The Emperor, with more men than women, made me his mistress.

However, considering that she planned to eat these beef jerky with Lian Xinran and the others, and not knowing their tastes, Yue Li asked Chef Li to make several flavors, including a spicy one, without adding too much chili.

Although Chef Li had gained more trust in Yue Li's words after the milk tea incident, he still had some doubts when he saw that there were so many chili peppers in one of the bowls of marinated beef.

Is this really edible?

However, it turns out that it is indeed edible.

Chef Li and his apprentices were kept busy by Yue Li. After two hours of marinating and steaming, the beef jerky, with its chewy texture and rich meaty aroma, was finally made.

This is why, before noon, Jin Chenyuan sent someone back to the mansion to say that he would have lunch with the Empress Dowager in the palace, and only then did Yue Li get free to do whatever she wanted in the kitchen.

However, it wasn't all for nothing, as I managed to make several different flavors of beef jerky.

Yue Li first picked up a piece of spicy beef jerky sprinkled with sesame seeds and took a bite.

Hmm, it's quite chewy, but not too dry or tough. The spiciness of the chili and the aroma of the sesame don't mask the meaty flavor of the beef.

In short, once you've eaten one piece, you want to eat more.

Yue Li tried both the original and five-spice flavors, and felt that each one tasted good. Moreover, each piece of beef jerky was cut into roughly the same size, and could be finished in two bites. Even people who didn't like it could barely eat one piece.

Eating the freshly made beef jerky, drinking the milk tea that Chef Li had brewed again, and taking a bite of the fruit ice bowl made by the kitchen staff, Yue Li felt extremely satisfied.

Especially this ice bowl, Yue Li felt that she could have a bowl of this refreshing treat with every meal from now on.

After everyone in the kitchen had tasted the beef jerky, Yue Li had the remaining beef jerky packed into oil paper bags so she could take it with her when she went to the Marriage Lake later.

After Yue Li finished eating and drinking in the kitchen, she returned to the courtyard and asked the servants to bring her hot water to wash away the smell of cooking oil. Just then, she heard You Yun, who was standing at the door, announce, "Your Highness, the young prince has arrived."

"Who? Shao Qi? What's he doing here? Where is he now?" Yue Li paused in wiping her hair and hurriedly asked.

"Your Highness, it is the young master who has arrived. He is currently in the front hall."

"Oh, okay, I'll get ready and go right away." As she spoke, Yue Li went into the inner room, threw the towel she was using to dry her hair onto the table, dried her hair with her spiritual power, casually tied her long hair up, took a jade hairpin from the jewelry box, inserted it into her tied hair, straightened her clothes, and then walked out of the inner room.

Seeing You Yun still standing at the door, Yue Li said, "Let's go."

"Yes, princess."

As You Yun followed behind Yue Li, he wondered if Huan Yun, who had gone to the palace to report the news, had seen his master yet.

In fact, the young master had arrived a while ago, but since the princess hadn't come out of the bathroom, he hadn't reported it. Instead, Huan Yun, upon receiving news of the young master's arrival, immediately went to the palace to fetch her mistress.

While You Yun was lost in thought, the two of them had already stepped into the front hall.

Sitting in the front hall, holding a cup of tea, Shao Qi, lost in thought, immediately noticed someone's arrival. The moment he looked up, he saw the graceful figure that had just walked in.

Thinking about what his father had said last night, and how he had been overthinking things at home all morning, Shao Qi's ears turned slightly red when no one was looking.

As soon as Yue Li entered, she noticed that Shao Qi was acting strangely. In the past, Shao Qi would greet her immediately when he saw her, but today he was sitting there lost in thought.

After sitting down next to Shao Qi, Yue Li asked with concern, "Shao Qi, what's wrong?"

Hearing Yue Li's words and seeing the person who had already sat down next to him, Shao Qi hesitated for a moment, but ultimately didn't say anything.

He hadn't forgotten that they were still at Prince Chen's residence. And Yue Li was now Prince Chen's personally acknowledged Princess Consort.

Even if he had already confirmed his feelings, he couldn't openly say it in Prince Chen's residence.

However, it seems that Prince Chen is not at his residence right now.

Shao Qi, unusually thoughtful, looked at Yue Li and said, "Yue Li, didn't we agree to go to the Marriage Lake? Let's go now."

"Huh? Now?" Shao Qi, who had seemed a little off just moments ago, suddenly brought up the Lake of Marriage, not understanding.

“Yes, now. Let’s go early. I’ll take you for a ride on one of the pleasure boats in our manor first, and then we can meet up with everyone else when they arrive, okay?” Shao Qi thought his idea was brilliant, as it would allow him to spend more time with Yue Li.

Seeing Shao Qi's somewhat anxious expression, Yue Li, though unsure why he was acting so impulsively today, nodded and said, "Alright."

Upon hearing Yue Li's agreement, Shao Qi jumped up from his chair and said happily, "Then let's go."

Then, pulling Yue Li's arm, they excitedly walked towards the door.

Yue Li: ……

"Don't rush, let me explain a few things first. It won't take long."

Upon hearing this, Shao Qi realized he had been too hasty and embarrassedly released Yue Li's arm.

After being released, Yue Li walked to You Yun's side and told him what she had prepared to take to the lake. She also told him to tell Jin Chenyuan when he returned that she and Shao Qi had already gone to the Marriage Lake and that he should go there as soon as he got back.

When Yue Li gave him instructions, You Yun readily nodded in agreement. However, when Yue Li was about to leave with Shao Qi, he also readily followed in her footsteps.

Yue Li noticed You Yun following behind her and turned around, asking in confusion, "Why did you follow us too?"

You Yun first bowed to Yue Li, then respectfully said, "Your Highness, the master instructed before he left that wherever Your Highness goes, I must follow him, as long as the master is not by your side."

"Huh? Then what I just said was pointless."

Knowing what Yue Li meant, You Yun pointed to the servant who had been standing behind him and said, "Your Highness, rest assured, I have remembered every word you said. When Master returns, I will report to His Highness."

After hearing You Yun's words, Yue Li looked at You Yun and then at Xiao Qizi. Only after Xiao Qizi bowed in confirmation did Yue Li turn around and continue walking towards the gate with Shao Qi.

You Yun followed closely behind Yue Li.

"Did you come by horse or carriage?" Yue Li asked Shao Qi beside her.

"I came by carriage." Thinking about his earlier thoughts, Shao Qi continued, "Yue Li, why don't you ride in the same carriage as me? That way, it'll save you the trouble."

“Okay, that’s exactly what I was thinking. I was also thinking that if you came on horseback, I would have someone hitch up a carriage from the manor for me to ride in,” Yue Li said with a smile.