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

Ye An'an ultimately did not enter the brightly lit study.

She silently turned around and returned to Tinglan Water Pavilion.

Her mind was in turmoil the whole way.

She knew she couldn't persuade Xiao Jingshi; once that man made a decision, nothing could change his mind.

She knew she shouldn't try to dissuade him. For the country and its people, his going was an act of responsibility and commitment.

But deep down, she couldn't help but worry.

It was a very unfamiliar emotion, like a tangled mess of threads wrapped around her heart, making her feel flustered and confused.

Back at Tinglan Waterside Pavilion, Fuyun and Chenzhu could tell that she was in low spirits, so they took great care of her and didn't dare to ask her a single question.

Ye An'an sat alone in the room for a long time until the moon outside the window rose to its zenith.

She suddenly stood up.

Since she couldn't change the fact that he was leaving, she decided to do what she could.

She couldn't go to the disaster area and couldn't help much, but at least she could make sure he ate better and safer.

Yes, eat!

Thinking of this, Ye An'an's panicked heart seemed to have suddenly found its anchor.

Her eyes regained their brightness and determination.

"Sinking pearl, brushing against the clouds!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Go, turn on all the lights in the small kitchen! And bring me the best piece of beef hind leg from the storeroom!" Ye An'an rolled up her sleeves, her fighting spirit rekindled in her eyes.

She's going to make him dried meat!

On the road to disaster relief, people often have to endure wind and rain, travel long distances and high mountains, and there are bound to be many times when they can't even get a hot meal.

Dried meat is easy to carry and can replenish energy, making it the perfect food for travelers.

The small kitchen was soon brightly lit again.

Ye An'an directed two maids to remove all the tendons and membranes from the fine beef hind leg and then slice it into evenly thick pieces along the grain.

Next comes the marinating process.

This is the most crucial step in making dried meat.

Ye An'an took out her "secret weapon"—the top-grade spices that Xiao Yuanzheng had given her when she made braised dishes last time.

She poured soy sauce, cooking wine, oyster sauce, and a little sugar into a large bowl, then added crushed star anise, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, fennel seeds, and more than a dozen other spices, mixing them together to create a rich and flavorful marinade.

She carefully placed the sliced ​​beef into the marinade, one slice at a time, and mixed it thoroughly with her hands to ensure that each slice was evenly coated with the sauce.

"Alright, let it marinate for an hour to let the flavors infuse."

While waiting, Ye An'an was not idle.

She then asked Chenzhu to go to the food storage room and bring back several large pieces of fine pork belly.

She plans to make another dish—smoked meat.

The Jiangnan region is humid, and ordinary dried meat is prone to moisture absorption and spoilage. However, smoked meat, after being smoked and grilled, not only has a unique flavor but can also be preserved for a longer period of time.

If she's going to do something, she'll do it the best, the one that will keep him safe and sound.

An hour later, the beef had been marinated thoroughly.

Ye An'an set up a small charcoal stove in the yard and covered it with wire mesh.

She laid the marinated beef slices flat on the wire mesh and slowly grilled them over a very small charcoal fire.

As the temperature rises, the moisture in the beef is gradually dried out, and the marinade sauce is locked tightly inside the meat.

A rich, overpowering aroma, a blend of meat and spices, began to waft from the small charcoal stove.

This flavor is richer than roasted meat and more direct than braised meat.

"Wow, Your Majesty, this smells so good!" Fuyun was helping to add charcoal, and her mouth was watering at the aroma.

"This is just the beginning." Ye An'an stared intently at the slices of meat on the grill, flipping them over from time to time. "Once they're done grilling, they'll be incredibly fragrant."

As the beef slices are grilled over charcoal, their color slowly changes from bright red to dark brown, with glistening fat seeping from the surface, making them look incredibly tempting.

The fragrance quickly wafted over the walls of Tinglan Water Pavilion, its aroma particularly penetrating in the quiet of the night.

……

Inside Jingming Hall, Xiao Jingshi had just finished discussing all the details with Lu Chengyuan and Xie Zhao.

After seeing the two off, he stood alone by the window, looking at the moonlight on the horizon, but felt no sense of calm about leaving the capital.

Ye An'an's image would always unconsciously appear in his mind.

He didn't know how to tell her that he was leaving.

He was even a little...afraid to see the disappointment on her face.

Just as he was feeling agitated, a familiar, overpowering fragrance drifted into his nostrils on the night breeze.

It's her again.

What is this woman doing in the kitchen in the middle of the night?

Xiao Jingshi's heart stirred, and as if possessed, he lifted his foot and walked towards Tinglan Water Pavilion.

He walked to the gate of the courtyard and saw Ye An'an squatting in the middle of the courtyard, next to the small charcoal stove, carefully turning the slices of meat on the grill by the light of the lantern.

Her profile was flushed red by the glow of the charcoal fire, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, but her eyes were as focused as those of a skilled craftsman.

In that instant, Xiao Jingshi felt as if his heart had been gently bumped by something.

He didn't say anything, just stood quietly in the shadows, watching her.

Finally, the last batch of beef jerky was ready.

Ye An'an placed all the roasted jerky in a large bamboo basket to cool.

The dried meat was roasted to the perfect balance of dryness and moisture, with a glossy, dark reddish-brown color and a layer of roasted sesame seeds sprinkled on top, making it look very chewy.

"Mission accomplished!" Ye An'an straightened up, rubbed her sore back, and a satisfied smile appeared on her face.

She looked up and saw Xiao Jingshi standing not far away.

"Your Highness?" She paused, taken aback. "When...did you arrive?"

"Just arrived." Xiao Jingshi stepped out of the shadows, his gaze falling on the bamboo winnowing basket. "What are you doing?"

"I made it for you." Ye An'an blurted out without thinking.

After saying that, she felt a little embarrassed, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she quickly explained, "I... I heard you were going to Jiangnan, a long journey, and you probably wouldn't eat well. So... I made some dried meat for you to take with you on the road."

Her voice grew softer and softer as she spoke.

Xiao Jingshi looked at her, at her bright eyes shining under the lamplight, and the softest string in his heart was plucked again.

He stepped forward, picked up a piece of dried meat that was still warm, and put it in his mouth.

The jerky is chewy and becomes more fragrant the more you chew it. Salty, sweet, fragrant, and spicy flavors blend perfectly in your mouth, eventually transforming into a rich meaty aroma.

good to eat.

It tasted better than any kind of dried meat he had ever eaten.

"Your Highness, was it delicious?" Ye An'an asked expectantly after he finished eating.

Xiao Jingshi looked at her but didn't answer. He simply picked up another piece.

Ye An'an couldn't help but laugh when she saw his expression.

This two-faced guy.

She picked up a piece, put it in her mouth, and chewed it slowly, imitating him.

Neither of them spoke. In the quiet night, amidst the aroma of meat filling the courtyard, they each ate a piece of dried meat.

The atmosphere was tranquil and beautiful.

It wasn't until Ye An'an had almost finished eating the first batch of roasted jerky that she suddenly realized what was happening.

"Oh dear! This was for you to eat on the way! How could you eat it all!" She quickly snatched the winnowing basket back, holding it protectively in her arms, looking "heartbroken".

Looking at her adorable, possessive expression, Xiao Jingshi couldn't help but let a faint, gentle smile appear on his lips.