That day, after the King of Yue's crazy and coercive proposal, He Le'an's mood was fluctuating wildly, with a mix of sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy emotions exploding in her chest. She couldn't help but feel happy, yet she also couldn't shake off her worries. After three days of torment, she decided to go to the Rich and Noble Wine House to help out, hoping to distract herself from the thoughts of a certain someone that lingered in her mind.

  But she just arrived at the Fugui Wine House, and Cao Zhuanggui was like seeing a Bodhisattva descending to earth, pulling her aside and saying: "I was just thinking of going somewhere else to find another cook, but you showed up, come on, this time you have to help me out."

  He Le'an blinked in confusion, and Cao Zhangang spat out bitter water: "Our wine shop has been short of people recently, you know that. Yesterday I just hired two suitable partners, and today Nizi kitchen said his old mother was seriously ill and wanted to take a few days off, I agreed."

  "Hu Zi said that when Nizi returns, he also wants to take leave to visit his newborn grandson who is about to be one month old. I was extremely grateful for the staggered leave, but the boss's family chef fell ill and asked me to find someone to temporarily help out. Now, I'm worried that we're already short of one chef, if another one leaves, the kitchen will definitely be in chaos."

  Cao said: "I've seen your culinary skills before, and there are many new and fresh dishes. I heard from Uncle Xiong that you also study medicinal cuisine. The boss is a generous person, he said that whoever helps out will be rewarded with a second-class price, cooking a meal can get 50 taels of silver. You'd better help the shopkeeper through these few trips, I'll be grateful for your great kindness in this life and the next!"

  "Manager Cao is being serious." He Le'an raised Manager Cao's hand that was making a bow, she didn't care about the money...

  Seeing her hesitation, Cao Zhangang thought of the last time at Zhiyibofu and smiled: "Don't worry, although the master is a wealthy man, he is the only one in charge of the entire mansion. The others are all highly educated maidservants and servants, with simple personnel and strict rules, nothing strange will happen. You can also be considered as one of our people at Fugui Wine House, they won't bully you."

  He Le'an believed that Cao would not deceive her, so she agreed in the midst of begging, took the address, and after saying goodbye to Xiong Shu, went to the Wu Yi Xiang's Xi Fu. Cao also said that before Xi Lao Ban became rich through business, his family was a renowned literary family, which is why he could be friends with someone as noble as Xue Shi Zi.

  In the past, when traveling the world, he had obtained many legendary items and was highly respected despite his young age. In Fengzhou City, he was also known for his kindness and had a good reputation, earning him much admiration. Upon hearing this, He Lüan couldn't help but feel curious, and looked up to examine the Xū estate, which occupied a large area of land but didn't appear wealthy at all, with every brick and tile bearing the marks of age and weathering.

  Unlike other dignitaries' and wealthy families' mansions, which were stern and tidy in appearance, the outer wall of this house was casually covered with wisteria vines, as if they had extended from the inner wall, swaying back and forth to hook onto the vermilion wooden gate, where a pure pear-wood plaque hung. The purple-blue and crimson flowers and vines, like flowing tassels, danced in the wind without restraint.

  He Le'an walked to the back door, where a beautiful young maid of about fifteen or sixteen years old was already standing under the open eaves. She looked at her and smiled: "Are you the cook sent by Manager Cao? Please come in."

  As soon as they entered the gate, the maid led her to the courtyard, winding through eighteen turns of pavilions and kiosks, passing through layers of beautiful scenery, and circling around several winding corridors. The maid stopped in front of a round courtyard door, facing her puzzlement, the maid smiled: "Our Xū Fǔ has its own rules, you are new here, should first go to pay respects to the young master."

  She came as a helper at the Fugui Wine House and went to greet the boss, which was also reasonable. He Le'an nodded in response.

  At this time, a small servant came hastily, saw her beside him, and whispered to the maid. After that, He Le'an only saw the maid's expression was different, but she still maintained her polite manners and smiled apologetically at her:

  "Little brother, the young master is currently tasting tea in the waterside pavilion. He already knows you're coming to pay your respects. The maid has an urgent matter to attend to and will leave you to go inside on your own. Just follow the jasmine corridor in the garden and head in the direction of the sound of water." Before she had even finished speaking, she quickly left with the young servant.

  He Le'an was flabbergasted by their 'neglect' of this 'outsider', and when she came to her senses, no one's shadow could be found. After some hesitation, she still followed the maid's words and walked towards the courtyard.

  As soon as she saw the corridor with a bunch of wisteria flowers hanging from the eaves, she heard the sound of water flowing rhythmically. Further in, there was a lush green wooden pavilion, about three bays deep, and suddenly the view opened up to reveal an exquisitely laid out artificial lake. Before she knew it, she was walking on the surface of the lake, with several golden red koi fish swimming around her feet.

  Among the large lotus flowers and narcissus, a small winding path is almost buried in the fresh green wooden railing. In the rippling water light, a pavilion different from the traditional waterside pavilion appears before one's eyes. It has a clear grape trellis as its base, topped with glazed tiles to form a crystal palace.

  At a glance, every detail is an unspeakable ancient elegance, yet exquisitely beautiful to behold. Under the sky and on the rippling waves, there are large and small waterwheels tirelessly weaving out soothing melodies. The wooden railings of the path have gaps at each step, allowing one to see fish swimming in the water amidst entwining aquatic plants, a truly delightful sight.

  She walked through the small path, stepped onto the wide wooden platform, and entered the grape arbor. Amidst the lush greenery, she saw a man wearing white clothes sitting with his back to her, facing a carved flower window about two meters long and one and a half meters wide. It was a small courtyard with several old pomegranate trees and roses, and next to them were several trees and lively plants that she couldn't name.

  He Le'an bowed and said, "I am Xiao Ke, a cook sent by Manager Cao. I've seen you before, Mr. Xu." The man in white turned around nonchalantly, revealing a face that was not particularly handsome but had features that made one feel comfortable, yet his expression seemed aloof and distant. When he looked at her, it was as if he had been suddenly hit by a snowball, and his surprised expression was revealed.

  She sensitively discovered that it wasn't the normal expression a man should have when looking at the same sex, then heard a rich and mellow voice like strong wine say: "Boss Cao is getting better at picking people, this tender skin and delicate flesh is indeed my type, come over here."

  He Le'an carefully pondered the profound words, shaking her head vigilantly. "Xu Boss, I'm just a cook who came to cook." Having lived two lifetimes, she knew that the wealthy and powerful often had some special quirks. She said, "I'm a chef who sells art, not my body."

  He let out a snort of laughter, and the white silk curtains danced in the sunlight, his eyes shining with an otherworldly light that was both captivating and mesmerizing. His transcendent aura made him seem like a celestial being, and for some reason, He Lian thought of Yue Junwang, two people who were as different as chalk and cheese, yet both possessed an inexplicable, enchanting aura that seemed to emanate from their very bones.

  "If I don't give you money, then it doesn't count as sold."

  "......" said with reason, He Lian An awkwardly said: "Forcibly robbing a citizen...man, is against the law." As he spoke, he retreated several steps back, thinking he had created a 'safe' distance, but... in just the blink of an eye, he was already standing in front of her, "!"

  "They say that treasures are picked up on the ground, but can't be obtained by asking heaven and earth. Since you've walked into my home yourself, you're naturally mine now." He gently stretched out his hand to lift her chin, carefully examining her appearance, and smiled extremely satisfactorily: "This skin is wasted on a cook, if you accompany me tonight, this huge mansion will be given to you." Before she pushed him away, he whispered in her ear, "An Er."

  He Le'an never thought that she would be fooled again by the detestable and evil-minded Prince Yue, she glared at his smug face, "Are you a child? Every time it's like this, is it fun?"

  "Who made your frightened look so interesting, that I always can't help but want to tease you." The Duke of Yue pulled her hand and walked into the inner hall separated by a bamboo-made Taolin screen. In front of the hall was a five-panel sliding bamboo door, while on both sides were floor-to-ceiling empty doors, one side showing the scenery of a small courtyard, and the other side showing a boundless lake view.

  He pulled her forward, opening one of the bamboo doors to reveal a stylish bedroom. On either side were windows with broad views, and under the window on the left was placed a large and extremely luxurious dressing table, while under the window on the right was a wooden desk.

  In front of it was a three-tiered wooden platform, on which a bed that looked very soft and comfortable was placed. On the left side of the bed was a floor-to-ceiling multi-functional cabinet, and on the right side was a floor-to-ceiling bookcase. The overall decoration was simple and gentle, exuding a brand new flavor.

  "Do you like it? I had it renovated for you..." Prince Yue smiled and said, "Our bridal chamber."

  He Lian was taken aback by his casual mention of the word "husband", her face flushing red, "Who agreed to marry you?!"

  The smile on the edge of King Yue's lips became dangerous and intriguing, "It turns out that An'er likes to be tied up in a flower sedan chair, I understand, and I will definitely satisfy your special request."

  "Who likes to be tied up on a sedan chair, doesn't have any special requirements, you don't!" He Le'an was shocked to see the stranger's face suddenly approaching, the overly intimate distance scared her into swallowing back the words that had risen to her throat, and her heart lake couldn't help but surge with shocking waves, her thin face burning fiercely.

  She couldn't help but want to back away, but his arm wrapped around her waist, locking her within the bamboo door. She pursed her lips and looked at him with a serious expression, only to hear the familiar low and lazy voice filled with amusement say, "Then let's have a proper wedding ceremony, and after the Duke's identity disappears, I'll go to your house to propose."

  "From now on I'll be called Xie Ye, for the rest of my life I ask that you guide me often."

  He Lian's face was burning, and it exploded into a monkey's butt.