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

Xiao Jingshi's love for coffee had reached a level that even Ye An'an hadn't anticipated.

After several days of drinking bitter, strong black coffee, Ye An'an decided to give the Crown Prince a change of pace. After all, as a former top food blogger, she had countless magical ways to transform coffee.

That afternoon, the air in Tinglan Water Pavilion was no longer filled with the single smell of burnt caramel, but with a rich milky aroma.

Ye An'an first brewed espresso, then heated fresh milk and quickly stirred it with a special bamboo tube to create fine milk foam. As the white milk foam was slowly poured into the dark brown coffee, the two blended together to create beautiful amber patterns, Xiao Jingshi, who was standing to the side, watched with a slightly narrowed gaze.

"What is this?" He put down the memorial in his hand and curiously leaned closer.

"This is called a latte, Your Highness, please try it." Ye An'an pushed the cup in front of him.

Xiao Jingshi picked up the cup and took a sip. The delicate milk foam clung to his lips, but he didn't notice. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes: "The texture is silky smooth, with less of the sharp bitterness and more of a mellow fragrance. Delicious."

Ye An'an chuckled and, as if by magic, produced a small jar of thick, amber-colored caramel sauce, which she poured over another cup of coffee.

"Then try this caramel coffee. It's bittersweet and has a wonderful aftertaste."

Xiao Jingshi tasted it as instructed, and the unique sweet aroma of caramel exploded on his tongue, instantly conquering his taste buds. Next, Ye An'an tried to mix the finest black tea and coffee from the palace in the right proportions to make a unique "Yuanyang Coffee". She even ingeniously topped the latte with a thick layer of sweet and salty cheese, creating a classical-style cheese latte.

Watching Xiao Jingshi savor one cup after another, looking as if he had found a treasure, Ye An'an felt that the time was ripe and it was time to unleash her ultimate weapon.

She took out a plate of uniquely shaped pastries. The pastries were layered, with a thick layer of brown powder sprinkled on top.

"This is tiramisu, my simplified version." Ye An'an scooped out a piece with a silver spoon and held it to Xiao Jingshi's mouth. "It's made with biscuits soaked in coffee liquid as a base, a rich layer of shortcrust cheese in the middle, and finally sprinkled with bitter cocoa powder."

Xiao Jingshi took a bite from her hand. In that instant, cool, smooth, sweet, bitter, and rich flavors intertwined, blended, and sublimated in his mouth. The layered and progressive taste was an ultimate enjoyment he had never experienced before.

"This thing... is simply astounding." Xiao Jingshi swallowed the pastry, his deep eyes fixed on Ye An'an. "What's its name?"

"Tiramisu." Ye An'an's eyes crinkled into a smile, her tone slightly mischievous. "In its homeland, the name means—take me away."

Xiao Jingshi's hand holding the cup stiffened slightly, then his gaze turned intense and deep. He suddenly reached out and pulled Ye An'an into his arms, his deep voice whispering in her ear: "Take you away? Where do you want me to take you?"

"I was just talking about the meaning behind the name..." Ye An'an blushed slightly as she tried to explain.

"Whatever it's called," Xiao Jingshi interrupted her domineeringly, pointing to the row of elaborately decorated coffees and the half-eaten tiramisu on the table. "These, and you, all belong to me. From now on, you can only make these variations for me. You can't teach anyone else a single word about them, understand?"

Just then, the familiar noise came from outside the courtyard again.

"Royal sister-in-law! Royal sister-in-law! We smell something sweet!" The little princes reported for duty right on time again.

Xiao Jingshi frowned, quickly brought the plate of tiramisu to himself, and then hid the unfinished cheese latte behind the memorial.

"Your Highness, what are you doing?" Ye An'an asked, both amused and exasperated.

"Protecting food." Xiao Jingshi answered confidently, even giving the Ninth Prince, who had just rushed in, a cold glance.

As soon as the Ninth Prince Xiao Zixuan entered the room, he shrank back in fright at the icy gaze of his elder brother, the Crown Prince. But then, he was immediately drawn in by the sweet aroma he had never smelled before, and his mouth watered: "Sister-in-law, what is that white stuff? I want to drink it too..."

"That's medicine, kids can't drink it." Xiao Jingshi lied without batting an eye, then picked up the cheese latte and drank it all in front of his younger brother.

Ye An'an was utterly speechless to see the dignified Crown Prince lying to children just to monopolize the food. She quickly took out the milk pudding she had prepared beforehand to appease the little ones, barely managing to save Xiao Jingshi's "face".

Ye An'an couldn't help but facepalm at this childish scene. This prince's possessiveness towards his food was getting more and more outrageous.

After finally feeding the three little princes and sending them away, Xiao Jingshi immediately picked up the plate of tiramisu that was only half full and continued eating with a satisfied look on his face.

"Your Highness, please take it easy," Ye An'an reminded him. "This is quite sweet; it'll be too cloying if you eat too much."

"Not at all." Xiao Jingshi said without looking up. "I'll never get tired of what you make."

Ye An'an felt a warmth in her heart and was about to say something when she heard a eunuch's announcement from outside: "Your Highness, the Minister of War requests an audience."

Xiao Jingshi frowned, clearly not wanting to be disturbed at this time. But the Minister of War's personal visit must mean he had something important to discuss.

He had no choice but to put down the silver spoon and said to Ye An'an, "I'll be right back. Remember, keep this plate of pastries for me, and don't give them to anyone else."

"Okay, okay," Ye An'an said with a smile, pushing him away. "Go on."

Xiao Jingshi walked to the door, then turned back, his gaze falling on the plate of tiramisu. After hesitating for a moment, he turned back, picked up the entire plate, and hid it in a hidden compartment under the desk.

Ye An'an: "...Your Highness, it can't be that bad, can it?"

"My brothers are quite cunning," Xiao Jingshi said seriously. "They'll definitely come back when I'm not around."

After saying that, he turned and left, satisfied.

Ye An'an watched his retreating figure and couldn't help but laugh out loud. This man's possessiveness was sometimes adorably childish.

As night fell, Xiao Jingshi returned after handling official business. The first thing he did was take out the plate of tiramisu from the hidden compartment. Only after confirming that no piece was missing did he breathe a sigh of relief.

He sat at his desk, reviewing memorials while sipping the black tea and coffee that Ye An'an had just brewed. Occasionally, he would look up at Ye An'an, who was studying new recipes under the lamp, and a slight smile would unconsciously appear on his lips.

In the past, dealing with government affairs was tedious and tiring, but now, the aroma of coffee filling the room and the people around him made him feel that even the long night had become sweet and short.

"An An," he suddenly called out.

"Hmm?" Ye An'an looked up.

"Tomorrow, make that 'Take Me Away' coffee for me again." Xiao Jingshi put down his pen, his eyes full of doting affection. "I really like that name. And all those fancy coffees, I need to learn to distinguish them."