Chapter 91 Sweet Osmanthus Cake
"What kind of flavor are you looking for? This is the best shop in Beijing that makes osmanthus cake. They only sell it in the morning; if you go too late, you won't be able to buy it!" An Feng couldn't help swallowing his saliva as he smelled the wafting sweet osmanthus fragrance. Jiang Lin saw his expression and handed him the oil-paper bag, stuffing it into his arms. He looked at the road ahead with indifference and said, "If you like it, I'll give it to you."
An Feng turned his eyes hesitantly, and found that Jiang Lin was serious, so he carefully picked up a piece and ate it.
Ever since Jiang Lin returned from the Seventh Prince's residence six months ago, he'd been sending them out to buy sweet-scented osmanthus cakes for several days. The secret guards were baffled, believing the prince had changed his temperament and tastes, now liking sweet things. The chef at the Prince's residence also got wind of the news and cooked sweet meals for a few days. Gradually, Jiang Lin stopped mentioning the incident, and the Prince's residence gradually forgot about it.
"This tastes really good, better than what the third lady made..."
An Feng couldn't stop eating, and as he opened his mouth to speak, Jiang Lin turned his head, glaring at him with a cold glint in his eyes. In a flash, the slow-witted An Feng seemed to have discovered a shocking secret. His eyes widened in surprise, and the osmanthus cake almost got stuck in his throat, unable to swallow. He pounded his chest for a long time before finally swallowing it. His curiosity was so intense that he couldn't sit still. Risking punishment, An Feng whispered, "Master, have you always been looking for something like the osmanthus cake made by the Third Young Lady?"
Jiang Lin looked outside and did not answer.
Half a year ago, Gu Mingqi wanted to win over and test Jiang Lin, so he deliberately brought up the issue of His Majesty and invited him to his residence. Jiang Lin arrived at the Seventh Prince's residence, and no matter what Gu Mingqi said, he pretended not to understand and evaded him. Gu Mingqi was a little annoyed, but he patiently took Jiang Lin to the dining room for dinner. Just as they were about to start eating, a servant came over with a box of snacks and whispered, "This is from the General's Mansion. They say it was made by the Third Young Lady herself."
"What?"
Gu Mingqi frowned, not trying to hide the disgust and disdain in his eyes. He lifted the lid of the food box and took a look. "Osmanthus cake? She actually made it. I was just saying it casually. How troublesome." Jiang Lin felt dissatisfied listening to his slanderous remarks. Gu Mingqi noticed his gaze and waved his hand to signal the servants to take the food away. "Can't you see I'm entertaining guests? Throw this thing in the yard and give it to Da Huang and the others."
Dahuang is one of the hunting dogs raised by Gu Mingqi. Jiang Lin frowned.
At a glance, he could tell how much thought went into these pastries. Seeing them so wasted, Jiang Lin could almost see the girl at sunset, tears welling up in her eyes. He raised his hand to stop the servant and said in a gentle tone, "I like the osmanthus cake. Why don't you give it to me, Prince Seven? That way, there's no wasted food." Gu Mingqi looked at Jiang Lin in surprise, not expecting this. He nodded and gestured, "Prince, please do as you please."
The sweet-scented osmanthus cake had a rich aroma, but Qin Xiangnuan made a mistake with the sugar and salt, and didn't make it for long enough.
Jiang Lin picked up a piece and tasted it. The strong bitterness numbed the taste buds on his tongue. He frowned, but still finished the whole piece. Then he handed the lunch box to An Feng and took it with him when he left.
On the way back to the Prince's Mansion, An Feng, curious, secretly opened the lid and took a bite. His face immediately wrinkled, and he spat out the osmanthus cake, spitting on the ground. "Is this for human consumption? No wonder the Seventh Prince gave it to you so readily. I think he did it on purpose! He knew the Third Miss of the General's Mansion's food was not tasty..." An Feng spoke without knowing Jiang Lin's thoughts or intentions, and spoke like pouring beans.
When he finished speaking, he suddenly felt two gusts of cold wind blowing from behind, making him freeze.
Jiang Lin narrowed his eyes and raised his eyebrows slightly as he said, "I just ate a piece. Are you saying that I'm not a human?"
"Prince, that's not what I meant! Have you really finished eating? Go back and have the imperial physician examine you. This..." An Feng wanted to say he had a stomach upset, something serious that could leave him bedridden. But looking into Jiang Lin's eyes, he swallowed the rest of his words in fear. After that night, Jiang Lin dispatched An Feng directly to a camp in the suburbs. He was left alone for half a month, only returning to the Prince's residence when there were difficult missions.
The dusty memories returned to his mind, and An Feng finally found a clue, secretly watching Jiang Lin's various strange actions.
No way! Could it be that my master is interested in that queen of flowers in the general's mansion?
"Anliu wrote to me last time saying that the Third Miss... seems to have changed a lot, and isn't as gentle as before." Anfeng asked tentatively. Jiang Lin looked up at him, and immediately saw what Anfeng was thinking. He asked bluntly, "It's freezing outside, and the driver must be tired. If you're talking too much, go out and take his place, so he can come in and rest for a while. The cold wind should be able to freeze your mouth, right?"
An Feng covered his mouth with his hands and could only shake his head silently, "Please forgive me, my lord. I will not say anything nonsense!"
"Continue to send messages to the undercurrent, asking about his situation." Jiang Lin retracted his gaze, touching his palm with his fingertips. He glanced at the box of osmanthus cake and couldn't help but worry. Was Qin Xiangnuan in danger? Phoenix Mountain, I've heard that landslides often occur there in winter. Could it be... such a coincidence? Thinking this in his heart, Jiang Lin couldn't sit still. "I won't rest tonight. I'll travel all night and get to Phoenix Mountain as soon as possible."
Anfeng nodded, lifted the curtain without delay and went out to help the coachman.
——
In the cave, everyone was in good spirits with their warm clothes. Qin Xiangsong was naughty, and when he wasn't paying attention, he quickly tore off the down jacket covering his body, and through the gaping hole, light goose feathers came out. "You kid! What are you going to wear at night if you ruin it?" Qi Shi couldn't bear it, so she just pretended to scold him twice, then walked to Qin Xiangnuan, forced a smile, looked at them busy and said, "Nuannuan, look, Song'er's clothes are gone, I'm afraid he will catch a cold tonight."
"How about you go find two more? Or, give him what you're wearing."
Qin Xiangnuan was shocked by her brazen words. She had never imagined someone could be so shameless. She patted the flour in her hands, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and replied with the same polite smile, "I prayed to the Bodhisattva for this dress. If Third Aunt wants it, why not try it yourself? If the Bodhisattva can give it to you, that would be the best. If not, that would be Brother Song's fate."
"I'm cold too. I really can't tell him."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com