The Grand Secretary has no heir? His concubine gives birth to triplets.

Jiang Guo'er stood under the eaves of the kitchen, watching the small world in the courtyard being swallowed up little by little by the twilight.

The flames in the stove licked the bottom of the pot, and steam rose up, blurring her vision.

Thinking back on that reprimand, my face still feels hot.

She rubbed her face vigorously.

She was just a concubine; what was it to be scolded by her master in public?

There are even more embarrassing things to come, things we've experienced before.

Lotus came out carrying a bowl. Seeing her in a daze, she leaned closer and whispered, "Guo'er, are you really not going to send a bowl to the Prime Minister?"

Jiang Guo'er shook her head: "No."

"Why? It's the winter solstice."

The lotus was unwilling to accept this.

"These glutinous rice balls you made are filled with homemade sesame and walnut filling, and the dough is made with chicken broth."

"It's so soft and sticky, I ate three bowls myself, the Prime Minister will definitely like it."

Jiang Guo'er didn't reply and returned to the stove.

Watching the plump, white glutinous rice balls float and sink in the boiling water, I felt increasingly choked up.

just forget it.

With Lüyi by his side tonight, he will certainly not be lonely.

A few days later, when Lingyi entered the house, Lüyi became the one who was most favored.

She must nip this inappropriate thought in the bud.

"You should eat less too, or you'll get indigestion at night."

"There's still one bowl left."

Jiang Guo'er's mind raced. "Take a bowl to Afu, who is guarding the study, and tell him it's for him."

Lotus agreed, smiling as she took the bowl and went to do so.

Just as they were about to extinguish the stove, footsteps came from the courtyard gate.

Ah Fu brought over an empty bowl, his face full of gratitude: "Miss Jiang, your glutinous rice balls are so delicious! I ate them all in one go, even drank the soup!"

Jiang Guo'er forced a smile: "I'm glad you like it."

"Then... shall I go back to my study first?"

Jiang Guo'er stopped him.

"You've been keeping watch for three nights in a row, that's too tiring. I'm free tonight, so I'll keep watch for you for half an hour. Go and get some rest."

Ah Fu was overjoyed and repeatedly bowed and thanked him before running away in a flash.

Jiang Guo'er watched his figure disappear outside the moon gate, her chest pounding like a drum.

She composed herself, lifted her skirt, and headed to the study.

Inside, only a dim glass night lamp was lit, casting a yellowish glow that barely illuminated the surrounding area.

Using the dim light, she walked straight to the low cabinet.

He crouched down and quickly found the hidden compartment he had noticed earlier.

The keyhole was dark and cleverly hidden.

She reached out and twisted it, but it didn't budge.

Where could the key be hidden?

She searched carefully among the display shelves, curio cabinets, desks, and bookshelves, but found nothing.

If it's not in the study, could it be hidden in some secret compartment by the bedside?

Then I'll just have to look for an opportunity next time I'm serving the emperor.

Just as I was pondering this, my fingertips suddenly touched something.

As she was pondering, her fingertips suddenly knocked over an old book.

A piece of paper slipped out from between the pages of the book.

Jiang Guo'er was startled, then bent down to pick it up.

Xue Tao's letter?

She paused for a moment, then, by the dim light of the glass lamp, she could make out the words on it.

Her writing is delicate and youthful, with every stroke revealing the girl's innocent charm.

"Snow falls before the courtyard as plum blossoms begin to bloom, my heart's secrets are as tender as silk threads wrapped around my fingers. I wish I could transform into a pair of swallows under the eaves, seeking you here year after year."

At the end of the signature are three elegant small characters.

Xiao Yuzhen.

Jiang Guo'er's pupils suddenly contracted.

Xiao Yuzhen... isn't that the current Empress?

She was terrified, and her hand trembled, almost causing the note to slip from her grasp.

I quickly regained my composure and read those words again.

It wasn't an illusion; it was truly a love poem written by the Empress herself.

The paper was yellowed and the edges were worn, clearly indicating that it had been kept for many years.

He actually kept it all this time... and even tucked it inside an ancient book?

A layer of cold sweat seeped out from Jiang Guo'er's back.

He hurriedly stuffed the note back into the book and put the ancient book back in its original place.

Just then, the study door was pushed open.

Jiang Guo'er quickly placed her hands on the hem of her skirt and wiped the sweat from her palms.

Pei Yan stood at the door, a thin layer of snow on his black cloak, and his shoulders were damp.

"What are you doing in the study?"

Jiang Guo'er's heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of her throat.

"This servant...this servant will cover Ah Fu's shift for a while, and also wants to find a travelogue to read."

Pei Yan looked suspicious as his gaze slowly swept over her face.

"What travelogue?"

"It is...it is 'A Record of Travels to Famous Mountains'." Jiang Guo'er lowered her eyes and tried her best to keep her voice steady.

"I heard Lüyi mention it, saying that it describes many famous mountains and scenic spots. I long for it and would like to borrow it to take a look."

Pei Yan remained silent for a long time.

Jiang Guo'er stared intently at the tips of her shoes, not daring to meet his gaze.

A moment later, he suddenly asked a completely unrelated question.

"Did you cook some glutinous rice balls today?"

Jiang Guo'er was taken aback, not expecting him to ask this suddenly.

"……yes."

"Why wasn't there any for me?"

She opened her mouth, but was momentarily speechless.

"This servant...this servant's skills are poor, I'm afraid they won't suit the Prime Minister's taste."

Pei Yan looked at her, his gaze sweeping over her lips, and suddenly chuckled softly.

"Go and cook a bowl of it."

"Now?"

"Now."

Jiang Guo'er glanced out the window.

The snow was falling heavily, and the wind was whipping up snowflakes, whistling as they slammed against the windowpane.

"Your Excellency, the snow is heavy outside..."

Pei Yan glanced at her, his tone unfriendly: "What, you don't want to?"

"That's not what I meant. It's just... Your Excellency is in the palace today, so you must have already enjoyed the imperial Lantern Festival treats. Why bother..."

"I insist on eating what you made." Pei Yan interrupted her directly, leaving no room for negotiation.

Jiang Guo'er bit her lower lip and turned to walk out.

"etc."

Pei Yan took an oiled paper umbrella and opened it above his head.

He put one arm around her waist and led her into the snowstorm outside.

The umbrella ribs were pressed low, keeping the wind and snow out.

The large hand, through the thick winter coat, fastened behind her waist, its warmth seeping into the fabric little by little.

Jiang Guo'er didn't even dare to struggle, feeling that her breathing had been disturbed the whole way.

The two walked through the covered corridor, around the moon gate, and into the small kitchen.

"Your Excellency, I can do it myself."

Jiang Guo'er walked to the stove and began to roll up her sleeves and knead the dough.

Fortunately, there was still some dough left, so I mixed it with chicken broth, and it became exceptionally smooth and moist when kneaded in my palm.

With a flick of her fingertips, the snow-white dough was neatly rolled into small balls.

Press it open with your thumb, wrap it with the fried sesame and walnut filling that is oily and fragrant, and gently pinch it with your fingertip to seal it.

One round and plump seed rests steadily in the palm of your hand.

After the water in the pot boils, the glutinous rice balls are dropped in one by one, rolling around in the soup.

The aroma of sesame slowly emerges from the steam, mingling with the savory fragrance of chicken soup, filling the room with a warm and cozy feeling.

Jiang Guo'er ladled out a bowl, with a few white jade-like pearls in a blue-and-white porcelain cup, and handed it to Pei Yan.

Pei Yan didn't answer, but stared straight at her.

"Feed me with your own mouth."

Jiang Guo'er was stunned for a moment, thinking he meant "by her own hands", so she took a porcelain spoon, scooped up a piece, and brought it to his lips.

Pei Yan didn't speak, his eyes growing even darker.

Jiang Guo'er was somewhat bewildered.

"Prime Minister."

Pei Yan leaned down, his voice tinged with helplessness, his breath hot against her ear.

"Are your ears going to be buried in snow?"

"I meant, in person."

Jiang Guo'er's face flushed, and even her fingertips went numb.

Holding the porcelain bowl, he stood there for a long time without moving.

Pei Yan didn't urge her, he just looked at her like that, as if he could keep waiting until she did as he was told to do tonight.

The wind whistled past the eaves outside, while the fire crackled softly in the stove inside.

Jiang Guo'er bit her lip, then lowered her head and put a glutinous rice ball into her mouth.

The freshly cooked glutinous rice balls are still piping hot; their soft, glutinous outer skin becomes slightly sticky when it touches the tip of the tongue.

The sweet aroma of sesame and walnut filling wafted out, and the heat made her eyelashes tremble slightly.

She had barely looked up when Pei Yan reached out and grabbed her chin, pulling her forward an inch.

The moment their lips met, a sweet fragrance filled their breaths.

Jiang Guo'er's mind went blank for a moment. She wanted to back out, but his thumb pressed firmly under her chin, so she could only mumble as she passed the glutinous rice ball.

Pei Yan ate it.

But they were unwilling to give up.

Taking advantage of the soft, sweet taste, he slowly pried open her teeth, even taking her flustered tongue and tasting it completely.

Jiang Guo'er's porcelain bowl wobbled slightly, and the spoon handle struck the rim of the bowl with a crisp sound.

Her lower back was pressed against the edge of the stove, leaving her with nowhere to retreat.

His cool, ink-scented scent mingled with the chill of the wind and snow, pressing in inch by inch, making her face flush and her heart race.

Pei Yan moved slightly away from her, his gaze still fixed on her lips, his voice low and husky.

"Anything else?"

Jiang Guo'er was out of breath and couldn't answer.

Pei Yan gently wiped away the little bit of sugar on the corner of her lips with his fingertip, but his fingertip lingered at her lips and did not retract.

His other hand landed on her waist, slowly and deliberately untying the sash hanging down her waist.

Jiang Guo'er's slender neck turned pink from the heat emanating from him, and her sleeve slipped down, revealing a section of her snow-white wrist.

"Your Excellency, no... not here..."

Pei Yan opened his palm and pinched her waist, lifting her onto the edge of the stove with a little force.

He lowered his head and whispered in her ear, his lips gently nibbling at her small earlobe.

"You knew how to feed it just now, why don't you know how now?"

Just as Jiang Guo'er was feeling so ashamed that she wanted to disappear, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the door.

"Prime Minister! Prime Minister!"

It was Manager Zhao's voice, sounding rushed and hurried.

"Someone from the palace has arrived! His Majesty urgently summons you to the palace!"