The Master Chef Competition was a rare culinary event. Not everyone could participate in the competition. For example, White Jade Restaurant did not have the qualifications to participate. However, there were also people who were invited. Madam Du was one of the famous chefs who was invited.

She did not need to represent any restaurant, she just had to participate in the competition in her own name.

“Madam Du, are you going?” In the Yan Family’s courtyard, Yan Ruyu was chatting with Madam Du. She poured a cup of brewed Pu’er tea for her.

Madam Du gently placed the card and the invitation card on the table. “Since my mentor is going, I naturally have to go too.”

The mentor that Madam Du was talking about was Chef Bao, who had been hired by Tianxiang Restaurant at a high price. From her tone, she seemed to respect this mentor.

Yan Ruyu did not ask if Madam Du could surpass him.

“Miss, do you have something to say?” Madam Du noticed Yan Ruyu’s hesitation.

Yan Ruyu smiled and said, “I heard that the Master Chef is good at medicinal cuisine. I wonder if he’s as good as the rumors say?”

Madam Du shook her head. “How can there be an immortal pill in this world? However, it’s true that Teacher’s medicinal cuisine has the effect of prolonging one’s life. I’m his proudest disciple, but unfortunately, I haven’t eaten it many times.”

“Why?” Yan Ruyu was puzzled.

Madam Du sighed softly. “The medicinal cuisine recipe that Teacher worked hard to develop has gone missing.”

Back then, the recipe was in Mrs. Bao’s hands. After Mrs. Bao gave birth, the recipe and her new son disappeared together. Ever since then, Chef Bao did not make medicinal cuisine easily. It wasn’t that he didn’t know how to, but he didn’t want to feel sad.

“Miss, why are you asking this?” Madam Du looked at Yan Ruyu.

Yan Ruyu thought for a while and said truthfully, “I want to invite Chef Bao to make a medicinal cuisine.”

“For Young Master Yan?” Madam Du asked.

Yan Ruyu blushed. “Yes.”

“He…” Madam Du wanted to say that he didn’t look like he was sick. Even if he was sick in the head, the medicinal cuisine couldn’t treat it. However, on second thought, her master was famous. Many people would rack their brains to get a bowl of medicinal cuisine. Using it would definitely be able to win the favor of Young Master Yan and the princess consort.

Madam Du nodded and said, “Alright, I’ll talk to him.”

Yan Ruyu revealed a look of joy and said, “Madam Du is Chef Bao’s proudest disciple. If you ask, he will definitely agree.”

Madam Du also felt that there was no problem. Although her master had a strange personality, he had always doted on her. He even said that if his son hadn’t gone missing, he would definitely have let him marry her and pass down his lifelong skills to her. She thought that her master wouldn’t be stingy with a mere bowl of medicinal cuisine.

Madam Du took a sip of tea and thought of something. She muttered to herself, “I wonder if I’ll meet the young lady from last time at the competition?”

Last time? Yan Ruyu paused. “Madam Du, are you talking about the Yu family who made stinky tofu at the Wei family’s banquet?”

“That’s her.” It wasn’t that Madam Du deliberately remembered her, but the stinky tofu she made was too unforgettable.

Yan Ruyu had never eaten Yu Wan’s stinky tofu, but she did not have a good impression of Yu Wan. Not only did she always ruin her good things, but she also looked stubborn. She was just a country bumpkin, and she was even more arrogant than her, the daughter of the General Manor.

Yan Ruyu suppressed the disgust in her heart and said indifferently, “How is she qualified? This isn’t a competition that any Tom, Dick, or Harry can attend. Madam Du is Chef Bao’s proudest personal disciple. She’s not even worthy of carrying Madam Du’s shoes. Madam Du doesn’t have to care about her, if not you’ll lose your status.”

Even a person like Chef Yang could not be compared to Madam Du, let alone a village girl. However, for some reason, Madam Du felt like she would meet that person.

Yan Ruyu saw that Madam Du was silent and was about to say something when Aunt Lin came in.

“What happened?” Yan Ruyu asked.

Mama Lin said happily, “Miss, Granny Fang is here!”

… .

Yan Jiuchao had stayed in someone’s room for too long. When he returned to the Young Master Manor, it was already close to midnight.

The Young Master Manor was brightly lit. A carriage that was even more luxurious than the Empress’s carriage was parked outside the Young Master Manor. An attendant with delicate features walked over and knelt on the ground.

Yan Jiuchao stepped on his back and walked down. He glanced at the luxurious carriage indifferently and entered the residence expressionlessly. He went to his courtyard. As expected, he saw Shangguan Yan loitering under the porch.

Shangguan Yan had already been pacing around for half the night. None of the guards she had sent out had returned. Just as she was worried that something had happened, Yan Jiuchao slowly walked over.

Shangguan Yan’s expression instantly relaxed. She took a few steps down the steps and said, “Where did you go?”

Yan Jiuchao did not answer her. He only said casually, “Why? Are you afraid that I’ll die?”

Shangguan Yan choked.

Yan Jiuchao strode up the steps and brushed past Shangguan Yan. He did not enter his room but walked towards a side room.

Shangguan Yan looked at his back and said, “Stop looking. I’ve sent the children away.”

Yan Jiuchao stopped in his tracks.

Shangguan Yan tightened her grip on the handkerchief in her hand and said with a complicated gaze, “In a few days, when you’re better, I’ll bring the children back.”

Yan Jiuchao turned around with a frown and looked at her unhappily. He wanted to say something, but his gaze landed on her neck that was covered by gauze. Even on a hot summer day, there were all kinds of tulle wrapped around her neck. The style was exquisite and the color was bright, causing the women in the Capital to fight to imitate her.

Tonight, she was a little anxious. The thin veil fell off, revealing a hideous scar. This was caused by Yan Jiuchao when he had an attack. Even his own mother had almost been strangled to death by him. His sons…

Yan Jiuchao clenched his fists and slowly lowered them. Then, he turned around and returned to his room without a word.

Shangguan Yan heaved a sigh of relief.

“Butler Wan,” Shangguan Yan instructed. “Go pack up. I’ll be staying at the Young Master Manor for the next few days.”

Uncle Wan wanted to say, “Young Master doesn’t need you to watch over him anymore. He’s fine this time. He didn’t flare up, didn’t hurt anyone, and didn’t hurt himself.” However, when the words reached his lips, he saw the tears in Shangguan Yan’s eyes and silently swallowed them.

“Yes, I’ll clean up the princess consort’s room now.”