Crispy Duck

The government office also prepared meals for the caravan, though they were simple. After the eldest prince sent someone to the Wu residence to deliver a message, he originally planned to have a simple meal with Youlu and the guards. However, upon seeing the yellowed vegetable leaves in the bowl, Youlu turned around, climbed onto the carriage, and rummaged through the trunk to find fried dough twists, pastries, and candied fruit, resolutely refusing to eat.

The eldest prince had no choice but to let him go.

After dinner, the two brothers went back to their respective rooms.

Warm water was provided in the room, and Youlu took a quick bath. Just as she climbed into bed and was about to go to sleep, there was a sudden knock on the window.

A familiar voice rang out from outside the window: "Seventh Prince, are you asleep? Your subordinate has been ordered to bring you something."

Youlu has a good memory and immediately remembered the older brother with the strange sense of humor from earlier in the day.

The window wasn't closed properly, so he went over and pushed it open. He saw a tall man standing outside, holding a box in one hand and an oil paper package in the other. It was the guard who had spoken to him that morning.

Upon seeing him approach, the man paused for a moment, then grinned broadly and said heartily, "Just now, a man in black was acting suspiciously outside. My master captured him and, after questioning him, learned that he was sent by the Emperor to deliver something to the Seventh Prince. So, my master instructed me to deliver it to the Seventh Prince."

"Your master?" Youlu tilted his head.

"I am the personal bodyguard of the Duke of Zhenguo, and my name is Yinwu." Yinwu handed the box in his hand to him.

A deer took the box, opened it, and found that it contained food for Little Melon.

He had originally planned to let Xiaogua catch insects to eat on the way, since the child's fighting skills were top-notch and should not be wasted. He just didn't expect his father to have even made such a plan.

A warmth welled up in my heart.

He put the box aside and said, "Please thank the guard who brought the bugs for me."

Yinwu touched his nose and chuckled dryly, "I'm afraid that won't work. Master thought that guard was an assassin and almost killed him. Now the man has been taken away for treatment."

Youlu: "..."

Who will speak up for our secret guard?

Yinwu added, "To avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings, I will now be in charge of the Seventh Prince's insects."

Youlu nodded. "Thank you for your trouble."

My gaze inadvertently fell on the oil paper package in Yinwu's hand, and I was instantly drawn to it.

The original wood-colored oil paper was soaked with grease, emitting a rich aroma that made one's mouth water.

I only had a bowl of soup at the inn at noon, and only some snacks for dinner. I was actually a little hungry.

Youlu pointed to the oil paper package, her eyes shining, "What's this?"

He only wanted to get a little something to satisfy his craving, but Yinwu stuffed the oil paper package into his arms and said with a smile, "This is a specialty of Huaiyang County, crispy duck with hibiscus. My master asked me to buy it, but after buying it, he said he had no appetite. If the Seventh Prince likes it, he can take it."

"Really?!" Youlu exclaimed with delight, beaming, "How could I possibly accept this?"

While speaking politely, his hands betrayed his true intentions as he opened the oil paper package, grabbed a juicy, golden duck leg, and took a bite. The domineering and rich aroma instantly exploded on his tongue.

With its crispy outer skin and tender inside, crispy yet not greasy, and spicy and refreshing, this crispy duck is unforgettable after one bite. It truly lives up to its reputation as a local specialty.

Yinwu wasn't hungry at first, but seeing how much he enjoyed the food, he couldn't help but drool as well.

Seeing this, a deer enthusiastically invited, "Come on, come on, let's eat together!"

Yinwu rubbed his hands together. "Then I won't stand on ceremony."

He immediately picked up a piece of crispy duck and threw it into his mouth, clenching his fist in satisfaction: So delicious!

The two of them stood there through the window, taking turns eating pieces of the duck, until they had almost finished it.

Youlu specially saved a duck leg, rewrapped it in oil paper, and said, "This is for my eldest brother."

Yinwu sucked on his fingers and said, "The Seventh Prince and the First Prince are truly brothers."

Feeling sleepy after eating, Youlu stretched and said, "I'm sleepy. Could you please take the duck leg to my eldest brother, Brother Yinwu? I'm going to sleep now."

Yinwu cupped his hands and said, "This subordinate takes his leave."

They disappeared into the night in the blink of an eye.

Just as the deer was about to close the window, the Pixiu, drawn by the fragrance, wafted into the room, sniffing the air, and said, "[Smells so good, boss, what delicious treat are you secretly eating?]"

A deer flicked its forehead. "Didn't you say you were going to sleep guarding that pile of silver? Why are you back?"

This guy has been guarding those silver chests all day.

The Pixiu complained, "Those silver coins are just for show, not for eating. It's too much of a torment for a beast. I'd rather come back and eat snacks."

Youlu shook her head helplessly, climbed onto the bed, and said, "Eat sparingly, there are still several days left. Remember to feed Xiaogua after you finish eating, and give Xiaogua the medicine drip. I'm going to sleep now."

Since the last time Pixiu dripped blood on Xiaogua and Xiaogua showed no abnormalities, he often entrusted the task of taking care of Xiaogua to Pixiu. Now both children are in a semi-free-range state.

【Okay!】The Pixiu nodded obediently, and after taking care of the little melon, it darted into the cage and began to eat happily.

After delivering the duck leg to the eldest prince, Yinwu returned to report.

Cang Shuyue had just finished bathing and was sitting under the lamp reading, her long hair loose. The belt of her dark satin nightgown was loosely tied, revealing a patch of pale, firm chest. In the dim light, a drop of water dripped from the end of her hair, slid over her defined collarbone, and disappeared into the open collar.

The door opened, but he didn't even look up. "How is it?"

Yinwu was still savoring the taste of the crispy duck when he heard this, he cupped his hands and said, "The Seventh Prince is handsome and eats very well. He even specially saved a duck leg for the First Prince and asked me to send it over."

Cang Shuyue: "..."

He closed his eyes and threw down the book in his hand.

Not understanding why he suddenly lost his temper, Yinwu awkwardly touched the tip of his nose and quietly left the room.

The next day.

Before dawn, footsteps echoed through the courtyard, interspersed with shouts, as guards carried silver chests.

Youlu was awakened by the noise in the yard. She covered her head, rolled over, and reluctantly got up to get dressed and wash.

At the courtyard gate, the First Prince was quietly asking Cang Shuyue for his opinion, "I have ordered the groom to be detained. Should we immediately send him to Shengjing for questioning and investigation by the Ministry of Justice?"

Cang Shuyue lowered his eyes slightly, his expression indifferent, as if he hadn't heard him speak. After a long while, he finally uttered four words: "The time is not yet right."

The eldest prince felt wronged; why did his uncle treat him so coldly?

At this moment, Gu Cheng rushed out of the room in a panic, hurriedly tying his belt while apologizing, "This humble official is late, please punish me, Your Highness."

A night had passed, and the smell of alcohol still lingered on him. The First Prince frowned slightly, but did not reprimand him. Instead, he said, "It's alright, it didn't delay our departure."

Yinwu stepped forward and reported, "There is only one silver carriage left. Once it is loaded, we can set off immediately."

The eldest prince nodded. "I'll go and call my seventh brother."

He walked to the door of the room with deer, raised his hand as if to knock, and the door creaked open.

Lu Mi stared wide-eyed as he came out of the room and waved, "Good morning, Eldest Brother."

The eldest prince smiled and patted his head. "We're about to leave. You can get in the carriage and catch up on some sleep."

"Oh." Youlu nodded obediently, picked up the little melon and walked out. When she passed the people standing at the gate of the courtyard, she did not forget to greet them, "Good morning, Brother Guojiu, good morning, Brother Yinwu."

As for Gu Cheng, he was simply ignored.

Cang Shuyue nodded slightly.

Yinwu replied with a smile, "Good morning, Seventh Prince. You haven't unpacked your luggage yet, have you? I'll go and move it out for you right away."

After saying that, he happily went to move his luggage.

Gu Cheng gritted his teeth, deciding to let the kid be arrogant for a while longer.