Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
The relaxing trip to the Suburban Villa inevitably had to come to an end.
Xiao Yao reluctantly got into the carriage with He Yu and returned to the Xuanping Prince's Mansion. Seeing Xiao Yao, whose mouth seemed to be able to hang a bottle of oil, He Yu felt helpless. He leaned in and kissed the corner of Xiao Yao's lips, saying, "Alright, if you like it, we can go again next time during the holiday, okay?"
"Actually, I don't mind the mansion," Xiao Yao said, lowering her head and speaking hesitantly. "I just feel particularly oppressed and exhausted when I return to the capital."
"I know," He Yu said, half-embracing Xiao Yao and comforting her with a kiss. "I understand. Just bear with it a little longer. Once I help the Crown Prince ascend the throne successfully, I will take you to travel and see the beautiful landscapes together, alright?"
"Really?" Xiao Yao looked at He Yu in surprise. If he successfully assisted the Crown Prince in ascending the throne, he would undoubtedly achieve extraordinary merit. Would he really be willing to give that up for her? Xiao Yao found it hard to believe. He Yu understood Xiao Yao's expression and smiled, saying, "Fame and fortune are nothing but external possessions to me. You are my most treasured gem. If you wish to stay in the capital, I will provide you with the best life. If you do not want that, I will accompany you to travel across mountains and rivers, eventually retreating to the mountains and forests, living as carefree as wandering clouds and wild cranes."
Such declarations of love could be heard countless times in dramas. In her past life, every time Xiao Yao heard such words, she found them unbearably cliché and cringe-worthy. However, now someone was genuinely whispering such words in her ear, making her eyes warm with tears. How fortunate she was to truly marry a good man.
After a long journey, they finally arrived at the Xuanping Prince's Mansion. Once in the capital, Xiao Yao immediately transformed from a wild girl into a dignified and self-disciplined princess. With He Yu's support, she carefully got down from the carriage. Just as they were about to enter the door, Zhao Hezhong approached and said, "Your Highness, there is a student who claims to be Master Lin's disciple here to see you upon Master Lin's instruction."
"Where is he?" He Yu asked.
"He is waiting in the front courtyard. He arrived a couple of days ago but was arranged to stay in the front courtyard since Your Highness was not in the capital," Zhao Hezhong replied.
Upon hearing Zhao Hezhong's arrangements, He Yu nodded. "I understand. Since he has settled in, let him wait for now. After lunch, have him come to the study in the front courtyard to see me."
"Yes," Zhao Hezhong said before withdrawing.
He Yu then walked hand in hand with Xiao Yao towards the Central Courtyard. Unable to contain her curiosity, Xiao Yao asked, "Who is this Master Lin? It seems like Your Highness respects him greatly."
"Indeed," He Yu smiled slightly. "Master Lin was our teacher back when I was studying with the Crown Prince. During my time in the palace as his companion reader, Master Lin often taught us individually. A teacher for a day is like a father for life; naturally, one must show respect."
It turned out to be like this. Xiao Yao nodded in understanding, "So that student is indeed Master Lin's disciple, and you didn't refuse."
"I trust the teacher's judgment," He Yu said thoughtfully. "If it is indeed someone recommended by the teacher, then they must be a talented individual."
"But isn't Master Lin the teacher of the Grand Duke and the Prince? Can the Crown Prince have other students?" Xiao Yao asked, confused.
"The teacher retired to his hometown five years ago. After returning home, he probably couldn't just sit idle. It's likely that he is teaching at a local school or a family academy, so having students is not surprising," He Yu patiently explained to Xiao Yao's confusion.
Lunch consisted of the rabbit and mountain chicken that He Yu and Xiao Yao had hunted the previous day at the Hunting Ground.
Li Da truly admired his master. "Master, you are amazing! The Prince and the others actually brought back rabbits and mountain chickens!"
Li Pei merely glanced at Li Da and said, "After serving the masters for a long time, you learn to observe their habits and know their tastes. Otherwise, how could you prepare dishes that suit their preferences? Our goal as cooks in the household is not to make dishes exquisite or delicious but to match our master's taste; that's when you've truly succeeded."
After saying this, Li Pei continued, "Clean up the rabbit fur and wash it thoroughly before sending it to Zhao Gonggong. There are quite a few rabbits; let Zhao Gonggong take them to the Internal Affairs Office to see if they can make something like a vest out of them. Since they are all white rabbits, there shouldn't be any problem."
"Alright! I'll take care of it this afternoon!" This was a good task, and Li Da knew that Li Pei was intentionally giving him an opportunity. Nodding eagerly like a chick pecking at rice, Li Da happily went off to handle the food.
When they brought back those rabbits and mountain chickens yesterday, Li Pei had already instructed people to clean the meat thoroughly, rub it with salt, and marinate it first to ensure it wouldn't spoil. When taken out today, since it wasn't being made into cured meat, it naturally wouldn't be as flavorful. Li Pei had someone take it out first to handle the rabbits, making braised rabbit pieces and stewing the rabbit heads.
The aroma of the stew wafted throughout the kitchen, making everyone extremely hungry. Li Da slurped his saliva and asked, "Master, is this rabbit head also for the Prince and Princess?"
Li Pei glanced at Li Da again before burying himself in work. "Of course not; this is for us to eat. The Prince and Princess will have the rabbit pieces; I doubt the rabbit heads will make it to the table."
After all, if they didn't get credit for the deliciousness and ended up scaring the Princess instead, that would be counterproductive.
Li Pei knew that the princess came from Jiangnan, and surely she had never eaten anything like this before. Moreover, this thing looked quite ferocious; if it really scared the princess, he would have no choice but to leave the Xuanping Prince's Mansion. He was joking, as he was counting on spending his old age here!
The other cooks in the kitchen heard Li Da's words and all smiled happily. Since the head chef had made it public, it meant that everyone would get a share of the rabbit head. Fortunately, there weren't many people in the kitchen; counting Li Pei and Li Da, there were only six or seven people boiling water and cooking. Each one could at least get a piece.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yao and He Yu were unaware of the kitchen's plans. Xiao Yao was eating the spicy rabbit meat cubes and nodded, saying, "This is really good. I thought rabbit meat would be sour, but this isn't at all."
"I'm glad you like it," He Yu smiled. He himself didn't have a strong appetite; he only ate more when he was with Xiao Yao.
However, his dear wife was quite gluttonous; she thought of eating first whenever she saw something. Those who didn't know her might really think she had never been full her whole life.
After lunch, Xiao Yao rested in the room while He Yu went to the study in the front courtyard.
Once inside, He Yu knocked on the table and asked, "Where is he?"
"He is waiting in the side hall. Does the prince want to see him first?" Zhao Hezhong asked routinely, as he was still worried that He Yu might have other matters to attend to.
He Yu nodded, "Let him in."
"Yes." Zhao Hezhong left to find the person.
After a short while, a tall and thin man walked in from outside. He Yu glanced at Master Lin's recommendation letter that had already been placed on the desk and did not look up at the man. The man entered, knelt down, and loudly proclaimed, "Commoner Lin Munan pays his respects to Xuanping Wang!"
He Yu focused on reading the letter and seemed not to hear Lin Munan's greeting. Lin Munan remained silent on the ground. On He Yu's desk lay an hourglass that had been gifted during a tribute from some country; he couldn't remember which one. It had always been kept in the Storage Room until Xiao Yao discovered it while checking the inventory and brought it out. There were several in total; a large one was placed in the Central Courtyard's study, and another one was in their bedroom, mostly used for play.
He Yu estimated that this hourglass on his desk measured about fifteen minutes.
The hourglasses are merely for decoration; no one actually uses them to measure time. They are more of a hassle to flip back and forth, and one might easily forget about them.
However, when Lin Munan entered today, He Yu had just flipped the hourglass over. After kneeling for about a quarter of an hour, He Yu seemed to have just finished reading a letter and looked up, saying, "You may rise."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Although Lin Munan appeared to be a frail scholar, his voice was strong and steady, with a refreshing clarity.
More importantly, he could endure the situation. The corners of He Yu's lips curled slightly as he asked, "You also share the surname Lin. What connection do you have with my esteemed teacher?"
Lin Munan paused slightly and respectfully replied, "Replying to Your Highness, Master Lin is an elder from my village. Everyone in my village shares the surname Lin. If we were to trace it back, there might be a slight connection, but I..."
At this point, Lin Munan's face turned red. "Moreover, ever since I passed the imperial examination, I have participated in several subsequent tests but have been unable to pass. I feel too embarrassed to continue." He Yu then interjected, "So, did Lord Lin send you to seek refuge with me?"
"Yes," Lin Munan lowered his head shyly. "Lord Lin believes that Your Highness is knowledgeable and exceptionally intelligent, and most importantly, understands how to recognize and employ talent. Therefore, he sent me to seek refuge with you..."
Lin Munan's voice grew softer until it was almost inaudible. However, He Yu heard him and could only smile. After all, his reputation as Xuanping Wang was not particularly flattering. This old man must have said many good things to persuade his student to seek him out.
Thinking of this made He Yu unable to suppress a chuckle.
Comment 0 Comment Count