“Forged?” Hong Dou patted her chest in relief. “Then this servant can rest easy.”

The young lady forging a letter wasn’t worth worrying about at all. As long as no shameless little wench was trying to compete for favor with her, all was well.

The corner of Luo Sheng’s mouth twitched slightly.

When she had been Princess Qingyang, she’d had four head maidservants, each outstanding and capable, yet none had been quite as unique as Hong Dou.

However, this kind of uniqueness suited her perfectly.

But thinking of this, Luo Sheng fell silent again.

When the great edifice collapsed, her four head maidservants were probably gone as well. And what circumstances were her most cherished loved ones in now?

These were precisely the reasons she was desperate to escape from Jinsha. There was no more logical opportunity than using the return to the capital to investigate everything.

For this purpose, forging a letter from Commander Luo was naturally nothing to hesitate about.

The small courtyard where Luo Sheng resided was shrouded in the tranquil night, yet an octagonal pavilion was bustling with activity.

“Second Brother, you’re bullying me! Why should I be the one to escort Cousin Luo?” Sheng Sanlang sat sprawled in his chair, quite dissatisfied with Sheng Erlang’s proposal.

Sheng Erlang smiled as he waved his folding fan. “We certainly can’t have Fourth Brother go, can we? You’re big and strong—you’re perfect for it.”

Sheng Silang wasn’t yet fifteen years old and could only be considered a half-grown child.

“Actually, I could escort Elder Cousin.” After hearing Sheng Erlang’s words, Sheng Silang seemed rather eager to try.

He’d never traveled far from home in his entire life, much less to the prosperous and lively capital. Escorting Cousin Luo there wouldn’t be a loss at all.

“Don’t even think about it.” Sheng Erlang tapped Sheng Silang’s head with his folding fan, though his eyes kept darting toward Sheng Sanlang.

Sheng Sanlang curled his lip. “It’s not like Fourth Brother is the only option besides me. Big Brother and Second Brother could both go.”

Sheng Dalang raised his fist to his lips and coughed lightly. “The autumn examinations are approaching. I’m afraid I can’t get away.”

“That’s right, Big Brother and I need to take the autumn examinations. We can’t leave.”

But now Sheng Sanlang’s mind suddenly became sharp. “There’s a saying: ‘Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles.’ Big Brother, Second Brother, you could use escorting Cousin Luo as an opportunity to see the capital. It would help you familiarize yourselves with it ahead of next year’s spring examinations.”

This was quite a pleasing thing to say. Only after passing the autumn examinations could one discuss the spring examinations, and the triennial autumn examinations were not easy to pass.

Sheng Erlang’s eyes flickered as he smiled. “How about this—let’s draw lots instead.”

“Fine, let’s draw lots!” The first to agree was Sheng Silang.

“Get lost.”

A moment later, Sheng Sanlang let out a mournful cry. “Why is it always me who has the bad luck!”

Sheng Dalang and Sheng Erlang laughed as they cupped their hands toward Sheng Sanlang. “We entrust our cousin’s safety to you, Third Brother.”

The next day, Sheng Sanlang voluntarily offered to escort Luo Sheng to the capital. After receiving Old Madam Sheng’s approving nod, he was summoned by the Second Madam as soon as he left Funing Hall.

According to reports, behind closed doors, the Second Madam chased the Third Young Master around with a feather duster until he fled in panic.

“None of my cousins were willing?” Luo Chen sat upright at the table, his jet-black gemstone-like eyes growing even darker.

Fusong shrank his neck.

By intuition, the young master was angry.

Though he was a servant of the Sheng household, after serving Luo Chen for so many years, his heart had long since taken sides. He quickly relayed the information he’d gathered. “According to what the Third Young Master let slip unintentionally, it seems… they drew lots…”

Luo Chen pressed his lips together and asked again, “When is she leaving?”

Because he was sulking, he hadn’t asked Luo Sheng directly.

“She?” Fusong was momentarily confused.

Luo Chen’s face darkened slightly as he reluctantly uttered three words. “My elder sister!”

Fusong suddenly understood. “Oh, you’re asking about the young lady cousin. Apparently she’s leaving tomorrow. They’ve already started packing over there.”

Luo Chen sat in silence for a while before instructing, “Go tell her to prepare a table of dishes for me tonight.”

Fusong looked at Luo Chen curiously.

This was the first time the young master had proactively made such a request. Previously, he would just eat whatever the young lady cousin sent over.

After all, everything she sent was delicious!

Fusong reflexively swallowed and went to relay the message to Luo Sheng.

Prepare a table of dishes?

Upon hearing Luo Chen’s request, Luo Sheng didn’t hesitate before agreeing.

Tomorrow she would be leaving Jinsha. Fulfilling her younger brother’s small request wasn’t excessive.

After pondering briefly, Luo Sheng decided what dishes to make and instructed Hong Dou to begin preparing the ingredients.

As the sun moved westward, Sheng Dalang and his three brothers received an invitation from Luo Chen to dinner.

The four brothers arrived together at Luo Chen’s residence. Just as they entered through the courtyard gate, they saw Luo Chen waiting beside a cluster of green bamboo.

Sheng Erlang smiled. “Cousin, you’re too polite. Why did you think to invite us to dinner?”

Luo Chen gestured for them to enter and smiled faintly. “Tomorrow my elder sister will be traveling far. Along the way, I’ll have to trouble Third Cousin to look after her. Today I’m inviting you cousins to dinner to express my gratitude.”

Sheng Erlang’s smile faded slightly as he exchanged a glance with Sheng Dalang.

Since when had their younger cousin become so thoughtful toward Cousin Luo?

Sheng Sanlang didn’t think so deeply about it. He threw his arm around Luo Chen’s shoulders and laughed. “Then today I’ll eat and drink well, because once we’re on the road, things won’t be this comfortable.”

The dining hall already had the meal set out. As soon as the group stepped inside, they caught the aroma.

“What dish smells so good?” Sheng Sanlang twitched his nose.

“Please sit, cousins.”

Sheng Dalang and his three brothers took their seats and accepted the hand towels offered by the servants to clean their hands. Their eyes involuntarily drifted toward the dining table.

This wasn’t because they were impatient—the aroma was simply too enticing.

That domineering fragrance of thoroughly fried chili peppers mixed with Sichuan peppercorns aggressively stimulated their sense of smell, making them swallow involuntarily.

Luo Chen smiled and personally lifted the lid off one of the shallow porcelain bowls. Inside was a whole fish immersed in bright red oil, scattered with vivid red chili peppers and emerald green scallion segments.

After seeing this dish, Sheng Dalang and the others felt somewhat disappointed.

Jinsha was located in the south, where fish was a common dish at the table. It wasn’t easy to make it stand out, and moreover, since this fish was whole, it would probably be difficult for the flavor to penetrate properly.

A slight smile played at the corner of Luo Chen’s mouth. “Cousins, please try this fish and see how it is.”

The group gave face by picking up a piece of fish and putting it in their mouths. Then they froze.

The fish meat was tender and so fresh that their tongues trembled. Yet every strand of fish had absorbed the fragrant oil released by the chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns.

Fresh and flavorful—these two seemingly contradictory qualities were perfectly embodied in this fish.

Sheng Erlang couldn’t help murmuring, “This braised fish is incredible…”

Luo Chen glanced at him with a smile and corrected him. “This isn’t braised fish—it’s quick-fried fish.”

Sheng Erlang wanted to discuss this quick-fried fish further with his young cousin, but he saw the other’s expression suddenly change.

He looked down and couldn’t help getting angry. “Third Brother, don’t you spit out fish bones when you eat?”

In just the time it took to say a few words, half the fish was gone!

After the whirlwind feast, the table was covered with a mess of bowls and plates, yet no one had touched the wine pot.

Sheng Sanlang rubbed his still-unsatisfied stomach and asked eagerly, “Cousin, where did you order this banquet from? Wuxian Pavilion or Yipin Residence? No, no, they couldn’t make these flavors there, unless they’ve recently changed chefs.”

The young man glanced at his cousins and said with a smile, “This table of dishes was made by my elder sister.”

Heh, only he had the right to look down on Luo Sheng—it wasn’t others’ turn yet.