The Prince's Beloved Little Wife

Chen Mengyao smiled and said to her sisters, "I'll go back and make some preparations first. Please come with the two princesses and their husbands later." After speaking, she turned and walked side by side with Ouyang Han, followed closely by several well-behaved and clever maids.

The group quickly arrived at the mansion's entrance. Chen Mengyao entered the mansion with practiced ease, hurrying towards her room. Upon entering, she eagerly took out a continuous stream of mouthwatering snacks, exquisite desserts, and fresh, juicy fruits from her spatial storage. These delicacies filled the table, emitting an enticing aroma.

Immediately afterward, Chen Mengyao didn't stop, taking out a large amount of ingredients from her spatial storage: tender and juicy beef and lamb rolls, vibrant green vegetables, and smooth and bouncy meatballs, among other things. She secretly planned to prepare a delicious hot pot feast for everyone, ensuring a satisfying meal.

Afterward, Chen Mengyao personally delivered the ingredients to the kitchen, instructing the chefs to thoroughly clean them and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Once everything was arranged, she carefully retrieved several copper pots specifically for hot pot and a carefully prepared secret-recipe hot pot broth. Then, she explained in detail the steps and precautions for cooking the hot pot, ensuring that every step perfectly presented the unique flavor of this delicacy. She also prepared a variety of dipping sauces separately in the kitchen: fragrant and spicy chili sauce, rich and flavorful garlic sauce, and sweet and sour fruit jams—each sauce exuding an enticing aroma that made one's mouth water.

Afterward, Chen Mengyao used her mind to retrieve a large, exquisitely designed, and intricately carved round table from her spatial dimension, carefully placing it in the center of the spacious dining room. Next, she took out a complete set of beautiful tableware from her spatial dimension, including bowls as smooth as jade, delicate chopsticks, small and exquisite soup spoons and strainers, as well as a storage box for the tableware. Each piece of tableware emitted a subtle luster, showcasing its exceptional quality.

She thought to herself, "I'll keep all these tableware and kitchen utensils here from now on. It will be convenient for daily meals and will also allow me to showcase my taste and hospitality when entertaining guests." Imagining the future scene of a house full of guests, filled with laughter and joy, a gentle smile appeared on her lips.

Afterward, Chen Mengyao busied herself again, arranging the various carefully prepared dipping sauces one by one in different corners of the table. Once everything was in place, she instructed the servants to bring over several comfortable and elegant chairs and arrange them in a specific layout and order.

With everything ready, Chen Mengyao finally stopped what she was doing and let out a long sigh of relief. She looked around the dining room with satisfaction, her heart filled with a sense of accomplishment and joy. This warm and elegant dining environment would undoubtedly become the best place for her to gather with family and friends and spend quality time together.

Soon, the lively and adorable young ladies arrived gracefully alongside the elegant princes and princesses. Chen Mengyao, beaming with joy, welcomed them into the lavishly decorated hall, warmly guiding them to their seats and serving them exquisite pastries and various drinks. These women had tasted these delicacies at the Grand Tutor's mansion's banquets before, so they were quite familiar with them. They skillfully picked up the pastries, elegantly savoring them and offering detailed comments on the flavors as they ate. They all expressed their deepest desire to enjoy these mouthwatering desserts every day.

Ling'er, who always loved food, couldn't help but ask, "Sister Mengyao, when will this dessert shop open? I want to buy some to take home and eat right now; my mother kept talking about it after she went back last time." Chen Mengyao smiled gently and replied, "I'm not sure about that yet; I'll have to ask His Highness Prince Wen before I can answer you. But if you like them, you can take some back later. You can come find me anytime you want some. I'm going back to the Grand Tutor's residence in a couple of days to prepare for my wedding, so come visit me when you have time." The others smiled happily and quickly said they would definitely come to visit her when they had time.

Next, Chen Mengyao asked Ouyang Han and the two princes-in-law to leave the hall temporarily, as she had important matters to discuss with her sisters. Ouyang Han knew that she was trying to test him, so he shook his head helplessly and returned to the palace with his two brothers-in-law.

After they left, Chen Mengyao mysteriously told her sisters, "I have an idea. When Prince Jing comes to fetch the bride, let's give him some difficult challenges to test him." The two princesses were slightly worried for their brother, but upon reflection, they realized Mengyao's words made sense. They couldn't let him marry his bride so easily, otherwise he might treat her badly later. Everyone's expressions varied, with the two generals' daughters being particularly excited and eager to try. The others, though somewhat shocked, found her idea intriguing and actively joined the discussion. Soon, they devised some challenges: some to test his talent, some his martial arts and physical strength, and others his attitude towards her. Finally, they decided that Prince Jing and his brothers would have to present them with large red envelopes before they would be allowed to leave.

After discussing the matter, Chen Mengyao solemnly said to the two princesses, "Sisters, you must not reveal today's topic to your husbands and brothers, or we won't let you join our plan." The two princesses quickly nodded in agreement, promising to keep it a secret.

After discussing those matters, they moved on to other topics. Chen Mengyao also quietly sent Ouyang Han a WeChat message, telling them to come back and prepare lunch.

Fifteen minutes later, servants came carrying pots of steaming soup, followed by many others carrying various kinds of raw meat and vegetables. They put down the food and pots and then left. Everyone except the two princesses, the prince consort, and Ouyang Han was very curious.

At this moment, the lively and active Ling'er couldn't help but ask, "Sister Mengyao, what is this? Why is it all raw?" Chen Mengyao quickly explained, "This is hot pot, a brand new way of eating. You can cook and eat at the same time." After saying that, she personally demonstrated how to eat hot pot and patiently explained the difference between the two broths—one is spicy and the other is not spicy. Everyone can choose the ingredients to cook according to their own taste.

After demonstrating, she dipped the blanched vegetables in the sauces in the small dishes and then put them in her mouth. After watching her demonstration, everyone was eager to try it. When they took their first bite, they couldn't help but exclaim, "This is so delicious!" So they couldn't stop eating, trying every flavor of sauce, and finally finding their favorite.

Everyone ate with great enjoyment, barely speaking, for fear that if they ate too slowly, their favorite ingredients would be snatched up. Even the usually reserved ladies forgot about their image and ate with gusto. Finally, everyone ate until their bellies were round and full. Chen Mengyao thoughtfully prepared some "Heaven and Earth No. 1" (a type of herbal tea) to aid digestion.

Only after finishing their meal did everyone have time to comment on the delicious food. Everyone thought it was incredibly tasty and inquired whether such a wonderful hot pot restaurant would ever open. Chen Mengyao smiled and replied that it was in the planning stages, currently being overseen by the Crown Prince. Other restaurants were also under construction. She would invite them to the Prince's residence after her wedding to sample various delicacies. They could then bring their parents along. Everyone was delighted, feeling incredibly lucky to have such a generous and thoughtful friend. They were sure to enjoy the food once the restaurants opened. Everyone eagerly awaited that day.

They sat in the hall for a while longer, and when they felt less full, they reluctantly said goodbye and left. Chen Mengyao had prepared exquisite pastries and fruits as gifts for each of them, and reminded them to come early on her wedding day. Everyone said they understood and said they would visit her at the Grand Tutor's residence in a few days. After saying this, they reluctantly left Chen Mengyao's house.