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

The next day, before dawn, the entire Eastern Palace was abuzz with activity.

Xiao Jingshi is going to Jiangnan for disaster relief. All personnel, supplies, and vehicles accompanying him must be assembled today and depart promptly at noon.

Ye An'an also got up very early. She didn't sleep well and always felt uneasy.

She went to the small kitchen herself, ladled out a bowl of chicken soup that had been simmering in the pot the night before, and then made a few thin scallion pancakes.

When she brought breakfast to Jingming Palace, Xiao Jingshi was already dressed.

He changed out of his fine clothes and into a dark, practical outfit for riding. His long hair was tied up high with a jade crown, making him look dashing and heroic. He had lost some of his usual aloofness and gained more of the imposing air of someone about to go to the battlefield.

Seeing Ye An'an enter, he paused in his steps, which were about to leave.

"Why are you here?"

"I brought you breakfast." Ye An'an placed the tray on the table, opened the food box, and said, "Traveling on an empty stomach will make your stomach uncomfortable. Have some hot soup and a pancake to tide you over."

Her tone was as natural as that of an ordinary wife reminding her husband to go out.

Looking at the steaming bowl of chicken soup and the few golden and crispy scallion pancakes, Xiao Jingshi felt a warmth spreading uncontrollably through his heart once again.

He did not refuse and walked to the table to sit down.

He ate quietly and elegantly, but at a considerable pace.

A bowl of chicken soup and three scallion pancakes were quickly devoured.

After breakfast, it was almost time to set off.

"I should go," Xiao Jingshi said, standing up.

"Mm." Ye An'an nodded and stood up as well.

The two remained silent, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward for a moment.

"Um... I had Changting take the food box with me, remember to eat it on the way." Ye An'an made conversation.

"understood."

"The smoked meat and dried meat are very dry, so they should last quite a while. But those two sauces, once opened, should be eaten as soon as possible, otherwise they will spoil easily."

"Um."

"Also... instant noodles must be soaked in boiling water, otherwise they won't soften."

"it is good."

She went on and on, saying a lot. He listened quietly.

Finally, Changting whispered a reminder from outside: "Your Highness, it's getting late. We should go to the palace gate to meet Lord Lu and the others."

"I'll escort you to the palace gate," Ye An'an said.

Xiao Jingshi glanced at her but did not refuse.

The two rode together in the imperial carriage, slowly making their way to the palace gate.

Silence continued throughout the journey.

But this silence wasn't awkward; instead, it was filled with a kind of unspoken concern.

Upon arriving at the palace gate, Lu Chengyuan and Xie Zhao were already waiting there with a group of men.

Upon seeing the Crown Prince's imperial carriage approach, the two immediately stepped forward and bowed.

Xiao Jingshi got out of the car, and Ye An'an followed him out.

This was the first time she had publicly seen him off in front of so many people.

Xie Zhao and Lu Chengyuan were both somewhat surprised to see her, but then they both showed an understanding expression and silently stepped aside, leaving the two of them alone.

"I'm leaving," Xiao Jingshi said to her again.

"Mm." Ye An'an nodded.

She wanted to say so much: to tell him to be careful, to tell him to take good care of himself, and to tell him to come back soon.

But looking into his deep eyes, which seemed to hold a thousand words, she suddenly felt that there was nothing more to say.

He understands everything.

She stepped forward, reached out, and gently straightened his slightly wrinkled collar.

Her fingertips, unintentionally, brushed against his neck.

Xiao Jingshi's body stiffened slightly.

"Alright," she smoothed out the last wrinkle, then stepped back, tilted her head back, and gave him a big, radiant smile. "Your Highness, have a safe journey and achieve your goal! I'm in the capital, preparing delicious food for your return!"

Her smile, like a ray of sunshine, instantly dispelled the sadness of parting.

Looking at her bright smile, Xiao Jingshi felt a deep, tender touch in his heart.

He looked at her intently, as if trying to etch her image into his heart.

Then, he resolutely turned around, mounted his horse, and swung himself onto it.

"Set off!"

At a command, the long procession began to slowly march towards the city gate.

Ye An'an stood at the palace gate, watching his back as he walked further and further away in the morning mist until he became a tiny black dot and could no longer be seen.

The smile on her face slowly faded.

I feel empty inside.

"Your Majesty, the wind is picking up. Let's go back," Chenzhu said softly as she stepped forward.

Ye An'an sniffed, suppressing the inexplicable sour feeling, and nodded.

The moment she turned around, she seemed to revert to being the carefree, food-obsessed Ye An'an.

"Let's go back to the palace! I'm in a bad mood today. I'm going to channel my grief into my appetite and cook a grand feast to comfort myself!"

However, beneath that feignedly lighthearted tone lay a hint of melancholy that even she herself was unaware of.