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

The next day, Ye An'an was awakened by a burst of giggling.

"Your Highness hasn't gotten up yet. What time is it?" It was Chenzhu's low voice.

"Keep your voice down!" Fu Yun's voice was tinged with amusement. "Last night... His Highness stayed overnight at our Tinglan Water Pavilion. Her Majesty must be tired, let her get some more sleep."

"I just find it strange. Your Highness usually seems so aloof, I never expected..."

"Didn't expect anything? Keep spouting nonsense and you'll regret it!"

Ye An'an buried her face in the soft brocade quilt, feeling as if her cheeks were hot enough to fry an egg.

Oh no, now everyone in the Eastern Palace knows.

She's too ashamed to show her face in public now.

Her body felt like it had been disassembled and reassembled; it was sore and weak, and she didn't even have the strength to move a finger. Memories of last night flooded back like a tidal wave—those crazy, passionate, and blush-inducing images played on a loop in her mind.

The usually aloof and abstinent Crown Prince was a completely different person in bed.

Strong, domineering, and... addictive.

They tormented her for most of the night, and only let her go when it was almost dawn.

"Your Majesty, you're awake?" Upon hearing the movement on the bed, Fuyun quickly came over, her face revealing an undisguised mischievous smile.

"Hmm..." Ye An'an poked her head out from under the covers and responded in a muffled voice.

"Shall I help you get up? His Highness went to court a long time ago. Before he left, he specifically told you to sleep a little longer and not to rush to get up early." As she spoke, Fuyun quickly prepared her clothes.

Ye An'an struggled to sit up in bed, feeling aches and pains all over her body, as if it were falling apart. Looking down, she saw that her fair neck and collarbone were covered with tiny, ambiguous red marks.

"Ah!" she exclaimed, and quickly burrowed back under the covers.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong?" Fuyun and Chenzhu were both startled.

"How...how am I supposed to face anyone like this!" Ye An'an was on the verge of tears.

"Oh dear, Your Highness, why are you so shy?" Chenzhu covered her mouth and chuckled. "It just shows that His Highness dotes on you. This servant will go find you a dress with a higher collar right away."

After the three of them, master and servant, laughed and joked for a while, Ye An'an finally got out of bed, dawdling, with the help of two maids.

She changed into a high-necked ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) with delicate embroidery at the neckline, which perfectly concealed the suggestive marks. After washing up, she felt her stomach growling with hunger.

"Let's go to the small kitchen. I'm going to have a good meal today to replenish my energy!" She waved her hand and walked confidently toward the small kitchen.

However, she froze as soon as she stepped into the yard.

The Crown Prince, who should have been handling important military and national affairs in the court, was now standing tall and elegant at the door of the small kitchen, dressed in a black casual robe.

It seems he's...waiting for her?

"Your...Your Highness?" Ye An'an's steps faltered instantly, her cheeks flushing red again. "You...Why are you back? Don't you have to attend court?"

"Today is a day off." Xiao Jingshi looked at her, his usually cool eyes now filled with a gentle, almost overflowing smile.

He walked towards her step by step.

"Are you hungry?" He walked up to her, his voice low and hoarse.

"Hmm..." Ye An'an lowered her head, not daring to look him in the eye.

"What do you want to eat? I'll make it with you." He said, and very naturally took her hand.

His hands were warm and dry, with a thin layer of calluses on his palms. That familiar, reassuring warmth traveled from her fingertips into her heart.

"No...no need!" Ye An'an felt her heart racing again. "How can you let a prince into the kitchen? You...just wait outside."

"It's alright." Xiao Jingshi held her hand tightly, refusing to let go. "I only want to be with you today."

He took her hand and led her into the small kitchen filled with the warmth of everyday life.

Fresh ingredients were already prepared in the kitchen. Ye An'an looked at them and an idea instantly came to her mind.

"Then... how about we have wontons for breakfast this morning?" she asked tentatively.

"Okay, whatever you say."

Thus, an unprecedented and peculiar scene unfolded in the small kitchen of the Eastern Palace.

His Highness the Crown Prince, the future monarch of this country, has somehow become involved with... an apron that, while incongruous with his expensive clothes, is strangely harmonious.

He stood behind Ye An'an, watching her skillfully mince pork foreleg meat into a fine paste, then paired it with sweet shrimp and crisp water chestnuts.

Ye An'an was in charge of preparing the filling and kneading the dough. Xiao Jingshi, on the other hand, was assigned the simplest task.

— Rolling out wonton wrappers.

His hands, which once held a pen to review memorials and a sword to command the nation, were now holding a small rolling pin.

He imitated Ye An'an, rolling out small dough balls into paper-thin round wonton wrappers.

His movements were clumsy and stiff at first.

The rolled-out dough was either too thick or torn.

Ye An'an stood next to him, teaching him step by step.

"Your Highness, you are incredibly strong."

"Do it like this, starting from the middle and gently pushing it open to both sides."

Her hand rested on the back of his hand, her fingertips accidentally brushing against his skin.

The soft, warm touch made Xiao Jingshi's body stiffen instantly.

He lowered his head and could see her curled eyelashes, which were particularly clear because he was so close, and the tip of her small, pert nose.

He could even smell her faint, pleasant fragrance.

His heart skipped a beat.

The movement in his hands also stopped.

"Your Highness? What's wrong?" Ye An'an looked up and met his deep, star-like eyes.

There seemed to be flames burning in those eyes.

"N-nothing...nothing." Xiao Jingshi awkwardly looked away, feeling his ears burning hot at an unprecedented speed.

He blushed.

Looking at his innocent yet arrogant appearance, Ye An'an finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Their collaboration was filled with both stumbles and sweet moments.

A bowl of steaming hot wontons is finally ready.

Thin skin, generous filling, and delicious soup.

The two sat at the stone table in the courtyard, eating the breakfast they had made themselves.