The next morning, Luo Sheng went to the tavern.

Truly authentic amber winter melon was an extremely time-consuming dish.

After the peeled and carved winter melon was coated with caramelized sugar, it required patient simmering over low heat for four to five hours to be done.

The weight of the winter melon, the ratio of sugar syrup, and the adjustment of heat were all very particular. The slightest carelessness would cause the winter melon, subjected to prolonged heating, to collapse and dissolve.

As for braised pork knuckle in pot, it was a truly magnificent dish that likewise couldn’t be completed in a short time.

Sheng Sanlang moved over a small stool and simply settled beside the soup barrel, refusing to leave. Smelling the fragrance, he asked Luo Sheng: “Cousin, it’s been almost two hours already. Isn’t it done braising yet?”

He had personally watched his cousin and Xiu Gu together process dozens of pork knuckles weighing over a jin each, arranging them neatly in the barrel to begin braising. From processing to braising had taken nearly three hours.

This was really too meticulous. It was one thing for braising pork knuckles to take effort, but why did they need to soak in cold water for an hour first?

Wasn’t this just wasting time?

Sheng Sanlang waited anxiously and couldn’t help grumbling.

Xiu Yue explained coolly: “Soaking for sufficient time removes the blood, so the knuckles won’t have a gamey taste.”

After explaining, Xiu Yue carefully lifted the barrel lid, and a rich fragrance immediately surged out.

“Is it ready?”

“Can we eat it now?”

Hong Dou and the others all gathered around, eagerly craning their necks to look.

Through the curling steam, they could see dozens of red glistening pork knuckles packed together, looking utterly appealing.

Shi Yan slurped: “Just looking at it makes it seem delicious.”

Hong Dou pursed her lips: “How could it not be delicious? The large bones in the knuckles have all been removed—when you eat it, it’s all meat.”

Sheng Sanlang eagerly asked Luo Sheng: “Cousin, why don’t we taste it first?”

Hong Dou and the others nodded vigorously in agreement.

Just tasting one bite would be good—these knuckles smelled incredibly fragrant.

Luo Sheng smiled: “Does Cousin know why this dish is called braised pork knuckle in pot?”

“No idea. I just know it’s delicious.” Sheng Sanlang’s answer was very honest.

Xiu Yue was scooping out the braised knuckles, while Luo Sheng explained: “First braise, then pot-braise—that’s the brilliance of this dish.”

Beside the wooden barrel was a large iron pot. The bottom of the pot was lined with a large plate only slightly smaller than the pot lid. Those scooped-out knuckles were arranged side by side on top of it.

Xiu Yue directed Luosai Huzi to pour the original broth from the wooden barrel into it, covered the pot with its lid to slowly pot-braise over low heat, and only then was temporarily free.

After another hour or so, Xiu Yue lifted the pot lid to look, then said to Luo Sheng: “Miss, it’s about ready.”

Everyone immediately perked up: “It’s done?”

Luo Sheng didn’t explain but personally and carefully scooped out the knuckles one by one and placed them on serving platters. After the broth remaining in the iron pot had been reduced to a thick consistency, she took a brush, dipped it in the broth, and brushed it onto the knuckles layer by layer.

After repeatedly brushing several times like this, the cooled knuckles turned bright red, as if coated with a layer of solidified amber—bearing a similar wonderful quality to that amber winter melon.

By this time, the sky had already darkened, and it was nearly time for the tavern to open.

Sheng Sanlang desperately blocked the doorway, looking as if facing a great enemy: “Cousin, if you don’t let us taste it first today, we won’t open the doors!”

Shi Yan and the others wanted to nod, but the boss was the boss, not their cousin. They could only express their support for Young Master Biao through silence.

Luo Sheng smiled: “Hong Dou, go tell Xiu Gu to cut up two knuckles for everyone to taste.”

Hong Dou quickly ran into the back kitchen and returned shortly carrying two plates.

As soon as the plates were set on the table, several people scrambled for them like hungry wolves.

Seeing this, Luo Sheng smiled and shook her head, personally pulling open the tavern’s main door.

A person stood outside the door, causing her to step back half a step in surprise.

“Did I startle Miss Luo?” Wei Han asked.

He hadn’t expected that just as he arrived at the tavern entrance, the door would suddenly open.

Luo Sheng couldn’t help but take another look at the man outside the door.

The reason was simple—Prince Kaiyang, who had always worn crimson robes, was actually wearing a bamboo-green straight robe today.

Compared to his usual striking appearance, he now had an additional touch of refined elegance.

Noticing Luo Sheng’s attention to his clothing, Wei Han felt somewhat uncomfortable, though his face revealed nothing.

“The Prince has come early today.” Luo Sheng stepped aside, casually remarking.

Wei Han stepped into the tavern. Hearing this, his lips twitched slightly.

Having learned yesterday that the new dish braised pork knuckle in pot would be available today, how could he not come early?

After all, he could neither make reservations nor enjoy any special treatment.

Then Wei Han had no time to think about these things. His ink-black eyes swept over Shi Yan and the others scrambling for food, and they turned thoroughly cold.

He had thought this little punk Shi Yan had eaten well following Miss Luo, but he hadn’t expected him to be doing this beautifully.

Had this scoundrel forgotten what he was supposed to be doing?

The familiar murderous aura struck, and Shi Yan suddenly turned around. The instant he saw Wei Han, his eyes widened in terror.

The young attendant quickly swallowed the fragrant pork knuckle meat in his mouth and rushed before Wei Han.

“Master, you came so early! Please, sit over here!”

Wei Han sat down, his tone flat: “If I hadn’t come this early, how would I have seen you eating pork knuckle?”

Shi Yan nearly knelt: “Master, please let me explain—”

This was the first time enjoying food first. Usually they only got to eat after closing time.

“No need to explain. Bring the food.” Wei Han’s tone grew even colder.

Listen to this scoundrel explain how deliciously he ate every day, while Wei Han still had to worry about whether he could eat at all?

“What would you like to eat today?” the young attendant asked tearfully.

“Three pork knuckles, one amber winter melon, and a pot of liquor.”

Shi Yan stood still without moving.

Wei Han glanced at him.

Shi Yan, bearing pressure like a mountain, bravely explained: “The boss says braised pork knuckle in pot is limited—maximum two per table.”

“Is that so? How many knuckles are there in total today?” Wei Han asked casually.

Shi Yan blurted out: “Thirty.”

“Eh?” Wei Han raised an eyebrow. “Only serving ten tables, with a limit of two per table?”

Where did the other ten knuckles go?

“Tomorrow, have Shi Yi—”

Before Wei Han could finish, Shi Yan knelt down and grabbed his leg: “Master, this subordinate already has feelings for Da Bai! You can’t be so cruel—”

Seeing Luo Sheng look over, Wei Han’s face darkened: “Get up.”

At this moment, a voice came from the entrance: “Eleventh Brother is here too?”

Wei Han looked over to see Prince Pingnan standing at the door, with Princess Pingnan beside him, and young Princess Wei Wen holding Princess Pingnan’s arm.

Luo Sheng also turned her gaze in that direction.

She only looked at one person—Prince Pingnan.

After fishing for so long, this big fish had finally arrived.

Her enemies were Pingnan Prince’s manor and the Crown Prince. Given the current situation, making a move against the Crown Prince was too difficult. Starting by settling accounts with Pingnan Prince’s manor was just right.

Prince Pingnan, Princess Pingnan, heir Wei Feng, young Princess Wei Wen—Pingnan Prince’s manor had four masters. To ensure no one would suspect her, dealing with only one person in a place connected to the tavern was safest.

The natural first choice was Prince Pingnan.

Opening a tavern to kill one person.

This business was not a loss.

“Hong Dou, go attend to the guests.” Luo Sheng said calmly.