"Beans—ah!"

After finishing her meal, Chen Nian was about to go with Xuan'er to check on the milk tea situation when she heard a familiar voice and a scream as soon as she stepped inside. Chen Nian subconsciously patted her head.

Oh no, I didn't check the almanac before I went out today. If I had known Ziwei was in the imperial kitchen, I wouldn't have come today. At this moment, she felt that she could still resist the temptation of milk tea.

She remembered that there was a scene in the drama where Ziwei went to the imperial kitchen, but she forgot when Ziwei went to the imperial kitchen. Now it seems that it was today.

"Princess, why are you slapping your head? What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Seeing her princess's silly actions and the annoyance on her face, Xuan'er looked puzzled.

Hearing the sound, Chen Nian wanted to cover Xuan'er's mouth, but it was too late. She saw the people on the other side who were attracted by Xuan'er's voice and looked over.

Chen Nian put away his lazy demeanor and straightened his posture, knowing he couldn't show weakness in front of outsiders.

May Princess Chen be blessed.

Those in front of and behind Granny Gui stepped forward and bowed.

"Xuan'er, go and help him up."

Seeing Ziwei sprawled on the ground, looking utterly miserable, Chen Nian turned his head and calmly instructed Xuan'er behind him.

"Yes, Princess."

Xuan'er put down the plate in her hand, took a few steps forward, and helped the person up.

"May Princess Shen be blessed, thank you very much, Princess Shen."

Ziwei also stepped forward and bowed in greeting.

"Um."

Noticing everyone's gazes fixed on him, Chen Nian looked at Ziwei's trembling hands and then glanced at Granny Gui.

"Granny Gui, what are you doing here?"

She remembered that Ziwei had entered the imperial kitchen, but she didn't remember why. She only watched Ziwei's storyline casually, and her attention was mainly on Ertai and Qing'er in the early episodes.

"Your Highness, the Empress Dowager said that Miss Ziwei's Luohan cakes and pastries are delicious, and has sent this old servant to supervise Miss Ziwei's pastry making."

Granny Gui replied respectfully.

"Oh? Weren't you making desserts? Why is Ziwei washing beans?"

Hearing what Granny Gui said, Chen Nian recalled part of the plot, and it seemed that the Emperor had misunderstood the Empress Dowager because of this.

"Your Highness, I heard that Miss Ziwei is from Shandong. I thought that since Miss Ziwei is so skilled, I would like her to make some Shandong soybean paste."

"Granny Gui, the Empress Dowager asked Ziwei to make pastries, not soybean paste."

"There are Shandong natives among the chefs in the imperial kitchen. Granny Gui, if you want to make Shandong-style soybean paste, just ask one of the chefs in the imperial kitchen. Could Ziwei's skills possibly be better than those of the imperial kitchen chefs?"

He spoke softly and thoughtfully.

“Yes, Granny Gui, my imperial kitchen is full of Shandong people. If you need Shandong soybean paste, I’ll have the chefs in the imperial kitchen make it for you. How could Miss Ziwei’s cooking skills be better than the people in my imperial kitchen?”

With Chen Nian speaking up, Master Zhuang also found an opportunity to help out of the predicament.

"Yes, Granny Gui, our skills are definitely better than Miss Ziwei's."

The young chefs in the imperial kitchen chimed in.

They all realized that Chen Nian was trying to help Ziwei out of a tight spot, and they all spoke up.

"this--"

Hearing so many people speaking up for Ziwei, Granny Gui's eyes were filled with resentment and difficulty. If Chen Nian weren't around, she could disregard their opinions.

But if Chen Nian is there, the situation will be different. What if Chen Nian complains to the Empress Dowager and loses the Empress Dowager's trust?

She knew all too well how important Chen Nian was to the Empress Dowager. Even though she had been by the Empress Dowager's side for decades, it could not compare to the position Chen Nian held in her heart.

"Granny Gui, I want to eat Luohan cakes. Please have Ziwei make them for me."

She remembered that Ziwei in the drama seemed to make Luohan cakes, and that the people in the imperial kitchen wouldn't know how to make them, and that Granny Gui wouldn't pass them on to the people in the imperial kitchen.

“But, Princess Chen, Granny Gui asked me to make soybean paste. I’ll make the soybean paste for Granny Gui and then make you vegetarian Luohan cakes, okay?”

Ziwei hesitated slightly when she heard Chen Nian ask her to make vegetarian Luohan cakes; she didn't want to lose the Empress Dowager's favor.

Hearing Ziwei's tactful words, Granny Gui gave Ziwei a knowing look.

Ziwei received the message, pursed her lips, and gave a faint smile.

Fortunately, she refused Chen Nian, so Granny Gui shouldn't be angry.

Shen Nian was speechless upon hearing Ziwei's words. How stupid was Ziwei? Couldn't she tell that she was trying to help her out of a tight spot? And she didn't even appreciate it, still laughing happily.

Upon hearing Ziwei's words, the young chef in the imperial kitchen felt his admiration for her diminished immediately, stemming from their previous experience at the dumpling banquet.

A palace maid could lead the princes, and the princess made them obey her orders, which made them feel admiration. But now they all realized that Princess Shen was just trying to help her out of a predicament, but the person in question didn't appreciate it.

Hearing Ziwei's words, even Master Zhuang frowned, but said nothing, though his gaze toward Ziwei turned colder.

He helped me time and time again, but I didn't appreciate it. He's not that kind-hearted.

"Okay, okay, if you're going to do it, then do it."

Shen Nian didn't want to get involved anymore. She had already helped so much, but Ziwei didn't appreciate it. She wasn't the type to rush in and meddle in other people's business.

She never had much compassion to begin with, and this situation is entirely Ziwei's own doing.

In this life, she was pampered and spoiled from childhood to adulthood, and no one dared to disobey her. Even after she lost her father and mother, she was protected and pampered by the Empress Dowager and spoiled by Qing'er.

She never expected that her first attempt to help would be met with such ingratitude, especially since she had no connection with Ziwei to begin with.

She wanted to help, firstly because she didn't want the Empress Dowager and the Emperor to develop a rift because of Ziwei.

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