The Side Character Wants to Lie Flat

Chapter 576: Chapter 579: Double-Skin Milk Pudding

Hua Manman changed into men’s clothes and led Li Xun into the reception hall.

The three elderly ministers were stunned when they saw Hua Manman.

They all knew the Heir of Prince Yu and couldn’t understand why he would be at the Regent Prince Mansion.

Seeing their confusion, Hua Manman took the initiative to explain.

"The Regent Prince has been very busy lately and is often away from home. He asked me to help look after the young prince and tutor him in his studies."

The three elderly ministers had a sudden realization. ’Ah, so that’s why!’

Having been instructed by his mother beforehand, Li Xun sat perfectly straight, like a miniature adult.

He asked in a prim and proper tone,

"May I ask why you three gentlemen have come to see my father?"

Being questioned this way by a five-year-old child felt rather odd to the three elderly ministers.

Fan Xi, the Left Minister, spoke.

"We are here regarding the Regent King’s training of troops. The Young Master is likely unaware of this matter, so we should probably wait until the Regent Prince returns to discuss it."

Li Xun had been attending the Imperial College every day, leaving early and returning late, so he truly didn’t know much about his father training troops.

Fortunately, he was clever enough to immediately turn to his mother beside him. Feigning a humble request for instruction, he asked,

"Teacher, are you aware of this matter?"

Hua Manman smoothly took the cue. "I have indeed heard the Regent King speak of this."

The three elderly ministers turned to look at Hua Manman in unison.

’The Regent King not only entrusted his only son to the Heir of Prince Yu’s care but also confided in him about something as important as training troops. It seems the Regent King holds the Heir of Prince Yu in very high regard!’

With this, the Heir of Prince Yu’s stature in the eyes of the three elderly ministers rose considerably.

Fan Xi spoke again.

"Since you know about the Regent King training troops, Young Master, you must also be aware that...

The Saint is currently bedridden, and the Crown Prince is still young.

The court is in a state of unease. This is a time when we need to rest and recover.

We must not engage in a large-scale military mobilization.

We hope you, Young Master, will help persuade the Regent King not to subject the people of the world to the suffering of war again."

After speaking, he gave Hua Manman a deep bow, his attitude the very picture of sincerity.

The other two elderly ministers also chimed in, repeatedly emphasizing the severe calamities that war brings.

Hua Manman listened patiently.

Only after they had finished did she begin to speak, her tone unhurried.

"Things are not as you imagine.

The Regent King is training troops because he’s heard there may be an enemy invasion along the Southeast Coast.

That area is under the jurisdiction of Longdong County, which is my grandfather’s fiefdom.

My grandfather is getting on in years and his health is declining. He is no longer able to go into battle.

To be prepared, the Regent King had no choice but to begin training in advance.

Should an enemy threat arise on the Southeast Coast, they can immediately dispatch troops to defend the honor of our Great Zhou Dynasty."

The news that Prince Yu did not have long to live was still a secret known to no one.

Moreover, the rebellion of the Yu Royal Mansion was still just speculation, without any concrete evidence.

That was why Hua Manman only mentioned the possibility of an enemy invasion.

This gave the military drills a legitimate and honorable justification.

Sure enough, after hearing her explanation, the expressions of the three elderly ministers softened considerably.

The Right Minister, Zheng Wei, said gravely,

"For now, it is merely hearsay. It does not mean the enemy will definitely invade."

Hua Manman replied, "That is why the Regent Prince is simply being prepared.

If the enemy raiders do not attack, it would be a joyous outcome for all.

But what if they do?

We can’t just abandon the countless unarmed commoners along the coast, can we?"

Zheng Wei sighed. "I understand that what you say is reasonable, Young Master.

But war is no trivial matter. Once fighting breaks out, it will require conscripting a large number of laborers, tearing many families apart.

It will also consume vast amounts of Silver Coins and provisions, putting an even greater strain on our already depleted national treasury.

My recommendation is to try diplomacy before resorting to force.

If the other side is willing to negotiate, we should all sit down and resolve this matter peacefully.

If they insist on refusing, then we can discuss other options."

Hua Manman nodded. "I understand your concerns. Rest assured, I will convey your opinions to the Regent King when he returns."

Seeing her amicable attitude and willingness to listen to their counsel, the three elderly ministers’ expressions grew even more relaxed.

After three more cups of tea, the three elderly ministers finally took their leave.

Hua Manman personally saw them out the main gate.

The moment they were gone, Li Xun immediately relaxed. His small body slumped to one side as he leaned back on the soft couch.

’Pretending to be so serious is exhausting!’

When Hua Manman came back inside, she found him sprawled on the couch like a limp noodle. Both amused and exasperated, she asked,

"Would you like some double-skin milk pudding?"

Li Xun sat up and asked curiously, "What’s double-skin milk pudding?"

"It’s a very delicious dessert."

Hearing that it was delicious, Li Xun immediately perked up.

"Are you going to make it for me, Mother?"

Hua Manman nodded in confirmation.

She was very pleased with the boy’s performance earlier and felt he deserved a tasty reward.

Li Xun followed his mother to the kitchen.

It was afternoon, still a while before dinner, so the main cooks were resting. Only a few kitchen hands were present, sorting and washing vegetables to prepare ingredients for the evening meal.

When the kitchen hands saw the young prince arrive, they all rose to greet him.

Li Xun ignored them, focusing only on trailing closely behind his mother.

After asking the kitchen hands where the milk and eggs were kept, Hua Manman personally fetched a bowl of fresh milk.

She cracked an egg, mixed the white into the milk, added sugar, and began to stir it rapidly.

Li Xun craned his neck to peer into her bowl, his face a picture of curiosity.

Hua Manman handed the bowl and chopsticks to him.

"You try."

Li Xun took the bowl and chopsticks and, imitating his mother, began to stir the milk with the chopsticks.

It was the boy’s first time doing such a thing, and he found it novel and immensely entertaining.

Hua Manman found a clean piece of fine gauze.

Once the milk mixture was ready, she strained it through the gauze and poured it into three small porcelain bowls.

Li Xun was very perceptive.

"Why are there three? I thought it was just the two of us eating."

Hua Manman explained, "One is for Feihua Zhenren. He healed my injuries, so I must thank him."

Li Xun’s face showed his understanding.

"I heard the Zhenren used to love the food you made, Mother. They say that after you left, his appetite got much worse, and he’s become a lot thinner."

Hua Manman hadn’t known about this.

When she had seen Feihua Zhenren, he was tall and thin, with the ethereal bearing of a transcendent master. She had assumed he had always been that way and never imagined it had anything to do with her.

She covered the porcelain bowls and placed them in a steamer.

Now, all they had to do was wait.

Hua Manman saw a kitchen hand nearby cleaning chicken. An idea sparked, and she asked,

"Are you going to use these chicken feet?"

The kitchen hand hurriedly replied, "No, they’re not needed."

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