Chapter 131 Secret

After listening to Xu Shiming's words, Qin Yuwei fell into deep thought.

"You mean... maybe we can enter the East Palace through Eunuch Zhao?"

Xu Shiming nodded, "But I think we may need some money to pay for it."

"Just give money directly?" Qin Yuwei was a little worried.

"Of course we can't just give money directly." Xu Shiming told Qin Yuwei his plan.

After hearing this, a hint of determination flashed in Qin Yuwei's eyes.

"I can come up with more. But Shiming, you have to do me a favor too."

…

The kitchen at Guweizhai had already started serving the meals. Eunuch Zhao stood at the door with a pair of ivory chopsticks in his hand. He had to taste every dish before presenting it to the prince.

Eunuch Zhao was very familiar with the dishes prepared by the chef, and just by looking at the appearance of the dishes he could tell that they were made by the Eastern Palace.

Eunuch Zhao scooped out a spoonful of pigeon soup, tasted it, and said "hmm" softly, indicating that it could be served.

He was wiping the soup from the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief when a strong aroma he had never smelled before suddenly reached his nose.

It was a delicious mixture of fish meat and salty fragrance. There was a dark brown soup in the porcelain white plate, and on it was a steamed sea bass. The fish meat was snow-white, sprinkled with green onion shreds, and wisps of steam were rising.

“What is this…?” This was the first time Eunuch Zhao saw such a practice and was surprised.

Wang Yuchu explained, "Mr. Eunuch, this is steamed sea bass with fermented black beans."

"Oh?" Eunuch Zhao carefully picked up a piece of fish. The fish meat was firm, tender and fresh, and blended perfectly with the flavors of other seasonings.

Eunuch Zhao couldn't help but let out a satisfied sound.

He put down his chopsticks reluctantly, but it was a pity that he couldn't eat more, otherwise he would have wanted to try a few more bites.

Eunuch Zhao looked at the tender white fish meat, his Adam's apple moved slightly, "Well, serve it."

He knew His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and the taste of this fish must be very much to his liking.

The dishes were brought into the private room one by one. Inside the room, Yan Xiuyun and Yan Yuze sat opposite each other, while Ouyang Ye stood outside the room waiting.

The prince was talking to the crown prince, so he had no right to sit at the table with them.

Yan Xiuyun looked at the many fresh dishes on the table and couldn't help but taste a few more out of curiosity.

"It seems that this steamed sea bass with fermented black beans is quite to your Highness' taste. By the way, your Highness may have seen this chef before." Yan Yuze said with a smile.

"Oh?" Yan Xiuyun was a little surprised. "If that's what the emperor's uncle said, why don't you invite him here so I can see him?"

Wang Yuchu was called in and kowtowed excitedly: "This old servant pays homage to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

He raised his head, Yan Xiuyun narrowed his eyes slightly, and he did look somewhat familiar.

"Your Highness, I once served you. Do you still remember the iced plum cheese?"

"I remember now." Yan Xiuyun nodded. The ice plum cheese made by Wang Yuchu was indeed very popular in the palace back then.

"Your craftsmanship is quite to my liking. If I take you back to the East Palace, would you be willing?"

"Yes, I am willing!" Wang Yuchu was so excited that he was at a loss and kowtowed repeatedly to thank the prince.

Wang Yuchu felt like he was dreaming until he walked out of the private room.

Finally... he had finally waited for this day!

Miss Zhu is definitely the noble person in his life!!!

The door of the private room was closed again, and only Yan Yuze and Yan Xiuyun were left in the room.

The two chatted for a while about all sorts of things, and Yan Xiuyun suddenly changed the subject:

"Uncle, have you ever heard of a secret that happened in the palace many years ago?"

"Secret? I'd like to hear the details." Yan Yuze smiled faintly and took a sip of sake.

"Today, there are only you and me, uncle and nephew, in the room, so Xiuyun won't beat around the bush."

As Yan Xiuyun spoke, the smile on his face gradually faded, and he slowly opened his mouth:

“It is said that twenty years ago, there was an incident in the palace where a cat replaced a prince.

And I am the raccoon cat that was exchanged."

When Yan Xiuyun said this, his eyes were fixed on Yan Yuze's face, not missing any change in his expression.

However, Yan Yuze seemed to have heard some interesting story. "Why did such a ridiculous rumor come from the palace? I will ask my brother to investigate it carefully later."

"Xiu Yun also heard that there was evidence left behind in that case."

"Evidence?" Yan Yuze smiled deeply, "Where is it?"

"It's hidden on the top floor of the Wanjuan Pavilion in Longchang Academy."

Yan Yuze laughed out loud, "These groundless rumors are actually so true. How about this, I will take Your Highness to the top floor of Wanjuan Tower, and we uncle and nephew can find out what's going on?"

"Uncle, you are joking. Xiuyun has only heard of such a thing. As for whether it is a book or something else, Xiuyun does not know, so how can we collect evidence?"

Yan Yuze looked innocent: "Your Highness, if you say so, then Longchang Academy can't clear itself from the charges. They just said there is some evidence hidden in Wanjuan Tower, but we don't know what the evidence is. This is too unfair. You have to drink a fine!"

Yan Xiuyun was still staring at Yan Yuze's face, but he couldn't see any flaws, and a hint of confusion flashed in his eyes.

Could the rumor be false?

But with so many things in this world, how can there be so many groundless rumors?

Yan Xiuyun poured himself a glass of wine and was about to say something else when he suddenly heard the eunuch outside the door loudly announce:

"His Royal Highness Prince Qi has arrived—"

The third prince Yan Changwen came over through the corridor with seven or eight attendants.

Yan Changwen and Yan Xiuyun were of similar height, but their bodies were very different. He was well-built, with plump cheeks, eyes squeezed so tightly that they were only two thin slits, and a round belly that trembled slightly with every step.

Although His Royal Highness Prince Qi's appearance has nothing to do with the handsome appearance of an elegant man, he is famous for his versatility. He is proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, and is adept at reciting the classics of sages. Even when debating with the directors of the Imperial College, he can handle it with ease and not be at a disadvantage.

Yan Changwen's sudden visit surprised Yan Xiuyun, but Yan Yuze remained calm.

The two stood up to greet him. Yan Xiuyun's eyes were deep, and he said with a smile: "What kind of wind is this today that actually blew my third brother here."

Yan Changwen smiled widely, holding a scroll in his hand, and bowed to the two of them, saying, "Brother, Sixth Uncle, as a scholar, I have long admired the elegance of Longchang Academy. I was delayed by something in the mansion this time, and was unable to catch up with the academy celebration ceremony, which is a pity.

To express my apology, I have specially painted a picture of "Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl" to make amends to my uncle. I hope you will accept it."

He flicked his wrist and unfolded the scroll.

In the painting, two huge dragons are seen circling, one white and one black, facing each other. The white dragon is like a silver armor, waiting for an opportunity to strike, while the black dragon has piercing eyes, looking even more ferocious.

The brushstrokes are sometimes as light as silk, and sometimes heavy and steady, depicting the two giant dragons that seem to be playing but are actually fighting vividly, which shows the profound skill of the painter.

"My nephew's humble work, I dare to ask the emperor's uncle to comment on it. I wonder if the emperor's uncle thinks that which of the two dragons in the painting can win the pearl?"