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

Ye An'an's words were like a royal decree, instantly giving direction to Ye Feng's heart, which had been pounding with excitement.

"Good! Good! Good!" He said "good" three times in a row, his eyes shining with an unprecedented light as he looked at his younger sister. "An'an, you...you are truly the unicorn of our Ye family! You are the lucky star of the General's Mansion! You are the lucky star of the entire Zhenbei Army!"

He was so excited that he became somewhat incoherent.

Looking at him, Ye An'an felt a surge of pride and satisfaction.

Being able to use her knowledge to make a real contribution to her family and her country brings her more joy than earning any amount of money.

"Second Brother, don't get agitated," she reassured him. "This thing isn't difficult to make, but there are a few key steps that I need to explain to you in detail."

As she spoke, she pulled Ye Feng along and walked to the cutting board.

Xiao Jingshi, Xie Zhao, and Lu Chengyuan also naturally gathered around. They also wanted to know how this magical "instant noodles" was made.

"The most crucial part of making this instant noodle is the noodle cake," Ye An'an said, picking up a spare noodle cake and beginning to explain in detail.

"First, make the dough. Use the best high-gluten flour, and add salt and a little alkali. Salt increases the elasticity of the noodles, and alkali makes the noodles smoother. Also, when making the dough, use very little water, and make the dough very, very stiff."

"Then comes the rolling. This step is the most strenuous. It requires using a huge rolling pin to repeatedly roll and fold the dough hundreds of times until it is as firm as a rock and as smooth as a mirror. This step determines whether the noodles will be chewy enough in the end."

"Next, it's time to cut the noodles. Cut the pressed dough into thin strips. This is simple; there must be skilled cooks in the barracks who can do it."

"Next, it's time to cook the noodles. Put the cut noodles into a pot of boiling water and cook them until they are about 70-80% done. Then, take them out immediately and rinse them with cold water. This step is to help the noodles set their shape and improve their texture."

"Finally, and most importantly, is deep-frying." Ye An'an pointed to the golden-brown color of the noodles. "After rinsing them in cold water, drain them, shape them into rounds like this, and then put them into a pot of boiling oil to fry until golden brown and crispy. There are two purposes to deep-frying. First, it completely dehydrates the noodles, so they can be stored for a long time without spoiling. Second, deep-fried noodles have that unique caramelized aroma, and they also soften easily when soaked in boiling water."

She explained it in great detail, clearly outlining every step and every detail.

Ye Feng listened intently. He even pulled out a small notebook and charcoal pencil from his pocket, taking notes rapidly as he listened, afraid of missing a single word. He looked just like a primary school student attentively listening to a lecture.

Xie Zhao and Lu Chengyuan listened with astonishment. They had never imagined that such a small piece of bread could contain so much knowledge.

After talking about the bread, Ye An'an picked up the three seasoning packets.

"Noodles alone are not enough; the soul of instant noodles lies in the seasoning."

"This is a powder packet." She opened a powder packet and poured the powder inside onto her hand. "It's made by simmering chicken and pork bones to make a broth, then filtering it, drying it, and grinding it into powder. Salt, pepper, and some powdered spices like star anise and cinnamon are also added. So, when you just pour boiling water over it, you have a bowl of delicious broth."

"This is a vegetable packet." She opened another one. "It's made by chopping carrots, greens, and scallions into small cubes and then thoroughly drying them. This increases the nutritional value and also makes the noodles look better."

"The last one is the oil packet." She pointed to the packet of yellow oil. "This is the simplest; it's made by simmering lard or chicken fat with scallions and ginger slices to make scallion oil. Its purpose is to enhance the aroma."

"These three seasonings are packaged separately. When you want to eat it, just put them all in together. That's how you create a perfect bowl of noodle soup with noodles, broth, vegetables, and oil."

After Ye An'an finished speaking, she let out a long sigh of relief.

After hearing her words, Ye Feng was completely impressed by his sister's wisdom.

Looking at the notes in his hand, he felt that what he held was not a recipe.

It is not a book, but a military treatise that can change the course of the war in the North!

"An'an..." He looked at Ye An'an, his eyes filled with complex emotions—shock, admiration, and above all, indescribable gratitude. "Second Brother... Second Brother, on behalf of the 100,000 soldiers of the Zhenbei Army, thank you! On behalf of my father, thank you!"

As he spoke, he suddenly knelt down before Ye An'an with a "thump".

"Hey! Second brother, what are you doing!" Ye An'an was startled and quickly helped him up. "You're my own brother, we're family, why are you saying this to me! Get up!"

"No, An'an, you don't know," Ye Feng's eyes reddened again, "you don't know what this thing means to us. This...this can save lives!"

The brother and sister were putting on a deeply moving "secret recipe gift" drama.

Standing to the side, Xiao Jingshi watched this scene, and a sour feeling quietly welled up in his heart that he himself did not realize.

He saw that Ye An'an had so easily and without reservation told her second brother about such an important "exclusive secret recipe".

He saw the look of affection and care in Ye An'an's eyes when she looked at her second brother.

He saw that the brother and sister were standing so close and chatting so congenially because of a common goal.

He suddenly felt that he was... somewhat superfluous.

He felt a little uncomfortable.

It's as if someone else has taken half of your most precious treasure.

Although that "other person" was her closest relative.

Although she did this for the greater good of her country and people, it is something to be proud of and praised.

But he was just... annoyed.

This unfamiliar, sour feeling made him feel somewhat irritable.

He stepped forward, coughed lightly, and interrupted the brother and sister's "affectionate gaze".

"cough."

Ye An'an and Ye Feng both turned around to look at him.

Xiao Jingshi didn't look at Ye Feng; his gaze was fixed on Ye An'an.

Then, in a calm yet unwavering tone, he spoke:

"An An."

"Write down the recipes for the mushroom and meat sauce and the crab roe sauce for your second brother as well."

"I think the soldiers on the border will like it too."

On the surface, his words were meant to be of concern for the soldiers on the frontier and to speak up for Ye Feng.

But in reality, it is subtly asserting its "sovereignty".

He was reminding Ye Feng, and also Ye An'an.

Those sauces were made for me by my woman, Xiao Jingshi.

Now, I'm "generous" enough to allow you to try it too.

This is a kind of possessiveness that is both extremely childish and extremely domineering.

He was jealous.