Chapter 47
**Chapter 47: The Ultimate Barbecue!**
As dusk fell, the sound of galloping hooves echoed from the East Mountain, the blaring of horns piercing through the wilderness, startling the birds into flight. The hunters returned, laden with their spoils.
Shen Wei stood outside the tent to greet them. The Prince of Yan rode back, draped in the golden glow of the setting sun, his steed galloping swiftly, the evening breeze brushing against his handsome face, full of vigor.
Seeing the Prince’s healthy limbs, Shen Wei let out a heavy sigh of relief. Thank goodness he returned safely; otherwise, she would have started considering a change of employment.
“Your Highness, you’re finally back! I’ve been so worried about you,” Shen Wei said, stepping forward on her tiptoes to wipe the sweat from his forehead, her eyes brimming with joy and concern.
The Prince of Yan wrapped his arm around Shen Wei’s waist. “Don’t worry, I’m perfectly fine.”
Years of martial training meant the Prince returned with a bountiful catch. Shen Wei gazed at the pitiful rows of wild rabbits and chickens, along with a few deer, and exclaimed in admiration, “Your Highness, you’re amazing! I’ve never seen so many game before!”
Men return from hunting, their arms full of spoils. Naturally, Shen Wei had to shower him with praise, subtly revealing her admiration and affection.
The Prince of Yan clearly enjoyed it, playfully pinching her little nose. “Tonight, we feast on barbecue.”
Shen Wei smiled sweetly. “Great! My barbecue skills are second to none.”
As night descended, a roaring bonfire ignited in the center of the camp, and the young men who participated in the East Mountain hunt began to enjoy their game. The Crown Prince, the Prince of Yan, the Prince of Heng, and Princess Zhaoyang occupied the most prominent seats. The chef presented the prepared game.
Shen Wei sat beside the Prince of Yan, serving him as she took charge of the barbecue. The Prince leaned sideways, chatting casually with the Crown Prince, their brotherly bond as strong as ever.
Shen Wei scanned the area, noticing the Prince of Heng surrounded by beautiful women, and the tear-streaked face of Princess Zhaoyang. It seemed she had quarreled with Yan Yunting again, and was sulking alone with her drink.
The Prince of Heng lounged on a soft couch, clad in flamboyant red, his silky black hair cascading over his shoulders, leisurely enjoying his drink. The beauties attending him grilled the meat, slicing it delicately, and gently offered it to his lips.
The Prince of Heng savored a bite of barbecue, but suddenly his nose twitched; he caught a whiff of an intense barbecue aroma. It was richer than usual, a scent that seemed to silently entice everyone present.
The source of that exquisite barbecue aroma was the grill in front of the Prince of Yan.
“Wei Wei, this barbecue smells amazing,” the Prince of Yan said, captivated by Shen Wei’s cooking. Despite having tasted countless delicacies, he had never encountered such an extraordinary barbecue scent.
The charcoal burned brightly, and on the wooden grill, a leg of deer sizzled, its fat rendered and mingling with the marinade, producing a mouthwatering sound and an intoxicating aroma. The skin of the deer leg had turned crispy, showcasing an enticing golden hue.
“This is a barbecue recipe from my hometown. Your Highness, please try it,” Shen Wei said, slicing off a few pieces of deer meat, sprinkling them with toasted sesame seeds, and smiling as she offered them to the Prince.
On this trip, she had brought her secret marinade and a bottle of honey to enhance the flavor and color. The honey was the soul of the dish, ensuring the meat would taste divine.
The Prince of Yan eagerly took a bite. The deer meat, charred on the outside yet tender and juicy within, was simply delicious!
“Your Highness, wrapping the barbecue in lettuce makes it even better,” Shen Wei suggested, using a clean lettuce leaf to encase the meat before handing it to him.
The crisp lettuce perfectly balanced the richness of the barbecue.
The Prince of Yan savored it, unable to stop himself. The barbecue was simply too fragrant; just the aroma alone was enough to make one drool. The ordinary officials present dared not ask for any of the Prince’s barbecue, merely watching enviously.
Princess Zhaoyang, still upset from her argument with Yan Yunting, was initially downcast. However, upon catching a whiff of the delicious barbecue, she swallowed hard and immediately sent a maid to find Shen Wei, requesting a plate of barbecue.
Cailian quickly prepared a plate of barbecue for Princess Zhaoyang and delivered it.
The Crown Prince, unable to resist, cleared his throat and reminded the Prince of Yan, “Yuanjing, this barbecue looks quite tempting.”
The Prince of Yan shook his head, his expression serious. “Brother, the physician said your health isn’t fully restored yet; you need to eat light and avoid greasy foods.”
Crown Prince: ...
But he really wanted a bite!
While the Prince of Yan and Princess Zhaoyang enjoyed their feast, the Prince of Heng suddenly found the barbecue at his side less appealing...
However, being thick-skinned, he sent someone to request a bowl of barbecue. Naturally, the Prince of Yan wouldn’t oblige, and the person returned empty-handed.
The Prince of Heng pouted, sourly remarking, “It’s just ordinary barbecue; I’m not missing out on anything.”
Despite his words, the aroma of the barbecue wafted through the air, making his mouth water.
The Prince of Heng couldn’t help but wonder where his second brother found such a concubine who could also cook barbecue!
Shen Wei discreetly observed the scene, noticing the longing expressions of the officials.
The little business genius, Shen Wei, began to consider whether she should open a barbecue shop in Yanjing.
...
After a hearty meal, the Prince of Yan went to the Crown Prince’s tent to discuss official matters. Shen Wei took Cailian for a stroll by the stream to digest, practicing the Eight Section Brocade before returning to the tent.
Back in the tent, the Prince of Yan wouldn’t rest immediately. Shen Wei continued to practice her calligraphy. When the Prince returned, he would see her diligently practicing, and he would surely feel satisfied.
Because the Prince still believed that Shen Wei was practicing for him.
The candlelight flickered softly as Shen Wei sat at the desk, earnestly practicing her writing. She had even changed her hairstyle, letting her long hair cascade down her shoulders after removing her hairpin. The lamp was positioned to her right, casting a gentle glow that perfectly highlighted the graceful curve of her profile.
Every detail was meticulously arranged, always ensuring the Prince saw her at her most beautiful, making his heart flutter.
“Swish—”
The tent flap was lifted, and the Prince of Yan returned under the moonlight, witnessing the beautiful scene of Shen Wei practicing her calligraphy.
The candlelight shimmered, illuminating the lovely figure under the lamp, her expression focused. Her silky hair fell softly over her shoulders, and she wore a light silver nightgown, looking as enchanting as a dream.
Hearing the noise, Shen Wei looked up in surprise, her bright, lively eyes filled with joy. “Your Highness, you’re back!”
Her voice was soft and delicate, her fair face glowing with delight.
The Prince of Yan approached the desk and picked up a sheet of rice paper to examine. Although Shen Wei’s writing was still not very good, her progress was rapid, indicating she hadn’t neglected her studies.
“Very good,” the Prince of Yan said, quite pleased.
Shen Wei felt a bit proud. “If I practice for another three to five years, I’ll definitely become a master of calligraphy.”
The Prince of Yan couldn’t help but chuckle, taking her hand and guiding her as they practiced together.
Seizing the moment, Shen Wei casually mentioned her younger brother. “Your Highness, my little brother also writes beautifully, though his characters are neat, not as bold and powerful as yours.”
In Shen Wei’s plan, her younger brother, Shen Xiuming, would one day become the Prince of Yan’s right-hand man. So, she occasionally dropped hints about him in front of the Prince, laying the groundwork.
“How old is Wei Wei’s brother?” the Prince of Yan asked casually.
Shen Wei smiled. “He’s already eighteen and is still studying at the Confucian Temple. Recently, I made boots for you, and I used the leftover scraps to make a pair for my brother as well.”
The Prince of Yan chuckled lightly, playfully pinching Shen Wei’s little nose. “What’s the point of making boots from scraps? He’s your own brother!”
His tone held a hint of reproach, but more so, it was filled with joy.
Shen Wei huffed lightly. “My brother is tough and sturdy; just being able to wear new boots is already a big deal for him.”
Shen Wei understood the Prince of Yan well. He was the kind of man with a strong sense of possessiveness, wanting his wives and concubines to revolve around him, holding the top position in their hearts. But the Princess spent all her time doting on their son, Liu Ruoyan longed for a lifelong partner, Zhang Miaoyu was greedy for food, and Liu Qiaoer was lazy...
None of the women met his expectations, so the Prince naturally distanced himself from them.
Shen Wei, however, was different. She seemed to always place the Prince of Yan first. When he was with her, he could feel a deep sense of love.
Even her own brother had to take a back seat; using scraps to make boots was the best he could hope for. This subtly highlighted her care for the Prince.
After practicing calligraphy and getting some rest, she closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, it was already dawn. Today, there would be another hunting event, and Princess Zhaoyang and several ladies donned riding outfits to join the hunting party.
The Prince busied himself with his affairs, while Shen Wei focused on her own tasks. In the tent, she practiced her exercises, doing the Eight Section Brocade, while contemplating her plan to establish “Wei Xue Ice City.”
As the sun approached noon, a shocking announcement suddenly came from the guards outside the tent.
The Prince of Yan was missing!
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