Qi Guze and Pei Xuan sat in the kitchen, struggling with the ingredients. How could two grown men know how to cook? Ajina's request was clearly making things difficult for them, especially since the regent and high-ranking officials of the court would never cook themselves.
Pei Xuan looked at Qi Guze: "Your Highness, what do you suggest we do? Neither of us can cook. I'd be better off writing a few essays in the traditional eight-legged essay style."
"If only Manager Xu were here." He couldn't help but lower his head. After eating dry, hard bread for several days in the Kingdom of Mingyue, he couldn't help but miss Xu Yuehuai's cooking.
Qi Guze remained silent. They truly didn't know how to cook, nor did they know what to make. Instead, they pondered in their minds, when suddenly an idea flashed in their eyes.
“Pei Xuan, I think it would be better to have the cook make it and serve it to her as if it were ours. After she has tasted it, we can tell her the truth.” He raised an eyebrow and glanced at Pei Xuan.
He didn't want to resort to such opportunistic methods, but it was the only way to solve the immediate problem.
Pei Xuan thought it made sense and quickly nodded: "I think it's feasible. After all, the chefs are cooking according to the recipes left by Manager Xu, so the taste is definitely not bad. It just depends on the little princess's mood."
Qi Guze nodded, then had someone call the cook.
"Greetings, Your Highness. What are your orders for summoning this servant?" The cook looked bewildered when he was called over.
The princess had already sent someone to inform them that there was no need to make a move today. However, their sudden arrival made them somewhat afraid, fearing that these two formidable individuals might cause some trouble.
"Let me take a look at your recipes and figure out what to make for Agina," Qi Guze said. As soon as he finished speaking, the cook quickly took out his own food and handed it to Pei Xuan.
"Your Highness." Pei Xuan cupped his hands and handed it to Qi Guze.
After Qi Guze took it, he began to look through the recipes left by Xu Yuehuai. She had made many of the dishes on them herself.
This made Qi Guze fall into memories and longing—liangpi (cold skin noodles), he remembered the first time he ate liangpi.
"Go and make a batch of cold noodles according to the recipe." Qi Guze closed the recipe and handed it to the cook.
"Yes." The cook took the menu and left.
The cook thought it was the prince who wanted to eat it, so he hurried back to make it. He was very careful and followed each step meticulously, afraid that he might make a mistake and the prince would find that it wasn't authentic.
Immediately afterwards, Qi Guze and Pei Xuan began discussing the land outside the kitchen.
Pei Xuan was still somewhat worried: "Your Highness, what should we do if the little princess can't help us acquire a piece of land?"
"She will definitely win her over." Qi Guze was certain. "The King of Mingyue Kingdom is a doting father. Even if he doesn't take his sons' opinions, he will take his daughter's opinions. Besides, don't underestimate the little princess just because she's spoiled. She's quite clever. These little things are nothing to worry about."
The chef quickly finished cooking and personally served it to Qi Guze.
Qi Guze gestured to Pei Xuan with his eyes, and Pei Xuan stepped forward to take the cold noodles from the chef.
"You may leave now," Qi Guze said, and dismissed the man.
After the chef left the kitchen, Qi Guze said to Pei Xuan, "Bring me the cold noodles so I can take a look."
Qi Guze looked at the cold noodles in the bowl, which were almost identical to those made by Xu Yuehuai: "Pei Xuan, go and take this to Princess Agina."
"Yes, Your Highness." Pei Xuan immediately carried the cold noodles to Princess Agina's palace.
The little princess was already ready to eat the delicious Central Plains food made by the people of the Central Plains.
She was overjoyed after returning from the King of the Underworld and had been waiting ever since, even though she was starving.
"Reporting to the princess, the prince from the Central Plains has sent someone to deliver your meal." The servant quickly went to inform Pei Xuanhou.
"Let him in quickly." The little princess was overjoyed at the news and immediately sat down at the table, ready to eat.
"Greetings, Princess." After Pei Xuan finished bowing, he presented the cold noodles to the princess's maid, and then another maid brought them to the princess.
The princess took a bite and couldn't help but exclaim, "This is the taste! As expected, the cooking skills of the people of the Central Plains are the best!"
Pei Xuan was also very happy. He had been worried that the princess would find out and punish them, but since the little princess was satisfied, he no longer needed to hide it from her.
He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and asked again to confirm, "Does Your Highness truly believe that this food tastes the same as that made by Manager Xu?"
“Of course,” Ajahn affirmed.
“But this wasn’t made by me and the Prince, it was made by the chef in your palace.” Pei Xuan saw her shocked expression and quickly explained, “Princess Ajina, it’s not that you dislike the chef’s skills, but that you like the food made by people from the Central Plains. In fact, the taste is no different.”
He saw Agina deep in thought and knew she understood the deeper meaning behind it.
"Please enjoy your meal, Your Highness. I will not disturb you any longer," Pei Xuan said, taking his leave.
The princess raised her hand in greeting, and then her maidservant sent someone to escort Pei Xuan out.
...
There was no peace or tranquility in Luoping Village either.
"Search quickly, hurry!" Outside, there was a noisy and chaotic scene.
Tie Xiong was instantly awakened by the sound. He frowned and jumped up – it was completely dark outside and he couldn’t see anyone. He turned his head and saw that Zhou Wan was still asleep, but Aunt Meng was nowhere to be seen.
His heart skipped a beat. Could this be a trap? The sounds outside were getting closer and closer.
"Zhou Wan, wake up, wake up!" Tie Xiong shook Zhou Wan awake.
"Tie Xiong, what's wrong?" Zhou Wan was still rubbing her eyes with one hand.
Tie Xiong pointed outside to her.
A large group of people outside were approaching them with torches. Tie Xiong grabbed Zhou Wan and said, "Quick, hide!"
Just as the two hid, someone broke down the door. Tie Xiong peeked through the crack and saw that the intruders were all dressed in military uniforms. After entering, they ransacked and smashed everything.
"Sir, please have mercy! I really have nothing left..." the hunter cried, begging them to spare him.
But the soldiers wouldn't listen to him. They rummaged around haphazardly, and when they found nothing, they started cursing.
Seeing the mess they had made of their house, the hunter plopped down on the ground and burst into tears.
"What are you crying for? This is bad luck." The officer in charge was furious when he saw that they hadn't found much, and kicked the hunter a few more times.
Tie Xiong and Zhou Wan witnessed all of this and felt extremely guilty. At the same time, they clenched their fists, wishing they could kill those damned government soldiers.
"Boss, there's nothing left inside." A soldier came out from behind and shouted.
"Me too," someone on the right shouted.
"Pah, what a spoilsport, let's go." The officer in charge waved his hand and led the bandits away.
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