"Chunfeng, go invite the Third Miss out."
Since the engagement was set, Prince Ding was considered an elder, and it was only proper for Xuanxuan to meet him.
Chunfeng had only taken two steps when she saw Qi Xuanxuan running out with a tray.
The Third Miss walked with steady steps, holding the tray with great stability, not at all like a pampered young lady.
"Second Sister, look, double-skin milk. I chilled it with some ice, added raspberry sauce, and also sliced peaches into it." Qi Xuanxuan held out the tray, seeking praise from Qi Zhenzhen.
Her second sister had mentioned it once, and she had made it. She was so proud.
"Who are these two?" Qi Xuanxuan noticed outsiders.
"Xuanxuan, this is Prince Ding, and this is Prince Ding's heir." Qi Zhenzhen gestured for Chunfeng to take the tray from Qi Xuanxuan, pulled the girl closer, and introduced them.
Prince Ding?
Qi Xuanxuan recalled what Amuer had told her about living at his uncle's residence, Prince Ding's manor.
So, was this Amuer's uncle?
"Greetings to Your Highness, and greetings to the Heir." Qi Xuanxuan, suppressing her shyness, curtsied gracefully.
Meeting for the first time, she could remain composed knowing his identity. Not bad.
The young girl looked a little like Gu Sinian's wife, with eyes that were dark and bright, full of spirit. She hadn't fully blossomed yet, but one could foresee that in a few more years, her appearance would be even more striking. Little cousin really has good taste, thought Zhao Qingcheng.
"We are family, no need for such formalities. Come, this is a meeting gift from this prince." Prince Ding said kindly. "What were you holding just now? It looked like food. I wonder if this prince has the fortune to taste it?"
Prince Ding didn't seem as rigid and serious as Amuer had described.
He looked quite approachable.
"It's the double-skin milk I made. This bowl wasn't chilled much, it's for my second sister. If Your Highness would like to try, please wait a moment, and I'll make you a chilled bowl to help beat the summer heat," Qi Xuanxuan said crisply.
"Then I shall trouble the Third Miss," Zhao Jin smiled.
For a simple dish, she was making a prince wait. Qi Zhenzhen wondered if she should offer her own bowl, but seeing that Prince Ding wasn't angry, she decided against it.
"Uncle, let me tell you, Xuanxuan's cooking is excellent. She can make so many delicious things. Have I gained weight?" Amuer said solicitously.
Zhao Jin glanced at him and said nothing.
"I don't see any weight gain, but your words have certainly become much sweeter," Zhao Qingcheng snorted.
It's fine to praise your little wife, but don't be so exaggerated.
You've only been at Taihe Temple for two days. No matter how delicious the food is or how much you eat, you can't immediately tell if you've gained weight.
Qi Xuanxuan soon came out with the double-skin milk chilled with ice. Everyone in the room received a bowl.
The tender, smooth milk pudding, the sweet and sour raspberry sauce, the juicy peaches, paired with fine ice shavings, and red beans that had been simmered to a granular texture. A spoonful was refreshingly cool and deeply satisfying.
Qi Zhenzhen and the others were accustomed to Qi Xuanxuan's almost supernatural culinary skills, but Zhao Jin and Zhao Qingcheng were tasting them for the first time.
When Amuer had praised them earlier, the two had dismissed it as a lover's bias, thinking that even if his little wife made pig slop, he would still call it a delicacy.
As it turned out, it was truly delicious.
"How is it, Uncle? I didn't lie to you, did I? Is it good?" Amuer asked with a sense of shared pride.
Good, it was more than just good.
And the sweetness was just right. Zhao Jin, who didn't particularly like sweets, found it perfect.
"Xuanxuan truly has excellent skills," Zhao Jin praised sincerely.
"Can I have another bowl?" Zhao Qingcheng asked, pushing his empty bowl forward sheepishly.