The Marquis's line has ended? The pregnant maid is pregnant again!

Shen Qinghe knew very well that the most urgent task was to serve the emperor again.

We can't gamble that she'll get pregnant in just one night; we'll have to serve her several times.

For someone like the young marquis who upholds chastity and male virtues, taking the initiative only diminishes the effect.

The young marquis has to come to her on his own initiative.

Shen Qinghe's eyes flickered, and she already had a plan.

Yesterday's bowl of sea bass and bird's nest soup noodles really won over Li's mother. As soon as Shen Qinghe spoke up, Li's mother readily agreed and hurriedly picked out the best ingredients that Shen Qinghe wanted for her.

Shen Qinghe's eyes flickered, and a solution popped into her mind.

Surely one of the Thirty-Six Stratagems can win over Lu Jihan?

-

Training ground.

Lu Jihan wielded his gilded silver spear with great skill, while Lin Feng and Yun Chen beside him, carrying food boxes, looked very anxious.

Until Li Mama arrived with her maids carrying food boxes, Lu Jihan initially gave the same answer: no need.

Madam Li pursed her lips: "Young Master, this was made by Miss Qinghe herself. She said that if you are willing to try it, you will definitely like it."

Upon hearing Qinghe's name, Lu Jihan paused, set his spear aside, and strode into the tent.

"Alright, let's see what new and interesting things that little girl has to offer."

Inside the curtained tent.

Li's mother and the others quickly brought up the food, with bowls and plates set out on the long table.

Madam Li smiled and reported, "Young master, these are all prepared appetizers. Please try them."

After the dishes were served, Li's mother and the maid standing beside her stood quietly to the side without explaining the dishes or how they were prepared.

It's so hot. Even though it's morning, the temperature has risen quite a bit. People are prone to losing their appetite and becoming irritable.

In addition, there are many matters to attend to in the court. Today, the civil and military officials were divided into two factions and argued incessantly.

As a rising star in the imperial court and a focus of attention among military generals, Lu Jihan inevitably faces greater pressure.

Already feeling irritable, coupled with the sweltering weather, and knowing that the small kitchen only serves the same dishes year-round, Lu Jihan really had no appetite and didn't want to eat.

Hearing that it was made by Shen Qinghe, Lu Jihan barely showed any interest, which could be considered an acknowledgment of the food he had eaten the previous two times.

As Lu Jihan was wiping his hands, he smelled the aroma of food wafting from in front of him.

My appetite, which wasn't usually very good, suddenly became somewhat interested.

Lu Jihan looked closely and realized that there were only two small dishes on the table. One of them seemed to be braised beef, but it was different from the braised beef made in a typical small kitchen. The slices of braised beef with distinct veins were coated with sesame oil, and the color looked very tempting.

Next to it was a plate of lightly stir-fried seasonal vegetables. It looked very simple, but the two dishes together didn't feel greasy at all.

Looking at these dishes, Lu Jihan couldn't help but think of Shen Qinghe.

Yesterday at the same time, the pomegranate juice was delivered, and Shen Qinghe's delicate, slender hands, like tender onions, were seen pouring the pomegranate juice.

There was a teapot next to him, and Li's mother poured a cup of slightly reddish tea and placed it in front of Lu Jihan.

Li's mother was filled with apprehension. The dishes in the small kitchen were always limited in quantity and style, and since none of the masters could finish them, Li's mother thought of pinning her hopes on Shen Qinghe.

But Shen Qinghe refused to come and deliver food to the young marquis herself, saying that she couldn't come.

Seeing that Lu Jihan hadn't touched his chopsticks for a long time, Li Mama felt even more uneasy. She couldn't help but wonder if Shen Qinghe was perhaps... unsure of herself and afraid of being punished by the young marquis if she messed up, which was why she sent the kitchen staff?

Thinking about this, Li's mother felt a little regretful. She should have known better and let them taste it themselves before deciding whether to send it to her.

Li Mama knew that Shen Qinghe was a good cook, but now that the masters had no appetite and didn't want to eat, it wasn't a matter of whether the cooking was good or not.

She was too hasty. No, she had to explain that it was Shen Qinghe who did it. If something went wrong, she couldn't let the maids and servants in her small kitchen be implicated for nothing.

Madam Li forced herself to explain, "Young Master, this was made by Miss Qinghe herself: braised beef in chili oil, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and perilla and peach drink."

At this moment, Lu Jihan finally moved. He picked up the teacup next to him, took a sip, and drank the cool and slightly sweet perilla tea.

Unlike the sweetness of fruit tea or fruit juice, it is slightly sweet and sour, with a fruity aroma. It has a fresh and non-sticky taste, which made Lu Jihan raise his eyebrows.

Seeing that Lu Jihan's expression had softened slightly, Li Mama quickly used silver chopsticks to pick out a small plate of yellow peaches from the teapot, steeped them in perilla tea until they turned orange-yellow, and nervously handed them to Lu Jihan.

Lu Jihan picked up a piece with silver chopsticks and put it in his mouth. The yellow peach piece had been thoroughly soaked, sweet but not heavy, not greasy, and very refreshing.

After eating two pieces of yellow peach, Lu Jihan's appetite was whetted. He then tried the braised beef in chili oil, which was incredibly spicy, fragrant, and refreshing. The stir-fried vegetables were also crisp and refreshing.

Before he knew it, Lu Jihan had eaten several bowls of rice.

Standing to the side, Li's mother was dumbfounded as she watched Lu Jihan go from having no appetite to finishing all the dishes in front of him in no time.

Shen Qinghe, this girl is really something!

"Alright, you can leave now. Where's that girl? She went to all that trouble to prepare the food, isn't she going to come out and ask for a reward?"

After eating and drinking his fill, Lu Jihan felt refreshed and in a much better mood. He slowly took the handkerchief, wiped his hands, and rinsed his mouth.

He didn't move, just waited for Shen Qinghe to come in and ask for a reward.

Yesterday, Shen Qinghe used this to curry favor and gain praise, and today Lu Jihan didn't consider any other possibilities.

She was thinking about how to get by with her grandmother.

Well, that girl has served me quite well.

I'll stay overnight in her yard tonight, but I won't touch her.

As Lu Jihan was pondering this, Madam Li suddenly said, "Young Master, Miss Qinghe didn't say she wanted any reward, nor did she come along."

Lu Jihan frowned, his gaze sharp: "Where is she?"

Madam Li answered truthfully: "When Qinghe heard that the old lady had no appetite and refused to eat, she took a food box to the old lady's courtyard, saying that she wanted to serve the old lady lunch!"

"She is indeed filial."

Lu Jihan was amused and exasperated. That little girl was quite sensible, but why did he feel that in her heart, he was no better than his grandmother?

Lin Feng entered from the side, lifting the curtain: "Master, Madam and Consort Chen have both sent people to inquire, saying they have specially prepared a meal for you and would like to invite you to lunch!"

"Tell Chen Xiaoniang not to go. I'll consider it again when she's finished copying the Buddhist scriptures."

After wiping his hands, Lu Jihan threw the handkerchief into a copper basin filled with clean water.

Lin Feng pursed his lips and asked again, "What about Madam? I heard she seemed quite sad after you left last night, sir. Would you like to go and see her today?"

"I won't go either. I'll just say I have too much official business at court today and can't get away."

Lu Jihan had just calmed down and had no desire to listen to Qin's teacher-like rhetoric.

"Then prepare the kitchen as usual and send it to the study."

After responding to Lin Feng's words, he immediately gave instructions to Li Mama and the others beside him.

Just then, Lu Jihan spoke up: "No need to prepare anything. Master will have lunch at Grandmother's courtyard today."