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

That untimely "gurgle" sound instantly shattered the touching atmosphere of the reunion.

Looking at Xiao Jingshi's handsome face that instantly turned bright red and his reddened ears, Ye An'an finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Her smile was like spring returning to the earth, melting away the ice and snow.

Xiao Jingshi felt that his heart, which had become tired and hardened after months of traveling, was completely melted by her bright smile at this moment.

He coughed lightly, looking somewhat embarrassed, and turned his head, pretending to look at his father and mother on the city wall to cover up his awkwardness.

On the city wall, Xiao Yuanzheng and Empress Wei saw the whole scene clearly.

Xiao Yuanzheng's face showed a hint of disdain, as if to say, "How could my son be so useless?" But in his eyes, there was a clear smile of relief.

Empress Wei burst out laughing. She took the hand of Granny Gui beside her and whispered, "Look at Jing Shi, he's practically blind to everyone else."

Granny Gui also smiled and said, "His Highness the Crown Prince and the Consort have a very deep affection for each other; this is a joyous occasion!"

A grand welcoming ceremony officially began in this slightly humorous and warm atmosphere.

Xiao Jingshi first went up to the city wall to pay his respects to the emperor and empress, and gave a detailed report on the results of his trip to Jiangnan.

Xiao Yuanzheng praised him highly, and in front of all the civil and military officials, he lavishly praised him as "a pillar of the country and a model for the crown prince".

Then came the homage and congratulations from all the officials.

The whole process was tedious and lengthy.

Xiao Jingshi's face returned to its usual aloof and noble appearance. He responded to the congratulations from all sides with composure and grace, leaving no room for error.

But his heart had already flown away.

It flew to the East Palace, flew to the Tinglan Water Pavilion, and flew to the hot pot that was bubbling and steaming.

That domineering, numbing and spicy aroma, like an invisible little hand, kept scratching at his heart and tempting his appetite.

He was already eager to try the welcome dinner she had prepared for him.

Finally, we got through all the procedures.

Xiao Jingshi was finally able to escape and return to the Eastern Palace.

Xie Zhao and Lu Chengyuan, naturally, shamelessly followed along as well.

As Ye Feng is Ye An'an's second brother, he should stay and attend the "welcome-back banquet" prepared for him, both out of courtesy and reason.

So, the group marched in a grand procession toward Tinglan Waterside Pavilion.

Before even entering the courtyard, the aroma of the hot pot became increasingly rich and overpowering.

Ye Feng, a man accustomed to simple meals at the border, felt his mouth watering at the smell.

Xie Zhao and Lu Chengyuan, like two hungry wolves smelling meat, had their eyes shining.

When they entered the courtyard and saw the magnificent sight on the stone table, everyone was stunned.

In the center of the courtyard, there was a huge round table.

In the center of the table was a huge bronze pot divided into three compartments.

Inside the pot, three different colored broths were bubbling and steaming.

In the red oil broth, countless dried chilies and Sichuan peppercorns floated and sank, emitting a numbing and spicy aroma that made one's scalp tingle.

The mushroom broth is milky white and rich, exuding the delicate fragrance of mountain delicacies.

The tomato broth is a tempting bright red, and its sweet and sour aroma wafts straight into your nose.

Around the pot, a variety of exquisite white porcelain plates were filled with a dazzling array of ingredients.

Marbled beef with red and white stripes, tender hand-cut lamb, crisp tripe, bouncy shrimp paste, golden tofu skin, and vibrant green vegetables...

Layer upon layer, arranged like a small mountain, colorful and magnificent.

At the other end of the table, there are more than a dozen different dipping sauces: minced garlic, sesame oil, sesame paste, chili oil, vinegar, chopped green onions, cilantro... you name it, they've got it. You can mix and match them as you like according to your own taste.

What a feast this is!

"My God..." Xie Zhao was completely dumbfounded by the sight, her mouth agape as if she could fit an egg in it. "Your Majesty, you...you brought the entire Imperial Kitchen here?"

Lu Chengyuan was also shocked. He felt that even the New Year's Eve banquet in the palace was probably not as lavish or as... lively as the table in front of him.

Ye Feng was completely stunned. He felt that the food he used to eat was nothing but pig swill compared to what was on the table in front of him.

Xiao Jingshi looked at the feast prepared for him on the table, and at the woman wearing an apron, busy at the table with a bright smile on her face.

He felt that his heart, which had been wandering for months, had finally found its home at this moment.

This is his home.

"Don't stand there, sit down!" Ye An'an said smugly, seeing their naive and unsophisticated expressions. "Today, it's all-you-can-eat! I'll eat you all until you're all passed out!"

Everyone took their seats.

Ye An'an personally prepared a dipping sauce that best suited each person's taste.

"Second brother, you must like spicy food. Here, this bowl of sesame oil and minced garlic dipping sauce is the perfect match for spicy hot pot."

"Your Highness, you can't eat anything too spicy. I've prepared a bowl of sesame sauce for you, would you like to try it?"

"Lord Xie, Lord Lu, please do as you please. Match them however you like!"

Everything is ready.

"Let's begin!" Ye An'an announced, signaling the official start of this hot pot feast.

Xie Zhao couldn't resist any longer. He picked up a large chopstick of mutton, dipped it in the boiling red oil for a few seconds, then rolled it in the sesame oil dipping sauce before eagerly stuffing it into his mouth.

"Hmm!"

The next second, he froze completely.

Tender lamb, coated in a spicy and fragrant broth, and rich with garlic and sesame oil, explodes in your mouth!

It was an extreme taste sensation that he had never experienced before!

"It's so delicious! So delicious I could cry!" Xie Zhao exclaimed, his eyes brimming with tears as he breathed out.

With him as a "role model", everyone else started eating as well.

Ye Feng followed his example and cooked a piece of tripe in the broth. The crisp texture and fiery spiciness instantly won over this man from the North.

"This is so satisfying! This is so satisfying!" He ate until he was covered in sweat, but he still exclaimed how enjoyable it was.

Lu Chengyuan, on the other hand, ate with a refined air, dipping vegetables and fatty beef into the mushroom broth, his eyes crinkling with satisfaction.

Now, only Xiao Jingshi remains, and he hasn't touched his chopsticks yet.

All eyes were on him.

Ye An'an personally picked up the most beautiful slice of marbled beef, gently dipped it in his hot pot, and then placed it into the sesame sauce bowl in front of him.

"Your Highness," she looked at him, her eyes crinkling with a smile, "Want to try some? I specially prepared a mildly spicy broth for you, I promise it won't be too spicy."

Xiao Jingshi looked at the slice of fatty beef in the bowl, still coated with sesame sauce and scallions, emitting an enticing aroma. He then looked up at her bright, expectant eyes.

He picked up the piece of meat and slowly put it into his mouth.

The rich sesame sauce neutralizes the spiciness of the broth, leaving only an enticing aroma of meat and a complex blend of spices.

good to eat.

It was so delicious that he felt all the hardships he had endured over the past few months were worth it.

He looked at Ye An'an without saying a word, but silently picked up a second piece with his chopsticks.

Actions speak louder than words.

In an instant, chopsticks flew across the stone table, and steam rose from the table.

Everyone was immersed in the culinary feast, enjoying themselves immensely.

This is the true taste of home.