Chapter 127: Steamed Egg Custard (Third Update)

Among the favorite dishes of the Tenth Prince, a new addition had recently appeared—the freshly made spicy crab prepared by Yan Yan. Yan Yan had long wanted to try making it, but seeing that the Ninth Prince wasn’t particularly fond of spicy food, and the children all seemed to dread anything too hot, he had given up on the idea.

Yan Yan felt his reasoning was sound, yet when the Ninth Prince saw the spicy crab on the dining table, his face involuntarily darkened. Understandably so—who would want to see the one they cared for putting so much effort into making something others liked?

Noticing the Ninth Prince’s unusual expression, the Fourteenth Prince quietly nudged the Tenth Prince, who was happily eating. The Tenth Prince glanced at the Ninth Prince but, carefree as ever, poured fuel on the fire: “Brother Nine, you should thank Sister-in-law for thinking of me so much.”

The Fourteenth Prince couldn’t help but facepalm, feeling the Tenth Prince was courting disaster. If he upset Brother Nine, no one knew who would suffer the consequences. Sure enough, the Ninth Prince’s face grew even darker, and his gaze at the Tenth Prince seemed almost predatory.

Though still eating, the Fourteenth Prince was ready to intervene at any moment. But to everyone’s surprise, the Ninth Prince merely glared at the Tenth Prince for a while before burying his head in his food. The Tenth Prince happily gnawed on the crab and winked at the Fourteenth Prince, who was rendered speechless, feeling he had worried for nothing and had ended up at a disadvantage. Seeking some consolation, he deliberately praised the crab in front of him, and, of course, didn’t forget to compliment Yan Yan’s “thoughtful intentions” toward the Tenth Prince. Watching the Ninth Prince’s face darken further, the Fourteenth Prince felt a secret satisfaction.

The Tenth Prince, meanwhile, stared wide-eyed at the Fourteenth Prince, secretly thinking that this younger brother was young but truly cunning. He resolved to learn from him, hoping to provoke his dear Brother Nine with new styles and heights of vexation in the future.

Fortunately, as dinner was drawing to a close, Cuier brought out a steamed egg custard, saying that Yan Yan had specially made it for the Ninth Prince, knowing he wasn’t fond of spicy food. The Ninth Prince’s expression brightened. Although the custard seemed simple, the crab meat inside was painstakingly extracted, which lifted his spirits. He asked Cuier, “Where is the Secondary Consort?”

Cuier smiled, “She’s in the main hall preparing the banquet for tomorrow, Lord Ninth.”

The Ninth Prince nodded, aware of Yan Yan’s usual attentiveness toward the children. He knew Yan Yan had been working tirelessly for days to arrange this venue. With a sigh, the Ninth Prince set down his chopsticks.

No sooner had he done so than the Tenth Prince, quick as a flash, snatched the egg custard from before the Ninth Prince and devoured it in a few bites. Wiping his mouth, he sighed with delight, “Sister-in-law is so biased! This egg custard is simply heavenly, and yet she only made it for Brother Nine.”

Only then did the Ninth Prince realize that he hadn’t even tasted the custard, so full of Yan Yan’s care. In his mind’s eye, he immediately saw Yan Yan laboriously removing crab meat in the kitchen, and his heart ached sharply. Without a word, he kicked over his chair and lunged at the Tenth Prince. “Yin’er, if you don’t spit it out today, you’re no Aisin Gioro!”

The Tenth Prince, whose martial skills had always surpassed the Ninth Prince’s, was too quick for him. Laughing, he dashed out and headed straight to the banquet hall Yan Yan had arranged. The Ninth Prince, losing all composure, followed him.

Upon entering the hall, the Ninth Prince froze, utterly dumbfounded by the scene before him.

The room had been cleared of furniture, and the floor was covered with carpets in interlocking red and blue patterns. In the center stood a long table draped with a cloth embroidered with playful little animals, brimming with childlike charm. On the walls hung Yan Yan’s paintings, their vivid, bright colors colliding like stepping into a fairy tale.

Yan Yan stood beside the table, surprised to see the Ninth Prince. “My lord, why have you come? Aren’t you dining with the Tenth Prince and the others?”

The Ninth Prince had long forgotten the Tenth Prince as he leisurely approached Yan Yan and pointed at the room. “You did all this?”

Yan Yan nodded. “What do you think? The children should like it!”

The Ninth Prince sighed softly, looking at the dark circles under Yan Yan’s eyes with some tenderness. “Why must you do all this yourself? You should rest more.”

Yan Yan shook her head. “How could I be tired preparing things for the children?” She naturally linked her arm with his and began showing him around the room. “My lord, when we move to the new garden, shall we make a room like this for the children as well?”

The Ninth Prince tapped her nose. “Do as you please. The whole garden is yours; you can arrange it however you like.”

Yan Yan smiled deeply, a touch mischievous in her eyes. “Then you must keep your word. If another woman ever moves in there, I’ll beat her with a stick.”

Seeing Yan Yan’s possessive expression, the Ninth Prince’s mood lifted greatly. “Fine, you can beat her all you want. If that’s not enough, I’ll help you.”

Yan Yan pouted, clearly not trusting his words, and changed the subject. “My lord, have you tried the crab roe custard? How is it?”

At the mention of this, the Ninth Prince recalled all his old and new grievances. He immediately let go of Yan Yan and strode out of the room. As he walked, he called out, “Yin’er, come out so I can beat you properly. Then we can talk things over. Otherwise, all the beauties in your manor who owe me silver or have broken my porcelain—I’ll send them all to Sister-in-law!”

Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, the Tenth Prince sheepishly emerged from a nearby room, grudgingly saying, “Brother Nine, you’re too harsh. I even said so many good things about you in front of Sister-in-law!”

The Ninth Prince’s charming peach-shaped eyes shot a fierce glare at the Tenth Prince, his right hand reaching forward with a chilling command: “Pay me back!”

The Tenth Prince’s face fell. How could he have forgotten that his Brother Nine was a thorough businessman? Although he had begun official duties, he was still a wolf in sheep’s clothing—no, not even wearing sheep’s clothing, his whole face screamed, “I’m not to be trifled with.”

Just then, Yan Yan came out of the banquet hall. The Tenth Prince dashed to her like seeing a dear relative, crying, “Sister-in-law, save me!”

But the usually calm and noble Ninth Prince was quick as lightning, kicking the Tenth Prince toward a nearby wall.

Yan Yan stood there, utterly baffled by the scene, while the Fourteenth Prince erupted into uproarious laughter from afar. He resolved to remember this moment well—it would be a perfect threat to use against the Tenth Prince in the future.