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Faced with her sister-in-law's confusion, Xiao Yao gloomily explained the whole situation to her. After listening, Wang Yan'er’s expression changed from disbelief to surprise and finally to sympathy. Xiao Yao said dejectedly, "I just wanted to bring lunch to my lord at noon, but by the time I get there, it might be cold. Eating cold food could upset his stomach."
Wang Yan'er thought for a moment and said, "I have a method, but I don't know if it will work."
"Huh? What method? Tell me!" Xiao Yao immediately became interested.
Wang Yan'er leaned closer and whispered to Xiao Yao. Xiao Yao was taken aback; how did she not think of that? She decided to go for it. Xiao Yao first called Yun Zhu over and asked if there were any metal bowls or containers in the residence that were well-sealed.
Yun Zhu thought for a moment and remembered that there was a silver food box in the Storage Room. Xiao Yao was overjoyed and quickly had someone fetch it. When it arrived, it turned out to be a two-layer silver food box. However, it was quite heavy, but for the sake of her lord's meal, she didn't mind the extra weight.
So, Wang Yan'er and Xiao Yao measured the dimensions and spent half the time sewing a "quilt" for the box; specifically, it was a fabric cover with two layers filled with cotton, making the entire food box appear plumper.
Yun Zhu took the food box to wash it clean before bringing it back. Xiao Yao instructed Yun Zhu to check the kitchen for anything suitable to take into the palace—nothing soupy since there would be tea available in the palace; they could make do as long as he wouldn't go hungry.
Thus, Yun Zhu took someone with her to carry the food box and headed to the kitchen.
Li Pei heard that Yun Zhu was looking for food for the lord and took out some freshly made stuffed pancakes from the pot—various fillings—but knowing that the lord didn't like sweet flavors, she prepared two meat-filled pancakes and two vegetable pancakes. She also made a dish called braised rice based on Xiao Yao's description.
Essentially, it was potatoes and ribs or other ingredients cooked together with rice, ensuring both rice and dishes were ready. Recently, Xiao Yao had developed a liking for this dish, so the kitchen had prepared several flavors. Li Pei examined the food box closely and couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "Our princess is so clever! This method of keeping food warm is brilliant! Although I don't know how long it will stay warm, at least it should still be warm when it reaches the palace! It will definitely be no problem for the lord to have a hot meal!"
"Yes," Yun Zhu replied with a smile, "Later on, Master Li, please send two strong assistants with me to deliver the meal to the lord."
Li Pei immediately responded seriously, "Delivering food to the lord is an important task; naturally, I will personally lead someone since it's our first time. I want to ensure everything goes smoothly."
"Alright." Yun Zhu didn't refuse and happily agreed.
As for Li Pei's thoughts, she knew very well what was on her mind. How could she let such an opportunity to curry favor with the lord go to someone else? Old fox!
In the palace, Hall of Preserving Harmony.
He Yu was standing in the main hall looking around; tonight was the banquet. Naturally, there could be no mistakes.
He and the ministers from the Internal Affairs Office and the Ministry of Rites confirmed the overall process once again to ensure everything was foolproof. Only then did he plan to go with a few officials from the Internal Affairs Office to the Hall of Preserving Harmony's Warm Pavilion for some tea and relaxation.
The steward eunuch said, "Your Highness, you have worked hard. You've been worrying during this time."
"Not at all," He Yu waved his hand and said, "We are just doing our duty for the Emperor. It’s not about hardship; as long as the Emperor is satisfied with our work, we all have it good!"
Both the stewards from the Internal Affairs Office and the ministers from the Ministry of Rites appreciated this sentiment. After all, during this time of year, everyone was working hard, and those of them serving as servants only hoped to have a more comfortable time during the New Year. If they had to deal with an arrogant prince or lord, then their year would not be pleasant at all, right?
One of the steward eunuchs whispered to another, "I heard Xuanping Wang is quite arrogant, but it seems that’s not the case at all."
"Well, you don’t know. This prince has always been friendly with the palace servants and never looks down on us. No matter how arrogant he may seem, it’s only directed at those who offend him, like General Sun's family. You see how soft-hearted he is?"
"Oh, I see. So he’s actually quite nice."
"Who isn’t?"
He Yu listened intently while sipping his tea, a slight smile creeping onto his lips as he revealed a hint of satisfaction while drinking. The effect he wanted was almost achieved.
After resting for a while, it was nearly noon.
"What about your lunch? Are you going back to eat?"
"Forget it," one waved his hand. "By the time we sit down outside, we’ll have to head back; there isn’t enough time for a round trip."
"That’s true; the Imperial Kitchen doesn’t have our share anyway."
"Exactly. They cook for the masters and mistresses of the palace and for the Emperor; what are we?"
"Ah, yes. By the way, what are you all planning for lunch?"
This question was directed at the Internal Affairs Office, which remained quite calm. To better serve their master, all the servants in the palace were accustomed to only having two meals a day, so they had long since gotten used to it. The Internal Affairs Office waved their hand and said, "We are all used to it; we can eat later once things settle down!"
Only then did the people from the Ministry of Rites realize they had said something foolish. Looking over at Xuanping Wang, he was still sitting steadily in his seat, clearly not planning to have lunch.
He Yu was indeed prepared for this, so he drank a few more sips of hot tea. Just as he was about to get up, Zhao Hezhong rushed in with an excited expression, saying, "Your Highness, the Princess has sent lunch for you!"
"What?" He Yu frowned. "With the distance from here to the Wangfu, the lunch must have gone cold by now; how could that be possible?"
"Really!" Zhao Hezhong called for someone outside to come in.
The person who came in was indeed Yun Zhu, followed by the head chef Li Pei and two attendants. One of the attendants was carrying a wrapped item. Yun Zhu walked in front and bowed to He Yu, saying, "Your Highness, this is the lunch that the Princess asked me to bring you. She was worried that you would be too busy at noon and forget to eat; it would be bad for your stomach."
He Yu smiled and shook his head. "She is quite thoughtful and loves to ponder these things."
Yun Zhu smiled back and had them bring up the wrapped item. The attendant removed a thick cotton cover, revealing a silver food box. He Yu recognized it immediately; it was a reward from the Emperor some time ago, from a certain tribe that had paid tribute, seemingly from the southwest.
When the food box was opened, the first layer contained several exquisite stuffed pastries, while the lower layer held braised rice with ribs, which Xiao Yao had recently taken a liking to. The food still emitted steam, and its aroma wafted through the air, causing several officials from the Ministry of Rites to struggle to contain their saliva.
He Yu looked at the still warm food with great interest, his smile growing wider as he pointed at the pastries and said to those busy around him, "Come on, I can't finish this; you can all share it. Although it's not much, having something warm in your stomach is better than nothing."
At first, they all declined since this was a heartfelt gesture from the Princess to the Prince; they felt embarrassed to accept it. However, unable to resist He Yu's enthusiasm and the delicious aroma of the food, they eventually shared the pastries. After eating the warm food, they indeed felt warmth spread throughout their bodies.
He Yu finished his portion of rice completely clean. In previous years, he had received similar tasks but always ended up enduring them alone. After everything concluded and he returned home reeking of alcohol, he had no appetite for food—after all, it was just a solitary New Year's Eve dinner with nothing much to eat and no one to keep vigil with.
However, this year was different; someone at home was thinking of him. Just for a lunch meal, so much thought had been put into it. Although it looked like it had been hurriedly prepared, that thoughtfulness was truly precious.
He Yu suddenly wanted to go home quickly.
Home?
Yes, He Yu's lips blossomed with a proud curve, as he had someone who cared for him, and he also thought of that person. Their hearts were tied together, making the once cold and vast royal mansion truly feel like home.
That was his home.
The ministers nearby expressed their envy towards He Yu; after all, who doesn't have a wife? However, how many could think of such things? There was only Consort Xuanping.
In the evening, Xiao Yao, Wang Yan'er, and Xiao Mo Yi chatted in the Central Courtyard of Xuanping Prince's Mansion, planning to wait for He Yu to return so they could have a reunion dinner together.
Xiao Yao suggested, "How about we make dumplings?"
Xiao Mo Yi, who was bored, immediately perked up and eagerly wanted to join in. At first, Wang Yan'er disagreed, citing that gentlemen should stay away from the kitchen.
Xiao Yao didn't care about that and pulled Xiao Mo Yi along with a smile, saying, "My family has been in business for generations. If we all followed those old rules, how could we do business? Whether one is a gentleman or not, everyone has to work!"
"Yes, everyone has to work!" Xiao Mo Yi chimed in with a smile.
Wang Yan'er looked at the pair of siblings and found it quite amusing. She initially thought that the prince and princess had very aloof personalities. Little did she know that the princess, who seemed ready to become a mother, still had a childlike personality—cheerful and very approachable.
No wonder the prince cherished the princess so much. Wang Yan'er watched as her eyes squinted into slits while Xiao Yao kept calling for the servants to prepare things. She silently thought that if she were the prince and married such a girl, she would also spoil her to the core. (To be continued)
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