Chapter 60: Saving the Aloof Crown Prince 11

The two people's trust issue was resolved.

Thinking of Li You's earlier reminder, Jin Chen lightly kissed Xiao Su's cheek.

Xiao Bao, didn't you have enough breakfast?

Xiao Su lightly blinked his phoenix eyes, his cool brows and eyes showing a hint of grievance.

Not tasty.

I don't like to eat.

It was almost noon; he poked Jin Chen's arm, saying, "Make something for me to eat."

Okay, I'll make it for you to eat.

Jin Chen lowered the curtain, got up, and tucked Xiao Su's brocade blanket in, saying, "Xiao Bao, rest nicely; wait for me to come back, okay?"

Okay.

Xiao Su's lips curved slightly, a tranquil smile on his face, as he closed his eyes to rest.

Jin Chen entered the small kitchen for the second time.

The cook pondered repeatedly, but still couldn't help asking.

Look at your attire—you resemble a secret guard; why are you also in charge of the Crown Prince's meals?

Jin Chen kneaded the dough meticulously, intending to make pastries.

I'm different.

The cook wondered, "In what way are you different?"

I am a personal bodyguard.

That kind of closeness in the physical sense.

The cook exclaimed, still not quite understanding, yet was attracted by Jin Chen's novel cooking technique, watching eagerly from the side.

Your method is so novel—where did you learn it? Not even the imperial palace, let alone the capital, has such a method.

I figured it out myself.

Jin Chen spoke concisely, revealing nothing much.

He pinched all the rice balls into cat-head shapes before putting them in the steamer, then began stir-frying vegetables, busy and delighted.

He had made seven dishes in total, which, for the Crown Prince's meal quota, was still a bit lacking.

The cook refused to agree no matter what, and only stopped after making several more dishes.

Jin Chen felt helpless; making something his wife wouldn't eat would be a waste.

Taking Xiao Su's taste and constitution into account, Jin Chen controlled the seasoning of the ingredients precisely.

Having finished all the meals, it was already 15 minutes past noon.

Jin Chen ordered the palace maids and eunuchs to bring the meals to the outer chamber, and only after they had left did he enter the inner chamber to summon someone.

Upon pushing the door open, he saw Xiao Su opening his eyes and looking over.

Knowing he had heard the commotion outside, Jin Chen smiled lightly, quickly stepped forward, and helped him up.

Are you hungry?

Xiao Su nodded reservedly, without speaking.

He watched Jin Chen, half-kneeling to put on his shoes, and his eyes crinkled with delight.

Upon reaching the outer chamber, Xiao Su gazed at the table full of dishes and pastries.

Did you make all of this?

Jin Chen raised an eyebrow, looking at the few dishes the cook had made.

Xiao Bao can tell them apart himself.

Xiao Su first noticed the plate of cat-head-shaped pastries.

He picked up a piece, put it in his mouth to taste, and found the soft, sweet, not cloying flavor delightfully surprising.

Why make them in this shape?

Xiao Su looked at Jin Chen, his phoenix eyes showing some confusion.

Jin Chen brushed away the crumbs at his lips, saying, "I think Xiao Bao is like a white cat—beautiful and noble, and once tamed, very clingy."

Xiao Su chewed the soft pastry, and his cheeks suddenly flushed slightly.

Stop talking nonsense; I'm not just any ordinary white cat.

Of course not an ordinary white cat; it's a cat that belongs solely to me.

Jin Chen quickly responded, his tone indulgent.

He gave him an annoyed glance, yet Xiao Su felt the pastry was literally sweet to his heart.

You stay and eat with me; you're not allowed to go eat leftovers.

Xiao Su also knew the routine of the secret guards: they often ate only when starving, just a few buns to get by.

All the secret guards previously sent by the emperor were like that.

But Jin Chen couldn't.

Xiao Su called out to Defu, who was waiting in the outer chamber.

Tell them to bring in another set of chopsticks and bowls.

Understood.

Defu responded immediately.

In a moment, an extra set of chopsticks and bowls appeared on the table.

Although Jin Chen was willing to accompany him to eat.

Soon he discovered that, of the dishes the cook had made, Xiao Su had taken only a single chopstickful of each.

The head cook of the East Palace naturally makes excellent food, not belonging to the Imperial Kitchen at all.

Jin Chen joked, "Su Bao, your taste is strange; I see the food the kitchen makes is delicious, perhaps you've eaten it too long and grown bored, wanting to change your flavor."

Xiao Su paused with his chopsticks, waited until he swallowed, then answered.

"No."

"I just feel the taste is different."

He pursed his lips, "No talking while eating—you're not allowed to speak again."

Jin Chen let out a muffled chuckle in his throat, really finding his wife too adorable.

——

After the midday meal, Emperor Yongshun's imperial edict arrived.

The Crown Prince's residence is not far from the Imperial Palace, but the choice of location is thought-provoking.

It was the mansion of Prince Yong from when the former emperor was still alive.

Later, after the upheaval in the Imperial Palace, Emperor Yongshun successfully ascended the throne; likewise, Prince Yong, who eyed the throne covetously, was demoted and exiled, dying midway, without even a chance to enter the imperial mausoleum.

After receiving the edict, Xiao Su glanced at Zhao De.

"You've worked hard, Sir."

Zhao De gave a false smile, "What are you saying, Your Highness? We are servants; there's no such thing as hardship or not."

Yet his attitude showed little respect.

Xiao Su seemed already accustomed to it and didn't pursue the matter further.

After Zhao De left, the entire East Palace bustled into action, with palace maids and eunuchs busy cleaning up.

Emperor Yongshun would still keep up appearances; the residence lacked nothing important, so only a few essential items needed to be brought.

Jin Chen embraced Xiao Su from behind, saying, "Don't mind him."

Xiao Su nodded, his tone flat.

"He's just a servant, acting arrogant only because he's gotten the higher-ups' favor."

Jin Chen: "He won't live long."

His words were frightening.

After all, in his previous life, Zhao De had continued to serve Xiao Yunye.

Xiao Su immediately realized.

"Did you lay a hand on him?"

His chin lightly brushed Xiao Su's crown, Jin Chen's voice gentle yet tinged with killing intent: "He poisoned, I poison too; we can't openly poison the emperor—what's a mere servant worth?"

Xiao Su couldn't help laughing out loud.

"You really repay every grudge."

Jin Chen snorted twice, "They harmed you like that before; I won't let them end well."

"That 'before' refers to the previous life."

Xiao Su's smile gradually turned to emotion; he turned his body and leaned into Jin Chen's embrace.

"Then I'll leave it all to you—revenge is so exhausting."

With no one around, Jin Chen kissed Xiao Su's cheek, "My honor."

Li You, about to come forward to report, halted his steps.

He stepped forward, afraid to disturb, then withdrew.

But Your Highness had said this matter is very important.

He stepped forward again, thinking that if he disturbed this, Your Highness would be angry.

He withdrew again.

Li You's tangled feet were about to tie themselves in knots.

He scratched his head.

The two had long noticed Li You: "……"

Xiao Su withdrew from Jin Chen's embrace, restoring his cold demeanor.

"What is it?"

Li You quickly walked over to salute, about to speak, but cautiously glanced at Jin Chen.

Jin Chen raised his eyebrows, looking at Xiao Su with a hint of grievance.

Xiao Su: "It's fine; from now on you don't need to avoid him."

He also soothed by pinching Jin Chen's fingers.

Li You: "Your Highness, you had Chase Wind Garden investigate the First Prince's movements; these past two days he seems unusually concerned with the Minister's Residence."

"According to reports from the scouts below, today at noon the First Prince has arranged an outing in the suburbs; the Second Prince, Grand Princess, and two young ladies from the Minister's Residence will go as well."