Emperor Lin had completely forgotten the resistance and hesitation in his heart before coming today as he was immersed in these rare and precious moments of warmth. He hadn’t taught Lin Feilu to play chess for a long time so he had the palace staff set up a chessboard to play a game or two. He was surprised to find that the chess skills of this little dumpling had improved a lot and her way of chess has started to showcase her own individual style of playing the game.
He thought of something and asked Xiao Lan,”I think your skills in chess were quite good, wasn’t it?”
Xiao Lan said, “Your Majesty thinks too highly of this Honourable Lady, I have only learned a little bit.”
Emperor Lin became more excited, “Come on, have a game with me.”
Lin Feilu gave up her position and sat on the sidelines obediently, watching the two play against each other.
Xiao Lan lived up to the name of a talented woman who was proficient in all kinds of arts—Guqin, chess, calligraphy and painting. Sure enough, the Little Fifth Princess’s chess skills were learned from her mother. With a touch of tenacity in the softness of her movements, she could eliminate the knight without leaving a trace of its armor. However, she was able to pull back a piece of her pawns by surprise in her next move.
Few people in the harem could play against him. It used to be the formerly named Consort Mei, but even her chess skills were not comparable to Xiao Lan.
However, she was still inferior to him. Xiao Lan’s flexibility couldn’t hold against his fierce attacks and she finally lost. Emperor Lin only felt that the game was hearty and fulfilling as he said with great interest, “One more game.”
Xiao Lan glanced at the sky outside the window and asked softly, “Your Majesty, will you be staying for dinner?”
Emperor Lin didn’t even think about it and replied, “Naturally.”
Xiao Lan answered, “Then, this Honourable Lady is going to make some preparations.”
Emperor Lin said, “Let the Imperial Kitchen handle it, there’s no need for you to do it personally.”
Xiao Lan looked down and smiled bashfully, “It’s been a long time since Your Majesty had come for a visit, so I want to personally cook it.”
Emperor Lin thought for a while, but he didn’t object. As soon as he nodded, Lin Feilu crawled over with her hands and feet, “My turn, my turn! Father Emperor, it’s me and you now!”
Emperor Lin laughed loudly, “Okay, let’s play!”
So Xiao Lan went to cook, the father and daughter duo played chess and Lin Zhanyuan played with the rabbit in the house.
Emperor Lin didn’t know about the rabbit, so he glanced at it and smiled, “The Eldest Prince also raised a rabbit; it seems like the two brothers have a common hobby.”
Lin Feilu said while playing chess, “This is the Eldest Imperial Prince’s rabbit!”
Emperor Lin was a little surprised, but he only thought that Lin Ting gave the rabbit to the Sixth Prince, so he didn’t ask further.
In the evening, the food that Xiao Lan had cooked herself was served on the table. She had exercised her cooking skills very well over the years. It was not made in the same style as the exquisite dishes of the big fish and luxurious meat of the Imperial Kitchen. It had the warmth of home-cooked dishes and it could satisfy the picky eaters like Lin Feilu, so the taste would naturally be good.
She learned from her daughter that Emperor Lin didn’t like to eat rich foods, so she made these dishes with the intent to make them lightly fresh and delicious. As Emperor Lin was used to having the meals made by the Imperial Kitchen, the sudden change in taste and flavour made him shower the cooked dishes with endless praises.