Chapter 94: Defeat the scheming boy and tease the sultry general (4)
Although Chu Heng is a military general, his chess skills are surprisingly good. This is also thanks to Li Ziyan's memory of the original owner's knowledge and 007's guidance. Otherwise, he might have been exposed.
However, since Li Ziyan had just returned to Beijing and still needed to recuperate, the two of them spent the past half month playing chess or reading in the palace, which was really boring.
On the fifth day after Li Ziyan returned to Beijing, Chu Heng had his day off and came to the palace wearing dark blue casual clothes.
"General Chu," Li Ziyan's weakness and fatigue from the bumpy ride had subsided a lot after these few days of recuperation. The emperor also gifted him a lot of supplements, stuffing them into the palace like they were free. Li Ziyan's expression was no longer as bad as before. "It's not a day off today, why are you up so early? Yunle, quickly bring the tea."
There was a hint of surprise in Li Ziyan's tone, but the surprise on his face was hard to conceal, and his eyes unconsciously revealed anticipation, which made the dull general feel inexplicably happy.
"Thank you, Your Highness. Today is a day off. I've been thinking that Your Highness hasn't toured the capital since returning. If Your Highness doesn't mind, I would like to offer to accompany Your Highness on a tour."
"Is what the general said true?! Cough, cough, cough!" Li Ziyan coughed because he was too excited. He was thin and when he coughed, it felt like his whole body was shaking, which made people feel uneasy.
Chu Heng frowned, helped Li Ziyan to sit down, and took the osmanthus honey water prepared by Caiwei and handed it to Li Ziyan.
"Your Highness, please take care of yourself." Chu Heng's voice matched his image very well. It was deep and rich, with the charm of a mature man, although he was only in his early twenties.
The thin body beneath him trembled slightly a few times. Because of the close distance, Chu Heng could smell the fragrance on Li Ziyan's body more clearly. It was not the vulgar rouge scent of those rich and powerful ladies and wives, but a lighter camellia scent mixed with a little bitterness of Chinese medicine. However, it did not smell unpleasant, but rather refreshing and quite enjoyable.
Chu Heng's big hand was placed on the back of Li Ziyan's hand. Even though there was a layer of clothing between them, the place where they touched felt inexplicably hot.
When Chu Heng's eyes fell on the little prince's red ears and drooping eyes, he felt inexplicably dry in the mouth. He withdrew his hand and sat on the stool.
"Your Highness, please change your clothes and prepare the carriage. I will take you out of the palace."
"Okay, I'll trouble you, General."
In order to keep a low profile when leaving the house, Li Ziyan deliberately changed into clothes that did not look so luxurious, with a hint of sky blue. His hair was tied up high, and he only wore a simple jade hairpin. In terms of dress, even compared with other dandies, it could be said to be simple, but his temperament still made him look like a spoiled young master.
This was Li Ziyan's first time strolling in the capital. Because he wanted to experience the local customs, Li Ziyan specially asked the carriage to stop at the intersection, and he walked on the road with Chu Heng.
On the way back to Beijing, Li Ziyan was sitting in a carriage and could only take a look at the street scenes through the window. Now he can get close to the ancient urban civilization.
In fact, it is quite different from what is portrayed in TV dramas. The vendors are very disciplined and set up their stalls neatly on both sides of the road, leaving the middle avenue free, and it doesn't look messy at all.
Today was probably market day, and the streets were particularly lively. There were also many vendors selling snacks on the street, and the aroma wafted in the air constantly. Unlike the food Li Ziyan ate in the palace, the food here was full of the smell of fireworks and carbohydrates, which was particularly tempting.
Li Ziyan's gaze involuntarily drifted to the eight-treasure meatballs not far away. He hadn't tried such fried food for a long time and felt a little greedy for a moment.
"Young Master, Young Master?" Chu Heng called out to Li Ziyan a few times, but when he realized he hadn't come back to his senses, he followed his gaze and saw a small stall. "Young Master, do you want to eat?"
Chu Heng's voice brought Li Ziyan back to his senses. He coughed lightly and nodded, "I've never eaten anything like this before. I'm a little curious."
Although he said so, his eyes didn't mean it, and kept drifting in that direction.
Chu Heng still had a dull face, but there was a hint of smile in his eyes. The little prince seemed more lively.
"If you want to eat, please go over and take a look." Chu Heng led Li Ziyan to the Eight Treasure Meatballs stall and took a look around. It must have been newly opened not long ago. The oil was still clear, and the tabletop was spotless, without a trace of grease. The owner's hands were also white and clean. There was a basin of hot water next to him, so he must have just washed his hands with it. The environment was quite acceptable. Chu Heng sat Li Ziyan down and ordered "Two orders of Eight Treasure Meatballs."
Li Ziyan tugged at Chu Heng's arm and said, "Four portions." Caiwei and Yunle also followed them.
"Okay, four servings."
"Okay, you sit down and wait!" The boss was full of energy, and the proprietress beside him was very considerate and poured two cups of black plum soup over.
"This is our homemade black plum soup, which can help relieve greasiness. You can try it, sir."
Li Ziyan and Chu Heng have extraordinary bearings and it is obvious that they are not from an ordinary family. The proprietress is not fawning either. She smiles kindly and has a good attitude. No wonder they have so many customers even though they have just opened.
The eight-treasure meatballs were served quickly. The fried meatballs were golden in color, with a rich aroma, and were topped with a special topping sauce, which looked very appetizing.
Yun Le, who was standing by, was almost drooling, but because Chu Heng and Li Ziyan hadn't said anything yet, he forced himself not to eat anything.
"Eat it. Look how greedy you are." Li Ziyan shook his head helplessly and glanced at Yun Le who was smiling foolishly at him.
The other person took a bite, and the golden, crispy crust crackled. The filling inside was soft and tender. The delicious flavors of the eight different dishes blended together, combined with the unique fillings, made it far more fragrant than the dishes in the palace that focused more on health than taste.
Yunle was so absorbed in his eating that Li Ziyan was ravenous. Just as he was about to pick up his chopsticks, Caiwei stopped him and said, "Sir."
The dish was too greasy, and it was served on the street. Li Ziyan was so weak that it was really unsafe.
Li Ziyan's expression was a little frustrated, and he tried to negotiate, "Just eat three."
“…”
"Eat it. I've checked it. It's very clean. It's no big deal to eat just three." Chu Heng spoke first. He didn't know what was wrong with him. Seeing the struggle and pleading in Li Ziyan's eyes, he felt a little sour and distressed in his heart, and spoke subconsciously.
Since the general had spoken, and Li Ziyan really wanted to eat, Caiwei didn't say anything more. She just sighed softly and looked at Li Ziyan with a smile in his eyes, feeling pity in her heart.
The meatballs here are generous in portion and are a perfect match with the refreshing black plum soup. Although Li Ziyan only ate three meatballs, he drank a lot of black plum soup and looked quite appetizing.
The remaining meatballs were not wasted, and Chu Heng naturally took them and finished them. He was a martial artist, consumed a lot of physical energy, and had a big appetite. These things were nothing to him.
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