Chapter 71: The Glutton Is Never Sated

“Huh?” Suqing was a little puzzled by these words. She glanced at the basket in her arms, noticing there was indeed a food box inside. When she felt it, it was still warm.

Strange, how did they know the mistress was hungry, and the timing was so perfect.

That was amazingly fast!

Hearing this, Ji Tianxin slowly raised her head as well, fixing her gaze on the basket of food in Suqing’s arms. “Suqing, bring it here.”

“Yes.” Suqing gave Lin Si a curious look, then turned and walked straight over to Ji Tianxin.

“Then… then I won’t disturb you any further. Please enjoy your meal, Miss Ji.” Lin Si cupped his hands, and with that, leapt away, vanishing with a flourish of lightness skill.

Suqing took out the food box and set it on the low table beside Ji Tianxin, carefully arranging all the dishes.

As soon as the dishes were uncovered, a wave of steaming fragrance wafted through the air, instantly awakening everyone’s appetite.

Ji Tianxin smiled, “This chef really knows what he’s doing.”

Shi Yue poked his head out from Ji Tianxin’s embrace, his eyes sparkling.

Three dishes and a soup—two meats, one vegetable—a perfectly balanced meal.

And each dish looked utterly mouthwatering.

Suqing thought to herself, Who exactly is this young master? His offerings of fine food for the mistress are so perfectly timed and suited.

Even someone as finicky as the mistress can’t forget the taste of his cooking.

Ji Tianxin said, “Suqing, go fetch another pair of chopsticks. Let’s eat together.”

In Ji Tianxin’s presence, there was little emphasis on rigid class distinctions—if they could eat together, they would.

It was both convenient and easy.

“Yes!” Suqing’s smile stretched from ear to ear as she dashed off to fetch another pair of chopsticks.

Shi Yue wanted to eat as well, but Ji Tianxin lightly pushed him away.

“I’ll have the house’s cook make you something in a moment.”

She knew that, for this creature, a single bite would finish all the food here.

Gluttonous beast—always hungry, never full.

It seemed she would have to research a pill to sate the appetite of a taotie.

Otherwise, she feared that one day this little fellow would eat her into poverty.

Prince Rong’s Residence.

Upon returning, Lin Si relayed everything that had happened at the General’s Manor to Si Kouyan, not missing a single detail.

He was hoping for a touch of commendation, but before he’d finished, Si Kouyan cut him off with, “Go accept your punishment. Forfeit one month’s salary.”

Lin Si was dumbfounded. “Your Highness…” he protested, bewildered as to why, after completing his task, he was being punished.

Hadn’t he done everything properly?

Si Kouyan looked up, his gaze cool. “What did I tell you before you left?”

Lin Si responded immediately, “You instructed me to deliver the food box quickly, before it got cold. To leave it outside the courtyard…”

The realization dawned on Lin Si mid-sentence.

He dropped to one knee. “Yes! I failed to observe proper conduct!”

Now he understood why His Highness was displeased.

It was because he had broken protocol and entered the courtyard himself.

“Your subordinate… your subordinate was just anxious about the food getting cold. And Miss Ji is just a child, so…” At this point, Lin Si wanted to slap himself.

He had indeed thought of Miss Tianxin as just a child, and didn’t consider it further. He hadn’t regarded her as an ordinary young lady.

Suqing had chided him, and although he’d felt uneasy at the time, he simply thought she was annoyed at his intrusion.

Si Kouyan’s eyes were cold as he regarded him. “No matter how young, she is still a girl. A maiden’s quarters are a place of privacy. If you startled her, or if word got out and caused trouble, would you bear the blame?”