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

Gu Qionghua was stunned for a moment.

I'm sorry, I was wrong, please forgive me...

She never imagined she would hear such words from her mother one day.

All the grievances I had suffered before seemed to find an outlet in an instant.

Before she knew it, Gu Qionghua was already in tears.

"Don't cry, don't cry." The princess hurriedly wiped away Gu Qionghua's tears. "Mother will never treat you like that again. I'm sorry, Qionghua."

The princess's eyes were already red, and all her words, though unspoken, could only be summed up in one simple apology.

But she knew all too well that a simple "I'm sorry" could not make up for so many years of neglect and indifference.

"It's alright, Mother, it's alright," Gu Qionghua said, sobbing.

The maternal love she had cherished for so many years was right before her eyes, and she couldn't force herself to refuse it; she couldn't bring herself to do it.

After all these years, her mother finally agreed to look at her, gazing at her with such loving eyes.

Even though she had let go of the past, she still couldn't help but want to get closer when her mother took the initiative to hug her.

Children are naturally drawn to their mother's love; it's human nature, and no one can resist it.

"Qionghua, thank you, thank you for still giving your mother a chance to make amends."

The eldest princess embraced Gu Qionghua, and the mother and daughter wept bitterly.

One was filled with guilt and heartache, while the other seemed to be crying out all the grievances she had held for years.

After a long pause, Gu Qionghua finally raised her head: "Mother, I have to go to work at the restaurant; it's almost time."

She had not forgotten the deal she made with Shen Qing.

"Your mother will go with you."

The eldest princess took Gu Qionghua's hand, her eyes filled with both kindness and determination.

Gu Qionghua nodded, overjoyed, feeling a happiness she had never experienced before.

The mother and daughter then entered the Zhiwei Restaurant.

Inside the restaurant, everyone was busy preparing ingredients. When they saw the Princess and Gu Qionghua enter together, they all understood what was going on.

"Madam Shen," the Princess said, walking straight to Shen Qing, "regarding that contract, could I take Qionghua's place at the restaurant?"

"She was innocent from beginning to end, and she shouldn't have to pay such a price."

Given the circumstances, she was willing to take Qionghua's place at the restaurant.

In this way, I suppose it can be considered atonement.

Shen Qing was chopping vegetables, her hands never stopping, and without looking up, she asked, "Has the Princess made up her mind?"

"I've made up my mind."

"No, Mother, I like working at the restaurant!" Gu Qionghua interjected. "Sister Shen, I signed the contract, so it's my turn to work at the restaurant."

Shen Qing chuckled: "Why is it that one after another, they all want to come to my Zhiwei Restaurant?"

"If you both want, you can both come."

The eldest princess lowered her eyes and said, "If you really cannot take my place, I will come to the restaurant to keep Qionghua company."

"Mother......"

Shen Qing chuckled: "Just kidding."

She put down the kitchen knife, wiped her hands, took out the contract from her bosom, and tore it to shreds in front of everyone.

Gu Qionghua was stunned, her swollen eyes wide with confusion and surprise.

Torn to pieces?

Then Shen Qing said again:

"Saying he'll work for ten years is just a joke, don't take it seriously."

Working ten years in exchange for a single meal—Shen Qing was certainly not sincere about this unequal contract.

Even the most despicable capitalists wouldn't offer such terms.

She only wanted to help Gu Qionghua because she felt sorry for her.

On the one hand, it was to let Gu Qionghua experience what it truly felt like to lose power and wealth, so that she would not be so attached to other people's love.

On the other hand, it was also to force the eldest princess to move on from the past and get along well with Gu Qionghua.

Everything should be done in moderation. There should be limits to remembering the deceased, to craving love from others, and to giving.

Excessive indulgence can lead to obsession, which harms both oneself and others.

Only then did the eldest princess understand Shen Qing's good intentions.

She bowed deeply to Shen Qing and said gratefully, "Thank you, thank you so much, Madam Shen."

"Sister Shen, how can you be so kind..."

Gu Qionghua couldn't help but shed tears again, this time tears of emotion.

Shen Qing smiled and said, "I didn't do anything. You even came to the restaurant and worked for me for free for a day."

"By the way, I didn't cook that meal at the princess's residence for free; I had to charge for it."

"Alright, alright, I'll bring you two chests of gold when I get back," the princess said gratefully with a smile.

Fortunately, she met the beautiful and kind-hearted Lady Shen; otherwise, she might have remained confused for who knows how long.

"Then I won't be polite."

Shen Qing accepted with a smile, without refusing at all.

"Alright, it's about time. We should start operating."

"Your Highness, you're the first customer. Would you like a spicy hot pot?"

The eldest princess smiled and glanced at Gu Qionghua: "One serving each, and one serving of everything except the spicy hot pot."

"Qionghua, it's been so many years, and we haven't even eaten alone together. Would you like to eat with your mother?"

This time, the princess's eyes held a mixture of anticipation and a cautious fear of rejection.

Gu Qionghua smiled and nodded: "Okay."

"How about we go shopping together after dinner?"

"it is good."

"..."

For many years afterward, Gu Qionghua remembered the spicy hot pot she ate with her mother that day.

It's numbing, spicy, and fragrant, with a hint of happiness in it.

......

Inside the palace, the emperor was frowning as he looked at a bowl of cold, spicy hot pot.

Within an hour, whatever the food was, it would be completely cold by the time it arrived at the palace.

The other dishes were alright; although they weren't as fragrant as when they were fresh out of the pot, they were still tastier than other ordinary meals.

But this spicy hot pot is different.

The essence of Mala Xiang Guo (Spicy Stir-Fry) lies in the wok hei (wok aroma) produced by stir-frying over high heat. High-temperature stir-frying can produce a very impactful caramelized aroma.

Now that it's completely cooled down, the authentic wok hei (wok aroma) is gone, and the red oil on the surface of the ingredients will solidify, becoming cold and greasy.

Meat and seafood will become fishy and hard, and various vegetables will become soft and mushy, losing their original texture when they are freshly cooked.

It tastes both salty and greasy.

"Sigh! When will the relocation of the capital finally be completed? I feel like leaving again." The emperor sighed.

Zhao Gou advised from the side, "Your Majesty, please don't be impatient. The court officials are all working hard on this matter, and it has now progressed to the drawing stage."

He was anxious too; he wanted to eat as well.

And he misses his sisters, even though they may not remember him at all.

"I'm in a hurry, how can I not be!"

"This spicy stir-fry is completely inedible!"

"I wonder what a wonderful taste freshly cooked spicy hot pot will be like!"

The emperor paced anxiously around the room, wishing he could fly to Ping'an County right now.

But after what happened last time, the ministers were on guard and stopped him one by one.

Just then, a eunuch announced from the doorway: "Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince requests an audience!"

Prince?

The emperor was taken aback.

He hadn't seen the Crown Prince in a long time, so why did he suddenly come today?