Jiayin winked at Shuiling and Shuiyun behind her, and was about to quietly slip away when the door to the private room opened.
Lu Zong smiled and took the tray, saying, "I smelled a strange aroma, and I guessed that Princess had made something delicious again!"
Jiayin chuckled dryly and replied, "My fourth and fifth brothers recently found some coffee beans overseas and made a drink with them. The taste is quite novel. I brought two cups for you to try. I hope I didn't interrupt your conversation?"
At this moment, the third princess also peeked over and laughed, "What kind of coffee beans are these? They smell a bit bitter, but also a bit fragrant. Could they be burnt?"
As they were talking, the coffee was brought in, and Jiayin sat down by the door.
The third princess took only one sip and couldn't help but stick out her tongue, exclaiming, "Oh dear, what is this? The color is like milk tea, but the taste is so different!"
Lu Zong took a sip, savored it carefully, and praised, "It tastes alright to me. It's bitter at first, but the aftertaste is very fragrant."
Hearing his words, the Third Princess took another sip, then pushed it far away, complaining to Jiayin, "Is this some kind of new product the shop is going to launch? It tastes so awful, will anyone buy it?"
Jiayin rolled her eyes at her and scolded, "You have no taste! What else do you like besides sweet things?"
"Besides, this isn't for you; it's for customers who need to stay up all night studying. One cup of coffee is as good as a pot of strong tea, keeping their minds extremely clear all night!"
"Really? The effects are so amazing?" Lu Zong asked in surprise. "Then I'll buy a cup to take home later."
Jiayin instructed, "Then I'll ask Manager Peng to bring you some coffee powder. Whenever you want some, just pour hot water over it, add cooked milk and powdered sugar, and stir."
"Alright, thank you, Princess." Lu Zong didn't stand on ceremony and readily agreed.
The Third Princess joked, "Brother Lu, don't be so polite. Just accept the coffee. I'm going to use it to make money!"
Lu Zong smiled helplessly, "I've known the princess since she was only five or six years old. Whenever the princess prepared something for her brother, I always got a share. If I were to be polite, the amount would be countless."
"However, I really can't take it for free this time. My steward recently found a pair of bloodstone stones, the color of which is exceptionally good."
"Tomorrow I will have it sent to the palace. The princess and the county princess can play with it and have it engraved into seals, one for each of them."
"Really?" The Third Princess was immediately flattered and replied, "Then Jiayin and I are waiting! I just happen to need a small seal!"
Jiayin wanted to decline, but the Third Princess agreed, so she thanked her as well.
Shuiyun noticed that it was getting late and gave a reminder.
The Third Princess reluctantly bid farewell to Lu Zong, took Jia Yin's arm as they left for the carriage, and returned to the palace together.
As a result, before the carriage door could be closed, Cat Brother arrived with a food box.
"Sister, sister, wait a minute!" Cat Brother stopped the carriage, panting as he gripped the carriage shaft.
Jiayin quickly leaned out and asked in surprise, "Young man, where did you come from? I thought you were still with Sixth Brother!"
Cat Brother waved his hand, handed the food box to his sister, and replied, "I just got back a little while ago. I was planning to have a meal at our family's restaurant."
"As it turns out, my second brother knew you were here, so he rushed to cook two of your favorite dishes and asked me to bring them over."
"I'm starving, and I still have to bring you food. My mouth is watering the whole way here."
Jiayin couldn't help but laugh. She quickly took a big pink peach from her bag and gave it to her brother, coaxing, "You're the best, little brother. You love me the most. I'll come back in a couple of days and make you roast duck wraps, okay?"
"Haha, that's more like it." Cat Brother was the youngest of the brothers and was used to acting spoiled. He wasn't really complaining about being tired for his sister.
Now that he had received a big peach and heard that his sister had specially made roast duck for him, he immediately beamed with joy.
After exchanging a few casual words, Cat Brother went into White Cloud Pavilion to fetch some snacks, and Jiayin and the Third Princess left by carriage.
The third princess, filled with envy, hugged Jiayin's arm, pouted, and muttered, "Oh dear, why am I so unlucky? I don't even have a brother. I wish someone would love me like that!"
Jiayin joked, "Don't worry, it doesn't matter if you have an older brother or not. What's important is that you'll soon have a husband who will dote on you!"
Unexpectedly, the Third Princess sighed, her expression full of confusion.
"Jiayin, do you think Brother Lu really likes me? Although he is a very nice person and takes good care of me, I always feel like there's something between us, and I don't feel comfortable."
Jiayin didn't take it seriously. She opened the food box, looked at the dishes inside, and casually replied, "You've only met a few times, what's there to talk about liking or disliking each other?"
"Over time, feelings will develop. Besides, even if feelings don't develop, there's nothing wrong with treating each other with respect."
"There aren't many couples in this world who are so deeply in love that they're practically dying for each other. They all live in perfect harmony and have a peaceful life."
"Moreover, Brother Lu is a very good person; at least he doesn't look like the kind of rude person who beats and scolds his wife."
"Even if we take a step back and say you're a princess! It's better if someone loves and pampers you, but even if they don't, you'll still have plenty to eat and wear and live a carefree and happy life. What are you afraid of!"
That's so... straightforward and makes so much sense!
The little bit of sorrow that the Third Princess had just begun to cultivate was immediately dispelled.
She decided to stop being coy, grabbed a piece of braised pork from the food box, popped it into her mouth, and exclaimed with delight, "Your second brother's cooking is getting better and better! Have the kitchen steam some green rice later, and we'll eat it with this braised pork!"
"You glutton, I won't share! My second brother made this especially for me. How dare you, a princess, steal my dinner?"
"How dare you! I'm not afraid to stay in your room if you don't give me any food!"
The two sisters were playing around and their laughter filled the air all the way.
The carriage arrived at the palace gates quickly. In the past, the guards would have made way for the princess's carriage upon hearing that it was hers.
But today is destined to be anything but peaceful.
The guards insisted that the Third Princess and Jiayin get out of the carriage so they could inspect it inside and out.
Although the Third Princess and Jiayin were unhappy, they guessed that something might have happened in the palace, so they got out of the carriage.
As a result, three or four soldiers, wielding long spears, not only stabbed under the carriage but also inside the carriage.
The perfectly good brocade cushions, soft seat cushions, and even the small tea table and tea set were all messed up.
The third princess was furious; this was blatant provocation!
Before she could speak, a soldier picked up the cyclamen food box again and raised his hand to smash it on the ground.
Seeing their menacing approach, Jiayin regretted having them inspect the vehicle earlier.
She had been standing to the side the whole time, and seeing this, she stepped forward, snatched the food box, and shouted angrily, "How dare you! What are you doing!"
The soldier was startled and was about to retort with his neck stiffened, but before he could react, Shui Ling had already rushed in front of him and slapped him hard across the face.
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