Chapter 27.3

“Wow, they’re so beautiful, just like pieces of jade!”

“They are indeed lovely. The colour, the smell… Just looking at them and I know they’re delicious…”

Listening to the palace maids’ hushed discussions, Tao Ti turned to Linglong with a smile, “It’s the Cold Food Festival today. Everyone has worked hard. Later, count how many people there are, and take a few Qingtuan to give half a piece to each of the palace maids in our palace, so they can taste it too. You can take one piece for yourself.”

Tao Ti didn’t hide her special treatment towards Linglong, but the other palace maids didn’t mind at all. After all, Linglong was the Crown Princess’s chief palace maid. Both her rank experience surpassed theirs, so she naturally deserved to have one to herself.

Linglong nodded, and the other palace maids all showed excited smiles and quickly thanked Tao Ti for her grace.

Tao Ti plated two portions of Qingtuan, each with four different flavours—one for herself and one for Xu Wenchan—leaving the rest for the palace maids to arrange on serving dishes.

The two little foodies each held a plate and sat in the courtyard filled with peony flowers to enjoy the delicious Qingtuan. The spring sunshine was radiant, and the fragrance of the green grass lingered gently in the air.

However, just as they were about to start eating, there was a sudden commotion at the door.

Tao Ti was slightly startled, and Linglong quickly bowed and said, “Please wait a moment, Crown Princess. I will go see what’s happening.”

“Mhm, go ahead,” Tao Ti replied.

Meanwhile, Xu Wenchan had already picked up a Qingtuan and started eating. She was not concerned about what was happening outside; the most important thing for her at that moment was to enjoy the delicious food!

As she took a bite, she was greeted by the soft and delicate outer layer of the Qingtuan. When she tasted the rose-flavoured bean paste filling inside, the fragrance of roses blended with the aroma of the mugwort, making her feel as if she were immersed in a sea of spring flowers. The bean paste was sweet without being cloying, leaving a delightful aftertaste in her mouth!

Xu Wenchan’s eyes crinkled with contentment as she praised, “The outer layer is cool, but the bean paste filling inside is warm and not at all greasy. It even has a slightly sandy texture, and the warmth of it flows straight into my mouth. This is truly the best bean paste snack I have ever had!”

Tao Ti smiled and said, “Try the others as well.”

Xu Wenchan immediately picked up another Qingtuan—this time, it was filled with fresh bamboo shoots and pork. As she took a bite, the tender taste of the bamboo shoots and the deliciousness of the meat turned into juicy goodness that instantly filled her mouth. The outer layer of the Qingtuan was fragrant and smooth, while the bamboo shoots added a crunchy texture. The satisfaction derived from the meat filling was beyond words. The combination of these ingredients exuded the essence of spring.

Just at the two were enjoying their Qingtuan, Linglong returned, accompanied by two… children?

Tao Ti recognised the little girl—it was the Sixth Princess, Feifei.

As for the slightly older, handsome young boy standing next to her, Tao Ti guessed that he was probably Noble Consort Xu’s son, the Fifth Prince.

Sure enough, Linglong said softly, “Crown Princess, the Fifth Prince and the Sixth Princess were at the door… They seemed a little hesitant to come in.”

Upon hearing Linglong’s words, the Sixth Princess’s little head drooped even lower, and she greeted shyly, “Greetings, Sister-in-law.”

The Fifth Prince, on the other hand, gazed at Tao Ti with his big, dark eyes for a while. When they made eye contact, he quickly lowered his head, his ears turning red. He mumbled in an unclear voice, “Hello, Sister-in-law.”

Observing these two bashful children, Tao Ti noticed that they didn’t have any nursemaids or eunuchs accompanying them. A speculation suddenly arose in her mind.

She set down her chopsticks and asked gently, “Why have you two come? And why were you standing at the door instead of coming in?”

“…” the Fifth Prince played dumb.

“…” the Sixth princess blushed.

Tao Ti raised an eyebrow and said, “If you don’t tell me, I’ll have a eunuch escort you back.”

Upon hearing this, the Fifth Prince became anxious and quickly tugged at Feifei’s sleeve.

The Sixth Princess bit her lip, then mustered up the courage and raised her little head. Her grape-like eyes shone as she said, “Sister-in-law, th-the Fifth Prince and I… want to eat salted egg yolk pastries…”

The Fifth Prince was dumbfounded. His cheeks turned red and he whispered, “Xiao Liu, you dummy, why did you say it like that?! Couldn’t you be more subtle?”

Feifei pouted, feeling a bit wronged. “Why didn’t you say anything yourself, then…?”

Tao Ti chuckled, confirming her suspicion that these two little greedy things were here to beg for treats.

“Unfortunately, there are no salted egg yolk pastries here,” she said.

Immediately, both children looked rather disappointed.

“But,” she continued, “you came at just the right time. I just made some Qingtuan, would you like to stay and try them?” Tao Ti smiled, pointing at the Qingtuan on the table.

The Fifth Prince and the Sixth Princess both turned their attention to the Qingtuan on the white porcelain plate. Then, they looked back at Xu Wenchan, who was completely engrossed in eating and couldn’t stop, and their eyes lit up like stars. “Yes!” they exclaimed in unison.

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