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

The atmosphere in the study of Jingming Hall was somewhat somber.

Xiao Jingshi sat in the main seat, his fingers lightly tapping the table as he listened to Lu Chengyuan and Xie Zhao's reports.

"...That old fox, Wang De'an, the Minister of Revenue, insisted that the national treasury was broke, and even hinted that the Southern Textile Bureau and Salt Transport Bureau were running deficits every year. He said if we could squeeze some money out of them, the water conservancy funds would be much easier to secure." Xie Zhao said indignantly, "Isn't this obviously trying to make His Highness offend people? The Textile Bureau is backed by the Imperial Concubine's family, and the Salt Transport Bureau is involved with several imperial relatives. Which of them are easy to mess with?"

Lu Chengyuan added, "Wang De'an is Prince Jing's man. He did this for two reasons: first, to hand Prince Jing a weapon to make things difficult for Your Highness; and second, to use Your Highness to shake the foundation of Consort Gui's faction so that he can reap the benefits. Your Highness, we must consider this matter carefully."

After listening, Xiao Jingshi remained calm and did not speak.

The study fell silent for a moment, with only the occasional sound of the wind coming from outside the window.

Lu Chengyuan and Xie Zhao exchanged a glance, both feeling anxious. This matter couldn't be delayed; the rainy season in the south was fast approaching, and if the river embankment wasn't repaired, countless people would suffer.

Just then, Xie Zhao's stomach rumbled at an inopportune moment.

The sound was unusually loud in the quiet study.

Xie Zhao's face flushed red instantly, and he wished he could disappear into the ground.

Lu Chengyuan wanted to laugh but dared not, struggling to hold it in.

Xiao Jingshi raised his eyelids, glanced at Xie Zhao, and asked in a flat tone, "Hungry?"

"No...no!" Xie Zhao immediately straightened his back and stubbornly replied.

No sooner had he finished speaking than his stomach growled again, as if it were defying him.

Even Lu Chengyuan couldn't help but chuckle softly.

Looking at Xie Zhao's embarrassed appearance, Xiao Jingshi inexplicably thought of the woman who had handed them the sesame seed cakes that afternoon.

She was like that back then, smiling with her eyes crinkling, radiating an irresistible enthusiasm.

And the taste of the food...

As he was thinking, the sound of the pavilion came from outside the hall.

"Your Highness, Miss Fuyun from Tinglan Water Pavilion requests an audience."

Xiao Jingshi's heart stirred.

She sent someone?

"Let her in."

Soon, Fuyun walked in with light steps. She first bowed respectfully to the three of them, and then said with a smile, "Your Highness, our Lady said that she has made some novel dishes called 'Hot Pot.' The weather is getting cooler, and it is the warmest dish to eat. She specially sent me to invite you to dine with her."

Hot pot?

What is this?

Lu Chengyuan and Xie Zhao both looked puzzled. They considered themselves well-informed people in the capital, but they had never heard of this name before.

The name sounded beautiful, and upon hearing that the concubine's cuisine was exceptional, both of them felt a strong sense of anticipation.

As Xiao Jingshi listened to Fuyun's message, he could almost picture the steaming, fragrant scene in the small courtyard of Tinglan Water Pavilion.

He almost nodded in agreement without much hesitation.

But when he glanced at Lu Chengyuan and Xie Zhao beside him, and at the pile of unresolved official business on the table, he hesitated again.

He's gone, what will happen to them?

In the instant he hesitated, a thought suddenly popped into his mind.

Why couldn't he... take them with him?

Once the thought appeared, it could no longer be suppressed.

He looked at Fuyun, who was full of anticipation, and then at his two friends who were staring at him expectantly, and spoke up as if possessed.

"Understood. Go back first and tell the concubine that I will arrive shortly."

Once Fuyun left, he stood up and said to Lu Chengyuan and Xie Zhao, who were still somewhat dazed, "Let's go."

"Huh? Let's go? Where are we going, Your Highness?" Xie Zhao didn't react.

"Go and have your meal," Xiao Jingshi said succinctly.

"But...but this matter hasn't been discussed yet..." Lu Chengyuan hesitated.

"Let's talk while we eat," Xiao Jingshi said, and then walked straight outside.

He himself couldn't explain why he made this decision.

Perhaps he felt that Tinglan Waterside Pavilion possessed a kind of warmth and liveliness that his own Jingming Palace lacked. He wanted his friends to experience that warm and lively atmosphere as well.

Or perhaps, he simply wanted to show off his...unique concubine in front of them.

Lu Chengyuan and Xie Zhao were completely stunned.

In all the years they had known Xiao Jingshi, this was the first time they had ever seen him so "willful".

They actually wanted to dine in the concubine's palace while discussing state affairs with them?

If this gets out, it'll probably shock everyone!

"What are you still standing there for?" Xiao Jingshi's voice came from the doorway, tinged with impatience.

"Oh! Here it comes!"

The two snapped out of their daze, quickly picked up the files on the table, and hurried after him.

Walking down the street, Xie Zhao still felt like he was dreaming. He leaned close to Lu Chengyuan and whispered, "Chengyuan, pinch me. Am I dreaming? His Highness... has he finally come to his senses?"

Lu Chengyuan's expression was also very strange. He lowered his voice and replied, "I think... it's pretty much true. This Crown Prince's concubine is probably a real extraordinary person. Not only can she make His Highness look at her differently, but she can also make His Highness do such an... outrageous thing."

As they talked, the two quickened their pace, their hearts filled with unprecedented curiosity and anticipation for "hot pot," a dish they had only heard of but never tasted.

They had a premonition that tonight might be a night they would never forget.