Uncle know that we've been waiting for you!"

As he spoke, he raised his hand and opened a crack in the window, squinting at the situation outside.

Su An, who was collecting money at that moment, also spotted Fu Zhun coming over.

There's no way around it; he's too handsome, with a cold and aloof aura that stands out from the crowd, making it hard not to notice him.

She chuckled and went to greet him, "The God of Wealth has arrived! What would you like to eat? This chef will personally prepare it."

Fu Zhun's lips curled up slightly, but before he could speak, Su An looked at him, stroked his fair chin, and pondered, "You just had roast duck yesterday, how about something light and nutritious today, like seafood porridge?"

"I'll listen to you." Fu Zhun nodded, his deep voice carrying a faint smile like a clear winter spring.

Seeing the two talking so intimately, Chu Yi's brow twitched suddenly in the private room.

The secret letter reported that the two had a very close relationship, and now it seems that it was even more so.

This was the first time he had ever seen his cold-faced uncle smile so...warmly.

"Hehe, although the Imperial Uncle is lame, he has a high status and holds great power. Countless noble ladies in the capital are eager to marry him, yet he is in this small place and takes a liking to a cook."

A cunning glint flashed in Chu Yi's eyes, and he stared at the two of them with even more interest.

Jian Yi sensed the probing gaze, his expression immediately sharpened, and he bent down to report to Fu Zhun.

"Master, someone is spying on us in the private room, or they may have ulterior motives."

He lowered his voice, but didn't hide it from Su An, startling her and immediately raising her alarm bells: "Spying?!"

Could it be that some important figure has set his sights on her again?

Fu Zhun paused slightly, a hint of something unreadable in his dark eyes, but he simply nodded and said, "Let's go."

Jian Yi accepted the order and pushed the wheelchair toward the private room.

Su An was puzzled but impressed. Judging from Fu Zhun's expression, could it be that they knew each other?

She frowned, following along with some concern.

The private room wasn't far; it was just a few steps away. The door wasn't even closed properly, so we entered easily.

With nowhere to hide, Chu Yi immediately greeted Fu Zhun, who rushed in with a smile, as the soft "creak" sounded.

"Uncle, what a coincidence! Want to eat some duck?"