Transmigrated into an Ancient ABO Fantasy World: A Culinary Comeback - Chapter 23

The more Wang Xiaojin thought about it back in her room, the more unsettled she became. Tossing and turning, she sought out Dazhuang and Fan Xi the next morning to discuss her suspicions.

Dazhuang scratched his head. “I don’t understand all that fancy logic. All I know is, if I’m not clean, my wife won’t even let me in the house.”

Wang Xiaojin and Fan Xi burst out laughing. Fan Xi then turned serious. “Xiaojin, I think you’re right. Now that the Third Prince has lost power, if the Sixth Prince is actually a wolf in sheep’s clothing, that would be terrifying.”

“Why terrifying?” Dazhuang asked.

“It’s terrifying because he might be exactly like the Third Prince, but better at hiding it,” Xiaojin analyzed. “Once he takes the throne, there’s no telling what would happen to the Prince, given his straightforward nature.”

“And you’ve decided he’s like the Third Prince just because he doesn’t brush his teeth?” Dazhuang still found it hard to believe.

“Exactly. It’s about seeing the whole through a single detail,” Xiaojin nodded firmly.

The group plotted for a while and eventually decided they had to consult Xie Xing. For safety, Xiaojin chose not to write a letter. Instead, she decided to take Fan Xi and head back to Dongyang County.

Returning to the Manor that evening to inform the Prince, Xiaojin began packing her bags in the bedroom. Seeing this, Xie Yu’an walked over, looking fuming. “Wang Xiaojin!”

“What is it?” Xiaojin asked, confused.

“Do you hate me that much?”

The candle-lit, traditional room felt warm and cozy, making the aggrieved expression on the girl’s fair face stand out even more.

A wave of tenderness washed over Xiaojin. She looked at her softly and smiled. “No, of course not.”

“Then why do you ignore me? Why are you always avoiding me?” The girl lowered her head, her fingers fidgeting nervously.

Xiaojin looked at her blue cloth bundle and let out a soft sigh. “Yu’an, your heart belongs to someone else. I thought I should keep my distance. The situation is unstable now, but don’t worry—once everything settles, I will convince Father to grant us a divorce so you can be with that Master Ming.”

“I don’t even like Ming Bing!” the girl shouted before turning and running into the inner room.

“Huh?” Xiaojin stood frozen, completely baffled.

Despite her lingering questions, Xiaojin headed back to Dongyang County first.

Inside the Xie estate, Xiaojin, Fan Xi, Feng Xian, and Xie Xing gathered around a table. After hearing the description, Feng Xian remarked, “To look past the outward appearance and see the heart—it is clear this Sixth Benefactor has yet to find his inner Buddha.”

Xiaojin looked at her mentor. “Master, translate that for me.”

“He’s a bad person. That’s what it means,” Xie Xing said succinctly.

Xie Xing pondered for a moment. “The current Emperor was quite the gentleman in his youth—well-groomed and polite to everyone. He was a rare, enlightened ruler. I didn’t expect his two sons to be so beneath him. Xiaojin, what do you think we should do?”

Xiaojin thought for a moment and then stared intently at Fan Xi. Fan Xi felt a chill. “Why are you looking at me?”

Xiaojin smirked. “Master, Fan Xi is a professional at playing the ‘toady.’ Why don’t we disguise him and send him into the bureaucracy? He can get close to the Sixth Prince as a confidant, just in case.”

Everyone laughed, and Xie Xing nodded in agreement. Though Fan Xi was reluctant, he was eventually persuaded (and pressured) by the group. Xie Xing used her specialized “mask technique” to disguise him as a middle-aged official and quietly slipped him into the political circles.

Before Xiaojin left, Xie Xing pulled her aside. “Xiaojin, how are things going with Yu’an?”

Xiaojin explained the strange encounter from before. Xie Xing looked at her with disbelief. “You silly child. Yu’an cares about you.”

“What? No way,” Xiaojin scratched her head. “That’s too sudden.”

“Why not? Her saying she liked Ming Bing was likely just her playing around; she’s still figuring things out herself,” Xie Xing laughed. “Buy her a gift when you go back. And don’t you dare bully her, or I’ll give you a thrashing.”

Anxious to get back, Xiaojin hurried to the Prince’s Manor with bags of gifts. When she reached the door, she hesitated for a long time before finally stepping inside.

By the time she finished washing up, it was late at night. Xiaojin used her internal energy to dry herself off before cautiously pushing open the bedroom door.

Xie Yu’an wasn’t asleep yet; she was lying on the bed, nonchalantly flipping through a picture book. Xiaojin said dryly, “I’m back.”

The girl gave a soft “Oh.” Xiaojin awkwardly moved to set up her small couch, only to find the bedding missing.

“Stop looking. It’s on the bed,” the girl said. She moved to the inner side of the bed and rolled herself into a cocoon with her own blanket.

Wang Xiaojin felt a surge of pure joy. It was easily the happiest day she’d had since traveling to this world. She slowly climbed onto the large bed and slid under her own covers, thinking: The big bed really is more comfortable. It’s soft, fragrant, and I can actually stretch my legs.

That night was dreamless. When she woke up the next morning, Xiaojin felt a warm weight against her chest. Looking down, she saw the County Princess fast asleep in her arms, her chubby cheeks looking incredibly adorable.

She didn’t dare move, staying perfectly still. As the morning light filled the room, the girl’s eyelashes fluttered. Opening her eyes to find herself in Xiaojin’s arms, she let out a shriek and turned away in embarrassment. “Wang Xiaojin! Who said you could hold me!”

Xiaojin rubbed her aching arm and laughed. “County Princess, I wouldn’t dare. You crawled over here yourself.”

“Really?” The girl turned around, her eyes wide and suspicious.

“Really,” Xiaojin replied with an innocent nod.

“Hmph. Consider yourself warned. I only let you up here because I felt sorry for you. Don’t you dare get fresh with me!” The girl, clad in her inner robes, pouted and gave a fierce warning.

“Alright, alright,” Xiaojin stood up, her tall figure silhouetted by the light. The Princess stole a quick glance before quickly turning her head away again.

Wang Xiaojin put on her long robes and leaned over the girl huddled by the edge of the bed. “County Princess, what would you like for breakfast? I’ll make it for you.”

After a long pause, the girl muttered, “Are all Qianyuans like this? You’re so attentive when you get what you want, but you ignore people when you don’t.”

“That’s not it. I was just trying to be respectful because of your feelings…” Xiaojin stammered, flustered.

The girl hid a secret smile while her back was turned. She sat up, swung her small, fair feet, and said haughtily, “In that case, help me get ready first.”

“As you wish,” Xiaojin nodded eagerly, carefully sliding socks onto the girl’s delicate feet, beads of sweat forming on her brow from the concentration.

Following the Princess’s instructions, Xiaojin helped her into a light purple dress. Only then did the girl look pleased. She took Xiaojin’s arm and led her toward the dining room. “I want meatball soup and meat-egg burgers!”

“Of course. That’s easy. Has the Prince already left for the morning court?”

The two figures disappeared into the morning light, the air in the Manor feeling noticeably sweeter.

Support Transmigrated into an Ancient ABO Fantasy World: A Culinary Comeback