Chapter 530: I Want To, But I Don’t Know How
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
“l missed Junjun too,” Zhao Chuchu said as she rubbed his head. “Be careful while you’re in the palace, alright? If anything happens, look for your Third Brother immediately, okay?”
Xie Jun nodded and said, “l wanted to move to stay with Third Brother at first, but they said that I’m not allowed to do that. They said that Third Brother’s condition was not good. So I cannot disturb him and interrupt his recovery.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that?” said Xie Yan gently. ‘Just tell me, and I will think of a way.”
“l was afraid that you might find me annoying.”
“How could l? You are my brother. I’m afraid that I’m not caring for you enough. How could I possibly be annoyed?”
“Your Third Brother is right. You are brothers,” Xie Heng said. “I’m outside the palace, so I can’t act as quickly as your Third Brother. You should tell your Third Brother whenever something happens.”
“Okay, I got it.”
Xie Heng smiled.
Xie Yan felt somewhat helpless. He said, “Ever since Junjun returned to the palace, he’s been a lot less talkative. My father was worried that he might get sick from staying inside all the time. That’s why I brought him out.”
“I’m not. I just miss Bro and Sis a lot. I don’t know any of those people in the palace, and none of those brothers like me,” said Xie Jun as he hung his head low. “l feel so out of place there.”
Xie Yan felt very sympathetic. He knew exactly what his brothers were like— they loved to bully the weak yet feared the strong.
He decided to suggest to his father to let Xie Jun move out of the palace and stay at his place instead. That way, it would also be a lot easier for Xie Jun to meet him. Otherwise, it was difficult even to enter the palace. “Bro, I’m hungry,” Xie Jun said. “Can we eat something first?”
Xie Heng and Zhao Chuchu were speechless.
It’s not mealtime yet!
But Xie Heng wouldn’t reject Xie Jun’s request. He said to Zhao Chuchu, “Chuchu, can you help me see what groceries we have in the kitchen? I’ll bring the Third Prince to the study room first.”
“Okay.” Zhao Chuchu nodded. He knew what Xie Heng meant.
There would probably still be people coming to congratulate them, so they couldn’t leave the house. Otherwise, rumors will spread tomorrow that the rank-one scholar is arrogant and looks down on everyone else.
Zhao Chuchu entered the kitchen. First, she looked around to ensure that no one was around, then took out plenty of food from her carry-on space. She then went to look for Xie Heng.
“Your Highness, please make yourself at home. I’ll go cook something,” Xie Heng stood up and said.
Xie Yan was shocked. “Zizhao, are you kidding me? You’re going to cook?”
“Junjun is still young. Chuchu’s hands are for saving people. So I’m the only one who can cook,” Xie Heng explained calmly. “Besides, cooking isn’t shameful.’
“No, no, no, I’m just surprised. I’ve never seen a man cook before.”
“Aren’t all the chefs in the imperial kitchen male?”
Xie Yan was startled for a moment.
“Third Brother, my bro is really good at cooking. That’s why Sis and I don’t cook. We can’t possibly compare to him!” said Xie Jun, tugging on Xie Yan’s sleeve.
“Hahaha, I guess I got lucky today, didn’t l? Zizhao, I’m sorry to trouble you. Do you need any help?” said Xie Yan, laughing heartily.
Xie Heng rejected his offer. “No need; just wait for me here.”
After that, he turned and walked out.
Zhao Chuchu was starting the fire for Xie Heng in the kitchen. Xie Jun couldn’t help but run inside as well.
The secret guards saw the ninth prince squatting in front of the stove in his brocade, noble outfit, and it felt extremely odd.
A few moments later, Xie Yan walked out of the study room as well. Then, under the astonished gazes of the secret guards, he also walked into the kitchen.
The dark guards were at a loss for words.
Did these two people not know their status? How could they enter such a place?
But the secret guards weren’t allowed to show themselves, and Xie Yan didn’t bring any servants with him. So the secret guards couldn’t do anything but pace around anxiously. They almost wanted to charge into the kitchen and pull them out.
Xie Yan didn’t know what the secret guards were thinking.
He looked at Xie Heng, who was chopping up the ingredients and frying them in the wok. It was quite a novel sight.
But his eyes turned cold when he thought about the life that Xie Heng and Xie Jun lived together.
If it weren’t for Xie Heng, who did everything he could to care for Xie Jun, the boy would have died long ago.
Xie Hengs cooking mastery was probably developed because of the need to care for Xie Jun. All these things reminded Xie Yan of who his enemies were.
“Third Brother, it smells good, right? I think my brother’s cooking is way better than the imperial kitchen!” said Xie Jun with great pride on his face. “I’ve never eaten better food than my brother’s cooking.”
“Hmm, that’s true; the color, smell, taste—it’s all top-notch. I wasn’t hungry just now, but my stomach is suddenly growling after seeing this. Zizhao, I’m afraid I might want to come here to eat next time.”
“Your Highness, we probably wouldn’t get a chance to in the future.” Xie Heng rejected the Third Prince’s request without hesitation.
If Xie Jun hadn’t come back, he wouldn’t have cooked.
Other than Zhao Chuchu and Xie Jun, no one else could convince Xie Heng to cook.
Xie Yan felt somewhat regretful. He said, “Guess I’ll have to come with Junjun then.’
Once in a while, someone would knock on the door and come to congratulate Xie Heng. Zhao Chuchu would go and receive these people,
When Xie Heng was done cooking, Zhao Chuchu could finally get some rest.
After tasting Xie Hengs cooking, Xie Yan completely agreed with Xie Jun. He said, “I’ve never eaten lunch this good before. How unexpected, Zizhao!” “I’m glad you liked it. I was worried that my cooking may fall short for you.”
“No way! It’s just home-cooked food, but it’s very special because of its meaning. ”
Xie Heng smiled but didn’t say anything.
After lunch, Xie Yan had to bring Xie Jun back to the palace.
Xie Jun didn’t want to leave, but he knew that he had no choice.
“Bro, I’ve already prepared your gift. I’ll give it to you when the Temple Examination ends!” Xie Jun told Xie Heng before leaving.
“Sure, I’m looking forward to your gift,” Xie Heng said. “Go fast, so they don’t worry about you.”
“I’ll go now. But, Sis, I’ll come back to visit next time!”
“Okay, I’ll wait for you.”
Zhao Chuchu waved at Xie Jun.
Xie Jun got onto the horse carriage and left with Xie Yan.
“Junjun, do you really want to stay here?” Xie Yan asked.
Xie Jun shook his head, then nodded. “Third Brother, I want to, but 1 won’t.”
“You’re a good boy, Junjun,” Xie Yan said. He looked at Xie Jun, then sighed silently.
“Third Brother, I know.” Xie Jun hung his head low.
Although he didn’t like it, he couldn’t waste what his two brothers had done for him.
If he didn’t walk down this path, both Xie Yan and Xie Heng would be in deep trouble. Xie Jun didn’t want that to happen.
“It feels like Junjun is different,” Zhao Chuchu said to Xie Heng. “He’s a lot more steady and mature now. I think he encountered a lot of things in the palace. ”
“As long as he belongs to the royal family, he can’t escape those things. But don’t worry; Junjun looks innocent, but he won’t be easily ambushed. Xie Heng consoled Zhao Chuchu.
He had taught Xie Jun for so many years, so it was impossible for him not to grow. He was just used to relying on Xie Heng. Once he left him, Xie Jun would grow at a rapid pace.
Just like in his previous life. No one knew about Xie Jun’s real identity at first, and he was forced to go back as well. But Xie Jun didn’t let him down. Although he was physically weak, he was a worthy ruler.
If he had had time, he would have become a remarkable leader for the Wei Dynasty. But unfortunately, Zhao Chuchu wasn’t there in his previous life, and they weren’t lucky enough to meet a doctor who could cure him. So they couldn’t do anything except watch as Xie Jun passed away..