Gluttonous Crown Princess

Upon seeing these delicacies, Xu Wenchan couldn’t help swallowing her saliva. “Ah Ti, you are too… courteous!”

After a pause, she restrained her eager hand and said unhappily, “But my mother told me to eat less, She said if I continue to eat, I won’t be able to find a husband.”

Taken aback, Tao Ti said, “Then, should I have these removed?”

“Ah, don’t—” Xu Wenchan hastily raised her hand and said in a serious manner, “Although my mother won’t let me eat, my father and brothers said it doesn’t matter if I can’t find a husband— they will support me for the rest of my life! Ah, these look really delicious…”

Tao Ti, “……”
Sure enough, be it in ancient or modern times, most girls would only talk about wanting to diet, but when faced with delicious food, they wouldn’t be able to control themselves.

Xu Wenchan had eaten the chestnut cake, buttermilk water caltrop cake, and lotus root osmanthus sugar cake made by the imperial kitchen in the marquis’ residence before, so she did not reach out for them. Rather, she had never seen those that Tao Ti made, so she began with those right away.

She first ate the double-skinned milk custard. At the first mouthful, the milk custard was sweet and soft, with a rich milk aroma. With her second mouthful, it was another extremely smooth and tender texture. Along with the sweet and sandy adzuki beans, it was unbeatably delicious.

After eating half a bowl, she picked up a cute light yellow glutinous rice mochi. The soft and glutinous mochi was covered with roasted soy flour. When she took a bite, the bean fragrance overflowed. The mochi’s chewiness was just right, and the more one chewed, the happier one felt.

After eating two sweet items, Xu Wenchan tasted the sweet and savoury pork jerky and the salted egg pastry. Once again, the surprise of discovering treasures appeared on her face. “Wow, as expected of imperial chefs, these snacks are really delicious.”

Tao Ti picked up her teacup and took a sip of rose tea, then said with a smile, “The ones you’ve eaten were made by me.”

Xu Wenchan, “???”

Xu Wenchan, “Ah Ti, you’re really amazing!!!”

Tao Ti smiled lightly, “It’s good that you like them.”

At the thought that Ah Ti had prepared so many delicious things for her, Xu Wenchan was very moved. How lucky she was to have made such a good friend!

As she thought, her eyes gradually reddened, “Boohoo—”

Tao Ti, “…???”
Again?!

A few days ago, it was the sixth princess who cried— why is another one crying today?!

Xu Wenchan sniffled; tears flashed in her eyes, “Ah Ti, you are so nice. I’d thought you wouldn’t want to hang out with me after becoming the Crown Princess. I didn’t expect you to not only treat me as a friend, but even personally made food for me. Boohoo, I’m really happy… Rest assured, I won’t waste your kind intentions. I’ll finish everything you made.”

Tao Ti, “…”
There’s no need to finish it all…

She handed a handkerchief to Xu Wenchan and said warmly, “There are still a lot of delicious things for lunch, so save some space in your stomach. Otherwise, you will be too full later.”

Xu Wenchan nodded, took the handkerchief, and wiped her mouth, “Alright!”

Xu Wenchan was a talkative person who loved to share. While eating, she told Tao Ti about various interesting things that had happened recently. As she chatted, she suddenly thought of something and looked at Tao Ti with some concern in her almond-shaped eyes. “Ah Ti, you… Did you really… take poison?”

Tao Ti’s froze midway as she took a glutinous rice mochi. After a moment, she nodded calmly, “Mhm.”

Xu Wenchan was stunned for a long time. When she came back to her senses, her two eyebrows drooped downward, and she said worriedly, “You… why are you so silly…? Even if you weren’t willing to marry, you shouldn’t joke around with your life!”

At this point, she leaned over and said in a low voice, “If worst comes to worst, when the Crown Prince dies, you can move out of the palace and live as a widow on the surface, then keep one or two boy toys in private.”

Tao Ti, “???”

Xu Wenchan added, “And don’t worry, I will accompany you. I’ve thought about it— by the time I turn seventeen, if I don’t meet a good man like my father who is dedicated and won’t take any concubines, I’ll set up my own household and not marry anyone. How great it is to eat, drink, and enjoy life alone! If I want a man, I can go to Drunken Immortal Parlour to find some handsome young men. When you’re widowed, we can buy houses next to each other. At the time, we can even go to the Drunken Immortal Parlour together to play!”

The more she thought about it, the more beautiful the future seemed. She even began to think about which market would be more affordable to buy land.

Tao Ti, “…”
Girlfriend, this idea of yours is a bit dangerous, but… I like it!

When Linglong lifted the curtain and entered, she happened to hear Xu Wenchan talking excitedly about Young Master Wuchen, Young Master Nongyu, Young Master Feiliu and what not of the Drunken Immortal Parlour, while the Crown Princess held her face in her hands and listened with relish.

Drunken Immortal Parlour? Is it a restaurant in Chang’an City?
As Linglong pondered, she stepped forward respectfully and said, “Crown Princess, it’s almost noon. Would you like to call for lunch?”

Tao Ti came back to her senses and nodded. “Yes. Just follow the menu I’ve prepared and have the imperial kitchen prepare it.”

Linglong acknowledged the order and withdrew. Tao Ti also stood up, took a stack of books and put them in front of Xu Wencai, and said, “You can read the ones you’re interested in. I’ll go to the kitchen to add a dish.”

“Isn’t the imperial kitchen already making lunch? Don’t cook, it’s too troublesome,” said Xu Wenchan.

“I’m just making one dish, it’s no trouble. Just stay here obediently. I guarantee you’ll be happily fed later.” As Tao Ti spoke she bent over and pinched Xu Wenchan’s chubby little cheek.

Xu Wenchan, “……”
Strange, why was her face getting hot?

About fifteen minutes later, an intense and tempting meat scent wafted throughout Yaoguang Hall.