Chapter 56 Meals

Chen He looked at his clingy and somewhat aggrieved expression, and the unhappiness in her heart caused by the disruption of her plans had long been quietly replaced by helplessness.

She gently patted the back of Xiao Jingchi's hand, which was tightly grasping her sleeve. The movement was extremely gentle, with a hint of soothing warmth.

"Jing Chi," her voice became softer, as if she was coaxing a young child, "Look, it's getting late. Why don't you go back and rest first?"

At this moment, the account books of Renxinzhai were like a heavy burden, and she urgently needed to sort them out. She had no time to play with him.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingchi's head shook like a rattle, full of attachment and reluctance.

"No!" He protested aggrievedly, with a hint of sobs in his voice.

"Mammy and the others are not fun at all!" He continued to accuse, his tone filled with the stubbornness and helplessness unique to children.

"I only want Sister He!" He held Chen He's hand tightly, and the strength hidden in that hand was a deep attachment.

"Sister He, please stay and play with Jing Chi!" There was a pleading light in his eyes, innocent and stubborn.

Chen He gently rubbed his slightly furrowed brows, feeling mixed emotions.

This child is both a sweet touch in her life and a little problem that makes her love and pity him.

Zhou Yan'an watched quietly from the side, his eyes deep and his emotions undetectable.

Guyu was a little anxious because they knew that their young lady had something important to do.

Just then—

A mellow and tempting aroma of food, as if carrying wisps of warmth and magic, quietly slipped out from the tiny gap of the closed door and gently lingered in the air.

It is the unique flavor of home-cooked dishes that have been carefully cooked, mixed with the fragrance of oil and the simplicity of cooking smoke, interweaving an indescribable warm atmosphere.

This aroma is extremely mouth-watering.

Guyu's nose seemed to be naturally sensitive to such smells. She couldn't help but twitch it slightly, and her bright eyes instantly flashed with surprise.

"Huh?"

She couldn't help but let out a low cry, her voice filled with curiosity and anticipation, "What's that smell? It seems like... the smell of food?"

Before he finished speaking, Xiao Jingchi immediately puffed out his chest proudly like a proud little peacock, looking at Chen He with shining eyes.

"Yes, yes!"

He spoke in a loud voice, with an undisguised desire for credit.

"I asked the imperial kitchen to prepare so many delicious dishes!"

“It’s been heated up several times!”

"These are all prepared for Sister He!"

As he spoke, he reached for Shen He's hand again, eager to share his "treasure".

"Sister He, let's go in and eat! We have your favorite chicken slices in lotus leaves!"

As he said this, the aroma of food became increasingly clear...

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

Then——

“Gurgle…”

An extremely clear and extremely inappropriate sound suddenly rang out in the silent night.

It's not the voice of one person.

Yes, several.

Chen He: “…”

She could clearly feel her stomach protesting as well.

Zhou Yanan: "..."

He looked away calmly, his ears seeming to feel slightly hot.

Chu Yue and Gu Yu looked at each other silently, with an embarrassment that was difficult to conceal on their faces.

Yes, from yesterday afternoon until now, with the fire, the rush, and the confrontation, even the strongest man gets hungry! *

Only then did they suddenly realize that they were already starving and their stomachs were rumbling.

Shen He looked at Xiao Jingchi’s eyes, which were sparkling and full of expectation, as if he was offering the whole world.

And I felt the increasingly strong sense of emptiness in my stomach.

Looking at the side, Zhou Yanan, Chu Yue and Gu Yu were obviously tired and hungry, although they tried their best to hide it.

Her mind quickly turned and an idea came to her mind.

"Okay."

She finally gave in and gave Xiao Jingchi a genuine, warm smile.

That smile dispelled the trace of fatigue between her brows.

"It just so happens that my sister is starving too."

She paused, her eyes swept over Zhou Yan'an who seemed to be in deep thought, and her voice returned to its usual calmness, with an unquestionable determination.

"Then let's talk while we eat."

I'm really hungry, but I won't have the energy to deal with things if I don't eat.

Besides... considering Xiao Jingchi's current foolish appearance, I don't think he would understand anything when discussing the fire in the account books.

That’s perfect, I don’t have to bother coaxing him back.

When Xiao Jingchi heard that Chen He agreed, he immediately cheered and his eyes curved into little crescents.

"Great! Eat! Sister He, eat!"

He almost jumped and pulled Chen He into the house.

Chen He paused and turned his gaze to the palace maids and eunuchs not far away who had been standing there with their heads lowered and their eyes lowered, as if invisible.

That was the person serving Xiao Jingchi.

Her expression returned to her usual cool and calm demeanor, but her tone was filled with an authority that brooked no room for questioning.

"You all, retreat outside the courtyard gate and wait."

"No one is allowed to approach this room without my order."

The palace servants were obviously stunned for a moment, as if they did not expect Miss Shen to give them direct orders.

But they exchanged glances and immediately bowed respectfully and replied:

“Yes, Miss Shen.”

The voice was not loud, but it revealed the rules and obedience unique to the palace.

They moved quickly and quietly, retreating out of the courtyard gate soon, leaving only vague outlines.

Even when facing a "foolish" prince, Shen He would never lose the boundaries and control she should have. This was a vigilance ingrained in her bones.

Zhou Yan'an watched Chen He give orders naturally, and then looked at the palace servants who obeyed without hesitation, and an indescribable complex light flashed in his eyes.

She always seems gentle and harmless, but in fact, she has a strong sense of control over everything.

He was completely different from the indulgence he showed towards Xiao Jingchi.

Only then did Chen He allow the excited Xiao Jingchi to pull her and push open the door that exuded an alluring fragrance.

Zhou Yan'an, Chu Yue and Guyu followed closely behind and walked in.

The furnishings in the house were indeed simple and plain, even a little old, but it was kept exceptionally clean and tidy.

In the center was a small round nanmu table covered with a clean tablecloth.

On the tablecloth, there were four or five exquisite dishes, next to which was a small bowl of steaming white rice, and several sets of clean bowls and chopsticks had been set out.

The chicken slices in lotus sauce are smooth, tender and white, next to them are the tempting sweet and sour spare ribs, a plate of green stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and a bowl of mushroom soup that looks very delicious.

There aren't many dishes, but they are all exquisite, and the portions are just enough for a few people.

Steaming hot and fragrant.

It seems that this foolish Sixth Prince has really put his heart into waiting for his "Sister He". This persistence is both silly and pure.

The feeling of hunger instantly reached its peak under the ultimate stimulation of the aroma of food.

The few of them didn't bother to be polite and each found a seat and sat down around the small table.

Only Xiao Jingchi was still standing beside Shen He happily, pointing at the dishes on the table as if presenting a treasure.

"Sister He, try this! Chef Li from the Imperial Kitchen made it! It's delicious!"