"Yes, Your Majesty."

    In truth, I had anticipated that unpleasant rumors might circulate.

    Why would nobles go to the trouble of presenting such expensive, gaudy food—often tasteless, too—in their banquets?@@@@

    It’s all to show that they are on a different level from the common rabble right there in the banquet hall.

    But what if all those painstaking efforts were dismissed by the lowly commoners?

    People would sneer, saying, "So, the nobles are so rich they can afford to eat this tasteless junk, huh? Nobles really aren’t anything special after all."

    Of course, hearing something like that would set their insides churning.

    If I were only a mere baron, the Sforza faction would have probably bribed a clergyman by now to charge me with the “sin of promoting gluttony.”

    It wouldn’t be a legal punishment, but I would be forced to pay a hefty atonement as “compensation” for my “ethical failings.”

    The difference between a strategy, where all risks are calculated, and a suicide mission, where no risks are considered, is crucial.

    "I’m not in this to die a dog’s death."

    “These young folks nowadays, can’t even follow the advice of their fathers. But you, you’re as meticulous as they come. So, I take it this was all part of an elaborate plan?”

    I couldn’t help but smile.

    The Emperor’s grin was so confident, it was as if he would bet his hand on his hunch being right.

    And since there was no harm in being caught, I decided it was safe to confess.

    “Yes, Your Majesty. Everything was planned by me.”

    “Of course, I didn’t think you’d make such a sloppy mistake that would give the clergy an excuse to nitpick. It seems I won my wager with the Grand Chamberlain.”

    Behind us, the Grand Chamberlain sighed.

    “Congratulations, Your Majesty. Since you’ve won our wager, I’ll deliver the finest bottle from my wine cellar by tomorrow.”

    “It’s a pity you couldn’t get your hands on my wine.”

    “Surely I’m disappointed about missing out on the Imperial Reserve.”

    In Joseon, the Grand Chamberlain would be akin to a chief eunuch who remains close to the king at all times. Though this Grand Chamberlain naturally shares a rapport with the Emperor, their relationship appears closer than with other court servants.

    I’ll need to be a bit more generous with my gifts to him in the future.

    In our empire, being skilled at giving gifts and currying favor isn’t seen as sycophancy but as a basic skill.

    Ignoring this law of the land would almost certainly doom one’s life and family.

    Of course, if I were a living natural disaster like Admiral Yi Sun-shin, I might get away with it.

    But, no matter how much I think about it, there’s no way I could compare myself to a figure like the Admiral.

    So, I’ll follow all the customs that everyone else diligently observes.

    “In terms of faith, the Archbishop advised me that accentuating the natural taste of ingredients, rather than masking it with extravagant spices, is more favorable.”

    The Emperor nodded at my words.

    “So, wouldn’t it be better to widely promote this new cuisine (nouvelle cuisine) instead of the current banquet food, filled with spices and artificial colors?”

    My late father, the former Baron Medici, once said that in his youth, nobles were seen as ideal if they were either burly muscle-bound types or noticeably overweight.

    The reasoning was that the macho types resembled knights and looked dashing, while being fat symbolized a wealthy domain that the lord himself demonstrated with his body.

    Seeing a plump lord, the serfs would think the estate must be prosperous, while a macho lord gave them the comfort that, in wartime, he’d slice through enemy necks without a second thought.

    Of course, times have changed, and nobles no longer force themselves to gain weight.

    However, the habit of flaunting wealth through luxurious and often tasteless food has persisted as a form of showing off “luxury” and “wealth.”

    “I can certainly still stomach the meats and heavily spiced foods that nobles enjoy, but, Your Majesty, most nobles, including yourself, are of a certain age, aren’t they?”

    By the time people hit their thirties, they can hardly handle the rich foods and alcohol they enjoyed in their twenties without feeling as if they’re about to die.

    Most nobles inheriting titles are in their mid-thirties to forties.

    Is this kind of greasy, salty, heavily spiced banquet food really good for their health?

    “They probably think they’re fine since they’ve always eaten this way.”

    In reality, it’s likely quite bad for their health and leaves them feeling bloated.

    “When I was young, I didn’t even know what it was like to feel bloated. But after passing forty, meals gradually became more challenging,” the Emperor admitted.

    “Deus uses the human body as his temple. This means that the human body is a masterpiece crafted by the divine. So, if we feel discomfort, it may mean that the meal isn’t what the divine intended for us.”

    Aside from a few organs, like the liver, which don’t cause immediate pain, the body gives signals like discomfort when something is wrong.

    And humans are most beautiful when they’re healthy.

    Just look at Chloe. Even though she isn’t unrecognizable, she’s become so much prettier that one might blink in surprise seeing her now compared to her rural days.

    “So, wouldn’t it be fitting for Your Majesty to lead by example and enjoy this cuisine, which embodies modesty, purity, and is beneficial to the body? Naturally, you could test it for a few days to see if it truly benefits your health.”

    I’ve heard that, as people age, there are only two true joys left in life.

    One is the joy of good food, and the other is watching one’s children grow up well.

    For the Emperor, there’s also the pleasure of wealth and power.

    And with the likely decline in certain urges, he must be finding even greater pleasure in fine dining.

    It’s an offer he can’t refuse.

    “Simplicity, taste, and this cuisine are far better than the extravagance of current banquet fare.”

    “Your words are far too generous, Your Majesty.”

    “Now, I suppose those criticizing you behind your back will be left speechless. If I personally test the dishes you prescribed and find them beneficial, I’ll have them served at the next banquet.”

    And then, I immediately went to find Erica.