"Ah, then I must definitely try it."
Upon hearing Xu Taiping's words, Princess Liuliu felt not disgust or discomfort, but rather a face full of delight, as if she couldn't wait to taste it.
"Isn't it just roasted lamb leg? What other flavor could it have?"
At this moment, Chef Lao Qian muttered to himself.
Hearing this, both Cao Qianhu and General Chu glared at Lao Qian, causing him to immediately retract his head.
Although both were under an illusion, they had not forgotten Xu Taiping's identity.
Xu Taiping, even from afar, still heard Lao Qian's words.
Just like the dishes before everyone's eyes, the seemingly honest and simple Lao Qian appeared to Xu Taiping as a goat demon, a creature exuding a foul stench and capable of walking upright.
"Hmph, dare to critique my roasted lamb leg? When I lure out your master, you'll be the first I chop."
Xu Taiping made a mental note.
As for whether the goat demon would realize he wasn't affected by the illusion, he wasn't worried.
According to Fairy Lingyue, this goat demon was just a low-level spirit, acting entirely on its master's orders. The mutterings were simply an instinctive mimicry of Lao Qian.
"Daoist Taiping, pardon the interruption."
Princess Liuliu personally carried over her small cushion, sitting demurely across from Xu Taiping's grill, hands holding a plate with an eager look on her face.
"Your Highness, please try this."
Xu Taiping immediately sliced the tenderest piece from the lamb leg and placed it on the plate in Princess Liuliu's hands.
He then watched her intently, unblinking.
Because of the goat demon's muttering, a strange sense of competitiveness arose in him, eager to see Princess Liuliu's reaction.
"Thank you, Daoist!"
Princess Liuliu happily picked up the chopsticks handed to her by the maid and bit into the roasted meat.
"Hmm?"
However, as she was about to put the meat in her mouth, her brow suddenly furrowed, as if she smelled something unpleasant.
But seeing Xu Taiping's expectant face, Princess Liuliu didn't think further and stuffed the piece of roasted lamb into her mouth.
As soon as the meat entered her mouth, Xu Taiping saw Princess Liuliu's face gradually twist, as if she had tasted something extremely unpleasant.
"Fairy Lingyue, what's going on?"
Seeing Princess Liuliu's reaction, Xu Taiping felt something was amiss and immediately asked Fairy Lingyue in his mind.
"It must be the demon's doing, using illusions to confuse their sense of taste, making the unpalatable seem delicious and the delicious seem unpalatable," Fairy Lingyue explained rather nonchalantly.
Upon hearing this, Xu Taiping felt somewhat disappointed.
Because of this, Princess Liuliu would not be able to truly taste the flavor of his roasted meat.
Any chef would be dismayed to see a guest's expression like Princess Liuliu's after tasting their cooking.
But to Xu Taiping's surprise, Princess Liuliu, despite her pained expression, swallowed the entire piece of roasted lamb leg.
"Daoist Taiping, this roasted lamb… it really has a… very unique flavor," Princess Liuliu managed to squeeze out a smile after swallowing the meat.
Witnessing this, Fairy Lingyue silently praised her:
"This young lady has a good temperament, not showing any royal airs at all."
Not just Fairy Lingyue, Xu Taiping's favorable impression of Princess Liuliu also increased significantly.
"Daoist Taiping, since I've also had a taste, I won't disturb your meal any longer. I'll go try the Luxurious Jade Hairpin prepared by Lao Qian."
Princess Liuliu smiled at Xu Taiping and then prepared to stand up.
Seeing Princess Liuliu still fixated on that dish of cockroaches, Xu Taiping wasn't sure what to say.
But in the end, he decided to play the "villain" to the end.
"Your Highness only tasted a bite and doesn't want more? Could it be that you find my roasted meat unpalatable?"
Xu Taiping feigned a hint of displeasure as he looked at Princess Liuliu.
"This…"
Princess Liuliu was taken aback.
"Daoist, you misunderstand. Your roasted lamb leg is tender and delicious, it's just that…"
"In that case, please have a few more pieces."
Before Princess Liuliu could finish her sentence, Xu Taiping interrupted her and cut another piece of meat onto her previously used plate.
"This… this…"
Princess Liuliu's eyes were filled with struggle.
"Your Highness."
At this moment, General Chu and Cao Qianhu stood up, seemingly wanting to help Princess Liuliu out of her predicament.
"General Chu, Cao Qianhu, you two continue to drink with the soldiers. I would like to discuss the matter of the Angry Fist Estate with Daoist Taiping."
Princess Liuliu signaled them with her eyes to sit down.
Both understood and, though reluctant, decided to respect Princess Liuliu's decision.
"Daoist, then I shall humbly comply," said Princess Liuliu as she took the plate from Xu Taiping and sat down again.
Then, with a look of determination, she picked up the piece of lamb with her chopsticks and quickly put it into her mouth, swallowing it as fast as lightning.
"Phew…"
After swallowing, she breathed a sigh of relief as if a burden had been lifted.
This sight made Xu Taiping somewhat bemused, even beginning to doubt the taste of his own cooking.
Meanwhile, Cao Qianhu, who was heartily enjoying mouse meat and bugs, occasionally looked back with a sympathetic gaze towards Princess Liuliu.
The sight of those eating cockroaches and bugs feeling pity for someone enjoying fragrant roasted meat was indeed bizarre.
"How does it taste?"
Determined to play the villain to the end, Xu Taiping didn't wait for Princess Liuliu to raise any objections and preemptively asked.
"The taste, the taste… The taste is very good!"
Princess Liuliu felt this was the most insincere thing she had ever said in her life.
"Since it tastes good, Your Highness should have more. There's plenty here."
Xu Taiping smiled and cut another piece for Princess Liuliu.
"Okay… okay."
Princess Liuliu was on the verge of tears.
Proofreader & Editor: Lotas