When Yuping returned, Feng Yinwan had already set up a bonfire in the courtyard.
The firewood crackled merrily, looking perfect for... barbecue!
"Miss."
Feng Yinwan stood up upon hearing the voice.
The kitchen staff had been quite sensible, already skewering the wild rabbit with iron rods, requiring only her to start the fire and roast it.
Feng Yinwan nodded in satisfaction, placed the iron skewer on the rack, and took out a small packet of seasonings from her embrace, sprinkling it on.
Yuping curiously asked, "Miss, what is this?"
Feng Yinwan licked her lips excitedly, "Seasoning."
How could there be barbecue without seasoning? She had spent fifty taels, finally exchanging it from her bracelet!
Muttering a curse at the "black-hearted bracelet," Feng Yinwan focused on fanning the flames with her round fan.
The wild rabbit was already very plump and tender. With the addition of the "soul seasoning" from her bracelet, the aroma spread within moments.
Ye Tingyun had finally managed to find his way to Lanqing Courtyard. As he approached, he was greeted by the aroma, and immediately stopped, quietly peeking over the courtyard gate.
Peering inside, he saw Feng Yinwan exactly as she was turning the wild rabbit, his eyes widening.
This woman was secretly having a special meal!
And... it smelled so good!
In the courtyard, Feng Yinwan and Yuping worked in tandem, completely oblivious.
Yuping added more firewood, staring at the sizzling oil and involuntarily swallowing.
"Miss, it smells so good!"
Outside the gate, Ye Tingyun, who was secretly observing, stared at the golden-brown roasted rabbit and also swallowed involuntarily.
It really did smell good!
While he was lost in thought, Yuping's exclamation of delight came from the courtyard.
"Miss, it's so delicious!"
The wild rabbit was roasted to perfection, incredibly tender inside, almost bursting with juice with every bite, and crispy on the outside with a hint of char.
This wasn't just roasted wild rabbit; it was a delicacy fit for the heavens!
Hearing this, Feng Yinwan's red lips curved upwards, and she immediately popped a piece into her mouth.
"Indeed!"
Roasted meat with cumin, yyds!
Clicking her tongue, she broke off a rabbit leg and handed it to Yuping.
"You eat first, I'll roast the other one."
With that, she returned to the roasting rack. Ye Tingyun, watching Yuping eat with satisfaction, felt his yearning and craving grow.
This woman... (swallowing) ... she had two of them!
I really want to eat some, what should I do... I really want to eat some!
Ye Tingyun considered himself to have grown up in the palace, having tasted all the delicacies in the world, with nothing he couldn't imagine or hadn't eaten.
But!
He was now about to cry from longing for a roasted rabbit!
Meanwhile, Feng Yinwan and Yuping were enjoying their meal heartily, but as they ate, they heard a strange noise from outside.
Yuping frowned and looked outside, but before she could ask, Feng Yinwan stuffed some meat into her mouth.
Following her young lady's gaze, she happened to catch sight of a green garment outside the door and was immediately stunned.
"Miss..."
Feng Yinwan curved her lips, quietly got up, and tiptoed outside.
Ye Tingyun was still immersed in a complex mix of emotions: "Damn it, why is this roasted rabbit so fragrant!" and "This woman is secretly roasting rabbits, and two of them!"
He didn't even realize the door in front of him had been abruptly opened.
The next moment, Feng Yinwan's intrigued face filled his vision.
"Oh, Prince Yun, what are you doing sneaking around outside my Wangfei's courtyard?"
Caught red-handed, Ye Tingyun's brain went into a brief shutdown, and he stammered,
"You... you stop talking nonsense! I was just passing by!!"
"Passing by?"
Feng Yinwan raised an eyebrow. "My courtyard is the most secluded in the entire Prince's manor. How could Prince Yun possibly 'pass by' here after coming from the Observatory Pavilion?"
"I...!"
Ye Tingyun was momentarily speechless, and the aroma of the roasted meat kept wafting into his nostrils.
He instinctively swallowed again and looked up, only to see a trace of oil on Feng Yinwan's lips, which instantly cleared his mind.
"I came over because I had important matters! It's almost noon, and you haven't come to take my pulse for a long time, so I came to find you myself!"
He spoke with righteous indignation, but Feng Yinwan's lips curved upwards.
"Prince Yun, you have it wrong. This Wangfei has already been to the Observatory Pavilion and returned because you were not yet awake."
She had the nerve to say that!
The aroma of the roasted meat drove Ye Tingyun to speak less and less, and he sidestepped into the courtyard.
"I'll go in first!"
Yuping, who was eating, stood up and mumbled a greeting when he entered.
Ye Tingyun nodded with a stern face, plunked himself down on a stone stool, his eyes fixed on the roasting rack, not moving an inch.
He was contemplating how to get Feng Yinwan to invite him to eat, but Feng Yinwan, ignoring him, walked around him and sat back down.
Ye Tingyun was enraged.
"Third Brother's manor isn't without a kitchen. A Wangfei, doing such things in her courtyard privately, is utterly improper!"
Feng Yinwan raised an eyebrow. "What 'such things'?"
"A noble lady should have dignified behavior. Not only are your actions crude, but your eating manners are also so unsightly. No wonder Third Brother doesn't favor you!"
Despite his words, his eyes were fixed on the roasted meat in Feng Yinwan's hand, looking somewhat dazed.
Are you envious?
Feng Yinwan rolled her eyes subtly.
"If Prince Yun thinks this Wangfei's eating manners are unsightly, you can just turn around and not look. After I finish eating, I'll take your pulse."
"You!"
Ye Tingyun was furious. Just as he was about to turn away, a rabbit leg was offered to him.
"Here."
He was instantly captivated by the aroma, but upon seeing Feng Yinwan's knowing expression, he tried hard to resist.
"I don't need..."
Before he could finish, the rabbit leg was shoved into his mouth. Ye Tingyun froze for a second, then, finding it so delicious, he was almost moved to tears.
It really was delicious!
After taking several bites, he gave up all pretense of dignity and happily joined Feng Yinwan's barbecue feast.
When Qin Rulian came looking, she saw the three of them gathered around the bonfire, the atmosphere incredibly harmonious!
"Rabbit leg, save me another one."
Ye Tingyun's mouth was still full of meat, and his words were somewhat garbled.
Feng Yinwan glanced at the pile of bones in front of him and frowned in displeasure.
This brat was really not holding back!
Just as she was about to scold him, a figure in moon-white robes quickly approached.
"Tingyun, what are you..."
Ye Tingyun ignored her, only responding blankly after being called twice.
"Hmm?"
He turned his head and saw Qin Rulian frowning at him. He became guilty and tried to hide his hand behind him.
"Rulian, why are you here?"
She had initially thought his presence in the manor would be a good thing, helping her suppress Feng Yinwan's arrogant demeanor. She never expected them to get along so well.
Qin Rulian's expression twisted slightly.
"I thought since you haven't returned to the capital for many days, you must be missing the food at Sihai Yunyan. Coincidentally, I saw it on the street today and specially brought some back for you."
She subtly glanced at the barbecue grill on the ground and pursed her lips.
"I didn't expect... you had already eaten lunch."
Hearing this, Ye Tingyun felt a pang of guilt.
He had come to settle accounts with that woman, but how did he waver and fall into her trap!
He glared hatefully at the half-eaten meat in his hand and said sheepishly,
"Don't misunderstand. I came specifically to take your pulse. I just happened to run into this woman roasting rabbits in the courtyard, so I came along for the ride..."
Before he could finish, Qin Rulian's face changed, and she exclaimed in surprise,
"Rabbit?!"
"Rabbits are so cute, how could you bear to eat them!"