Chapter 1337: Really Moving
Editor: Henyee Translations
They blinked, rubbed their eyes, and took a second look…
No, their eyes weren’t playing tricks on them, were they?
It was undeniably a regular braised carp! Identical to what they would typically have.
Prince Nuo Nuo seemed to share the same sentiment. His face brightened, and his eyes sparkled as he gestured towards the braised carp, ready to voice his sneer. “Lord Shao, you didn’t serve us the live braised carp we requested, did you? We were expecting—”
His eyes widened abruptly, and he froze.
The carp was moving!
Not once, but twice more, in a clear and unmistakable manner!
Everyone present witnessed it, and a collective gasp of astonishment swept through the room.
“It moved, it actually moved! I saw it!”
“Is this some kind of illusion? This is…”
“It’s genuinely alive, a living braised carp!”
“How can this be!”
Prince Nuo Nuo’s expression underwent a rapid transformation, and he nearly leaped in alarm. Supernatural, it had to be supernatural!
He shot a surprised and accusatory glare at Shao Yunduan.
“H-How on earth did you manage this?”
Shao Yunduan maintained his serene smile. “Our chefs have their own secrets. If you’re interested, you can discuss it with them tomorrow.”
A suppressed snicker circulated through the banquet hall.
Prince Nuo Nuo huffed and shot a chilly stare at Shao Yunduan. For some inexplicable reason, he felt a tinge of frustration.
He was a prince, so why was he engaging in a conversation with a mere chef? What a ludicrous situation! Young Lord Shao appeared to be intentionally mocking him, as if underestimating his intelligence.
In his eyes, Great Qin’s scholars were the most loathsome. They exploited their erudition, harboring hidden agendas and taking every opportunity to belittle others without the slightest hesitation.
Although arguing was futile, he was seething with discontent.
Shao Yunduan prodded, “Aren’t you going to give it a try?”
Prince Nuo Nuo’s countenance darkened further.
Sample the dish? How could he dare to do that? It seemed highly peculiar no matter how he looked at it. Who knew what the people of Great Qin might have done? What if something went awry after he tasted it?
He wasn’t willing to take such a risk with his own life.
“No need!” Prince Nuo Nuo signaled to the young eunuch overseeing the banquet. “Remove this dish!”
The young eunuch lowered his head, ready to have the dish taken away. However, Vice Envoy Da Si halted him and offered a friendly smile. “This is intriguing, Prince. I’d like to give it a try and broaden my culinary horizons.”
Prince Nuo Nuo glanced at him and nodded with a smile. “Very well, go ahead.”
With Vice Envoy Da Si partaking, Great Qin wouldn’t dare to employ any trickery. If anything untoward happened to Da Si, he wouldn’t let it slide.
The young eunuch swiftly brought the dish to Vice Envoy Da Si’s table.
Vice Envoy Da Si made a concerted effort to remain composed. He delicately selected a piece of fish with his chopsticks and placed it into his mouth.
As he chewed, a look of astonishment crossed his face.
The fish was remarkably delectable and impeccably cooked, unmistakably not raw.
This was truly perplexing!
In that very moment, the ‘animated’ braised carp leaped once again, causing Vice Envoy Da Si to startle so abruptly that he nearly choked on the fish in his mouth.
However, a swift revelation dawned upon him, and he exclaimed with both surprise and delight, “I see now… You’ve placed a live loach inside the fish’s belly! I was puzzled as to why the fish could move despite being thoroughly cooked! That’s the trick!”
Vice Envoy Da Si seemed to have unearthed a vulnerability in the Great Qin Empire’s presentation. He smirked confidently and continued, “I was talking about a live braised carp. Is this considered deceitful? Your Great Qin Empire has certainly displayed cunning tactics. Teasing us in this manner! I’m curious to hear how the Crown Prince plans to elucidate this!”
Prince Nuo Nuo also shared in the revelation. “Ah, I see now!”