The charming widow of the Marquis's mansion: The stable boy carries the flag and raises the dra

Qin Minglan bit her lip, stood up, walked to Wang Long's side, and snatched the bamboo skewer from his hand.

"Old man, your injury hasn't healed yet, don't overexert yourself. Let me help you skewer the meat."

Wang Long paused for a moment, then laughed.

What a proud and arrogant young lady, so cute.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Miss."

Qin Minglan snorted, lowered her head, and began to skewer the meat seriously.

Her movements were clumsy, and the meat pieces were crooked and uneven. Some pieces were too big, some were too small, some were strung too tightly, and some were strung too loosely.

Murong Qing looked at the meat skewers she had made and couldn't help but giggle.

"Miss Qin, this string of dumplings looks awful!"

Qin Minglan blushed.

"This...this is my first time doing thread binding, and it's already pretty good!"

Murong Qing didn't say anything more, picked up the bamboo skewers and helped Qin Minglan.

Her movements were a bit more skilled than Qin Minglan's, but not much better.

Wang Long watched the two girls clumsily skewering meat and said repeatedly.

"My ladies, please allow this old servant to do it."

"No!"

The two spoke in unison, exchanged a glance, and then simultaneously turned their heads away.

Wang Long shook his head helplessly, not forcing the issue, picked up the iron frame, and placed it on the charcoal fire.

Once the charcoal fire had burned sufficiently, he took the skewers of meat that the two men had prepared, placed them on the iron rack, and began to grill them seriously.

The meat skewers sizzled on the fire, and the grease dripped onto the charcoal, sending up puffs of white smoke.

Wang Long skillfully flipped the meat skewers, sprinkling them with cumin, chili powder, and salt.

Soon, a rich aroma wafted through the air, filling the entire courtyard.

Murong Qing took a deep breath, her eyes sparkling.

"It smells so good!"

Qin Minglan couldn't help but swallow, but she didn't hold back her words.

"It's just so-so."

Wang Long smiled, picked up a skewer of golden-brown, juicy meat, and handed it to Murong Qing.

"Your Highness, please have a taste."

Murong Qing took the meat skewer, blew on it, and took a bite.

The meat skewers were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, melting in her mouth. The aroma of cumin and chili powder exploded in her mouth, so delicious that she almost swallowed her tongue.

"Delicious! So delicious!"

Murong Qing's eyes lit up, and she began to eat heartily, completely disregarding her image.

Qin Minglan couldn't help but purse her lips as she watched her eat.

"Is it really that delicious?"

Wang Long picked up another string of skewers and handed it to Qin Minglan.

"Young Miss, please try some."

Qin Minglan snorted, took the meat skewer, and took a bite.

The aroma of meat filled her mouth, and her eyes involuntarily lit up.

It's really delicious.

But she didn't want to admit it.

"It's alright."

She muttered something and took another big bite.

Wang Long nodded happily as he watched the two girls eating with their mouths covered in oil.

Enjoying the meal is the greatest compliment to his culinary skills!

He took out a handkerchief, walked up to Murong Qing, and gently wiped the grease from the corner of her mouth.

The movements were very light and gentle.

Murong Qing was stunned for a moment, then smiled, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

"Thank you, sir."

Qin Minglan watched this scene, biting her lip and staring at Wang Long, her almond-shaped eyes filled with jealousy.

It's as if it's shouting: Hey old man, why don't you help me wipe this too!

Is this a case of forgetting the old when new people come along?

That wretched old man!

Wang Long seemed to sense her gaze, turned his head, and looked at Qin Minglan.

Qin Minglan quickly turned her head away, refusing to look at him.

But the grease on the corners of his mouth couldn't be hidden no matter what.

Wang Long walked up to Qin Minglan with a smile and helped her wipe the grease from the corner of her mouth.

"Miss, please eat slowly. No one is going to take it from you."

Wang Long felt incredibly happy. Two stunningly beautiful girls were vying for his attention—a wonderful experience he could never have imagined before.

Qin Minglan's face flushed red instantly, from her neck all the way to her ears.

"I...I don't need you to wipe me!"

She snatched the handkerchief, wiped herself haphazardly a couple of times, and stuffed it into her sleeve.

"Miss Ben is confiscating this handkerchief!"

Wang Long looked at her embarrassed and annoyed expression and shook his head with a smile.

"Alright, whatever you say, Miss."

Qin Minglan snorted and turned her head away, refusing to look at him.

But the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up.

Murong Qing watched the interaction between the two, a mischievous smile flashing in her eyes.

"Miss Qin, you and the old man have such a good relationship."

Qin Minglan's face turned even redder.

"Who...who's on good terms with him! He's just my master! That's all!"

"That's all?"

Murong Qing tilted her head and laughed even harder.

"Then why are you blushing?"

Qin Minglan touched her face; it was frighteningly hot.

"I...I was roasted by fire!"

"Yeah?"

Murong Qing smiled without saying a word and continued to eat her meat.

Qin Minglan glared at her, then glared at Wang Long, sat down angrily, and began to eat meat.

The three sat around the charcoal fire, eating grilled meat and chatting.

It's so pleasant.

The charcoal fire gradually died down, but the aroma of roasted meat still lingered in the yard.

Murong Qing ate until her belly was round and full, then leaned back on the stone bench, patted her belly contentedly, and let out a satisfied slurp.

"Burp~"

She only realized what was happening after she burped, and quickly covered her mouth, her face slightly flushed, as she secretly glanced at Wang Long.

Wang Long pretended not to see it and bent down to tidy up the charcoal fire.

Qin Minglan sat to the side, arms crossed, chin slightly raised, looking like she was already full, but the cumin powder on her lips betrayed her.

Murong Qing took out the coarse cloth handkerchief she had taken from Wang Long from her sleeve, wiped her mouth, and then carefully folded it and put it back.

"Uncle, your roast meat is so delicious! I've never eaten anything so good before."

Her voice was soft and sweet, with a hint of contented languor.

Wang Long laughed; he had said the same thing when he ate beggar's chicken.

He was a little curious: had this princess ever eaten anything good?

Just then, footsteps came from the courtyard gate.

Chunlan came running in, panting. When she saw Wang Long, she quickly bowed and greeted him.

"Master Wang, the First Madam requests your presence in the main hall; she has important matters to discuss with you."

Upon hearing this, Wang Long immediately stood up.

"Alright, I'll go right away!"

"Your Highness, Miss, this old servant will go to the main hall first."

Qin Minglan stood up and patted the hem of her skirt.

"I'll go with you."

Murong Qing also stood up, smiling.

"I will go too. My brother is there, so I can go back to the palace with him."

The three of them, one in front of the other, passed through the hanging flower gate, walked along the blue brick path, and headed towards the main hall.

Inside the main hall.

Luo Hanyi sat upright in the main seat, while Crown Prince Murong Hao sat in the guest seat, with a small table between them. The tea had already been changed several times.

Murong Hao held his teacup, took a small sip, his expression gentle, revealing nothing of his thoughts.

Luo Hanyi's expression remained calm as she gently tapped the armrest with her fingers, once, then again.

Neither of them spoke, and the main hall was so quiet that the rustling of bamboo leaves outside the window could be heard.

Footsteps came from outside the door.

Luo Hanyi stopped tapping and looked up.

Murong Hao put down his teacup and turned his gaze toward the doorway.

Three figures appeared at the entrance of the main hall.

Wang Long walked in the middle, his back slightly hunched, his hands tucked into his sleeves, his cloudy old eyes half-open and half-closed, looking like a humble old servant.

Qin Minglan walked to his right, her hands behind her back, her chin slightly raised, and her almond-shaped eyes showing a hint of arrogance.

Murong Qing held Wang Long's arm tightly with both hands, looking very intimate.

She walked briskly, a smile on her face, and waved to Murong Hao as soon as she entered the main hall.

"Brother!"

Murong Hao was somewhat surprised to see his beloved younger sister and Wang Long being so affectionate.

The two of them are surprisingly familiar with each other, which makes things much easier!