Has The Princess Consort Come Out Today? - Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Liu Linlang had been feeling smug for the past two days. The new Princess Consort had vanished without even making a splash after entering the manor, and she remained at the pinnacle of favor within the Prince’s residence. With the power of household management still in her hands, she naturally let the servants look down upon and neglect Ji Tian. She was feeling quite pleased with herself, preparing to go to Ji Tian’s place to flaunt her status, when she heard of such an affair.

“Clatter” Liu Linlang violently smashed a teacup to the ground.

She understood perfectly well that this behavior from Ji Tian was an attempt to disgust her from afar. Good for you, Ji Tian, she thought. On the surface, you don’t fight or compete, but in reality, your schemes are so profound.

Just then, she heard her confidant report that the Prince had ordered a small private kitchen to be installed for the Princess Consort.

“Bang—” This time, Liu Linlang smashed a large item.

“A good move, Ji Tian. A fine strategy of feigning retreat to advance. Good, very good.” Liu Linlang sneered.

Just wait and see, she thought. We shall see who the final winner is.

Ji Tian, who was completely unaware: Meow?

As for the matter of the small kitchen, it was actually a pure coincidence.

Logically, as the master of the Prince’s manor, Xie Jun naturally knew what Liu Linlang knew. As soon as he entered the manor, he heard servants reporting Ji Tian’s actions today. Xie Jun also thought she was trying to discipline Liu Linlang, but upon further reflection, given Ji Tian’s personality, she shouldn’t be that kind of person. He turned around and headed toward Qixia Pavilion.

Sure enough, Ji Tian was eating. On the table sat that pile of black, cube-shaped… tofu, and her face was written with pure happiness.

Being satisfied, Ji Tian now looked upon everything with kindness. She greeted Xie Jun with a sweet smile: “Prince, sit down quickly. Have you eaten, Prince? Would you like to taste the snack I had the kitchen make today?”

Her desire to introduce this classic snack to the ancient man, Xie Jun, was evident.

Xie Jun acted as if he didn’t smell that distinctive odor and sat down calmly: “Is this what the Princess Consort went to the main kitchen to make today?”

“Yes, yes. I fiddled with it for a long time before I managed to make it. It’s truly amazing, and it’s worth a taste. Prince, you must try it.”

Xie Jun was already used to her occasionally jumping into using “I” instead of her official title. He picked up his chopsticks, plucked a piece, and placed it into his mouth.

Ji Tian watched him with full anticipation.

Xie Jun chewed expressionlessly, then suddenly paused and picked up the cup beside him to take a refined sip.

“Acceptable.” The Prince remained the impossibly handsome Prince he was.

However, Ji Tian had already seen through his disguise.

Because Xie Jun’s thin lips were tinged with a hint of red, looking exceptionally alluring, but Ji Tian, who had plenty of experience, knew better.

“Prince, are you unable to eat spicy food?”

“Why would the Princess Consort ask such a question? Of course not.” Xie Jun resumed his usual gentle demeanor.

“…… Mhm, I understand.” Ji Tian revealed an “I know” smile. She knew it definitely wasn’t because her stinky tofu tasted bad; it was entirely because Xie Jun couldn’t handle the spice. “Next time I will make some other pastries; I guarantee the Prince will definitely like them.”

On the surface, I’m saying I want to please the Prince, but really, it’s just so I have a reason to go to the kitchen to make delicious food. I, Ji Xiaotian, am such a clever little fox, hehe.

However, she had already been seen through by Xie Jun.

“I hear that the scent of this item is quite unique.” Xie Jun picked up a piece of stinky tofu.

“This…” Ji Tian felt guilty and fiddled with her fingers. “It smells stinky but tastes fragrant; that is its feature. Although, it does seem like it really bothered the others in the main kitchen today…”

“I wanted to change locations, but there wasn’t anywhere else. Also, after researching it, I wanted to take some into the palace for the Empress Dowager and the Crown Princess to taste. They live in the palace for so long; they would definitely be interested in fresh things from outside. I…”

You really managed to say all the good and bad things in one breath.

“I will have a small kitchen installed for you.”

“I’ll make it next time… Huh? Prince, what did you say? You’re installing a small kitchen for me?” Ji Tian’s eyes lit up.

“Prince, you are so kind. You are indeed the most handsome, Prince. Whatever delicious things I make in the future, I will definitely send a portion to you. Prince, try this dish again, eat more…” Ji Tian happily placed many dishes into Xie Jun’s bowl.

Xie Jun, feeling that something was wrong: …

Perhaps he was really overthinking things when it came to Ji Tian.

He did not know that Ji Tian had used this trick to coax her father many times before.

Ji Tian was currently at the peak of her creative urge. Having obtained such a small kitchen, her mind was already envisioning many recipes.

Although she only remembered how to make most things vaguely—for example, ginger milk curd, wasn’t it just pouring milk and ginger juice together and heating it?

At this time, she had to be thankful for the setting of this dynasty; these things that might not have existed just happened to be available, even if many hadn’t had their uses developed yet.

However, as a Princess Consort, the benefit was that she only had to use her mouth to let the servants do the research.

The news of the Princess Consort falling out of favor was proven false—didn’t the Prince specifically have a small kitchen installed for her? Liu Linlang’s room had been redecorated once again.

Especially when they heard that the Princess Consort was always sending food to the Prince.

This really couldn’t be blamed on Ji Tian; she was just reciprocating kindness. Who told Xie Jun to be so generous about installing her kitchen? She also had to prove to Xie Jun that his investment had a good eye. Only by seeing a return could Ji Tian fool him into continuing the investment (crossed out).

Additionally, Ji Tian was naturally a generous person. She often sent delicious things she researched to various beauties, and she didn’t hesitate to share her knowledge when the fat chef from the main kitchen came to learn. Anyway, she just provided the ideas, and everyone brainstormed together. In the end, getting more delicious food was a win for her, right?

Ji Tian’s stinky tofu even went viral…

The origin was a fop from the Fengtian Pavilion who made a high-profile bet with someone else. If he lost, he would eat “filthy things” (a specific noun is omitted here). It turned out that the vast masses of modern people had long ago proven what a “flag” was, and this principle existed even a thousand years ago in the ancient times. Consequently… the fop, amidst the great jubilation of the masses, lost.

A bet he made with such high profile, he had to kneel to finish it. Although, after finishing it, he might never be able to shake this reputation for the rest of his life…

At this moment, a savior appeared. A servant from a certain Prince’s manor promoted this divine object, which smelled incredibly stinky but tasted incredibly fragrant, to others.

The fop treated it like a treasure. After some maneuvering, he broadcasted himself eating stinky tofu at Fengtian Pavilion.

The onlookers: … So, this is how the nobles play, huh?

Stinky tofu became popular in the fop circle… and then among the fops’ families. Although the refined gentlemen were disdainful of this item, everyone knew the attraction of stinky tofu to those who liked it, and the human tendency to be occasionally filled with curiosity. Consequently, after bumping into a certain Academician eating stinky tofu at home… stinky tofu became a hit.

Cough, cough.

Gradually, even commoners could set up small stalls selling stinky tofu. After all, with the fop’s incident as a precedent and rumors of various officials eating it afterwards, it was unexpectedly quite popular.

Ji Tian: … I never thought the first butterfly wing I flapped in this different world would be stinky tofu…

Meow, weak and innocent.

However, seeing others’ stinky tofu stalls doing well, Ji Tian also felt regretful for her lack of business acumen. If she had known earlier, she would have started the business herself, Ji Tian thought, lying on the daybed.

“Your Highness, it is time for dinner,” Qing Yu said from outside the curtain.

“Alright!” Ji Tian sprang up from the daybed. What business startup? Could it be better than being a salted fish?

Being a salted fish makes me happy!

Meanwhile, Xie Jun, who had just finished his court session and was about to step into his carriage, was intercepted by the traditionally neutral Academician Zhang, who stood by the carriage to engage in a conversation.

Xie Jun’s demeanor in court was always that of a modest gentleman, so he spoke warmly to the Academician as well. This old official usually did not like to form cliques and hadn’t been seen getting close to any prince; he was a staunch supporter of the throne. Seeing him talk to him like this, he wondered what the Chen Prince faction would make of it.

As thoughts flowed through Xie Jun’s mind, he heard Academician Zhang speak with hesitation: “This official has heard that the Princess Consort of Jing is quite accomplished in the way of food.”

“Recently, the Princess Consort of Jing researched a dish called stinky tofu; the flavor is truly novel. It is just that no matter how this official makes it, it lacks a bit of the mystery. I wonder if the Princess Consort of Jing has any secret tips for this?”

Xie Jun: …

He never expected that the first time he was proactively approached by the neutral faction, it would be for this reason…

The Chen Prince faction, who had been observing him for a long time, probably wouldn’t have guessed it either…

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