"Ah Yue, what are you doing?" Third Sister was completely baffled and could only ask.
Xu Yuehuai continued working with her hands, responding with a smile, "This is roasted whole lamb."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Yuehua sprinkled chili powder and other seasonings on the piece of meat that was dripping with oil. In an instant, the aroma of the whole roasted lamb was fully released, and the fragrance of the meat filled the air.
It was at this very moment that Qi Guze arrived with Maimaiti.
Maimaiti twitched his nose and immediately laughed, "This smells like roasted whole lamb! Manager Xu can even make this?"
You should know that this is a local specialty.
"She can do everything." Qi Guze said this with a hint of pride in his voice.
Maimaiti couldn't help but give a thumbs up: "Wonderful, wonderful!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he went into the kitchen. Just then, Xu Yuehuai's whole roasted lamb was completely cooked.
The group of people ate and drank to their hearts' content.
After a few rounds of drinks, Qi Guze was clearly a little tipsy. He couldn't help but move closer to Xu Yuehuai, his voice low and deep: "A-Yue..."
"Hmm?" Xu Yuehuai was not drunk.
She hadn't touched a drop of alcohol, but she was stunned by the sound of "Ah Yue".
Looking at Qi Guze's face so close to hers and feeling his breath on her ear, she couldn't help but swallow hard, her face even turning red to the roots of her ears.
"His Majesty ordered me to escort Maimaiti and the others back, and to resolve the barter issue as well. I'm afraid I won't be able to come for quite some time," Qi Guze said, his voice slightly hoarse.
This wasn't his first time taking up a post away from home, but it was the first time he had something on his mind.
The situation in the capital was not optimistic, and he was afraid that Xu Yuehuai would encounter some trouble after he left.
Xu Yuehuai felt she might be being bewitched, and subconsciously said, "Don't worry, I'll take good care of myself and won't cause you any trouble..."
Finally, she added, "You must have a safe journey."
"Hmm." Qi Guze's Adam's apple bobbed as he drew closer to Xu Yuehuai.
In that instant, his expression suddenly cleared.
His gaze remained fixed on the very familiar figure beside him, unwilling to look away.
Xu Yuehuai immediately noticed the abnormality and couldn't help but look over, only to find that he was staring at the little orphan who had just arrived.
"Ah Yue, who is that person?" Qi Guze frowned deeply, the more he looked at the person's back, the more familiar it seemed.
Xu Yuehuai then realized that she hadn't asked his name yet.
Just as she was hesitating about how to answer, Third Sister suddenly spoke up: "Him? He is Qi Hanlin."
After saying that, Third Sister left immediately.
"That's the little orphan Zhao Ping brought over today. He was injured in an accident before, but he's just recovered. Since the kitchen was short-staffed, I kept him here."
Qi Hanlin!?
Qi Guze's eyes gleamed with excitement. It was clearly the name of the current crown prince, a name that ordinary families would avoid using.
Just then, Zhao Ping suddenly came over and said with a smile, "Your Highness, I named him. What do you think? Pretty impressive, right?"
"You took it?" Qi Guze's suspicions were amplified.
Zhao Ping, however, was still smug: "That's right—he lost his parents when he was young and grew up eating food from many families. I saw that he was wearing a jade pendant with the words 'Hanlin' written on it, so I simply used it as his name."
"You've known each other since birth?" Qi Guze asked the last question.
This time, Zhao Ping shook his head: "No, he was someone who ended up there later."
Xu Yuehuai listened to those questions, completely bewildered, and couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong with you?"
"It's nothing, I just feel this name is unlucky. Why don't we change it?" Qi Guze had already made up his mind, but he was about to leave Chang'an City soon, and there were some things he absolutely could not reveal.
Xu Yuehuai was even more puzzled now.
She hesitated for a moment, but still changed his name to Anan.
Qi Guze glanced at the figure's back again, but then looked away.
It wasn't until later in the day that Xu Yuehuai saw everyone off.
She got up again just as dawn was breaking.
Since Qi Guze is going to deal with the barter business, it will be difficult for him to return in less than a year or two, so she wanted to see him off.
When she arrived at the Regent's Palace, Tie Xiong had just returned from outside.
"Manager Xu? The prince has already left the city gates." Tie Xiong asked in confusion.
Xu Yuehuai knew she was late, but when she saw Tie Xiong, she was very surprised: "Why didn't you go with the Prince to the Underworld Moon Kingdom?"
"His Highness was worried about your safety in the capital, so he specifically asked me to stay and protect you," Tie Xiong said succinctly.
Xu Yuehua nodded. Although she was worried, she knew that this was Qi Guze's order and Tie Xiong would not easily change it.
She turned to walk back, but suddenly stopped and turned around: "I've already discussed things with Zhou Wan. Remember to keep this in mind, and go propose to her later."
Tie Xiong's face immediately lit up with a smile, but before he could even say "Thank you, Mother," he saw Xu Yuehuai's figure already walking away.
For the next few days, Chang'an was extremely quiet, so quiet that Xu Yuehuai felt a little scared.
Just then, Marquis Ningyuan suddenly approached the Prime Minister.
The prime minister has always looked down on marquises who inherit their fathers' positions, not to mention that this person is arrogant and complacent because of his father's achievements, and has even stepped on his head several times. How could he possibly like this person?
"What wind blew the Marquis here today?" His tone was somewhat unfriendly.
Marquis Ningyuan glanced at him indifferently, a hint of displeasure in his eyes, but he still forced himself to speak: "I have come here today specifically to negotiate with the Prime Minister."
"What?" The Prime Minister and Marquis Ningyuan have been at odds in court. To try and negotiate with him is simply a joke.
"Qi Guze has already left the capital. If we handle the barter with Mingyue Kingdom well, I'm afraid we won't have a place in the court anymore... Prime Minister, are you willing to be trampled under his feet forever?" Ningyuan Hou's lips curled into a cold smile.
Even if they used to dislike each other, they had to admit that they had a common enemy.
This matter indeed tempted the Prime Minister.
He scrutinized Marquis Ningyuan: "What do you want me to do?"
"It's very simple. I have someone here. The Crown Prince's birthday is coming up soon. As long as you can bring this person into the palace and let her see the Crown Prince alone, we'll take care of the rest."
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