Wei Han increasingly disliked this nephew of his.

He still remembered when Prince Pingnan’s family first came to the capital—Wei Feng had been rather arrogant, not placing this uncle in his eyes at all.

He’d found an opportunity to give him a thorough beating. Wei Feng’s complaints went nowhere, and from then on, he’d been obedient whenever he saw him.

Who would have thought he’d start becoming unruly again now?

Miss Luo’s bracelet—was it something he could just stare at as he pleased?

Wei Han thought about these matters expressionlessly, his gaze deep and intense.

Wei Feng snapped back to his senses, instinctively sensing a trace of danger.

He concealed his wariness and glanced at Wei Han before saying to Luo Sheng, “Miss Luo, it’s like this—my mother has had a poor appetite lately. I thought the food at the Youjian Tavern tastes good, so I wanted to bring some back.”

“I see.” The corners of Luo Sheng’s lips curved slightly. “Young Prince is truly filial.”

Wei Feng modestly replied, “This is what a son should do. I wonder if Miss Luo could make an accommodation?”

Under someone’s watchful gaze, Luo Sheng said with a beaming smile, “Since Young Prince is fulfilling filial duty to his mother, how could I not help make this happen?”

“Then many thanks to Miss Luo.”

“I wonder what the Princess Consort likes to eat?”

Wei Han raised an eyebrow.

Princess Pingnan actually had the privilege of ordering dishes?

Looking at the young lady with her calm gaze, Wei Han thought of Prince Pingnan, who had become a cripple.

Did this mean Princess Pingnan was going to be unlucky?

Thinking this way, he suddenly wasn’t envious anymore.

Wei Han picked up the teapot and poured himself a cup of tea, drinking it in a leisurely manner.

Wei Feng knew that Princess Pingnan liked to eat candied winter melon, but thinking about how Mother hadn’t wanted to eat these past days, even if she could eat down something sweet and rich like candied winter melon, it would harm her stomach. So he said, “Something light would be fine.”

“Then the fishball hotpot would be just right.”

Wei Feng was about to say that hotpot wasn’t convenient to carry when Luo Sheng said, “The fishballs and broth are separate—the soup container is on the bottom, the container with fishballs on top. Packed in a food box, it won’t spill at all. Once brought back to the residence, just have the kitchen heat it up, and it won’t lose any of its delicious flavor.”

“That’s good then. I’ll take one serving of fishball hotpot to go.”

Luo Sheng kindly asked, “I wonder what kind of fishballs the Princess Consort likes?”

“There are distinctions among fishballs?”

Luo Sheng smiled. “Our tavern’s fishball hotpot has seven types of fishballs. Some diners like variety in flavors, while others prefer a particular kind, so we need to ask clearly.”

“Which seven types?” Wei Feng’s interest was piqued, and he couldn’t help asking.

“Eel balls, yellow croaker balls, crucian carp balls, cuttlefish balls…”

Wei Feng fell into indecision.

Although the Prince’s residence also had refined dining and never tired of fine food, making seven or eight bowls from one ingredient wasn’t unusual, but the Youjian Tavern was different!

Even the most ordinary bowl of plain noodles at the Youjian Tavern made one’s mouth water. Who knew which fish made the tastiest fishballs—what if they were all delicious?

Seeing Wei Feng’s conflicted expression, Luo Sheng smiled slightly. “If Young Prince cannot make up his mind, why not order a hotpot with all seven types of fishballs to try? Anyway, it’s still early. After Young Prince finishes eating and drinking, it won’t be too late to return to the Prince’s residence.”

Hearing this, Wei Feng immediately felt that Luo Sheng’s suggestion was very thoughtful.

That’s right—if he couldn’t decide, why not taste them himself? After tasting, he’d know what to choose.

“Alright then, I’ll have one serving of fishball hotpot with all seven types of fishballs.” Only after Wei Feng finished speaking did he remember Wei Han was still there. He smoothly extended an invitation. “Uncle Prince, let’s eat together. This nephew will host.”

Luo Sheng smiled as she looked at Wei Han.

Wei Han declined. “No need. I’m accustomed to eating alone.”

Although he still didn’t know what Miss Luo was planning to do, he’d better play the observer to avoid causing her trouble.

Luo Sheng was quite satisfied with Wei Han’s perceptiveness, and the smile at her lips unconsciously deepened.

Seeing her smile, Wei Han also curved his lips slightly.

Wei Feng: “…” Making eyes at each other right in front of him—did they think he was blind?

No—anyone who could fancy Miss Luo was clearly the blind one, Prince Kaiyang.

He really didn’t know what this young uncle was thinking. Wasn’t he worried that Miss Luo would bring her male favorites as part of her dowry?

Suddenly feeling cold all over, Wei Feng tucked away these thoughts. “Then I won’t disturb Uncle Prince and Miss Luo’s conversation.”

He stood and moved to the neighboring table, only then feeling much more relaxed.

Luo Sheng stood up. “The tavern is about to open. I’ll go check on the kitchen. Your Highness, please help yourself.”

Wei Han nodded and silently drank his tea.

“Uncle Prince.”

Wei Han glanced at the neighboring table. “Mm?”

“Do you come here every day?” Wei Feng didn’t want to make small talk, but being this close yet at separate tables without speaking would be too awkward.

“Mm.”

Wei Feng was choked by the other’s terseness and paused before saying, “The Youjian Tavern is quite expensive. Does Miss Luo perhaps give Uncle Prince a discount?”

A discount?

Hearing this, Wei Han’s expression cooled slightly.

Was this mockery?

“No need for a discount,” Wei Han said flatly.

Wei Feng touched his nose.

Understood—money was no object.

As Heir Apparent, he also received an annual stipend, but eating at the Youjian Tavern still made his heart ache.

It wasn’t that the stipend was low—the place was just truly expensive.

Prince Kaiyang was different. As a Prince of First Rank, the annual stipend he received from the court was five times his own, not to mention income from the Northern Territories.

Wei Feng suddenly didn’t want to talk anymore.

Awkward was better than listening to someone show off their wealth.

As the two conversed sporadically, it came time for the tavern to open.

The first customer to walk in made Wei Feng freeze.

“Big Brother?”

Wei Qiang, who had just walked in, heard this greeting and his eyes turned cold.

Wei Feng stood to bow, hastily correcting himself. “Your Highness, why have you come?”

Wei Han also stood and offered a cool, perfunctory greeting.

Wei Qiang, seeing both Wei Han and Wei Feng present, was actually quite surprised. As he walked, he said, “Following Father Emperor’s instructions, I made a trip to Duke Anguo’s residence. Thinking it was nearly time for the tavern to open, I planned to have dinner before returning to the palace.”

Drawing near, Wei Qiang hesitated briefly before perceptively sitting across from Wei Feng.

No need to ask—Prince Kaiyang definitely wasn’t pleased to sit with Wei Feng.

“How does cousin have the leisure to dine here?” Wei Qiang asked after sitting down.

Wei Feng felt somewhat dissatisfied with Wei Qiang in his heart.

Since Big Brother had already gone to console Duke Anguo’s residence, why couldn’t he conveniently stop by Prince Pingnan’s residence as well?

Mother was distressed over Father’s situation. Seeing Big Brother might cheer her up.

Even if not for Mother’s sake, Father had become like that—surely that warranted Big Brother paying more attention?

The world thought that with a Crown Prince emerging from Prince Pingnan’s residence, how glorious it must be. Even he had thought so when he was young. But over these years, he’d gradually seen clearly.

Big Brother harbored resentment toward Father for having sent people to kill Princess Qingyang. Prince Pingnan’s residence probably didn’t weigh much in Big Brother’s heart.

Yet clearly it was Big Brother who had benefited from it all.

Despite his inner dissatisfaction, Wei Feng’s face showed not a trace of it. He sighed. “Mother’s appetite has been poor. I came to buy some food and wine to bring back for her to try. Since it was still early, I decided to eat a bit first.”

“The Youjian Tavern does takeout now?” Wei Qiang raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Wei Feng pressed his lips together slightly.

Big Brother’s first concern was actually whether the tavern did takeout, rather than asking about Mother’s condition.

Thinking this, that trace of dissatisfaction grew a bit more.