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

Xiao Jingshi and his "second brother-in-law" Ye Feng stood there staring at each other, the atmosphere quite awkward.

One is the pampered, aloof, and noble Crown Prince.

One was a fierce general who came from the wind and sand and went through blood and fire on the frontier.

The two seemed to be from completely different worlds. But because of Ye An'an, their common point of connection, they were forced to stand together for a somewhat awkward "first meeting."

Xie Zhao, being quick-witted, noticed the awkward atmosphere and immediately stepped in to smooth things over.

"Oh, it's General Ye! I've heard so much about you!" He patted Ye Feng on the shoulder familiarly. "I've often heard Consort An... cough, the concubine mention that she has two older brothers, both great heroes. Meeting you today, I can see they truly live up to their reputation!"

Ye Feng was made somewhat uncomfortable by his sudden enthusiasm. As a rough man who had spent years in the military, he was least used to dealing with these glib-tongued young masters in the capital.

He simply nodded indifferently at Xie Zhao as a response.

"General Ye, you must be tired from your journey all the way from the northern border." Lu Chengyuan stepped forward and bowed. He was much more composed than Xie Zhao. "Why don't you rest with us for a while, have some water, and then continue your journey?"

"Thank you, Lord Lu." Ye Feng's impression of Lu Chengyuan was clearly better than his impression of Xie Zhao.

So the two groups of people met up and rested together under the shade of trees by the official road.

Soon, it was mealtime again.

Meanwhile, the soldiers on Ye Feng's side took out their rations from their packs on horseback.

It was a kind of dark, hard-looking flatbread, and also a dark brown jerky wrapped in oil paper.

Ye Feng also took out his share. He walked to the riverbank, washed his hands briefly with water from his water bag, then sat down on the ground, picked up a piece of flatbread, and began to gnaw on it with a piece of dried meat.

He ate quickly and forcefully, as if he were devouring not food, but an enemy.

Xie Zhao and Lu Chengyuan, holding their bowls of white rice, looked towards Ye Feng's side, their mouths watering at the faint aroma of meat wafting from their direction.

Xie Zhao finally couldn't resist any longer. He picked up his bowl and moved closer to Ye Feng.

"Um... General Ye," he said with a fawning smile, "what is this you're eating? It smells... quite delicious."

Ye Feng glanced at him, then took out a large piece of dried meat and a whole flatbread from his bag and handed them over.

"Frontier rations: dried beef and flatbread," he explained succinctly. "They're not worth much, but they'll fill you up. If you don't mind, Lord Xie, please try some."

"I don't mind! How could I mind!" Xie Zhao was overjoyed and quickly accepted it.

He first picked up the flatbread, which was extremely large and thick, like a small shield, with a golden-brown surface and sprinkled with white sesame seeds. He broke off a piece with force, and with a "crunch," it was incredibly crispy.

He put it in his mouth and chewed it, and his eyes lit up instantly.

It smells amazing! It smells so good!

This flatbread had a crispy, golden-brown crust, while the inside was layered and distinct. It was bursting with wheat flavor and had a subtle salty taste. It was a hundred times better than the dry, hard flatbreads they'd eaten before!

He picked up the dried beef again and, imitating Ye Feng, tore off a strip.

The beef was dried to a very chewy texture; someone with weak teeth probably couldn't even bite into it. But Xie Zhao still used all his strength to put it in his mouth and chewed it vigorously.

As you chew, a pure, primal, and rich meaty aroma, mixed with the salty fragrance of spices, begins to slowly spread throughout your mouth.

The more you chew, the more fragrant it becomes, with a lingering aftertaste.

"Delicious!" Xie Zhao mumbled, "This is delicious too!"

He felt that although this dried beef was not as flavorful as Ye An'an's spicy beef jerky, it had a different kind of rustic and rugged flavor that was equally addictive.

Seeing his pathetic state, Lu Chengyuan couldn't help but pick up his bowl and walk over.

Ye Feng also gave him a share.

Lu Chengyuan savored it carefully, a look of approval on his face.

Xiao Jingshi sat not far away, watching his two friends happily eating guokui and dried meat, and felt a little uneasy.

He felt that, on his side, it seemed... he had lost in terms of food.

Just then, Ye Feng walked up to him, carrying a flatbread and the largest piece of beef jerky.

"Your Highness, please try some." He handed it over. "Our soldiers on the border rely on this to defend against foreign enemies and protect our country."

His tone carried an undeniable frankness and pride befitting a soldier.

Xiao Jingshi looked at the thing in his hand, then at his weathered, composed face, and almost unconsciously, took it.

He followed their example and took a bite as well.

The flatbread was hard, and the beef was dry.

But just as Xie Zhao sensed, this rough food contained a powerful, simple, and vibrant flavor.

He suddenly realized that this smell was very similar to the energy emanating from Ye An'an.

They are all so real, unadorned, yet full of power.

He watched Ye Feng devour a guokui (a type of flatbread) and suddenly asked, "Does your sister... An'an, eat this at home too?"

His question was somewhat abrupt, and also somewhat... cautious.

It was as if they were trying to find out a more authentic side of her from her family, a side they didn't know.