CHAPTER 81: CHAPTER 81 STEALING JERKY

Just as she was thinking, the sound of footsteps came from outside.

The few attendants quickly shut their mouths and stood by the bubbling stove, watching the bone broth simmer inside.

The visitor was Qiu Ming, who had noticed Lin Wanyi only took a cloak with her when she left, and hadn’t brought a hot water bottle, so he brought it over specially.

"Mistress, the Emperor is awake."

Lin Wanyi and Chunqi Xia An exchanged a glance, their expressions akin to that of warriors cutting off their arms.

Then they quickly gathered their emotions and put on a cheerful appearance.

"Oh, did Your Majesty sleep less today? Is there something the matter?"

"I don’t know either; the master asked the mistress to come over. It seems the Emperor wishes to summon you."

"Alright, I’ll go right away."

Taking the hot water bottle, the warmth spread from her fingertips to her toes.

Lin Wanyi walked ahead, with Qiu Ming and Xia An following behind.

As for Chunqi, she still hid in the small kitchen as usual.

Just as she was about to enter the sleeping quarters, she overheard some intermittent voices inside.

"...the lord is waiting."

"Hmm, I’ll be over shortly."

Lin Wanyi didn’t quite catch it and, rounding the screen, saw Dong Yuzhong attending the Emperor as he dressed.

The cool shirt was one Lin Wanyi had personally made last time, and it was indeed comfortable to wear now.

No matter how bright it was outside, it wouldn’t cause the heat rash like before.

"Has Your Majesty awoken? Are you going out?"

"Yes, there’s something in the front court, I need to go back to Qiqing Hall for a bit."

The fact that he used "go back" implied he intended to return to Huifang Courtyard again?

How she wished he would stay peacefully in Qiqing Hall.

Even newlywed couples need not always stick together, right?

Especially when her "husband" is the ruler of the empire.

She immediately spoke sensibly.

"Your Majesty, there’s no need to worry about me. Everything here is well; I will eat and take my medicine properly."

The Emperor nodded, clearly pleased with Lin Wanyi’s obedient demeanor.

"Let’s go."

"Yes."

"I respectfully see Your Majesty off!"

The Emperor, accompanied by Dong Yuzhong, strode outside.

And as Lin Wanyi performed the farewell bow behind him, she was nearly grinning from ear to ear.

She greedily inhaled the air of the sleeping quarters without the Emperor present, finally feeling truly free.

"Xia An."

"I am here."

"Go and call Chunqi over. She’s hidden in the small kitchen every day, even more miserable than I am."

"Alright, I’ll go right away!"

Xia An was equally delighted; the three of them had entered the palace together originally.

In terms of sentiment, Chunqi should have been the one serving beside the mistress daily.

Luckily, she was straightforward; otherwise, if it were someone else, they might have harmed themselves ages ago.

Soon, the two emerged quickly from the small kitchen.

Chunqi was carrying a food box.

Lin Wanyi looked a bit curious.

"What’s inside?"

"Hehe, last time you mentioned wanting grilled jerky, so I’ve made some these days, sprinkled with sesame and chili; you’ll definitely like it!"

Lin Wanyi’s eyes lit up at the words.

Heaven knows, following the Emperor’s bland diet daily was a boring affair.

"Quick, take it out so I can see."

Chunqi smiled happily, glancing back to see if anyone was standing outside while bringing it over.

The jerky was roasted dry, the meat fibers clear, and the sesame embedded grain by grain on top.

Not much chili could be seen, likely because Lin Wanyi was still on medication, so spicy foods should be consumed sparingly.

She picked a piece and began to eat.

The rich aroma of meat made her feel alive again.

"After so much medicine, my mouth’s lost its taste. It’s Chunqi who understands me, knowing I’m pitiful, hurrying to deliver the magic medicine."

"Hehe, as long as the mistress likes it."

She then handed a few pieces to Xia An.

"You should try some too. I put a lot of effort into it; the stove’s fire is hard to control, and I used tiles to dry it."

Xia An shook her head and smiled; when it comes to food, no one beats Chunqi!

"Keep it; I’ll eat later. Mistress should also eat less, or it’ll affect the medicine’s efficacy."

After Lin Wanyi had two pieces, Chunqi took them away.

"Xia An is right; once the mistress gets better, I’ll make it every day, but for now, health is the priority, just relieve the craving."

Fortunately, Lin Wanyi wasn’t greedy, though the jerky was delicious, she didn’t fret when it was taken away.

Having had those two pieces, she felt more spirited.

Thus she asked Xia An to bring a book, casually reading on her own.

Chunqi took the food box and slowly withdrew.

Just planning to find an oil cloth to wrap the jerky, she bumped right into Qiu Ming.

"Delivering food to the mistress again?"

Chunqi laughed awkwardly, wishing to hide the food box behind her.

Seeing this, Qiu Ming knew there must be something off.

"Stand guard outside; if those two girls secretly bring food to Lin Chang, confiscate it and send it to Qiqing Hall."

"Yes, as you command."

Recalling the Emperor’s instructions before leaving, it wasn’t surprising at all.

"Let me have it."

Unable to argue, Chunqi handed over the food box reluctantly.

Qiu Ming opened it for a look, displaying some anger.

Frightened of rebuke, Chunqi dashed away in a hurry.

The sight amused Qiu Ming, and he called out to Xiao Luzi nearby.

"Xiao Luzi."

"I’m here."

"Take this food box to Qiqing Hall and hand it over to Mr. Dong."

"Yes."

Never suspecting anything else, Xiao Luzi merely thought the mistress had become sensible, caring for the Emperor by sending food.

He cleansed his hands immediately and, without fear of the sun, walked out with the food box.

Zeping State, Qiqing Hall.

The Emperor held a memorial, its contents unknown.

Yet Dong Yuzhong noticed the Emperor’s face growing increasingly somber, so he stood by discreetly, serving with caution.

With a snap, the memorial was fiercely thrown to the ground.

And kneeling before him, was Geng Caiyou, unseen for days.

"Calm down, Your Majesty."

"Hmph, the Liu Family has indeed raised an excellent grandson!"

The Liu Family?

Isn’t that the natal family of Princess Consort Yi and the grandson of the Marquis of Northwest?

The Marquis of Northwest and his wife had three sons and numerous grandsons; which could the Emperor be referring to with this ’excellent grandson’?

Dong Yuzhong pondered silently, while Geng Caiyou quickly responded.

"The Third Young Master Liu is the Marchioness’ youngest grandson, not in the army, raised in Shengjing City, naturally pampered. But this time, the affair has blown up, so I had to report it!"

So it turns out to be the Third Young Master Liu.

That explained it.

This Third Young Master Liu, the only son of Liu Qichun, third son of the Marquis of Northwest, is the direct cousin of Princess Consort Yi.

Prominent for being mischievous since childhood.