Gluttonous Crown Princess

Gluttonous Crown Princess Chapter 10.3

Seeing a thin layer of sweat on his bright and clean forehead, and his fair face also turning slightly red, Tao Ti quickly handed him a cup of warm water.
“It seems like Your Highness is not very good with spicy flavours, don't eat it if it's too spicy, don’t let it hurt your stomach.”

“I’ve never eaten anything so spicy before…” Pei Yan drank a large mouthful of water, then said after calming down, “It’s numbing and spicy, but I must say, it tastes very good.”

“Then, I'll make you some non-spicy dishes next time.
Here, have more shuijian baos, these are not spicy.” Tao Ti pushed the shuijian baos in front of him, then, scooped herself a big bowl of Hulatang and began to drink.

Not long after, she had also broken into a sweat.
Her cheeks were flushed, and her full lips were a little red and swollen, as if she had put on a layer of vivid lip gloss.

Looking at her small red mouth, Pei Yan felt a little hot for some reason; his long lashes lowered slightly.
He picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea.

The slightly cool tea dissipated some of the heat.
He took out a handkerchief from his sleeve and handed it to her, “Wipe your sweat.”

Tao Ti drained the last mouthful of Hulatang into her stomach, then accepted the handkerchief with a face full of satisfaction, her cheeks warm and red from the spiciness, “Thank you.”

Pei Yan glanced at the empty soup bowl, and a trace of amazement swept past his indifferent eyes.
“I didn’t expect that you can eat spicy food so well.”

“It’s nothing much.” Tao Ti fanned herself with her hand as she inhaled, then asked casually, “Your Highness, why did you suddenly go to the kitchen?”

Pei Yan did not bring up those outrageous rumours and only said mildly, “I heard that you were cooking, and was curious, so I went to take a look.”

Tao Ti didn’t think much about it and just answered with an “Oh”.
Then, after a little deliberation, she looked at him gingerly, “Your Highness, I have a presumptuous request…”

There was a slight flicker in Pei Yan's dark eyes; he gazed steadily at her, “Hmm?”

Tao Ti said softly, “It’s…
can I install a small kitchen in Yaoguang Hall?”

Pei Yan, “……”

Seeing his silence, Tao Ti looked at him abashedly and explained, “Don't misunderstand, the food made by the imperial chefs are very tasty, but I’m a bit greedy, and I like to make things to eat when I’m free.
The kitchen is quite some distance away from Yaoguang Hall, so it’s not very convenient to go to and fro…”

Pei Yan’s brows lifted slightly, “Is that all?”

Tao Ti looked fixedly at him, nodded, and said softly, “Mm…
if it's too troublesome, it’s fine to not have one too…”

“You are the crown princess, there’s is nothing wrong with having a small kitchen.”

“Eh? So, I can have one?” Tao Ti said in surprise.

“Mm.
Yaoguang Hall has a small kitchen to begin with.
I will issue an order later for them to organise and tidy it up.
If there’s anything you want to add, you may instruct the palace attendants to procure it.” A faint smile appeared on Pei Yan's lips, making his whole person appear soft and gentle.

“That’s great!” Tao Ti looked at Pei Yan with a face full of joy, her clear eyes gleaming with a brilliant light, “Your Highness, when the kitchen is ready, I will definitely first make a delicious meal for you.”

Pei Yan smiled lightly and answered “All right”, but his black eyes were deep and unfathomable.

It’s just installing a small kitchen, and she’s already happy to this extent? Isn’t she too easily satisfied?

While Tao Ti was feeling exceedingly pleased, she had a vague sense that someone was looking at her; she lifted her eyes reflexively and just happened to see Pei Yan standing up.

“It's getting late, I should return to Zixia Palace.”

“All right, do what you have to.”

Tao Ti got up and sent him to the door.
Only when she could no longer seeing his figure did she turn back and began discussing with Fu Xirui about all sorts of things regarding the small kitchen.

Outside Yaoguang Hall, Zhan Ping was standing rigid as a pole with a sword in his hands.
As soon as he saw Pei Yan step out, he went forward immediately and studied him from top to bottom carefully, “Your Highness, are you all right?”

Without waiting for Pei Yan to answer, Zhan Ping blabbered on excitedly—the main theme was “do not simply eat anything given by strangers”, just like an old mother overwrought with worry over her children.

Pei Yan, “……”
With no expression on his face, he walked off without even looking back.

Zhan Ping, “Hey, Your Highness, wait for this subordinate——”

*****

It was nighttime.
The skies were dark, and winds were high; the green bamboo cast vague shadows on the white walls, making the surroundings seem all the more quiet and tranquil.

Pei Yan stood in front of the study’s window; after conveying some confidential matters to the shadow guard, he added, “Investigate the crown princess.
See if she used to cook at home, and how her cooking skills are.”

The shadow guard was somewhat startled; he never expected that his master would actually order them to investigate the crown princess, and over such a trivial matter at that?

But in an instant, the shadow guard's expression returned to normal, and he said as he arched his arms in a salute, “Understood, Your Highness.”