Everybody was entranced by Hua Lian's beauty except Li Yuyan. No doubt she was extremely beautiful to him but it only made him distant.
The golden rays of late afternoon filtered through the carved lattice windows of the prince's inner chamber, painting flickers of amber on the polished wooden floor. The scent of sandalwood hung in the air, mixing with the faint aroma of chrysanthemum tea that sat untouched on a low table.
Hua Lian knelt quietly, cloth in hand, carefully wiping the ornate frames along the corridor when something caught her eye. Nestled atop a lacquered stand, half-covered with a silk veil, was a jade bracelet—the same one she had given to a dying peasant years ago. Her breath caught. The world around her stilled.
No… it can't be… That boy… Could he be—?
Her thoughts spiraled wildly. Memories came rushing back: the blood, the bruises, the arrogance, and the strange kindness beneath his proud gaze. She had saved him once—not for glory or payment—but because it was the right thing to do. Could it truly be him?
Could it be that prince Li Yuyan was that boy? Could it be that she was the one who saved his life?
While she was still engrossed in her thoughts , she didn't know when the prince stepped in. She looked up only to see the very tall figure of the prince towering high above her. His face was twisted with rage.Though, she was known to be very tall among her female counterparts but when compared to him she looked a bit short. In height, she didn't exceed his chest.
He stood with his fists clenched tightly until his knuckles was white. His eyes was blazing with fury and rage. Hua Lian was scared for her life.
" HOW DARE YOU?!!" He thundered.
" Why are you a thief? You have the audacity to touch my personal property while cleaning. Today, you will definitely learn a lesson you will never forget. I'll brand your pretty face with hot coal" said Li Yuyan furiously.
Immediately he said those words, someone came with hot coal.
Hua Lian was scared, she was shivering as she tried to speak up.She was known for her calm even in the face of death, but she trembled.
Though, she had heard rumors about the first prince but she had never seen him this angry before.It seemed like she would really die today.
"Your Highness please wait!" She screamed
"What do you have to say?"
" Before I entered the imperial palace, I was living in a small city as a physician, one day I saw an injured young man who was very near death…" she spoke in almost a whisper. Everywhere was dead silent as they listened to her tale
"Hope it's not what I'm thinking. Could she be the girl? Have I accused her wrongly?" Li Yuyan thought within himself.
" I treated him, fortunately he survived. He didn't have money to pay me. Though, I didn't really care about the money. But he insisted on paying back, he collected my bracelet and handkerchief as a way of locating me and as a reminder. Then he gave me this intricate jade necklace (she showed the little crowd that had gathered the beautiful necklace hanging around her neck). He said I should hold it as part payment till he sees me again and have it. I was surprised to see it while cleaning and I touched the items impulsively "Hua lian said tearfully.
Though some people didn't seem to believe her but Prince Li Yuyan was in turmoils, his heart was shattered because of the wrong accusation. He was relieved he had not meted out the punishment to her yet.
When Prince Li Yuyan was returning back to the palace after his years of absence and service to the country; unfortunately he was attacked by a large number of elite aassassins. All the soldiers his father sent to escort him back to the palace were all killed there. He was left alone. He fought and killed those enemies that remained because he was determined to survive. But unfortunately he sustained a lot of injuries. His enemies called for reinforcement because they also wanted him dead. At that point, he had to run as much as he could and hide. But he later collapsed because of his severe condition. He thought he would die but the kind doctor saved his life and even protected him from his pursuers.He decided to give her his jade necklace even though she wasn't keen about any payment. Though, he stubbornly insisted and also collected her bracelet and handkerchief.
He had been searching for this girl for many years. It was the first time he saw someone and a young girl helping sincerely and not for benefits. Despite his arrogance she was still kind to him. He had searched for years for this wonderful damsel little did he know that she had been under his roof all this while. He had sworn to protect her with his life. Here he was about to do something wrong to his helper.
He was frozen at the discovery and trembled slightly. His heart was pained. Beads of sweat rolled down his jaw. He felt hurt by his own actions towards her and partially happy at the new revelation.
Finally he found his lost voice as he spoke softly
" You are telling the truth. I'm that boy. Thank you. I'm really sorry for my false accusations. You can keep the necklace ."
The little crowd gasped in surprise at hearing his apology because it was rare of him to do so. The words shocked the audience. Li Yuyan—apologizing? The arrogant prince, bowing his pride?
They all dispersed as the show time was over.
Li Yuyan silently went to his room and shut the door. He sobbed quietly as his storm broke at the discovery.
" Hua Lian I will definitely protect you at all cost "he muttered to himself with strong determination as he had regained his composure .
That evening he ordered her to personally prepare food for everyone in his household.She was quite surprised.He did this to actually certify if she was truly the healer girl. He had never forgotten the taste of her food. Anytime he remembered it, he would salivate at the unique taste. He really missed her food.
He watched her with unreadable eyes.
Though confused, she obeyed. Hours later, the scent of spices, herbs, and slow-cooked meats filled the residence.
One by one, the other princes stormed into the quarters—each believing they were coming to save the beautiful maid from Li Yuyan's wrath.
Renshu arrived first,he was determined to save his future wife, sorry… his friend,
panting from the run, his brows furrowed. "Where is she?! Don't touch a strand of her hair!"Renshu was the first person to get there,
Fenglin barged in next, dramatic and roguish as always. "If you lay a finger on her, big brother, I'll—oh… wait…"
Wenjin and Mingzhao arrived soon after, swords unsheathed but paused in confusion.
What they found wasn't a violent scene—but a feast.
Hua Lian carried in trays, her expression calm and eyes downcast. The dishes glistened in the candlelight—elegant dumplings, fragrant fish broth, marinated ribs, and honeyed lotus buns.The face of the food alone was captivating, the aroma was breathtaking and the taste was irresistable and heavenly.
The scent made the princes weak at the knees.
They dug in with delight, etiquette forgotten; the sumptuous taste left them no choice. They licked their fingers and scraped their bowls and cleaned the plate with their tongues, laughing heartily like young boys instead of royal heirs. The hall echoed with laughter, something rare in the shadowed palace.
This was the first time after several years that the princes had sat together joyfully without any chaos or scheming. They laughed happily and cracked jokes momentarily forgetting their differences
"Wah! Hua Lian cooked this?!" Fenglin exclaimed. "We've been eating like fools elsewhere! We've missed a lot for real!"
"I want her in my residence! How wish she was my maid" Mingzhao cried dramatically and wistfully.
"Big brother, you're enjoying life o, so you eat tasty dishes daily" Wenjin teased with a wink.
Renshu nodded solemnly, mouth full. "Best cook in the kingdom. I stand by it.
Big bro thanks for the meal. We are grateful. Hua lian will definitely win any competition. Chef like no other"
For a fleeting moment, the brothers were united—no plots, no politics. Just warmth, food, and shared memories.Everyone was happy and smiling for the first time showing their true feelings.
How wish my brothers could remain this way without fighting each other? Would it ever be possible? I've really missed my brothers
This thought was running in the mind of Li Yuyan and Li Renshu.
The princes kept stealing glances at the star cook whose gaze remained focused on the floor. Except for Yuyan who didn't even spare a glance. One that didn't know better would think she wasn't present in their midst by his stoic actions.
Li Yuyan sat quietly at the head of the table, eyes unreadable. When everyone praised the food, he frowned.
"Maid," he called. "Come here."
She stepped forward, bowing.
"This food…" He paused. "It's not good."
The room went quiet.
"Don't you all agree?"
The other princes stared at him, then burst out laughing.
"You must be ill, this is the best food I've ever tasted," Mingzhao muttered closing his eyes as if he was in another world and enjoyed the amazing taste that lingered on his taste buds.
"You're just being difficult," Renshu said.
And yet… later that night, in the privacy of his chamber, Li Yuyan sat cross-legged with Tianxue beside him, both huddled pouncing over the pot of food she cooked that he had secretly stolen .
"This…" he whispered, mouth full, "is amazing."
He closed his eyes, letting the flavors wash over him—flavors that brought back memories of safety, of healing, of the only time he'd felt truly seen.
No doubt remained.Hua Lian—the maid, the healer, the girl from his past—had not only returned to his life but had unknowingly pierced the fortress around his heart.
This maid could prepare intricate and delicious meals that could impress the most discerning palates and penetrate the most stoic hearts bringing childhood memories.
He was glad Noble consort Yan sent her to his residence. Indeed,every disappointment was a blessing.