I made my fortune by livestreaming in ancient times.

Xiao Huaining did not dislike eating fish, but during a palace banquet, he ate a fish with many bones that a palace servant had mistakenly placed in his mouth. The bones got stuck in his throat, and it took the imperial physician to remove them.

From that point on, she never ate fish again.

This was one of the few pieces of information she had managed to glean about Xiao Huaining's past from the mirror.

This matter has spread widely, and the people in the princess's residence must know about it.

"You're amazing! You even remember that Second Sister loves to eat fish, but why don't you remember mine?" Xiao Zhuoying suddenly felt jealous.

Zhu Luo chuckled twice.

If they were to reminisce, just how enthusiastic would the fourth princess be towards her?

Xiao Huaining's eyes gleamed, and she smiled gently: "Your tone is frightening. It's rare that Luo Luo still remembers. But how can these flowers be turned into dishes? Does Luo Luo need anything?"

"It's simple. Just set up a table and cooking utensils outside the attic, and give me two fish. Everyone can enjoy the flowers first, and then we can serve them when it's time to eat."

Xiao Huaining nodded: "That's easy. There are plenty of fish in Qin Lake. Fresh fish are delivered to the warehouse every day. Someone, prepare some dishes for Miss Shen!"

The servants responded and went to prepare.

Shen Nianjiao glanced at her so-called sister and scoffed inwardly.

She's even become addicted to mukbang (eating broadcasts); her vision is so narrow.

Which wealthy family's daughter cooks in front of everyone?

Are you really not afraid of disgracing the Shen family?

The worktable was quickly set up, and Zhu Luo's ingredients, tools, and seasonings were all ready.

Xiao Huaining felt that he still couldn't see clearly through the thin gauze curtain, so he simply got up and went to the terrace to see for himself.

If the princess is interested, then everyone else will surely follow suit and join in the fun.

At this moment, Zhu Luo had already picked the lotus seedpod from among the flowers and leaves: "The seedpod needs to be big so that it's easy to stuff the fish meat inside."

"Lolo, are you making fish paste with this fish?"

"That's right. And the fish pieces, I've already processed them carefully, I guarantee there won't be a single fish bone left."

Xiao Huaining rarely showed a smile.

No one in this household had ever done such a complicated thing for her.

Although there were many fish in Qinhu Lake, she would at most drink some fish soup. In the years after her marriage, she had never even eaten a piece of fish.

"Remove the bottom of the lotus pod, carefully peel out the lotus seeds, keeping the outside of the lotus pod intact. Then, fill the holes of the lotus seeds with fish paste little by little, stuff the marinated fish pieces into the lotus pod, and finally seal the opening with fish paste. A lotus pod fish dumpling is now ready."

On the emerald green lotus seedpod, fish paste squeezed out from the tiny holes, pure white and crystal clear, delicate and interesting.

Xiao Huaining couldn't help but clap and cheer.

The ladies standing nearby echoed the praise.

Xiao Zhuoying was overjoyed: "So Luo Luo really can cook! I'll have to learn from you in the future!"

The eight beauties wore an indescribable expression, and their gaze towards Zhu Luo held a hint of disdain.

Shen Nianjiao noticed this change.

She really didn't expect Zhu Luo to cook fish dishes. Ba Mei must have thought it was unnecessary. Someone brought this on herself, so it's no wonder she got herself into trouble.

Zhu Luo happened to meet her gaze, and judging from Ba Mei's attitude, he guessed what was going on.

Shen Nianjiao was indeed trying to please the eight beauties.

But if Shen Nianjiao thinks that being with Princess Ba Mei is enough to make her happy, then she is being far too naive.

Xiao Huaining is the Empress's own daughter; how could she not know what she's doing?

Something unusual must be going on. Let's see who has the last laugh between them.

Suddenly someone shouted, "It's the Crown Prince! His Highness the Crown Prince, His Highness Prince Li, and His Highness Prince Xuan!"

Zhu Luo paused slightly in her chopsticks.

The ladies gathered around the table were all agitated, and as they looked to one side, they also went over to greet them.

The head maid whispered a few words in Xiao Huaining's ear, and Xiao Huaining said, "I said I would come at noon, but I'm early. Luo Luo, I'll be right back."

Zhu Luo nodded blankly: "Please proceed, Princess."

Xiao Zhuoying stood still: "The steamer has just been lit, and we can't leave. I'll stay here with Luo Luo."

Zhu Luo, however, was a little distracted.

Xiao Mingyan really came?

"They're looking this way, what should we do?"

Many of the girls exclaimed in surprise and hugged each other tightly.

After all, not just anyone can see the Crown Prince.

It feels a bit like being a fan of celebrities.

Zhu Luo looked up and saw the jade ribbon flowing in the warm sunlight in the distance shimmering. She reached out to shield her eyes from the glare.

Once their vision cleared, they noticed three tall, fine horses approaching the crowd in the distance, and on their backs, they could vaguely make out Crown Prince Xiao Jingchi and Prince Li Xiao Mingyan.

There was also a man in an ice-blue robe, who should be the Prince Xuan, Xiao Jinglin, as mentioned in the crowd.

Xiao Zhuoying noticed her gaze, her face darkened, and she deliberately stood in front of her, blocking her view: "I'm asking you, are you really not here for the Crown Prince?"

Zhu Luo was taken aback, pursed her lips, and then began to busy herself with making fish paste again: "What are you saying, Princess? If you hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have known that His Highness the Crown Prince was coming."

"What about my third brother? I know you're neighbors, didn't he tell you?"

Zhu Luo chuckled: "Princess, what the neighbor means is that he lives in his palace and I live in my courtyard, so how could we possibly have a chance to meet?"

Xiao Zhuoying scratched her head: "That's true. You've been back for so many days now, hasn't Third Brother gone to visit you yet?"

Why did he want to visit?

Zhu Luo became curious.

This time it was Xiao Zhuoying's turn to be puzzled: "I heard that when he met with the Empress Dowager, she wanted to give you a reward, but he didn't mention it to you?"

"No, did His Highness request a reward from the emperor? Not His Highness the Crown Prince?"

She remembered Xiao Jingchi's solemn promise to reward her.

"I don't know about that. Speaking of which, I've forgotten something important. Here..." Xiao Zhuoying took out a jade pendant.

"Princess, why is that?"

"This is a reward for you. It's a personal gift from my mother. I don't need it, so I'll just give it to you. By the way, don't misunderstand, I only learned yesterday that you are the real hero in suppressing the bandits."

Zhu Luo was completely bewildered: "Me? What did I do?"

"You've discovered a bandit's hideout, isn't that enough?"

At this moment, a maid from the princess's residence stepped forward: "Your Highness, Princess Huaning requests your presence."

Xiao Zhuoying was taken aback: "Looking for me? Doesn't the princess know I'm here on business?"

The maid said, "The princess said that the crown prince has arrived with the officials from the Marquis of Gaoping's residence. They are short-handed and asked the princess to help them out."

Xiao Zhuoying frowned: "Isn't the Marquis of Gaoping's residence hosting a poetry gathering today? Have these two events been combined?"

The maidservant acquiesced.

Zhu Luo said, "With so many people coming, Princess Huaning will definitely not be able to handle it. Princess, you should go over there. Anyway, you'll be back when it's time to eat."

Xiao Zhuoying cupped her hands and said, "Then I'm sorry, Luo Luo. I'll come back to apologize to you later!"

Zhu Luo smiled and shook her head.

I feel more comfortable when I'm alone.

Steam rose in the air, and a cool breeze blew; she was very glad that she didn't have to attend any social events.

After an unknown amount of time, suddenly, a figure darted out, and a familiar voice exploded softly in her ear: "Is there anything to eat?"