The legitimate daughter returns to the capital and embarks on a splendid life, tearing apart the fak

Lan Qi, standing to the side, almost lost his balance.

His niece is incredibly audacious! Who is Prince Yu?

The prince, personally appointed by the late emperor, was a man of great military achievements, decisive in killing, and unpredictable in his temper. Even the court officials dared not easily curry favor with him. Yet she, on the contrary, invited him to dinner right away.

He was about to speak up to smooth things over when he saw Xiao Jingyan raise an eyebrow, his gaze lingering on Yun Jin's face for a moment before he said calmly, "Fine."

Just one word.

But his tone was somewhat nonchalant and lazy, and as soon as he finished speaking, he started walking upstairs.

Yun Jin was stunned for a moment. Xiao Jingyan took two steps, then turned back to look at her: "Didn't you say you were going to treat me to dinner? Aren't you leaving?"

"Oh, they're here." Yun Jin finally realized what was happening and quickly jogged to catch up.

Upstairs in the private room, a copper pot was already set up, supported by an iron rack, with charcoal burning red-hot.

The red oil broth in the pot was bubbling and simmering, filling the air with its aroma.

Xiao Jingyan took off his cloak and casually draped it over the back of the chair. He sat down in the main seat, his posture relaxed, one hand supporting his chin. His gaze fell on the pot of soup, then he looked at Yun Jin, who had followed him in.

"This is the meal you treated me to? Just soup?"

Yun Jin smiled and stepped forward: "Of course not. Your Highness, this is called hot pot. The ingredients are cooked fresh, which is perfect for this cold winter day."

Xiao Jingyan raised an eyebrow, intrigued, and picked up his chopsticks, asking, "How do you want to eat this?"

Yun Jin quickly arranged the sliced ​​mutton, cabbage, tofu, and vermicelli, and then prepared a dipping sauce for him: "You should dip the cooked dishes in this sauce."

Xiao Jingyan didn't touch his chopsticks, but looked at her, a slight smile playing on his lips: "You invited me to dinner, and this is all the sincerity you offer?"

Yun Jin was taken aback: "What?"

Xiao Jingyan pointed with his chin at the pot of soup: "You cook it for me."

Yun Jin cursed inwardly, but remained outwardly calm. She picked up a slice of mutton, dipped it in the pot a few times, and placed it on the plate in front of him, saying, "Your Highness, please."

Xiao Jingyan picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of mutton, and put it in his mouth.

He chewed twice, then paused, his eyes slightly narrowed, as if he were savoring something.

"Not bad." He put down his chopsticks, picked up his wine glass and took a sip, then looked at Yun Jin's face. "This hot pot of yours is very much to my liking."

Yun Jin smiled and said, "Your Highness flatters me."

Xiao Jingyan leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, his posture casual, but his eyes were fixed on her, with a hint of scrutiny and amusement.

"You're not afraid of me, are you?" he said.

Yun Jin said calmly, "Your Highness isn't a man-eating tiger, what do I have to be afraid of?"

Xiao Jingyan chuckled softly, "This is the first time I've heard you say that."

Lan Qi stood at the door, unsure whether to go in or back, his heart pounding as he looked at Prince Yu's expression.

Prince Yu has always given the impression of being cynical, cold-faced, and ruthless, but now, facing Yun Jin, he sat upright. Although his tone was still casual, his posture clearly showed that he was serious.

What alarmed him even more was the way Prince Yu looked at Yun Jin, as if he were looking at prey.

"Boss Lan," Xiao Jingyan suddenly spoke up, "aren't you supposed to dine with Miss Yun? Aren't you going to sit down and eat with her?"

Yun Jin then turned to look at Lan Qi and saw him trembling with fear. She couldn't help but find it amusing. After all, he was a man of many experiences. Why was he so afraid?

She smiled and said, "Uncle, come on over, let's eat together. Try my hot pot."

Lan Qi said "Oh" and quickly came over to sit down below Xiao Jingyan.

Yun Jin was busy eating herself and also cooking vegetables for Xiao Jingyan.

Xiao Jingyan found her flustered appearance quite amusing, yet he enjoyed it with a clear conscience.

Yun Jin was speechless. Finally, she simply threw down her chopsticks: "Your Highness, can't you eat without someone serving you?"

Lan Qi was so frightened that he quickly smiled apologetically: "Your Highness, please don't be offended. Jin'er is young and doesn't know any better. If she has offended you in any way..."

"It's alright, Miss Yun is right, she's not my servant, I'll eat by myself." Xiao Jingyan interrupted him, a slight smile playing on his lips, carrying a hint of wickedness. "I really like Miss Yun's personality."

Yun Jin was taken aback, looked up at Xiao Jingyan, and met his eyes, which seemed to be smiling but not smiling.

There was a probing look, a playful look, and something else indescribable in his eyes that she couldn't understand.

But his favorability rating is 58%, which seems to have increased since the first time we met...

She lowered her eyes, continued cooking mutton, and said calmly, "Thank you for your kind offer, Your Highness."

This time, Xiao Jingyan started cooking the vegetables himself. He ate slowly and gracefully.

Yun Jin thought to herself, "Is this the court education I received since childhood?"

She resignedly picked up a piece of meat and ate it fiercely.

Xiao Jingyan found it amusing and said, "Miss Yun, this is mutton, not my meat."

Yun Jin looked up guiltily, feigning ignorance, and asked, "What did Your Highness say?"

"It's nothing, it's nothing." Xiao Jingyan waved his hand, finding Yun Jin increasingly interesting.

Lan Qi, sitting beside her, felt extremely uneasy, his back breaking out in a cold sweat. This girl is really brave.

He was getting restless, but he didn't dare leave Yun Jin behind.

She could only speak cautiously to Xiao Jingyan, but not knowing what to say, she could only make small talk.

No matter what he said, Xiao Jingyan seemed to understand something about it.

After the meal, Lan Qi's tension had mostly subsided.

While the two were talking, Yun Jin ate by herself. She had been craving hot pot for months, and now that she was finally able to eat it, she was determined to enjoy it to the fullest.

Seeing that Yun Jin was eating heartily, Xiao Jingyan also ate quite a bit while talking to Lan Qi.

After the meal, everyone felt warm and satisfied from the bottom of their hearts.

After the three finished their meal, the waiter cleared away the food and served tea again.

Xiao Jingyan suddenly looked at Lan Qi: "Boss Lan, I need to speak with Miss Yun for a few minutes. Could you please grant me this favor?"

Lan Qi hesitated for a moment, then glanced at Yun Jin. Seeing her nod slightly, he bowed and left, gently closing the door behind him.

Only two people remained in the room.

Xiao Jingyan leaned back in his chair, his gaze falling on Yun Jin's face, and suddenly said, "Little girl, they've brought Chen Wencai's family and Yun Dahai and his wife from Qingping County. They should arrive in the capital in half a month at most."

Yun Jin's hand, which was pouring tea, suddenly paused, and her heart began to race. Although she had been prepared, she hadn't expected it to happen so quickly.

She calmed herself down and pretended not to know: "I didn't understand what Your Highness said."

Xiao Jingyan's lips curled slightly, a smile carrying a hint of wickedness and languor: "Little girl, you grew up in Yun Dahai's family in Qingping County. Don't you want to know how you got to Qingping County? Who replaced you, and who sent you there?"

Yun Jin's heart skipped a beat, but she remained outwardly calm: "Your Highness is too kind. My daughter grew up in Guangping Prefecture..."

Xiao Jingyan's gaze lingered on his face for a moment, then he suddenly smiled and said, "Little girl, what I know, others will know too. Do you think you can keep it a secret?"