Lin Wanwan's words, "It seems to be true," struck Xiao Che and herself like a heavy hammer blow.
The two exchanged a glance, and both saw a tremendous shock, a shock that seemed to shatter their worldviews, deep in each other's pupils.
real?
What does this word mean? It means that above Xiao Che's head, there really is a physical entity made of some mysterious force, a dish that looks, smells, and tastes delicious, and is even steaming hot... braised pork?!
Xiao Che subconsciously reached out and touched the top of his head.
It was completely empty.
But the boy named Xiaobao kept staring longingly at that spot, and couldn't help but lick his lips, looking like he was drooling with desire.
This...this goes beyond the realm of "mind reading," this is simply...mysticism!
"Ahem!" Seeing the atmosphere growing increasingly awkward, the orphanage manager quickly pulled Xiao Bao behind him again and offered his sincerest apologies to Xiao Che and Lin Wanwan. "You two kind people, children speak without thinking! This child has always loved to daydream and often says things that others can't understand. Please don't take offense; I'll take him away right away..."
"Wait a minute," Lin Wanwan suddenly called out, stopping her.
Her heart was still pounding, but reason quickly returned. She stood up, walked over to the boy named Xiaobao, squatted down again, and tried to make her voice sound as kind and friendly as a neighbor's: "Xiaobao, right? Tell Auntie, besides braised pork, can you see anything else?"
Xiao Bao tilted his head, his big, dark eyes curiously scrutinizing Lin Wanwan, as if trying to confirm whether she truly believed him. He hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Sometimes I can see it. Chef Wang has a big chicken leg floating above his head, Sister Li has osmanthus cake floating above her head, and Grandpa Zhang has... a pot of wine floating above his head."
He spoke with such conviction that he didn't seem to be lying at all.
Lin Wanwan and Xiao Che were once again shocked. This child was actually a walking, human-shaped ordering machine?!
This talent... is a bit too "practical"!
An astonishing thought simultaneously surfaced in the minds of both the Emperor and Empress.
Back then, Lin Wanwan could see Xiao Che's inner "emojis," the embodiment of his emotions. Their son, Xiao Tuan, inherited and mutated this ability, gaining the ability to see the "food" that people crave most, thus comforting them.
So what about this little boy in front of us? His ability seems even purer than Xiao Tuan's, directly targeting "appetite" itself!
Could it be that some kind of unique talent bloodline truly exists in this world, and the Xiao family just happened to stumble upon one of them?
Xiao Che's eyes deepened. He was no longer the leisurely "Master Xiao," but instantly switched back to the shrewd and calculating emperor mode. He subtly winked at Lin Wanwan.
Lin Wanwan understood immediately.
They didn't press further, lest they arouse suspicion and panic among others. Lin Wanwan simply patted Xiaobao's head gently and offered a few words of comfort to the steward, saying that the child was innocent and adorable, and they didn't mind. Afterward, the two excused themselves, saying they had "completed their inspection," and took their leave.
After leaving the orphanage and boarding the carriage back to the prefectural city, a long silence fell inside the carriage.
After a long while, Xiao Che slowly spoke, his tone carrying a hint of emotion that even he himself did not realize: "Wanwan, it seems that the world is vast, and there are many extraordinary people and events that far exceed our imagination."
Lin Wanwan nodded in agreement. She leaned back on the cushion, processing the shock of the day, and murmured, "I never expected that the 'golden finger' wasn't even a royal exclusive, but... there was even a randomly dropped civilian version."
"This matter must not be made public." Xiao Che's tone became serious. "If this talent were to fall into the hands of someone with ulterior motives, it might not be a blessing for this child."
"I understand." Lin Wanwan naturally understood this principle. A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime.
She thought for a moment and suggested, "However, it would be a pity to let such a gifted person remain buried in the countryside. How about... we make some arrangements in secret?"
Xiao Che's lips curled into an approving smile: "You've got the same idea as me."
He immediately drafted a secret letter, using a code known only to him and the current emperor, Xiao Tuan, instructing local officials in Jiangnan to keep a close eye on the boy named "Xiao Bao." The letter stated that once the boy was a little older, he would be secretly sent to the "Royal Academy of Sciences" on the grounds of "extraordinary talent," where he would be carefully guided and nurtured by specialists.
He did not specify the boy's particular abilities, only saying that he was "gifted by heaven in agriculture and sericulture."
After dealing with this matter, both of them felt a great sense of relief. It was as if this trip to Jiangnan had not only fulfilled a dream from ten years ago, but also unexpectedly planted a seed full of surprises for the future.
Perhaps one day in the future, that little Bao who can only "order food by looking at pictures" will become the most capable assistant of their "Gourmet Prince" Xiao Tuan.
Having seen all the scenery of Jiangnan, the regrets left from ten years ago—whether it was the oppressive town or the grieving mother—have now found a comforting ending.
Having had my fill of sightseeing, it's time to go home.
Several days later, at the Jiangnan Wharf.
Willow catkins drifted in the air, and a gentle breeze blew across the river. Xiao Che and Lin Wanwan stood at the bow of the official boat, which was about to set sail, gazing into the distance. The green hills and clear waters of Jiangnan receded slowly behind them, a scene of tranquility and peace.
Xiao Che stood with his hands behind his back, the river breeze ruffling his robes, giving him an air of otherworldly elegance. Looking at this prosperous and peaceful land, he was filled with emotion.
He turned his head to look at Lin Wanwan, who was still radiant and beautiful beside him. His familiar "artificial voice pack" naturally activated, its voice deep and gentle:
"Wanwan, are you satisfied with my empire?"
Lin Wanwan was taken aback by his sudden display of affection, then smiled gently. She used the same word he used to love when reviewing memorials, and lazily replied with two words: "Acceptable."
Xiao Che's brows immediately furrowed in displeasure. He hated that word the most; it was ambiguous and unclear.
He pressed further, asking, "What does 'still acceptable' mean?"
Lin Wanwan turned her head, a mischievous glint in her eyes, and said playfully, "'Shangke' means... no matter how good it is outside, it's not as good as home. We should go home and see our son."
This answer clearly pleased Xiao Che. His tightly furrowed brows relaxed, and his eyes filled with laughter. Just as he was about to say something more, the sound of rapid hoofbeats approached from afar, breaking the tranquility of the dock.
"Urgent message! The Emperor is here; all bystanders please make way!"
A loud shout stirred up the entire dock.
A magnificent horse, almost flying, galloped along the official road. The rider, dressed as a royal messenger, was covered in dust, and a red command flag indicating the highest level of emergency military intelligence was stuck on his back.
This...this is a "red alert" from Beijing!
The relaxed expressions on Xiao Che and Lin Wanwan's faces vanished instantly, replaced by seriousness. Could it be that some earth-shattering event had occurred in the court that they were unaware of?
The messenger clearly recognized the insignia of their official ship. He spurred his horse straight to the dock, barely managing to rein in the boat just before it reached the deck. He dismounted, nimbly knelt on one knee, pulled a sealed letter tube from his robes, held it high above his head, and breathlessly reported:
"Reporting to the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager! Urgent report from the capital! His Majesty has... has a letter!"
A messenger with a feather in its mouth?
Xiao Che and Lin Wanwan exchanged a glance, both seeing deep confusion in each other's eyes. How could such a matter of national importance involve a "chicken feather letter"?
Xiao Che took the letter tube, quickly removed the sealing wax, and pulled out the letter inside.
He glanced at it, and the serious expression he had just managed to put on instantly crumbled. It was replaced by a helpless, almost laughable, look.
On the fine Xuan paper, in his son Xiao Tuan's vigorous and elegant handwriting, several lines of large characters were written, filled with an urgent, frantic, and devastating sense of collapse:
"Father and Mother, return at once! It's extremely urgent! Absolutely urgent!"
"The court officials have gone mad! They're pressuring me to get married every day! I can't take it anymore!"
"A list of candidates for the imperial concubines is hidden in the memorials to the throne! Implies the importance of the nation's well-being during meals! Even when playing chess, they set up a game of 'May you have a son soon'!"
"If you two don't return soon, the 'Goddess' brand 'Royal Female Scholar' training program, which Mother Empress personally promoted back then, will probably be completely ruined and turn into a political marriage! Help!!!"
At the end of the letter, there was a drawing of a little figure with tears streaming down his face, being dragged forward by countless hands, with three big words written next to him: "It's so hard for me!"
...
The entire dock was silent.
Xiao Che held the letter, which could be described as a "model of an emperor's plea for help," speechless for a long time. He had spent half his life fighting, quelling palace coups, and creating a prosperous era, believing he had seen all kinds of storms. But he never expected that one day he would receive an urgent plea for help from his son, who was now the emperor, because he was being pressured to get married.
What's this?
Is this the most absurd "red alert" in the history of the Great Depression?
He sighed deeply, his face etched with the weariness of "having a son is such a headache," and handed the hot "chicken feather letter" to Lin Wanwan, who was already very curious.
Lin Wanwan took the letter, read it quickly, and was first stunned. Then she burst out laughing, unable to hold back her laughter.
She laughed while shaking her head helplessly, and said to Xiao Che beside her, who looked utterly dejected:
"Come on, Master Xiao. Stop sightseeing, your son is in grave danger, waiting for you. He wants you home... for his wedding!"
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