"This is called Lu Black Duck. It's a recipe given to me by Madam Lu. Don't be fooled by the fact that the duck looks dark and that it's mostly the head and neck; those are the best parts. I can guarantee it's a flavor you've never tasted before. This recipe was hard-won, so you should all try it!"
As soon as Prince Jing spoke, everyone couldn't help but frown. How did this relate to the Lu family again?
These two have been in the spotlight a lot lately, haven't they?
Everyone looked at the dark, black duck with a sense of reluctance, but the aroma was simply too tempting. They also noticed He Jiuniang and Princess Chen, who were already gnawing on a small pile of bones not far away, and it looked delicious.
After thinking about it, I couldn't resist the temptation of the aroma and took a small bite.
It has such a strange flavor, it's very fragrant, very numbing, and very tempting. It's the kind of flavor that makes you want to have another bite after just one bite!
At first, everyone was quite reserved in using chopsticks to eat. After a while, they realized that using chopsticks was really tiring. Seeing that Prince Chen and Prince Jing were all using their hands, they simply stopped caring and started using their hands as well.
Prince Jing didn't prepare much; on average, each person would only receive two duck heads, one duck neck, one wing, one foot, and some vegetarian dishes.
If this were someone who was used to the food, it would be quite a lot, since they would need to eat other things. But for these people, who had just started to enjoy the new flavor, they were really into it and finished it off in no time. They then ordered their servants to go to the kitchen to get more food, but were told that there was none left.
"Sixth Brother, I really like this Lu Black Duck. Please tell me the recipe so that I can have the palace servants make it for me in the future!"
The speaker was the Fifth Princess, who had just turned sixteen this year and was known for her domineering and arrogant nature.
The ranking of royal children is separate, with boys and girls ranked separately. So, although the Fifth Princess is ranked slightly higher than Prince Jing, she is not older than him and still has to call him "elder brother".
Prince Jing refused without hesitation: "That won't do. I obtained this prescription with great difficulty, and I signed a contract that I cannot pass it on to others. If you want it, go and ask for it yourself."
He Jiuniang was initially worried that he would agree too easily if he had drunk too much, but seeing how reliable he was, she immediately decided to send him some more seasonings that night, and, well, two more thick down jackets!
Upon hearing this, the Fifth Princess was instantly displeased, because she heard Prince Jing say that she should ask for it herself.
She's a princess, can't she just ask for anything she wants?
Besides, the Lu couple were just peasants from the countryside. Why should they be able to do what she asked for?
"Hey, you, bring the prescription to this princess in a bit, do you hear me?"
The Fifth Princess looked directly at He Jiu Niang, her tone fierce. It wasn't a plea, it was an order, and a very rude one at that.
He Jiuniang glanced at her, then lowered her head and continued eating, pretending not to hear.
"I'm speaking to you, what kind of attitude is this?"
The Fifth Princess slapped the table with a bit too much force, and the girl's face turned pale with pain, but she still managed to hold it in.
Just as Lu Baichuan was about to speak, He Jiuniang pressed his hand down under the table and whispered, "The other party is a woman. It's inconvenient for you. Just leave it to me."
Outside, He Jiuniang usually hides her strength and lets Lu Baichuan handle everything, but in the current situation, it is obviously more convenient for her to take action herself.
Seeing that He Jiuniang still ignored her, the Fifth Princess was already very angry. Prince Jing spoke up: "Qingyu, stop making a scene. If you want to ask Madam Lu to buy a son, then bring a small gift and visit her to discuss it. Don't cause trouble at the banquet!"
"Sixth brother, what are you saying? It's an honor for the Lu family that I, the princess, have taken a liking to this prescription. They should have delivered it promptly. Why should I, the princess, have to pay them a visit? Are they worthy?"
The Fifth Princess glared fiercely in He Jiu Niang's direction. This woman had only received some favors from her father and brothers, yet she was arrogant and looked down on her. She would see how she taught her a lesson later!
"How dare you! Madam Lu is my friend. Show some respect when you speak!"
Prince Jing was also a little angry. The Fifth Princess had always been domineering. He had originally planned to talk to He Jiu Niang later to sell the prescription to her, but now it seemed impossible. That woman held a grudge.
"Brother, I am a princess. She should be the one showing me respect. But look at her pretending to be deaf and dumb. She clearly doesn't respect me at all!"
The Fifth Princess was sitting opposite He Jiu Niang, which gave her the perfect opportunity to glare at her.
"you……"
Prince Jing was about to speak when he saw He Jiuniang raise her hand to him, signaling him not to say anything more. Then she spoke up herself, saying, "Princess, you're so clever! I just didn't take you seriously. What, is there a problem? Do I even know you? Why should I take you seriously? You really think too highly of yourself. Have some shame!"
Everyone else was once again shocked; this woman really dared to do that!
This is the Fifth Princess! You just confronted her like that?
She actually said the Fifth Princess was shameless?
The Fifth Princess was so shocked by her scolding that she couldn't even react. In all her life, she had always been the one scolding others; when had she ever suffered such humiliation?
"What did you say?!"
The Fifth Princess gritted her teeth, wishing she could tear He Jiu Niang's mouth apart.
"I've never seen anyone as ruthless as the princess, yet still dare to threaten someone who's about to die. The princess has truly broadened my horizons today."
The surroundings fell silent instantly. At this banquet, she actually uttered such vulgar and offensive words to humiliate the princess!
It's all over, the Lu family has just started to prosper, and this woman is going to ruin it.
Everyone immediately realized that befriending the Lu family was a very bad decision.
"You've gone too far with your words. This is the Fifth Princess, the Emperor's most beloved daughter. Do you have a death wish?"
While everyone remained silent, a woman stood up indignantly. She was a noblewoman who usually had a good relationship with the Fifth Princess, and she also wanted to take this opportunity to curry favor with the Fifth Princess.
He Jiuniang glanced at her and said, "Looks like quite a few people ate shit today."
"you!"
Prince Jing was no longer speaking, just watching. For some reason, he suddenly became very curious about how He Jiuniang would discipline his younger sister.
Anyway, he had already put in a good word for her before, and it was Qingyu who didn't appreciate it, so he couldn't be blamed.
Prince Chen and his wife didn't say anything. They both felt that the Fifth Princess was no match for He Jiu Niang, so they just watched and watched.
And Lu Baichuan...
Who would have thought that while his wife was cursing him, her hand was restlessly circling his leg? He was now stiff and didn't dare to move, lest someone notice something was amiss.
The Fifth Princess screamed as if she had gone mad: "Ahhh! Guards, tie this vile woman up! I, the princess, must teach her a lesson!"
Upon hearing this, He Jiuniang calmly picked up the duck bone she had just gnawed on from the table with her delicate fingers and aimed it at the Fifth Princess's chattering mouth...
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