Chapter 56: A Newfound Respect

Hometown was surprised. “You can cook?”

She had never set foot in a kitchen, always living a life where clothes and meals were handed to her. She had no idea that children from poor families learned to take care of themselves early.

Wei Qingheng smiled, walked over to the small stove, picked up the ingredients, and began to light the fire and cook.

Hometown watched with curiosity, finding it all new and interesting. She stood up and walked over, ready to lend a hand.

“Miss.”

Jasmine saw this and hurried to stop her.

Hometown waved her off, then picked up a cucumber and began to wash it.

The Crown Prince and Yu Yang sat nearby. Seeing Hometown fumbling clumsily, the Crown Prince couldn’t help but chuckle. “Sister, you don’t need to busy yourself. Come sit with us.”

Wei Qingheng had been taking care of his sickly mother and young sister from a young age, so cooking a meal was hardly a burden for him. Besides, he truly hadn’t expected his pampered sister, whose hands had never touched spring water, to be able to cook. Even if she did, he would worry that she might tire herself out.

But Hometown paid him no mind, continuing to help wash and trim vegetables and peel potatoes.

“Miss, let me do it,” Wei Qingheng said, noticing her awkward movements and realizing she’d never done such chores before. He reached to take the potato from her, but she lifted her hand to avoid him, shaking her head firmly. “No need, I can manage. If I do something wrong, just teach me.”

Her words stunned everyone present.

The Crown Prince hadn’t expected Hometown to be serious. His little sister had never suffered any hardship, and now she was not only unafraid of rough work but even asked to be taught? He recalled all the hardships they had faced along the way, and yet she had never once complained.

He felt both gratified and a little pained. His sister had truly grown up.

Yu Yang’s thoughts echoed the Crown Prince’s. She had thought Hometown was delicate and pampered, surely averse to such tasks. But though Hometown had never suffered, she was not afraid of hardship, and that made Yu Yang look at her with new respect.

As for Jasmine, she had known all along that while her princess had been coddled and protected since childhood, her heart was exceptionally kind. She appeared spoiled and willful, but at her core she was gentle on the outside and strong within.

Hometown had indeed never done such chores before. Not only were her movements awkward, but she was slow. Yet Wei Qingheng did not mind at all. Instead, he patiently taught her how to wash and cut vegetables, guiding her until she gradually improved.

When all the ingredients were finally ready, it was Wei Qingheng who instructed her, while Hometown added the vegetables, stir-fried, seasoned with salt, and finally finished up. One by one, dishes bursting with color, aroma, and flavor emerged fresh from the stove.

The enticing fragrance filled the air. Jasmine began setting the bowls and chopsticks, then took some hot soup and rice into the room to feed Madam Wei.

When Yu Yang finished bringing all the dishes to the table, everyone sat down together as Lie Chang’an returned just in time, having finished his work.

As soon as Lie Chang’an entered the courtyard, the delicious aroma of the food hit him, stirring his appetite.

The Crown Prince smiled. “Chang’an, you’re back at the perfect time. Try my sister’s cooking.”

Lie Chang’an was momentarily stunned, glancing at the table full of dishes. Though they weren’t exotic delicacies, just simple home fare, they looked vibrant and appetizing, surely delicious.

He found it hard to believe that the Princess of Danqing, whose hands had never touched spring water, had prepared these. But seeing the Crown Prince’s proud expression — clearly not joking — and then noticing the Princess of Danqing, her head bowed and cheeks flushed, he understood this was indeed the truth.