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

The night was deep and quiet, and all was still.

Ye An'an turned over and was awakened by a strong feeling of hunger.

She ate quite a bit with the two little princes this afternoon, so she didn't eat much for dinner. Now, around midnight, her stomach is starting to protest.

I spent half the day lying in bed, but my hunger only grew stronger.

Ye An'an sighed and resignedly got out of bed.

living comfortably without anybody's help.

She put on a thick cloak, tiptoed out of her bedchamber, and prepared to go to the small kitchen to make herself a midnight snack.

Fuyun and Chenzhu were both sleeping in the outer room, and she didn't want to wake them.

The small kitchen still had warm water, and there were still some unburnt charcoal embers in the stove, which was convenient.

Ye An'an rummaged through the ingredients and found a handful of dried rice noodles, some chicken soup, sliced ​​meat, and green vegetables.

Her eyes lit up, and she made up her mind: she would eat Cross-Bridge Rice Noodles!

She poured the chicken broth into a pot and slowly heated it over the fire. Then she began preparing the ingredients, slicing the meat as thin as cicada wings and washing the vegetables.

While preparing the ingredients, she noticed several pots of beautifully grown small chili peppers in a corner of the kitchen. They were bright red and quite adorable.

It came to me without any effort!

Rice noodles without chili peppers are soulless!

She picked several small red chilies, chopped them up, and then found some minced garlic and spices. She set up a small oil pan and began to make chili oil.

"Sizzle—"

Hot oil was poured over chili peppers and minced garlic, instantly releasing a spicy and smoky aroma.

To prevent the smells from wafting out and disturbing others, Ye An'an carefully closed the kitchen doors and windows. In an instant, the small kitchen was filled with steam, aromas, and the warmth of home cooking.

……

Meanwhile, in the study of Jingming Hall, Xiao Jingshi had just finished processing the last memorial.

He rubbed his temples and felt a pang of hunger.

At just the right moment, Changting served a bowl of white fungus and lotus seed soup.

Xiao Jingshi frowned after just one glance.

Too sweet, too cloying.

Right now, all he wants to eat is something salty, hot, and preferably... a little spicy.

The image of that pot of bubbling spicy hot pot in red oil unconsciously surfaced in his mind again.

"Your Highness, would you like to order something?" Changting asked cautiously.

"Withdraw." Xiao Jingshi waved his hand.

Changting sighed, took the dessert, and left.

After a while, he sneaked back and whispered, "Your Highness, if you're hungry, why don't you... let me go check the small kitchen in Tinglan Pavilion? What if... there's anything left?"

When he said "the rest," he was naturally referring to the delicious food that Ye An'an had made during the day.

Xiao Jingshi's heart stirred.

He really wanted to try that woman's cooking again.

He remained silent for a moment, which could be considered tacit consent.

Changting was overjoyed. Carrying a lantern, he led Xiao Jingshi, and the two of them, like thieves, stealthily made their way to Tinglan Waterside Pavilion.

Before even getting close, Changting wrinkled his nose.

"Your Highness, smell it! It smells wonderful!"

Xiao Jingshi also smelled it.

It has a very peculiar flavor, a mixture of rich meat broth aroma and a... spicy fragrance.

The two exchanged a glance and quickened their pace.

They walked to the door of the small kitchen and found it ajar, with warm light and steam coming from inside.

Just as Changting was about to knock on the door, Xiao Jingshi raised his hand to stop her.

Xiao Jingshi stepped forward and gently pushed open the door.

Then he witnessed a scene he would never forget.

Ye An'an was standing in front of the stove with her back to them, wearing only a thin, soft nightgown, her long, black hair casually tied up with a hairpin.

She was pouring a bowl of piping hot chicken soup into a large bowl filled with raw meat slices, vegetables, and rice noodles.

With a "sizzle," the broth instantly cooked the meat slices, releasing a fragrant aroma.

Ye An'an picked up her bowl, turned around, and was about to find a place to sit down and start eating when she looked up and met Xiao Jingshi's eyes at the door.

"..."

"..."

The air seemed to freeze for three seconds.

"Hi!" Ye An'an broke the silence first. She wasn't embarrassed at all about being caught out; instead, she seemed to have found a dining buddy. Her eyes lit up, and she waved the bowl in her hand at him. "Your Highness, what a coincidence! Are you hungry too? Would you like to eat something together?"

Xiao Jingshi was taken aback by her natural and familiar attitude.

Before he could answer, Ye An'an had already taken out another large bowl from the cupboard and started preparing the second portion.

"Since you're here, don't be shy," she said without looking up as she cooked the rice noodles.

Watching her busy figure, Xiao Jingshi walked inside as if possessed.

The kitchen was warm, and the steam carried a spicy aroma that filled his nostrils, making his empty stomach rumble even louder.

Soon, the second bowl of Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles was ready.

Ye An'an carried two bowls of rice noodles to the small table in the kitchen, and placed the bowl of chili oil she had just made in the middle of the table.

"Try my freshly made chili oil, it smells amazing!" She scooped a big spoonful of bright red chili oil into her bowl, and instantly, the rice noodle soup was stained with an enticing red color.

Xiao Jingshi looked at the layer of red oil in her bowl, then at the clear chicken soup in his own bowl, and hesitated.

"You're not eating spicy food anymore?" Ye An'an noticed his hesitation.

Xiao Jingshi had been itching to try spicy hot pot ever since he last tasted it, but the next day his lips were covered in blisters.

But seeing Ye An'an eating so heartily, he felt a little itchy inside.

"...It's worth a try," he said reservedly.

Then, following Ye An'an's example, he carefully scooped a little chili oil with the tip of a spoon and put it into his own bowl.

He picked up a mouthful of rice noodles, mixed it with slices of blanched meat and vegetables, and put it in his mouth.

The rice noodles are smooth and chewy, the sliced ​​meat is tender, and the soup base is rich and flavorful.

Immediately afterwards, a scorching heat, like a wildfire, exploded on his tongue!

"hiss--"

Caught off guard, Xiao Jingshi's forehead instantly broke out in a thin layer of sweat.

So spicy!

Strangely, the spiciness didn't make him feel uncomfortable at all; instead, it brought a strange pleasure that stimulated his taste buds, making him want to take a second bite.

He ate faster and faster, and the food became increasingly spicy. More and more sweat poured down his forehead, and his handsome face turned slightly red from the spiciness.

Ye An'an watched from the sidelines, thoroughly amused.

Who would have thought that this seemingly aloof beauty was actually a hidden spice enthusiast?

The bowl of rice noodles was quickly emptied, and the two of them even drank the soup clean.

Xiao Jingshi put down the bowl, let out a long sigh of relief, and felt completely refreshed and invigorated.

"Are you full?" Ye An'an asked.

Xiao Jingshi nodded.

"Alright, you should go back to sleep now. Goodnight, goodbye!" Ye An'an stood up and started clearing the dishes, giving the order to leave.

Xiao Jingshi was stunned again.

She... just let him go like that?

He thought that her calling him in for a late-night snack in the middle of the night was... meant to be some other hint.

So she really just wanted someone to have a meal with?

Looking at Ye An'an's back, which showed no reluctance and even seemed to find him a nuisance, Master Xiao felt a sense of distress for the first time.

He stood up somewhat awkwardly and reluctantly, and silently walked out of the small kitchen as Ye An'an said "Take care."

Standing under the cool moonlight, he felt his cheeks burning as the night wind blew.

What is he expecting?