Chapter 19 (Egg Tarts)

The Xiao family’s banquet was for Dongdong’s birthday. The special banquet hall was set up at one end, while children played at the other. Yan Qiushu planned to deliver the birthday cake later since there was no tradition of blowing out candles in this era.

Coincidentally, she ran into someone familiar to the original owner.

She turned away, feeling uneasy.

Yan Qiuyuan, the original owner’s sister and the heroine of the story, was approaching with her maid. They wore veils, hiding their features.

Yan Qiuyuan’s maid asked, “Miss, this is our first time at the Xiao family. Where is the dressing room?”

Yan Qiushu pointed in a direction. The maid thanked her, and they left. Suddenly, the maid turned back, smiling, and asked, “May I know your name, young lady?”

Yan Qiushu hesitated, wondering if she recognized her. Yan Qiuyuan said, “You look familiar, as if I’ve seen you before, but I don’t know your name.”

Yan Qiushu sighed in relief and replied, “Not really.”

She was very different from the original owner. The original owner had a weak character and mimicked her aunt’s delicate demeanor. However, Yan Qiushu was strong and capable. She had changed her makeup, hairstyle, and clothing style to avoid being recognized.

She shook her head and continued walking, not wanting to reveal her identity. The heroine of a house-fighting novel had many thoughts, and she didn’t want to provoke her.

Fortunately, Yan Qiuyuan seemed annoyed. As a concubine’s daughter, her identity was often mocked, especially since she was engaged to the Prince of Jin. People targeted her more after that.

Now that someone was rude to her, she assumed it was another woman trying to embarrass her.

Yan Qiuyuan coldly said, “Let’s go!” 

Once her future husband became king, everyone would have to kneel before her!

Unaware of Yan Qiuyuan’s thoughts, Yan Qiushu quickened her pace and reached a small garden for children.

A dozen children and many servants were gathered to eat and drink.

Dongdong sat in the main seat, eagerly awaiting her arrival. Zhou Zhaoqin complained, “Why hasn’t Sister Shu come yet? I’m hungry!”

“Almost!” Dongdong pouted. “Didn’t you eat enough?”

“None of it tasted good,” Zhou Zhaoqin replied disdainfully.

He felt his guess was right; Sister Ah Shu’s food was the best.

Dongdong felt disappointed that his closest friends didn’t come. Just then, he spotted Yan Qiushu and waved excitedly, “Sister Shu!”

The other children turned to look, knowing Sister Ah Shu always brought delicious food.

Yan Qiushu felt very stressed with many children watching her. She quickly said, “Shui Yu, bring the cake over.”

Shui Yu walked over and handed a big round cake. When they opened the box, the children gasped: “Wow! It looks good!”

The cake wasn’t yellow, as Dongdong had said, but colorful! It had different sections made of colorful jams, like red cherry, pink peach, and purple grape jam.

Though the colors were similar due to limited options, it amazed the children who had never seen such a cake before. The sweet milky smell and the sweet-and-sour jam aroma made them drool.

Dongdong was cutting the cake with a wooden knife. A noble-looking boy next to him stared at Yan Qiushu for a moment, then turned to Dongdong and said, “Xiao Pingzhou, give Sister Ah Shu to me!”

Yan Qiushu was confused.

Dongdong quickly replied, “No!”

Zhou Zhaoqin frowned and said, “Your Highness wants to take your cook. I’ll make it up to you by asking the Emperor for a royal chef.”

“Don’t even think about it!” Dongdong said angrily.

Suddenly, someone else spoke: “That’s a good idea, Dongdong. A royal chef for your cook is a great deal. Not every family can have a royal chef.”

Everyone turned to see a young man who looked like Zhou Zhaoqin walking toward them. He had a teasing smile, supporting Zhou Zhaoqin. The two boys had similar arrogant expressions, and their looks at Dongdong were mean.

With this support, Zhou Zhaoqin felt even more confident.

Dongdong glared angrily at the young man.

Yan Qiushu wanted to yell. She thought, no wonder the third prince was so disliked in stories; he bullied kids!

She realized the Third Prince wasn’t targeting her; he seemed to be venting his frustration.

“I don’t want a royal chef! I only want Sister Shu!” Dongdong said sadly.

Just then, a clear voice interrupted: “Third Prince, Miss Shu is not a cook; she’s my adopted sister!”

The Third Prince turned to see Xiao Huaiting approaching. He added meaningfully, “Your Highness is mistaken. You probably won’t get what you want.”

The Third Prince’s expression darkened.

Xiao Huaiting ignored him and picked up Dongdong, apologizing to Yan Qiushu: “I’m sorry you felt wronged.”

“No,” Yan Qiushu replied. The situation was beyond her control; it was just bad luck.

Dongdong hugged Xiao Huaiting tightly, burying his face in his neck, his shoulders shaking as he silently cried.

Yan Qiushu felt heartbroken.

Xiao Huaiting’s expression turned cold. The young general, known for his strength, looked at the two boys with indifference. After a moment, he turned to the manager in charge and said, “Aren’t we supposed to cut the cake?”

The nervous manager quickly replied, “Yes, I’ll cut it right away.”

Seeing this, the Third Prince glared at Yan Qiushu and then at Xiao Huaiting, sneering: “So she’s not a cook. If so, it’s a misunderstanding. But who knows, maybe she wants to come to my house? After all, good birds choose the best trees to roost in!”

He smiled arrogantly, “Miss Ah Shu, what do you think? I admire your cooking skills. If you want, I’ll invite you to my mansion as a royal chef. You should know it’s better than staying with the Xiao family.”

Yan Qiushu looked down and smiled, “Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but my son is lazy, so I won’t bother you.”

Xiao Huaiting laughed mockingly, “Ha~”

In that moment, silence spoke volumes. The Third Prince’s face turned pale as he said darkly, “In that case, the girl should stay with the Xiao family and share their fate!”

He spoke the last words with a sinister tone, as if anticipating the Xiao family’s downfall.

Afterward, he took his son’s hand and started to leave.

Zhou Zhaoqin pouted: “I won’t leave! I haven’t even tried the cake!”

The Third Prince’s expression darkened even more. He shook off his son’s hand and left angrily.

Zhou Zhaoqin was stunned. He hadn’t expected his father to act like this. He looked helplessly at his wet nurse, who looked pale. Realizing his father was serious, he panicked and cried out, “Wow…”

The sound of the child’s crying broke the tension. Yan Qiushu’s stiff face softened into a smile. Though the child was a bit naughty, he was amusing.

She handed him a piece of cake: “Okay, stop crying and eat the cake.”

Zhou Zhaoqin sniffled, wiping his watery eyes. He looked at Yan Qiushu and then at the cake. He stopped crying and reached for it.

“Hey! So sweet and delicious!” he exclaimed.

After the storm, the boy was calmed by the sweet treat. He took another bite and smiled shyly at Yan Qiushu: “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Yan Qiushu smiled and asked the manager to hand out the cakes.

The other kids, feeling scared because they had no family nearby, looked at each other and stayed quiet. Luckily, the manager brought the cakes.

As the children enjoyed the sweets, their fear faded.

The young man who had teased earlier looked at the child in his arms and said softly, “Dongdong, you haven’t had your birthday cake yet. Want to try a bite?”

Dongdong looked up, his eyes red from crying, but he nodded.

Children’s feelings change quickly. They were scared because of the adults’ tension, but soon they became happy again while eating the treats.

The cake was delicious for kids who had never tasted it before. The soft cake and sweet jam made everyone satisfied.

Dongdong thought it was good but felt it was missing something special, making him a bit uninterested.

At just five years old, he knew about social differences but didn’t realize how big they were.

The Third Prince’s family didn’t know how to teach their children. Even if he was an emperor, he wouldn’t act so arrogantly just for show. This was surprising for Dongdong, who had been spoiled by two families.

Yan Qiushu patted his head and said with a smile, “Dongdong, besides the birthday cake, I have something tasty for you, but you have to guess what it is first.”

Dongdong tried to cheer up and asked, “What is it?”

“It’s called an egg tart.” Yan Qiushu smiled. “You need to guess if it’s sweet or salty.”

She stressed the word “sweet.”

Dongdong blinked, confused. He bit his finger, thought for a bit, and hesitantly said, “Salty…” Before he could finish, he was gently tapped on the head. He quickly covered his forehead and glared at his uncle.

The boy smiled and said, “Try again. Sweet or salty?”

Dongdong understood and shyly said, “Sweet!”

Yan Qiushu grinned widely, “Correct! Shui Yu, bring it here.”