Lin Youning blushed at a single sentence, embarrassedly burrowing under the quilt. Gu Yifeng simply laughed, the two chatted and laughed, and outside, Hailan didn’t let anyone disturb them. Lin Youning got tired, leaned against her big brother’s chest, and dozed off for a while. When she woke up again, it was almost noon.

Lin Youning found that although her big brother wasn’t lying in bed with her, he was sitting at the bedside with a book in his hand. Hearing movement from the bed, he put down the book and looked down at her, "Awake?"

Lin Youning nodded, "Why didn’t you wake me up, big brother?"

Staying in her brother’s house this late without getting up was embarrassing.

Gu Yifeng smiled, "Your brother went to the new residence, and there wasn’t much to do in the house, so I didn’t wake you. The snow stopped outside today, and I’ll take you out for a walk later. A new place serving hot pot has opened in the Capital, it’s quite popular, and the flavors are spicy. Don’t you love spicy food now? Perfect for lunch."

Lin Youning was naturally delighted to hear about going out to play. After getting ready, she called Sister Ling, and the group left the house together. At first, Sister Ling was a little reserved in front of Gu Yifeng, but after less than an hour, by the time they arrived at the hot pot place, she had become lively again.

Since Sister Ling was still a few years away from marriageable age, when they arrived at the restaurant, she curiously looked around, and Lin Youning didn’t stop her. A waiter came in with the menu; after hearing the introductions, Lin Youning’s eyes were full of curiosity.

"This restaurant is quite special and creative, especially this set meal, I’ve never heard of it before," Lin Youning paused, "This kind of novelty seems like something Wu Xueqin would come up with."

Gu Yifeng flashed a look of admiration, "Good guess, this is her restaurant."

Lin Youning raised an eyebrow, and when ordering later, she could understand where the innovations came from. With the snowy weather, Lin Youning ordered a lot of greens and some meat.

When the food was served, Lin Youning felt her mouth starting to water, and just the sight of the red chili oil in the copper pot whetted her appetite.

Gu Yifeng had already noticed her impatience to eat. As soon as the lamb was cooked in the pot, he picked some and placed it in her bowl. The spicy and fragrant, slightly hot lamb melted in her mouth, and Lin Youning felt the more she ate, the hungrier she became.

Sister Ling, beside her, also started helping herself. Eating spicy and big bites, she kept exclaiming how delicious it was. Gu Yifeng waited until Sister Ning was nearly full before he started to eat.

Wu Xueqin sat in a private room on the second floor, just able to see the three through the screen below. Her eyes were calm and devoid of turbulence, but upon closer inspection, one could see her hands were clenched tightly.

Ever since being abandoned by Wang Wen, Wu Xueqin rarely interacted with the noble families in the Capital. Although the Holy Emperor valued her, she could feel his resentment due to the incident with Wang Wen.

Wu Xueqin never expected Wang Wen, such an honest man, to do such a thing — abandoning her and not caring about the child in her womb.

Now, she had lost everything, and her situation was not good, how could she feel at ease?

Yet, look at Lin Youning, not only living well, but having a good man cherishing her, and now even her status has elevated, becoming a Commandery Princess, the daughter of a Prince.

Wu Xueqin shifted her gaze, thinking they were just women dependent on men without their own minds, no matter how well they lived. Didn’t they still have to eat at her restaurant?

This sense of superiority made Wu Xueqin feel a little better.

Lin Youning ate until she was full, yet reluctant to put down her chopsticks. Gu Yifeng then said, "If you like it, I’ll have someone buy some to take back to the residence; you can eat it whenever you like."

Only then did Lin Youning reluctantly put down her chopsticks, "Alright then."

She gently caressed her stomach with one hand.

When Li Ren and Prince Shou came in, this was the scene they saw. Lin Youning was delighted to see her father, standing up to greet him, but was stopped by Prince Shou’s raised hand, "We’re not outsiders, sit down."

Gu Yifeng, however, stood up to greet them, then called for the waiter to bring bowls and chopsticks. Prince Shou didn’t stop him, thinking it was only natural. Li Ren quietly sat by Prince Shou’s side. He dressed so simply, like a counsellor, that had Prince Shou not introduced him, Lin Youning wouldn’t have thought the person before her was the Crown Prince.

Thinking back to how her big brother stood up to greet but was stopped, she understood the Crown Prince didn’t want to be noticed.

Prince Shou and Li Ren both preferred milder tastes and didn’t find the hot pot particularly appealing. The meal hadn’t lasted long before it was interrupted.

Some officials from the Capital had come, knowing Prince Shou was there, but didn’t expect the reclusive Crown Prince to also be present.

Li Ren had been speaking with Lin Youning, though not much was said, the atmosphere was good. Unexpectedly, they were interrupted.

Li Ren’s face maintained a faint smile, not revealing any displeasure at the interruption.

Prince Shou, naturally cold and detached, only spoke after the officials had paid their respects, "Why are you here? Is there something you need?"

Leading them was Mr. Dong Sr., who glanced up before answering, "We happened to pass by, and upon hearing the Marquis and the Prince were dining, we came to pay our respects, not expecting the Crown Prince to be present."

Prince Shou nodded, "You’ve paid your respects, now you may go."

Mr. Dong Sr. nodded repeatedly, "We shall take our leave now."

Following Mr. Dong Sr. were others who echoed his words and left with him. However, their departure had already drawn the attention of outsiders, making it inappropriate to stay any longer.

Lin Youning was full, Prince Shou and the Crown Prince weren’t fond of the food either, so they didn’t stay longer and settled the bill before leaving. As they did, Wu Xueqin appeared, "We’re all acquaintances, and with the Prince visiting, how could I charge for the meal?"

Wu Xueqin had seen the Crown Prince Li Ren at court, so she stepped forward to pay her respects. Li Ren merely nodded, without speaking, just glanced at Prince Shou, and the two left in big strides.

Lin Youning had been resented by Wu Xueqin before, and she disapproved of Wu Xueqin’s actions regarding Wang Wen, so she didn’t approach Wu Xueqin, letting her big brother guide her by the waist out of the place. The last thing she saw was Li Si putting the silver on the table.

Lin Youning couldn’t help but smile knowingly, easily imagining how unpleasant Wu Xueqin’s expression would be.