Chapter 62 (Fake Meat Dishes)
The boy's face turned cold and his voice became icy.
Nanny Li was the first to turn pale with fear, and she dropped to her knees with a thump: "Greetings to His Royal Highness Prince Shun!"
The other maids and mothers-in-law in the room were also shocked and knelt down.
Yan Qiushu and Zhou Zhaoqin stood up. She was not a slave, so even if she met a prince like this, she did not need to kowtow. She only knelt and saluted: "This humble lady pays homage to His Highness Prince Shun."
"Greetings, Fifth Uncle!" Zhou Zhaoqin saluted nervously, carefully glancing at his stern expression. Summoning his courage, he weakly explained, "Uncle, this isn't meat."
Prince Shun snorted coldly and said nothing, but this reaction alone was enough to show that he did not believe it.
Of these three dishes, two were meat dishes, and the other was a soup with a rich color. It was hard to tell whether meat was added or not, but when he looked at his nephew, he felt that it was very likely that meat was eaten.
Could it be that this girl from the Xiao family secretly fed this child meat in order to prevent the Xiao family from being tormented by his mother? Otherwise, how could his figure have become so plump in such a short time?!
Yan Qiushu waited for a while, but when he didn't say anything about rising, she simply stood up straight and said, "Your Highness, this is indeed not meat, it's just a meat product. If you don't believe me, you can try it yourself."
Prince Shun frowned and looked over with a hint of surprise.
Yan Qiushu reached out and took out a round skewer from the chicken leg in front of him. The chicken leg was boneless, so it lost some of its authenticity. Then she took out a pair of unused chopsticks and handed them over. With her other hand, she pointed at the darker-colored "Preserved Vegetable Braised Pork" and said softly, "You can try this dish too."
Prince Shun hesitated.
Seeing this, Zhou Zhaoqin said softly, "Uncle, would you like to try it? Sister Shu's cooking is delicious!"
When Prince Shun heard this, he probably knew in his heart that he had wronged them. He was a little annoyed and tried hard to keep a straight face and not show it, but he still took a closer look at the dish. How could it really be so similar?
The texture of the braised pork is revealed!
When he picked up the meat with chopsticks and felt the "texture", Prince Shun was stunned. The texture was much harder than real meat!
This made him feel much more at ease and his movements became smoother.
When the food was brought to his mouth, he took a tentative bite. The soft yet hard "meat" was bitten off. In addition to the salty and fragrant taste of pickled vegetables, he also tasted a sweetness at the end?
Prince Shun looked closely and found that the color inside the braised pork that was not stained by the sauce was revealed, and it was actually a light green. The taste on the tip of the tongue was soft and hard, with the salty fragrance of pickled vegetables, and it really looked a bit like meat!
But it is indeed not meat, but winter melon.
This substitute is a great choice, and the shape is similar, especially the part near the flesh of the winter melon. The texture is so soft that if you don't expect it, you can sometimes mistake it for the real thing.
Moreover, the winter melon tastes really good. The taste of pickled vegetables is a bit salty and spicy, but it is probably because it has been soaked in hot water before, which has reduced the saltiness. At this time, it is paired with light-tasting food like winter melon to neutralize the taste. It goes well with rice but does not put excessive burden on the tongue.
After finishing the meal in one bite, Prince Shun pursed his lips, hesitated for a moment, and then put the rest into his mouth. After finishing it all, he licked his lips with a look of satisfaction, put down his chopsticks, and said in a calm voice with a tense face, "It tastes good. It is indeed not meat. I misunderstood."
Zhou Zhaoqin grinned, his joy visibly evident.
Prince Shun also smiled when he saw this. He was handsome, with red lips and white teeth, and he looked like a rich grass. He also lost the majesty he had when he first arrived. The tense atmosphere around him also relaxed. He said loudly: "Everyone, get up."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Nanny Li spoke first.
The others followed suit and stood up.
At this time, Madam Xiao's voice was heard at the gate of the courtyard: "Greetings to His Royal Highness Prince Shun. I wonder what gust of wind brought you here? I hope your Highness will forgive the poor hospitality."
Prince Shun immediately turned around, politely bowed as a junior, and said softly, "Madam Xiao, this is serious. I didn't even have a visiting card, but came directly to disturb you, and I came in such a hurry. I am sorry for the rudeness."
As they were talking, Madam Xiao came over. She motioned Yan Qiushu to step aside and said slowly, "It's okay, but next time Your Highness comes, you still have to let us know in advance. I'm really worried that the people in the mansion won't be able to entertain you well. After all, my Xiao family hasn't entertained any distinguished guests in a long time."
Prince Shun's expression remained unchanged as he said with a smile, "Madam Xiao is right."
Madam Xiao curled her lips and asked, "I wonder if Your Highness is ready for dinner?"
"Not really." Prince Shun shook his head honestly.
"Then..." Mrs. Xiao was about to invite him to the living room.
Then he heard this person say, "I just tasted the food made by this girl. It tastes really good. I wonder if you can let me enjoy it?"
Yan Qiushu was sitting in the corner, watching everything, and had no intention of saying anything. But at this moment, she raised her eyes and looked at the young man with a strange look on her face. He actually stayed?
It shouldn’t be that serious, right?
Although the dishes she cooked tasted good, they were fake meat dishes after all. The actual ingredients used were vegetarian dishes, which she imitated as much as possible. But in terms of deliciousness, it would not be enough to fascinate a prince who was used to eating delicacies from land and sea to the point of asking for a free meal, right?
Madam Xiao was also puzzled. She glanced at the dining table and was startled at first glance, but after a closer look, she calmed down again. Although she was puzzled, she still had to meet the prince's request: "Then I will ask the chef in the mansion to make two more dishes. Is there anything your prince would like to eat?"
"No, no, this is fine. I came here mainly to see my nephew. We can chat while eating." Prince Shun waved his hand. His attitude was very casual, but revealed a hint of toughness.
Upon seeing this, Madam Xiao said, "Then it is as Your Highness wishes. I will take my leave first."
She bowed, turned around and left, taking Yan Qiushu with her.
She looked back and saw Zhou Zhaoqin was also a little at a loss. Seeing Yan Qiushu being taken away, he took half a step forward anxiously, but soon realized the situation and silently retreated.
The other maids and servants in the room also left and walked out of the yard. Yan Qiushu clearly heard Nanny Li let out a long sigh. She found it a little funny. She didn't expect that Nanny Li would be afraid of such a young man?
Although he looked like he was trying hard to be dignified, he was not like Madam Xiao. She was not really afraid.
Madam Xiao took them out, but she didn't go far. After a while, she told Li Ma and the others, "Just wait here. If His Highness has any instructions, just do it."
"Yes." Everyone responded.
Madam Xiao continued to pull Yan Qiushu aside and found a pavilion where they sat down to rest. She patted the back of the woman's hand and said, "Did I scare you? It's okay. His Highness Prince Shun is considered to have the best temper among the princes. He won't punish you easily unless you provoke him."
Yan Qiushu shook her head: "Not really, I'm just a little curious, why are you so afraid of him?"
Madam Xiao felt quite helpless and said in a low voice: "I'm not afraid of him, I'm afraid of the people behind him."
"Noble Concubine Lu?" Yan Qiushu asked in a similarly low voice, "Isn't she in the inner palace?"
Madam Xiao sneered, "She has long arms, but our prince, born to her, is very different from her. He's an okay person..."
The words were left unsaid, leaving room for imagination. Yan Qiushu felt even more curious. The plot in her memory did not involve the princes in detail. When the third prince was in trouble, Prince Chang did not come out at that time, and the Xiao family was even less prominent. The fifth prince's opponent was only the sixth prince. The two forces fought fiercely, but there was no detailed description of the two princes.
She also didn't know what Prince Shun looked like.
Is there some hidden secret behind this?
Mrs. Xiao sighed, shook her head, and turned to see Yan Qiushu looking at her with her big eyes, waiting for her to say something.
Madam Xiao was speechless. She had not wanted to say anything, but being looked at like that made her want to confide in him. She whispered, "Actually, when Prince Shun was little, he studied at the Imperial College with the Sixth Old Man, and he always liked to follow him. At that time, the Sixth Old Man loved to fight, and all the rebellious students at the Imperial College had fought with him. Our Xiao family was also very powerful back then, and no one dared to say anything. His Highness Prince Shun was very delicate and handsome when he was little, and his temperament was a bit like Wan'er's. He would never say anything when he was bullied, so the Sixth Old Man helped him a few times, and he followed him. But the Sixth Old Man didn't like children and despised him..."
Yan Qiushu's eyes widened slowly. Considering Xiao Huaiting's rebellious personality, it was not difficult for her to imagine such a scene. She chuckled, "What a pity."
The friendship we had in childhood has become like this because of power.
Madam Xiao murmured, "Isn't it?"
Yan Qiushu pursed her lips and smiled, and her heart, which was a little worried about Zhou Zhaoqin, also relaxed.
The last time Xiao Huaiting went to the prince's residence to see Prince Chang, he also met Prince Shun by chance. He didn't realize that the two had any previous entanglements.
There is no way. When you grow up, you will always feel helpless in various ways.
On the other side
The situation is indeed not serious.
The owner had left, the maids and servants had also left, and only the uncle and nephew were left in the restaurant.
Each person had a bowl of rice and a pair of chopsticks, and they ate quietly.
The big one was eaten with gusto. Although it was not as good as real meat, it was quite novel to eat some vegetarian food occasionally, and it tasted really good.
The vegetarian chicken leg was surprisingly chewy and not dry, and it was full of flavor, but it didn't go well with rice. However, the pickled mustard greens and winter melon went well with rice, and a bite of the salty pickled vegetables and a bowl of rice was all I could finish in no time.
Finally, drink half a bowl of hot and sour soup, the taste is amazing!
Prince Shun quickly ate and drank his fill and put down his chopsticks. However, Zhou Zhaoqin had no appetite. Seeing this, he quickly quickened his pace and nervously finished the last bite. He even burped, then quickly covered his mouth and choked. Only after the mouthful of rice was gone did he feel better.
"Don't be so nervous, I don't eat children." Prince Shun said with a smile and poured him half a bowl of soup.
"Thank you, uncle." Zhou Zhaoqin said softly.
"Yeah." Prince Shun agreed, looking at him with a smile. After he finished drinking, he slowly said, "You and Third Brother actually look quite similar, especially your nose and mouth. Your eyes are the least similar."
Perhaps he is still a child, his eyes are exceptionally clear and bright, he can't see the hatred, the gloom, and even the calculation that most often appears in the eyes of the third brother.
When Zhou Zhaoqin heard him mention his biological father, his hands began to tremble. He did not put the bowl down steadily and the bowl swayed several times.
Upon seeing this, Prince Shun put away his playful smile and said seriously, "Aqin, the Imperial Uncle came here to ask if you want to go to Leping. Mr. Shen Qingmin of the Shen family said he wants to take in disciples, and the Imperial Uncle wants you to be his apprentice. Based on your qualifications, you can't become a direct disciple, but you can be a registered disciple. With some help from the Imperial Uncle, it's possible."
But after hearing this, Zhou Zhaoqin's face turned pale. He lowered his head in resistance, his body trembling slightly. He didn't dare to refuse directly, but he didn't want to go. He didn't want to leave here because this was his home.
A trace of pity flashed in Prince Shun's eyes. Although he felt helpless, he still had to say what he had to say: "I know you don't want to go, but you are not suitable to stay here. The Shen family has been clean for hundreds of years. Few of them have served in the government, but they have considerable power. Few people would offend them. Only if you go there will no one use you as an excuse. For example, if this Miss Shu's cooking skills are not good and she makes you thin, and the Xiao family softens their hearts and takes you here, they will be greeted by my mother's attack, and this girl will definitely not survive."
The child froze and looked over in panic.
"It hasn't happened yet because she raised you well, and others haven't had the opportunity to make trouble. But they don't always do that. What if... someone poisons you?"
Zhou Zhaoqin showed horror on his face, shook his head, and said in a hoarse voice: "No!"
Prince Shun saw this and thought of something. He smiled bitterly and whispered, "This kind of thing won't happen just because you say no. And it definitely won't be the only time the Xiao family does this. As long as you stay in Kyoto, your status is a perfect excuse. Besides my mother, your sixth uncle is also keeping an eye on you. Your father left behind a lot of power that they want."
Zhou Zhaoqin listened, pouted, and shed tears silently, feeling very aggrieved.
He has lost his mother and father, and has no one else to rely on.
I finally get to stay with Sister Shu and don’t have to worry about those things. Why can’t I be fine?
But the emperor's uncle explained everything in such detail that even if he didn't want to know, he would still understand what he should understand.
"So are you going or not?" Prince Shun asked for the last time.
Zhou Zhaoqin shrank back, nodded his head with difficulty, and said in a tearful voice, "I'll go!"
Prince Shun patted his head and said softly, "Good boy."
Zhou Zhaoqin wiped his tears skillfully with the sleeve of his inner shirt. After wiping, he blocked his eyes with his outer shirt so that he could not see anything. Then he sniffed and steady himself. When he heard the compliment, he did not feel any joy in his heart, only sadness.
He is just a child. How could he dare to shake his head when faced with such a situation?
Not to mention that he just wanted a safe haven, but when the safe haven was in danger of being blown down by himself, how could he dare to go near it?
As long as the safe haven is still there, even if it is unreliable, it is good to look at it. At least he knows that he can rely on this place temporarily.
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