ASTRP -Chapter 176 A Meal Carefully Prepared by the Prince

The sharp-eyed Feng Jingge noticed something off about Xiao Jinghan’s expression and quickly spoke up.

“Princess Consort Chen, it’s normal for children to be noisy. The Prince can handle it.”

“Right, Your Highness?”

Xiao Jinghan’s expression eased slightly, and he gave a short reply.

“Mm.”

Prince Chen turned to his wife.

“In that case, bring Ping’er and An’an along as well.”

Princess Consort Chen wisely stopped declining and nodded before turning to fetch the two children.

After she left, Prince Chen smiled gently and said warmly, “Imperial Uncle, let me say this first—when the children start making a fuss later, you mustn’t pull a dark face.”

“And if you scare them into crying, you’ll have to coax them yourself.”

The corners of Xiao Jinghan’s lips twitched slightly.

“You make it sound like this prince is some prehistoric beast. That brat from the Xu family is even more troublesome than your two children combined.”

“The Xu family brat?”

Prince Chen froze for a moment before asking,

“You mean Xu Shu, the treasured grandson of Marquis Dingbei?”

Xiao Jinghan nodded.

“Mm.”

Prince Chen burst into laughter.

“Well, then my children certainly can’t compare.”

“The name Xu Shu is legendary among the children in the capital. Aside from the kids from the Pei, Chu, and Jin families, every other child turns and runs the moment they see him.”

“He even has a nickname—Little Tyrant Xu.”

“The last time I went out and passed through Zhongchang Street, I happened to see Marquis Dingbei carrying a red-tasseled spear while chasing after Xu Shu. I stopped to ask what happened and learned that Xu Shu had been punished by his teacher at school.”

“He was unwilling to accept it, so after the punishment, he sprinkled something into the teacher’s teapot…”

Prince Chen glanced at Feng Jingge beside them and suddenly felt the next part was inappropriate to say, so he stopped.

Feng Jingge had been listening with great interest, only for the story to suddenly cut off.

Combining everything Prince Chen had said, she guessed aloud, “He peed in the teacher’s teapot, didn’t he?”

Prince Chen: “……”

Xiao Jinghan: “……”

Prince Chen immediately turned his head away, too embarrassed to look directly at Feng Jingge.

Xiao Jinghan looked at her helplessly.

Feng Jingge: ????

She looked at Prince Chen, then at Xiao Jinghan, completely confused by their reactions.

She pressed further.

“Did he pee in the teacher’s teapot or not?”

“……”

Afraid Feng Jingge would continue asking forever if nobody answered, Xiao Jinghan finally responded, “Yes.”

Feng Jingge did not think much of it.

“He’s just a child, that’s pretty—”

Before she could say “normal,” Xiao Jinghan suddenly covered her mouth.

Feng Jingge’s eyes widened as she stared at him in confusion.

Xiao Jinghan signaled frantically with his eyes.

Only then did Feng Jingge realize she had unconsciously applied modern standards to this ancient world.

People here were still extremely conservative about such things.

She could only respond with her eyes, signaling that she would stop talking.

After receiving her silent promise, Xiao Jinghan finally released her.

To avoid further awkwardness, Xiao Jinghan proactively changed the subject.

Prince Chen smoothly followed along.

Feng Jingge no longer dared to interrupt recklessly and quietly stood to the side listening to the two men converse.

Meanwhile, she thought to herself that ancient times really were ancient times—far too reserved.

Back in her era, if a man urgently needed to pee, he would just do it against a wall.

Not long after, Princess Consort Chen returned holding the hands of the two children.

She had likely taught them proper greetings on the way over, because the moment the children arrived, they obediently bowed to Xiao Jinghan and Feng Jingge.

Feng Jingge and Xiao Jinghan each politely responded.

Now that everyone had gathered, they set off for Zuifeng Pavilion.

Inside a private room on the fourth floor of Zuifeng Pavilion, everyone took their seats one by one.

The dishes had already been preordered by Xiao Jinghan when he reserved the room.

As soon as they sat down, the room steward asked whether the dishes should be served immediately.

After receiving Xiao Jinghan’s approval, the steward instructed the servants to bring in the food before quietly withdrawing.

Soon, several graceful and beautiful women entered carrying trays. They carefully placed each dish on the table before retreating in orderly fashion.

Once all the dishes were served, Prince Chen and his wife exchanged a glance before falling silent.

Seeing their strange expressions, Feng Jingge assumed Xiao Jinghan might have ordered something wrong and looked toward him questioningly.

But…

Xiao Jinghan had his head lowered, carefully wiping the children’s spoons with a silk handkerchief, completely oblivious to her gaze.

At that moment, Prince Chen suddenly spoke.

“Imperial Uncle, you truly put your heart into this meal.”

Feng Jingge: ????

Without even lifting his head, Xiao Jinghan replied, “This prince merely asked your household steward for a list of dishes. If they don’t suit your taste, don’t blame me—blame your steward.”

Prince Chen suddenly stood and clasped his fists respectfully toward Xiao Jinghan, bowing deeply.

“Xiao Yan thanks Imperial Uncle.”

Xiao Jinghan did not respond immediately.

After a long pause, he lifted his eyes and handed the two cleaned spoons to the children.

The children accepted them and clearly opened their mouths to say thank you, but Xiao Jinghan beat them to it.

“No need to thank me.”

Those three words stopped the children’s gratitude and also indirectly answered Prince Chen’s thanks.

Sitting nearby, Feng Jingge finally understood through their conversation.

There was something special about the meal.

But not in a bad way.

Every dish on the table happened to be Prince Chen and Princess Consort Chen’s favorites.

Clearly, Xiao Jinghan had put genuine thought into this dinner.

Throughout the meal, nobody spoke.

Inside the spacious private room, only the crisp sounds of bowls and chopsticks occasionally clinking together could be heard.

Not long later, after finishing dinner, Feng Jingge and Xiao Jinghan bid farewell to Prince Chen’s family outside Zuifeng Pavilion.

Before getting into the carriage, Xiao Jinghan suddenly pulled Prince Chen aside.

Nobody knew what he said to him.

But under the lantern light, Feng Jingge clearly saw Prince Chen’s eyes redden.

He even looked as though he wanted to kneel, only for Xiao Jinghan to yank him back upright before he could.

The kneeling never happened.

Afterward, the two men returned.

Xiao Jinghan walked back to Feng Jingge’s side.

Prince Chen boarded his carriage and left.

Feng Jingge and Xiao Jinghan stood there watching the carriage disappear into the night.

Only after it vanished completely from sight did Xiao Jinghan slowly utter two words.

“Let’s go.”

He took the initiative to hold Feng Jingge’s hand, his large palm wrapping around her slightly cool fingers.

Their fingers intertwined, warmth passing between them, and Feng Jingge’s heart felt warm as well.

The two walked back to the manor together.

Along the long street, lanterns hung high overhead.

Pedestrians wandered through the lively night market while vendors loudly called out to passing customers…

Feng Jingge and Xiao Jinghan walked side by side through the bustling street.

Though the surroundings were noisy, their hearts gradually became calm.

Just as Feng Jingge opened her mouth, intending to ask why he had specially prepared such a thoughtful meal today—

A candied hawthorn vendor suddenly appeared ahead of them.

Xiao Jinghan recalled how he had failed to buy candied hawthorn for Feng Jingge earlier.

He pressed his lips together.

Then, without hesitation, he tugged Feng Jingge toward the vendor.

The vendor was loudly advertising his candied hawthorns.

Suddenly, two people blocked his view.

The vendor froze briefly before recovering.

Seeing their extraordinary appearances and luxurious clothing, he immediately realized—

These were clearly wealthy people!