webnovelfull Chapter 214 The Cook 17
Chapter 214 The Cook 17
Ziyue and Zhen'er arrived at the agreed time.
As expected of the Prince of Linnan's mansion, the gate was solid and heavy, with two tall stone lions standing at the entrance, demonstrating its noble status.
The mansion does not feature the currently popular lavish and exquisite decorations. Instead, it has upturned eaves, verdant bamboo, and layered rockeries, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere. The training ground is spacious and grand yet dignified.
Led by Lin Yanzhi and the housekeeper, they arrived at a courtyard called "Bamboo Grove Garden".
A small bamboo grove is lush and green, with a rockery beside it and a babbling stream. Stone tables and benches are set up nearby, where one can sit and enjoy tea or wine while listening to the rustling of bamboo leaves. It is quite a charming and elegant place.
Upon arriving at Zhulin Garden, the steward took his leave to prepare dinner, while Lin Yanzhi sat down with Ziyue. Two maids in green brought a pot of Longjing tea and two plates of snacks before quietly withdrawing.
"Is Ziyue satisfied with this place? If there's anything you're not happy about, feel free to tell me or the housekeeper anytime, don't be shy."
"Not bad." Ziyue nodded in satisfaction.
Then I picked up a beautifully presented honey osmanthus cake from the plate, tasted it, and found it to be sweet but not cloying, soft, chewy, and fragrant.
Yes, it's the same flavor that Lin Yanzhi sent her before, the one she's tried.
Because she loved to eat, Lin Yanzhi often had food prepared and sent to her by someone or personally delivered it to Jinzui Garden.
Lin Yanzhi wasn't reluctant to send the chef directly to Ziyue; rather, Ziyue was quite picky about food, and since there was finally a pastry that perfectly suited her taste, he naturally wanted to seize the opportunity.
If they simply cut off the cook's supply line by sending him away, how could he possibly use the opportunity of delivering pastries to see the beauty? He's not stupid.
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Relieved by Ziyue's satisfactory answer, Lin Yanzhi moved the pastries closer to her, muttering, "Eat a little to tide you over. Dinner will be served soon. I've asked the housekeeper to prepare a lot of your favorite dishes."
They had eaten together several times and tasted wine together. He also knew Ziyue's taste preferences: she liked meat, sweet and sour flavors, and sweet and soft pastries.
Sure enough, when it came time for dinner, Ziyue looked at the dishes on the table, all of which suited her taste: sweet and sour pork, braised goose, steamed fish with olives, honey-glazed yam, Qingyuan tofu, crisp bamboo shoots, longan soup, spicy shrimp and eel soup, lotus root soup...
The chefs in the Prince's mansion were quite skilled.
Moreover, knowing that this was to entertain His Highness the Crown Prince's guests, and that they were very likely to be the future Crown Prince's wife and the future mistress of this royal residence, the chefs in the kitchen did everything in their power, wishing they could use all their skills to ensure that the guests ate happily and to their satisfaction.
Regardless, let's make a good impression first.
Looking at the table full of delicious-looking dishes, Ziyue's appetite was whetted. She didn't stand on ceremony with Gu Yanzhi and ate very happily.
Seeing her enjoying her meal made Lin Yanzhi very happy, and he even ate an extra bowl of rice. He was also thinking that he would definitely ask the housekeeper to show the food to the people in the kitchen later.
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The next day, Ziyue changed into a moon-white men's outfit and wore a pair of white deerskin boots.
Her jet-black hair was neatly combed into a bun on top of her head and tied in an exquisite white jade hair crown. Her features were exquisitely beautiful, especially her eyes, which were like glass, mysterious and beautiful, as if they could deeply attract people.
She toyed with a jade fan in her fair and slender hands, a faint smile playing on her lips, exuding a beauty that transcended gender and was difficult to discern as male or female.
At this moment, Lin Yanzhi had nothing in his eyes but Ziyue, and his heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was about to jump out of his chest.
Women's clothing is graceful and feminine, while men's clothing is flowing and elegant.
White robes exude elegance, red robes blaze with brilliance, and black robes are dashing and heroic.
She was beautiful, intelligent, free-spirited, and mysterious, but what attracted him most was her free-spirited soul, which drew him in and eventually made him fall in love with her.
Every aspect of her was so attractive to him, making his heart flutter.
It begins with good looks, continues with talent, and ends with character.
He thought he would never meet another person who suited him so well. No, Ziyue was unique, and there would never be another woman like her.
Unlike Yao Mingzhao, who had to be mindful of his status, or Mu Yang, who carried a heavy burden, he knew from a young age that he didn't need to be outstanding in his life. He just wanted to live a peaceful, happy, and free life.
Even if he becomes a playboy, as long as he doesn't do anything illegal or criminal, it's fine.
That's why he didn't have so many scruples and always found various excuses to appear in front of her. This time, inviting Ziyue to his residence was something he actively sought out.
Fortunately, Ziyue didn't reject him, did she?
Ziyue set off with Lin Yanzhi. She originally wanted to ride a horse, but when she saw that the carriage was ready and quite comfortable and spacious, she naturally wouldn't make things difficult for herself. She got into the carriage and ate and drank along the way. She could even lie down to reach her destination. Wasn't that great?
Why bother riding horses outside and eating dust?
After Ziyue got into the carriage, she looked back at Lin Yanzhi, who was about to ride a horse, and waved to him, "Get on."
She didn't want to see such a handsome young man, as exquisite as jade, looking dusty and grimy after a long journey. This carriage was big enough to seat several more people.
Lin Yanzhi's attention was entirely focused on the girl he admired, so he immediately noticed Ziyue waving at him.
Lin Yanzhi was taken aback. This... wasn't a good idea. The carriage was so small, and it was enclosed.
Even when they dine together in a private room, or when he goes to Jinzui Garden to see her, there are always maids or servants serving him.
Ziyue's maid had just been sent back by Ziyue, so wouldn't it just be him and Ziyue in the carriage?
Thinking of this, Lin Yanzhi's ears couldn't help but turn a little red.
Although she was still struggling internally, feeling that this was unreasonable, her feet did not stop moving at all.
The moment Ziyue waved to him, his feet, as if obeying his will, followed him onto the carriage.