The glass of wine in front of Lu Jinshu remained untouched. He took a sip, a look of surprise on his face. Seeing Ling Shumo's questioning look, Lu Jinshu thought for a moment before telling the truth, "Those jars of peach blossom wine were made by me and Shangguan Xu together. They've been stored in the warehouse ever since. The one His Highness praised as delicious was made by Shangguan Xu."
Jiufu quickly picked up the jar and looked at it, as if he was very surprised. "I got the wrong wine. The one with peach blossoms carved on the side was brewed by Shangguan Dejun. If Your Highness wants to drink wine of this quality, I will go to Changqiu Palace now and ask for a jar from Lord Dejun."
Lu Jinshu smiled and said, "If Shangguan Xu knew that His Highness praised the wine he brewed, I wonder how happy he would be."
Ever since Shangguan Xu was demoted, Ling Shumo hadn't summoned him again. Lu Jinshu had deliberately had Jiufu get the wrong wine, hoping to use this opportunity to get her to see Shangguan Xu. How could she not have guessed such a clumsy trick?
Thinking that Shangguan Xu's sister had sent envoys several times and she had received a lot of kind words and gifts, it was indeed time to go to Changqiu Palace.
Ling Shumo said, "After lunch, I will go to Changqiu Palace to visit Shangguan Xu."
Lu Jinshu put down his chopsticks and said, "Since Your Highness is willing to forgive Shangguan Xu, why don't you go to Changqiu Palace for lunch? Ah Xu has been busy all morning and has prepared a table of delicious dishes, and he is waiting for Your Highness to come over."
Ling Shumo shook her head firmly, "No."
Lu Jinshu had expected her to say that and couldn't help but smile, "Ah Xu's cooking skills have improved a lot. He will definitely not pour a whole can of sugar into the plum blossom porridge again."
Seeing that Ling Shumo was still hesitant, Lu Jinshu simply said coquettishly, "Your Highness, just go and take a look. If you taste the food and don't think it's tasty, then you can immediately turn your face away and leave. Let Ah Xu stay in Changqiu Palace and reflect on his mistakes. Let's see if he dares to cook those unpalatable dishes to fool Your Highness next time."
Ling Shumo also put down her chopsticks. She stood up and said, "I will trust you for once. If Shangguan Xu's dishes are still the same as before, with too much salt or too much sugar, then I will punish you by making you eat all the food on the table. If you can't finish it at noon, you can save it for the afternoon. You can eat it when you finish it."
Lu Jinshu acted terrified. "Your Highness is so cruel! Your punishment is too cruel, isn't it?" He said this, then smiled again. "However, Your Highness has miscalculated this time. You let me taste Ah Xu's cooking skills. This is not a punishment, but a reward."
Hearing Lu Jinshu say this, Ling Shumo's curiosity was really piqued. The two of them got into the carriage and soon arrived at Changqiu Palace.
Shangguan Xu received the news early in the morning and stood at the palace gate waiting for Ling Shumo and Lu Jinshu.
He was wearing a pink and white spring shirt with lotus flowers on the stem today. When he raised his sleeves to salute, the peach-pink butterfly pattern on his sleeves trembled slightly, as if it was about to fly away from Shangguan Xu in the next moment, making him look particularly soft and pretty.
Shangguan Xu lowered his head, his voice exceptionally gentle, "Your Highness, I pay my respects to the Crown Princess and to the Prince of the Consort."
"Get up." Ling Shumo looked at Shangguan Xu. She always felt that Shangguan Xu was different from before. In the past, Shangguan Xu exuded an air of flamboyance, but now he was so humble and submissive, which she had never seen before.
Several people walked into the restaurant one after another.
Ling Shumo saw five dishes and a soup on the table. They were: Four Joy Meatballs, Duck Stuffed with Glutinous Rice, Lamb with Green Onions and Peppers, Braised Rhizome of Fructus Aurantii, Stir-fried Bitter Greens, and Bird's Nest, Shredded Chicken, and Tofu Soup. The dishes all looked impressive, but the quantity was a bit small for three people of their status.
After all, the standard lunch portion for a sixth-rank waiter includes two meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, one soup and one staple food.
Shangguan Xu saw through Ling Shumo's thoughts and explained, "I know I'm a slow learner, so I don't dare to try too much. During these months of confinement in Changqiu Palace, I've practiced these six dishes over and over again, and have perfected them all. I only hope that one day, I can serve their best to Your Highness for you to taste."
Ling Shumo said nothing as she took a meatball and placed it in her mouth. It wasn't overly salty, nor was it sweet enough to burn her throat. It was smooth, tender, and fragrant, delicate and springy. With a few gentle chews, the rich, fragrant meat juices burst forth in her mouth. As soon as she swallowed one, she couldn't wait to pick up the second one. The second meatball was just as firm and delicious, leaving a lasting impression.
Ling Shumo resisted the urge to pick up a third meatball. She was more interested in Shangguan Xu than the fragrant meatballs. "If I hadn't come here in person, I wouldn't have known how much Ren Jinan would boast about your cooking skills. I can't imagine how much progress you've made in just a few months."
Lu Jinshu chuckled and joked, "Ah Xu, you only grew taller, not smarter. You learned cooking from me just for fun, never really taking it seriously. Now that I've locked you up in Changqiu Palace, you've finally been able to focus on your studies. That's why your cooking skills have improved so rapidly, and even Her Highness the Crown Princess praises you so highly."
Lu Jinshu took Shangguan Xu's hand, his tone full of earnestness, "Being a person is actually just like learning to cook. You have to be neither arrogant nor impatient. You must not let your moods dictate how you add salt or sugar. Once you get angry, you will disregard everything."
Shangguan Xu nodded obediently, "Lord Lu has taught me a lesson. I have taken note of your words. From now on, I will think twice before speaking or doing anything, and I will never act recklessly again."
It has been a while since Shangguan Xu killed Xue Wu's first child, and Ling Shumo's anger has subsided a lot over time.
Now, seeing Shangguan Xu seem to have completely lost his temper and even look a bit pitiful and aggrieved, Ling Shumo's heart completely softened. Shangguan Xu used to be spoiled and willful, so she couldn't treat him the same way she treated others. It was already very good that Shangguan Xu could reflect on himself and behave like this.
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