Shocking! The entire court was drooling with envy because of me.

Wu Cixin was held up by some trivial matters today and was unable to queue at Zhiweixuan.

Left with no other choice, she had to ask a servant to bring back two bowls.

"Madam, today Zhiweixuan is selling tomato and egg noodles. They're bright red and smell amazing!"

The servant opened the food box, revealing two large white porcelain bowls.

The orange-gold soup was clear and bright, like mountain spring water tinged with the warm color of the setting sun. Bright red tomatoes, golden egg flowers, snow-white tofu, emerald green vegetables and scallions, brown shiitake mushrooms, and a few sesame seeds sprinkled on top.

The steam rose gently, carrying the aroma directly to people's faces. Through the steam, the bowl of noodles seemed like a painting.

"Is this red stuff a tomato?" Wu Cixin asked curiously.

She recognized all the other ingredients, but she had never seen this bright red thing before.

"Yes, madam, please try it." The little maid beside her couldn't help but swallow.

Who wouldn't be mesmerized by this smell? But at sixty coins a bowl, she really couldn't bear to buy it.

Wu Cixin couldn't resist and picked up her chopsticks to eat.

Just then, a commotion came from outside: "Madam, the second young master of the Wu family has arrived. He says he has something to discuss with you."

Upon hearing the name of the second young master of the Wu family, Wu Cixin's good mood vanished instantly.

That was her younger brother from her maternal family. She didn't know who had corrupted him, but all he ever did was gamble. He had lost a lot of money over the years and was a complete spendthrift.

He's definitely coming back to ask her for money!

"Don't let him in!"

Wu Cixin frowned, then turned her gaze back to the tomato and egg noodles in front of her, her mood improving slightly.

"It smells so good!"

She picked up a piece with her chopsticks and was about to put it in her mouth.

Suddenly, several shouts reached my ears: "Sister!!"

"Sis, I've come to see you!!"

The sound grew closer, and at the same time, an old woman stumbled over, crying, "Madam, something terrible has happened! The second young master of the Wu family has scaled the wall and broken into the mansion!"

"He's coming this way to you now."

As soon as she finished speaking, Wu Er Gongzi's voice came closer: "Sister, I've come to see you and my little niece. My little niece must miss me terribly."

What was there to miss? She had originally planned to eat alone in secret, and she had even kept it a secret from her daughter, Li Mengmeng.

Now look what's happened, her good-for-nothing brother has come over, how is she supposed to eat now?

"Sis, what's that smell? It smells so good!" The voice was already very close.

Wu Cixin stood up abruptly, made a quick decision, put down her chopsticks, and rushed out.

The second son mustn't find out about this tomato and egg noodle soup, or it'll be gone for good.

She can eat it later!

"Sis, it smells so good! Are you eating something delicious? Let your little brother have a taste too~" Young Master Wu sniffed, looking like a dog that had smelled a bone.

Wu Cixin quickly pulled him in the opposite direction, saying, "It's nothing special, just ordinary noodles. Come on, come on, did you need something from me?"

"Let's talk in the main hall. Mengmeng is being played with by the nanny right now. If you miss Mengmeng, I'll have the nanny bring her over."

Upon hearing these words, Young Master Wu stopped focusing on the fragrance; he had more important things on his mind.

So he followed Wu Cixin to the main hall.

"Wen Dong, just say what's on your mind," Wu Cixin said, sitting down and getting straight to the point.

The second son of the Wu family is named Wu Wendong.

Wu Cixin was in a great hurry and just wanted to get rid of Wu Wendong as soon as possible so she could comfortably enjoy her tomato and egg noodles.

With a grin, Wu Wendong ran over in a few steps and gently massaged Wu Cixin's shoulders.

"Sister, nothing's wrong. I just missed you, so I came to see you. It's nothing, nothing at all."

Wu Cixin snorted coldly. Didn't she know what her younger brother was up to?

"Tell me, how much silver do you want?"

Wu Wendong became even more attentive, his smile widening: "Sister, what are you saying? You're not asking for money..."

"Never mind if you don't want it, I have things to do."

Wu Cixin stood up immediately; she really didn't have time to waste with Wu Wendong.

"Yes! Yes!! Sis, don't rush, I want it!"

"I want!!"

Wu Wendong quickly grabbed Wu Cixin; he was still waiting for the money to go to the casino tonight to turn his luck around.

His family is no longer willing to give him money; his eldest sister is his only hope.

"How much do you want?" Wu Cixin's eyes widened.

Wu Wendong weakly held up five fingers.

"Five taels of silver?"

"Sister, it's fifty taels. Once I make money, I'll definitely pay you back tenfold. Please trust me this once!"

Wu Cixin's eyes widened. Fifty taels? If fifty taels were used to buy tomato and egg noodles, it could buy more than eighty bowls.

This is absolutely wasteful!

"Five taels, take it or leave it!" Wu Cixin took out five taels of silver, threw it on the table, and walked away.

It's clear they don't want to deal with Wu Wendong anymore.

Five taels of silver was already more than enough; she had no other choice but to give it to her younger brother.

The most important thing right now is to eat tomato and egg noodles!

"...Only five taels..."

Wu Wendong looked disappointed, but then thought about it again.

Five taels it is, he can turn things around with just five taels.

Once he wins a thousand times, ten thousand times the amount of money, everyone will look at him with new respect!

......

Li Duan left an important official document at home, and fearing that his servants wouldn't be able to find it, he had no choice but to go home himself to retrieve it.

As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, he smelled a delicious aroma.

It has a sweet and sour taste, and a rich umami flavor.

"What does it taste like...?"

He couldn't help but follow the fragrance and push open the door.

Two large bowls of noodles were sitting on the table, steaming hot.

"Did the family cook make this?" Li Duan asked, somewhat puzzled.

But the aroma drew him to the table, where he sat down.

The warm, fragrant steam rushed onto my face, tickling me, and the complex aroma filled my nostrils.

It has a fruity sweet and sour taste, mixed with the richness of bones, and a hint of egg drop fragrance.

Li Duan's appetite was whetted. He glanced around, then subconsciously picked up the spoon next to him and gently scooped up a mouthful of soup.

It has a sweet and sour taste, like a pebble thrown into still water, creating ripples that awaken the deepest longing for delicious food in people's hearts.

Then the aroma of eggs and bones emerges layer by layer. After swallowing, a warm feeling fills the stomach, and a sweet and sour taste fills the mouth.

He picked up a few more noodles with his chopsticks. The noodles were smooth, chewy, and elastic, with a sweet and sour taste, and a hint of flavor he couldn't quite describe.

Anyway, it smells really good.

"What is this?" Suddenly, he noticed the tomato chunks in the bowl.