Chapter 131: The Princess of Jing's Pastime

The Princess of Jing was truly haunted by the exquisite delicacies from Jiang Chen’s breakfast stall; they were never far from her thoughts. Every day, she would send Xie An to purchase a supply to satisfy her cravings. These three particular dishes were so addictive that she felt as though she could never grow tired of them.

When she heard that the stall had closed its doors, the Princess had nearly been driven to distraction. She could not bear a single day without those treats, and the rare, extravagant delicacies prepared by the palace kitchens held no appeal for her; she found them utterly flavorless by comparison. The Prince of Jing, renowned for his doting affection for his wife, watched her grow thin from her loss of appetite. He promptly dispatched men to scour the city for Jiang Chen, vowing to bring every delicacy back to the estate just to see his wife smile once more.

Thus, the events unfolded. The old man who had warned Jiang Chen before leaving was right—the people who had come for him were of extraordinary status. Now, Jiang Chen realized just how much of an understatement that had been. Seeing a heaven-sent opportunity before him, Jiang Chen’s mind raced. He saw this as a miraculous stroke of luck; he had been fretting over how to intervene in the affairs of the Night Watch Bureau, and now he had secured a connection with the Prince of Jing’s estate.

"Master Jiang, I see that you have a noble brow and the spirit of a scholar. You must be a man of great talent and ambition. If you are facing any difficulties, I will certainly assist you."

The Princess looked at Jiang Chen with kindness, her words spoken from the heart. Jiang Chen knew this was the perfect moment to present his request; it was almost certain to be granted. He told her of his desire to enter the dungeon to see Geng Ji. He held nothing back, detailing the pact he had made with Geng Ji and the trials he had faced on his journey to find Lan Hui at Shili Village.

The Princess, who kept herself distant from court politics and held no political biases, was moved by Jiang Chen’s candor. His integrity—his desire to keep a promise made to another—earned him her profound respect.

"In that case, if Geng Ji can be persuaded to reveal the truth, it might clear Qishan’s name and prove that Marshal Duanmu’s death had nothing to do with Han Yuyang."

"Yes, that is the very reason I came to Jinyang City."

The Princess asked with some confusion, "You are not from Qishan yourself, so why go to such great lengths to help them?"

"Because I have always believed that Qishan is a force that cannot be ignored. While it is true that the common people harbor many grievances against the imperial court, and the fires of unrest flare up across the land, shaking the very foundations of our country, wanton slaughter is not the path of a true ruler. In the end, it only brings the ravages of war upon the innocent. If the relationship between Qishan and the court could be mended, and our internal strength unified, we would have a hope of resisting the ambitious Northern Yan neighbors."

"I suspect that the incident at Qishan was likely the work of someone with ulterior motives, trying to provoke a conflict between Qishan and the court. We must not let them succeed."

Jiang Chen’s insight was profound and far-sighted. Even though the Princess lacked a deep understanding of the political situation, she could feel the sincerity in his heart.

"Very well. Leave this matter to me, Master Jiang. You may rest easy."

With the Princess’s personal promise, success was inevitable. A heavy stone lifted from Jiang Chen’s heart. He imagined how Shen Xueying would react when she heard the news, and he felt a sense of vindication.

Supported by the Princess, Jiang Chen remained at the estate to teach her how to make egg tarts. The estate was fully equipped with everything he could possibly need. Under Jiang Chen’s guidance, the Princess busied herself with delight. One taught with earnest care, the other learned with focused attention, and soon, a batch of tarts handmade by the Princess came out of the oven.

"I actually made them! This is wonderful!" A radiant, irrepressible smile bloomed on the Princess’s face.

Jiang Chen praised her warmly, "Your Highness is truly gifted. You barely needed my input to complete them. It is a joyous occasion indeed!"

"Little Jiang, do not flatter me. If not for your reminders about the flour ratio and the heat of the oven, I could never have achieved this."

Beads of sweat stood on the Princess’s brow, but she did not care for her appearance. Few of her high status could endure the smoke and heat of a kitchen, or the labor required to craft such food. Jiang Chen grew to admire her spirit; she was a woman who knew how to enjoy life and pursued her own passions.

"Your Highness, the tarts should be eaten while warm. They lose their charm once they cool," Jiang Chen encouraged.

"I don't know if the taste will hold up, certainly not compared to yours."

The Princess picked up a tart with delicate care and took a small bite. Her expression shifted through a series of complex emotions; it was impossible to tell if she was surprised or simply delighted. Jiang Chen, having participated in the entire process, was confident in the result.

After savoring the flavor, a smile finally graced the Princess’s lips. She was overjoyed with the taste, and the fact that she had made it herself added a special magic to the experience.

"Congratulations, Your Highness. Now you can make them yourself in the estate whenever you wish, and you will never have to worry about running out."

"As for other delicacies, we shall find another time. It is getting late, and I should not overstay my welcome."

Immersed in her joy, the Princess did not press him to stay. Instead, she ordered Xie An to bring the prepared reward for Jiang Chen. However, Jiang Chen politely declined.

"Your Highness, please forgive me, but I cannot accept this."

"Why is that?" the Princess asked, puzzled.

Xie An, standing to the side, felt a touch of dissatisfaction. "Master Jiang, this is a generous reward from the Princess. Do you feel it is insufficient?"

Jiang Chen laughed. "Of course not. But the Princess has already granted me a favor, and I cannot accept further compensation. Besides, to find someone in Jinyang City who shares a love for fine food and understands the joy it brings is a rare blessing in life."

"I should be the one thanking you for your kindness, Your Highness."

Jiang Chen spoke with neither arrogance nor servility, subtly framing their interaction as that of kindred spirits. His words pleased the Princess immensely.

"Master Jiang, you are quite right. I was perhaps too hasty; how could you be moved by mere coin?"

And so, Jiang Chen departed the Jing estate with his objective achieved. He had not only solved the problem of gaining access to the dungeon but had also established a valuable connection with the Prince of Jing’s household.