After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

One person chose a book and sat quietly to the side, reading for most of the day without moving an inch.

The old man guarding the archives observed the three of them for most of the day, his expression becoming increasingly gentle, and he even subtly brewed them a pot of hot tea.

Around noon, Shen Congrong's stomach rumbled, and the three of them seemed to wake from a dream.

Shen Congrong blushed and said shyly, "I'm hungry. I don't know what time it is. You wait here, I'll go out and see if there's anything to eat."

“I’ll go with you.” Xiong Feng put down his book and caught up with Shen Congrong.

The two had walked a short distance from the gate of the Imperial Academy when they were stopped by a young eunuch.

"This servant greets Young Master Shen!"

Shen Congrong stopped in surprise. "You know me?"

The young eunuch smiled obsequiously, "Young Master Shen is the grandson of the Marquis of Yong'an. Who in the palace doesn't know that? You've been at the Imperial Academy for most of the day, you must be hungry! I happen to have a golden thread cake bestowed by the Emperor here, specially reserved for you. Ordinary people are not qualified to eat this golden thread cake, please have a taste."

The young eunuch opened the food box, took out a plate of exquisite pastries, and respectfully presented them to Shen Congrong, without ever glancing at Xiong Feng.

Shen Congrong was stunned for a moment, and was about to shake her head when a maid suddenly rushed out from behind her and snatched the plate of golden silk cakes without saying a word.

Surrounded by maids, Zhao Furong approached arrogantly. Only when she was level with Shen Congrong did she glance to the side and sneer disdainfully, "Grandson of the Marquis of Yong'an? Humph! Just a peasant boy from a poor background! The Emperor praised you a few times and you forgot who you are! You're so ignorant! You think you're worthy of eating this golden silk cake?"

The little eunuch knelt on the ground, trembling all over.

Zhao Furong glared at him angrily, "You dog of a servant! How dare you steal the Emperor's favorite snacks! You deserve to die! Guards, give this lowly servant a good beating!"

Shen Congrong couldn't stand it and was about to plead for the little eunuch when Xiong Feng quickly pulled him back, preventing him from making any rash moves.

Shen Congrong's face turned pale and then red with anger.

Zhao Furong laughed even more triumphantly, and even ate a piece of golden thread cake in front of Shen Congrong as if to show off. Seeing that Shen Congrong was almost crying with anger, she left satisfied.

Seeing Zhao Furong and her group leave, Shen Congrong quickly stepped forward to check on the little eunuch's injuries.

Unexpectedly, the little eunuch looked as if he had seen a ghost, trembling all over, and scrambled away.

Xiong Feng frowned and immediately said, "You go back to the archives first. I'll go take a look and ask how to solve the food problem."

After Zhao Furong's outburst, Shen Congrong lost her desire to leave and followed Xiong Feng's advice to go back.

Xiong Feng was gone for more than half an hour. Just when Shen Congrong was getting anxious and could hardly sit still, he finally returned, but empty-handed.

Su Yongzhang couldn't help but feel disappointed. "Brother Xiong Feng, isn't there anything to eat?"

Xiong Feng shook his head regretfully, "I spent one or two taels of silver to barely find out some information. Officials working in the palace have to bring their own food. The imperial kitchen is only responsible for cooking for the emperor and the concubines in the harem."

Food prepared by the imperial kitchen was not something anyone could eat casually. If someone was caught stealing food from the imperial kitchen, they would be punished with dozens of lashes at best, and beheaded at worst.

There was also a kitchen specifically for cooking for the eunuchs and maids.

But their food wasn't very good, and if we wanted to eat with them, we would have to pay. So they would eat their fill before entering the palace and bring some snacks to tide them over.

This time we were inexperienced, so starting tomorrow we'll have to bring our own food.

Shen Congrong's face paled as she thought of the golden thread cake the little eunuch had given her. "If that's the case, isn't the eunuch who gave me the golden thread cake today trying to harm me?"

Xiong Feng's expression was solemn. "I thought of that too, Congrong. It seems that your status as the grandson of the Marquis of Yong'an is not a protective shield for you, but more likely a death warrant!" Fortunately, that inexplicable woman suddenly rushed out today, otherwise they would be finished.

As evening approached, it was almost time for the three of them to leave work.

When Manager Qi saw them coming over to hang up the sign, he just rolled his eyes and didn't say a word.

The three of them didn't say anything, bowed in greeting, and then left.

Back at the Yong'an Marquis's residence, Liu Laosan was already waiting in the main courtyard. Seeing the three of them return, his face was full of smiles. "How was it? Was the Bo Academy fun?"

The three looked at each other and nodded in unison.

As a result, all three of them had stomach rumbling at the same time.

Liu Laosan immediately frowned and hurriedly told the steward to serve the dishes. Seeing the three children eating two or three bowls of rice in one go like starving ghosts, he immediately stopped smiling.

"How long has it been since you last ate?"

Shen Congrong looked up innocently and honestly replied, "I haven't eaten anything today."

Liu Laosan was furious. "Doesn't the Bo Academy provide you with food?"

Xiong Feng hurriedly replied, "I have inquired and found that the palace does not provide us with food; we have to bring our own."

"Bullshit! The palace just doesn't provide delicacies; they still have regular food. Don't you know that?"

Seeing the three children looking lost and helpless, Liu Laosan became even more frustrated and decided to go to the palace with them the next day, and also to teach those self-righteous old guys at the Bo Academy a lesson!
Early the next morning.

Liu Laosan got into the carriage with the three of them.

On the way, Shen Congrong hesitated for a long time before finally asking, "Grandpa, is that golden thread cake special?"

Liu Laosan glanced down at his eldest grandson, patted his head, and said, "What? Are you craving some? If you want some, I'll ask the Emperor for a portion. It's that simple!"

Shen Congrong quickly shook her head, "Grandson doesn't want to eat it. Grandson just wants to know if only the Emperor can eat golden thread cake."

Liu Laosan laughed, "Who told you that? The Emperor likes to eat golden thread cake. This dish is complicated to make and very particular, so it has become one of the imperial dishes. In addition to the Emperor, the Empress Dowager and the Empress in the palace can also eat it."

Because these were imperial dishes, no one except the imperial kitchen could prepare them, and even if they could, they couldn't make them. Therefore, receiving a gift from the emperor was a great honor.

Besides, the Emperor loves to bestow delicacies upon his ministers. I've eaten them several times, and they're just so-so, not even as good as what your mother makes!

Mentioning Su Tai, Shen Congrong's nose tingled with emotion, and she quickly continued to ask, "What would happen if other people openly ate golden thread cake in the palace?"

Liu Laosan paused for a moment, then hesitated and said, "This kind of thing can be a big deal or a small deal. If the other party is of noble status, it's not a big deal. But if it's a palace maid or eunuch stealing food, then the problem is serious."

Shen Congrong realized that the woman from yesterday must be of noble status and fearless, otherwise she wouldn't have been so arrogant as to eat the golden thread cake in front of him.

The carriage slowly came to a stop at the palace gate.

At that moment, another carriage sped past them and stopped in front of them.

A woman in brocade robes staggered down from the carriage, knelt outside the palace gate, and broke down in tears, crying, "Qingkang requests an audience with the Emperor!"

Liu Laosan frowned deeply, "Princess Qingkang!" (End of Chapter)