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

Didn't notice?

Wu Yin was somewhat bewildered.

She had been on tenterhooks for so long, only to be told that she hadn't paid attention.

Is this snail rice noodle really that fragrant?

"I..." Wu Yin struggled to find the right words.

"Think it over before you speak."

A cool, clear voice sounded from above.

Wu Yin wasn't stupid; she naturally understood.

It wasn't that I didn't notice; I was just giving her a chance to choose again.

If she insists on her previous statement, she will be dragging her whole family down to hell, and of course, she herself will not be able to escape it either.

If they change their tune, everything will remain the same.

"As the saying goes, 'Where there's life, there's hope.'" Perhaps Wu Yin had been silent for too long, Pei Yuan spoke softly again.

That's right. If a person loses their life, then they lose everything.

Moreover, it would be too easy for the Wu family to suffer such a fate of mutual destruction.

"I've made up my mind, sir."

"Today, Wu Zhuang has come specifically to deliver snail rice noodles to you, sir. If you enjoy the food, Wu Zhuang will be completely satisfied."

Pei Yuan nodded slightly: "Indeed, this snail rice noodle soup is delicious, it makes one's mouth water."

"I would like to ask, which famous chef created this snail rice noodle dish?"

As he said this, his eyes revealed eagerness and anticipation.

The high-ranking Grand Secretary, who usually keeps his emotions hidden, is surprisingly eager for a bowl of snail rice noodles today.

"It's just a small stall on the street, right in front of Shuiyue Tower. It's run by a woman surnamed Shen," Wu Yin said. After thinking for a moment, she added, "That stall does very good business; it's probably sold out by now."

"If you would like to eat more, you can go earlier tomorrow."

Oh, I see.

Pei Yuan couldn't help but feel a little disappointed; he had originally planned to have another bowl.

Having been unable to eat for years, he simply couldn't resist the delicious food he was eating.

He even felt like he could eat three more bowls!

I haven't felt this way in a long time.

"Would you like to change seats?"

Suddenly, Pei Yuan asked.

Wu Yin immediately shook her head: "It's fine as long as I'm in the Hanlin Academy. I don't want to be a stepping stone for others."

Reading and studying literature were her hobbies, and there was nothing wrong with the Hanlin Academy.

If things go as Wu Zhuang wishes, she might also suffer misfortune.

After all, if you skim too much profit, you'll eventually get punished.

"Um."

"It would be good to spend some time at the Hanlin Academy," Pei Yuan said, seemingly casually.

This makes it sound as if Wu Yin has already settled down enough to be able to hold an important position and make great strides.

Wu Yin didn't dare to think too much about it, and simply said sincerely, "Thank you, Your Excellency."

"Um."

"Well... I'll take my leave now."

"Um."

Pei Yuan's hands began to pluck the strings of the zither again.

Wu Yin carefully took her leave, just as a servant came over carrying a cleaned food box.

After receiving the food box and walking out of the Pei residence, Wu Yin finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Suddenly, I realized that the legendary, capricious prime minister wasn't so scary after all.

but......

Is that smelly snail rice noodle really that delicious?

Wu Yin couldn't help but turn around and walk towards Shuiyue Tower.

Today, snail rice noodles in Shenqing are still selling very well.

With yesterday's regular customers and today's new customers, four hundred servings simply weren't enough to go around.

Inside Shuiyue Tower, each girl had a bowl, and the whole building was filled with the unique aroma of snail rice noodles.

In fact, a saying used to circulate among the guests of Shuiyuelou: "If you love her, buy her snail rice noodles!"

Previously, all you needed to bring when entering Shuiyuelou was poetry; now, you can enjoy snail rice noodles while reciting poems, doing both at the same time.

After selling out 400 servings, Shen Qing began packing up.

Suddenly, a voice sounded in my ear: "What exactly does this snail rice noodle soup taste like?"

It was a woman's voice, very low, as if she were talking to herself.

Shen Qing looked up and was surprised to see Wu Zhuang.

She was stunned. Wu Zhuang had eaten snail rice noodles before, and more than one bowl. How could she not know what snail rice noodles tasted like?

"Ahem~"

Perhaps Shen Qing's gaze was too deliberate, because Wu Yin suddenly came back to her senses.

I was so lost in thought that I forgot to pretend.

So he cleared his throat and imitated Wu Zhuang's voice and demeanor, saying, "I mean, how come this snail rice noodle sold out so quickly? It's gone in such a short time."

"I'm thinking of having two more bowls!"

Shen Qing looked at Wu Yin for a while and then smiled softly.

They really do look alike; their tone and expressions are extremely similar.

But the eyes don't lie.

Wu Zhuang's eyes were unfocused, and there were many red blood vessels in the whites of his eyes.

The person in front of me had clear, bright eyes; he was definitely not the same Wu Zhuang from before.

If she hadn't misheard, this person was a woman.

"You can come and try it yourself tomorrow. Although the smell is a bit unique, it tastes absolutely amazing." Shen Qing did not expose Wu Yin's lie.

Everyone has their own hardships, and it was even more difficult for women in ancient times.

People gossip about her even when she sets up a stall, let alone if she does something else.

"Okay, I'll definitely come tomorrow."

Wu Yin turned and left. She had been out for so long, it was time for her to go back.

That family must be waiting for her outcome.

......

Another fulfilling day has passed.

The next day, the sun shone brightly, the flowers and plants were lush, and everything was just right.

After waking up, Shen Qing began preparing the ingredients for her stall.

Today's order is 600 servings. If all goes well, this will be the last day of selling snail rice noodles.

The thought of completing the mission soon filled Shen Qing with excitement.

As expected, a long queue had already formed in front of Shuiyuelou when the stall was set up.

The peony girl spontaneously maintained order.

"Sister Shen!!" A familiar voice rang out.

It was the young prince, Nangong Yao, who was running so hard he was out of breath.

As Shen Qing set up his stall, he asked, "Why didn't you come for snail rice noodles yesterday?"

Nangong Yao's absence yesterday was a huge surprise to her.

After all, this little kid is the most enthusiastic.

"I don't know who went to tell my mother that I had gone astray and was visiting brothels. Without saying a word, my mother locked me in the mansion and wouldn't listen to my explanation at all."

Nangong Yao pouted, put his hands on his hips, and looked resentful.

"Oh dear, this is quite an accident. Your father and I have come with you today." An elegant and poised woman followed closely behind, a loving smile on her lips.

"Who told you to eat alone? You knew Madam Shen was selling snail rice noodles, but you didn't tell me and sneaked over here. You deserve to be locked up."

Behind him was Prince Chun, who was so late in learning about snail rice noodles that he was filled with regret.

Today he was determined to taste what snail rice noodles really tasted like.

Shen Qing smiled and said, "So you are the Prince and Princess. It's an honor to meet you."

"The silver notes and house deed you sent me before..."

"Take it. We'll deduct the cost of our meals from that. As for the house, you can live there or sell it if you want, it's fine!"

Princess Chun spoke up in a hearty manner.

To clear up the misunderstanding, Prince Chun took his wife out for a hot pot feast last night.

From then on, Princess Chun had a new definition of gourmet food.

What kind of rubbish were we eating before? It couldn't even be called gourmet food.

If she could eat such wonderful food as hot pot every day, she would be willing to give up not only a house, but even the entire royal palace!