CHAPTER 85: CHAPTER 84 DELICIOUS FOOD

This time, it was Xia Ruqing’s turn to be at a loss for words.

"Emperor, this servant doesn’t eat rabbits; I’m raising them!"

Zhao Junyao asked again, "What about others?"

"There are others?"

Xia Ruqing suddenly remembered that Little Zhuzi mentioned there were several large cages. Apparently, there were chickens and deer, and those would be tasty, but she hadn’t seen them!

Zhao Junyao thought for a while, then ordered Li Shengan to inquire at the Imperial Kitchen.

Li Shengan acknowledged with a response and hastily sent Little Zhuzi on the errand.

Watching Little Zhuzi’s retreating figure running quickly, Li Shengan heaved a deep sigh.

Although Lady Xia’s status isn’t high, her place in the Emperor’s heart is truly not low! That day, outside the palace, the Emperor was busy all day. Nearing dusk, he even took the Seventh Prince hunting, all for a deer. Now it looks like it was specially for Lady Xia?

After a short while, Little Zhuzi came back.

His complexion wasn’t very good.

Only after asking did Li Shengan find out why.

The fact that the Emperor had hunted a deer outside the palace somehow reached Noble Concubine Shih. Deer meat is highly nourishing. Therefore, ignoring all dissuasion, Noble Concubine Shih issued an inflexible order, demanding to eat the deer meat. She announced that the Emperor had hunted a deer and stored it in the Imperial Kitchen. This, she claimed, meant it was intended for her to eat, as the Emperor cherished her for carrying his child. She also declared that anyone who obstructed or gossiped and leaked the news would be plotting against the imperial heir!

With such a statement, who would dare to stop her? The Noble Consort was pregnant, her belly precious; who would dare risk their own life!

The chefs in the Imperial Kitchen had no choice but to swallow their grievances.

As for informing the Emperor? The deer was already killed, and the meat eaten? Who would dare to speak now, isn’t that seeking death? Besides, to stir up such a trifle before the Emperor? It’s unlikely they’d even get past Eunuch Li. Such trivial matters, the Emperor wouldn’t bother with!

If the Emperor didn’t assign blame, then they would have offended the Noble Consort. If the Emperor did assign blame, then they too would undoubtedly be punished!

Chief Steward of the Imperial Kitchen He Changshou had no idea what to do! Ha! He was indeed forced into a corner by the Noble Consort.

By now, of that deer, probably not even its bones were left.

Zhao Junyao, upon hearing this, indeed looked displeased. He felt that the Noble Consort was exceedingly arrogant, and his aversion to her grew in that instant.

Nevertheless, in the end, he didn’t quibble. It wasn’t worth bickering with a woman over some food.

Xia Ruqing, noticing his bleak expression, hastily said, "Emperor, the Imperial Physician said deer meat is highly nourishing, but this servant is weak and cannot eat it!"

Too weak to handle nourishment, am I! Being weak, I should just eat something light and nourishing to recover my strength.

Zhao Junyao thought it over and had no choice but to let it go.

He simply ordered, "Tell the Imperial Kitchen, whatever is left, prepare and serve it up..."

He stopped just short of directly ordering, ’That is for Lady Xia.’

Li Shengan was a shrewd man. Seeing the Emperor’s truly troubled expression, he quickly nodded in agreement. This time, he took Little Zhuzi and went himself.

Zhao Junyao nodded, no longer speaking. But inside, he felt a persisting knot of annoyance.

As an emperor, the most taboo, and also the most loathed, is defiance and provocation!

Noble Concubine Shih was pregnant, and it wasn’t that he was unwilling to let her eat well. That deer was so large; there would have been enough meat for all the palaces! Yet she insisted on hoarding it all, flaunting it, fiercely claiming it was specifically for her!

Heh, I don’t believe I ever said that...

Moreover, how did she get the news? This so-called ’news,’ who gave it to her? Why doesn’t anyone else know, yet she is in the know!

Heh... Noble Concubine Shih! Sometimes, being too clever can lead to one’s own downfall!

The next day, Li Shengan went to the Imperial Kitchen and personally delivered the Emperor’s order.

"All in the Imperial Kitchen are to be penalized half a year’s salary."

The punishment was neither too light nor too heavy, with no reason given... But who in the Imperial Kitchen was not astute? Though they served only the ladies of the various palaces, they were part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and must obey the Emperor! If anyone were bribed by a lady from any palace, that would be betrayal. If discovered, they wouldn’t dream of surviving... After all, anything consumed within the palace walls must always be handled with utmost caution.

So, this punishment was indeed because of the Noble Consort.

Although no one dared to say it aloud, it didn’t mean they weren’t annoyed internally. Everyone had made profound sacrifices to enter the palace, not just to make a living. The Palace Maids might still hope for some decent rewards from the ladies, to have a good marriage once they left the palace. And the eunuchs? What could they hope for? Silver, of course! Unable to marry, they still had to live. Only with silver could life be comfortable...

Now, with this penalty, half a year’s silver gone, who wouldn’t feel aggrieved!

Noble Consort, ah, you’d better stay glorious for a lifetime and never fall into our hands. Otherwise, when your glory fades, we’ll have to settle this account, won’t we?

There’s a good saying: ’Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river.’ We’ll just wait and see!

Beyond the deduction of monthly salaries, Li Shengan also took He Changshou aside and solemnly warned him, "The Emperor also said, if there’s a next time, your Chief Steward’s black gauze cap might need to be passed to someone else."

He Changshou was almost in tears, feeling wronged, yet he could only obey.

"This servant obeys!"

While saying so, he was itching with hatred inside, thinking: If I find out which little rascal was loose-lipped, I’ll make sure they don’t live to see another day! I spent half my life climbing to the position of Chief Steward! If I lost my position over this incident, I’d probably die of rage!

Of course, all these events would follow later.

「Time to rewind!」

When Li Shengan personally went to call for the meal, the Imperial Kitchen naturally understood.

He Changshou personally came out to greet him, smiling respectfully and politely. "Last time," he said, "the Emperor sent over some cages. They contained a few pheasants, a cage of paddy field chickens, and two wild rabbits—all are still being kept, unharmed. What are the Emperor’s instructions?"

Li Shengan thought for a moment. The Emperor implied that all should be cooked, but there was too much to prepare at once.

So, he gave his orders, "You decide on a few fresh dishes; don’t be bound by the rules. What matters is that the taste is good..."

Once He Changshou heard this, he understood right away.

The imperial cuisine isn’t always the tastiest; the Emperor probably wants to use Lady Xia as an excuse to try something new! That’s easy enough...

In less than a Shi Chen, the dishes for Zhaohua Pavilion were ready! There weren’t many dishes, but the important thing was that they were fresh and tasty...

"One stewed pheasant, one spicy diced chicken, one salted rabbit..."

Xia Ruqing counted the dishes, and her mouth watered...

"These are all meats; we need a few vegetarian side dishes. The hot dishes, though light, are not refreshing enough..."

"Oh? Then what would you like to eat?"

"Can I still ask for something I want to eat?"

Zhao Junyao took a casual sip of tea.

"Would I ever shortchange you?"

Xia Ruqing didn’t play coy and directly ordered, "A wood ear mushroom salad with red onions, a scallion and tofu salad with a bit of chili oil. And make it quick..."

Li Shengan couldn’t help but smile wryly, thinking, This Lady Xia is really uninhibited in front of the Emperor. The Emperor isn’t annoyed; he probably likes her straightforward manner!