???
Xie Ciyan's heart suddenly gave a thump.
Why did my little sister-in-law's words... sound a little like she was gloating?
Could my little fairy be a poor cook?
But... my little fairy was so good at grilling meat. How bad could her cooking possibly be?
My little sister-in-law had a picky palate. Even something just slightly underdone probably tasted inedible to her, right?
After reassuring himself this way, Xie Ciyan set his worries aside for the moment.
Unlike the lively feast aboard their pleasure boat, everyone on the boats slowly drifting closer kept catching the fragrance wafting out, casting irresistible glances their way and swallowing mouthfuls of saliva.
Had it been an ordinary family's boat, the others would have dared to invoke the lake gathering's rules and compete in poetry for a bite or two. Unfortunately, this pleasure boat belonged to the notoriously difficult Princess Yongning, and no one had the nerve to approach.
They wanted to catch their own fish to grill, but something seemed wrong with the fish today. Plenty swam near the lake's surface, yet despite the generous bait on their hooks, not a single fish was willing to bite.
These refined scholars could afford fish at home, of course, and would never simply scoop them up with a net and risk becoming a laughingstock. The young ladies were even less willing to stoop to such coarse behavior.
And so, a lake outing and poetry gathering that should have been a truly special occasion ended early, amid the aromas drifting across the lake and the resentment simmering in many hearts.
Only after they had played to their hearts' content and filled their bellies did the pleasure boat slowly return to shore.
To keep the grilled fish fresh and delicious, Jiang Wanrong timed everything carefully, packing up