Roasted pork
Jiang Jin wanted to say a few more words, but Xueya's voice rang out from outside the door, "General Wei and Commandant Chang, His Highness is chatting with Madam Wei in the room. Please wait a moment, this servant will go in and inform him."
Jiang Jin paused for a moment, then quickly placed the jade dew ball on the bed. For some reason, she was afraid Wei Shu would see the jade dew ball.
“Your Highness, Wei Shu is suspicious. He knows I like to eat jade dew dumplings, and I’m afraid he’ll become suspicious if he sees them.”
Jiang Jin straightened her skirt and sat down below Lou Xuan, holding a teacup in her hands and taking small sips.
When Wei Shu entered, he noticed that Jiang Jin looked well, so he assumed that Princess Zhaoyang hadn't been too harsh on her.
“Your Highness, I have come to escort your wife back. I apologize for any inconvenience caused today.”
Wei Shu bowed, and Lou Xuan smiled and accepted. Jiang Jin stood up, bowed, and then walked behind Wei Shu.
"Madam Wei is gentle and has a broad perspective. Talking with her can also teach me a lot about the outside world. General Wei, if you have time, you can invite Madam to come to my place more often so that I can keep you company. I have guards accompanying me so that Madam can be protected."
Upon hearing this, Wei Shu nodded in agreement, "It is a great fortune for Madam to have won the favor of the Princess. Once Madam is feeling better, I will definitely let her talk to the Princess to relieve her boredom."
“Ah Xuan, it’s getting late. Why don’t we let General Wei stay here for the night, so they won’t sneak into the city in the middle of the night?”
Chang Yi saw that Lou Xuan was reluctant to part with Jiang Jin, so he went along with it and made up an excuse.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Jin glared at Chang Yi with a dark expression, inwardly cursing, "Calling Your Highness 'Ah Xuan' right off the bat? Anyone who didn't know better would think you were His Highness's childhood sweetheart!"
“This…” Wei Shu turned to look at Jiang Jin, only to see that she was looking down and didn’t seem to have much objection.
"Then my wife and I thank Your Highness for your kindness." Lou Xuan finally showed a genuine smile, stood up, and took Jiang Jin's arm.
"Let's go, I'll have Xueya serve the meal." Jiang Jin glanced at Wei Shu, feigning helplessness, and only relaxed after seeing him nod.
The four arrived at the hall, where a variety of delicacies were already laid out on the table. "General Wei and his wife are both from the capital, so I arranged for some local specialties to be prepared."
Lou Xuan pulled Jiang Jin to sit next to her, while Chang Yi sat on Lou Xuan's other side.
"Xueya, you may all leave. I don't need anyone to serve me for the time being." Lou Xuan waved his hand, and Xueya led the maids in the hall away.
"General Wei, this morning in court someone impeached Wang Juesong for exploiting the people and accepting bribes. The Wang family only offered a few words of defense and then let the others handle it." Lou Xuan picked up a piece of fish and put it in his bowl.
"What does Your Highness mean?" Wei Shu understood that Lou Xuan would never willingly stand behind Chang Yi, so he simply didn't beat around the bush.
"What thoughts could I possibly have? I just felt that Commander Chang shouldn't have come all this way for nothing." Lou Xuan smiled, her finger pointing at the chopsticks but aimed at Jiang Jin.
"If Lady Wei doesn't touch her chopsticks, is it because the meal I prepared doesn't suit her taste?"
Jiang Jin shook her head cautiously and replied, "It's because I'm ill and have a poor appetite. The meal Your Highness prepared is so beautiful to look at, and I imagine it tastes delicious too. It's just that I'm not fortunate enough to have it."
"Xueya, have someone prepare lotus root and snow pear soup. I noticed Madam Wei was coughing a bit earlier." Lou Xuan's words puzzled Wei Shu.
"Yes, Your Highness." Xueya's figure slowly disappeared. Lou Xuan looked at Jiang Jin and asked, "Madam Wei, did you encounter any members of the Wang family in Bianzhou?"
"I met a few, but they were different from the Wang family in the capital." Jiang Jin's heart skipped a beat; unsure what answer Lou Xuan was looking for, she could only give a brief account.
"How is it different?" Lou Xuan feigned interest, but her eyes were fixed on Wei Shu.
"None of them are very patient. The Wang family girl once threatened to demote my wife to a concubine and make her sister Lady Wei, but I scolded her thoroughly and she slunk away." Jiang Jin could tell from Lou Xuan's eyes that she wanted to take this opportunity to vent her anger.
"No wonder there were rumors in the capital that General Wei had a confidante in Bianzhou. It turns out it was just a misunderstanding."
Lou Xuan glanced at Wei Shu and muttered to himself, "Father has also heard about it, but he trusts the general and hasn't thought much of it. General, don't forget that your marriage is an imperial decree and cannot be taken lightly."
"Your Highness, I thank you for your guidance. I have already submitted a memorial to Your Majesty explaining this matter. I have always kept Your Majesty's profound meaning in mind and dare not forget it. I will only have Jiang Jin as my wife in my life and will never take a concubine."
Wei Shu spoke with a serious expression. He knew Lou Xuan was giving him a warning, but he didn't know if it was His Majesty's intention.
"General Wei, why be so serious? I was just telling you some interesting stories from the capital. I think you've misunderstood."
Lou Xuan, seeing that he had achieved his goal, did not pursue the matter further. "Chang Yi, you said last time that you liked roasted pork, so I arranged for the chef to make some today. I don't know if it suits your taste."
"Thank you for your trouble, Ah Xuan." Chang Yi, having witnessed the performance, naturally understood that it was time for him to lighten the mood.
"General Wei, this roasted pork is the chef's specialty, brought by His Highness. Why don't you try some?" Chang Yi pointed to the glistening roasted pork served on a diamond-shaped plate in front of him.
"Then I thank Your Highness for your kindness, Commandant Chang."
Wei Shu picked up a piece of roasted pork and put it in his mouth. With just one bite, he could tell it was the work of the imperial chef. It seemed that Princess Zhaoyang was truly favored; His Majesty couldn't bear to see her travel far away and had even abandoned his own imperial chef.
"Madam Wei, why don't you try some?" Seeing the roasted pork reminded Jiang Jin of the braised pork His Highness often brought her when she was at the other residence, and her mouth watered at the memory.
"Okay." Jiang Jin was about to pick up her chopsticks when Wei Shu grabbed her hand.
“You’re still sick, so you need to avoid certain foods. You can’t eat these grilled or roasted foods.” Wei Shu shook his head at Jiang Jin. “Have some tofu soup instead.”
"I...okay." Jiang Jin had no choice but to look away from the roasted pork and silently picked up a spoon, scooping a spoonful of tofu into her bowl.
"General Wei is truly meticulous."
Chang Yi smiled and changed the subject, improving the atmosphere. During the meal, Wei Shu even added a few pieces of lotus root to Lou Xuan's bowl. Lou Xuan felt somewhat relieved and her attitude towards Wei Shu improved.
"Your Highness, the lotus root and snow pear soup is ready." Xueya's voice rang out from outside the door.
"Come in." Xueya pushed open the door and placed the pear soup in front of Jiang Jin.
"Please enjoy your meal, Madam." Jiang Jin nodded politely. Xue Ya stepped back and left, then bowed her head and closed the door behind her.
"Madam Wei, please try it. I wonder if it suits your taste?" Jiang Jin glanced at the pear soup and knew that it contained a lot of nourishing medicinal herbs, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Jiang Jin took a small sip, her head bowed but her eyes brightening noticeably. "As expected of the cook Your Highness brought, the pear soup is indeed much better."
"If it tastes good, use more." Lou Xuan nodded with a gentle smile. "General Wei, there's no need to be too nervous about using more."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Wei Shu picked up a piece of sashimi and placed it in his bowl.
"Madam Wei, what do you usually like to do?" Lou Xuan glanced at Wei Shu and then kept staring at Jiang Jin.
"Sometimes I play the zither, practice calligraphy, and occasionally go out with the General to enjoy the scenery." Jiang Jin glanced at Wei Shu, then lowered her head and carefully nudged Lou Xuan with her foot.
"Madam Wei can also play the zither; no wonder she's the daughter of Imperial Censor Jiang." Lou Xuan glanced at Jiang Jin and then smoothly changed the subject.
"General Wei, you and your wife will sleep in the west wing tonight. If you need anything, you can simply ask Xueya for help." Lou Xuan took a sip of tea.
"It's getting late. I still have some things to discuss with Commandant Chang, so I won't keep you two any longer."
Wei Shu helped Jiang Jin to her feet, bowed, and took his leave. Once outside the hall, Wei Shu saw Jiang Jin let out a long sigh of relief and asked with some amusement, "So afraid of Princess Zhaoyang?"
"No, it's just that it's my first time being so close to Princess Zhaoyang, so I'm a little nervous. But the princess seems different from what I imagined." Jiang Jin stopped talking after seeing Xue Ya approach.
"General Wei, if you two need anything, you can simply send someone to find me."
After Xueya led the two to the west wing, she bowed and took her leave. Only after seeing Xueya close the door did Jiang Jin dare to continue the previous conversation.
"I thought Princess Zhaoyang would be particularly arrogant and haughty, but she seems more approachable after spending time with her." Jiang Jin was unaware of Wei Shu's thoughts, so she could only speak well of Princess Zhaoyang on the surface.
“Princess Zhaoyang is always kind, and besides, she has no reason to make things difficult for you. However, she is quite affectionate towards you, even instructing her personal maid to make you some snow pear soup.” Wei Shu felt that Lou Xuan seemed much more approachable today.
"What's wrong with that? Princess Zhaoyang is still a woman, so it's normal for her to be thoughtful and considerate," Jiang Jin said casually, trying to change the subject.
"What did you talk about with Princess Zhaoyang today?" Wei Shu asked, sitting on a wooden stool and looking at Jiang Jin leaning against the soft couch.
"It's just something women talk about—clothes, jewelry, cosmetics, that's why I said Her Highness is quite approachable." Jiang Jin turned around with her eyes closed.
"Are you tired?" Wei Shu got up and touched Jiang Jin's forehead. "It's good that you don't have a fever. I'll go and make you some medicine. You stay in your room."
Jiang Jin nodded haphazardly with her eyes closed. Only when she heard Wei Shu's footsteps as he left did Jiang Jin carefully get off the bed and open the door.
"Xueya, Xueya!" Xueya happened to be bringing some ice to Jiang Jin on Lou Xuan's behalf. Seeing Jiang Jin's furtive appearance, she couldn't help but laugh.
"My lady is acting like a thief." Xueya put the ice into the porcelain jar. "His Highness brought extra ice because he was worried that my lady would be too hot to sleep."
"Is there enough for Your Highness?" Jiang Jin asked, glancing at the overflowing ice.
"Don't worry, it's enough. What did you need me for, my lady?" Xueya saw Jiang Jin hurriedly grab her sleeve.
"Xueya, do you still have any leftover roasted pork? Wei Shu wouldn't let me eat any at the banquet, but I really craved it. Ever since I married Wei Shu, I haven't had any roasted pork made by the imperial chef." Jiang Jin silently lamented how pitiful she was.
"Yes, there is, but His Highness instructed that we cannot do as you please. Since you are sick, you must naturally avoid certain foods. His Highness will make it up to you when we return to the capital."
Xueya carefully pried Jiang Jin's hand away and ran off in a flash, leaving Jiang Jin alone, silently shedding tears.
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