Chapter 26 (Egg Roll (Part 1)..)

At this moment, Wan’er had nearly finished her meal and was sipping sour plum soup. The young boy Shen Pingyu was still eating, albeit slowly. Aunt Xu was taking a rest, leaving only Shui Yu at the grill.

Yan Qiushu stepped in, handing the two egg rolls with a smile. “What else do you want to eat?”

“That’s enough,” Shen Pingyu replied, shaking his head as he accepted the egg roll. “Thank you, Sister Shu.”

Wan’er mirrored his behavior, acting gracefully.

Only Dongdong felt too shy to voice his thoughts to his brother. He fidgeted on the stool like a nail, prompting Shen Pingyu to frown. Taking a bite of the egg roll, he didn’t realize it would fall apart.

With a crackling sound, the egg roll broke, and he quickly reached out to catch it, only to have some small pieces fall on the table.

Just as he felt annoyed, Dongdong timidly spoke up, “Brother Pingyu, I want to be a general when I grow up, not study.”

Shen Pingyu frowned, ready to scold him, but the dryness of the egg roll choked him. He chewed quickly instead.

Thinking he had permission to continue, Dongdong relaxed slightly and said, “Don’t worry, my uncle said that when I turn seven, I can still learn martial arts, and he’ll teach me…”

After taking a sip of water and swallowing, Shen Pingyu interrupted, “The second emperor’s grandson is looking for a study partner. Do you want to be one?”

At this mention, Dongdong instinctively shook his head. “No.”

Shen Pingyu explained calmly, “I’ve arranged everything for you. As long as you pass my second grandfather’s exam, he’ll accept you as his last disciple. Even if you become a companion, they’ll let you go if my second grandfather wants you.”

“But my uncle won’t let me be a study partner!” Dongdong argued, unconvinced.

Shen Pingyu responded rationally, “That’s impossible. The Xiao family holds military power. The third prince wants to ally with them. If your uncle keeps refusing, he’ll go straight to His Majesty.”

Dongdong’s anger flared. “How can that be?!”

Shen Pingyu looked at him steadily, not saying much.

He believed Dongdong could understand.

Although Dongdong was only five, he was naturally bright and had been exposed to these matters, especially regarding the Xiao family. With the emperor aging and the crown prince deposed, power struggles were inevitable.

The Great Zhou Dynasty prioritized civil officials over military ones, and there weren’t many capable generals. The Xiao family was among the best. If they couldn’t be won over, they’d be useless.

The third prince didn’t want to lose such a capable general, so he decided to take a hard approach.

As long as the emperor issued an order, everything would be set.

However, if Dongdong became a disciple of the Shen family’s second master, the situation would change. The Shen family was filled with prominent figures, and the second master was renowned. Though he wasn’t an official, his influence was comparable to that of a prime minister. Following him would shield Dongdong from the emperor’s orders.

Shen Pingyu’s analysis was clear and logical, and Dongdong listened with his head lowered.

Yan Qiushu watched in surprise and thought, Is this child from ancient times? He’s so smart for his age!

But then she considered that many children in ancient times became fathers at twelve or thirteen, and Shen Pingyu was already nine!

Wan’er, standing nearby, beamed with pride, resting her chin on her hands as she looked at her brother with admiration. “Sister Shu, isn’t my brother amazing?! My mother says he looks a lot like Daddy, who is also very powerful!”

Yan Qiushu narrowed her eyes and nodded vigorously. It truly was impressive!

The little girl covered her mouth in satisfaction and continued watching.

This moment broke the tension between the two boys. Dongdong came to his senses and looked at Yan Qiushu with a pleading expression.

He didn’t want to be a study partner because it would threaten the Xiao family’s position, but he also didn’t want to truly become a disciple of a renowned scholar.

Yan Qiushu coughed lightly to grab the children’s attention. She smiled gently and said, “Pingyu, I know you mean well, but I want to say one thing: Dongdong shouldn’t be the second grandson’s study companion.”

Shen Pingyu looked at her, puzzled. “Why?”

Yan Qiushu blinked. “I’m sorry, but I can only tell you this much for now. You’ll understand in a few days, so don’t worry, okay?”

Shen Pingyu pursed his lips, while Dongdong looked at him expectantly.

After a pause, he nodded slowly. “Okay.”

Dongdong let out a breath of relief.

Shen Pingyu sighed. “My Second Master accepted me as a disciple because of the Xiao family’s loyalty. Dongdong, I really don’t want you to pursue a military career.”

Dongdong declared resolutely, “I’m not afraid!”

Shen Pingyu gave him a complex look before standing up and leaving.

Perhaps shocked by his brother’s determination, he forgot to say goodbye politely.

Wan’er quickly got up to follow. The young boy paused to wait for her, then took her hand.

Yan Qiushu watched them leave, wondering if this child carried many burdens. In modern times, a nine-year-old is still cherished by their parents. She suddenly asked, “Pingyu, have you told me if the barbecue and egg rolls were delicious today?”

When Shen Pingyu turned back, he met Yan Qiushu’s bright smile. His face flushed, and he nodded shyly. “They were excellent. Thank you, Aunt Yan, for your hospitality.”

Wan’er chimed in, blinking her big eyes. “Mm! Very good!” She raised her chin slightly, imitating her brother, but her expression was lively and endearing.

Yan Qiushu smiled and waved goodbye to them.

Dongdong looked nervously at Yan Qiushu. “Sister Shu, Brother Pingyu won’t be angry, right?”

“No!” Yan Qiushu assured him, shaking her head. “He even secretly rubbed my belly when he left!”

Dongdong’s expression shifted, showing relief mixed with nervousness. Pouting, he felt a little more downcast than before. After a while, he glanced at the leftover food and said, “Why hasn’t Ah Heng come yet?”

Just as he finished speaking, a clear voice rang out from the gate: “Dongdong! Sister Shu, I’m here!”

This time, instead of Xiao Huaiting, a stranger brought him here. After delivering him, the man bowed and quietly left.

Hearing the voice, Dongdong dashed out joyfully: “Ah Heng!”

Yan Qiushu observed the delighted children, shook her head with a smile, asked Aunt Xu to set up the charcoal stove for the next round of barbecue, and went to the kitchen to continue making egg rolls.

She hadn’t eaten yet!

Shui Xikong jumped into action, hurrying over to assist.

Soon, delicious egg rolls were being made one after another, filling the air with a rich milky aroma. The addition of white sugar enhanced the sweet scent. As Yan Qiushu made more, the fragrance intensified, wafting even across the gravel road from the kitchen to the restaurant.

Zhou Zhaoheng, who had been savoring the tasty barbecue, found it feeling a bit greasy after catching a whiff of the egg rolls.

Thanks to Dongdong, he could enjoy meat every noon, which had lessened his cravings. Now, when he smelled meat, he rarely wanted to eat it.

Cakes were harder to come by, and Yan Qiushu made them in smaller batches, so he naturally had less of them, especially the sugary ones. It seemed his brain was starting to get excited with anticipation.

When the meat landed on his plate, Zhou Zhaoheng stared at it for a few moments before eating without much enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, Dongdong, feeling full, was chatting with Zhou Zhaoheng. As they talked, Zhou Zhaoheng fell silent, but Dongdong didn’t notice because he was too focused on the sweet egg rolls.

Dongdong sniffed the air, drooling, “It smells amazing! Do you want to try it?”

Zhou Zhaoheng blushed and nodded: “…I do.”

Dongdong immediately declared, “I’ll go ask for two!”

Zhou Zhaoheng nodded eagerly, looking at him with expectation.

Before Dongdong could act, Shuiyan approached with a plate piled high with egg rolls, forming a small, light yellow hill.

Dongdong’s eyes widened.

Zhou Zhaoheng stared in awe.

Shui Yu placed the plates down, picked one from the top, and handed it to Dongdong: “This is what the girl prepared for you, but Dongdong can only have one, and Ah Heng can enjoy the rest. If you can’t finish it, take it home to savor slowly.”

“Wow! Sister Shu is unfair!” Dongdong complained.

Zhou Zhaoheng shyly smiled: “Thank you, Sister Shu, thank you, Sister Shui Yu.” He looked at Dongdong, pushed the plate toward him, and said softly: “You should eat it. I won’t be able to finish it.”

“No, it’s for you. I can wait until tomorrow!” Dongdong insisted, pushing it back and then eagerly biting into the egg roll he held.

The crispy texture and sweet, milky flavor melted in his mouth. The black sesame seeds provided little bursts of surprise when he bit into them. As he chewed, the sweetness spread, making him feel better, and he forgot about not having enough to eat.

Zhou Zhaoheng picked up one for himself and, after just a couple of bites, expressed his envy: “Dongdong, you’re so lucky!”

Dongdong scratched his face, grinning foolishly, and nodded: “Yeah!”

Zhou Zhaoheng smiled, feeling envious, leaned closer to his friend, and whispered with a blush, “I’m really happy right now too!”

Last time he wanted to go out, his father had locked himself in his room for a long time before agreeing. It took ages for someone to come and get him.

He had been passed on to someone else who carefully avoided getting caught, which had terrified him all the way. The return trip was similar.

This time, when he asked to go out again, his father agreed without hesitation. There was no need to hide in the palace for long as he had done before.

Before it got dark, someone came to pick him up. As he stepped outside, he felt more confident than before, no longer sneaking around like a thief.

Zhou Zhaoheng was pleased with this. Being able to leave that small world occasionally and enjoy the food Dongdong brought was the best thing ever!