Crisis! The Empress Dowager Has Been Framed!

Liu Yuewang and An Nuan changed clothes. During the change, An Nuan confirmed once again that Professor Liu's horizontal height advantage was not significant, which reassured An Nuan a lot.

After all, Professor Liu used to be An Nuan's role model, but now her goal is only to be on par with her. It's truly inspiring.

Unfortunately, it's only temporary. An Nuan still needs to work harder. She originally planned to study and improve herself with Liu Chang'an today.

It seems Professor Liu won't be able to return to her original state tomorrow, so An Nuan has decided to come and keep her company every day... This is out of concern for her mother, and has no other meaning.

It would be too conspicuous for An Nuan and Liu Yuewang to appear in public at the same time during mealtime, so they took the room service menu and ordered a few dishes.

Reservations are required for the hotel restaurant, but room service does not require waiting. If you are not looking for a "ceremony" and simply want to enjoy the chef's cooking, dining in your room is a good option.

Moreover, the views from the guest rooms are no worse than those from the restaurant, and they are more private and quiet.

After dinner, Liu Chang'an didn't stay in their room for long. They chatted for a while, discussing the upcoming training plan. Seeing Liu Yuewang and Professor Ling's expectant faces and their positive and determined attitude towards the recovery training, Liu Chang'an left with great satisfaction.

He didn't go straight back, but went to the supermarket downstairs instead.

I just had dinner at the hotel. The food was very exquisite, with delicate flavors and beautiful presentation, but it lacked a satisfying chewiness.

It didn't feel very satisfying to eat.

Liu Chang'an arrived at the supermarket, where some fresh meat that was about to be sold out that day was now 50% off. Liu Chang'an saw two sets of pig intestines, picked up his tongs and examined them. They were fairly clean, and still retained a faint, characteristic odor of pig intestines.

If pig intestines are cleaned until they have no smell at all, and just look like plain fat and sebum, then there's not much point in chewing them. The appeal of pig intestines lies in their unique aroma, a flavor that cannot be masked by ginger, garlic, chili, or pickled vegetables. But these seasonings can make this flavor even more delicious.

Liu Chang'an carried two sets of pig intestines back. There's a dish in Xi'an called Gourd Head, which is also very famous. Jia Pingwa also likes to eat it. No matter what kind of guest he is, he likes to serve Gourd Head to people. However, when he introduces it, he says that Gourd Head is just pig hemorrhoids.

This has greatly displeased many Xi'an residents, who believe he has ruined a Xi'an delicacy. After all, many people are unwilling to eat it once they hear it's made from pig hemorrhoids, which has hindered the spread of local food culture.

Food culture is an important cultural calling card for any city. Especially now, a single dish, a world-famous dish, can bring in a lot of tourism revenue and enhance the cultural image and charm of the entire city.

For example... I won't give any more examples; the China people don't need others to provide such examples.

Actually, Gourd Head can't really call it pig hemorrhoids; you should say it's the place where hemorrhoids grow, the rectum.

If you really have hemorrhoids in your rectum, they should be removed; you don't need to use them when cooking.

The rectum section of the pig's large intestine is fatty, chewy, and suitable for various cooking methods. In the past, pig small intestine was used for braised dishes, but now many people don't care about these differences and use both large and small intestines.

When Liu Chang'an returned to the neighborhood, he found that the elderly men and women no longer set up tables under the grapevines to play cards in the cold winter.

The mahjong parlor's business has improved considerably, but in Auntie Xie's grocery store, a table has been set up with a small heater underneath. Several people gather around it to play cards, Auntie Xie provides services such as pouring hot water. Shangguan Dandan has taken a liking to this place and brings her thermos every day to use the hot water to make her effervescent tablets.

That way, she won't always have to boil water herself.

She was a little worried that the coal briquettes were being used up too quickly, so she wanted to conserve them until winter and then ask Liu Chang'an to buy another truckload of coal briquettes.

Sometimes she would go upstairs to Zhou Dongdong's house to get hot water if Liu Chang'an hadn't boiled any.

The Empress Dowager tried her best to live frugally and appeared shrewd; she was a practical person, and Liu Chang'an should understand this.

As Liu Chang'an passed by the convenience store, Shangguan Dandan saw that Liu Chang'an seemed to be carrying something in his hand. Just as he finished paying, she grabbed the thermos and ran out, following behind Liu Chang'an.

"Not fighting so early?" Liu Chang'an turned around and glanced at Shangguan Dandan, who seemed to be following closely behind because she couldn't take big steps.

"It seems you've bought groceries. If you need help cooking, I can help you with the chores," Shangguan Dandan said enthusiastically.

Seeing that Liu Chang'an was walking too fast, Shangguan Dandan, holding the thermos in both hands and unable to grab his fingers, ran and jumped to catch up with him.

"OK."

Liu Chang'an originally wanted to say, "Will you help me with the work?", and wanted to express other emotions, or even be sarcastic, but in the end, all his words were saved and condensed into two words that emerged from silence. "Okay."

Everything is contained in these two words.

When Liu Chang'an returned home, he glanced at the TV wall and saw that it was indeed empty. Shangguan Dandan finished watching TV and then moved the TV back. Liu Chang'an thought about the big TV that she could lie on as a bed and how she was trying to protect her beloved TV, and he didn't bother to say anything.

Liu Chang'an checked the time. Zhou Dongdong hadn't returned yet. She must have gone out to play with Zhu Juntang. Zhu Juntang would then take her to Zhou Shuling's place, and Zhou Shuling would return with Zhou Dongdong later. By then, his dishes would be ready.

Liu Chang'an went to the kitchen, opened the plastic bag, and found two large intestines wrapped in food packaging paper and then in a plastic resealable bag. They originally had no smell at all, but after he opened them and poured them into a basin, the unique smell of pig intestines filled the kitchen.

Shangguan Dandan hurriedly ran out of the kitchen, stood at a distance and looked on, calling out in a panic, "Do you want to eat poop?"

The word "baba" is usually only used by children. Shangguan Dandan and Zhou Dongdong learned it.

Liu Chang'an didn't answer her. Of course he wouldn't eat it. Was there even a need to ask? Questions that don't need to be asked don't need to be answered.

Shangguan Dandan stood in the living room watching Liu Chang'an clean pig intestines. She slowly moved closer, a little unhappy. She had originally wanted to help him with chores, such as turning on the tap and telling him how much water he had used.

However, Liu Chang'an released such a strong odor that it prevented Shangguan Dandan from trying to help with the housework.

After Liu Chang'an cleaned the pig intestines and removed the excess grease, the smell in the kitchen dissipated. Shangguan Dandan approached the doorway, having already placed the thermos on the table. With her hands free, she was ready to get to work.

Shangguan Dandan walked in, looked at the pig intestines on the cutting board, and picked up the cleaver. She didn't know how to cut that oily and disgusting thing, but she could help him cut chili peppers. However, when she picked up the cleaver, she felt that it was much heavier than Zhou Dongdong's toy cleaver and much heavier than a regular cleaver, so Shangguan Dandan gave up.

"Stand here and don't move." Liu Chang'an pointed to the door. Shangguan Dandan was simply an incompetent version of Zhou Dongdong. Zhou Dongdong was really good at work. Even if he wasn't very good at it, he could at least try his best. He would occasionally knock over a bowl or spill dish soap on the floor, and so on. Shangguan Dandan didn't even have the ability to mess up the work.

Shangguan Dandan reads a lot of online novels, but he doesn't read Zhu Ziqing's works; he suffered because of his lack of education.

"What dishes are you planning to make?" Shangguan Dandan was still a little curious. Zhou Dongdong had said that many delicious things don't look appetizing, but they taste great when cooked, so you should try everything.

"Clover and Chitterlings."

"Want to eat grass?"

"Clover and Chitterlings is a famous dish in the Central Sea. Clover refers to alfalfa. Pork intestines generally refer to pig's large intestine, but this is just to avoid affecting people's appetite. In reality, pork intestines are actually the pig's anus. Because pig's large intestine is not thick enough and shrinks a lot, it becomes messy after braising. Only the pig's anus, or rectum, is suitable for this dish. After cooking, it is tender and melts in your mouth, with the fragrance of clover, and the taste is quite harmonious."

"Pig... pig... pig anus is where pigs poop, right?" Shangguan Dandan took two steps back, looking at Liu Chang'an warily.

"Yes."

Shangguan Dandan ran to the door, then ran back to take her thermos.

When Liu Chang'an cooked three dishes and had a late-night snack with Zhou Shuling and Zhou Dongdong, Shangguan Dandan didn't come up. She absolutely refuses to eat pig poop!

After Liu Chang'an and the other two finished their late-night snack, Shangguan Dandan came upstairs because Zhou Shuling had bought a new television.

The television was placed in Liu Chang'an's living room, and Zhou Shuling noticed that Shangguan Dandan had taken over Liu Chang'an's television.

Zhou Shuling didn't try to persuade Shangguan Dandan since watching TV downstairs wasn't convenient, it would be better to put it upstairs.

When Liu Chang'an gave her the TV, Zhou Shuling had said that once she had the money, she would buy Liu Chang'an a new TV.

Shangguan Dandan Zhou Shuling always seen moving the TV every day, so Zhou Shuling remembered this and decided to take action today, buying a TV.

This model is a bit newer than the one Qin Yanan bought last time. It has more functions, and even the remote control is different. It looks like a mobile phone, and the remote control functions are displayed on the touch screen. It comes with a wireless charging remote control dock, so you don't have to worry about running out of power.

Liu Chang'an was reading on the sofa with Zhou Dongdong in his arms when he caught a glimpse of Shangguan Dandan touching his new TV with obvious delight. He didn't say anything; she already had a TV, did she really have the nerve to take his one too?

"This TV is a little bit better than mine, you know?" Shangguan Dandan touched the TV enough, washed her hands, walked over to Liu Chang'an, and asked somewhat uncertainly.

"No," Liu Chang'an firmly denied.

"It's a little better! I've noticed!" Shangguan Dandan said angrily. Did he think she wanted his new TV? Even if she did want it, she didn't show it. She didn't show any interest in his new TV at all.

"Don't sleep." Liu Chang'an first nudged Zhou Dongdong, who was about to close her eyes and fall asleep after listening to him read half a page, then said to Shangguan Dandan, "It's okay if it's just a little bit better, but you already have a TV."

"I have two!" Shangguan Dandan is a sentimental person; she was already using that small, bulging television set. She's not the kind of person who easily gets bored with the old and craves the new.

Seeing that Liu Chang'an had no intention of exchanging the TV with her, Shangguan Dandan wasn't upset. She simply sat at one end of the sofa, holding her thermos, and kept watching him.

"You can't achieve your goal with just your eyes." Liu Chang'an continued reading, thinking about the child he was holding who would fall asleep as soon as the text started. He wondered how she managed to get through each day at school.

When Zhou Shuling came downstairs, she found Zhou Dongdong sitting next to Liu Chang'an, looking dazed and swaying. She couldn't help but sigh. She used to think that Liu Chang'an didn't study hard and just read random books all day long. But look how many points he got on the college entrance exam! If only Zhou Dongdong were even a little bit like Liu Chang'an.

It's a pity this child takes after his mother... No, wait, Zhou Shuling thought about it, and realized that her elementary school grades were probably actually quite good if she remembered correctly.

Zhou Shuling came downstairs carrying two sweaters.

One item was given to Liu Chang'an, and another to Shangguan Dandan.

When Zhou Dongdong heard that her brother Chang'an had stopped studying and was looking at a sweater, she became much more energetic. She crawled under the sweater in Chang'an's hand, put the big sweater on herself, and suddenly felt like an adult.

"Dongdong's mom, you're amazing! You're just as good as Miss Qin, far surpassing everyone else." Shangguan Dandan put down the thermos, hugged the warm sweater. She had seen Zhou Shuling knitting sweaters before, but she never thought she would have one too.

Liu Chang'an did not refute or comment on Shangguan Dandan's words.

"Give it a try." Zhou Shuling looked at Liu Chang'an with some anticipation.

Liu Chang'an took off his coat and shirt, and removed the sweater from Zhou Dongdong's head.

Zhou Shuling turned her head away slightly, feeling a little embarrassed, but then, realizing that she only regarded Liu Chang'an as a younger brother, she turned back to look at him as he put on his sweater.

"The craftsmanship is good, but it feels a bit tight." Liu Chang'an looked it over.

Zhou Shuling came over and helped him smooth it out, then tugged at the hem, somewhat surprised. "How come... I was comparing it to your clothes, this size should be correct. Looks like I was being stingy with the stitches."

"Didn't you knit it yourself?" Liu Chang'an asked.

Zhou Shuling shook her head. "I'll knit you another one. I'm quicker with my hands now."

"Then you can have this one." Liu Chang'an took it off.

"Then it'll be too big for me," Zhou Shuling said with some regret.

"You won't be that old tomorrow."

Why?

"You'll find out tomorrow." Liu Chang'an waved his hand casually. "Go get me the knitting needles."

Zhou Dongdong went upstairs eagerly and brought down the knitting needles.

Zhou Shuling was a little confused. What was he going to do? Did he know how to alter sweaters? That was impossible. Liu Chang'an was a grown man, and he wasn't the type to be interested in the things women liked to do.

She had seen Liu Chang'an designing clothes and cutting fabric, but that was different from knitting a sweater. After all, most tailors were men, but there were far fewer men who knitted sweaters.

Most importantly, he said he'd know tomorrow, so it couldn't be altering a sweater; one night isn't enough time.

The next morning, Zhou Shuling told Zhou Dongdong to stay home while she came downstairs with the milk. She didn't know what she was expecting, but when she saw the red sweater on the sofa, she looked around and couldn't help but tiptoe over and pick it up.

The sweater was indeed altered to be smaller; the waist, shoulders, and back were all fitted in. A section of the sleeves was removed, and the remaining yarn was probably used to knit delicate and intricate flowers to adorn the garment.

One night later, Liu Chang'an, who was wearing a sweater that was too small, became Zhou Shuling, who was wearing a sweater that fit perfectly.

After gesturing for a moment, Zhou Shuling felt it was just right, and she was very happy.

"Take it back, and knit me one that fits." Liu Chang'an came out of the kitchen, looked at Zhou Shuling and smiled, "Don't feel like your skills are lacking. Don't compare yourself to me; everyone would feel inferior."

"I didn't want to compete with you." Zhou Shuling, holding the sweater, was overjoyed and went upstairs to show it off to Zhou Dongdong.

This morning, Liu Chang'an made breakfast. He made rice noodles and then called Shangguan Dandan up to eat breakfast.

"We're having meat buns today!" Shangguan Dandan casually expressed her anticipation, but she didn't dislike the rice noodles Liu Chang'an had prepared. The finely sliced, chewy pieces of meat inside were quite delicious.

"This pork intestine noodle soup is pretty good too..." Zhou Shuling, wearing a red sweater dress, was thinking of inventing a new dish again.

"It's delicious! I'm going to give some to Lu Si'en." Zhou Dongdong finished eating and went to feed the dog.

"Pork intestines?" Shangguan Dandan looked at Liu Chang'an warily.

"It's the pig intestines from yesterday," Liu Chang'an explained kindly. "I was worried you wouldn't like it looking good, so I cut it into thin strips so you wouldn't be able to tell."

Shangguan Dandan took a few steps back in fright, stopping only when she pressed her hand against the television set on the wall. She glanced at the new television and then ran downstairs.

Just as Zhou Shuling was scolding Liu Chang'an, Shangguan Dandan moved the TV upstairs and then went to untangle the various cables from the new TV.

"What are you doing!" Liu Chang'an was taken aback. Why was this person acting like this? She must be using this as an excuse to cause trouble!

Shangguan Dandan carried the new TV downstairs. Who told him to frame her? He was a heartless, stinking emperor before, tricking her into eating things she shouldn't have, and now he's doing this again!

If he didn't move his new television, Shangguan Dandan felt he would become withdrawn. Because he didn't want to become withdrawn, he had to do it so that he wouldn't feel ashamed for framing the Empress Dowager.

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Long chapter, please give me some monthly tickets and chicken legs!