Upon hearing this, Yu Nanqing's eyes lit up immediately: "I understand."
Upon receiving Su Wanyan's "order," Yu Nanqing went directly to the kitchen of the Grand Scholar's residence, startling all the servants there.
The food on the table had all been eaten by the guests, which Yu Nanqing found unappetizing.
Even though he hadn't touched his chopsticks, Yu Nanqing still felt it wasn't right.
So he went directly to the kitchen to get food for Su Wanyan.
The cooks in the kitchen knelt down in large numbers, but Yu Nanqing seemed not to hear them, only focusing on getting the freshly cooked banquet food. It was only when Tanaka called out from the side that the cooks cautiously and hesitantly got up.
It's no wonder they were nervous. The masters of the Grand Secretary's residence had never been to the kitchen before. If this scene were at Prince Gong's residence, it would be a common occurrence.
Unexpectedly, Yu Nanqing's actions attracted a group of admirers.
Yu Nanqing was naturally handsome, and when he had nothing to do, his face always showed a gentle and doting look when he looked at Su Wanyan. In addition, he was tall and upright, and had the support of status and military achievements, so many women in the capital fell in love with him at first sight.
However, Yu Nanqing always kept to himself and Su Wanyan by his side whenever he went out, so they had no chance to strike up a conversation.
Meanwhile, at this moment, someone at the women's table at the banquet spread the word that Yu Nanqing had left her seat and gone to the kitchen.
Sure enough, many women were eager to go out, but at the same time they had to be reserved. They all pretended to go out for a walk and secretly sneaked into the kitchen as if it were an accident.
Fortunately, the Grand Secretary's residence was large enough that the women watching from afar were well hidden.
When Yu Nanqing came out of the kitchen, he was carrying the dishes he had selected. There weren't many, just three or five dishes, all of which were Su Wanyan's favorites.
"Miss, look! It really is the Prince!" A maidservant exclaimed excitedly beside a rockery.
But he was suddenly met with a cold shoulder from his young mistress.
What are you yelling about? She's not blind; she can see for herself.
The maid immediately shut her mouth, but after a while, she started calling out again: "Miss, Miss! Look, it's Miss Mu from the Imperial Household Department!"
Upon hearing this, the young lady, disregarding how loud her voice was, hurriedly craned her neck to look over.
A woman dressed in a glass-like dress walked towards Yu Nanqing with her eyes lowered.
Mu Qingrou had a charming and girlish smile on her lips. Just as she approached Yu Nanqing, a handkerchief suddenly fell to the ground, carrying a faint fragrance.
Mu Qingrou seemed completely oblivious as she brushed past Yu Nanqing.
After passing by Yu Nanqing, Mu Qingrou noticeably slowed her pace.
She pursed her lips and tightly gripped her small hands hidden in her sleeves, feeling both uneasy and nervous, until a voice behind her called out to her: "Miss..."
Mu Qingrou's expression brightened, but she had to maintain her composure and slowly turned her head, only to be stunned.
Tanaka, holding her handkerchief, said in a measured tone, "Miss, you dropped your handkerchief."
He handed over the handkerchief he had just picked up.
Mu Qingrou felt a tightness in her chest and couldn't help but look in the direction behind Tanaka. She saw Yu Nanqing carrying a tray and had already strode away.
Mu Qingrou was anxious to call out to them, but she couldn't make a sound. She was disregarding the proper boundaries between men and women, and if she made a sound now, it would only embarrass her family.
Just as she was hesitating, Tanaka's voice brought her back to her senses: "Miss, your handkerchief."
Tanaka and Yu Nanqing were well aware of the intentions of these young ladies, but unfortunately, their lord was already taken.
He was originally going to pretend he didn't see it, but the woman had lost her handkerchief, and it wouldn't be good if she used it for something else.
For example, she vaguely said, "What if the prince happens to be passing by when the handkerchief is lost?"
Even if the prince had a hundred mouths, he couldn't explain it clearly.
Left with no other choice, Tanaka picked up the handkerchief and returned it to her.
Mu Qingrou was somewhat unwilling. She reached out and took the handkerchief handed to her by Tanaka, and gave a slight curtsy: "Thank you, young master."
Tanaka clasped his hands in a salute, then turned and left decisively.
This little incident came and went quickly. The ladies hiding in the shadows all knew what Mu Qingrou meant. Some laughed at her for overestimating herself, while others praised her for her courage.
Of course, they only dared to spread this within their small circle; they would never dare to gossip about it. If they were to spread these things around in public, they would lose all face.
The Duke of Changguo's family was already among the invited guests for the wedding banquet, so Dai Jin'an from the Duke of Changguo's family arrived not long after Yu Nanqing left.
Su Wanyan breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Dai Jin'an arrive.
After explaining the basic situation to him, I said goodbye to Dai Jin'an.
When Su Wanyan arrived at the carriage, Yu Nanqing had already set out the meal inside. The three most eye-catching dishes were the Eight Treasures Fruit, which symbolized joy and celebration; the Auspicious Fish, which represented good fortune and happiness; and a pastry made to symbolize the blessing of having both a son and a daughter.
And soup is an essential ingredient in all of this.
Su Wanyan liked to eat with soup; it would moisten her mouth if the food was too dry or too salty.
Upon seeing Su Wanyan arrive, Yu Nanqing's eyes were filled with smugness: "Yan'er, try it quickly, it's still warm."
These dishes were all ones that Yu Nanqing had tried, and they tasted very good.
Su Wanyan was actually very tired. She wanted to sleep more than eat, but she was also extremely hungry.
She forced a smile despite her drowsiness: "Let me have some soup first."
Yu Nanqing hurriedly picked up a spoon, about to scoop a spoonful for her, but when he came to his senses, he found Su Wanyan gulping down the soup in no time.
Su Wanyan sighed contentedly; it felt so good to have something in her stomach.
Yu Nanqing picked up a piece of fish and put it in her mouth: "Yan'er, eat this. It tastes fragrant and tender. The fish bones have been removed. Just open your mouth, Yan'er."
Su Wanyan opened her mouth and put the fish in her mouth. Before she even chewed, the fish seemed to melt in her mouth. It was indeed fragrant and tender.
However, Su Wanyan, who was forcing herself to stay awake, finally couldn't hold on any longer and suddenly threw herself into Yu Nanqing's arms: "Hey, Yu Nanqing, I can't take it anymore."
Yu Nanqing's heart skipped a beat; he was startled by Su Wanyan's words.
However, looking down, I belatedly realized that she probably meant she was too tired and could no longer resist the drowsiness.
Yu Nanqing put down his chopsticks and gently patted her back: "Then Yan'er, you should rest well first."
"I asked you to prepare the meal earlier, but you haven't eaten much since you got here." Su Wanyan peeked out from in Yu Nanqing's arms: "I'm so sorry."
Yu Nanqing frowned slightly; this was it.
Sometimes he felt that Su Wanyan was too distant from him.
However, after a short while, Yu Nanqing's brow relaxed: "It's alright, it's just some food. I'll prepare more after Yan'er wakes up."
In his eyes, meals would always be available, so how could anything be more important than Su Wanyan?
Yu Nanqing gently patted her back, but after a while she didn't respond. Looking down, he realized that Su Wanyan had fallen asleep at some point.
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