"No Wedding Unless Enemies and Lovers" 《不是冤家不拜堂》Chapter 102

 Ji Ling Xue gave Ru Ge a look, "I told you to go so go, why are you complaining so much, Mo Xiang is my best assistant if she is bullied outside, who am I supposed to cry to?"

Ru Ge rather unwillingly agreed, and obediently went.

Xiao Yi Chen sent two maids to serve her, only Ji Ling Xue was not at ease using them, she sent them to do some cleaning and other manual jobs, Ji Ling Xue was currently flourishing in the residence, these maids were able to make good judgements and did their jobs well.

When Ji Ling Xue was thinking whether to take a nap out of boredom, Zi Su had come with a gift asking for an audience.

Since that day in the palace where Zi Su was schemed against by Ru Ge, Xiao Yi Chen had reluctantly taken her as a concubine, her days in the residence had not been easy, even though she was a concubine she lived the life of a maid.

Ji Yu Qing already fell out with her, even if Zi Su lived even more cautiously, Ji Yu Qing always found something wrong to pick out.

Zi Su lifted open the basket, revealing the tasty fruits inside, "Princess, these are all fruits which have just ripened in the residence's courtyard, this servant selected some for you, try them."

Ji Ling Xue nodded, "Thank you for your hard work, and you specially delivered them, oh right, you still haven't gotten your monthly allowance..." As she spoke she took out ten silvers from her sleeves placing them into Zi Su's hand, "You look unwell, go to the storeroom and get some medicinal goods to supplement the body later, the weather is also turning cold, you still haven't made any clothes right, I'll get the residence's dressmaker to go find you."

Zi Su kowtowed, "Thank you princess..."

Ji Ling Xue waved her hand: "Get up."

Zi Su still knelt on the floor, only after a while did she hem and haw: "Princess, you're currently in charge of the matters in the residence, can you give help me, ask the prince to come by to find me occasionally?"

Naturally Xiao Yi Chen visited Ji Yu Qing the most, he also often came to Ji Ling Xue, the only person he didn't go to was her, if this carried on, she would lose favour, the rumours and slanders in the residence would once again arise.

Ji Ling Xue blinked, how did she control which woman's room Xiao Yi Chen slept in at night? Looking at Zi Su's miserable expression, Ji Ling Xue nodded expressing her understanding.

Zi Su left with a lot on her mind, Ji Ling Xue turned her head and forgot about this matter, starting her research on a new dish, she wanted to make her Qingfengyashe into a famous restaurant in the capital, in the future her hands will go limp with exhaustion from counting money.

Mo Xiang only returned in the evening, a smile on her face, jogging a little to stand in front of Ji Ling Xue, "Princess, your idea really is pretty good, quite a lot of customers have come to our restaurant these last few days, the chef had a smile on her face, the customers who have eaten there said the dishes are delicious."

Compared with Mo Xiang's delight, Ji Ling Xue didn't have much reaction on hearing this, "This is just the beginning, but it's still not enough."

Her dishes were light and tasty, but wasn't too the taste of the masses, she needed to research a few more distinguishing dishes.

Mo Xiang was filled with confidence for Ji Ling Xue: "Princess what else do you think needs to be done, to make business better?"

Ji Ling Xue tapped her fingertips with her thumb calculating then shaking her head she said: "There's not enough funds...I need to find someone to invest..." Her eyes moved about, all of a sudden she thought of the big shot Xiao Yi Chen.

Ji Ling Xue asked: "Has the prince returned?"

Mo Xiang blinked, princess was finally concerned about the prince, it really was a good phenomenon, "It seems...he still hasn't returned."

Ji Ling Xue nodded: "Then go wait at the gate, when the prince comes back, bring him to see me."

Mo Xiang ran out like a wisp of smoke.

Ji Ling Xue's lips twitched, this girl was getting more and more efficient.

At this moment Xiao Yi Chen had just dismounted from his horse, his nose itched and he sneezed, rubbing his nose, he turned around to untie the food box from the saddle.

He had just entered the gates of the residence when he came across Mo Xiang, Mo Xiang smiled eagerly, "Prince has returned, princess was just thinking about you, she told this servant to come meet you."

Ji Ling Xue would think of him, why did he feel like she had some sort of hidden agenda?

Xiao Yi Chen nodded, indicating for Mo Xiang to lead the way, he was still pondering over what Ji Ling Xue was thinking, she couldn't be thinking of taking revenge for this morning right?

He followed Mo Xiang into the house, Ji Ling Xue wasn't actually in the room, however a few exquisite looking dishes were placed on the table, the aroma assailed his nose.

Xiao Yi Chen's nose twitched, he couldn't help pick up a pair of chopsticks putting a mouthful of food in his mouth, this tasted the same as the food he had in the palace...

Xiao Yi Chen looked at the food box in his hand, he was somewhat speechless, the meal he had in the palace that day, he had been reminiscing over that taste, he had especially gone into the palace today to get that chef to make some food for him to bring back to coax Ji Ling Xue, he didn't expect Ji Ling Xue to have also prepared dishes, and were even better than the ones from the palace.

Xiao Yi Chen: It seems like today I can't get Ji Ling Xue's favour...

Mo Xiang watched Xiao Yi Chen as his expression changed uncontrollably, wondering if there was something wrong with the dishes on the table, she cautiously opened her mouth: "Prince, are you alright?"

Xiao Yi Chen lifted his hand giving the food box to Mo Xiang: "This is for you, leave, this prince has something to say to the princess."

Mo Xiang took the food box overwhelmed by favour, she repeatedly said yes then hurriedly left.

This was a reward from the prince, she was really lucky, so blessed.

Mo Xiang walked through the arched door with the food box, the next moment her hands felt light.

Mo Xiang was surprised, turning her head she saw Ru Ge leaning against the door holding the food box in his hand, he had opened the lid looking inside, "What good food have you made?"

Mo Xiangs' face turned black, reaching out to slap Ru Ge's hand, "Give it to me, the prince rewarded this to me, there's nothing for you."

Ru Ge moved to the side avoiding Mo Xiang's surprise attack, the lid was thrown to the side, Ru Ge picked up a flaky round pastry stuffing it into his mouth he nodded: "So tasty, minced pork stuffing, haha, it really is so delicious!"

The veins on Mo Xiang's forehead throbbed, did this man not know how to write the words honour and shame, taking without permission was stealing, this was her culinary delicacy.

Mo Xiang stood on her tiptoes reaching up to grab it twice but couldn't get the food box back, she was so anxious she teared up, "Give it back to me...boo hoo..."

Ru Ge felt really guilty seeing Mo Xiang cry, he put the food box in front of Mo Xiang: "Don't cry, I'll give it back to you, I only ate two pastries, you don't need to cry..."

Mo Xiang ignored Ru Ge continuing to cry, Ru Ge squatted down in front of Mo Xiang with a pained face, "Don't cry, we're so familiar with each other, I only ate two of your pastries, you don't need to be so distressed."

Mo Xiang raised her hands to wipe dry her tears, fiercely staring at Ru Ge, "How can you be like this..." When was she distressed over pastries, she was just upset at Ru Ge teasing her. 

Ru Ge rubbed his nose: "Good things should be shared with everyone, it's no big deal I'll share tasty food with you in the future."

Mo Xiang spluttered out a laugh, considering Ru Ge had watched over her the entire day, she wouldn't bicker with him too much.

Ji Ling Xue carried a tray, looking at her latest creation of Chinese chive pockets she returned to the room, she saw Xiao Yi Chen quite rudely demolish the lunch she had spent a lot of time preparing, her lips twitched.

Ji Ling Xue said: "Prince, those who don't know you would think you haven't eaten in two days by your table manners."

Xiao Yi Chen raised an eyebrow, "So..."

Ji Ling Xue placed the tray down, making an inviting gesture she said smiling: "You're the prince, so long as your happy."

Xiao Yi Chen lowered his head to look at the Chinese chive pockets asking, "What is this, fried batter?"

Ji Ling Xue declined to answer giving a laugh, "Try it and you'll know?"

Xiao Yi Chen picked up his chopsticks taking a piece he ate it, nodding with much force, "Chinese chives, eggs, small shrimps, ah...this is amazing..."

Ji Ling Xue rested her chin on her hand asking: "Prince is it tasty?"

Xiao Yi Chen nodded, "Tasty, very tasty." Compared to those greasy exotic delicacies this was so much better, "Where did you buy them from, next time prince will take his friends with him to try it."

Ji Ling Xue blinked, smiling she said, "It's a restaurant on the outskirts of the west side of the city, the day I went to the marriage temple with younger sister, we came across and tried it, it tastes pretty good, I deliberately had Mo Xiang go back some today."

Ji Ling Xue deliberately didn't mention the name of the restaurant, they were both in the business, there was no husband and wife in the world of business, she didn't want Xiao Yi Chen to know that restaurant had been opened by her.

How did Xiao Yi Chen know what Ji Ling Xue was thinking, as he ate he thought of other things, his Wangshan restaurant just happened to be lacking a cook, he'll take a trip outside the city some other day, see if he can poach this person

Ji Ling Xue said: "Prince, I have something I want to discuss with you..."

Xiao Yi Chen collected his thoughts glancing at Ji Ling Xue, "What is causing you trouble?"

Humming and hawing in such a way, could it be related to Ji Yu Qing's secret? Yesterday on the roof top he had seen Ji Ling Xue take something, but he couldn't make out what it was, he thought that thing should be safe with JI Ling Xue so he didn't get a secret guard to steal it back, waiting for Ji Ling Xue to take the initiative to tell him.

Ji Ling Xue winked at Xiao Yi Chen, smiling she said: "Prince, it's almost the end of the year, are you interested in putting on a cooking competition?"

Xiao Yi Chen put down his chopsticks looking at Ji Ling Xue, her eyes were sparkling, before he could tell what she was thinking with a single sentence, now however...he couldn't understand her more and more.

As the proverb says: There is no such thing nasdas a free meal, having eaten the food Ji Ling Xue had painstakingly prepared, he naturally had to help her with something.

He had always been aware Ji Ling Xue's cooking skills were very good, only after Ji Ling Xue reached the marriageable age1 she had not entered the kitchen again.

Xiao Yi Chen said: "What, you want to participate?"

Ji Ling Xue nodded, looking at Xiao Yi Chen with gleaming eyes, filled with expectation and desire, he couldn't refuse.

Xiao Yi Chen said: "This prince will think about it."

Ji Ling Xue nodded, picking up a piece of food she held it in front of Xiao Yi Chen, kissing up she said: "Prince, you still haven't tried this, quickly try it, it's very nice."

Xiao Yi Chen was actually rather full, seeing as Ji Ling Xue rarely treat him so well, even if his stomach was about to burst he accepted Ji Ling Xue's good intentions.

Thus, that night, a certain prince couldn't sleep well with a bloated stomach, he could only get Bai Mo to prescribe some medication.

Bai Mo gave Ji Ling Xue a prescription, raising his head at times looking at Xiao Yi Chen like he wanted to say something, Xiao Yi Chen's expression sank, he hated those who wanted to say something but didn't, leaving someone hanging.

Xiao Yi Chen said: "If you have something to say just say it, I don't like seeing such an expression."

Bai Mo cleared his throat: "Prince, your appetite has been very good lately, but you can't eat too much, how painful it is to have a bloated stomach?"