Chapter 120 Having Hot Pot

Chapter 120: Eating Hotpot

After the first person started, Linglan, Tao Zhi, Wang Sheng, and Chen Hu also sat down one after another.

This was their first time eating hotpot, and also their first time dining with such distinguished guests as a princess and an heir.

It would be a lie if they said they weren't excited inside.

Of course, all of this was thanks to the opportunity given by Ji Yuntang.

Ji Yuntang put the ingredients into the pot and then guided everyone to prepare their own preferred dipping sauces.

Some liked oil-based sauce, some liked sesame paste, and some preferred sour broth.

Like Xie Liuzheng, Luo Qingge also prepared an oil-based sauce. When they both sat down on the spicy pot side, they were both startled at the same time and asked in unison, "You also like spicy food?"

Xie Liuzheng's eyes curved slightly, and he raised his lips in a smile. "I can't enjoy a meal without spice."

"What a coincidence. So am I."

"Then how about we compete to see who can handle more spice?" Xie Liuzheng proposed.

"Bring it on. If you lose, then the matter of me being your assistant is off the table."

Luo Qingge's plans were obvious, but how could Xie Liuzheng possibly let her have her way?

He had worked so hard to get this opportunity. He had to test it again himself to see if it was indeed only Luo Qingge who was so special to him.

"Rest assured, Ninth Princess. This heir will not lose!"

Luo Qingge snorted coldly and ignored him, her eyes lit up as she stared at the bubbling beef in the pot.

"It's almost ready. Everyone can start eating."

At Ji Yuntang's signal, everyone eagerly picked up their chopsticks.

The moment they took a bite, their tongues nearly melted from the flavor.

Xie Liuzheng had originally thought that the egg fried rice Ji Yuntang made at the imperial banquet was already a masterpiece.

But this hotpot was even better.

This was truly a blessing for spicy food lovers.

With that thought, he stopped bickering with Luo Qingge and elegantly began to eat.

Out of the corner of her eye, Luo Qingge noticed Ji Yuntang about to leave and quickly asked, "Third Sister-in-Law, aren't you going to eat?"

"You all go ahead. I'll eat later. I need to bring some food to A He."

Luo Qingge then realized that while they were feasting, the master of Prince Ye's mansion was lying in a cold bed, still having not eaten.

She felt a pang of regret and guilt, and even her eating slowed down.

Xie Liuzheng picked up a piece of tripe and popped it into his mouth, his voice lazy and carefree:

"Prince Ye is in the care of Princess Ye. No need for you, Ninth Princess, to worry. On the contrary, as guests, if we eat well here at Prince Ye's mansion, it will only make Prince Ye happy."

Luo Qingge thought about it only briefly before catching his meaning.

They were guests. Since Luo Junhe had been paralyzed in bed, it had been a long time since Prince Ye's mansion had received any visitors or such liveliness.

The fact that they came to visit Luo Junhe already made him very happy.

Moreover, if they ate well, it would indirectly bring honor to Ji Yuntang and add luster to Prince Ye's mansion, making Luo Junhe proud.

It wouldn't make the mansion seem poor, lacking in etiquette, or hospitality.

Understanding this, Luo Qingge smiled brightly. "You're right. Third Sister-in-Law went to so much trouble to entertain us. If we don't eat our fill, we'd be wasting her kindness."

"No more talking. Let's all eat well!"

On the other side, Ji Yuntang brought the lean meat and vegetable congee she had made, along with yam meatball soup and shrimp and egg scramble, to Luo Junhe.

"A He, Qingge and Heir Xie are eating hotpot outside. That food is too heavy for you. Your stomach can't handle it yet. I've cooked something else. Let me help you up so you can eat a bit."

Luo Junhe let Ji Yuntang help him up from the bed. He could smell the faint spicy aroma on her, which must be the scent of the hotpot.

Luo Junhe gave a soft laugh, his peach blossom eyes turning to look at her. "Then when this prince recovers, will A Tang make it just for me?"

"Of course. As long as you're better, I'll make you whatever you want to eat."

Having gotten a positive answer, Luo Junhe was pleased.

He knew well that given his condition, he shouldn't expect too much, but seeing others enjoy the delicacies Ji Yuntang had personally made, he still felt a bit jealous.

He should have had many firsts with his young princess—the first time eating hotpot, the first time hearing her sing...

But now, these firsts were being shared by others.

Hearing Ji Yuntang's words now, Luo Junhe felt much better.

He reached out and gently grabbed Ji Yuntang's sleeve, gently shaking it.

"A Tang, when you have time, come and keep me company more often, okay?"

Ji Yuntang was slightly startled by Luo Junhe's action, her eyes widening.

Was he... acting spoiled with her?

She asked teasingly, "Is A He acting spoiled with me?"

"If A Tang says so, then it is!"

In other words, Luo Junhe admitted it.

Ji Yuntang was a bit surprised, but more so happy. She felt he had really changed a lot.

From being silent and lifeless at first, to now acting spoiled and cute, trying to please people.

Perhaps this was the joy of cultivating a husband?

Ji Yuntang's eyes sparkled with laughter, and the more she looked at Luo Junhe, the more handsome she thought he was.

"A He, can you handle it? Do you want me to feed you?"

Although Luo Junhe really wanted her to feed him, he also knew that Ji Yuntang had been busy all afternoon and hadn't eaten yet.

He shook his head and said softly, "No need, A Tang. I can manage. You should go out and eat something too. I'll be worried if you go hungry."

Luo Junhe had held Ji Yuntang's waist before—it was so slender that it could be encircled with one hand, smaller than his palm. He felt she was too thin, much too thin.

He wished she would eat more, put on some weight, so he could feel at ease.

"Don't worry, I eat a lot. I won't starve myself."

Ji Yuntang took Luo Junhe's hand and guided his hand to find the bowl. He was already familiar with this routine, and with her help, he quickly found where each dish was.

Seeing that he had started eating, she walked out and closed the door behind her.

"Third sister-in-law, come eat! I didn't know what you liked, so I put a little bit of everything for you."

When Ji Yuntang arrived, she saw Luo Qingge waving at her.

On the table in front of her was a porcelain bowl filled with various cooked foods, all from the spicy hot pot.

"Qingge, you two go ahead and eat. I can cook another batch later if I want. You've given me everything—what will Heir Xie eat?"

Despite saying this, Ji Yuntang sat down, knowing she shouldn't disappoint Luo Qingge's enthusiasm.

"Princess Ye, don't say that. There's so much food here—even with my huge appetite as the heir, I couldn't finish it all. Princess Jiu and I both agreed that you probably love spicy food, so we gave you the dishes cooked in the spicy hot pot."

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