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

The night was very quiet.

Ye An'an was half asleep, feeling as if she were surrounded by a huge, warm fireplace. It was very comfortable and reassuring.

She tried to move over and turn over, but found that her hands seemed to be restrained by something.

She struggled to open her eyes, and the morning light shone dimly through the window.

Everything in the room still carried the ambiguous atmosphere of last night.

Then she saw it.

Her hand was being held tightly in the palm of a large, strong hand with distinct knuckles. Their fingers were interlocked perfectly.

The owner of that hand was lying on his side beside her, eyes closed, breathing evenly, seemingly still asleep.

It was Xiao Jingshi.

Ye An'an's mind went blank with a "boom" and she instantly became clear-headed.

Memories of last night flooded back like a tide.

At the hot pot feast, the siblings recognized each other. He came back, took her hand, and went into her bedroom. And then...and then they lay on the same bed, holding hands and sleeping all night.

Good heavens!

Ye An'an felt her face instantly burn up.

Even though nothing happened, and I was even fully dressed, it was still too exciting!

She carefully tried to pull her hand out of his palm.

But as soon as she moved, she felt that large hand unconsciously tighten its grip even more.

She looked up and met a pair of eyes as deep as stars.

He woke up.

His gaze was no longer the usual coldness and aloofness. In the hazy morning light, his eyes were filled with emotions she couldn't understand—tender, lingering, seemingly capable of drowning her.

"Good morning," he said, his voice hoarse with the unique huskiness of early morning, and a hint of... doting affection that even he himself didn't realize.

"Good morning... Your Highness." Ye An'an felt like her tongue was about to tie itself in knots, and her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of her chest.

Their eyes met, and the ambiguous atmosphere in the air grew even stronger.

Just as the atmosphere was about to reach its peak.

"Gurgle..."

An extremely untimely sound came from inside Ye An'an's stomach.

It was both loud and long.

It seemed exceptionally clear in the quiet morning.

Ye An'an: "..."

She wanted to die.

Why did they have to call now of all times?! Is there anything more embarrassing or more mood-ruining than this?

Xiao Jingshi was also stunned for a moment. Then, looking at Ye An'an's face, which turned bright red in an instant, as if she wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into, he finally couldn't help but chuckle.

His smile was like ice and snow melting away, and spring flowers blooming.

Those cool and aloof eyes instantly softened with a gentle, down-to-earth charm, making Ye An'an completely mesmerized.

"Hungry?" he asked with a smile, his husky voice magnetic and so soothing it made your legs go weak.

"Hmm..." Ye An'an buried her face in the blanket and responded in a muffled voice.

How embarrassing!

"What would you like to eat?" he asked again.

"have no idea……"

"Then, shall I accompany you to take a look at the small kitchen?" he said, and actually started to get up.

"Hey! No!" Ye An'an quickly grabbed him. "You...you don't move! Just wait here, I...I'll do it!"

Are you kidding me? A prince like him, making her go to the kitchen to make breakfast? If word got out, would she even be able to live?

Moreover, all she wanted now was to escape this "crime scene" that was making her heart race.

She practically tumbled off the bed, hastily put on her shoes, and rushed out of the bedroom without looking back.

As Xiao Jingshi watched her fleeing figure, the smile on his lips deepened.

He reached out and looked at his hand, which still retained her soft touch and warmth. His heart was filled with an unprecedented emotion called sweetness.

He felt that such a day, such a morning when he was woken up by her "gurgling" sound, was wonderful.

……

In the small kitchen of Tinglan Water Pavilion, Ye An'an splashed cold water on her face several times to cool down her burning cheeks a little.

Looking at herself in the mirror, with her face flushed and eyes brimming with tears, she couldn't help but cover her face.

What a loser! So utterly useless!

It's just that we held hands and fell asleep together. Is it really necessary to react so strongly?

She mentally berated herself.

Then, her heart, which belonged to the "food blogger" archetype, once again took over.

No, I can't think about it anymore.

We need to hurry and make breakfast; that person is still hungry.

What should I do?

I ate such a greasy hot pot last night, so this morning I need to eat something light to soothe my stomach.

Got it!

Ye An'an's eyes lit up.

Let's make congee with preserved egg and lean pork!

Add a few refreshing side dishes, and it's perfect!

Just do it.

She directed Fuyun and Chenzhu, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, to begin another busy day.

She first took the best pearl rice, rinsed it clean, then added a few drops of sesame oil and a little salt, gently mixed it, and marinated it for a while.

"Rice treated this way will make a more fragrant and smoother porridge." She demonstrated to the two maids as she cooked the rice.

Then, put the marinated rice into a clay pot of boiling water, bring it to a boil over high heat, then turn to low heat and simmer slowly.

While the porridge was cooking, she began preparing the ingredients.

Cut the best pork tenderloin into thin strips and marinate it with salt, cooking wine and a little cornstarch.

Peel the preserved eggs and cut them into small cubes.

Then chop some bright green scallions and tender yellow ginger.

Once the porridge in the pot had cooked until the rice grains had opened up and become thick and soft, she first slid the marinated shredded meat into the pot and quickly stirred it with chopsticks. The boiling porridge instantly cooked the shredded meat, making it incredibly tender.

Next, add the diced preserved eggs and shredded ginger, and continue to simmer for a while to allow the unique aroma of the preserved eggs to fully blend with the fragrance of the rice in the porridge base.

Finally, before taking it out of the pot, sprinkle on some bright green chopped green onions and drizzle with a few drops of sesame oil.

A pot of fragrant and flavorful congee with preserved egg and lean pork is now ready.

Porridge alone is not enough.

Ye An'an quickly prepared several refreshing side dishes.

To make a cold cucumber salad, use the back of a knife to smash the fresh cucumber, then drizzle with minced garlic, balsamic vinegar, and chili oil. It's tangy, spicy, and crunchy.

Sweet and sour pork ribs are simmered over low heat until the meat falls off the bone, resulting in a delicious and appetizing dish.

I also steamed a basket of crab roe soup dumplings with thin skins and generous fillings.

Just as this sumptuous yet refreshing breakfast was placed on the stone table in the courtyard, Xiao Jingshi, who had just finished washing up and changed into casual clothes, came out of his room.

He looked at the table full of steaming, homely breakfast, and then at the petite figure wearing an apron, busily serving him porridge.

He felt that this was what a peaceful and tranquil life was all about.

"Your Highness, come and have a taste." Ye An'an placed a bowl full of congee with preserved egg and lean pork in front of him, her eyes crinkling with a smile. "What I made is much better than the bland soup served in the Imperial Kitchen."

Xiao Jingshi sat down, picked up a spoon, scooped up a spoonful of porridge, and put it in his mouth.

The porridge was cooked perfectly, melting in your mouth with a rich aroma of rice.

Tender shredded pork and bouncy preserved eggs, mixed together, create a rich and savory flavor.

good to eat.

It's a kind of warm, comforting, and homely delicious food.

He ate one mouthful after another, and soon the bowl of porridge was empty.

"Want some more?" Ye An'an asked expectantly after he finished eating.

Xiao Jingshi looked at her without saying a word, but silently handed her the empty bowl in his hand.

Ye An'an couldn't help but laugh when she saw his expression.

She felt that the porridge she made in the morning was sweeter than any delicacy.

It touched her heart.