——
At the same time, in an inconspicuous courtyard in the city.
A dark shadow climbed over the wall and quickly landed under the osmanthus tree in the yard. It reported to the tall figure under the tree:
"Sir! I have already inquired, and the chef from Zhiweixuan will be visiting Ganju tonight."
Xie Yunqi was holding a jade fan, casually fiddling with the osmanthus flowers hanging from the treetops.
Hearing this, he paused for a moment, turned around and asked, "Oh? Have you confirmed it?"
"Yes, I have confirmed it. A total of twelve dishes have been ordered, including crystal shrimp dumplings, lotus root chicken slices, Beijing wontons, crab meat and lion's head..." The guard clearly reported the name of each dish.
After hearing this, Xie Yunqi was 100% sure that the person living in that garden must be Chu Qingluan.
Because he had lived in the princess's mansion for a period of time before, he knew Chu Qingluan's dining preferences very well.
The dishes the guards mentioned were, without exception, all her favorites.
In an instant, an undercurrent surged in Xie Yunqi's phoenix eyes.
In fact, he already knew at the city gate that day that Chu Qingluan was in that carriage.
The reason why he chose to "fall into the trap" and leave was because the time was not right and he could not alert the enemy.
Youzhou is Chu Hong's territory. Even at the city gate, the soldiers only recognize Chu Hong, not the imperial court.
In such a situation, the enemy was numerous and we were few, and we were in the enemy's territory.
He didn't dare take the risk.
So, after hearing the report from the guards, he pretended to leave the city gate, but actually disguised himself and sneaked into Youzhou City, waiting for the opportunity.
I didn't expect to get the news so soon.
"Give the order and proceed according to the original plan," he ordered.
The secret guard clasped his fists and accepted the order, then quickly disappeared into the night.
——
The next evening, footsteps were heard from Langanju.
Two guards led several men in coarse shorts into the yard.
The leading cook was about forty years old, with a round face and a slightly plump figure. He wore a washed-out apron around his waist and carried a heavy food box in his hands, with sweat oozing from his forehead.
Walking outside the courtyard, the leading chef clasped his fists and saluted: "I am Liu San, the head chef of Zhiweixuan. I am here on the orders of Lord Yun to make a few side dishes for the nobleman in the room."
Behind him were three young men. The one on the far right was particularly tall and straight. Although he was also wearing coarse cloth and a low-hanging bamboo hat, he inexplicably exuded a unique temperament.
The guards exchanged glances and stepped forward to search. Several men obediently raised their arms, revealing their calloused palms.
These are all traces left by years of using the spoon.
"Behave yourself," the guard warned, "don't look around or walk around."
"Yes, yes, yes," Liu San responded repeatedly, and then turned to scold the guys, "Be smart, don't look at things you shouldn't look at."
The group was quickly led through corridors and arrived at a quiet courtyard.
The garden is filled with luxuriant flowers and trees, rockeries and flowing water, exuding a deliberately created tranquility.
As soon as the group stepped into the yard, Xie Yunqi keenly noticed that there was a petite figure standing in the corridor——
It was Xiao Tao. At this moment, she was looking at Liu San and his group expressionlessly. Her sharp eyes swept over each person one by one, as if she was silently investigating something.
"Why does it take so long? You're getting hungry waiting." Xiao Tao said with some dissatisfaction.
Xie Yunqi followed behind Liu San with his head lowered, but the moment he raised his eyes he caught a glimpse of the thin callus on her palm.
His eyes flickered slightly, but soon returned to normal, standing there stiffly like a real restaurant waiter.
Xiao Tao walked around them and asked casually, "What food have you prepared?"
Liu San quickly apologized with a smile: "To answer the young lady, there are crystal shrimp dumplings, lotus root chicken slices, and the crab meat lion head that the noble lady specifically ordered..."
"Then get ready quickly. The kitchen is over there."
Xiao Tao was obviously not very interested in Liu San's words and pointed in the direction of the kitchen.
Xie Yunqi kept his head down the whole time, but when he turned around, he secretly glanced at the route and layout of the yard.
In the kitchen, several people began to work seriously under the supervision of two guards. Xie Yunqi handled the ingredients skillfully, and anyone who saw him would think that he was an experienced helper.
Only when she occasionally raised her eyes, the sharpness in her phoenix eyes revealed a hint of something unusual.
…
An hour later, the food was ready and ready to be served.
Xiao Tao was about to lead Liu San and his group to the main house when the gate was suddenly pushed open.
It was Qi Che. He was still disguised as Yun Yan, wearing an indigo-colored robe, a jade crown to tie his hair, and was walking in.
With his arrival, the atmosphere in the yard froze instantly. The servants bowed their heads and called him "Master Yun". Even Xiao Tao restrained her gaze and stood aside seemingly respectfully.
This made Xie Yunqi keenly smell something unusual.
Moreover, Yun Yan's aura was obviously different from when he first met him in the capital.
Xie Yunqi pondered secretly.
"Are you all ready?" Qi Che's voice was cold.
Liu San nodded and replied, "Yes, sir. I was just about to send it to His Highness..."
Qi Che glanced at the food box, his gaze suddenly stopped on Xie Yunqi, and his eyes narrowed suddenly.
Although Xie Yunqi kept his head down the whole time, his upright posture stood out among the several hunched-backed guys.
"You." Qi Che suddenly pointed at Xie Yunqi, "Look up."
The air around seemed to freeze at this moment.
Xie Yunqi secretly clenched the hidden weapon in his hand and slowly raised his head——
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