“Zhenzhu, check His Highness’s pulse.” Shen Xihe wasn’t distrusting Tian Yuan’s words or suspecting deception – she was simply concerned and wanted to know if Xiao Huayong had sustained serious injuries.

“Yes.” Zhenzhu knelt beside Xiao Huayong.

Xiao Huayong extended his hand graciously. As Zhenzhu took his pulse, she noticed that although Xiao Huayong was male, there was extremely fierce cold energy within his body, like a trapped beast rampaging inside him. She withdrew her hand: “The Imperial Physician’s prescription for Your Highness is excellent.”

“Is there anything else wrong with His Highness?” Shen Xihe asked Zhenzhu.

After some thought, Zhenzhu replied: “In the winter cold, Your Highness would do well to take medicinal baths daily to ease the stiffness and cold in your limbs.”

“The Imperial Medical Office has written a prescription. Tian Yuan, take Zhenzhu to see it,” Xiao Huayong commanded.

Tian Yuan responded alertly, then gestured to Zhenzhu: “Miss Zhenzhu, please follow me.”

Zhenzhu looked toward Shen Xihe, and only after receiving her nod of approval did she follow Tian Yuan out. The other palace servants remained outside, leaving only Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong in the room. The brazier burned with glowing fragrant coal, a subtle perfume lingering in the air. Xiao Huayong’s eyes were gentle and smiling.

“Thank you, Your Highness, for traveling thousands of li to help,” Shen Xihe thanked him sincerely.

The smile lines at Xiao Huayong’s lips deepened: “No need for thanks, Yaoyao. Being able to help you brings me great joy.”

“Regardless, I must thank Your Highness.” Shen Xihe ignored Xiao Huayong’s flirtation. “Does Your Highness have any dietary restrictions?”

Xiao Huayong immediately became interested, starlight dancing in his eyes: “Is Yaoyao going to prepare soup for me?”

“I don’t know Your Highness’s preferences. Every time I come to the Eastern Palace, Your Highness treats me to delicacies, so I thought to prepare some food to express my gratitude.” Shen Xihe nodded.

Xiao Huayong couldn’t resist taking Shen Xihe’s hand, pulling her toward the Eastern Palace’s kitchen. Shen Xihe was dragged along at a half-run by an overjoyed Xiao Huayong, completely unable to stop or struggle, and could only say: “Your Highness, let go.”

Xiao Huayong suddenly released her hand. Shen Xihe lost her balance and began falling backward. Xiao Huayong quickly moved to catch her, holding her in his arms, his eyes showing both guilt and concern: “Is Yaoyao hurt?”

Being held tightly in Xiao Huayong’s embrace, Shen Xihe pushed him away with one hand, steadied herself, and stared sternly at his seemingly helpless face.

She had never been one to impute ulterior motives to others, but she strongly suspected Xiao Huayong had done that deliberately!

Yet she had no proof, and never made accusations without evidence. Moreover, she had come today to thank him, so it wouldn’t be right to get angry and leave. Adjusting her hairpin, Shen Xihe said: “I’m fine. It’s cold outside. Your Highness should return inside and just have someone show me the way.”

She didn’t want to spend a single moment with this person – he was just a flirt!

And not just any flirt, but a calculating one who left no evidence of his misdeeds!

She knew how to deal with such people, but what made it difficult was that she currently owed him a debt of gratitude.

“I’m glad Yaoyao is unharmed. I was too excited earlier and forgot my manners.” Xiao Huayong provided a good explanation for his sudden action, then naturally walked ahead. “I’ll show Yaoyao to the kitchen. I’ve never seen a noble lady cook and am quite curious. Please allow me to watch, Yaoyao. I promise not to cause trouble.”

Seeing his shameless manner, Shen Xihe felt somewhat regretful. If not for her overwhelming gratitude, she would have simply prepared a gift to send to the Eastern Palace. She could treat Xiao Changying that way because she had once saved his life.

Regardless of whether she had other motives, and regardless of her initial intentions, the fact remained that she had saved Xiao Changying and timely neutralized the poison. Without that, Xiao Changying would have either lost his life or at least been left with a useless arm.

As for stealing Xiao Changying’s possession, that was her skill and not meant to offset the debt of saving him. Thus, when Xiao Changying saved her at the Orphanage, she had the confidence to simply have her steward deliver a single gift to express her gratitude.

But it was different with Xiao Huayong. She had never helped him; at most, they had engaged in mutual benefit. Yet she repeatedly found herself in his debt, whether passively or actively. A debt was a debt, so she couldn’t use some of her harsher methods with him.

Ignoring Xiao Huayong, Shen Xihe expressed her displeasure through silence. Xiao Huayong could naturally see her dissatisfaction but wasn’t angered, and naturally continued following shamelessly.

The kitchen servants were somewhat apprehensive seeing Xiao Huayong, vividly remembering the chaos when His Highness had suddenly wanted to learn cooking recently.

“Your Highness, you…” Jiu Zhang came over, bowed, and hesitated to continue.

“Today the Princess wants to prepare some food. Help her,” Xiao Huayong ordered.

Jiu Zhang sighed in relief, thankful it wasn’t the Crown Prince trying to cook himself. His smile became genuine: “Princess, please. Whatever ingredients the Princess needs, just tell this servant, and this servant will prepare them immediately.”

Shen Xihe looked around and listed some ingredients: “Just these. Please clean and prepare them.”

Shen Xihe had culinary skills, but these skills didn’t include washing or cutting vegetables. Noble ladies learning cooking only learned to supervise the pot, and some didn’t even do that much – they mainly observed so that when they became the lady of the house, they wouldn’t be fooled by the kitchen and could give proper instructions.

Having snacks before meals was customary, and Shen Xihe didn’t skimp for Xiao Huayong. She made a dish called “Han Palace Chess” – a dish originating from the Empress, who loved playing backgammon. When backgammon became popular in the palace, pastries were made to resemble the thick, round chess pieces.

She only made this one type of snack. Shen Xihe prepared a roast goose, and grilled a plate of large shrimp – in such cold weather, probably only the palace could still get fresh shrimp – and she also noticed some pork.

People of the time were reluctant to eat pork due to taboos, so Shen Xihe specifically asked Xiao Huayong: “Does Your Highness eat pork?”

“Even if it were poison, I would eat it if prepared by Yaoyao’s hands,” Xiao Huayong leaned to one side, saying with a smile.

Shen Xihe gave him a bland look and proceeded without asking him anything further, cooking according to her ideas.

This Jiangxi-style steamed pork shoulder was one of Shen Xihe’s favorite dishes, but since noble households didn’t eat pork, and pork shoulder was particularly hard to obtain, she rarely made it.

With five dishes and one plate of snacks, Shen Xihe warmed the fermented wine and accompanied Xiao Huayong for dinner in the Eastern Palace. She noticed that Xiao Huayong particularly enjoyed her pork shoulder dish and didn’t find it crude at all, which softened her gaze.

“Yaoyao’s cooking skills are truly unforgettable,” Xiao Huayong ate until he was full, completely disregarding his image.

His love for Shen Xihe influenced his opinion, but he had to admit that Shen Xihe had real skill.

“Your Highness overstates it. I’m just an empty shell,” Shen Xihe wasn’t being modest, but stating the truth.

She couldn’t process ingredients or handle a kitchen knife – without servants, she might not be able to prepare such delicious delicacies.