ASTRP -Chapter 47 The Prince Has a Secret He Cannot Reveal

“You…”

Feng Jingge was entirely focused on the noodles getting soggy and didn’t notice the strange look in Xiao Jinghan’s eyes.

“Stop with the ‘you you you’. Eat quickly. If you don’t, it’ll really be inedible.”

Her words cut off whatever he was about to ask. The question never left his mouth.

Xiao Jinghan lowered his gaze, concealing all his emotions, returning to calm.

He picked up the noodles and took a bite.

The familiar taste of memory.

Twenty years.

He never expected to taste this again.

He ate gracefully, but his eyes gradually turned red.

Feng Jingge stood beside him, staring blankly.

She knew her cooking was good—but not so good it would make someone tear up, right?

Forget it. She quickly turned her head away.

Better not see something she shouldn’t, or she might get silenced for it.

After a while, Xiao Jinghan put down the porcelain bowl and asked casually, “Do you know Chengdu hotpot?”

Hearing the word “hotpot,” Feng Jingge froze again. There’s hotpot here too?

Then she reconsidered. Hotpot did exist in ancient times, just not the modern style.

And this world wasn’t even a strictly historical one anyway.

So… it wasn’t strange to have hotpot.

She nodded. “I know hotpot, but I’ve never heard of Chengdu hotpot.”

Xiao Jinghan clenched his fists inside his sleeves, his body trembling slightly.

Feng Jingge didn’t notice his reaction and asked, “Why? You want to eat hotpot?”

He controlled his emotions and replied calmly, “I do. But I can’t eat it anymore.”

“What do you mean?” she asked, confused.

“Many years ago, when I was still a prince, I was fortunate enough to eat it once,” he said softly.

“Just that once. After that… never again.”

Feng Jingge suddenly felt a bit hungry herself. As a foodie, she almost wanted to bring modern recipes into this world and revolutionize its cuisine.

Fried chicken, fries, burgers, hotpot, spicy skewers…

But those were just thoughts.

She was a prince now—busy with serious matters every day. There was no time for cooking modern dishes.

And her current identity didn’t allow such things either.

“It’s getting late. Go rest. We still have early court tomorrow,” Xiao Jinghan said.

“Mm.”

While talking, Feng Jingge had already cleaned the kitchen.

She locked the door, handed the key to Qing Shan, and asked him to send Xiao Jinghan back to Qingxin Residence.

They parted ways. Feng Jingge went back to sleep.

But Xiao Jinghan did not return to his residence.

Instead, after confirming Feng Jingge had gone back to her room, he took a detour and went to Su Xiu’s quarters.

Su Xiu had just gotten into bed when Xiao Jinghan walked straight in.

“Hey—hey—hey!”

Half-dressed in his inner robe, Su Xiu quickly pulled the blanket over himself, only his head exposed.

“You should at least care about your image! Right now you are—”

Xiao Jinghan shot him a disdainful look. “Which part of you have I not seen before?”

Su Xiu: “…”

“Talking like that in that outfit makes it sound very wrong. I don’t want—”

“Do you know egg fried noodles?” Xiao Jinghan interrupted, sitting at the edge of the bed.

Su Xiu froze. “Egg fried noodles…”

“Yes. Feng Jingge made me a bowl tonight. It tasted exactly like the one from years ago.”

Then he added, “I also asked her if she knew hotpot.”

Su Xiu’s expression turned serious. “What did she say?”

“She said she knows it.”

Su Xiu shot up from the bed instantly. “You suspect Feng Jingge is the same as her—”

“Yes.”

The next day was court day.

Before dawn had fully broken, Feng Jingge was woken by Qing Shan.

After quickly eating breakfast, she rushed into the carriage.

Before court, she had to go to the young emperor’s residence, Ming Palace.

The uncle and nephew would then travel together to the imperial court hall, the Taihe Hall.

The process was the same as always—officials first bowed and knelt outside, then again inside the hall.

Court began.

The first speaker was still Grand Tutor Yuan.

He reported on the matter of Prince Chen’s fief.

As Feng Jingge had been told yesterday by Prince Chen, the Grand Tutor had chosen Chen Prefecture.

She was thinking how to refute it when the Minister of Rites, Xue Congwen, stepped forward.

“Your Majesty, Your Highness, I oppose the Grand Tutor’s proposal.”

“I believe Chen Prefecture is not suitable for Prince Chen.”

Everyone understood the hidden meaning—he was saying Prince Chen himself was not worthy.

Yes.

Born of a low-status mother, with no powerful backing.

The prince himself was indifferent and uninvolved in court politics.

What use was he?

Why should an “useless prince” be given such a good fief?

Feng Jingge glanced coldly. “Minister of Rites, why is it unsuitable?”

“Chen Prefecture is coastal and rich in fisheries. But as far as I know, Prince Chen is allergic to fish products. Even smelling fish can cause red rashes.”

“So, by this reasoning, Chen Prefecture is unsuitable for him.”

Feng Jingge felt her intelligence being rubbed harshly against the ground.

She had heard of seafood allergies—but someone being allergic just from the smell?

That was a first.

Still… maybe it really existed.

Maybe she was just ignorant.

On the floor, Grand Tutor Yuan immediately counterattacked.

“Such a ridiculous reason! Since when does an allergy determine a fief?”

“Chen Prefecture is coastal, yes, but not floating on the sea. Does he have to live right by the shore?”

“If he is allergic, he can live elsewhere!”

The Minister of Rites calmly replied, “I am merely stating facts. Grand Tutor, don’t let personal motives harm Prince Chen.”

“Personal motives?” Yuan sneered. “Then speak clearly before His Majesty and the Prince—what personal motive do I have?”

The debate escalated.

Feng Jingge frowned slightly.

Suddenly, she understood something.

That day when she told Xiao Jinghan about Prince Chen, he had said the matter should be handled by the Ministry of Rites, not the Grand Tutor.

At the time she asked why.

He said: “You will understand at court.”

Now she did.

Avoiding conflict of interest.

And also the reason Prince Chen came seeking Xiao Jinghan.

Yesterday she had thought Prince Chen simply felt unworthy of such a good fief.

But now it seemed… he had already anticipated that this decision would cause controversy.