Adorable Food Goddess

Xia Chunyu saw her face darken and immediately backpedaled, not wanting to make her angrier at him than she already was. “I’m kidding, I’m kidding. Lighten up, Yaoyao.”

“I actually heard about this culinary competition and I wanted to bring you around to some of the more popular restaurants to familiarize yourself with your opponents’ skills. It’s helpful to at least know what you’re going up against, right?” he continued.

“How do you know about the culinary competition? Who did you hear it from?” Ye Jiayao asked curiously.

As if Xia Chunyu would tell her that he had a few drinks with Manager Du from Laifu Motel who blabbered everything out to him. He replied nonchalantly, “Who else? Song Qi, of course. That chap is a really good informant, you know.”

Yes, as a matter of fact, she did know. All the brothers in Black Wind Ridge thought that Song Qi was merely a little attendant who was just barely capable of fetching things. In reality, Song Qi was actually Xia Chunyu’s most able helping hand. It looked like having him around, following her everywhere, would pose some trouble. There would be no secret that she could keep.

Ye Jiayao pursed her lips and said nothing.

Fortunately, the waiter came up with the dishes and prevented the long moment of awkwardness. Xia Chunyu changed the topic hurriedly to discuss Princess Liu Li.

“Sneaking out of the palace was no big deal actually. Isn’t it just the nature of a child, being a little too naughty? A few reprimands would’ve been sufficient, but Liu Li’s nonchalant attitude angered the empress dowager. I think she can forget about going out of the palace doors before mid-autumn…”

Ye Jiayao secretly exhaled a relieved breath. The crisis was over for the time being. It would’ve been a miserable ordeal trying to keep her guard up against Liu Li’s mischief as she prepared for the big feast as well as the culinary competition.

Head Chef Niu’s cooking emphasized strong flavors and a particular attention to freshness. It was not the freshness that the ingredients possessed originally, but the freshness of additives like 13 fragrances seasoning. People who liked that kind of flavor would find these dishes delicious.

Ye Jiayao was a bit disappointed to find out that this was all Head Chef Niu was capable of. She removed him from her list of formidable opponents.

After having her fill, Ye Jiayao wiped her mouth and asked Xia Chunyu, “What do you think of Head Chef Niu’s skills?”

Xia Chunyu gave her a teasing look and said, “Not as good as someone I know.”

Whether it was Head Chef Niu, Head Chef Zheng, or even an Imperial chef from the palace, no one could make food that suited his taste more than Yaoyao.

Ye Jiayao raised a brow. “Who is that someone?”

“You should know!”

“What should I know? I don’t know anything.” Ye Jiayao pressed her lips together.  Why does everything have to be difficult with you? Would it really kill you to compliment me just this once?

Xia Chunyu replied, “Looks like you are not knowledgeable enough. You need to go out more, see and try more things so you can discern between good and bad.”

Ye Jiayao bit her tongue to keep from lashing out at him.  You insufferable git.

“I am leaving,” Ye Jiayao snapped and stood up.

“Hang on, I’ll see you off.”

“There is no need for that, I know the way.”

“I know, but I don’t feel assured letting my woman walk back home alone,” Xia Chunyu said firmly.

Did he just say she was  his  woman?

“Excuse me? I am not your anything,” Ye Jiayao protested.

Instead of getting angry with her rejection, Xia Chunyu pinched her nose indulgingly as if she was an adorable stuffed bunny. “Let’s go, woman.”

It was only when he walked out of the suite did his words registered in Ye Jiayao’s mind. He was not allowed to call her  his  woman, or a woman, whenever he likes, especially in public. It was not like he would take responsibility if her identity gets exposed and cause detrimental consequences.

Ye Jiayao chased after him at the same time that two people exit the suite next door, the three of them crashing against each other.

“ARE YOU BLIND?” one of them howled angrily.

Ye Jiayao frowned. Isn’t this Mu Qinchu who loved pitting himself against me? The one that Zhao Qixuan invited the last time?

The other young man held on to the railing to steady himself, asking hurriedly, “Cousin, are you alright?”

Ye Jiayao eyes widened. This was the man who was stuck in the bathroom because he did not have any paper with him. If she had known, she would’ve asked for 500 taels or even 5000 for that toilet paper instead of five.

She would’ve never dreamed of bumping into Wei Liujiang here.

And to think that Wei Liujiang and Mu Qinchu were relatives.

A thought immediately flashed through her.  If Wei Liujiang is here, Jinrong would be here, too…

“Hey, I’m talking to you, you blind chap! If I am hurt in any way, you won’t be able to compensate for it even if you have nine lives.” Mu Qinchu did not recognize Ye Jiayao. Why would he? He only sees and remembers people who are of a higher status than him. He would never give a small chef from Heavenly Residence the time of day.

Today, he arranged a welcoming feast for his cousin in Fragrant House to show off his wealth. This incident would be the perfect opportunity to show off his authority to his cousin, Mi Qinchu decided, so he became more arrogant and aggressive.

“Really? So Young Master Mu’s life is worth so much?” a voice from behind Ye Jiayao said calmly.

Mu Qinchu turned to the meddlesome fellow, ready to berate him for interrupting, but his rage quickly dissipated when he saw who spoke. His voice and expression changed faster than the Si Chuan Opera specialty.

He was all smiles when he exclaimed, “Brother Chunyu, greetings from Qinchu.”

In Jin Ling, the princes and noblemen who were close with Xia Chunyu would call him Brother Chunyu. Mu Qinchu adopted the name, wanting to worm his way to the acclaimed noble’s circle of friends.

“Who are you to call me Brother Chunyu?” Xia Chunyu asked coldly.

Mu Qinchu gulped loudly.

Xia Chunyu walked over to them, frowning when he saw Ye Jiayao staring at these two hooligans with a blank look. Did Yaoyao really got frightened by this shouting weasel? Or did she get hurt?

“Li Yao, where did you get knocked into?” Xia Chunyu touched her head gingerly.

Ye Jiayao pointed at her forehead, face full of grievance. “I got knocked here and I am still a little dizzy.”

When she opened her mouth, Wei Liujiang’s expression changed as though he just remembered something.

Mu Qinchu was in a greater shock than Wei Liujiang. What is happening? Xia Chunyu looked to be close with this chap. If that was the case… he must have offended Xia Chunyu by shouting at this chap just now!

In the whole of Jin Ling, there was a list of top three people that should never be offended. First was the Helian Marquis, Helian Xuan. He was high in status, has a great authority, and absolutely merciless when he attacks. The second was Princes Liu Li. She was petty, gets annoyed very easily, and no one could ever reason with her. Last, but certainly not the least, was Xia Chunyu. He was not one to display his power ostentatiously but he definitely had an immense amount of it. He was ruthless and efficient – the most formidable out of the three.

Mi Qinchu suddenly changed his tune and laughed apologetically. He said to Ye Jiayao, “My cousin and I were in a rush just now so we weren’t paying attention to where we were going. I apologize for causing you any harm.”

Xia Chunyu remained eerily calm as he responded, “Is an apology enough? If you hurt my brother, 10 lives won’t be enough to compensate.”

Xia Chunyu used Mu Qinchu words to refute him. How dare he scold his woman? That was equivalent to slapping him in the face. He was not in the mood to play the polite diplomat to this meritless person. He was not going to relent even if his father, Assistant Minister Mu, came.

Mu Qinchu shuddered in fright. Xia Chunyu was obviously standing up for his brother! He could just nod continuously and bow. “It is our fault, please forgive us.”

Wei Liujiang had already figured out that the one who knocked into them was the person who swindled five taels out of him for toilet paper. What he didn’t understand was how impressive this guy was to get his cousin to bow to him.

Just to be safe, he said, “I am extremely sorry for my brashness and knocking into you. This is all my fault.”

“Liujiang, this is none of your business!” Mi Qinchu hissed. Although he was a coward, he still wanted to save face. He doesn’t need his cousin to take the blame for him.

Xia Chunyu immediately looked at Ye Jiayao as soon as he heard that name. Ye Jiayao blinked twice in confirmation.

Only the two of them knew what that meant. Wei Liujiang was the ‘Mr. Right’ of Ye Jinxuan, the original host.

Xia Chunyu now understood why Yaoyao seemed to be frozen earlier. She had met the heartless rat that was supposed to be her intended.

Xia Chunyu looked at Wei Liujiang from the corner of his eyes with contempt. “And which corner did you appear from?”

Ye Jiayao hid her smile. Who knew that watching Dumb Donkey fight for her would be satisfying? The Wei Liujiang who considered himself as the best in Ji Nan was nothing but a little ant in Jin Ling, the land of nobles.

Wei Liujiang paled. Jin Ling is indeed a place full of hidden dragons, anyone I meet on the street could be someone influential, he thought.

Mu Qinchu introduced hurriedly, “Heir-Son Lord, this is my cousin. He just came over from Ji Nan yesterday. He is the Ji Nan’s prefectural magistrate’s eldest son, Wei Liujiang.

Xia Chunyu nodded as if in understanding. “You are Wei prefectural magistrate’s son, huh? I didn’t see you when I went over to the Wei residence a while back.”

Mu Qinchu reminded Wei Liujiang softly, “This is Jing An Marquis Heir-Son lord, first-class Imperial bodyguard, Xia Chunyu.”

Wei Liujiang felt like he was going to pass out. It was Commander Xia that came to his house before, seeking confirmation about the Ye family’s eldest daughter, Ye Jinxuan. That incident made his father nervous for quite a while.

It was just his luck to run into Commander Xia in his  second  day in Jin Ling.

Wei Liujiang replied embarrassedly, “Master Xia, the last time you came, I was attending to some matters. I deeply regret not managing to meet you then.”

Xia Chunyu sneered faintly as he noted his evasive gaze, the obvious look of someone guilty.  You’ve seen nothing yet. There is more to come for you.