Chapter 14: Not a Playboy

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— Chrysanthemum Heart Garden —

“Miss, let me do it. You’re hurt…” Song Guo said as she held a kitchen knife in one hand, standing at the counter vigorously chopping the meat filling, while glancing back at Sheng Mingyue who was kneading the dough.

“Be careful not to cut your hand. No need to watch me so closely; I’m not that precious,” Sheng Mingyue replied, her small hands covered in flour, some even dusting the tip of her nose. “Back when I served nobles in the palace, if I made a mistake and was beaten, the next day I still had to kneel and serve. Compared to those times, this is much easier.”

Since returning to the manor, the two had been busy in the small kitchen without a moment’s rest.

“Miss, Chef Zhang from the Wang residence used to be in the palace kitchen. Could it be that the imperial chef’s cooking doesn’t suit your taste?” Song Guo teased with a smile, their rapport like that of old friends.

Sheng Mingyue shook her head, smiling softly as she scooped a spoonful of meat filling into the dough. “After eating delicacies all the time, it’s only natural to want a change.”

She certainly couldn’t say... that these little wontons were made especially for the prince, could she?

Rong Zhao had just arrived at the gate and noticed the courtyard door was wide open. Stepping inside, he faintly heard laughter coming from the kitchen.

He changed direction and headed straight to the small kitchen.

Peering through a crack in the window, he saw the young lady he had been thinking about.

Sheng Mingyue sat by the candlelight, head bowed as she toiled quietly. The warm yellow glow illuminated her face, lending a touch of tenderness. Whatever they had been talking about seemed to have brought a flush to her cheeks and a faint smile to her lips, more spirited than the day before.

[Doesn’t the little underdog feel a chill down her spine? Someone’s watching you from the shadows!]
[The prince really came! At this late hour, why is he here to see the little underdog?]
[Am I the only one craving the little underdog’s wontons?]
[I surrender to the greedy girl before me; I just want to enjoy the sweetness!]

As the spectators resumed their chatter, Sheng Mingyue’s eyes flickered. Slowly, she lifted her gaze toward the door but only saw Rong Zhao turning away.

[You haven’t even said a word yet, young prince, where are you going!]

“Prince?”

A young woman’s voice came from behind. Rong Zhao froze; he had planned to steal just a glance before leaving but was caught red-handed.

Now, he was caught between going and staying.

Sheng Mingyue stood up, casually washed her hands, and walked toward the door.

Pushing open the slightly ajar door, she saw his somewhat embarrassed face, bowed in greeting, hiding the smile tugging at her lips. “Prince, have you had your supper?”

“I came to… hmm?” Rong Zhao hesitated, surprise flashing in his eyes.

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He had expected his benefactor to ask why he had come, and in those few moments, he had even prepared an excuse for himself.

Instead, she simply let it pass without a word…

“I… have eaten.”

[Nonsense! The young prince has only had a cup and a half of tea all day!]

A cup and a half of tea… all day!

Regaining her composure, Sheng Mingyue cleared her throat. “Prince, I’ve made a lot of wontons. If you do not mind, may I bring some to the Wutong Courtyard for you?”

Rong Zhao’s face flickered with surprise, his mouth opening but unsure what to say next.

Should he say he disliked them… or that he didn’t?

Unwilling to refuse her kindness yet unable to eat, he pondered briefly, then said from his heart, “Food made by my benefactor, I would never disdain.”

Sheng Mingyue smiled softly, pleased that her lord was cooperative. “Then, Prince, please return to the Wutong Courtyard and wait. I will bring them to you shortly.”

“No need,” Rong Zhao waved his hand gently. “I will wait here.”

“This…”

Since the entire manor belonged to Rong Zhao, Sheng Mingyue could not argue. She hurriedly said, “Very well, but it’s cold outside. Prince, why not sit inside the kitchen for a while?”

Concerned for his comfort, she forgot the principle that gentlemen keep their distance from the kitchen, simply ushering him inside.

Rong Zhao did not mind and obediently followed her into the small kitchen, choosing a corner to wait.

Song Guo watched Miss Mingyue go alone while two returned, her heart nearly leaping out of her throat. Seeing the young prince so obedient and well-behaved, she found herself admiring Sheng Mingyue more.

But with the noble sitting just behind her, Song Guo’s hands trembled as she added several logs to the fire. Only when the pot began to bubble did she realize, “Miss, Miss, the water’s boiling!”

Hearing the noise, Sheng Mingyue hurriedly set down her work and started dropping the prepared wontons into the pot one by one.

The plump, snow-white wontons floated to the surface. Their thin skins revealed faintly the pale red of the meat filling inside, releasing a fragrant aroma.

“Prince, please try.”

The freshly cooked wontons were scooped into a bowl and placed before Rong Zhao.

He looked at the big, plump wontons in the bowl, hesitant to begin.

After so many years of tasteless eating, it seemed nothing in the world could tempt his appetite anymore. If he didn’t eat, fine; but once he ate something wrong, he would vomit for days.

Sheng Mingyue stirred the wontons gently in the bowl for him. When the soup cooled slightly, she pushed the bowl toward her lord, eyes sparkling with anticipation. “Prince, you may eat now.”

Seeing the smile on his benefactor’s face, Rong Zhao did not want to disappoint her. He reached out, grasped the spoon, and slowly lifted a wonton into his mouth.

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Reluctance vanished completely as he bit into the wonton.

Delicious…

The broth was fresh, the meat fragrant. His stomach, empty all day, finally found comfort. Slowly, Rong Zhao lifted his eyes to meet Sheng Mingyue’s.

“How is it?” Under the candlelight, Sheng Mingyue’s eyes shone brightly as she smiled at him. “Does it suit the prince’s palate?”

As she spoke, her big eyes blinked, reflecting his image. The flour dusting her nose had yet to be wiped away, making her all the more endearing.

Snapping back to reality, Rong Zhao’s hand had already reached out, gently wiping the white powder from her face.

In that moment, both froze.

Song Guo had long since disappeared with the cooked wontons. The stove fire was out, but the kitchen remained warm, stirring a gentle heat in the heart.

[What are you two doing! Is this progress going at double speed?]
[This is exactly what we want to see! After a whole day of hard work, it’s time to enjoy something sweet!]
[You brat, let me act out two scenes!]
[Go on, little underdog, kiss her already, I beg you!]
[Sis, I’m impressed. Looking at that handsome face, don’t you want to do something else?]

Startled, Rong Zhao quickly withdrew his hand, his handsome face flushed. Stammering, he explained, “I… you have flour on your nose… I’m not a scoundrel…”

Sheng Mingyue buried her face, her earlobes faintly burning. In a soft voice, she said, “I know…”

Rong Zhao awkwardly rubbed his fingertips, forcing the topic away. “Sit down and eat with me.”

Sheng Mingyue stepped back, waving her hands. “No, no, Prince, that’s not proper…”

Rong Zhao’s hand holding the spoon paused, then lowered his gaze, tone tinged with self-mockery. “My benefactor doesn’t want to come closer? I know… I’m very disagreeable, cough cough…”

Before he finished, a fit of coughing interrupted him.

Almost instantly, a breeze brushed across his forehead as Sheng Mingyue took a seat opposite him, silencing him with her action.

Her face was shy, her whole being slightly embarrassed as she murmured, “The wontons will get cold. Prince, please eat quickly.”

Seeing her flushed cheeks, a smile grew in Rong Zhao’s eyes. He hadn’t felt this happy in a long time. He nodded and slowly began eating the wontons.

Moonlight streamed through the window, casting their elongated shadows.