novelaction Chapter 418 Peacock
Chapter 418 Peacock
Nianyao thought Luo An would ignore it, but to her surprise, Luo An actually started to think about it seriously.
Luo An concluded, "I hate myself, but self-loathing is just a natural emotion, right?"
“Yes.” Nianyao suddenly regretted her cleverness and changed the subject: “Uncle went to Licheng to find Junshang. He left in a hurry and didn’t have time to tell you.”
Nianyao came specifically to tell him about this, and also came to see him? Lexi used these lily pastries to apologize to the Xue family.
Luo An asked, "Didn't Miss Lexi ask you to stay in the palace with me?"
What does that mean? Nianyao was slightly taken aback, remembering what Lexi had said: "If my sister doesn't want to stay in the palace for long, then she should go to the palace occasionally to see her brother-in-law."
So, does this mean Lexi wants her to stay in the palace with Luo An?
Nianyao suddenly realized that her uncle hadn't left with the Empress because he wanted to wait for Luo An to return and lead the officials. Now, her uncle was leaving Qinzhou because he couldn't be around Luo An too often.
An Liangchen's words did indeed have an impact on Luo An. At least Luo An's attitude when passing by the Xue residence today was enough to prove that Luo An did have a problem with the Xue family, not to mention the Su family.
Despite being heavily pregnant, Le Xi, as the daughter of the Xue family and the daughter-in-law of the Su family, went to great lengths to please Luo An.
Luo An then asked, "Didn't Le Xi ask you to bring Chen Xi over to play?"
“You know I’m not good with kids.” Nianyao paused, then looked up at the peach blossoms in full bloom. “Lexi is so virtuous. She’s good at everything, from the living room to the kitchen, and she takes good care of the kids. Chenxi likes her very much.”
Aside from Le Xi and Madam Xue, Xue Chenxi cries whenever anyone else takes her out alone. She only stops crying when Le Xi and Madam Xue are in her sight.
Once, Nianyao went to find Lexi. When she arrived at the door, she saw Lexi playing with Xue Chenxi by blowing a baby whistle. While others could only distinguish between high and low pitches when blowing a baby whistle, Lexi could produce melodious tunes.
Xue Chenxi imitated Lexi by putting the doll whistle in her mouth, and to her surprise, it actually made a sound. Lexi was both shocked and happy, and kept kissing Xue Chenxi's little face: "You're such a good baby, you can learn so quickly, you're amazing."
Nianyao quietly slipped away without disturbing Lexi. That day, Nianyao thought about it for a long time and decided that it was best and most reasonable for Lexi to take care of the child.
Comparing Nianyao and Lexi, Lexi is more virtuous, patient, and better suited to taking care of children: Lexi wins hands down.
Comparing Luo An and Qi Yang, Luo An harbors resentment towards the Xue family and Xue Yunting, especially since he missed the opportunity to save An Jingchen because of this child. Qi Yang, on the other hand, is Xue Yunting's sworn brother and is loyal and devoted; he would treat this child no worse than his own: Qi Yang wins hands down.
Le Xi grew up in the Xue family and is now officially recognized as the Xue family's adopted daughter. Qi Yang has a close relationship with the Xue family. The two of them often take their child back to the Xue family to visit their grandparents or maternal grandparents, and it is only natural that they would even stay at the Xue family's residence with their child for extended periods.
Luo An wouldn't even enter the Xue residence, let alone stay there. Furthermore, given Luo An's special status, staying at the Xue residence wouldn't be appropriate. And still more importantly, they couldn't stay in Nan Yue for long; if they really took the child away, his uncle and aunt would be heartbroken.
Duan Mingzhu didn't want her child to be an orphan and wanted to find parents for the child. Le Xi and Qi Yang were the most suitable and reasonable people for the child.
Nianyao even suspected that Lexi's sudden marriage to Qi Yang might be for Xue Chenxi's sake. She wanted to be Xue Chenxi's mother and find her a father, and no one was more suitable than Qi Yang.
For the sake of the Xue family and Xue Yunting's child, Le Xi had done so much, more than anyone else. Nian Yao understood and felt at peace.
Xu Chengyou, having finished eating, stood up on the swing, clinging to Nianyao's arm: "Youyou wants peach blossoms too."
Luo An steadied the swing, and Nian Yao picked up Xu Chengyou. Xu Chengyou looked around and plucked a peach blossom in full bloom, handing it to Luo An: "Crown Prince, I want to put it in my hair too."
Luo An pinned a flower to one side of Xu Chengyou's hair, then picked another and pinned it to the other side. He even adjusted it with his hand to check if it was secure. He was incredibly meticulous!
Nianyao handed Xu Chengyou to Luo An and picked up the snack basket: "I have to go back."
As soon as the three of them stepped out of the garden, they saw Zheng Chu standing in the pavilion by the path. Before they could approach, he knelt down and bowed, saying, "Your subject Zheng Chu greets Your Highness the Crown Prince and Your Highness the Crown Princess."
Zheng Chu? The name sounds familiar, and the person looks familiar too.
Nianyao quickly bent down to help Zheng Chu up: "Master Zheng, no need for formalities."
Zheng Chu smiled and said, "A girl changes a lot as she grows up. The Crown Princess looks nothing like she did when she was a child."
Nianyao replied with slightly awkward politeness: "Zheng Shangshi hasn't changed at all; she's as young and beautiful as ever."
Judging from her expression, Luo An guessed that Nian Yao had caused trouble while living in the palace when she was young, and had probably also offended Zheng Chu.
Zheng Chu said, "The Crown Princess will be staying in the palace tonight. I will personally cook a few simple home-style stir-fries."
Nianyao was flattered and overwhelmed: "I dare not accept such praise. Everyone in the world knows that Zheng Shangshi only cooks for the late emperor. What merit do I have?"
Besides, Yunfan and Yunyao aren't home, and Lexi won't be home that night either. My aunt is easily overthinking things if she's home alone. I rarely come back, so I should spend more time with her.”
Zheng Chu said, "I am an old acquaintance of Madam Xue. Although we are both in Qinzhou, we have not seen each other for several years and I miss her very much. Your Highness, I am cooking today and I would like to ask Madam Xue to come and help me. She can also stay in the palace for a few days so that my sister and I can catch up."
Despite calling it a bold request, Zheng Chu showed no sign of fear. As the Imperial Chef who only cooked for the late Emperor, how could Luo An refuse? He immediately nodded slightly.
Zheng Chu was busy in the imperial kitchen, and Nian Yao insisted on helping her. Xu Chengyou sat on a small stool shelling peas, while Luo An sat next to Xu Chengyou reading a book.
The imperial chefs, kitchen helpers, and other servants stood in a row, looking terrified. When Madam Xue came over and saw this scene, she felt very uneasy.
On second thought, the Xue family had been loyal ministers for generations. Even if the new crown prince had grievances against the Xue family, he wouldn't dare to do anything to them. Besides, there was Xue Nianyao; Luo An had to give Xue Nianyao face, after all!
Zheng Chu kept an eye on the commotion outside. Hearing her father-in-law's call, she immediately came out, waving a handful of scallions in her hand: "Peacock, we've been waiting for you to come and help peel these scallions."
Nianyao followed behind Zheng Chu and was taken aback when she heard the peacock's name. She then stepped forward and said, "Aunt, Zheng Shangshi is cooking today and has specially asked you to come and help."
Why couldn't the head chef in the imperial kitchen help? Why did they specifically invite someone like her, who isn't good at cooking? What exactly is Zheng Chu plotting?
Madam Xue glanced at Luo An, who was engrossed in reading without looking up, out of the corner of her eye, before following Zheng Chu and Nian Yao into the kitchen.
Having eaten such meager meals before, Luo An didn't have high hopes for Zheng Chu's home-style stir-fries. But when each dish was actually placed on the table, Luo An was unusually astonished:
Braised Chicken Breast, Sacred Lake Vinegar Fish, Pea Flour Cake, Red Plum Pearl Fragrance, Scallion-fried Beef Tenderloin, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, Braised Shark Fin, Braised Deer Tendon, Stir-fried Chicken Tongue, Pork Tenderloin in Lotus Leaf, Cherry Meat, Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix, Stewed Fatty Duck, Chicken with Broth, Osmanthus Shark Fin...