“What would the honored guest like to eat?” Kou’er asked with a smile.

Wei Qiang looked at Wei Feng.

Wei Feng quickly said, “I ordered a fishball hotpot—supposedly you can taste seven types of fish.”

Wei Qiang immediately thought of the hotpot he’d eaten that day.

Those round, plump white fishballs, the fresh and savory broth—eating them was both fragrant and hot, and swallowing them warmed the stomach in an especially soothing way.

Perhaps because he’d eaten so comfortably, he’d finally gotten a good night’s sleep that evening—something he hadn’t had since personally killing Zhaohua.

Unfortunately, after rumors began flying, it became inconvenient to constantly leave the palace, so he hadn’t eaten it again.

Wei Qiang’s appetite was instantly whetted. He added one or two more small dishes before stopping.

Luo Sheng stood behind the curtain separating the main hall from the kitchen, silently watching through the gap for a moment before walking into the kitchen.

Xiu Yue was using a large pot to cook fishballs.

Fishballs of varying colors bobbed up and down in the boiling water, playful and pleasing.

“Xiu Gu.” Luo Sheng called out.

Xiu Yue looked over.

Luo Sheng smiled. “The Crown Prince has come. Put extra care into it—make absolutely sure His Highness the Crown Prince eats with satisfaction.”

Xiu Yue’s hand tightened on the strainer as she calmly said, “Miss can rest assured.”

Shortly after, Hong Dou set the steaming fishball hotpot on the table.

A peculiar fragrance wafted to Wei Han’s nose, and only then did he remember something—he’d forgotten to order food.

“Shi Yan—” His flat tone carried a slight lilt. Though it fell on Shi Yan’s ears like a thunderclap that made his liver tremble.

“This humble one is here.”

“Order food.”

Shi Yan, not having been scolded, felt a wave of relief and quickly said, “Master, the establishment has newly introduced a pickled cabbage and pork hotpot. Would you like to try it?”

“Pickled cabbage and pork hotpot?” Wei Han raised an eyebrow.

This dish hadn’t been here yesterday.

Shi Yan said cheerfully, “That’s right! Since it’s getting colder, the proprietor said eating pork belly won’t feel greasy, so it could be introduced now. Oh, and Master, this dish was developed based on the recipe you gave the proprietor before. It’s especially fragrant at this time of year.”

Staring at the grease on Shi Yan’s mouth, Wei Han asked flatly, “You’ve already eaten it?”

Shi Yan felt this question was quite difficult. His smile stiffened somewhat. “Ah… it was just taste-testing… You know, a new dish always needs several people to taste it and give feedback on any issues before it can be served. This is being responsible to the diners.”

Issues? Of course there were no issues with dishes Xiu Gu made.

But if he didn’t say this, he’d be the one with a big problem.

It was October—the geese that had been raised plump and white should be slaughtered. When that time came, where this goose keeper would end up was still uncertain.

“It’s really made according to that recipe?”

“Yes, Xiu Gu originally didn’t know how to make this dish.”

A trace of amusement flowed through Wei Han’s eyes. “Then bring two servings.”

It seemed the gift he’d sent could actually be put to use by Miss Luo.

When the pickled cabbage and pork hotpot with its sour fragrance was brought to the table, Wei Han gained a sudden realization: sending recipes was far more practical than sending flowers.

That time with the hibiscus flowers, Miss Luo hadn’t accepted them at all. The chrysanthemums later were reluctantly accepted and turned into chrysanthemum pork.

But the recipe was not only accepted readily—it could also be frequently consulted.

Shi Yan stood to the side watching his master grin foolishly and silently rolled his eyes.

What was Master thinking? Perhaps that sending recipes was reliable?

Ha—why didn’t he think about the fact that it was Xiu Gu consulting the recipes, not Miss Luo?

Minister Zhao walked in following the fragrance. Taking one look at the three who had arrived first, his eyes went straight.

What day was today? How had the Crown Prince, Prince Kaiyang, and Prince Pingnan’s Heir Apparent all gathered together?

Well, that wasn’t quite accurate—the Crown Prince and Prince Pingnan’s Heir Apparent were at one table, while Prince Kaiyang sat alone at his own table.

But Prince Kaiyang was eating two hotpots by himself, while the Crown Prince and Prince Pingnan’s Heir Apparent were sharing one hotpot between the two of them. Wasn’t this disparity in financial resources a bit extreme?

Ever since becoming a regular at the Youjian Tavern, Minister Zhao, who oversaw the Ministry of Justice, had suddenly become self-taught and extraordinarily sensitive about monetary matters.

Minister Zhao greeted the three men and found an empty table to sit at.

Clearly no one was going to treat him, so he’d better be self-reliant.

“What would the honored guest like to eat?”

“Is there a new dish?” As Minister Zhao said this, his eyes kept glancing toward Wei Han’s direction.

“We’ve newly introduced pickled cabbage and pork hotpot.”

“Then I’ll have one serving of pickled cabbage and pork hotpot,” Minister Zhao said decisively.

Although the fishball hotpot was very suitable for someone his age, when there was a new dish, he absolutely had to try it.

“Right away!” Hong Dou responded crisply and turned to relay the order.

Minister Zhao caught sight of Minister Qian walking in and quickly called out, “Wait!”

Hong Dou stopped, and Minister Qian also paused mid-step.

Minister Zhao invited with a chuckle, “Brother Qian, let’s share a table.”

Minister Qian’s beard nearly twisted with irritation.

This miser—would it kill him to say “my treat”?

However, taking one look at the pork hotpot on Wei Han’s table, Minister Qian quickly agreed.

Sharing a table meant eating two types of hotpot, just like last time when he and Old Zhao had eaten fishball hotpot and lamb hotpot together.

Minister Zhao declared magnanimously, “Add another fishball hotpot.”

Gradually, more customers arrived, drawn by the fragrance.

Each person couldn’t help but glance over a few extra times.

Prince Kaiyang was eating two hotpots alone, the two Ministers Zhao and Qian were eating two hotpots, while the Crown Prince and Prince Pingnan’s Heir Apparent were eating one hotpot…

Could it be that after the Crown Prince treated everyone that one time, the loss was rather substantial?

Under everyone’s discreet attention, both Wei Qiang and Wei Feng felt somewhat uncomfortable glancing at the fishball hotpot before them that was nearly empty.

Wei Feng frowned and instructed Kou’er, “Bring another serving of pork hotpot and one lamb hotpot.”

By the counter, Luo Sheng’s lips curved upward.

The sour pickled cabbage and pork hotpot and the spicy lamb hotpot were much more suitable for adding ingredients than the fishball hotpot.

Hopefully the two brothers would eat happily.

Thinking this, Luo Sheng couldn’t help but glance at that crimson figure by the window.

Luo Sheng smiled with pursed lips.

She also had to thank Prince Kaiyang for his good appetite—he’d set a fine example.

That person suddenly looked up, raising his wine cup.

Luo Sheng was slightly startled, then lifted her teacup and took a sip.

Kou’er ran to the kitchen to relay the order. “Xiu Gu, the Crown Prince’s table wants another serving of pork hotpot and one lamb hotpot.”

Xiu Gu nodded to indicate she understood. Her gaze moved past Kou’er to land on Luo Sheng, who had appeared at the kitchen entrance at some unknown time.

“Put extra care into it.” Luo Sheng said this calmly, then turned and left.

Xiu Yue silently pondered Luo Sheng’s words.

Put extra care into it.

The Princess had said this phrase once before, but this time, though the words were identical, she’d emphasized the word “extra.”

Xiu Yue’s eyes flickered slightly as she expressionlessly stirred the boiling soup pot.

The pickled cabbage and pork hotpot and spicy lamb hotpot were quickly placed before Wei Qiang and his companion.

Both hotpots had strong flavors, so naturally they needed spirits to accompany them.

Perhaps because the food and wine were too delicious, perhaps because the atmosphere of drinking in the main hall was too pleasant—back and forth, more and more wine pots accumulated beside the two men.

Dou Ren stood behind Wei Qiang, wanting to speak several times but holding back. Thinking of the Crown Prince’s vexation these past days, he ultimately restrained himself.

“Your Highness.” Wei Feng suddenly called out.

Wei Qiang looked at him with eyes clouded by alcohol.

“Why didn’t you go see Father and Mother today?”