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Lian Hua finally deigned to look back, casting a doubtful glance at him and asked, "What method?" There were methods of preparing fish she didn’t know?

With an innocuous smile, the Young Eunuch said, "This method is not difficult. Clean the fatty fish, smother it with high-quality yellow rice wine, impale and place it over charcoal to roast. After it’s roasted, add a type of spice and sprinkle some salt.

It’s very delicious, having both the natural taste of the fish and also. .."

Lian Hua waved her hand to interrupt him, "That’s it?" That’s all, and he thought to whet her appetite?

"Hm?" Cao De was taken aback. The Young Master’s reaction was not what he had expected.

Lian Hua looked him up and down several times, her eyes carrying a hint of wariness, and said impatiently, "The spice you’re talking about, is it lemongrass?"

This Young Eunuch looked slippery, not a good sort, like a villain out of a storybook, his demeanor suggesting ill-intent. Could he be after her fish? Better to speak less with him.

Cao De: "?"

He was completely baffled now. Lemongrass was from the far south, and he learned of it from someone. But how did the person before him know about lemongrass?

Seeing that he wasn’t speaking, Lian Hua’s wariness deepened, and she said cautiously, "I know how to do all that you’ve mentioned."

Without paying him any more attention, she saw Xiao Jizi scoop up a large fish and ran over, cheering excitedly and praising Xiao Jizi for surpassing the master.

Cao De: "..."

He lingered in place for a while, then mustered a helpless smile. The Young Master had been ignoring him. How many years had it been since he was last treated this way? Was he aging, failing to appear convincing?

Had he just seemed like a villain when he smiled? That shouldn’t be, for this trick had never failed him since his youth, especially with young ladies.

If he were outside the palace and acted this way to a young lady or matron, he would surely be warmly received. Why then did it prove ineffective with this Young Master?

Wasn’t Young Master Lian said to be simple-minded, a guileless fool? He turned out to be quite cunning. Rumors can’t be trusted, eh. One must see for oneself to believe. Sigh...

Cao De shook his head regretfully. He had some spices on him, and just wanted to get a taste of the fish, a fair exchange, really. Yet the Young Master was too cautious, not giving the slightest opportunity.

He had wanted to try the fish from Huaqing Pool for a long time now, but Yuchi Zhao, that stingy wretch, kept close watch on him.

The man was now Emperor, yet still so petty, issuing threats that if he dared steal a fish from Huaqing Pool, his legs would be broken and years added to his hard labor as compensation!

For what, just a few fish?

Forget it, he wasn’t about to give the Emperor an excuse to keep him around and waste his prime years in this oppressive palace, shouldering burdens without joy.

He knew the Emperor didn’t want him to leave, but he had things to do and couldn’t stay.

He was at heart a conscientious man. Just a few days ago, he received word that the Emperor wanted him back to oversee the Harem and also to protect someone, so he returned.

In fact, he had come back last night, late.

When he heard the news, he wasn’t far from the capital and made the journey back in less than a day.

He had a token that allowed him to pass unimpeded, but once back, he didn’t want to show himself too readily.

So he wrote a letter to the Emperor, figuring he might as well irritate the man.

Another reason was to quietly see just how murky the waters of the Harem had become. Once it was known he had returned, it wouldn’t be as easy to observe.

In his opinion, Yuchi Zhao was a fine Emperor, no doubt. But he was too heartless when it came to the Harem, leaving everything to Xue Wanjun to manage, setting a few rules and then washing his hands of it.

What good could that woman possibly be, haven’t you seen that for years she hasn’t been able to bear a single child in the palace? If this woman hasn’t had a hand in this, I’ll stake my whole family’s life on it.

That woman’s jealousy is so strong; having miscarried and damaged herself, she can’t bear children, so she won’t let others bear them either. Tsk tsk, it’s impressive how the Emperor can tolerate her!

Yet the Emperor is no pushover, this is probably deliberate on his part, right?

I remember once talking to His Majesty about his many brothers who died young.

At that time, His Majesty said with a sneer, "It is better not to give birth than to give birth and not to care for them.

" His dissatisfaction with someone was quite obvious in his tone. Perhaps the Emperor also fears not raising his children well, so he might think it’s better not to have them at all.

But what will happen to the empire if His Majesty has no heir?

I really don’t understand his thinking. Anyway, why should I worry so much? If the Emperor himself isn’t in a hurry, why should it concern me, a perfectly good young man?

"Master Lian, Master Lian, you must not, you must not..." someone shouted from a distance while running.

Cao De snapped back to reality and focused his gaze. He recognized the man; wasn’t that Zhang Qing from the Emperor’s side? What was he doing here, playing nanny?

I didn’t expect it, but the Emperor can be so worried about someone that he even sends Zhang Qing to keep watch.

Cao De’s gaze returned to the charming-faced Young Master not far away, who held a fish in their hand, looking extremely delighted.

He couldn’t help but marvel inwardly at the people the Emperor favored.

The style was truly peculiar. Initially, I thought that His Majesty, being so dignified, would prefer a lady of noble birth, the gentle and quiet type.

I never would have guessed that he would fancy this sort of person. Most surprising indeed.

What was even more surprising was the Emperor, a man who was so stingy and fastidious about rules and etiquette, now going to the lengths of pleasing a woman, even allowing someone to fish in the Huaqing Pool. Most strange indeed.

Cao De shook his head and sighed. It was such a pity; I missed out on a free meal.

Before leaving, he cast one last look at Lian Hua, his eyes fox-like as if pondering something.

This Young Master had piqued his curiosity. After all, knowing about Lemongrass might be a coincidence, but knowing the method for roasting fish, which was that person’s own creation, could not be coincidental.

Lucky for me that on a whim, I decided to see who was making the Emperor so anxious. It enabled me to encounter such an interesting person. Marvelous indeed; the Harem finally has someone interesting. This trip back was not in vain.

Thinking thus, Cao De smiled, turned around, and, with his hands clasped behind him, leisurely walked towards the distance...

Meanwhile, at Lian Hua’s end, upon hearing someone calling her, she looked towards the source of the sound. Oh, it was Chief Steward Zhang.

She placed the fish back in the bucket and waved at Zhang Qing, "Chief Steward Zhang, you’ve arrived? Look, so many fish."

When the panting Zhang Qing finally caught up and looked, goodness gracious, it seemed like all the rare fish of the Huaqing Pool had been caught. I wonder how much it must have pained His Majesty.

His Majesty was fond of these fish, often coming by to see them and scattering some feed, a way to relieve boredom. Don’t the boys from Star Palace know this?

But since His Majesty’s preferences are so well concealed, it’s normal not to know. However, these young fellows, following Master Lian’s reckless lead, are surely in for a severe punishment when they get back.

Considering Master Lian is currently His Majesty’s most cherished, it’s likely these fish have met their doom. No no no, that’s not the right way to put it. After being raised for so long, they finally have some practical use.