The kitchen of the East Palace was extremely bustling at this moment.

Hearing that the Crown Princess would cook for them herself, the burly chefs lined up in an orderly manner, ready to serve at any time.

Generally speaking, when the ladies of each mansion "cooked themselves", they would stand by the stove and talk to the chef to prepare, cut and put the vegetables into the pot. Then, before the food came out of the pot, they would stir it with a spatula and taste it. This was considered cooking themselves.

The cooks in the kitchen thought that the Crown Princess would do the same, but they never expected that the Crown Princess would actually do it?

All you can hear is the rhythmic sound of chopping vegetables. The dark and plump black fungus is shredded, the mushrooms are cut into small pieces of equal size, the bright red chili peppers are shredded into uniform thickness, and the white and tender tofu is as thin as hair...

The chefs in the East Palace were dumbfounded: This knife skill...seems to be better than theirs?!

Tao Ti initially just wanted to take a look in the kitchen to learn about the development of the diet in the Dayuan Dynasty, which did not exist in Chinese history, and had no plans to cook today.

But when she saw that the kitchen was equipped almost the same as modern ones, with all kinds of pots such as frying pots, stewing pots, and steaming pots, and ingredients such as carrots, sweet potatoes, peppers, corn, peanuts, tomatoes, and onions, which were only imported in the late period of Chinese history, were all here, she couldn't help but feel itchy, so she rolled up her sleeves and got busy.

She was making spicy soup. After eating bland food for several days, she felt a lack of appetite and had to have something spicy to satisfy her craving. So she put plenty of pepper and chopped chili peppers in the soup.

Someone in the kitchen couldn't stand the overbearing spicy smell, so he raised his arms to cover his mouth and nose and sneezed several times.

The kitchen manager, Old Sun, sniffed the pungent and alluring smell and asked cautiously, "Crown Princess, did you put too much chili in this?"

Tao Ti smiled slightly and said, "Hu La Tang is all about the fresh, spicy and hot taste." Then she walked to the side and looked at the pan-fried dumplings being steamed in another pot.

Outside the kitchen, Pei Yan could smell an alluring aroma from a distance.

The palace servants who were waiting outside the kitchen to watch the excitement were all immersed in the strange fragrance and did not notice the arrival of the prince at all.

It was only after Fu Xirui deliberately coughed that the palace servants came to their senses and hurried to pay their respects to Pei Yan.

Pei Yan asked them to stand up and pointed to a little palace maid, "What are you all looking at here?"

The man lowered his head and said, "Your Highness, the Crown Princess is cooking in there."

Pei Yan was slightly startled, and frowned slightly, "She... went to the kitchen?"

Komiya: "Yes."

Pei Yan pursed his lips and walked towards the kitchen.

As soon as he stepped into the kitchen, a strong aroma hit him in the face, making him a little dazed. His throat also started to itch and he couldn't help coughing.

Hearing this, the kitchen staff hurried to pay their respects to the prince. Tao Ti turned around with a spoon in her hand and was surprised to see Pei Yan standing at the door of the kitchen in the bright moonlight and breeze.

When she came to her senses, she quickly put down the spoon, wiped her hands on her apron, and walked quickly to him, "Your Highness, why are you here? The kitchen is full of fumes and the chili peppers are pungent. Please get out quickly."

Pei Yan looked at her and asked, "Why are you in the kitchen?"

Tao Ti was about to say "yummy", but before she could open her mouth, an impolite voice interrupted, "I didn't expect the Crown Princess to be so virtuous and to cook for her personally? But what is this? It's so disgusting, can you eat it?"

Tao Ti was startled, and looked up at the tall man in black clothes behind Pei Yan, with her eyebrows furrowed. Who is this? He is so rude.

Pei Yan glanced at Zhan Ping calmly and introduced him to Tao Ti, "This is the second son of Marquis Wu'an, the commander of the left guard of the Eastern Palace, Zhan Ping."

It turned out to be the chief guard of the East Palace.

Tao Ti glanced at Zhan Ping. In her memory, she and Zhan Ping had no grudges against each other... So was he treating her like this because of the suicide by taking poison? Sigh, I don't know how long it will take to wash away this dark history of taking poison...

"It turned out to be Guard Zhan." Tao Ti nodded at him and said, "You'll know whether it's edible or not after you eat it."

Zhan Ping curled his lips and said, "Who knows how to eat it?"

Tao Ti glanced at him and said calmly, "I won't let you eat it."

Zhan Ping choked and turned his face away. Who cares?

Tao Ti ignored him and looked at Pei Yan, "Your Highness, have you had lunch? I made spicy soup and fried dumplings. They will be ready soon. Do you want to try them?"

Pei Yan looked at the pair of clear and bright eyes in front of him and said softly, "I have already had my meal." After a pause, he added, "But I want to taste your cooking skills."

"Okay, then just wait a moment, it will be ready soon." Tao Ti smiled at him and walked back to the stove.

When the soup reached about the right consistency, she took a white porcelain soup bowl, scooped up the soup, sprinkled a layer of chopped green onions, and dripped a few drops of golden sesame oil.

The chefs nearby couldn't help but stretch their necks to look at the stove. The soup didn't look very good, a sticky bowl that wasn't elegant or delicate enough, but it was filled with rich ingredients, including golden shredded eggs, tofu, green onions, tender lamb, fungus, and crystal clear vermicelli. It was steaming and mysteriously tempting.

Tao Ti then placed the pan-fried buns on a plate and sprinkled a layer of chopped green onions and black sesame seeds on them. There were twelve buns on a plate, small and full, white and tender on the surface, but fried to a golden and crispy texture on the bottom.

Tao Ti originally planned to take it back to eat, but now that Pei Yan was here, she asked, "Your Highness, do you want to eat it now, or come back with me to Yaoguang Palace and sit down to eat slowly?"

Pei Yan said, "I will follow you back to Yaoguang Palace."

Tao Ti wanted it very much, and smiled brightly, "Okay!"

Seeing that the Crown Princess seduced the Crown Prince away with a bowl of soup and a plate of buns, everyone in the kitchen said: The Crown Princess is so clever!

Zhan Ping curled his lips in disapproval: Tsk, Your Highness has eaten all kinds of delicacies, how could you look down on those sticky soups and buns? It's just that Your Highness has a good temper and can't bear to embarrass her in front of so many people.

Manager Sun saw that there was still some spicy soup left in the pot, and out of curiosity, he scooped a spoonful into his mouth.

The next second, his big round face froze.

Everyone came forward and talked at once, "Grandson, how is it? Is it delicious?"

"Yes, yes, what does it smell like?"

"Hey, what's that expression on your face? Anyway, the Crown Princess has gone far away, so just give me a definite answer whether it's good or not."

Manager Sun swallowed the soup in his mouth and sighed, "The meat is tender and the soup is delicious. It's spicy and delicious. After taking this bite, my stomach feels warm and comfortable!"

Everyone was amazed: Is it really that delicious?

Before they could react, Manager Sun quickly scooped up a bowl of soup and a steamed bun, and took a bite of the bun and a sip of soup, inhaling heavily because of the spiciness, but he never stopped eating.

Crowd: !!!

Those who reacted quickly took a spoon to scoop up the soup and drank it, then showed the same expression as Master Sun.

Zhan Ping, who was watching from the side, twitched his lips: It’s just a bowl of soup, what’s the big deal?

As he thought about this, the spicy and fresh aroma rushed into his nose, and he subconsciously glanced at Manager Sun's bowl.

Manager Sun was startled, then silently held the bowl and turned his back.

Flatten, "..."

He doesn't want it!!!

——

Yaoguang Palace.

Tao Ti stared at Pei Yan with her bright eyes, full of expectation, "Your Highness, how does it taste?"

Pei Yan first tried the pan-fried buns. When he took a bite, his teeth first came into contact with the soft dough, followed by the crispy but not hard crunchy bottom. The oily aroma of sesame seeds mixed with the rich fillings, and the rich juice spread on the tip of his tongue. It was fresh and rich, refreshing and not greasy.

The pan-fried buns were small. After finishing one, he picked up another one and put it in the bowl. He looked relaxed and said softly, "This pan-fried bun is crispy on the outside and fresh on the inside. It tastes very good."

"When I prepared the stuffing, I added dried stalks, shrimps and shiitake mushrooms to the minced beef, so it tastes fresher." Tao Ti smiled and scooped him a small bowl of spicy soup. "Try this spicy soup again... But don't eat too much. It tastes stronger and has a lot of chili peppers. You usually eat light food, so I'm afraid your stomach won't be able to handle it. Just try the fresh soup."

Pei Yan took it and took a sip.

The moment the soup enters your mouth, a strong spicy taste stimulates your taste buds. The fragrant soup is thick but not sticky. When you taste the ingredients wrapped in the soup, the tofu is tender and smooth, the fungus mushrooms are soft and chewy, and the tender mutton is mixed with the unique aroma of pepper, making the taste rich.

Seeing a thin layer of sweat on his smooth forehead and a faint blush on his fair face, Tao Ti quickly handed him a cup of warm water and said, "It seems that Your Highness can't eat spicy food. Don't eat it if it's too spicy, otherwise your stomach will not be able to bear it."

"I've never eaten such spicy food before..." Pei Yan took a big sip of water and said slowly, "It's both spicy and numbing, but I have to say, it tastes great."

"Then I'll make you some non-spicy food next time. Here, eat a few more pan-fried buns, these are not spicy." Tao Ti pushed the pan-fried buns in front of him and scooped a large bowl of spicy soup and drank it.

Soon, she was sweating all over, her cheeks were flushed, and her plump lips were a little swollen, as if they were covered with a layer of brightly colored lip balm.

Looking at her red little mouth, Pei Yan felt inexplicably hot, his long eyelashes drooped slightly, and he picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea.

The slightly cool tea dispelled some of the dryness. He pulled out a handkerchief from his sleeve and handed it to her, "Wipe the sweat off."

Tao Ti drank the last mouthful of spicy soup, took the handkerchief with a satisfied look on her face, her cheeks puffy from the spicy smell, and said, "Thank you."

Pei Yan glanced at the empty soup bowl, a hint of surprise flashed across his indifferent eyes, "I didn't expect you to be able to eat so much spicy food."

"It's okay, it's okay." Tao Ti took a breath and fanned herself with her palms, and asked casually, "Your Highness, why did you suddenly come to the kitchen?"

Pei Yan did not mention those outrageous rumors, but said calmly, "I heard that you cook in person, and I was curious, so I went to take a look."

Tao Ti didn't think about it carefully, and responded with an "Oh". After pondering for a moment, she looked at him cautiously, "Your Highness, I have an unwelcome request..."

Pei Yan's dark eyes moved slightly, staring at her, "Hmm?"

Tao Ti said softly, "That is...can I open a small kitchen in Yaoguang Palace?"

Pei Yan, "..."

Seeing that he didn't say anything, Tao Ti looked at him embarrassedly and explained, "Don't get me wrong, the food made by the chefs tastes very good, but I am a greedy person, and I like to cook for myself when I have nothing to do. The kitchen is quite a distance away from the Yaoguang Palace, and it is not very convenient to go back and forth..."

Pei Yan raised his eyebrows slightly, "That's it?"

Tao Ti looked at him steadily, nodded, and said softly, "Well... if it's a bother, then it's okay not to open it..."

"You are the Crown Princess, there is nothing wrong with opening a small kitchen."

"Oh, so I can drive now?" Tao Ti said in surprise.

"Well. Yaoguang Palace already has a small kitchen. I will give orders to have them tidy it up. If there is anything you want to buy, you can just tell the palace servants to get it." Pei Yan showed a faint smile, making him look very gentle.

"Great!" Tao Ti looked at Pei Yan with a face full of joy, her clear eyes shining brightly, "Your Highness, when the kitchen starts cooking, I will definitely make you a delicious meal first."

Pei Yan smiled lightly and said "OK", but his black eyes were deep and unfathomable.

It's just a small kitchen, but you're so happy? You're too easily satisfied.

Tao Ti was feeling very happy when she vaguely felt someone was looking at her. She looked up subconsciously and saw Pei Yan standing up.

"It's getting late. I should go back to Zixiao Palace."

"Okay, go ahead and get busy."

Tao Ti stood up and walked him all the way to the door. When she could no longer see him, she turned back and discussed various matters about the small kitchen with Fu Xirui.

Outside the Yaoguang Palace, he was holding a sword like a flat wooden stake. When he saw Pei Yan coming out, he immediately went forward and looked him up and down carefully, "Your Highness, are you okay?"

Without waiting for Pei Yan's answer, Zhan Ping spoke passionately, the main idea of ​​which was "Don't eat things given by strangers casually", just like an old mother who was worried about her child.

Pei Yan, "..."

He walked away expressionlessly without looking back.

Zhan Ping, "Hey, Your Highness, please wait for me..."

——

It was a dark and windy night. The shadows of the green bamboos were reflected on the white wall, making the surroundings even quieter and more peaceful.

Pei Yan stood in front of the study window, and after explaining some confidential matters to the secret guard, he added, "Check the Crown Princess to see if she cooks at home and how good is her cooking skills?"

The secret guards were slightly stunned. They didn't expect that their master would actually order them to investigate the Crown Princess, and it was such a trivial matter?

But in a flash, the dark guard regained his composure and said, "I obey your command."