Chapter 54 (Fried Rice)

Yan Qiushu always felt that Princess Chang had not finished speaking.

A lot has been hidden.

After all, both Mrs. Xiao and Xie Qingyun looked unhappy.

But since she was like this, Yan Qiushu naturally didn't say anything. She just smiled and said, "Don't worry, Princess. I will do my best to take care of the little prince."

"If it doesn't work, just send someone to find me." Princess Chang patted her hands and said softly, with some regret in her eyes. Madam Xiao made this suggestion with a soft heart. She also felt sorry for Aqin and thought it was a good thing. However, she didn't meet the old emperor when she went to the harem, but met Concubine Lu instead.

Concubine Lu was eager for them to have a quarrel with the Xiao family, so she took the lead and agreed on behalf of the emperor. She also said that she would let the fifth child come to visit from time to time. If the child was well taken care of, he would be rewarded. If he was not, he would be punished.

It was just a good intention. She saw that her own child had gained a lot of weight after living there for a few days, even away from his parents. She thought of letting Zhou Zhaoqin stay there for a few days as well, to get away from the gossip and ease his mood.

Who knew that Concubine Lu would do this and bring the Xiao family into trouble?

If something really happened, especially if they had to bring a nanny, Princess Chang would have tried to stop it. However, Concubine Lu was as important as the empress in the harem and was deeply favored by the emperor, while she was just a princess. Naturally, she couldn't make any comments, especially since she was the elder in terms of seniority.

Once a high hat was put on her, she couldn't move.

Now Princess Chang can only hope that Yan Qiushu is a great cook and can take good care of Ah Qin, otherwise she will have to take the blame.

Princess Chang was still sighing when she left.

Madam Xiao looked calm and her tone was steady: "I took over this matter. Ah Shu, you don't have to worry about it. If there is anything, I will handle it. I will definitely be praised as a lady with a royal title. I still have some face."

Xie Qingyun took Yan Qiushu aside and gave her some instructions before leaving with Madam Xiao.

After the outsiders were gone, Xie Qingyun glanced in the direction of the palace, frowned and sneered: "Bad luck!"

Madam Xiao looked serious and whispered, "Concubine Lu's hand is getting longer and longer!"

Xie Qingyun sighed: "What a pity for Prince Shun, he had to be born her son."

As soon as the Xiao family's parents left.

Zhou Zhaoqin ran over timidly and pulled Yan Qiushu's sleeve.

He didn't say anything, but just the look on his face was enough to make people feel distressed.

Dong Dong pouted and said jealously, "This is my sister Shu!"

Upon seeing this, Xiao Pingsong glanced at his younger brother, and seeing that he was glaring at him unhappily, he glared even more fiercely, silently threatening him, and was not polite to bully the guests!

Dongdong was still quite unconvinced, that's how it was.

Their relationship was not good. Even before the holiday, although the two of them had reconciled, they were still far from being able to share Sister Shu! He was not Ah Heng!

However, after he said this, Zhou Zhaoqin was stunned, loosened his hands, and tucked his two chubby hands into his sleeves.

Really not anymore.

Nanny Li behind him darkened her face and wanted to say something, but she was a little afraid and pursed her lips tightly.

Dong Dong was dumbfounded. Although he already knew that Zhou Zhaoqin was not kind to Jin Er, he did not expect that he was not kind to Jin Er to this extent. He hurriedly said dryly: "Well...you take care of it, I won't say anything..."

Zhou Zhaoqin remained silent, staring at the hem of the woman's skirt next to him with his eyes lowered. If it moved, he had to move too.

Even Yan Qiushu, who didn't have much of a good impression of him before, couldn't help but feel a little sad. She didn't like kids who were too naughty; it would give her a headache.

She likes Wan'er who is well-behaved, Dongdong who is quirky but kind and sensible, Pingyu who is arrogant but polite, and Xiao Pingsong who is simple and honest.

The only thing was that Zhou Zhaoheng initially left her with the impression of being overbearing and domineering, which she didn't like.

I didn't expect that it would become like this in such a short period of time!

Thinking back to what Xie Qingyun said to her when he pulled her aside before leaving, Yan Qiushu felt unhappy.

She said that the child became like this because he witnessed his mother's suicide.

Originally, the Third Prince's wife went to Princess Chang to ask her to entrust the child to her, and at the same time swore that she had educated the child well and that the child would never take revenge on anyone for her or the Third Prince in the future.

Then she committed suicide.

Zhou Zhaoqin had been sent away by her a long time ago, but perhaps because of the bond between mother and son, the child was not so attached to his mother on weekdays. But that day, he cried and made a fuss to find his mother. He even broke free from the strong nanny and broke in. He witnessed his mother's appearance before her death.

After that, he was in a daze, so silent that he kept silent except for the most basic courtesy.

Princess Chang was troubled by this. She invited many doctors who were good at treating children and even invited eminent monks to come, but it was of no use.

The death of the Third Prince's wife had a huge impact on him.

But because the Third Prince's Concubine was complaining about her husband, the Emperor was not happy with his daughter-in-law's behavior. He could depose his son, but his daughter-in-law could not. Even if the Third Prince's Concubine did not commit suicide, she would not survive, especially with the matter of the Qiao family.

She was actually using her own death to seek the final protection for her son.

The old emperor was indeed not angry with the child for this death. He just wanted to bring the child to the palace. However, Zhou Zhaoqin cried non-stop as soon as she arrived at the palace, so he had no choice but to let Princess Chang take the child with her, which led to this incident.

Yan Qiushu felt a tightness in her chest when she thought about this. She took a deep breath, smiled, squatted down and said, "Second Prince, have you eaten?"

Nanny Li, who had been silent the whole time, said with an unwavering expression, "The Second Prince hasn't eaten anything. Why don't you go and make some food, Miss Yan?"

Yan Qiushu ignored the man and continued to wait for his answer.

As if he noticed her gaze, the little boy's eyelashes fluttered, he looked up at her, and shook his head slowly.

Yan Qiushu held his hand and called Dongdong and the others: "Come on, let's go make something delicious. Anyone who wants to eat should come and help."

Dong Dong quickly followed: "I'm coming too!"

"Aunt Yan, I'm coming too." Xiao Pingsong quickly followed and patted his chest and said, "I'm very strong. Aunt Yan can ask me to do any heavy work."

Wan'er didn't want to eat anymore. She had already eaten her fill in the evening and now she wasn't in the mood, so she said goodbye to Yan Qiushu and went back silently.

Yan Qiushu brought the three children to the kitchen.

It was difficult to make anything delicate at this time of night because candlelight was not as bright as sunlight and the colors were different. Yan Qiushu also didn't like staying in the kitchen at this time, if it weren't for Zhou Zhaoqin.

She looked around and finally decided on the ingredients: two bowls of leftover rice, a handful of corn, some diced carrots, and some diced mushrooms. She asked Aunt Xu to light the fire first, and then she could start cooking when the oil was hot.

But before the meal was ready, Nanny Li came running over, her demeanor dignified, her eyes like sharp blades, scanning the kitchen and the ingredients on the kitchen counter one by one, her brows furrowed, "Miss Yan, are you going to let the Second Prince eat the leftovers?"

Yan Qiushu raised her fake smile and said, "What does Nanny Li mean?"

"Of course we have to make a new one. How can you be so perfunctory!" Nanny Li scolded, looking at her with disapproval in her eyes, as if this person was so ignorant of etiquette and disrespectful to the royal family.

Yan Qiushu smiled and said, "How about you come?"

Nanny Li's face changed slightly, and her momentum suddenly weakened a lot. She couldn't cook, so where did she get the skills? Not to mention that Zhou Zhaoqin wouldn't like what she cooked. Her voice immediately became weaker: "I was appointed by Concubine Lu to take care of the Second Prince, so I can't do these."

Yan Qiushu put away her smile and said expressionlessly, "If that's the case, then don't say anything. As long as your Second Prince likes it, isn't that enough? If I cook something else, will he be hungry during this time? Besides, some food can only be made with leftovers!"

Dongdong and Xiao Pingsong, who were curious and wanted to ask why the delicious food was made with leftovers, looked at each other and kept silent.

Nanny Li was also shocked and her eyes trembled. She pursed her lips and finally uttered a faint mutter: "Who wants to eat leftovers?"

Yan Qiushu ignored the people around her and placed her palm over the oil pan to feel the temperature. After confirming that it was hot, she poured carrots and other things into it.

Originally, she planned to use lard for this oil, as lard would add more flavor to the rice.

But considering Zhou Zhaoqin's situation, I will temporarily eat vegetarian food with him for the next few days.

"Sizzle! Sizzle!" The familiar sound made when hot oil meets food. However, this time, the kitchen, which was in an eerie and quiet atmosphere, seemed to be filled with smoke in an instant, and the atmosphere became soft.

The tense little boy stood in an unnoticed corner, staring at the figure busy in front of the stove. The figure was slender and graceful, but under the reflection of the fire, she seemed to radiate a warm glow, which made him relax instinctively.

He blinked and looked greedily at the figure in front of him, the tears in his eyes gradually increased and finally overflowed.

He misses his mother...

The kitchen was warm, with a fire burning in the stove and a crackling sound in the pot. Yan Qiushu poured the ingredients into the pot one by one with skillful movements, and finally put two bowls of rice.

The advantage of leftover rice is that it is loose, which makes it perfect for making fried rice. Put the cold rice into the hot pot and stir-fry it slightly. The off-white rice grains will break apart and mix easily with the yellow corn kernels, red carrot kernels, and grayish-white mushroom kernels to form a bright and beautiful fried rice.

Xiao Pingsong was stunned and asked, "Aunt Yan, is it because leftover rice is easier to fry?"

"Yes, Pingsong is really smart." Yan Qiushu praised.

Xiao Pingsong scratched his head embarrassedly and continued watching.

Yan Qiushu sprinkled a spoonful of salt into the pot and continued to stir-fry. When it was almost done, she added a spoonful of soy sauce.

Suddenly, the rice, which had originally started to turn slightly yellow, turned into a light brown color that was quite appetizing.

A pleasant salty aroma also wafts out at this time.

When it was almost done, Yan Qiushu asked Aunt Xu not to add more heat and continued to stir-fry a few more times, successfully getting the soy sauce fried rice out of the pot. Before serving, she asked, "Pingsong, how much can you eat?"

Xiao Pingsong actually has a big appetite. He usually eats three bowls of rice plus some side dishes when he eats with Yan Qiushu. He didn't come over tonight, so she didn't know how much he ate, but he must have come to eat because he wanted to.

Xiao Pingsong had already been spoiled. He had actually eaten only 70% full at night. His mother thought that he should eat less at night, otherwise it would not be conducive to rest at night. But now, he felt that his stomach was empty, as if he had not eaten anything?

He thought for a moment and said, "Give me whatever the Second Prince can't eat!"

Dong Dong was anxious: "Me! I want one too!"

Yan Qiushu served a bowl first. She had estimated Zhou Zhaoqin's appetite last time and considered that he was in a bad mood, so she didn't serve him much. She changed to a large bowl for the rest and gave it to Xiao Pingsong in one go.

Dong Dong was about to speak out to emphasize his presence again, but Yan Qiushu held him back and said, "Follow your brother Pingsong and let him give you two bites, two bites at most."

Dong Dong was speechless: "Okay."

Yan Qiushu patted his belly: "Be careful not to break it!"

Dongdong's face turned red and he touched his belly sadly. It was indeed very bulging.

Yan Qiushu was amused by his behavior. When she turned around, she saw that the little boy standing in the corner also seemed to have a smile on his face.

She breathed a sigh of relief.

Although the shock was too great, Zhou Zhaoqin was not frightened stupidly. He was still the same child, but his personality had changed due to external factors, not from the heart.

If you comfort him well, he will get better slowly.

Less than half an hour later, the restaurant was filled again.

Next to Xiao Pingsong was the eager-eyed Dong Dong, and on the other side was Zhou Zhaoqin.

Each person was given a portion of soy sauce fried rice, each with two spoons. Dongdong was about to ask her brother to take a few bites first, but Li Ma came forward, raised her chin slightly, and said in a sinister tone: "Miss Yan, according to the rules, I have to test the poison for His Highness."

Yan Qiushu pointed at the spoon and said coldly, "Here, take it and try it yourself."

Nanny Li caught a glimpse of this and was heartbroken: "Ms. Yan is very sensible, but she was too disrespectful to His Highness."

After she finished speaking, she picked up the spoon and scooped a spoonful. The fried rice was soft, and the light brown rice and carrot grains were mixed together. When she scooped it up with a spoon, there was quite a bit of color on the spoon, and it was slightly shiny under the light.

Nanny Li had a look of disdain on her face. What good could be made from leftovers?

But when she looked at the food on the spoon, her throat moved slightly and she felt a little appetite. Then she opened her mouth and the food came into her mouth. When she took a bite, the salty taste was just right and went well with the rice without being too salty. After chewing it twice, in addition to the taste of the rice itself, she could also taste the soft mushroom cubes, crispy carrot cubes, and sweet corn kernels.

When you put the whole thing in your mouth, every bite seems to be a surprise.

It really tastes... delicious!

Nanny Li's expression was serious. This girl was really capable.

Nanny Li was muttering in her heart, and Dongdong successfully got a mouthful of fried rice.

After just one bite, his mouth was full of oil, satisfied and disappointed: "Wow, wow, so good!"

Xiao Pingsong said helplessly: "Then I'll leave some more for you?"

Dong Dong shook his head with tears in his eyes. He rubbed his stomach with both hands, trying to squeeze out some space, but failed. He felt his stomach become even bulger. He could only sigh even more sadly: "No, it's useless. I can't even eat this little."

Xiao Pingsong didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so he just ate it himself. Sure enough, he was right. This fried rice was so delicious! He felt like he could eat a lot more!

Zhou Zhaoqin also started eating at the table. He picked up the spoon and took a small bite. The salty rice was mixed with corn kernels and other things from time to time.

As he ate, he began to subconsciously focus his attention on it, hoping that he would be able to eat the delicious corn kernels in the next bite.

This one is so soft, and when I tasted it carefully, I found it was actually mushroom cubes.

Another bite, and there were carrot grains again.

At the end of the meal, he suddenly tasted a sweet taste. Zhou Zhaoqin blinked his big eyes twice, and his depressed breath began to become active. He had eaten corn kernels again!

Nanny Li watched Zhou Zhaoqin eat with gusto, and she couldn't help licking her lips with satisfaction. Suddenly, her stomach growled and she remembered that His Highness had not eaten. She had been following this child around, running around, and had not actually eaten either. Now the Second Prince had eaten, but she hadn't!

She had just taken a bite of fried rice and her mouth was full of delicious taste, which made her feel unsatisfied and even wanted to continue eating.

Nanny Li frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "Miss Yan, have I prepared my meal?"

Yan Qiushu smiled and said, "No."

"Then please trouble Miss Yan to prepare it. I have to take care of the Second Prince and cannot wait." Nanny Li said modestly, "I don't ask for anything else. The leftovers will be fine."

Yan Qiushu said with a fake smile: "I'm afraid that Madam Li will be disappointed. As for me, I can't be asked to cook by anyone. It's up to me whether I want to cook or not. Besides, the place where the servants eat is in the main kitchen. Madam, if you go there now, there might be a bowl of leftovers."

Shui Yu stepped forward at the right time and gestured, "Madame Li, the kitchen is just to the right after leaving the yard. Please come in."

Madam Li: “…”

Her old face flushed, and she said in a deep voice, "Miss Yan, I am the one arranged by Concubine Lu to take care of the Second Prince."

"Yeah, so what does it have to do with me? How about letting your Second Prince give you some?" Yan Qiushu spread her hands.

The next second, Zhou Zhaoqin cooperated very well, holding the bowl with both hands and eating even faster.

Nanny Li was completely ashamed. She glared at her angrily and strode out.