Anan suddenly realized that this was the road to the Ningyuan Marquis's residence, and he was almost at the gate. His heart skipped a beat, and his instinctive reaction was to turn around and run away in fear, but the man grabbed him: "Anan, where are you going? We're almost at the gate, hurry up and go in."
"This is the Ningyuan Marquis's residence. What are you doing here?" He immediately became wary.
As intelligent as he is, how could he not figure it out?
The sudden appearance of his parents, their sudden arrival at the Ningyuan Marquis's residence—it was all clearly a scheme.
But why? Could it be that she wants to use him to deal with Xu Yuehuai?
The man stopped pretending and revealed a sinister smile: "Naturally, we'll send you to see the Ningyuan Marquis's residence—Anan. Haven't you been looking for your parents? Unfortunately, we aren't. However, the Ningyuan Marquis is very powerful and might know where your parents are. But that will cost you your life."
It seems that Marquis Ningyuan had long harbored designs on him, and all he had done was to lower his guard.
Thinking of this, Anan started running towards Tianxiang Tower. As soon as he turned the corner and saw Tianxiang Tower, someone covered his mouth, threw him onto a carriage, and took him away.
When Anan opened his eyes again, he found himself firmly chained up, and the place was dark and damp with no light except for a dim oil lamp. Anan couldn't help but feel a little scared.
He stepped back and then huddled in a corner against the wall.
As soon as Ah Qi received the news, he hurriedly left the palace to see Ah Nan. He didn't mind that the dungeon was dark and damp; he just wanted to see her.
When he got down to the dungeon, he immediately ordered someone to light a lamp. When he got closer and saw the contents, he immediately became furious.
Anan's features were exactly like the Empress's, which enraged Aqi. He threw the oil lamp in his hand to the ground and shouted, "Beat him!"
These three words seemed to be squeezed out by him through gritted teeth.
"Why?" Anan was beaten to the point of near death, and even now, he still couldn't understand why Ningyuan Hou and the others had captured him.
Ah Qi approached him with a cold smile. In the candlelight, his face appeared even more terrifying: "Heh, why? Because you are the son of the current emperor and the empress. Once you are dead, no one will ever expose my true colors again."
"Are you Ah Qi?" Ah Nan's pupils suddenly dilated.
He never imagined that his identity would be like this.
"It seems you've heard quite a bit about me, but you'll have to keep these secrets and stay locked up in this dark and damp place forever." Ah Qi could tell that Xu Yuehuai doted on this Ah Nan and told him everything, but the more she did that, the more jealous Ah Qi felt.
When Marquis Ningyuan saw Ah Qi like this, he devised a plan.
"Your Highness, why don't we just execute him?" Marquis Ningyuan said with a sinister smile, even making a 'kill' gesture.
Upon hearing this, Ah Qi quickly shook his head in refusal, even frowning: "No, so many people are looking for him now. If you kill him, it will only alert them."
A hint of approval flashed in Ningyuan Hou's eyes. He was originally just wary of A Qi's status as the crown prince, but now it seems that this crown prince is also cunning.
"Keep him locked up here, and absolutely no mistakes will be made, understand?" Ah Qi ordered Marquis Ningyuan.
After he finished speaking, a shadow crossed his eyes: "Now we have to deal with Xu Yuehuai."
After giving instructions to Marquis Ningyuan, Ah Qi returned to the palace for the New Year, since he couldn't stay outside for too long.
"Today is Lunar New Year's Eve, so Tianxiang Restaurant will be closed for the day. Everyone can stay for the New Year if they want, or go home if they want." After Xu Yuehuai finished speaking, Tianxiang Restaurant cheered.
Third Sister also prepared a lot of ingredients to cook New Year's Eve dinner: "A-Yue, what do you want to eat tonight?"
"Third Sister, I went to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion for New Year's Eve dinner. They've called me several times already," Xu Yuehuai said, sounding somewhat embarrassed.
Third Sister was glad to see Xu Yuehuai happy: "Alright, it doesn't matter where we eat New Year's Eve dinner."
Xu Yuehuai tidied herself up and set off for the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. When she arrived at the gate, it was decorated with red silk and red lanterns, creating a festive atmosphere that made people feel even happier.
"Ah Yue, you've arrived." Knowing that Xu Yuehuai was coming, the Duchess of Zhenguo had been waiting in the pavilion in the courtyard for a long time. As soon as she saw Xu Yuehuai, she immediately got up and went over to him.
The moment Xu Yuehuai saw the Duchess of Zhenguo, a warm feeling surged through her heart, but she also felt inexplicably sad. After all, it was the dead of winter, and she was sitting outside waiting.
"Madam, let's give our cooks the day off today. I'll prepare the New Year's Eve dinner." Xu Yuehuai took over the task of preparing the New Year's Eve dinner.
Indeed, for someone as skilled as Xu Yuehuai, this was the best New Year's Eve dinner she could make.
"Oh, they've all taken leave and gone home." The Duchess of Zhenguo said, touching her nose a little embarrassedly. "I was even saying I'd cook dinner tonight."
“Every time you come, I make you cook for me, which is hard work,” said the Duchess of Zhenguo, sounding somewhat distressed.
"It's alright, Madam." Xu Yuehua felt warm inside after hearing those words, especially since she also hoped that the Duke and his wife were her biological parents.
Xu Yuehuai chatted with the Duchess of Zhenguo for a while before going to the kitchen to prepare a delicious New Year's Eve dinner.
Crispy fried pork, spicy chicken, boiled sliced pork, spicy hot pot, pickled fish, milk tea hot pot, bitter melon with wood ear mushrooms, whole roasted lamb...
Xu Yuehuai cooked almost all of her signature dishes. The Duchess of Zhenguo wanted to help, but Xu Yuehuai wouldn't let her do it.
After all, the kitchen is a sensitive area, and strangers could easily get hurt if they come in.
The moon in the sky was round and bright, like a big lamp, and tables and chairs were set up in the back garden of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
Soon, Xu Yuehuai's last dish—roasted whole lamb—was also ready. All the delicacies were served at the table, and for a moment, they were so delicious that even the maids and servants nearby were captivated.
"Ah Yue, you've really worked hard to prepare this huge feast." Looking at the table full of food, the Duke of Zhenguo couldn't help but feel deeply moved.
"Ah Yue, how wonderful it would be if you were my daughter." The Duchess of Zhenguo couldn't help but feel saddened at the thought.
"Yes." The Duke of Zhenguo also really hoped that Xu Yuehuai was their daughter.
Xu Yuehuai was at a loss for words, but it was the Duke of Zhenguo who noticed her awkward situation first.
"Ah Yue, look, we got so excited that we started talking nonsense again." The Duke of Zhenguo quickly changed the subject.
Xu Yuehuai smiled quickly and didn't say anything more.
In the blink of an eye, it's already the third day of the Lunar New Year. Because it's still the end of the year, every household gathers together, and very few people go out to eat. Tianxianglou is also unusually quiet.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com