CHAPTER 193: CHAPTER 193: UNPALATABLE

The Empress lingered in the Imperial Study with the Emperor for half the day, yet the Emperor did not mention spending the night with her.

Using the excuse of needing to review memorials, he sent the Empress away.

Just as the Empress left, a few concubines arrived under the pretense of caring for the Emperor’s health, bringing swallow’s nest porridge and pastries, but in fact seeking an opportunity to obtain soap.

Upon hearing of the food delivery, Eunuch Fu wore an expression as if he were better off dead.

Because the Emperor wasn’t fond of swallow’s nest porridge and pastries yet didn’t want to disappoint their kind gesture, he accepted all they offered, which subsequently ended up in Eunuch Fu’s belly.

Otherwise, how else could Eunuch Fu maintain such a plump and fair appearance?

However, Eunuch Fu wished to say something he dared not utter.

Eating swallow’s nest porridge and pastries every three to five days was making him a bit nauseous.

Moreover—

The taste of the swallow’s nest porridge and pastries was identical to that made in the Imperial Kitchen.

Sometimes, unable to hold back, Eunuch Fu would remark, "This swallow’s nest porridge is no less than that of the Imperial Chefs in the Imperial Kitchen, both in taste and appearance."

Eunuch Fu was subtly hinting to them not to take the Emperor for a fool.

Either don’t send it, or let the Imperial Kitchen make it and bring it to the Emperor. What is the meaning of this?

However, in the ears of the concubines, it sounded like praise for them.

Afterwards, believing he spoke well of them in front of the Emperor, they rewarded him.

Eunuch Fu, "...."

What else could he say?

For the sake of the rewards, he could only concede that what they said was correct.

Looking at the pastries and swallow’s nest, Eunuch Fu felt he didn’t need to eat dinner.

The little eunuchs in the Imperial Kitchen all said he was easy to nourish, didn’t eat much, yet looked extraordinarily healthy...

Eunuch Fu was lost in thought.

The concubines clamored for soap from the Emperor. Although accustomed to it, the Emperor still found it a bit of a headache.

He closed the memorials and said, "Alright, given the noble status of the Empress Dowager and the Empress, it’s only right to prioritize them. You all want it, but I won’t leave you lacking."

The concubines were somewhat discontent, but since the Emperor said they wouldn’t be left out, they certainly wouldn’t be; however, it would just be a bit later.

What upset them the most was precisely this: every good thing was prioritized for the Empress.

Only once the Empress had taken her pick would it be their turn.

At these moments, they vowed to work harder to climb higher, so one day, when they displaced the Empress, they could enjoy the honors and privileges.

"Then, Your Majesty, please reward us soon," one concubine coquettishly said.

The Emperor looked at her, "And when would my beloved consort like it?"

"Tomorrow," the concubine replied with a smile.

The Emperor chuckled and dismissed everyone.

The Emperor was used to the concubines seeking rewards, and so was the Empress.

Whenever the Emperor rewarded a concubine with something, the slightly favored ones would feel envious, then find an opportunity to flirt with the Emperor to get something.

Returning empty-handed, a palace maid would report to the Empress to win her favor.

The Empress was genuinely in good spirits; after holding back for so many days, the tide had finally turned, and that female bandit’s shop had no business, so the Emperor had also been thinking of her.

The next day, during the morning court session.

The Emperor discussed state affairs with his ministers, and after discussing important matters, the session was about to adjourn.

The Emperor made a gesture, and Eunuch Fu sent a signal to a little eunuch standing not far away.

The little eunuch led a group carrying trays over.

The brocade boxes were neatly stacked, arousing the curiosity of the civil and military officials, who wondered what was inside.

The Emperor said, "This is a tribute I recently acquired, a bit excessive in quantity, so I shall share it with you, my ministers."

A whole box full of soap.

For a bath, it wouldn’t use even a bit.

Placed in the Imperial Study, the Emperor felt a bit overwhelmed.

And the quantity was so large that there would be plenty left even after rewarding the concubines.

So the Emperor thought of the ministers.

There was no choice; as Emperor, besides concubines, the only people he engaged with were ministers.

The Emperor’s words moved the ministers profoundly.

They hurriedly knelt to thank the Emperor for the reward.

The little eunuch carried the tray to each minister, who each took a brocade box.

The composed ones resisted looking.

The less composed ones opened and took a peek.

Those with a sweet tooth, seeing the Emperor’s reward’s lustrous and fragrant appearance, had their appetites stirred.

Then secretly took a bite.

The Emperor didn’t see this scene, but Eunuch Fu did.

His stomach almost cramped from laughter, quickly signaling the Emperor to look.

Eunuch Fu couldn’t say some things, but whether soap could be eaten and whether it would upset one’s stomach was uncertain.

The Emperor, with an expressionless face, said, "Vice Minister Li, if you’re hungry, I will reward you with two plates of pastries. This is not for eating."

Vice Minister Li, "...!!!"

He had thought it felt a bit hard when biting into it and it didn’t have much flavor.

Just because it was a reward from the Emperor, he didn’t dare spit it out.

It turns out it wasn’t food at all.

Vice Minister Li quickly spat it out, seeing his colleagues watching him, his face turning beet red, wishing he could burrow into the ground.

He left late in the morning, afraid he’d be late for the morning court session, so he didn’t eat anything. Now his stomach was growling with hunger, and with food so rare, he couldn’t resist...

The embarrassment of the day grew large.

However, the Emperor rewarding him with two plates of pastries was a blessing in disguise.

Vice Minister Li hurriedly expressed his gratitude.

Prince NanAn stood in the front, holding the brocade box with a complicated mood.

Other ministers didn’t know what this was, but he did.

Last night, Princess NanAn had used soap for her bath and even gave him a piece. He was curious about where she got such a good thing.

After princess NanAn explained the events of the day, and since Prince NanAn commented about how good the soap was, he also contemplated how his own son lived quite well at Marquis Dongxiang’s Mansion, at least eating superbly. After his anger subsided, her heart softened, thinking perhaps she should help the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion by taking a few noble ladies with her to visit the Beauty Pavilion.

However, Prince NanAn didn’t allow it.

Yet he hadn’t expected that the Emperor’s indulgence of the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion would extend to this point.

The Eldest Young Madam had already asked the Emperor for help; his own son asking for parental help was overshadowed...

Prince NanAn glanced back, meeting the eyes of the Duke Dingguo Mansion’s elder patriarch across the room.

The elder patriarch of Duke Dingguo Mansion looked resigned.

Apparently, he was aware too.

Receiving the Emperor’s reward, the ministers left court happily.

Returning to Prince NanAn Mansion, Prince NanAn handed the brocade box to Princess NanAn.

Princess NanAn smiled and said, "It was just a spat, no need to apologize."

Prince NanAn, "...."

He hadn’t even said a harsh word, just told her not to spoil their son, to let him handle things on his own. He wasn’t wrong; was an apology necessary?

He pulled the brocade box back, but Princess NanAn quickly snatched it back and opened it.

Inside, she saw the familiar soap.

Looking up at Prince NanAn, Princess NanAn chuckled, "You’re just being stubborn. You told me repeatedly not to go, yet here you are secretly supporting the Beauty Pavilion’s business. I knew you cared about our son."

Prince NanAn felt exhausted.

"This was a reward from the Emperor," Prince NanAn said.

"...."

"Not just me, all the ministers received one," Prince NanAn said, rubbing his forehead.

"...."

Princess NanAn paused for a moment, then cheerfully said, "Cuicui, get the silver note. We’re going shopping."

Prince NanAn, "...."