Yihua was preparing a whole lamb hotpot feast for the evening when the Thirteenth Prince, Yinxiang, whom Yinzhen had been constantly thinking about, finally returned.

Since Consort Min's death, the Thirteenth Prince was overwhelmed with grief and did not want to live in the place where his deceased mother died. With the Emperor's permission, he went on a study tour.

Five years have passed in the blink of an eye, and he has finally ended his long journey, writing back to say that he will not be leaving again.

Yinzhen was very excited. Before Consort Min was made a consort, she lived in a side hall of Yonghe Palace. After she was made a consort, she was not valued by the emperor. For many years, Consort De took care of her. Yinxiang was also someone Yinzhen watched grow up.

Unlike the Fourteenth Prince, who was mischievous and active, the Thirteenth Prince was always an obedient and adorable younger brother.

Yinzhen once had a younger brother, the Sixth Prince, who was his dream brother. However, the Sixth Prince died young, and Yinzhen secretly grieved for a long time. After the Thirteenth Prince was born, Yinzhen seemed to see his Sixth Brother growing up, calling him Fourth Brother in a sweet voice, following him around like a little shadow, and treating his words as golden rules.

In short, although five years had passed, the Thirteenth Prince was still the best younger brother in Yinzhen's heart.

Upon receiving news of the Thirteenth Prince, Yinzhen couldn't contain himself and calculated his journey, heading out of the city early to greet him. Yihua heard Yinzhen say that the Thirteenth Prince's two favorite foods were mutton and hot pot.

That makes it simple. Heat the spicy broth in chili oil, then add a clear broth made with mushrooms, and a simple hot pot is ready. Instruct the kitchen to bring out various fresh beef and lamb, seasonal vegetables and fruits, and finally, prepare the noodles.

Honghui's injuries have healed, and he and Hongyun went with Yinzhen to welcome the Thirteenth Prince. Yihua called the eldest princess and Liuliu over to have a meal together.

Liu Liu has already learned to read a Western clock. She stared at the minute hand as it moved, and seeing that half of the meal had passed and dinner was still not served, she began to complain: "Mother, it's time to eat."

"Liuliu is so smart, she's learned to tell time." Yihua lowered her head and kissed her. "Let's wait a bit today, your thirteenth uncle is coming from afar, we need to give him a welcome dinner."

Liu Liu seemed to understand, but not quite. She clutched her tummy and sighed, but didn't continue to make a fuss.

Seeing that Yihua didn't object, the eldest princess took a piece of mung bean cake and fed it to Liuliu for a couple of bites. When Liuliu wanted more, the eldest princess refused, saying, "Liuliu, look, this is your favorite hot pot. If you're full now, you won't be able to eat any more later. Can you wait a little longer? Father will be back soon."

"Okay." Liu Liu looked at the mutton laid out on the table, her eyes revealing longing. She swallowed and decided not to eat any more.

Yi Hua found it amusing. Liu Liu had always had a good appetite since she was little, and she had to keep a close eye on her weight to prevent her from getting fat. There was no way around it; she was just too adorable, and anyone who came to hold her would end up feeding her.

Speak of the devil, and he appears. A series of footsteps approached, and Yinzhen led the Thirteenth Prince, followed by the Ninth Prince, the Tenth Prince, and the Fourteenth Prince with a sour face.

When the princes entered, they greeted Yihua, saying, "Greetings, Fourth Sister-in-law."

Yi Hua quickly returned the greeting with a half-bow, signaling everyone to sit down. After washing their hands, the charcoal fire was lit, the soup base boiled, and the room was already bustling with activity.

The meat and vegetables were put into the pot, and Liu Liu took a big, satisfying bite, then stared curiously at the unfamiliar new uncle.

He was dressed in simple clothes, which seemed out of place among the luxurious clothes in the room, yet miraculously, it felt very harmonious. Perhaps it was because his smile was so genuine, and his every move exuded a magnanimous charm that made people overlook his outward appearance and appreciate his interesting soul after spending some time with him.

"My brother went...and traveled...almost all over the country, comparing maps along the way, and discovered many places that were not recorded on the maps. My brother compiled them into a book, and these past few days he has moved to my fourth brother's residence, so that I can also take a good look at the magnificent rivers and mountains of our Great Qing." The Thirteenth Prince raised his wine cup and toasted each of his brothers one by one. In just a few words, the Ninth Prince had already put his arm around his shoulder, and the two brothers were acting like brothers.

Yi Hua, holding Liu Liu, ate a few simple dishes and then left with the eldest princess, completely handing the dinner table over to the men.

"Princess, you didn't eat much just now. I asked the kitchen to make some congee with preserved egg and lean pork, as well as a few side dishes. They should be delivered to your courtyard just in time." In this kind of occasion, except for the final drinking contest, there's no such thing as good food. Yi Hua was well prepared.

"Your daughter thanks your mother, my esteemed mother." After bowing, the eldest princess walked away with her maid.

"Mother, what about Liu Liu's preserved egg and lean pork congee?" Liu Liu asked, tilting her head up.

Yi Hua laughed and tapped her forehead: "You look like a bowl of preserved egg and lean pork congee, all you know is how to eat."

"Mother, Liu Liu can't eat this." Liu Liu earnestly covered her bottom, "Liu Liu doesn't taste good."

Yi Hua made her hands into claws, opened her mouth and made a tiger's roar. Liu Liu screamed and ran away, and Yi Hua followed behind her, having a great time.

Yinxiang raised his cup to Yinzhen: "Long time no see, Fourteenth Brother, won't you have a drink with your brother?"

With a dark expression, Yinzhen raised his cup and drank it all in one gulp. Who was his brother? So annoying!

Yinzhen sat in the main seat and felt that his thirteenth brother was good in every way. He was upright and honest, and he had finally grown up. He was no longer the little boy who couldn't stop crying after his mother's death.

The fourteenth brother really doesn't know any manners. He has a stern face towards his older brother, while the thirteenth brother is chatting and laughing with him.

The tenth prince drank the wine that Yinxiang had brought back and ate large mouthfuls of mutton: "Thirteenth prince, this wine of yours is indeed very good. What is it called? I've never used it in the capital before."

"I don't know my younger brother's name. Once, when we went to the north, our silver was stolen on the way. We were still some distance from the merchant house, so we walked for nearly ten kilometers. We passed a farmhouse, and this was the wine they brewed themselves."

"In order to drink for a few more days, we stayed at that farmer's house for more than ten days. Fortunately, I had been farming with my fourth brother since I was a child and knew a little about the techniques of planting crops, so the head of the family did not kick us out."

"That's why I only took this one jar with me when I left; I can't take any more."

"What's so special about this!" Old Ten was impatient with all that, only taking in the last sentence. He immediately filled his own cup; every cup he drank was one less, and he couldn't afford to miss out.

"Indeed, true masters live in seclusion in the city. This fine wine has never been to the capital before." Yinzhen was in a good mood today and drank quite a bit. Now his cheeks were flushed, and he held onto Yinxiang tightly.

"I am ashamed, as it has been my fourth brother and sister-in-law who have taken care of our household all these years. I would like to offer my toast to my fourth brother."

Yinxiang also got married. The Emperor appointed someone and set a wedding date for him. He rushed back, became the groom, and then ran off again. Yihua once complained in her heart that this thirteenth prince was a good son and a good brother, but as a husband, there was still a lot of work to be done.

For a time, the room was filled with the sounds of clinking glasses and the flames in the pot burning until dawn.