A year later, You Xuanyi found himself in the backyard as if possessed, and suddenly remembered that he had touched those soft, boneless little hands a year ago.
Now, hearing the clear laughter coming from inside, my feet unconsciously stepped into the small courtyard.
I visited this courtyard once after it was furnished, and it was worlds apart from the one before. The previous courtyard was merely clean and tidy, but now it was bursting with flowers, bright and clean, full of life. And there were two women sitting under the pergola, chatting and laughing, joking and playing around.
Thinking back to the little hand I held a year ago, it seems to have become a bit plumper now.
After You Xuanyi walked in, Mu Qiangwei noticed him and quickly pulled Xiao Xiu over to greet him.
"Rose greets the Seventh Prince. I was unaware of your presence. I apologize for my rudeness."
You Xuanyi helped the person up: "We are husband and wife, so the princess can call me Your Highness."
"Yes, Your Highness, please call me Rose."
"good."
Mu Qiangwei followed behind You Xuanyi, winking at Xiao Xiu, wanting to ask her what the Seventh Prince had come for.
Xiao Xiu shrugged and spread her hands, indicating that she didn't know either.
The two were communicating in silence when they suddenly heard You Xuanyi's voice.
"Is Rose settling in well here?"
Mu Qiangwei nodded: "It's a habit. Thank you for your arrangement, Your Highness. I like it very much. It's much better than what I had in India. I haven't thanked Your Highness for your arrangement yet. Today, let me cook for you myself to express my gratitude."
You Xuanyi turned to look at her: "Qiangwei can cook?"
You Xuanyi was much taller than Mu Qiangwei, so when the two were close, You Xuanyi could only look down at her.
Mu Qiangwei took a small step back and nodded gently: "Of course, after all, from childhood to adulthood, if I don't cook, I won't have anything to eat."
"Very well, then Your Highness will taste Princess Rose's cooking today."
Mu Qiangwei rolled up her sleeves, ready to get started: "Does Your Highness have any dietary restrictions? Like spicy food or something?"
"No, you can make it however you like with the rose."
Mu Qiangwei nodded: "Then Your Highness, please have a seat. Xiaoxiu will serve you some tea and then come to help me."
"Yes, Princess."
You Xuanyi was somewhat dissatisfied with Xiaoxiu's way of addressing Mu Qiangwei, but he didn't say anything at the moment.
After Xiao Xiu poured tea for You Xuanyi, she went to the kitchen to help Mu Qiangwei.
You Xuanyi sat in the pavilion, drinking tea and admiring the beautiful scenery in the courtyard. Occasionally, he would tease the chicks and ducklings that came to his legs.
These chicks and ducklings look to be only ten days old, and in the fence not far away, there are some grown chickens and ducks.
As You Xuanyi was watching, he suddenly saw Xiao Xiu walk over, nimbly grab a chicken, and leave.
You Xuanyi put down his teacup and followed behind Xiao Xiu. He wanted to see what they were going to do with the chicken. Were they going to slaughter it and cook it?
It has to be said that You Xuanyi guessed correctly. When You Xuanyi arrived, Xiao Xiu was plucking the feathers of a chicken, and there was a large bloodstain on the chicken's neck. Mu Qiangwei, on the other hand, had her back to him and seemed to be chopping something.
You Xuanyi's eyelids twitched. The master and servant were indeed quite skilled in their techniques.
You Xuanyi suddenly felt a sense of anticipation. No one had ever cooked for him personally before. In all his life, he had always eaten in the mansion's kitchen or in restaurants on the street. The only people who had ever cooked for him personally were Mu Qiangwei and Xiao Xiu.
After looking at it, You Xuanyi returned to the pavilion to continue drinking tea. Since he couldn't be of any help anyway, he decided not to cause any trouble.
Half an hour later, Mu Qiangwei and Xiao Xiu began to bring dishes to the pavilion. They went back and forth several times until the small tables in the pavilion were finally full.
"Your Highness, I don't have any delicacies here, just these simple home-cooked dishes, all from my own courtyard. You can eat with peace of mind."
You Xuanyi nodded: "Rose, you've worked hard. Please sit down and eat too."
Mu Qiangwei glanced at Xiao Xiu: "Since His Highness has spoken, Xiao Xiu, you should sit down and eat too. By the way, Your Highness, please have Xiao Liu outside come and eat as well. Anyway, there's no one here at noon, and no one will come over."
You Xuanyi nodded: "Xiao Liu, come in and eat."
"Yes, Your Highness."
After Xiao Liu arrived, he bowed to Mu Qiangwei and then sat down next to Xiao Xiu to start eating.
Yu Xuanyi picked up a piece of chicken with his chopsticks. It was tender and juicy, with a firm texture. It was delicious.
"I never imagined that Princess Rose's cooking skills were so amazing."
Mu Qiangwei stuffed a big mouthful of rice into her mouth, chewed it, and then replied, "I'm glad Your Highness likes it. I've been cooking for over ten years, and practice makes perfect. Even if I'm not good at it, I can still improve."
Watching her eat heartily, You Xuanyi felt a surge of appetite himself. Normally, he would eat one bowl of rice, but today he ate an extra bowl.
The group ate and talked until late afternoon before You Xuanyi finally left.
From then on, whenever You Xuanyi had nothing to do, he would come to the courtyard to freeload meals. Mu Qiangwei didn't care about this; after all, it was his territory, and she was under his roof, so what was wrong with eating a little something?
However, the matter soon came to the attention of Consort Rou in the palace.
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