Chapter 121 Ji Chen is reading Guan Ju again
When Xie Shang returned, he did not see Jiang Fenghua in Lan Yue Pavilion, so he asked the maid in the courtyard where Jiang Fenghua had gone.
The maidservant replied respectfully, "The princess is in the main kitchen."
He went back to his room to change into lighter clothes, washed up, and then headed to the kitchen.
The kitchen was surrounded by servants, all of whom were focused on Jiang Fenghua and did not notice his arrival.
Seeing Jiang Fenghua cooking, he was surprised, delighted, and worried. Thinking that she was pregnant, he wanted to step forward to stop her, but was suddenly greeted by cheers from the servants.
For a moment, he was stunned, having never seen Jiang Fenghua like this before.
This was the first time he had seen Jiang Fenghua in the kitchen in all this time. Usually, she was either reading, writing, dancing, or playing the piano. Today, her outfit as a little cook gave her a unique charm.
Her hair was wrapped in a dark handkerchief, and her fair cheeks were flushed, making her look even more radiant and beautiful, like a peach blossom. Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, as if she had been busy for a long time.
Flames suddenly shot up from the pot, and Xie Shang's heart clenched, but her eyes remained firm and focused on the stove. Her hands moved swiftly and smoothly, and after a moment, she skillfully lifted the pot and plated it. A fragrant aroma wafted out, and he unconsciously swallowed.
How many things about Jiang Fenghua are unknown to him?
She then checked the fish in the steamer. The cooking time was just right, and the soup in the pot was also delicious. She tasted everything and was very satisfied before instructing the maid to pack it into a food box.
Xie Shang stood at the kitchen entrance. Only then did the servants around him notice him standing beside them, and they all bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."
Xie Shang nodded, and the others tactfully withdrew.
Hongxiu and Lianye hurriedly delivered the dinner prepared by the princess to Lanyue Pavilion. Originally, they did not allow the princess to cook, but the princess said that she had a very important matter that required Prince Heng's help, and this meal was a reward for him.
Jiang Fenghua smiled and said, "Your Highness is back. Dinner will be ready soon." As she spoke, she took off her apron and the handkerchief from her hair and handed them to the maid. She washed her hands before walking to Xie Shang's side.
These skills were all learned in her previous life. She spent twenty years refining her culinary skills. Her experience in her previous life taught her that using cooking skills to capture a man's heart was utterly useless; at most, it was just an added bonus. In this life, she would no longer use cooking skills to win a man's heart. What they needed was not a virtuous, capable, and good cook wife, but rather the occasional novelty that came with it. For example, right now, Xie Shang's eyes were glued to her.
Xie Shang held her slender, fair fingers and said, "You're not allowed to come to the kitchen next time. The Princess doesn't need to cook for herself in the Prince's mansion. Just let Steward Cheng prepare whatever you want to eat."
"But I wanted to cook for my husband. Even if Steward Cheng is very capable, he can't compare to me personally cooking a meal for my husband who has been busy all day." She only comes to the main kitchen when she has something to do.
Being thought of so fondly by a woman filled Xie Shang with joy. He held her in his arms and said, "Ruan Ruan is not only elegant in public, but also skilled in the kitchen. What good deeds did I do in my past life to have such a virtuous wife by my side for life?"
Jiang Fenghua's eyes flickered. Was it too early to speak? Life is long and bitter. Even though he deeply loved Su Tingwan in his previous life, he didn't spend his whole life with her. His mother would select many more beauties for him and send them to his side.
In this life, he is deeply in love with Jiang Fenghua, but how long can he control her? As time goes by, he will probably come to like many women as well!
Jiang Fenghua pushed him away, "I'm covered in cooking fumes, let's go back to Lanyue Pavilion first!"
Xie Shang showered her with sweet words and kissed her lips, saying, "I like whatever Ruan Ruan tastes like."
Jiang Fenghua blushed and said softly, "Can't we be serious in front of so many servants?"
Xie Shang swept his gaze around with a cold look, but when he looked at Jiang Fenghua, he laughed unrestrainedly, his eyebrows and eyes full of pleasure. "See? No one dares to laugh at me."
Jiang Fenghua remained silent. That was natural; Prince Heng was their provider.
He led her by the hand as they walked through the palace. At that moment, they saw Ji Chen engrossed in her studies in the pavilion in the garden, seemingly oblivious to their presence.
Jiang Fenghua nestled close to Xie Shang and whispered, "The prince's sworn brother is really diligent! He's still reading in the garden even though it's almost dark."
"He's going to take the imperial examinations in the spring, so naturally he needs to work harder," Xie Shang said calmly.
Jiang Fenghua chuckled, "During the day, Young Master Ji was loudly reciting 'Guan Ju' in the front courtyard corridor, attracting all the maids of our Prince's Mansion to come and watch. It seems that all the maids in the Prince's Mansion like him quite a bit. However, he is, after all, a man, and he is handsome and dashing. The young maids are ignorant and like to crowd around him. In order to avoid causing unnecessary trouble, Your Highness should take the time to advise Young Master Ji that if he wants to read, it would be better to go back to his guest room. Look, now there are maids loitering around here again."
How can one study well like this! Perhaps their real intention is something else entirely!
Xie Shang frowned and glanced around. Indeed, there were maids glancing at him from time to time.
In broad daylight, the young maids were reciting love poems like "Guan Ju" in the garden. They were so ignorant; they might cause some scandal in the palace. Xie Shang took this matter to heart.
Chao Jiang Fenghua said, "Let's go back to Lan Yue Pavilion first!"
Jiang Fenghua said no more. No one would believe that Ji Chen would woo a maid. How could Xie Shang believe it? Just wait and see!
The next day, Jiang Fenghua passed by the front yard again, just like the day before. However, today she was going out of the mansion to take care of some business, so she dressed up more elegantly and composedly, and her makeup was also very appropriate. She was still exceptionally beautiful.
Today, in addition to bringing two maids, she also invited Granny Xu along. The group chatted and laughed as they walked out of the courtyard.
Ji Chen sat in the corridor reading again, naturally still reading "Guan Ju". When he saw Jiang Fenghua coming over, his voice became even louder.
Jiang Fenghua seemed not to hear anything. She appeared in the front yard twice yesterday and coincidentally ran into Ji Chen both times. Even when she went to the kitchen to cook, Ji Chen changed to a place where Jiang Fenghua happened to be passing by to read.
Today he was dressed in a magnificent azure robe, wearing a golden crown, and his hair was neatly combed and shiny. When he saw Jiang Fenghua passing by, he brazenly blocked her way: "Sister-in-law, are you going out?"
Jiang Fenghua said calmly, "Young Master Ji is working hard again."
Upon hearing her words, Ji Chen realized that she had noticed him; he had thought she didn't care.
He said gently, "I hope I haven't disturbed your household or your wife!"
“Young Master Ji, what makes you say that? You are the Prince’s sworn brother and you are staying at the Prince’s residence to study. It is my wife and I who have failed to provide adequate hospitality,” Jiang Fenghua said in a deep voice.
After saying that, she tried to leave.
Ji Chen stopped her again and tried to start a conversation, saying, "Second brother is always very busy with official duties and often goes out to work, leaving early and returning late. He must be very hard-working. It is truly a blessing for second brother to have a virtuous wife like your sister-in-law to manage the Prince's Mansion!"
Jiang Fenghua suppressed the disgust in her heart and put on a polite smile, "Young Master Ji should be married by now!"
Ji Chen was slightly taken aback. "No, to my shame, I have been studying hard all these years, hoping to pass the imperial examinations and start a family. I am still single."
“No wonder,” Jiang Fenghua said.
Ji Chen was stunned. "No wonder what?"
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