[This is set somewhere in time within the novel]
Princess Yin Xiulan's everyday life is almost the same as any other day. Her duties for today are almost the same as yesterday's and probably almost the same as tomorrow. First thing in the morning, she goes to the Department of War and Defense for the daily gathering of her subordinates in the imperial army. During this period of time, the imperial soldiers and guards will assemble for everyday inspection and morning exercises. Here, she personally observes these men execute what needs to execute and punish the ones who need to get punished.
She shows no mercy and seems hot-headed even though it's still early in the morning. Despite the princess general's temper, these men don't have any objections. Not because they're afraid of what might happen to them if they dare to disobey the general but because they sincerely believe that all of these are essential to becoming a better soldier than yesterday. They think that this is the very reason for their countless victories under the first princess' lead. However, it doesn't mean that they are not afraid of her. They are, actually, but that's not their main reason.
After the daily exercises, the princess will return to her hall for her breakfast with her maids. Yes, she's 'secretly' sharing a meal with her servants. By norms, the servants are not allowed to eat with the nobles. However, Princess Yin Xiulan got accustomed to eating with others.
A few years ago, when the three of them are still staying at Wan Molihua Palace, together with their shizun, Zhao Yangguang, and the sect elders, they would eat altogether. In fact, they're not eating unless everyone is present at the dining table. Well... there are some cases that they're not eating together. In times when the three of them messed up or made trouble, one of their elders won't let them eat as their punishment. When they got into this kind of situation, they will go after either Zhao Yangguang or their shifu, Wang Junjie. Knowing they won't be able to resist their beloved disciples, the triplets will just show them their puppy eyes, and just like that, they got to eat 'secretly'.
"Your highness, should we just prepare something for you? The Lieutenant General is late." Her court lady said.
Princess Yin Xiulan smiled and replied, "There is no need for that Lady Wen. He'll be here soon so I'll just wait. You may all eat first."
The maids immediately shake their heads, refusing to eat first. Getting to eat with her highness is already a big deal. They won't dare to eat before her.
The princess just scratches her head and said nothing any further. She doesn't get it. What's wrong with eating first? She doesn't see it as being disrespectful. But since it's a norm here inside the imperial palace, she didn't push the matter.
She thought, "What's taking Liu Chen so long?"
Liu Chen is her most trusted subordinate. He's more like her confidant on the battlefield. Despite his high rank, he doesn't mind following the princess general all day long just like a tail. He's also fine with doing her orders that are not related to the military. He even cooks for her highness' meals.
To Princess Yin Xiulan, he's not just a subordinate nor a servant. Liu Chen is more like a friend to her. She's comfortable talking to him even when she has nothing to say. Just random topics, even though it's not related to palace duties or about the matters in the Ministry of War and Defense. Although she talks about almost anything to him, she's still afraid to ask one thing her subordinate. She's afraid of what his answer might be but she's been longing to ask, "Are you always following me because you're willing to do so or because I appointed you as one of the Lieutenant Generals? Is it because of my authority? My temper? My position in the palace?"
As long as she's not asking him this, she wouldn't be able to get the answer. She thought, "I guess I'll never know."
Not too long, Lieutenant General Liu finally arrives at the princess' hall. He's holding a tray with several dishes on it. The mouth-watering smell of the food he's bringing lingers in everyone's nose.
Princess Yin Xiulan swallows. She felt hungry the moment the smell entered her nose. Still acting composed, she asks, "What took you so long? We've been waiting for you. Aiyah, you know I don't want to delay any of my duties."
Lieutenant General Liu smiled apologetically and put the food he personally cooked on the tea table that the princess uses every meal. He reasoned out, "I am so sorry, General. I also apologize to Court Lady Wen, and to you young ladies. I do not mean to waste your time."
The princess asks for the second time, "What took you so long?"
Liu Chen smiles and replies, "I prepared an extra dish for this morning's meal, General." He opens the bowl of wonton noodle soup. The mouth-watering smell strengthens. Her highness' servants also got curious and raised their necks to take a glimpse of the noodles. It indeed smells good. It probably tastes good too! He added, "I noticed that the general is getting a hard time in your everyday duties so I decided to make your favorite dish."
Princess Yin Xiulan got moved by his thoughtfulness and effort. How did he know that she's having a hard time lately? She's having a hard time doing her duties. Actually she's just working hard due to boredom. She's even considering asking his brother, Prince Yin Wenyan, to declare war against the nearby regions to have some excitement. However, she's 110% sure he's not going to permit it.
"How did you know that this is my favorite?" She can't help but ask.
He casually replies, "Because you eat a lot of wonton noodle soup."
The maids, including Court Lady Wen, gasp when they heard his answer. Princess Yin Xiulan on the other hand got her eyebrows twitched. She forced a smile and speaks, "Are you saying I'm a big eater? Do I look fat to you?" For some reason, the feeling of embarrassment got mixed with her annoyance. Why does he have to say it like that?
"Ah? No, no, no. Not at all, General. I think you have a good figure." He averted his eyes and for some reason, his ears got somehow reddish. He added, "I... I just noticed you like wontons. I'm not saying you're a big eater. It's just... you look like you are enjoying your meal when it's wonton noodle soup. Also, I noticed you'll barely move your meal when it's corn soup."
Princess Yin Xiulan doesn't know that Liu Chen was being observant of her likes and dislikes and takes note of it. The princess general isn't so sure if it's because she's hungry or what but she suddenly felt something warm inside her chest. She then picks up the chopsticks and starts to mix the ingredients of the wonton noodle soup in its bowl. Its aroma is teasing her again, making her feel hungrier.
Still looking a little anxious, he played his hand like a guilty child defending himself from his obvious fault. He continued, "Well, didn't the general once say it to me? You said your favorite dish is wonton noodle soup."
"Aiyah..." The servants expressed their disappointment in low voices. They thought these two are running in circles. When will they meet on the same page?
Yin Xiulan stops stirring in the bowl and raises her head to meet the lieutenant general's gaze. "I told you that?"
She was so touched by the thought that he knows her favorite food without her telling him but... But it's actually the other way around?!
"Yes, General! I always keep your words in mind." He answered the way a soldier answers his superior.
"..." Princess Yin Xiulan can't find any word to say. Now it is much clearer to her. Liu Chen is only following her because of her orders and her authority. Not that he sees her as a friend or a confidant. For some reasons that she can't explain, she's feeling a little disappointed.
The truth is, Princess Yin Xiulan never opened up about her favorite food. They didn't even talk about food yet. Liu Chen is actually lying. He learned that it's her favorite dish because she looks like she really loves it. Whenever they got to eat wontons, he sees how pleased and satisfied she is after the meal. He noticed that and kept it in his mind.
He's being observant of the princess especially when it comes to food.
About two years ago, when they are on a mission to win a war, there's this one time when he sneakily cooked congee. He's just cooking enough for himself that time so he's trying not to attract anyone's attention. However, everything doesn't always go according to your plan. The princess general found him. She even scolded him for eating more than everyone at first.
Of course, out of respect to the superior, he offered her the congee that's supposed to be his. The princess general hesitated at first but takes the congee anyway. She would be lying if she says she had enough food last mealtime. Since they're at war and food resources are not that many, they have to eat lesser than they normally eat.
General Yin Xiulan blew the spoonful of congee first before she puts it in her mouth. She savors it in her mouth, like a judge in a cooking competition. She finds this congee very good! She didn't know a simple congee could be so appetizing.
Lieutenant General Liu on the other hand stares at his superior enjoying the congee he made for himself. Although he didn't have a single spoonful of it, he never regretted that he cooked that time and got discovered by the princess general. He got to see her enjoy the food. Her fierce face and valiant aura dissipated for that short period of time. In his eyes, she looks more lady-like as she slightly smiles while savoring the food. He thought this ruthless general can have a gentle face. In an instant, his hunger dissipated.
"Are you the one who cooks your meal inside the imperial palace?" She suddenly asked.
Inside the palace, the imperial chef and his assistants cook for everyone, including the servants and soldiers.
"I don't always cook, General but I seldom cook for myself when I feel like doing so." He answers.
General Yin Xiulan is silent for a while as she looks at the half-empty bowl in her hand. She remembers that the other made enough congee for himself. Now, she ate half of it. She somehow feels bad but she didn't regret eating it.
"You're hungry, right? That's why you're sneaking here." She handed him the bowl and said, "If you feel like cooking, make it good for two. Give me half of it. This is an order."
"Yes, General!" He replied immediately. Of course, he'd love to! To him, to be able to cook for this heroic woman is an honor.
She added, "And... you're not allowed to cook while we're in a war. You know we have limited food."
He smiled bashfully and answered, "Yes, General."
To his surprise, the princess general who is ruthless even towards her allies smiles at him for a second or two before she finally turns her back to him and leaves.
He's frozen in his position for quite some time. He can't believe it. For the first time, he saw her smile. She smiled at him!
"She's pretty." He thought.
He massages his temples, telling himself to remember her smile clearly. He must not forget how it looks like because she only smiles once in a blue moon. Who knows when will she smile like that again?
Then he realized one thing. Didn't she smile because she's satisfied with his cooking? If he cooks for her some other time, would it mean he'll get to see her smile too?
He looks down at the bowl he's holding. He scoops a spoonful of congee and tasted it if he really did great. After tasting, he thought he did just fine. He didn't think he embarrassed himself in front of the princess general either. As he was about to eat another spoonful of congee, he realized something.
His cheeks suddenly felt unusually warm and his heart skipped a beat. He stares at the spoon he's holding. It's the same spoon as her highness used. Is this considered an 'indirect kiss'?
He can't help but smile like crazy with that thought. For some reason, he felt butterflies in his stomach and was also a little embarrassed. He shakes his head. How immoral! He wants to punch himself with the thought, how could he think like that? That's disrespectful towards the princess general!
And that's how Lieutenant General Liu became her highness' personal chef. Although he said to her that she doesn't cook always, ever since the day they got back to the palace, he cooks for both of them every meal every day. Though she still seldom smiles, her ashen face still seems to get a little brighter when it's mealtime. That's a big achievement for Liu Chen the great!
After their meal, some of the princess' servants keep all the dishes used and took them away from the hall. Lieutenant General Liu also keeps the dishes that he and her highness used.
Only Princess Yin Xiulan and three of her servants, including her court lady remained in the hall to help her get dressed and ready for today's duties.
"Your highness." Court Lady Wen calls as she carefully brushes Princess Yin Xiulan's long black hair. "Why don't we do something different today?"
The princess looks at her through the mirror. "I don't know what it is but I'm bored to death. Count me in." She said. "What difference are we making today?"
"Let's apply some makeup on you, your highness!" She replies.
With that, the excitement in Princess Yin Xiulan's face dissipated.
"Wait... what?"