Yan Mengjun’s hair was nearly turning white from worry, his face full of concern.
Chu Yunge saw his unease and spoke up. “Don’t worry about the others. Your next task is to first eat up, put on some weight, and look presentable. Then learn the rules and etiquette of the Princess Mansion properly. Next time we meet, I hope you won’t disappoint this princess.”
With that, Chu Yunge left directly.
Yan Feng hurried after her. “Your Highness.”
“You supervise them. Right now, their main task is to eat their fill and eat well. If they don’t eat enough, how can they protect this princess? How can they convince anyone they’re this princess’s male favorites?”
Looks were cultivated through feeding. She was really looking forward to them bulking up and performing hormone-charged sword dances and riding displays for her. Before, she could only watch on short-video apps; now she could finally expect a live show.
It was killing two birds with one stone. She was so clever.
“Yes.” Yan Feng nodded, saluted, and watched Chu Yunge leave.
Once Chu Yunge was gone, all the Yan people breathed a sigh of relief.
“Yan Feng, does this mean we’ve stayed? We’re just going to eat from now on?”
“Mm.” Yan Feng nodded. “The princess keeps her word. Just do as she says.”
But everyone was still uneasy. “There are so many of us, and we eat a lot…”
They feared eating too much, or not bulking up enough to satisfy the princess.
Yan Feng understood their concerns. “Eat as much as you want. The princess is generous. If she said to eat your fill, she means it.”
“When I first came to the Princess Mansion, I didn’t dare eat or drink much either, but there’s no need. Don’t be clever and hold back on your own.” Or else they’d delay the princess’s plans.
He had said what needed saying. Now it depended on their reactions.
The princess was approachable and kind, but if they acted on their own or got clever—even slacked off—they were done for.
It looked like she was just having them eat their fill and learn rules first, but his assessment and observation had already begun silently.
Everyone’s gazes fell on Yan Feng’s chubby yet solid build. They didn’t doubt his authenticity at all—among the Yan people, his sturdy frame and that layer of padding stood out—so they all broke into smiles.
They could actually eat their fill.
This was too good.
As if confirming Yan Feng’s words, Jimo personally brought people to deliver them midnight snacks.
“It’s late today, so the kitchen only prepared noodles.”
Considering they hadn’t eaten well before, and to take it step by step, Chu Yunge hadn’t prepared lavish meats and wine to win them over. The treatment was about the same as for regular guards.
But the noodles were chewy, the broth bone soup, with plenty of meat inside, plus green onions. To the Yan people, it was pure luxury.
Everyone’s eyes gleamed green. They managed not to scramble and took their portions properly before starting.
Chi Baobao and the other little princes, being the youngest, got theirs first. After two bites, they nearly cried. It was too delicious.
Chi Baobao hugged his bowl. Seeing Yan Feng not drooling with envy, he clenched his fists. From now on, they would grow like Brother Yan Feng—taller by half a head… no, two heads, just as tall and sturdy, and earn the princess’s favor.
Full of anticipation, he asked, “Brother Yan Feng, how long do we learn the rules?”
“Once we’ve bulked up and performed sword dances for the princess, will she pick us to be her male favorites?”
The little princes didn’t truly understand what male favorites were; they were just dazzled by the noodle aroma.
The others nearly choked hearing that but perked up their ears to listen.
Yan Feng’s eyes sharpened instantly.
“You’ve got some beautiful dreams. Just entered the Princess Mansion and already thinking of being favored by the princess?”
His gaze turned stern. “The princess has her own plans. Don’t pry or fantasize about her affairs. Obey, and that’s it. Don’t delude yourself about climbing the princess’s branch or acting on your own.”
Yan Feng gave them a harsh warning, cautioning everyone.
He was still dissatisfied. The princess had been kind and smiling to them, and after just one meeting, they were fantasizing about being her male favorites. So greedy.
He was the first to arrive at the princess’s side and be favored by her.
If the princess really wanted Yan people as male favorites, he would be first in line. No way it was their turn.
Yan Feng couldn’t hold back and flicked their heads. “Be the princess’s male favorites? What dream are you having?”
Yan Feng finally understood why his masters always said these two brats hadn’t even grown any hair down there yet!
Yan Mengjun, watching all this, was too lazy to point out that Yan Feng was even jealous of two kids.
He just saw everyone eating with eyes shining—even Chi Baobao and Chi Haohao didn’t notice Yan Feng’s jealousy at all. They turned into gluttons, wolfing it down while replying.
“We’ll obey, Brother Yan Feng. Didn’t you say the princess is trustworthy? We’re just curious—if we become the princess’s male favorites, can we eat like this every day? That’s why we want to be male favorites.”
“You’re eating now too.” Yan Feng grumbled, unable to resist flicking their foreheads again.
Yan Mengjun: “…”
He felt a chill at Chi Baobao being bought over by one bowl of noodles and already eager to be the princess’s true face primer.
But kids had shallow vision; they’d really been starving, living bitter days.
Among these 260 people, only he wasn’t swayed by that one bowl.
The next second, his stomach growled.
Yan Mengjun pressed his belly to quiet it, swallowed hard, and asked first why Yan Feng wasn’t eating. Hearing he had to report back, he calmly watched Yan Feng leave.
Once Yan Feng was a dozen steps away, he turned and joined the feasting ranks.
“Slow down, don’t shame the Yan people. No grabbing. Eat your fill, that’s enough. Don’t stuff yourselves silly.”
“Slurp slurp…” He got back a chorus of slurps and muffled ums and ahs.
Yan Mengjun had no time for talk either. How were these noodles so fragrant…
Yan Feng heard the slurping behind him and glanced back.
So many… rice buckets.
That was how he looked in the princess’s eyes too, right?
Yan Feng suddenly felt a bit down. Everyone had starved too long; they’d have to play rice buckets for a few days. It would get better soon.
He wouldn’t let Her Highness see them these few days. He’d watch them, make sure they didn’t go straight to big fish and meat, lest their stomachs couldn’t handle it and they got the runs.
All from his own experience.
When Yan Feng returned to Chu Yunge’s side to report, she keenly sensed his mood was a little low.
“What’s wrong? Who upset you?”
“No one.”
“Really? You did great work today. Our plan succeeded halfway, better than expected, and it’s thanks to you. If you have any difficulties or requests, speak up boldly.”
Yan Feng shook his head quickly. “This subordinate is just worried about so many people all at once.”
“No problem, this princess can afford it.” Chu Yunge waved her hand. “I know you’ve worked hard. This princess prepared a lavish midnight snack. Once we’re done eating, we can detoxify perfectly.”