234: I'll go to your house to cook and give you some guidance on your work!

As soon as Zixuan heard the words "treat you to a meal," her ears, which had only been slightly red, instantly flushed crimson, but this time it was from anger.

She suddenly raised her head, her clear, cold eyes practically spitting fire, the earlier shyness and panic replaced by an uncontrollable annoyance.

"Lord Li!" she said, almost gritting her teeth, enunciating each word, her voice filled with obvious indignation.

"Did you forget something? Last time, and the time before that, which time did you not run faster than a rabbit? In the end, it was always your subordinate... your subordinate who paid the bill!"

"You think you can bully people just because your cultivation is high, don't you? Don't even think about treating me to a meal; if you keep treating me, I'll be the one who ends up a pauper!"

The more she spoke, the angrier she got, her full chest rising and falling slightly, clearly indicating deep-seated resentment. It was better that Li Shengyuan hadn't mentioned it; once he did, it made her gnash her teeth in renewed hatred.

Although those two meals were just street food and not expensive, as a dignified Xuanyi Guard, she had been tricked twice and left to endure the awkwardness at the table alone. This time, she definitely wouldn't fall for it!

"Trying that trick again? Your subordinate is busy with official duties and has no time to play such games with you..."

Zixuan was about to sternly refuse, her face taut, even having prepared a legitimate excuse like "investigating clues about the Prince of Wei." Her tone was cold and firm, clearly rejecting him.

However, Li Shengyuan seemed to have anticipated this. Before she could finish, he interrupted her, his smile unwavering, but his tone exceptionally sincere: "Eh, this time it's absolutely different. The previous two times were my fault; there were reasons, and it was by no means intentional. I apologize to you. But things don't happen three times. This time, to show my sincerity, I won't treat you to a meal outside."

Zixuan was slightly taken aback. Li Shengyuan leaned forward slightly, his voice softening, with a gentle tone that was hard to refuse: "We'll go buy groceries, then go back to your residence, and I'll personally cook a true apology feast for you. Just the two of us, I guarantee no one will disturb us, and I definitely won't sneak away midway. How about it, Zixuan? Give me a chance to make amends?"

"Once we go to Jiangnan, there won't be such leisurely times..."

"Back... back to my residence? You... you'll personally cook?"

Zixuan was stunned again, her anger, like a small hole poked in it, suddenly leaked out quite a bit.

This proposal was completely beyond her expectations.

Go to her own home? Just the two of them? And he would personally cook?

This... this was much more private and... intimate than going to a restaurant.

The words of refusal reached her lips, but for a moment, they got stuck.

Looking at Li Shengyuan's rarely sincere gaze, and hearing the phrases "personally cook" and "just the two of us," the anger in her heart strangely dissipated by more than half. Instead, her heart began to beat faster, replaced by a trace of unexpected panic and... a subtle flutter.

This young master can cook? The most important thing is that he wants to go... to her place? And just the two of them?

Li Shengyuan then asked with a smile, "Zixuan, as a third-rank official and the commander of the Xuanyi Guard, you must have your own independent residence in the capital, right?"

"I do... but does Your Excellency know... there's no one else in my residence, only..."

Her gaze flickered, and she lowered her head, not daring to meet Li Shengyuan's eyes. She tried to compose herself, but her tone had softened considerably, even carrying a hint of hesitation and nervousness that she herself didn't notice.

"...This... this isn't appropriate, is it? And..."

"The residence of a Xuanyi Guard commander, do you think I'd be afraid of any danger?" Li Shengyuan said with a smile, striking while the iron was hot.

"Or are you afraid that my cooking isn't good and I'll poison you? Don't worry, it won't kill anyone. Let's go, it's a good chance for me to get familiar with the place. Who knows, I might often come to bother you in the future!"

"My senior sister said you should obey 'any command'! Later, I can also guide your work. It will be very busy when we go to Jiangnan!"

Li Shengyuan then deliberately brought out the imperial decree with a smile, but the amusement in his eyes indicated it was just a joke.

Zixuan was speechless, glaring at him. This man really... always finds an excuse!

And guide her work? That doesn't sound like anything good!

But the resistance in her heart was indeed almost gone, replaced by a secret anticipation, and her little heart was pounding wildly.

Alone... at her own home...

Zixuan pursed her lips. She was actually looking forward to it. What was going on?

Her fingertips unconsciously curled. This guy dared to mess with her even in the imperial harem, which belonged to the Emperor. If they went to her place, wouldn't he be even more unrestrained?

But Zixuan, as if by some strange impulse, nodded slightly, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum, almost inaudible: "...Then... your subordinate... will await your esteemed presence."

Li Shengyuan's smile grew even brighter upon hearing this.

"Then what are we waiting for? It's getting late now. Let's go buy groceries. Tell me whatever you want to eat!"

"After we eat, I still need to guide your work!"