Chapter 54 Longevity Noodles are Instant Noodles
"Regardless of whether the goddess or the elixir is real or not, the medicine is indeed remarkably effective! Afterwards, the Crown Prince even brought the leftover medicine back to the palace, and I sent someone to steal one, which cost me my secret agent of many years. It turned out that the elixir the Crown Prince used was exactly the same as the fever reducer I got from the Lucky General Store!"
"really?"
"Afu had a high fever and was unconscious, but after taking just one pill that girl gave him, his fever subsided in less than half an hour! And it never came back! Before I left, the girl gave me two extra pills. I took them back and compared them carefully. They were exactly the same in terms of smell, color, and shape!"
The boy looked at Afu, "Did you suffer any lasting effects?"
Afu bowed and said, "Your Highness, this old servant has no discomfort whatsoever. The imperial physician has checked my pulse and I have fully recovered."
The eldest prince said matter-of-factly.
"It seems that this so-called goddess and elixir of immortality are nothing more than rumors spread by the Crown Prince to consolidate his power!"
"Since the Imperial Uncle has confirmed that the medicine came from Jixiang General Store, why not just ask the store owner to hand over the prescription? How dare a small village general store refuse?"
“If that’s the case, why would I have called you here! The shopkeeper said she only had stock, not prescriptions! But her stock had clearly been handed over to the Crown Prince, yet she was able to quickly produce it when we came to ask for medicine!”
"So that means she's lying? Then the prescription must be in her hands!"
"It's not certain yet, but at least she definitely has a source of goods!"
"So, what does the Imperial Uncle intend to do?"
"This shop is very strange. Once the door is closed, no matter how I knock, no one answers. I can't even see what's inside through the crack. And there's no back door. The girl disappears into the room as soon as she closes the door."
He had seen many strange and unusual acrobatic performances, but this was the first time he had ever seen anything like it.
Moreover, he observed for several days and found that this girl never bought anything outside, whether it was food or other necessities!
"It's not wise to alert her in this situation, otherwise it would be counterproductive! Besides, she not only has antipyretics, but also various external wound medications, which are exactly what our Great Yu Dynasty lacks!"
If that girl is angered and she closes the door and never opens it again, it will be a loss for the Great Yu Dynasty no matter how you look at it.
The eldest prince, Qin Gan, stared intently at the general store, as if trying to see something through it.
If he has these prescriptions, replacing the crown prince will be just around the corner!
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Cheng Mansion.
The mansion was filled with joy, decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers. Guests filled the house.
The birthday celebrations have already begun.
Mrs. Cheng sat in the main seat, accepting the congratulations from all the guests.
For the first time ever, Cheng Jiaojiao cooked a bowl of longevity noodles for her mother's birthday banquet!
The moment the noodles passed through, the entire hall was drawn in by the rich aroma!
It smells so good!
The overpowering fragrance relentlessly invaded my nostrils!
Although everyone present was from a prominent family, rich and noble, they had never smelled this kind of aroma before!
The entire table of exquisite dishes was instantly overshadowed!
"Wishing my mother boundless happiness and longevity, like the evergreen pine of the Southern Mountain!"
Cheng Jiaojiao's clear voice rang out.
She wore a pink dress, bowed gracefully, and raised the tray in her hands high.
On the tray, a palm-sized porcelain bowl, carved with auspicious flowers, holds golden noodles soaking in a rich, golden broth.
Just looking at it makes my mouth water!
Mrs. Cheng took the bowl and placed it on the table.
He happily helped her up, tears welling in his eyes.
“My darling has grown up and can make longevity noodles for her mother now.”
Cheng Jiaojiao smiled and said, "Every year from now on, Jiaojiao will make longevity noodles for Mother!"
Upon hearing this, Madam Cheng couldn't stop her tears from flowing.
Lord Cheng, standing nearby, lightly scolded, "On such a joyous day, it's wonderful to have filial children. Why are you crying?"
Madam Cheng hurriedly wiped away her tears, "Yes, yes, I was just too happy for a moment."
Several ladies who were on good terms with him quickly tried to smooth things over.
"Yes, Jiaojiao has grown up now and knows how to be filial to her parents."
"Xiao Fang and Jiao Jiao are both sensible and obedient. Mrs. Cheng can just wait to enjoy a life of luxury from now on!"
"Look how well Jiaojiao cooks! This bowl of noodles smells so good!"
"Jiaojiao, tell your auntie how this noodle is made? What's the secret recipe?"
"Which master chef taught them this cooking technique? I'll have my daughter learn it sometime!"
"What seasoning did you put in it? Jiaojiao, can you teach your cousin?"
This bowl of noodles immediately became the focus of the banquet.
Several aunts and cousins pulled Cheng Jiaojiao aside and asked her a series of questions.
Everyone hopes to learn this skill.
Cheng Jiaojiao gave a vague answer, only saying that it was a method taught by a reclusive master, and that she had promised him not to pass it on to outsiders.
This caused the ladies to look disappointed.
This wasn't Mrs. Cheng's first time eating instant noodles, so she naturally knew how to make them.
There are ready-made noodles and seasonings; just add water and cook.
But she smiled and didn't say anything.
It's rare for my daughter to be in the limelight, so let them guess what she's doing, so they won't keep calling her a tomboy behind her back!
After a period of merriment at the banquet, the topic returned to Madam Cheng.
"Jiaojiao's gift is a bowl of longevity noodles she made herself. What about Prince Cheng? What gift did he prepare for his mother?"
"Cheng Fang?"
"Yes, where is Prince Cheng?"
"Where did he go on such an important day as his mother's birthday?"
Only then did everyone notice that Cheng Fang had not been seen since the start of the banquet.
Logically, as the eldest son, he should be out greeting guests on such a day.
The noise level in the room immediately dropped, and there were even some whispers.
Madam Cheng hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped herself.
Lord Cheng originally intended to say that Cheng Fang had gone out to meet friends.
But on such an important day, Cheng Fang still abandoned his mother and family to go out and meet with friends, which is simply unacceptable.
The Great Yu Dynasty advocates governing the country through filial piety. How many people would criticize a nobleman's son for not being present at his mother's birthday banquet?
Just as Lord Cheng was about to speak, he heard a shout from the steward outside.
"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"
As soon as the words were spoken, a figure dressed in bright yellow walked into the lobby.
Behind them were Cheng Fang and Jiang Yi, who had just dismounted!
Lord Cheng breathed a sigh of relief.
Mrs. Ctrip and Cheng Jiaojiao immediately stepped forward and knelt down together.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince has arrived! We are so sorry for not welcoming you sooner!"
All the guests followed Yingying and knelt down.
"Greetings, Your Highness!"
"Marquis Wu'an, you may rise!" Qin Zhao reached out to help him up.
"On the occasion of Madam Cheng's birthday, I have come to offer my congratulations."
Qin Zhan beckoned back, and a young eunuch stepped forward carrying a gift box.
"A small token of my appreciation, wishing Madam Cheng a long and healthy life."
Lady Cheng respectfully accepted the gift: "Your Highness, I thank you for your generous gift!"
Qin Zhao spoke after Lord Cheng and his family had stood up.
"Please, everyone, no need for formalities!"
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Qin Zhao was invited to take the seat of honor.
Only then did the guests notice Cheng Fang following behind the Crown Prince.
They all knew about the relationship between the Cheng family and the Crown Prince.
It turns out that Cheng Fang went to pick up the Crown Prince.
It's understandable to leave them hanging here, after all, that's His Highness the Crown Prince!
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