The Prince's Beloved Little Wife

After introducing the toys, it was lunchtime, and Princess Wen still urged Chen Mengyao and the others to stay for lunch. Prince Wen, being thoughtful, specially prepared several unique dishes for Chen Mengyao that she hadn't eaten at her brothers' residences. Chen Mengyao's eyes lit up when she saw the unique dishes on the table.

The first dish served was "Jade Pearl Meatballs," round meatballs wrapped around tender shrimp, paired with emerald green vegetables, resembling pearls inlaid in jade, with a tender and juicy texture.

Another dish is "Hibiscus Chicken," where thinly sliced ​​chicken is paired with brightly colored vegetables, resembling a blooming hibiscus. It's tender, juicy, and incredibly delicious. There's also "Abundant Wealth," made with shrimp, corn kernels, and diced carrots, a colorful dish symbolizing overflowing wealth and happiness.

Another dish, "Jade Light Reflecting the Moon," is truly unforgettable. This dish uses tender shrimp as the main ingredient, complemented by a variety of precious ingredients, and is meticulously prepared. The shrimp is tender and juicy, melting in your mouth, while the other ingredients add rich texture and layers of flavor. The overall taste is exquisite and mellow, making you feel as if you are at a royal banquet.

Next up is the "Golden Phoenix Tail Shrimp," with its golden, crispy outer shell encasing tender shrimp meat, shaped like a phoenix tail, and bursting with flavor. The "Hundred Flowers Stuffed Tofu" is also unique, with various flower petals embedded in the smooth tofu, emitting a delicate floral fragrance and a refreshing, pleasant taste.

There's also "Spicy Crab," with tender crab meat and a savory, spicy flavor that whets the appetite. Next comes "Glassy Lotus Root Slices," sliced ​​as thin as cicada wings and specially treated to achieve a glossy, glassy sheen. They're crisp and refreshing, with a hint of sweet osmanthus fragrance. Then there's "Purple Moon Reflection Soup," with purple sweet potato puree at the bottom, resembling a purple sunset, and a white coconut milk and egg white mixture floating on top, like the moon. A gentle stir and a bite reveals a sweet but not cloying, smooth and creamy texture.

The final dish, named "Starry Sea Platter," is a blue plate filled with fish balls made from deep-sea fish meat, garnished with specks of caviar. The fish meat is bouncy, and the caviar bursts in your mouth with an incredibly novel sensation, instantly filling your taste buds with the freshness of the ocean.

Finally, a soup meticulously prepared by King Wen was presented, named "Stars Falling into the Milky Way." Served in an exquisite white jade bowl, the broth was as clear and bright as the Milky Way. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a broth made by simmering an old hen for several hours, filtering out impurities to retain only the essence, hence its pure color.

Floating in the soup were tiny, shimmering specks—transparent beads made from fish maw, chewy and springy. There were also shredded snow fungus, resembling swirling clouds in the Milky Way. The soup's flavor was truly wondrous. The initial taste was a rich, savory aroma, the mellow flavor of the old hen instantly spreading across the tongue, followed by the subtle sea flavor from the fish maw beads, blending with the smooth, sweet taste of the snow fungus. Every sip seemed to reflect the King Wen's meticulous care; this soup was like a celestial journey for the taste buds. Chen Mengyao took a small sip and felt refreshed, her eyes filled with surprise and admiration, and she couldn't help but drink a few more mouthfuls.

As Chen Mengyao savored the delicacies, she couldn't help but admire Prince Wen's thoughtfulness. Each dish was not only visually appealing and delicious, but even its name was so poetic. Her heart was filled with surprise and emotion. She knew that these dishes were not only a warm welcome from Prince Wen's residence, but also a sign of respect and recognition.

After the meal, Princess Wen took Chen Mengyao to see other parts of the mansion. Because both Prince Wen and his wife were very talented, the entire mansion was decorated and furnished with great elegance. Stepping into the courtyard of Prince Wen's mansion was like stepping into an ancient and refined painting. The courtyard was paved with bluestone slabs, the marks of time etched on them, adding to its rustic charm.

The surrounding corridors meander and twist, their wooden pillars intricately carved with lifelike depictions of flowers, birds, fish, and insects. One side of the corridor displays calligraphy and paintings by famous figures, swaying gently in the breeze. In the distance, pavilions and towers stand in rows, their eaves and brackets exquisitely crafted. The octagonal pavilion is the most striking, its roof resembling an inverted lotus flower, its eight pillars supporting a small, private space. Standing within, one can take in the entire courtyard. Everywhere here exudes refinement and meticulous detail, showcasing the elegant taste and profound cultural heritage of King Wen and his wife.

Walking through the garden of Prince Wen's Mansion, a delicate and elegant floral fragrance wafts towards you. Flowers bloom in profusion on both sides of the path, pink peach blossoms like celestial clouds fallen to earth, their petals swaying gently in the breeze, as if whispering the stories of the mansion. Further on, a grove of verdant bamboo stands tall and straight, its leaves rustling softly, like a natural symphony. Nestled among the bamboo is a small pavilion, its pillars inscribed with exquisite poems in graceful, flowing calligraphy. Beyond the bamboo grove lies a lotus pond, its leaves lush and green, dewdrops rolling on them like glistening pearls. Some lotus buds are still closed, like shy maidens; others are in full bloom, releasing their captivating fragrance. Willows sway gently by the pond, their slender branches drooping onto the water, creating ripples in the breeze. In the distance stands an artificial hill with craggy rocks. A stream flows down from the hill, forming a small creek. The water is crystal clear, and you can see koi carp swimming happily in it. The koi are as red as fire and as white as snow, adding endless vitality and dynamism to the Prince Wen's Mansion.

Princess Wen smiled and said, "Every plant and tree in this palace was carefully arranged by the Prince. He really likes these elegant things." Chen Mengyao was secretly amazed. It turned out that the rumors about the Prince Wen's refined taste were not unfounded.

Immediately afterwards, Princess Wen gracefully led Chen Mengyao along a winding path, her lotus-like steps swaying gently. The exotic flowers and plants along the way vied for attention, releasing their fragrant aromas. A gentle breeze stirred, and the petals drifted down like dancing fairies, carpeting the earth with a vibrant tapestry of blossoms.

Along the way, every scene, from pavilions and terraces to artificial hills and ponds, was meticulously arranged, exuding an air of elegance. The pavilions were furnished with exquisite tea sets and scrolls, making one imagine how pleasant it would be to enjoy tea and read books there; while the flowing water from the artificial hills cascaded down, creating ripples in the ponds, like a vibrant ink painting.

Following Princess Wen, Chen Mengyao's gaze was drawn to the beautiful scenery, and she couldn't help but admire it. She felt as if she were in a dreamlike world, where everything around her was so beautiful, peaceful, and poetic.

As they walked, they came to a library. Upon entering, they were instantly overwhelmed by the dazzling array of books before them. Rows of tall bookshelves stood neatly arranged, filled with all sorts of different kinds of books. Some were ancient texts recording historical anecdotes, others were collections of poems depicting landscapes, and still others were anecdotes recounting strange and unusual events… These books seemed like a treasure trove of knowledge, waiting to be explored and discovered. The walls of the library were also adorned with various calligraphy and paintings, some by King Wen, others acquired during his exchanges of artistic insights with others.

Landscape paintings are like true depictions of nature. Majestic mountains, turbulent rivers, and tranquil forest paths are all vividly portrayed by artists with delicate brushstrokes and unique perspectives. Figure paintings focus on depicting the myriad aspects of human life and the emotional world. Whether it's a graceful lady or a majestic hero, the joys and sorrows of the characters can be felt through the painting. Paintings of flowers, trees, insects, and fish are full of vitality. The vibrant flowers, lush forests, lively birds, and leisurely fish seem to bring the entire natural world to life on the canvas. Each painting is an outpouring and expression of the artist's innermost feelings. They not only demonstrate superb skill but also convey endless beauty and charm, captivating viewers and leaving them wanting more.

Chen Mengyao was stunned. King Wen was truly refined; he had managed to find so many different kinds of paintings, and each one was so beautiful. After admiring them quietly for a while, she followed Princess Wen back to the main hall. She couldn't help but say to King Wen, "Second Brother, you are so elegant! The palace is beautifully decorated, and your collection of books and portraits is excellent." King Wen humbly replied, "Sister-in-law, you flatter me. I simply enjoy these refined pursuits."

After chatting in the hall for a while, Ouyang Han took Chen Mengyao back. Before leaving, Princess Wen gave her many pastries to take back with her and also gifted her some exquisite jewelry. On the carriage ride home, Chen Mengyao thought to herself again: "What a wonderful family! Every time I visit, I bring very ordinary things, but they always return with such precious jewelry. I must treat them well from now on, and I must help them make their country stronger and more prosperous, so that no other country will dare to bully them."