Xiao Lingchen paused for a moment, then said, "Give it to me."
However, after he found a quiet, empty hall to sit down and had just opened the food box, a light, quick footstep approached.
The man made no attempt to hide his true intentions, and shouted loudly and unrestrainedly, "It smells so good! It smells so good! Who's secretly eating something delicious here? Let this young master share in the good fortune!"
Xiao Lingchen's face turned cold. He waved his hand to cover the food box lid. Just as he stood up, he saw a person push aside Xiao Shisan, who was blocking the door, and walk in laughing.
"So it's Brother Xiao! I didn't see you in the main hall. What delicious food are you eating here? Since we met when we were young, could you spare a bite for me?"
The newcomer was tall and handsome, with a pair of flirtatious peach blossom eyes and a playful smile on his lips, exuding a hint of wickedness and unbridled arrogance.
Xiao Lingchen said coldly, "Why has the young master come here?"
The person who arrived was none other than Helian Muyun, the heir of the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion.
Xiao Lingchen lived in the Northwest with his father for a few years when he was young. His father knew the Prince of Zhenbei, and he also met the heir apparent Helian Muyun a few times.
Their relationship wasn't particularly good; mainly, the steady Xiao Lingchen couldn't stand the unrestrained Helian Muyun, while the unruly Helian Muyun disliked the aloof Xiao Lingchen.
Later, after Xiao's father passed away, he was summoned back to the capital and did not see Prince Helian for many years.
Crown Prince Helian Muyun said with a bitter face, "Let's not talk about etiquette, my stomach is about to burst. Brother Xiao, the food prepared in the palace looks delicious and smells wonderful, but it has actually been prepared and kept warm in water. After a while, the flavor will all dissipate. You know I have a discerning palate, how can I possibly eat this?"
Xiao Lingchen snorted coldly: "If you can't eat, just go back to the inn and call the cook after the banquet."
"How much longer will that take!" Prince Helian shook his head repeatedly. "But you, my brother, the food box in your arms smells wonderful. You must know the palace food is terrible, so you prepared this on purpose. You probably can't finish it all, could you share some with me? By the way, especially your cook, his skills are so good, could you lend him to me for a few days..."
"Your Highness, be careful what you say!"
Xiao Lingchen's expression changed drastically, and he gave Helian Shizi a cold look: "His Majesty entertained the Shizi in the main hall, yet you abandoned everyone to come here. Is this the etiquette of the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion? You'd better return to the palace as soon as possible, lest you tarnish the reputation of the Prince's Mansion!"
After saying that, he picked up the food box, turned around, and left without giving anyone the slightest bit of face.
Prince Helian, left in the hall by him, asked with considerable surprise, "If you don't want to give it, then don't give it. Why is Brother Xiao so angry?"
He had only said a few words when this person suddenly turned hostile as if someone was trying to steal his treasure. To put it bluntly, it was as if someone was trying to touch his sore spot!
Xiao Shisan bowed his head in shame at the palace gate: "This subordinate failed to stop the young master, please punish me, sir."
Xiao Lingchen suppressed his anger: "We'll talk about it when we get back!"
He didn't know why he was angry, but the thought of Prince Helian repeatedly calling him "cook" made him feel a surge of anger.
How can you lump her in with an ordinary cook?
She was so innocent, so persistent; she only went into the kitchen for him. How could she—
Stepping outside the hall, the cold wind suddenly cooled Xiao Lingchen's fiery temper, and his reason slowly returned. He realized with alarm what he had been thinking, and his face instantly darkened.
"Sir, what's wrong? Is it because the young lady's cooking doesn't suit your taste..."
Seeing that his complexion was not good, Xiao Shisan asked him in a worried tone.
Xiao Lingchen slowly shook his head: "No."
He just subconsciously didn't want others to know about her.
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