An elegant young woman walks in, wearing a stunning yellow gold Hanfu dress that screams royalty.
Her peacock-inspired hairstyle is as fierce as her expression, making her look like she just stepped off a throne.
The Liang Prince, like a stone statue, is caught completely off guard.
His eyes, usually narrow and cool, widen in shock, revealing just how stunned he is.
In a moment of pure disbelief, he blurts out, "You!?"
"Yes me!"
Chu Qiao just walks in, sits down, and plops her sock-clad feet right on the table. While playing with her nails, she gives the Liang Prince a look that could freeze him.
It's clear she's not happy to be there, and her body language says, "I'm here because I have to be, not because I want to be."
The usually cool Foxy Prince, caught off guard, shakes his head and straightens his fancy yellow robe.
He grins widely, showing off his front teeth in a way that makes his foxy face even more charming.
Unable to resist, Xiao Ce beams back at Chu Qiao and claps his hands.
He then tells a servant, "Get me another table."
Clearly, he's ready to turn up the charm and make this date even more interesting.
The servant nodded and as quick like the wind, a table was beside the table where Chu Qiao's feet were on top.
Xiao Ce flashed a sexy smile to this beautiful guest while he was doing something under the table.
Then, mirroring her move, Xiao Ce kicked off his shoes, placed his sock-clad feet on the new table, and started tapping his fingers on the edge.
Xiao Ce looked at her like the Foxy Prince is going to do it forever, continuously flashing his foxy eyes that wouldn't quit.
Chu Qiao feeling bored and somewhat irritated, it seems this Royal Prince is just as cool as the white snow outside, she said: "My time cannot be wasted, I have work to do tomorrow."
Xiao Ce still looking at her like he has never seen her in a century said: "My apologies. No blind date is complete without dinner."
He claps his hands twice, and a kitchen maid promptly arrives with their meal.
Feeling like this royal is as determined to irritate her like what she has been doing for the past few minutes, Chu Qiao adds, "Oh, and don't forget the whole turkey, slow-cooked and roasted to perfection."
Chu Qiao's voice, sweet and husky, suddenly shifted to a thunderous tone as she glared at the Royal's foxy eyes. "I WANT IT WELL DONE AND ON FIRE!"
Despite her fiery demand, Xiao Ce's composure remained unshaken. He kept his sexy, foxy grin and moved closer, gently lifting her soft jaw with one finger, his gaze still smoldering.
Xiao Ce leaned in close, taking in her scent, inching toward her lips with his eyes closed and a smile on his face.
But then, in a surprising twist, he pulled back, settled back into his seat, and slammed his feet on the table.
He said it blatantly: "FINE! your wish is my command!"
Bring in the turkey—well done and on fire!"
Xiao Ce on his formal face, cried at his servants to obey as they were standing like ice, but turned back his face to his pretty guest beaming, his eyes sparkling with a touch of mischief.
In the palace kitchen, chaos erupted. Maids and staff scrambled around, they desperately tried to set the turkey on fire. Before this, he personally selected his personal bodyguard dressed in disguise to deliver the message.
The moment it fails, they are a dead meat.
"See, the turkey isn't even well done. How are they supposed to set this on fire?" the kitchen staff complained.
The Palace already in a state of the emergency situation while the two VIPs waiting outside Li's garden, heard to the clamor of chefs and maids.
Xiao Ce untamed, kept tapping his fingers on the edge of the table with his feet still propped up.
Chu Qiao puffed air through her lips, looking like a disgruntled blowfish.
This is not a good sign.
A sign of bored mood, her feet on top of the table and still biting her fingers waiting for the promise of Turkey!
Unable to stay still, Xiao Ce broke the silence, saying, "I like it."
"You look even prettier when you're upset, just like before."
Chu Qiao, puzzled, caught the phrase "just like before?"
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"Just like before?" Xiao Ce said with a nod.
Not in the mood for sweet talk, she snapped back, "you are not giving any justice here."
"That golden handkerchief huh?" Xiao Ce starts to laugh out loud and recollects the sleeping drooling fine woman at the bar.
"How come it just turned down all the other rights of the noble? What's in it for me?"
Chu Qiao rolled her eyes in front of him.
Xiao Ce put down his feet under the table, sat straight, enjoying every word said: "The Golden Handkerchief. Like a Golden Buzzer—a shortcut, baby! Why don't you like it?"
"I'm the high roller, the blue-chip, the one-time lucky dime, the jackpot prize!" Xiao Ce winked at her.
Chu Qiao shot back sarcastically, "Do I have to like this golden buzzer?
And stop calling me 'baby!"
Xiao Ce responded quickly, "No, I can call you 'MY baby!
While other girls would die for a date like this but you came here to complain? Do I deserve this don't you think? Xiao Ce laughs out loud again the suddenly changed the topic.
"I waited days for you to show up. How could you not come sooner?"
Chu Qiao, got annoyed, "I got your invitation just last night. How lucky for you that I had no chance to refuse! And there's definitely more to this golden handkerchief 'buzzer' of yours."
Chu Qiao paused, noticing Xiao Ce's twinkling eyes, her irritation growing. "And, and… if I didn't show up…"
Xiao Ce said: "Surely, if you didn't show your face today, then the world will be in trouble baby!"
Hmm… The Prince in deep thinking, he thinks someone might have intercepted his invitation.
Before this, he personally selected his personal bodyguard dressed in disguise to deliver the message.
Chu Qiao gave him an awkward look, clearly unimpressed.
Chu Qiao broke the silence: "What if I kill you now so I won't sell my neck at your garrison yard!"
Chu Qiao did not change her sarcastic almost shouting ranting voice, and the foxy prince even loved it and became more alive and attentive.
"Kill me and bury me, baby. If you would be the last face I will see on earth, I will be the happiest person to die."
Xiao Ce continued his flirtatious banter, undeterred by her sarcasm.
Meanwhile, Chu Qiao kept up her stream of trash talk, showing no signs of backing down from the so-called "goat prince."
"Shut up your smooth talks! Don't look so not informed!" Chu Qiao snapped, her irritation clear.
Xiao Ce, however, seemed to relish every moment of her tirade, his eyes sparkling and his perfect white teeth on full display as he beamed at her.
Inside the kitchen, the staff and maids whispered and gossiped about the scene outside.
One maid remarked, "I've never seen the Lotus Prince like this before."
Another maid chimed in, "And I've never seen a woman like her breaking all palace protocols while the Prince just yields to her!"
The group burst into laughter, unable to contain their amusement.
Suddenly, Xiao Ce scoffed, his calm yet sarcastic voice rising just enough to be heard.
"The turkey? Do we have to wait forever?"
His tone made it clear that he wasn't too pleased with the delay.
The chefs flustered, continued to create a ruckus in the kitchen, unable to figure out what to do next.
Xiao Ce turned his attention back to his guest, asking, "Do you really want a turkey instead of the royal meal that Liang's finest chefs have prepared for this dinner?"
Chu Qiao, caught between a stern expression and a secret smile, couldn't help at the thought that Xiao Ce might be on the verge of giving up.
She got it when the Prince secretly exchanged a begging glance for her to cancel A WELL DONE TURKEY ON FIRE.
Suddenly, The Liang Palace was thrown into a bit of chaos.
The two not aware of the situation at the Throne room heightened the Empire and the entire palace were placed on high alert.
You are looking at the Jinwu Palace surrounded by smoke and the royal palace guards started to sound the alarm of panic.
Suddenly, the echo of marching footsteps is heard through the palace corridors.
Xiao Ce leaned slightly, straining his right ear to hear its sounds.
Members of Royal palace escorts marched, armed with shields and spears is now trailing toward Jinwu Palace.
They summoned the Head of the Ministry of Kitchen and as thick smoke suddenly filled the palace corridors and even its courtyard.
Amid the chaos, the kitchen staff member dashed outside, carrying the turkey, trying to escape hardships.
Sensing that he was being pursued, the staff member's fear intensified and seen in a fast run!
However, some guards anticipated his move and intercepted him, blocking his way.
The guards looked ugly.
All of a sudden they laughed and attempts to bully him as he looks thin and seems an easy target.
The kitchen staff felt trapped and he is in "no way out of the situation"
He put down the burning turkey on the grassy ground, closed his eyes and formed a body position of martial arts.
In an astonishing display of skill, he took down all the royal guards in the blink of an eye.
With a satisfied clap of his hands, he casually picked up the burning turkey as if nothing had happened.
The dazed and beaten guards found themselves tied up.
Returning to his normal posture, the Kitchen staff bowed his head and said, "I apologize for the trouble, butyou are blocking and putting the government on delay, nothing personal!"
"So I must go!"
He is now seen in a fast walk.
The kitchen staff arrived, kneeling and bowing, offering the whole turkey—well done and still on fire—to His Highness Xiao Ce. His face was smeared black from the smoke, and looks ugly but on time.
Xiao Ce, proud of his staff's dedication, turned his attention back to Chu Qiao.
With a flirtatious glint in his eyes and a sexy stare, he asked, "So, how about now? Feel like marrying me now?"
Just as Chu Qiao was about to respond, the Emperor's royal guards swooped in and arrested the kitchen staff.
Xiao Ce, turned his cool and foxy eyes to them, to watch the his ugly kitchen staff, he swayed his head from right to left to display his dismay he asked, "Very well, what is the crime?"
Another eunuch from the King's palace, looks like an ink-smeared in his face that came from the smoke, appeared behind the scene.
He read the decree with a formal tone:
"The Head of the Ministry of Kitchen is hereby summoned and will be put on trial to explain the Palace is on smoke and fire. The kitchen staff will be imprisoned and will await the verdict in three days. By order of King Tang."
With a final, authoritative "Tong!" he concluded his announcement.
The loud clang of the gong with another eunuch holding the King's palace gong.
The decree was like music to the ears of the foxy Prince.
He responded in a sly wink played a smirk at the corner of his lips, he relaxed himself to a tensed environment while everyone around him was nervous.
Downplaying the situation, Xiao Ce sends a casual hand gesture, signaling everyone to disperse.
Before they could leave, he stated, "I am the Crown Prince of Liang. Do you dare to arrest my servants in front of the future Crown Princess and Queen of Liang?"
He then fixed them with a fierce gaze, only to soften it into a debonair smile.
Remaining calm and composed, he threw a conniving glance at Chu Qiao, who was left to ponder the unfolding drama.
Xiao Ce's look seemed to silently beg for her help to save the kitchen staff.
Chu Qiao met his gaze and replied in a cold tone, "If he is arrested tonight and I become the Crown Princess tomorrow, I won't forget what happened today."
With a stern expression, she added, "I'll make sure to seek revenge later."
Chu Qiao looking so fierce and Xiao Ce loving it even more, being an opportunity chaser he said: "In fact, I am giving the engagement ring tonight for making the happiest night of my life today, I finally found my Qiao Qiao."
Chu Qiao suddenly stunned and repeated the name: "Qiao Qiao? Who?"
She raised her eyebrows, waiting for an answer, her eyes locked on his foxy gaze.
Xiao Ce, admiring the lovely lady in front of him, said, "We were meant to be engaged if you want to become the Crown Princess and get your revenge for the poor kitchen staff, right?"
He winked and gave her a sultry look, taking her hand in his. Then he shouted to a nearby servant, "The Wild Lotus Flower ring?"
As Xiao Ce opened his palms, waiting to receive the engagement ring, Chu Qiao stared at him in disgust. Just then, a basket descended from above, landing right between them.
Petal rain started to fall and a fragrant scent issued in the air, everyone falls on their knees.
They look into the two cute rabbits as the female must say yes, Xiao Ce in his dreamy state eyes already dreamed of it and his mind was far away. (lol)
Chu Qiao glanced at Xiao Ce, who had closed his eyes and tapped his temple in disbelief.
With a calm voice, she said, "Try your luck next time."
Xiao Ce snapped back to reality, surprised. "Did I hear that right?"
"Yes, you did!" Chu Qiao replied sarcastically.
"Does that mean I still have a chance?"
Xiao Ce asked, looking sincerely at Chu Qiao.
"Tell me, Qiao Qiao, the last time I wished for the stars."
Chu Qiao, unmoved, responded, "I'm not Qiao Qiao, or whoever that girl is. I'm not her."
Xiao Ce a bit confused asked: You don't know me at all?
His voice carried a hint of genuine pain.
Chu Qiao shook her head from right to left and said: "Royal Prince of Liang, It was a beautiful evening to have spent it with you and this turkey, May I take it with me?"
Xiao Ce looked at her as if he met a stranger, his expression a mix of confusion and admiration.
He quickly recovered, in his formal tone. "Its been a lovely, fiery, and splendid evening. And yes, the turkey is yours, lovely lady. I will send another invitation, and you must come and see me again."
Turning to his kitchen staff, Xiao Ce added in a calm, measured voice, "And you, remember what to do with the turkey next time."
The Prince stood, walking with regal grace as his finest servants followed, diffusing fragrant scents and scattering flower petals along his path. The air was filled with a pleasant aroma until he disappeared from view.
The Emperor's Royal guards stood still and unable to react while the other eunuch was writing every detail of the proposal that the Crown Prince of Liang just issued tonight.
It will be grand news to the Emperor and surprise to the whole empire! (lol)
Meanwhile, the kitchen staff handed the turkey to the royal guards and as if he is a eunuch said, "A special 'to-go' for the lovely lady. You'll accompany her and ensure the lady will have safe travel to her residence."
The blind date is over, and yet the Prince of Liang cannot recover from Chu Qiao's striking peacock hairstyle, her captivating eyes, and her face.
He giggled like a child at the thought of the engagement ring and the burning turkey.
He mused to himself, "Of all the riches I can give, why ask for a turkey? Do I look like a poor prince?"
Staring at his reflection in the mirror, he ordered his servants to disrupt and mess the Tiger's comfort zone early tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Chu Qiao, on her way home, instructed the royal escort to stop at a street. She removed her cape and stepped out of the royal palanquin, leaving the grandeur behind.
At this point, the turkey's skin was charred black from burning. Chu Qiao instructed earlier to the servant to sprinkle a bit of water on it.
She looked at the three street kids waiting for her and asked them to fetch a knife.
As she peeled the burnt skin off the turkey, she explained, "Saturated fat isn't good for health, so remember to peel the skin after the fat has burned."
The kids ungry and excited went to eat still one of them said: "This is the best turkey I've ever had in my whole life "Thank you, Miss Chu."
The Liang servant, with its neck extended in disbelief, is deeply moved by the scene he saw.
Chu Qiao gently rubbed the children's foreheads and apologized, "I'm sorry I have to go. See you tomorrow." She then returned to the palanquin and went on her way.
The next day, as Chu Qiao walked through the street, she was surprised to find it packed with people, making it nearly impossible for her to move.
She wondered aloud, "Did someone died or was a house raided?"
Chu Qiao looked at the scene, she noticed people dressed in their finest spring attire—some in faux leather, fur capes, and elaborate Hanfu dresses.
They didn't seem anxious or worried but were engaged in lively conversation.
She overheard snippets of their chatter:
"My gosh, if I were her, I'd say yes."
"She's a lucky girl. Who would have thought…"
"She's like Cinderella."
"If I were her, I'd marry him."
"Is this really a prince falling for a common kitchen chef?"
"Maybe the quickest way to a prince's heart is through a turkey?"
"If I had known, I'd have cooked him the best-roasted turkey!"
As Chu Qiao listened to the gossip swirling around her, she furrowed her brows and shot a cold, skeptical glance at the crowd.
With a scoff, she said, "Ahem, ahem… Can I please pass?"
Her eyes, sharp and observant, swept over the scene like an owl watching falling snowflakes.
She noticed something that caught her interest—their Kowloon noodle house had been recently decorated, and a man was just finishing up then left.
Chu Qiao didn't immediately see his face but read the note posted on the doorway of their Kowloon house:
"Wooing is like…"
"I want a well-done turkey on fire!"
"Suddenly, a palace filled with smoke and fire in spring, then sunrise came, and a prince had to answer to all of his subjects."
The note captured the drama and chaos from the previous night, reflecting the bizarre turn of events with a touch of poetic flair.
The note continued with a heartfelt message: "You broke my heart at first but left me with a fire last night. Can't wait to see my Qiao Qiao again."
As the crowd buzzed with a mix of coldness and hidden warmth, a man passing by noticed the yellow tulip flowers decorating the Kowloon noodle house.
There wasn't just enough space left for customers to enter.
He observed Chu Qiao's reaction—her initial shock transforming into a look of searching curiosity.
The man, staying hidden and keeping his distance, took in the scene with a slow, cold stare.
He mused to himself, "She seems to have found an interesting suitor."
Seeing the sparse space left among the tulip flowers and realizing there was no room for him to approach.
The man continued to walk away, leaving behind the fragrance of the blooms.
Connect toChapter 45 Graveyard of Flowers
Lookback toChapter 43 Dinner Engagement