Free Web NovelChapter 1331: Chapter 23 Flowing Snow, Shattered Night
After the Yellow River Gathering of the outstanding talents from Various Countries at the Guanhe Platform, Jiang Wang found less frequent use of the Discussion Platform.
Not because there weren’t worthy opponents in the Taixu Illusion Realm, but the significance of actual combat had greatly diminished.
In the Taixu Illusion Realm, many concealed their true strength, including Jiang Wang himself. Even the top ten couldn’t compare to the standard of the main competition at the Yellow River Gathering.
There were only a few, like Ning Jianke, with whom it was still meaningful to exchange blows.
At one time, he suffered greatly on the Discussion Platform, experiencing various defeats. But now, by drawing his sword and looking around, he could boldly declare that within his realm, there was no one who could compete!
This represented a milestone in his journey within the Taixu Illusion Realm.
With fewer sparrings on the Discussion Platform, he naturally spent more time on other pursuits.
Dao Technique, swordsmanship, tuning the Heaven and Earth Lonely Island, exploring the fourth-level of the Inner Mansion...
Challenges in the blessed land were inevitable encounters with strong opponents, but the next round of challenges wouldn’t come until August 15.
On July 15, he was still on his way back to Qi Country and did not participate in the blessed land challenge.
Having now fallen to rank forty-six at Green Luoshan, Jiang Someone, with his generous nature, was no longer very concerned about the monthly gains of three hundred and sixty points.
He spent another night cultivating.
After completing his morning routine, daylight had already brightened substantially.
The housekeeper, Xie Ping, gently knocked on the door from outside, reminding him it was time to set off for Changle Palace.
Jiang Wang silently calmed the Dao Yuan from roaming within the Tongtian Palace, retracted the Soul Stealth Snake shuttling through the fourth Inner Mansion, then stood up, and opened the door.
Given that Xuan Sheng listed him as an alternate, Xie Ping was more than capable of managing a Viscounty. Particularly as Jiang Wang was living a solitary life, there were not many messy relationships to handle.
When Jiang Wang stepped out, the palanquin was already prepared.
The Crown Prince had formally invited him and even sent a card, so naturally, Jiang Wang couldn’t simply stride in grandly. Now a third-rank official, he still needed to observe the proper etiquettes.
Of course, speaking of etiquette, he shouldn’t arrive empty-handed at the Crown Prince’s door; a gift should be prepared. Ordinary items wouldn’t suffice for a visit to Changle Palace; it would require spending some Dao Yuan Stone...
At this juncture, it was natural for a true man to overlook minor details.
Considering the Crown Prince’s benevolent and accommodating nature, he certainly wouldn’t mind these worldly rituals!
The palanquin stopped in front of Changle Palace, where Xie Ping, holding Jiang Wang’s calling card, went to knock on the door.
Indeed, now with his own residence, Jiang Wang inevitably engaged in social interactions, thus he also had his own calling card.
A thin card with four columns of small text starting from the left: Son of Qingyang of Daqi, Third-rank Golden Melon Samurai, Fourth-rank Green Badge Constable, The number one Inner Mansion in the world.
The card’s center bore two large characters: "Jiang Wang."
This calling card held a measure of respect wherever it was presented.
Since the Crown Prince had actively extended an invitation, the people of Changle Palace naturally wouldn’t be negligent; they promptly advanced a few steps to greet at the palanquin.
Jiang Wang alighted from the palanquin with great presence and walked inside empty-handed.
The steward of Changle Palace, Eunuch Wu Fu, having warmly greeted Jiang Wang, led him straight into Changle Palace and couldn’t help but glance back a couple of times.
He only saw Xie Ping smiling and the two temporarily hired palanquin bearers.
He then affirmed that Son of Qingyang really did come empty-handed.
This is too frugal!
When he had delivered the invitation to Son of Qingyang’s residence, he even brought along a jade penholder!
Yet outwardly, he said nothing, continuing to lead Jiang Wang straight to the dining hall.
Meeting in the dining hall, could it be that the Crown Prince intends to discuss the principle of "managing a great country as if cooking a small fish" with me?
How you govern the country is none of my concern.
Whether you can govern well is still debatable.
Just as Jiang Wang was pondering, Jiang Wuhua emerged from the inner room, wiping his hands with a white handkerchief while walking out, smilingly looking at Jiang Wang: "I said the Son of Qingyang should be arriving about now."
He was very cordial and natural.
Casually handing the handkerchief to a close-following Little Eunuch, he gestured invitingly: "Please take a seat, the porridge is almost ready."
Porridge?
You specifically invited me to Changle Palace to have porridge?
Jiang Wang, confused, took his seat in front of the dining table, politely saying, "Crown Prince, you are too kind."
Jiang Wuhua sat opposite him, casually speaking: "Common folks in the morning don’t have much appetite. Drinking porridge is suitable, it’s stomach-nourishing and comforting."
Jiang Wang, not understanding the intent behind these words and having progressed from an ordinary youth to a transcendent being, was certainly not unfamiliar with the lives of common folk. He simply replied: "Indeed, I used to often have porridge in the mornings too."
The steward of Changle Palace, Eunuch Wu Fu, considerately added: "This was personally prepared by His Highness for you."
"Oh?" Jiang Wang said with a confident smile, "Then I must taste it properly."
Compared to his brothers and sisters, Jiang Wuhua’s appearance was not outstanding, but he was simple and benevolent, and not aggressive, making him more approachable and easy to get close to.
He then smiled and asked, "Can the Son of Qingyang cook well too?"
Jiang Wang modestly replied, "I wouldn’t say I like it a lot, but I know a thing or two."
Jiang Wuhua smiled even more naturally, "I wonder what are your specialties?"
Jiang Wang said confidently and calmly, "Steaming, boiling, roasting—I know a bit about each."
Jiang Wuhua was eager to have Jiang Wang show his culinary skills right then but considering it was their first meeting, asking him to cook right away seemed disrespectful, so he decided to hold back for now.
He laughed loudly, "People consider food as their heaven, you, the Son of Qingyang, are a talent bestowed by heaven and a great genius, yet you still have interest in cooking, embracing the celestials above and devouring the mundane below, truly a man after my own heart!"
"Uh." Jiang Wang hastily changed the topic, "I wonder what type of porridge your Highness has made?"
Jiang Wuhua kept his smile but just glanced sideways.
Just then, two little eunuchs, each holding a wooden tray, came out. On the trays, there were a green jade bowl, a pair of ivory chopsticks, and a white jade spoon.
The aroma was tantalizing.
Jiang Wuhua first asked, "Has it been sent to the Crown Princess Consort?"
"It has been sent first," the little eunuch replied.
Jiang Wuhua then turned around and said to Jiang Wang with a smile, "This ’Snow Melting, Night Shattering, Stars Sprinkling Porridge’ is a top-notch nourishing dish. Son of Qingyang, you must try a couple more bowls."
Having often "helped" An’an taste food, Jiang Wang had some insights into tasting delicacies.
Especially, the name sounded very elegant, which greatly tempted his appetite.
Waiting for the little eunuch to squat down and place the tray on the table.
He took a detailed look and immediately felt deceived.
Isn’t this just preserved egg and pork congee!?
The white porridge represents the melting snow, preserved egg the shattering night, and minced meat the sprinkling stars? Haha...
Is this what they call ’The Crown Prince’s good cooking skills’?
I could do this too!
Jiang Wuhua seemed to have heard his thoughts and laughed, "Why not give it a try!"
Of course, Jiang Wang wouldn’t speak his mind, instead he politely said, "It looks very delicious!" freeweɓnovel.cѳm
Jiang Wuhua’s smile stiffened a bit. He clearly knew what the porridge looked like, and the polite phrase from the Son of Qingyang sounded like mockery no matter how he heard it...
Meanwhile, Jiang Wang had already taken the white jade spoon, fearing he’d choke, he gingerly scooped a tiny bit and hesitantly brought it to his mouth.
Jiang Wuhua controlled his expression well, only his mouth twitched a bit. He smiled and asked, "How is it?"
Jiang Wang couldn’t respond immediately.
The moment that little bit of porridge entered his mouth, it transformed into an icy thread, plummeting from his throat down to his stomach, cooling and refreshing along the way.
Upon reaching its destination, it ignited into a fiery thread, rising from his stomach. The warm sensation rolled up to his throat and astonishingly shot straight to his Heavenly Spirit!
In an instant.
In his mind, snow fell from the sky, the night shattered magnificently, and stars dotted the scene like a dream.
So this was the true origin of the name ’Snow Melting, Night Shattering, Stars Sprinkling Porridge’!
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