Just as Pei Yan said, two days later Tao Ti found out what the "price" that Prince Yu was talking about was.

Upon learning that Prince Yu had fainted, Emperor Zhaokang immediately sent a doctor to the prince's palace and presented him with a large amount of rewards and condolences.

That night, he also summoned Pei Yan and Pei Changzhou to the Qinzheng Palace. Tao Ti had no idea what exactly happened in the palace.

It was only heard that Emperor Zhaokang was furious and smashed a set of tea sets, angrily accusing Pei Changzhou of being disloyal, unfilial and unrighteous. If Empress Zhou had not arrived in time and pleaded for mercy, Emperor Zhaokang would have broken Pei Changzhou's legs.

In the end, although Pei Changzhou's leg was not broken, he knelt in the ancestral temple for a whole night, and Emperor Zhaokang took away his power in charge of the Ministry of Justice. He was forced to stay in the Prince's Mansion for half a month to reflect on his mistakes and was not allowed to go out without an imperial decree.

The next day, in the court, many officials from the Imperial History Bureau jointly impeached the evil deeds of the sons of the nobles and asked Emperor Zhaokang to punish them severely.

These noble sons were all good friends with Pei Changzhou, and their fathers and brothers were also very close to the Zhou family.

Emperor Zhaokang had been trying to suppress the arrogance of the Zhou family. Moreover, since these ignorant people dared to curse his most beloved prince, he could not let them off lightly, both publicly and privately.

For a while, some were reprimanded, some were fined, some were demoted, and some were directly exiled from Chang'an...

After their fathers and brothers were punished in the court, those noble sons who had spoken rudely at the time would naturally be punished at home.

Those who spoke the most enthusiastically that day suffered more misfortunes later. One of them accidentally rolled down the stairs and broke his head, becoming an idiot; another one was frightened while riding a horse and broke his leg, becoming a cripple; another one was having fun in the middle of the night and was caught in a sack and his penis was kicked, becoming a disabled person... These are all later stories, so we will not go into them for now.

Tao Ti was naturally very happy when she knew that Pei Changzhou and that group of noble children had been punished.

Two days later, Xu Wenchan came to the palace and talked to Tao Ti about the health of Zhang, the wife of Marquis Yongwei.

"Don't worry, A-ti. Your mother just caught a cold. When my mother and I visited her, she had already recovered."

Xu Wenchan was eating a handful of dried fruits, and he looked at Tao Ti curiously as she took the bones out of the chicken wings. "Ah Ti, what delicious food are you making?"

"Chicken wings wrapped in rice." Tao Ti said as she put the chicken wings with the bones removed into a large bowl, poured in minced garlic, minced ginger, rice wine, soy sauce, sugar and other seasonings, and began to marinate.

Xu Wenchan's eyes widened. "Chicken wings wrapped in rice? Well, although I've never eaten it, it must be delicious if you make it, A-Ti!"

"You'll know when it's done." Tao Ti said with a smile, preparing to steam the glutinous rice.

Xu Wenchan was helping out on the side while chatting with Tao Ti. As they chatted, they naturally asked about what happened in Prince Yu's Mansion that day.

"That day Song Yuning took you to talk, but you said go and come back. I waited for a long time but you didn't show up. I thought Song Yuning had done something to you. Song Yuning is really a taciturn person. I asked her for a long time but she didn't say anything. Later, the maid from Prince Yu's mansion came to find the Crown Prince's wife and said that Prince Yu had fainted. Then I knew that you left with the Crown Prince. By the way, was Prince Yu really fainted by the Third Prince?"

It's funny to talk about Tao Ti, but it's not easy to rip Prince Yu off, so she just mumbled "I guess so".

Xu Wenchan smacked his lips and said, "Is it really like that? Then this Third Prince is such a piece of shit."

Tao Ti gave her a look and said, "Be careful, there are ears on the other side of the wall."

Xu Wenchan was stunned for a moment, then quickly shut up. Although this was the East Palace, it was also within the boundaries of the Imperial Palace.

After a while, she changed the subject, "What did Song Yuning say to you that day? She was so mysterious. Um, are you very familiar with her?"

Tao Ti said jokingly, "Hey, I don't use vinegar when I make chicken wings with rice, why does it taste sour?"

Xu Wenchan actually raised his nose and sniffed, muttering "It doesn't taste sour". When he saw Tao Ti's sly smile, he also reacted, "You stingy guy, I'm just asking. I, I'm not so stingy that I won't let you make other friends... But even if you have other friends in the future, I will be your best friend!"

"Okay, okay." Tao Ti agreed readily and explained that she was not familiar with Song Yuning.

After hearing this, Xu Wenchan felt that Song Yuning was being inexplicable. "Who does she think she is to say those things to you?"

After a pause, she seemed to remember something. "Oh, by the way, I heard that before the eldest princess married far away, Song Yuning had entered the palace and served as her study partner for many years... The princess and the prince studied together when they were young. So, aren't Song Yuning and the prince childhood sweethearts?"

She slapped her forehead and said with wide eyes, "My God, why did Song Yuning suddenly say those words to you? Is there something going on between her and the Crown Prince?"

Tao Ti pursed her lips. Although she had guessed this before, when she heard it mentioned again, for some reason, her heart felt a little heavy, as if a stone was pressing on it.

She vaguely changed the subject and said, "Let's not talk about this anymore."

I reached out and grabbed the shrimps and green beans on the side and put them in the pot to fry. The green green beans and the white shrimps fried together are brightly colored and look very beautiful.

In a moment, the aroma of shrimp wafted out.

Xu Wenchan's attention was immediately attracted by the fragrance, and he instantly forgot about Song Yuning.

When the shrimps and green beans were fried and served on a plate, she stretched out her tentative little paws to try them.

Taoti immediately moved the ingredients away and said with a helpless smile, "These are the ingredients for chicken wing rice rolls. You can't eat them yet."

"Ah?" Xu Wen showed a little disappointment on his chubby face, but then he said with anticipation, "The ingredients are so fragrant, the final product must be delicious!"

Taoti winked at her and smiled, "You'll know soon."

After the glutinous rice is steamed, stir-fry it with eggs, and finally pour in green beans and shrimps. The golden eggs, the emerald green beans, the plump white shrimps, and the distinct glutinous rice are stir-fried together, the color is bright and rich, and the aroma is overflowing.

Tao Ti took the marinated chicken wings and stuffed the glutinous rice into them, making the wings bulge out like purses. She then sealed the wings with a small stick, brushed them with oil and honey, and put them in the small baking oven to bake.

After about a quarter of an hour, the fragrant chicken wings came out of the oven.

The honey and oil create a very beautiful golden sheen on the surface of the chicken wings. Use a knife to gently cut them, and the crispy and soft skin will be immediately cut open, revealing the firm and full fried rice inside. The aroma of meat fills the entire kitchen.

"Wow, this smells so good." Xu Wenchan stared at it, swallowing his saliva.

Seeing her impatient look, Taoti picked up a small piece with chopsticks, blew it gently, and put it to her mouth, "Ah, open your mouth."

Xu Wenchan immediately opened his mouth excitedly, like a well-behaved little sparrow waiting to be fed.

When you put the chicken wing wrapped in rice in your mouth, the first thing you come into contact with is the sweet skin of the chicken wing, which is slightly sweet with honey and the deliciousness of the secret sauce. After chewing, the soft and glutinous texture of the glutinous rice, the crispness of the green beans, the chewy and tender shrimp, and the juice of the chicken wing itself are mixed together. The more you eat, the more addictive it is, and it really makes you want to stop!

"This is so delicious, so fragrant..." Xu Wenchan felt that his life had reached its peak!

"If it tastes good, eat more." Tao Ti watched her eat happily and also felt a sense of happiness in feeding her.

Just as she was about to ask Linglong to pack some things and send them to Zixiao Palace, she looked up and saw a tall and graceful figure appear at the door of the small kitchen.

Tao Ti was surprised, "Your Highness?"

When did he come? Why didn't anyone inform us?

The late spring sunshine was bright and warm. Pei Yan, wearing a jade-green robe, stood quietly at the door, like a tall and straight poplar tree.

Tao Ti thought to herself: Well, considering his height, he is indeed a little thinner now.

Pei Yan walked in gracefully, his gentle gaze always on Tao Ti. When he got closer, he glanced at Xu Wenchan, who was eating with a greasy mouth.

Xu Wenchan received this look and found it difficult to swallow or chew the chicken wing. He could only say with embarrassment, "Your Highness, Your Highness, may you be well and prosperous!"

Pei Yan hummed softly and looked away.

While Xu Wenchan breathed a sigh of relief, she couldn't help but wonder if she was too sensitive. Why did she feel that the prince had an inexplicable hostility towards her?

Tao Ti looked at the man in front of her and asked softly, "Your Highness, why are you here?"

Pei Yan said, "After finishing government affairs, I went out for a walk..."

walk?

Linglong and Fu Xirui looked at each other at the door, and the same thought came to their mind: From Zixiao Palace to Yaoguang Palace? Your Highness, you should find a more reliable excuse!

Tao Ti was a little surprised when she heard this, but she didn't think about it. She just looked at him with a smile, "You came at a coincidence. I just made chicken wings with rice. I wanted to ask Linglong to deliver it to you, but now it seems unnecessary."

Pei Yan glanced at the golden chicken wings and said calmly, "It looks good. Let me try it..."

"OK."

Tao Ti agreed and was about to give him the chopsticks when she saw Pei Yan suddenly bend down and look at her.

Taoti, "......?"

The confused big eyes met the pair of ink-black peach blossom eyes.

Three seconds later, a bold guess popped up in Taoti's mind -

He...is he asking her to feed him?

After hesitating for a moment, she tentatively picked up a piece of chicken wing wrapped in rice with chopsticks and slowly put it to Pei Yan's mouth.

Seeing her action, Pei Yan's eyebrows curved, and his dark pupils flashed a brilliant light. He opened his mouth slightly and ate the small piece of chicken wing wrapped in rice.

Linglong and Fu Xirui, "..."

It's so embarrassing to watch.

Xu Wenchan: "..."

Was I shown off for no reason?

Pei Yan tasted the food in his mouth slowly and praised it after eating, "It tastes very good."

Tao Ti didn't expect him to actually open his mouth and eat, and the sudden smile he gave her just now was really a bit provocative...

Realizing that something was wrong, she took a step back, lowered her head in panic, and whispered, "Well, well, let's take it to the hall to eat."

"Okay." Pei Yan responded softly, and glanced down at Xu Wenchan.

That glance, light and casual, gave people goosebumps for no reason.

Xu Wenchan, who was about to catch up, paused, "..."

After a moment, she understood!

"Well, A'ti, it's getting late. My mother specifically told me to go back early today. I, I have to leave the palace first." Xu Wenchan said while swallowing his saliva.

"Ah? It's still early." Tao Ti glanced at the bright sky outside the window, pointed at the plate of fragrant chicken wings wrapped in rice, and asked, "You don't want to eat anymore?"

"I'll eat it!" Xu Wenchan blurted out. With such delicious food in front of him, he would be unworthy of being a human being if he didn't eat it!

But she caught a glimpse of Pei Yanqing's cold face from the corner of her eye, and she quickly added, "Then can you pack a few for me to eat on the way?"

Tao Ti frowned, thinking that she was a little weird, then she changed her mind and thought that maybe it was because Pei Yan came that she felt a little uncomfortable.

She agreed without any hesitation, "Okay, I'll pack some food for you on the way."

Xu Wenchan immediately breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Yeah, thank you, Ati!"

………

Not long after, after seeing Xu Wenchan off, Tao Ti turned around and went back into the hall.

Walking around an eight-foot-tall rosewood screen inlaid with jade and featuring a peony painting, Pei Yan was sitting on a couch, his posture casual and his expression lazy, his slender fingers stroking the wall of the cup, as if he was thinking about something.

Hearing the footsteps, he slowly turned around and smiled faintly at Tao Ti, "You're back."

Tao Ti thought that after spending so many days with him, she should have developed a certain resistance to his stunning beauty.

But the facts prove that, no!

It would be fine if he smiled faintly like usual.

But recently he smiled at her more gently, and his beautiful eyes were sparkling, like the night sky filled with stars, shining with dazzling and charming light.

If a gorgeous and handsome guy smiles at you like this all the time, who can resist it?

Tao Ti felt that she was already very strong as she could avoid nosebleeds!

She responded softly and walked over quickly. Seeing that the chicken wings wrapped in rice on the table were untouched, she looked at him in confusion, "Your Highness, why don't you eat? Is it a bit greasy?"

Pei Yan shook his head gently, his voice gentle and elegant, "I'll wait for you to come back and eat together."

Tao Ti: Brother, please stop exuding your charm!

"Oh, let's eat then." She smiled awkwardly, intentionally avoiding his gaze, sat down, picked up a piece of chicken wing wrapped in rice and started eating.

The crispy and fragrant chicken wings are stuffed with plenty of glutinous rice. When you take a bite, the chicken is crispy, tender and smooth, and the slightly sweet and rich sauce completely soaks into every grain of glutinous rice. It is salty and fresh with a hint of sweetness, without the slightest bit of greasiness. Every bite is a complete sense of happiness.

Tao Ti ate several pieces in one breath, and reminded Pei Yan, "You can't eat too much, glutinous rice is not easy to digest."

After hearing this, Pei Yan put down his chopsticks, nodded slightly and said, "Okay."

He looks so obedient, I really want someone to rub him.

Tao Ti couldn't help but think, he is so handsome now that he has grown up, wasn't he even cuter when he was a child?

Well, I don't know what little Pei Yan looked like when he was five or six years old. He must have been delicate like a doll, right? Well, modern times are still good, as we can keep photos as souvenirs. In ancient times, we can only rely on our imagination.

As she thought about this, she couldn't help but think of the "childhood sweetheart" Xu Wenchan mentioned -

So, Song Yuning should have seen Pei Yan's childhood appearance?

This realization made that strange feeling of depression surge up in my heart again.

Tao Ti pretended to drink tea and asked casually, "Your Highness, how old were you when you started studying with Master Song?"

Pei Yan said, "I started learning at the age of three, and have been taught by teachers ever since."

Tao Ti nodded. No wonder the ancients always said “Once a teacher, always a father”. A teacher accompanies a child from childhood to adulthood, which is something that even a child’s own father may not spend as long as that.

After a pause, she asked, "I heard that the granddaughter of Master Song was the eldest princess's study partner when she was young... So you two studied together since childhood, so you must have a good relationship, right?"

As soon as this question was asked, the surroundings fell silent.

Tao Ti immediately felt regretful. What was wrong with her? Why did she suddenly ask such a private relationship question?

She waved her hands in annoyance and explained, "Well, I was just asking casually. Don't mind it. I don't care whether you have a good relationship or not..."

Nothing?

Pei Yannong frowned slightly. Seeing that she was still explaining awkwardly, he called out solemnly, "Ati."

Tao Ti's eyelashes trembled slightly, and there was a hint of confusion and surprise in her watery eyes.

This seemed to be the first time he called her A Ti.

Unlike other people, the way he called her seemed to bring the two of them closer together, and it also revealed a certain inexplicable doting.

Tao Ti looked at him and waited for him to continue.

Pei Yan's eyebrows and eyes were three-dimensional, and his pupils were dark, like a deep pool, reflecting her fair and bright face.

He stared at her steadily, and said with thin lips, "I am not familiar with her."

Such a serious and solemn answer made Tao Ti's heart skip a beat.

"Oh oh." She responded dryly and lowered her head quickly.

Somehow, the slight feeling of depression at the beginning disappeared without a trace, and a barely perceptible joy arose in my heart.