CHAPTER 439: CHAPTER 439: THOSE WHO TOUCH MY INVERSE SCALE SHALL BE DEVOURED BY DOGS

However, Xiao Shen was excessively obsessed with culinary arts.

Whenever Pei Shu’er tasted a dish, Xiao Shen would watch her intently, the words "Quickly give your feedback" written plainly in his eyes.

Pei Shu’er spoke with a smile.

"Actually, the Imperial Uncle’s culinary skills are very good, but just lacking two seasonings."

The Imperial Uncle looked up at Pei Shu’er, full of curiosity.

What kind of seasonings could make such a noticeable difference to his dishes?

Pei Shu’er opened another gift box.

Inside were two earthen jars of items.

Both jars had labels; the first was chicken essence, the second was white sugar.

Xiao Shen had never seen these before, nor had he even heard of them.

Pei Shu’er then explained with a laugh: "This chicken essence is made from boiling chicken and mushrooms according to a ratio. As for the white sugar, it’s extracted from beets."

Xiao Shen was familiar with chicken and mushrooms, but he truly hadn’t heard of this beet.

He took a grain of chicken essence to taste, his eyes lighting up with a hint of surprise.

The flavor was very savory, with a subtle, almost imperceptible sweetness.

He believed that if he added this seasoning to his dishes, the taste would be extremely delicious, no longer constrained by the limitation of ingredients.

Then, his gaze turned to the white sugar, taking a grain and placing it in his mouth.

It was sweet and gentle, a feeling that seeped into his heart.

Seeing that he genuinely liked it, Pei Shu’er sighed in relief.

Xiao Shen ordered someone to store these two items carefully, then smiled at Pei Shu’er.

"So, you’re here visiting. What can I do for you this time?"

Pei Shu’er was about to talk about the Heavenly Snow Lotus, when Xiao Shen himself brought up the topic.

Indeed, discussing matters with smart people was always convenient.

Pei Shu’er smiled and said, "I heard the Imperial Uncle has a Heavenly Snow Lotus, and I’m daring to suggest a trade with Thousand-year-old wild ginseng or Jade Reviving Grass."

Xiao Shen looked at Pei Shu’er, then at Prefect Xie; it was immediately apparent who had spread this information.

Xiao Shen shook his head and straightforwardly replied.

"The Heavenly Snow Lotus is very useful to me, I cannot give it to you."

After saying that, Xiao Shen cast a cold glance at Prefect Xie.

"Lord Xie knows this very well."

Prefect Xie’s face showed a trace of embarrassment: "Actually, this Heavenly Snow Lotus can’t save her either, that’s why I informed Manager Pei of its existence."

Xiao Shen stood up abruptly, his eyes flashing with pain, looking like an enraged lion as he cursed at Prefect Xie.

"Prefect Xie, get out, and don’t come back."

Prefect Xie was also fuming, as Xiao Shen hadn’t even spared him a glance since they entered the mansion, all the while conversing with Pei Shu’er and ignoring him.

Now he was told to leave.

He immediately flung his sleeve and left in a huff.

Pei Shu’er quickly said her goodbyes and followed in Prefect Xie’s footsteps.

She wanted to avoid getting caught up in the aftermath; she had no desire to become someone’s punching bag.

Once they were a safe distance from the Imperial Uncle Mansion, Pei Shu’er turned to Prefect Xie.

"Lord Xie, may I ask who is the Imperial Uncle trying to save?"

Prefect Xie considered for a moment before replying, "Actually, this isn’t something I mind telling you, since the matter was quite the scandal back then."

"Years ago, it was her mother, Mrs. Xiao Lin, who was obsessed with culinary arts. The Imperial Uncle wasn’t interested in cooking at all; in fact, he was quite the wastrel, always causing trouble."

"After the Imperial Uncle knocked over the Lin family cousin with a horse, the Lin Family came knocking, eventually pushing Mrs. Xiao Lin to commit suicide by taking the Forget Sorrow Powder, claiming to repay for her son’s life."

"It’s just that, perhaps due to Mrs. Xiao Lin’s unique constitution, this deadly poison failed to take her life, and instead she became a living dead."

"The Divine Doctor said that they needed the Heavenly Snow Lotus, but after using several petals, there was still no effect, so the matter got put on hold."

"This has always been Xiao Shen’s eternal pain, as he feels that his mother’s condition is his fault."

Pei Shu’er pondered for a long while: "Alright, I understand now."

If it were something else, she might not have a solution, but when it came to medicinal abilities, she had some expertise.

Moreover, she didn’t actually need much, just three petals would barely suffice for medicinal purposes.

After Prefect Xie finished speaking, he turned to Pei Shu’er.

"Whatever the reason today, you managed to get inside Xiao Shen’s residence, so don’t forget what you promised me."

Pei Shu’er chuckled helplessly: "Don’t worry, I won’t forget."

Prefect Xie visibly relaxed, mainly because Pei Shu’er clearly had more influence with Xiao Shen than he did, and he was somewhat worried she might go back on her word.

That night, while Pei Shu’er was lying at home, she suddenly heard a flute playing.

The sound of the flute was strange, and Pei Shu’er sat up with her eyes closed, heading outside.

Finally, as she was about to step off a cliff, Tang Zan caught her.

Tang Zan’s expression was extremely gloomy, as if this Lin Shiyao was like a pesky insect that couldn’t be killed, truly irritating.

Pei Shu’er’s face didn’t look good either. If it weren’t for Tang Zan, she would have been long dead.

Soon, she lost consciousness again.

When she awoke, she found herself holding a dagger, about to stab Tang Zan.

Tang Zan dodged the knife, calling out repeatedly until Pei Shu’er woke up.

Pei Shu’er immediately threw the dagger away and rushed to check if Tang Zan was injured.

"Are you alright?"

Tang Zan smiled: "I’m fine, don’t worry, you couldn’t harm me anyway."

Seeing that he was really uninjured, Pei Shu’er finally relaxed.

But she knew in her heart that this couldn’t be delayed any longer.

The next day after breakfast, Pei Shu’er carried a box of pastries and once again visited Xiao Shen.

The Gatekeeper led her to the courtyard, where she saw Xiao Shen practicing swordsmanship; his movements were agile, every move full of power.

After he finished, half an hour had passed.

Xiao Shen turned his gaze to Pei Shu’er and said, "You’re here again?"

Pei Shu’er nodded and placed the pastries on the stone table in the courtyard.

"Try these; it’s Peony Cake, made in the same way as Lotus Cake."

Xiao Shen’s resistance eased a little, and he approached Pei Shu’er.

Tasting the Peony-flavored cake, his gloomy mood improved significantly.

Perceiving his improved mood, Pei Shu’er chatted with him for a while longer before speaking up about her skills.

"To be truthful, Your Excellency, I’m quite skilled in detoxification. I’ve successfully neutralized the Yama Powder and Yellow Spring Powder, perhaps you could let me give it a try."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Shen scrutinized Pei Shu’er, doubt evident in his eyes.

"You?"

Pei Shu’er nodded: "Yes, me."

Xiao Shen chuckled lightly, his tone filled with disbelief.

"You needn’t lie to me just for the Heavenly Snow Lotus. You may think I’m easily swayed, but..."

Xiao Shen paused noticeably, his gaze turning sharp as he looked at Pei Shu’er.

"Those who touch my reverse scale, all meet a grisly end."