Your Highness, You Want More Rice Too?

Early the next morning, before the vegetable delivery cart arrived, Xu Cheng was already waiting outside the kitchen.

Uncle Zhou was rather surprised to see him when he came out.

"Here so early?"

"I've finished my morning training. I had nothing else to do anyway."

Xu Cheng answered with a smile, but his eyes drifted involuntarily toward the back courtyard.

There was little activity in the kitchen yet. It seemed Xiao An had only just gotten up too.

No rush. I'm already here, after all. It's not as if breakfast can run away.

When the delivery cart arrived, Xu Cheng helped unload the vegetables and carry sacks of rice. He even volunteered to take the basin of pork tenderloin, working with tremendous enthusiasm.

But when he actually sat down to breakfast, he realized he had underestimated things yesterday.

Yangzhou Fried Rice.

He had thought it was only fried rice and could hardly compare to yesterday's Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin. But after the first mouthful, the spoon in Xu Cheng's hand would not stop.

The ham was savory and fragrant, the shrimp fresh and tender. Even a tiny pea, eaten together with the rice, made him reluctant to swallow too quickly.

But one look at the speed of Zhao Hai and the others beside him soon drove that thought out of his head.

Take my time?

Didn't I suffer enough yesterday?

Breakfast was once again polished off completely. After eating with Chen Xin, Ning Rongrong, and the others, Chen An went off for his morning cultivation. Those fellows, keener than anyone else, naturally helped with the cleaning.

When he returned to the little courtyard, however, Uncle Zhou had something to tell him.

"The sect master sent word that he's bringing a guest at noon. We're to prepare enough for two more."

"All right. Set aside more meat and steam some extra rice."

Chen An readily agreed.

The ingredients had just arrived that morning, so there was no fear of running short. Two extra people only meant frying another small batch.

He just wondered who Uncle Ning would go out of his way to bring here for a meal.

Before he could ponder it for long, voices came from outside the courtyard gate.

"It's a little cramped, Qinghe, but we'll eat here today."

"I've heard you mention the cooking here, Teacher. Naturally, I'd like to try it."

Hearing the voices, Chen An looked up and saw Ning Fengzhi leading a young man inside.

The newcomer wore neat blue-green robes and had gentle features. Rather than hurry farther inside after entering, he first bowed to Chen Xin, who sat beside the table.

"My respects, Senior Sword Douluo."

Chen Xin nodded and motioned for him to sit.

Ning Fengzhi beckoned to Chen An.

"Xiao An, come meet His Highness Xue Qinghe. He's also my student."

Xue Qinghe?

Chen An put down his kitchen knife, something stirring within him.

He had read the story of Douluo in his previous life. Naturally, he remembered that name, along with another: Qian Renxue.

But he really could not remember exactly when the Xue Qinghe in the story had been replaced.

There was nothing to fault in the movements or behavior of the person before him. Looking alone would not reveal whether he was genuine.

I'll have to keep an eye on this.

Chen An wiped his hands clean and came over to greet him, but Xue Qinghe was already smiling and waving a hand.

"No need to stand on ceremony. Teacher often mentions you, and we've finally met today. If you don't mind, just call me Brother Xue."

"Brother Xue."

Chen An addressed him accordingly, keeping his thoughts off his face.

Ning Rongrong also stood up from her stool and came over with a grin.

"Brother Xue, you've come at just the right time."

"Oh? What's the good news?"

"We're having Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin for lunch."

As she spoke, the little girl even felt a little sorry for him.

"The fried rice from breakfast is all gone. You can't miss this meal too."

She spoke with such earnestness that Xue Qinghe could not help laughing.

So this counted as good news too?

He had come to consult Ning Fengzhi on a few matters. Once their business was finished, Ning Fengzhi had invited him to stay for a meal. It was a gesture of closeness, and naturally, he would not refuse.

He simply had not expected his teacher to bring him to such a little courtyard, where even the cook was a six-year-old child.

"Then I'm in for a treat today."

Xue Qinghe replied with a smile, then looked at Chen An.

"I've long heard from Teacher that you enjoy cooking. I never expected even Rongrong to like it so much."

"You'll understand once you've tried it."

Before Chen An could answer, Ning Rongrong spoke up, then turned to urge him on.

"Brother Chen An, hurry up and cook."

Her two remarks, one after the other, rather amused Xue Qinghe.

It seems I'm already holding up her meal, guest or not.

Chen An returned to the stove and continued working. Before long, Fang Ming and the other three arrived too. Seeing that Ning Fengzhi had brought a guest, they behaved much more properly, each helping out after offering their greetings.

Even Zhao Hai only took one look before going to help Uncle Zhou move things, rather than hovering by the pot and urging Chen An on as usual.

Watching all this, Xue Qinghe grew a little more curious about the young cook.

Chen Chuan helped tend the fire, several disciples carried plates and vegetables, Sword Douluo waited in the courtyard, and his teacher had specifically brought him here to sample the boy's cooking.

It seemed his teacher valued this child even more than he had originally thought.

By now, the fire in the stove was blazing.

Chen An summoned the Dragon-Transforming Pot. Its smooth, lustrous body turned in his palm, becoming a wok that he set over the small stove.

Xue Qinghe's gaze sharpened slightly.

A kitchenware Martial Soul?

"Is that Xiao An's Martial Soul?"

"The Dragon-Transforming Pot. It can turn into a pot for cooking."

Ning Fengzhi explained with a smile. Xue Qinghe nodded and did not pursue the matter.

Asking for a full account of someone's Martial Soul abilities at their first meeting would hardly be appropriate.

Still, using a Martial Soul to cook was certainly unusual.

Soon, the battered strips of meat went into the hot oil. A fine, continuous sizzling rose, followed by the fragrance of meat.

Xue Qinghe had been talking to Ning Fengzhi, but as they spoke, his gaze involuntarily shifted toward the kitchen.

That smell...

It really does seem a little different.

Ning Fengzhi did not point it out, merely lifting his teacup for a sip.

Once the meat strips were fried, Chen An raised the oil temperature and fried them a second time, then lifted them out to drain. Only then did he ladle out the oil, leaving just a little to fry the tomato sauce until fragrant before pouring in the sweet-and-sour mixture he had prepared earlier.

The instant that sweet-and-sour aroma rose, Ning Rongrong sat bolt upright.

Fang Ming also stopped wiping the table and casually set the cloth aside.

It's nearly ready.

After spending these past few days here, they could tell which step Chen An had reached just by listening to the sounds from the kitchen.

Tiny bubbles rose through the glossy red sauce at the bottom of the wok. The golden-fried meat strips went in, and with a flick of his wrist, they rose together before falling back into the wok, coated in a thin glaze.

The moment the sauce clung to them, he lifted them out and plated them, without the slightest dragging of mud or trailing of water.

Steam curled up along the edges of the plate. The meat strips glistened, making mouths water at a glance.

Only then did Xue Qinghe realize that he, too, had been staring at the dish for quite some time.

"Wash your hands. Time to eat."

At Chen An's call, Uncle Zhou brought out the steamed rice.

With a guest joining them, they had moved over another small table today. Fang Ming and the other three took their places at the other side without prompting, though they were not ill at ease. Chen An divided up the food and only sat beside Chen Xin once everyone had a bowl.

"Qinghe, try some."

Ning Fengzhi picked up his chopsticks first. Xue Qinghe answered with a smile and also picked up a strip of pork tenderloin.

The moment it entered his mouth, however, his chopsticks froze.

The sweet-and-sour flavor spread first. Then he bit through the crisp outer crust, and the fragrance of the tender meat inside immediately flooded out.

Was this really the ordinary pork tenderloin in that basin earlier?

Without thinking, Xue Qinghe picked up another strip.

"What do you think?"

Ning Fengzhi asked with a smile.

"It's truly delicious."

This praise was far more sincere than his remarks upon arriving. As Xue Qinghe looked at Chen An, he made no attempt to hide the surprise in his eyes.

"No wonder Teacher brought me here. Today's meal has truly broadened my horizons."

"Have more if you like it. We prepared plenty today."

Chen An answered with a smile.

A positive-review notification sounded by his ear, deepening the smile on his face.

Xue Qinghe no longer stood on ceremony, though his table manners remained refined. He picked up a strip of meat, followed it with a mouthful of plain rice, and only reached out with his chopsticks again after swallowing.

But Ning Rongrong, sitting beside him, saw it all clearly.

When he first arrived, Brother Xue kept talking with Dad. Why wasn't he talking now?

The little girl looked at him, then at the plate, and silently took two strips for herself.

He seems to eat quite a lot too.

The other table needed no mentioning. Having learned his lesson yesterday, Xu Cheng barely uttered an unnecessary word today. He picked up his bowl and ate, refilling it as soon as he finished, without wasting a moment.

Zhao Hai had originally wanted to tease him, but looking at the dwindling pork tenderloin, he thought better of it and shut his mouth first.

The meat would be gone in the time it took to talk.

For a while, the courtyard grew much quieter, with only the repeated clinking of chopsticks against bowls.

When Xue Qinghe set down his bowl, Ning Fengzhi had been about to say a few words to him, only to see him hold it forward.

"Sorry for the trouble. A little more, please."

Ning Rongrong immediately raised her head.

"Brother Xue, you want more rice too?"

The question made the smile on Xue Qinghe's face falter.

Beside him, Chen An nearly laughed aloud. Even Chen Xin, who had barely spoken, had a little more amusement in his eyes.

Xue Qinghe continued with a smile.

"Xiao An's cooking is delicious. Surely eating a little more isn't rude?"

"Not at all, not at all."

Chen An took his bowl and filled it with rice again.

Wanting more rice is a good thing. As a cook, how could I not enjoy seeing my diners eat happily?

Ning Rongrong, however, silently took note when she saw the fresh helping of rice.

When Brother Xue comes again, I'll have to ask Brother Chen An to make more too.

By the end of the meal, Xue Qinghe's eyes held even more interest as he looked at Chen An.

"Xiao An, have you ever thought of visiting Heaven Dou City?"

Xue Qinghe set down his chopsticks and asked with a smile.

"There are plenty of food shops in the city, as well as ingredients brought in from all over. If you like such things, I can show you around the next time you visit."

At the first half of his words, Ning Rongrong had already grabbed Chen An's sleeve. Only after hearing the rest did she loosen her grip a little.

"Just looking around?"

"Just looking around."

Xue Qinghe was rather amused. Ning Fengzhi also saw through his daughter's little thoughts and shook his head with a smile.

"No one's taking your Brother Chen An away."

"Then I'm going too."

The little girl answered without hesitation. As for Chen An, he really was rather tempted.

Uncle Zhou kept their everyday supplies well stocked, but with certain ingredients, Chen An would not know whether they were suitable unless he saw and tasted them himself.

If he could visit the city and familiarize himself with more ingredients, it would naturally benefit his cooking in the future.

At that thought, he looked at Chen Xin.

"Grandpa Sword, I'd like to go have a look."

"Of course. Pick a free moment, and I'll go with you."

Chen Xin agreed without hesitation. Chen An had not neglected any of his required cultivation these past few days, so there was nothing wrong with going out for a stroll.

But after speaking, he added one more thing.

"Finish this afternoon's practice first."

"Of course."

Chen An nodded, and Zhao Hai beside him perked up too.

It's my turn to spar with him today. I have to seize this opportunity, no matter what.

As for what would happen once he went out, Chen An did not rush to make Xue Qinghe any promises, merely thanking him with a smile.

I'll have to find a chance to learn more about this prince's background.

Xue Qinghe did not hurry him either. He exchanged a few more words with Ning Fengzhi before preparing to take his leave.

But just as he was about to step out through the courtyard gate, he suddenly turned back and asked a question.

"I heard Rongrong say you had Yangzhou Fried Rice this morning?"

"Yes."

Chen An nodded.

Xue Qinghe smiled, then turned to Ning Fengzhi.

"Teacher, next time I come to seek your guidance, I'll come a little earlier."

Ning Fengzhi looked at him, and for a moment, even he could not quite tell whether coming earlier was for the guidance or for that bowl of fried rice.