121 No Such Thing As Most Shameless (1/2)

Deng Haichuan ran to the Jing An Marquis' residence but was told that the Heir-Son Lord has gone to Puji Temple with Song Qi. He tried for the Third Young Master Xia, but the gatekeeper said that he was working at the Zhan Shi residence.

Deng Haichuan could only request for the gatekeeper to tell the Heir-Son Lord that Head Chef Li Yao of Heavenly Residence was in the palace.

Deng Haichuan, not finding the help he needed in the Jing An Marquis' mansion, made his way to the Helian Mansion. He found Manager Liu and relayed the urgency of his visit.

Manager Liu then got someone to take Deng Haichuan to the army to look for the Young Royal Highness Jing.

”What? Who summoned him to the palace? When was this?” Helian Jing asked anxiously.

Deng Haichuan shook his head helplessly. ”I don't know. Brother Yao himself probably doesn't know, too! He has been gone for almost an hour now.”

Helian Jing fretted. Today was really a bad day for Yaoyao to get in trouble. The two people who have the most power were all quite a distance away. His older brother has gone to the campsite and Brother Chunyu has gone to Puji Temple, so he was on his own now.

The Crown Prince! The Crown Prince likes Yaoyao!

Helian Jing ordered, ”Go back to the restaurant. I will handle this.”

Deng Haichuan replied, ”Then I shall leave now.” He was halfway out when he stopped and looked back worriedly, ”Young Royal Highness, will Brother Yao be alright?”

”I won't let any harm come his way,” Helian Jing answered. If he could not find any help, he'll go alone.

After Deng Haichuan left, Helian Jing asked the guard at the palace doors if a eunuch had brought someone from outside into the palace. The guard said that Eunuch Shi from Concubine Mei's palace brought a young man in just a while ago.

Helian Jing was puzzled. Why did Concubine Mei summon Yaoyao? Yaoyao has nothing to do with her!

The concubines' palaces were not a place where officials like him can just barge in, so Helian Jing could only get Ping An to watch the outside of Zhao Hua palace while he looked for the Crown Prince.

However, the Crown Prince was still in a meeting with the Emperor discussing national affairs, and it was uncertain when they'll be done. Helian Jing was so anxious he could feel his heart burning.

Ye Jiayao has never seen anyone so shameless.

Initially, when she heard that Concubine Mei liked the ice cream mooncake, she had thought that she'd be rewarded. She didn't expect that the concubine would demand her recipe! Concubine Mei reasoned that despite Ye Jiayao's willingness to make the food for her anytime, there were still dangers outside the palace. She said that Ye Jiayao should just teach the royal chef the process to save everyone the hassle.

Ye Jiayao wanted to slap her upside the head. This was her money-making skill, how dare she demand to just give it to her?

Ye Jiayao tried hard to control her anger, replying tactfully, ”If Your Highness likes them, I can send it to you daily. The food I make is definitely clean and hygienic.”

Concubine Mei frowned, unhappy with the little chef's refusal. She asked for it, why wouldn't he just give it to her?

”Delicacies like this would definitely be very popular with the imperial concubines. If all of them wants it, can you manage to send them over every day? If you're afraid that the imperial chef would disclose your secret recipe, don't worry. The palace has strict rules, no one would dare to break them,” Concubine Mei assured, leisurely using the cover of her cup to brush away the floating tea leaves.

”It is not that I do not trust the imperial chefs, Your Highness. It's just that there are rules, secret recipes are not passed on to outsiders that easily. Even if the palace wants it, it has to be levied in the form of a tribute. It is unheard of for the palace to make someone hand over their secret recipe,” Ye Jiayao tried to reason. If she gave in now, it was guaranteed that this would happen again.

Concubine Mei's expression changed slightly and her tone became cold and threatening as she said, ”I summoned you to the palace today because I think highly of you. Don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit.”

Ye Jiayao smiled as politely as she could. ”I would stand by my words. If Your Highness wants to eat them, you can have your servants get them from the restaurant. I will not collect a single cent as a show of filial respect to Your Highness. However, I would definitely not agree to hand over my secret recipe.”

Concubine Mei placed her teacup heavily on the side table. ”I have heard that you are rather daring, Li Yao. I didn't believe that anyone would ever dare to offend Princess Liu Li, but now that I've met you...”

Ye Jiayao replied honestly, ”I am not daring, Your Highness. In fact, my legs are shaking right at this moment. However, I stand by my words and principles because it is all that I have.”

”Don't think that I won't punish this.” Concubine Mei was the Emperor's favorite. She always gets what she wants so the rebuttal of a commoner was a hard pill to swallow.

It took all of Ye Jiayao's willpower to appear calm. ”Everyone in Heavenly Residence knows that I am summoned to the palace by Your Highness. If I don't return, the Crown Princess wouldn't be able to have the yogurt ice cream she ordered me to make, the Old Ancestress of the Helian Mansion wouldn't be able to have the osmanthus cake I made, and the mooncakes that the Jing An Marquis residence wanted would not get sent. Someone will start asking questions and I don't think Your Highness would want to tarnish your reputation...”

”You actually dare threaten me?” Concubine Mei demanded in rage.

”I would not dare do such a thing, Your Highness. I am only analyzing the situation and breaking it down to you.” Ye Jiayao could feel her palms sweating. Why wasn't Chunyu here yet? If he doesn't come soon, she doesn't know what this crazy bitch would do.

Concubine Mei snorted. ”You sharp-tongued chef, do you think that by relying on your gift of the gab, I will pardon you? Guards, drag him out and smack his mouth.”

If she wants to punish a mere chef, would someone really dare jump out to oppose her?

Ye Jiayao cursed silently. F*ck, f*ck, f*ck! This f*cking bitch is as crazy as Liu Li! Are all royalties batshit insane like this?

A palace maid entered and hurriedly said, ”Your Highness, Eunuch Little Chuan from the East Palace seeks your audience.”

Concubine Mei's heart skipped a beat. Someone from the East Palace? Could it be for this fellow?