The weather grew increasingly cold, and the high walls of the Grand Commander’s residence were frozen black, appearing desolate and lonely.

The once bustling threshold had long since become deserted, with passersby instinctively taking detours when passing by.

Grand Commander Luo remained imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice dungeon to this day. The cases of Grand Commander Luo’s private release of Prince Zhennan’s youngest son and the poisoning of Grand Commander Luo were still under investigation.

Regardless of when the verdict would be finalized, in people’s eyes, the Grand Commander’s residence had grown as cold as the increasingly frigid weather—completely fallen from grace.

Rotten vegetable leaves thrown at the vermilion-lacquered main gate of the Luo residence began accumulating faster than they could be cleaned. Those who had once suffered oppression by the Jinlin Guard finally found an outlet for their grievances.

Yet the still-fragrant You Jian Wine House stirred certain people’s thoughts.

Wei Wen sat in the teahouse diagonally across from You Jian Wine House, sipping tea one mouthful at a time, her gaze fixed on the blue wine banner fluttering in the wind.

A faint, elusive fragrance began drifting over.

She knew this meant You Jian Wine House had started preparing their broth.

Lamb hotpot, fish ball hotpot, pickled cabbage and pork hotpot… With this carefully prepared broth, the flavors were exceptionally delicious.

Since the Grand Commander’s residence ran into trouble, You Jian Wine House had grown quiet, though recently there had been occasional customers.

Her second brother, after restraining himself for a period at first, now frequented the place every few days.

Could hotpots made with ordinary ingredients truly be so delicious?

After she questioned this, yesterday her second brother brought back a fish head and fish ball hotpot from You Jian Wine House…

Just recalling it seemed to awaken her taste buds.

Wei Wen drank a mouthful of tea, suppressing the sudden surge of appetite, and looked out the window expressionlessly.

Finally, the figure she had been waiting for appeared.

Wei Wen immediately stood up and quickly walked out of the teahouse.

“Guest, our wine house hasn’t opened yet,” Sheng Sanlang blocked her path.

Wei Wen frowned at him, contempt hidden in her eyes.

This person seemed to be Luo Sheng’s cousin.

What a person lacking self-awareness.

The Grand Commander’s residence was clearly about to fall, and who knew how many people would be implicated. Instead of distancing himself early, he foolishly remained here working as a server.

“I’m not here to drink wine. I’m looking for Miss Luo on business.”

“Please wait a moment.” Sheng Sanlang set down his broom and ran inside.

Wei Wen curved her lips in a cold smile and directly stepped into the main hall entrance.

“Cousin, someone’s looking for you—”

Luo Sheng, who had just removed her outer coat, already saw Wei Wen following behind him.

“Greetings, Commandery Princess.” Luo Sheng bent her knees slightly.

Wei Wen looked down at the young woman bowing to her, saying coolly, “Miss Luo need not be so polite.”

Luo Sheng straightened her back. “Does the Commandery Princess need something from me?”

Wei Wen felt a momentary sense of loss and displeasure.

She enjoyed the feeling of Luo Sheng bending her knees before her.

Unfortunately, it was only for a greeting.

However, before long, it wouldn’t just be for greetings anymore.

She looked forward to that day’s arrival.

Luo Sheng watched Wei Wen coldly and curved her lips.

Who knew what daydream this little commandery princess was having—she seemed quite immersed in it.

Wei Wen collected her thoughts and raised her hand to smooth her hair at the temples, saying with some reserve, “I’ve come to find Miss Luo today with a presumptuous request.”

“A presumptuous request?” Luo Sheng raised her eyebrows slightly.

She quite disliked this phrase.

Generally, people who spoke this way would make demands that were awkward or unpleasant.

If that was the case, why ask at all?

“The Commandery Princess might as well speak directly.”

“I wish to borrow the wine house’s cook.”

As soon as these words left her mouth, the female proprietor checking accounts, Shi Yan wiping tables, Hong Dou cracking melon seeds… everyone in the main hall couldn’t help but stop what they were doing, looking stunned.

Only Luo Sheng remained impassive as she asked, “I don’t quite understand the Commandery Princess’s meaning. Could the Commandery Princess explain more clearly?”

Wei Wen pressed her lips into a smile. “It’s like this: my mother consort has been suffering from poor appetite. Yesterday, after eating a hotpot taken out from the wine house, her appetite was considerably better than usual. I wish to borrow your wine house’s cook to come to the prince’s residence to cook for my mother consort—”

Hong Dou directly threw down her melon seed shells. “Someone actually comes to another person’s wine house to borrow the cook?”

Wei Wen’s face turned cold, not even looking at Hong Dou. “Miss Luo, when did it become a maid’s turn to interrupt when we’re speaking?”

Luo Sheng smiled. “Why should the Commandery Princess bother with a little maid? Please continue.”

Staring at Luo Sheng’s slightly curved lips, Wei Wen sneered inwardly.

As expected, without Grand Commander Luo backing her, where would Luo Sheng get the audacity to be arrogant and domineering?

“Miss Luo, don’t misunderstand. I’m only asking for the cook to come at noon, which won’t interfere with the wine house’s evening opening. Please do me this favor and fulfill my filial devotion to my mother consort.”

Luo Sheng fell silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

“What is Miss Luo laughing at?” Wei Wen heard insolence in that laugh.

“I laugh at the Commandery Princess’s unique ideas. Why should your filial devotion to the princess consort require others to fulfill it? Doesn’t such filial devotion seem somewhat discounted?”

Wei Wen didn’t expect Luo Sheng to speak so harshly and immediately assumed a frosty expression. “Are you saying Miss Luo won’t lend her then?”

“My apologies, the cook is not available for lending.”

“Miss Luo, offering convenience to others is offering convenience to yourself.” Wei Wen’s words carried deep meaning.

Luo Sheng’s expression darkened slightly. “Is the Commandery Princess threatening me? If today the prince’s residence borrows the cook at noon, tomorrow the duke’s residence borrows the cook in the evening—once this precedent is set, will our wine house continue operating or not?”

Before Wei Wen could speak, Luo Sheng continued, “If the Commandery Princess wishes to show filial devotion to her mother, either accompany the princess consort here to eat, or take it out. Why must you borrow my cook?”

Wei Wen suppressed her anger and said coldly, “As I said, my mother consort is unwell and cannot go out conveniently. Food taken out in winter loses its flavor. Only by inviting the cook to come prepare it can we have the best of both worlds.”

“The Commandery Princess’s ‘best of both worlds’ is others’ ‘extremely difficult situation.'” Luo Sheng pointed toward the door. “If the Commandery Princess isn’t here to drink wine, please return. I won’t see you out.”

“Miss Luo, you truly won’t give any face and insist on being so absolute?”

“The one insisting on being absolute is clearly the Commandery Princess.” Luo Sheng raised her hand to tuck stray hair behind her ear.

Wei Wen’s gaze moved downward, landing on the brilliantly shining bracelet on the young woman’s pale wrist.

That was her gold-inlaid seven-treasure bracelet.

A surge of malice arose spontaneously.

When Father Prince was attacked and they sought the divine physician, Luo Sheng took the opportunity to demand her bracelet.

For Father Prince’s sake, she had no choice but to swallow her anger and give away the bracelet.

Now, with Grand Commander Luo imprisoned, she came to borrow the cook—why could Luo Sheng disregard everything and not show her, a commandery princess, any respect at all?

Heh, could Luo Sheng be taking the rumors seriously, believing that Young Prince Uncle regarded her with special favor?

Even if that were true, Young Prince Uncle wasn’t in the capital these past few days.

This time, she absolutely must teach this wench surnamed Luo a lesson.

“Miss Luo is quite stubborn. I take my leave!” Wei Wen glanced at Luo Sheng, then turned and left with a stern expression and a flick of her sleeves.

Sheng Sanlang came over, unable to hide his worry. “Cousin, did you offend the Commandery Princess?”

Luo Sheng smiled gracefully, her fingertips brushing across the gold bracelet on her wrist. “Wasn’t she offended long ago?”

“Will she come looking for trouble?”

Luo Sheng smiled slightly. “I’m not afraid. I am the trouble.”