I started as a concubine, and I made the crown prince cry with my delicious food.

Hearing Xiao Jingshi's words, which were full of heartache and guilt, Ye An'an was stunned for a moment, and then couldn't help but burst out laughing.

She knew that with his competitive nature, he would definitely try it secretly, and the result would surely be disastrous.

"What's wrong? Is our Crown Prince afraid of the kitchen fumes?" She looked up and teased his handsome face, which was still covered in grease and looked a little disheveled.

Xiao Jingshi's face flushed slightly, and he awkwardly looked away, stubbornly saying, "Nonsense! I just feel that such rough work as cooking shouldn't be done by you, the Crown Princess."

"Oh? Is that so?" Ye An'an drawled out her words, reaching out to brush the dust off his face with a gentle and affectionate gesture.

"I heard that the imperial kitchen was almost set on fire this afternoon? I also heard that someone crushed eggs, burned tomatoes, and ended up cooking a pot of some unknown red paste? Your Highness, who do you think could have done this?"

With each word she spoke, Xiao Jingshi's ears turned even redder, until his handsome face was almost dripping with redness.

"How...how did you know?!" he said, somewhat embarrassed and angry.

"Your Highness, don't forget, I'm now in charge of all the internal affairs of the Eastern Palace." Ye An'an proudly raised her chin.

Xiao Jingshi was rendered speechless by her words. Looking into her sly and triumphant eyes, the sense of defeat in his heart instantly vanished, replaced by a sweet feeling of doting affection.

He pinched her cheek and sighed, "Alright, stop laughing. I'm serious."

"An'an, I never knew cooking a meal was so hard. I don't want you to work so hard for this family anymore, especially now that you're pregnant."

Ye An'an pulled him to sit down at the stone table, scooped a spoonful of sweet and sour soup and fed it to his lips: "Your Highness, please try it first."

Xiao Jingshi opened his mouth and ate it. A sour and spicy taste spread in his mouth and went straight to his stomach, making him feel like he was sweating all over.

"Is it good?" Ye An'an asked.

"Yes." Xiao Jingshi nodded honestly.

"Then do you know why what I make tastes better than what's served in the imperial kitchen?"

Xiao Jingshi thought for a moment: "Because you are more talented than them?"

"Wrong." Ye An'an shook her head. "Because I was happy when I made this dish."

"Your Highness, cooking has never been a chore for me. I love watching ingredients transform into delicious dishes in my hands, and I love seeing the satisfied and happy expressions on the faces of those I love because of my cooking. When you're doing something you truly love, you'll never feel tired or bored."

Her words were soft and gentle, yet they were like a spring breeze blowing into Xiao Jingshi's heart.

"Just like when you work day and night for this country and for all the people, do you ever feel tired?"

Xiao Jingshi was stunned. He realized that he seemed to have been taught a lesson by her again.

Yes, he handled political affairs to realize his ambition of governing the country and bringing peace to the world. And wasn't she, in the kitchen, managing the daily necessities, also managing her own little, happy kingdom filled with the warmth of home?

What right does he have to stop her from doing what she loves and deprive her of that unique sense of satisfaction?

"I understand," he whispered, a hint of regret in his voice. He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, a kiss filled with understanding, respect, and an unfathomable love.

"An'an, I'm sorry, I was being narrow-minded."

He gripped her hand tightly, his gaze more resolute than ever before. "From this day forward, do whatever you want. In this Eastern Palace, in this world, as long as I am here, you can always be the most authentic Ye An'an. Your kitchen, your 'Liren Pavilion,' they are all your world. I will not interfere, I will only protect you." His promise, heavier than gold, struck Ye An'an's heart, bringing tears to her eyes.

The next moment, he suddenly stood up, picked Ye An'an up from the stone bench, and hugged her tightly in his arms.

He kissed her deeply.

This kiss was no longer a light, fleeting touch, but rather a storm of apology, understanding, and unfathomable love, possessively and tenderly seizing her breath.

Ye An'an was a little dazed by his kiss and could only cling to his shoulders, enduring his overwhelming emotions.

After a long while, until she was almost suffocating, Xiao Jingshi gently released her, his forehead pressed against hers, his hot breath spraying onto her face.

Just as they were enjoying this tender moment, a sharp sound shattered the tranquility of the night, carrying an irresistible majesty as it pierced straight through the courtyard.

"Imperial edict has arrived!"

"Crown Princess, receive the imperial decree!"

As soon as the shrill voice fell, a group of eunuchs and palace maids filed in, led by none other than the emperor's chief eunuch, Eunuch Gao.

Xiao Jingshi immediately released Ye An'an, his expression somewhat unnatural. He helped her to her feet, and the two of them went to greet her together.

"What is this, Eunuch Gao?" Xiao Jingshi asked.

The eunuch Gao smiled so much that his eyes narrowed into slits: "Your Highness, Your Highness, Your Highness the Crown Princess, His Majesty is overjoyed to reward Your Highness the Crown Princess for her pregnancy and has specially ordered this old servant to deliver the imperial decree of reward."

Ye An'an's heart skipped a beat.

She and Xiao Jingshi exchanged a glance, both seeing doubt in each other's eyes. The emperor's sudden bestowal of a reward at this time was probably not so simple.

"Crown Princess Ye, receive the imperial decree!" Eunuch Gao unfurled the bright yellow imperial decree.

Ye An'an immediately knelt down, and Xiao Jingshi followed suit by kneeling on one knee.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Crown Princess Ye is virtuous and capable, and manages the household well. Now, she brings joyous news, a true blessing to the Eastern Palace and a boon to the Imperial Family. Therefore, she is hereby granted..."

Grandpa Gao paused, drawing out his words.

Ye An'an felt even more panicked. This old eunuch was clearly deliberately teasing her.

"The Crown Princess is hereby granted one exclusive access to the Imperial Treasury, where she may take as many treasures as she pleases!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire Tinglan Water Pavilion fell silent.

Ye An'an's eyes widened.

Open the internal warehouse? And you can choose for yourself?

This is the emperor's private treasury! It's filled with rare and precious treasures collected by emperors throughout history. Even the crown prince can't normally get in, and now she's being allowed to take whatever she wants?

Xiao Jingshi was also stunned. His father's gesture was far too extravagant.

"So be it!" Eunuch Li put away the imperial edict and looked at Ye An'an with a smile. "Crown Princess, His Majesty also said that you are now pregnant with twins, so you must take good care of yourself. Please feel free to choose whatever you like from the Imperial Treasury."

Ye An'an received the imperial edict, her mind still a little foggy.

"Thank you for your great kindness, Father Emperor." She bowed mechanically.

Eunuch Gao then pulled out a gleaming gold key from his sleeve: "This is the key to the Imperial Treasury. His Majesty said that I will take the Crown Princess there first thing tomorrow morning."

After saying that, he winked at Xiao Jingshi: "Your Highness, His Majesty is still waiting for you in Qianqing Palace. He said he has important matters to discuss."

Xiao Jingshi frowned slightly. At this hour, did his father still want to see him?

He glanced at Ye An'an and said in a low voice, "I'll be right back."

"Okay, you go ahead." Ye An'an nodded obediently.

After Xiao Jingshi left, Eunuch Gao also led his men out.

The courtyard fell silent again. Ye An'an held the heavy key, still somewhat dazed.

"Master, this is incredible news!" Chenzhu blushed with excitement. "Any item from the imperial treasury is priceless!"

Fu Yun chimed in, "I heard there are luminous pearls that were tributes from the previous dynasty, blood jade from the Western Regions, and coral trees from the South China Sea inside..."

"Alright, alright," Ye An'an interrupted their daydreaming.

She put the key away, but was pondering something in her mind.

The emperor's extravagant gesture must have been more than just because she was pregnant.

Considering Xiao Jingshi's visit to the Qianqing Palace, she roughly guessed what had happened.

It's most likely related to the Zhang family's affair.

The emperor was trying to appease her, afraid that she would feel uncomfortable because of the Zhang family's affairs.

Having figured this out, Ye An'an relaxed.

Since it's compensation, she won't stand on ceremony.

After the eunuch delivering the imperial decree left, Xiao Jingshi gestured for Ye An'an to sit down, his expression becoming serious.

"My father summoned me last night about the Zhang family."

Xiao Jingshi raised an eyebrow: "Father Emperor bestowed upon the Zhang family the title of 'Head of Imperial Merchants Under Heaven'."

He recounted the promise the emperor had made to him in its entirety.

Ye An'an couldn't help but laugh out loud after hearing this.

"Father's move was brilliant, absolutely brilliant."

This is no reward; it's practically putting the Zhang family on the hot seat of the fire.

Being the head of the imperial merchants may seem glamorous, but it actually cuts off the highest limit for Zhang family descendants to enter officialdom.

Although they could enter the Imperial Academy, those from merchant families were always considered inferior in the eyes of civil officials.

Moreover, a ten-year tax exemption and exemption from corvée labor is indeed real money, enough to make other merchants envious.

Most importantly, what the Zhang family most wanted to curry favor with was the status of a "noble person" in the Eastern Palace.

Now the emperor gives money and titles directly, but he doesn't give them official status.

This is tantamount to telling the Zhang family: We can give you money, and we can give you a little power, but if you want to enter the Eastern Palace, you have no chance.

"Aren't you angry?" Xiao Jingshi observed her expression.

Ye An'an shrugged: "Why should I be angry? I got a box of treasures for free, and I don't have to deal with annoying people. I'm overjoyed."

She leaned closer to Xiao Jing and winked mischievously.

"However, Your Highness, that young lady from the Zhang family is probably going to cry herself to sleep in the bathroom."

Xiao Jingshi didn't understand what "toilet" meant, but he could roughly guess what she was thinking.

He reached out and flicked her nose: "What are you thinking about all day long in that little head of yours?"

"How do you plan to make money to support me?" Ye An'an casually made up a story.

Xiao Jingshi chuckled and pulled her into his arms.

"Does a prince as noble as myself need you to support him?"

"That's hard to say. What if one day your father demotes you to a commoner? You'll still have to rely on my 'Beauty Pavilion' for food."

Xiao Jingshi's face darkened: "Nonsense."

Although he was joking, he felt a warm glow inside.