After Nangong He left the imperial study, the shadow guard appeared again, descending from the beam.

"How is it?"

"Your Majesty, the young general lost his way and met Noble Lady Yi near Shoukang Palace."

Xie Yanci's right hand, which was stroking the northern part of the map, suddenly stopped and asked, "Another chance encounter?"

"I didn't dare get too close, for fear of being spotted by the Major General. I only heard him ask Noble Lady Yi for directions before leaving. From beginning to end, their conversation was on the palace road, and there was nothing wrong with it."

"He dares."

The shadow guard remained kneeling with his hands clasped in his fists. "Your Majesty, are you suspicious of Concubine Yi and the Nangong family?"

"No." The emperor immediately denied, "One is my woman, and the other is my trusted minister. At most, they bumped into each other by chance, purely by chance. You continue to keep an eye on Prince Lian's mansion, go!"

"Yes, I'll take my leave!"

Eunuch Yang stood grinding ink the entire time, not daring to interrupt. He remained silent until the shadow guard left.

Xie Yanci didn't want to study the terrain anymore. "Yang Mingrui, what do you want to say?"

"This inkstone is all I can hear, therefore, the sound of grinding ink is all I can hear. Your Majesty, what do you want me to say?"

"Every time something like this happens, you always interrupt." He wandered around the imperial study in annoyance, "I, am I getting old?"

"Your Majesty! You ascended the throne at a young age, taking over the empire entrusted to you by the late Emperor. Your diligent work has ensured the peace and prosperity of the nation. You are only in your early twenties now, so how can you look old?"

Yes, he is not yet in his seventies or eighties.

Xie Yanci pondered for a moment and said, "Go and ask the imperial chefs to put in some effort! Tonight I'm hosting a banquet for the young general in Changsheng Palace. He spends the most time near Dashuo, so we must find out the common meals there and make sure he enjoys them."

"Ah? Your Majesty? You're inviting the Major General to dinner?"

"Isn't he still studying in Wenjing Pavilion?" Xie Yanci pursed his lips and smiled. "That's perfect, call him over! It's not against the rules to return home before the palace gates are locked."

Eunuch Yang didn't dare to ask any further questions, and quickly agreed and left.

——

Wei Shuyi spent an entire afternoon studying the recipe before he figured out the complicated production process.

This is indeed a dish unique to the south: the top and pulp of an orange are removed, leaving only a small portion of the juice. Then, tender and delicious crab meat is stuffed into it little by little, and it is decorated with new wine and chrysanthemum flowers. It is indeed a rare delicacy.

However, the difficulty lies in not using real crab meat. You have to use other vegetables to create a similar appearance, color, and taste.

"Girl, you've been staring at this recipe for quite a while. Do you want to stop and take a break?"

"That's fine. I'll write down all the ingredients I need..."

"My lady! My lady!" Jing Ning heard the news and rushed into the inner room, shouting, "The emperor just sent someone to tell you that you should go to the Changsheng Palace for dinner tonight!"

Wei Shuyi was stunned: "Who else is here?"

"This...this servant is not in a position to ask too much, I just heard the emperor summoned me."

It shouldn’t be!

Today is not a special day, and he just delivered delicious food last night.

Could it be that the emperor has recently become fascinated by novel foods, and is so pleased that he is eager to let all the concubines try them?

"Young Master? You need to get ready quickly, it's getting late."

Only then did she come to her senses, finished dressing up with full of doubts, and headed to the Palace of Eternal Life.

Unfortunately, she ran into an old acquaintance again.

"Noble Lady Yi?" Nangong Heng also stopped and asked, "Do you have something to ask the Emperor?"

"Where is your Excellency? Are you here to discuss state affairs with the Emperor?"

Nangong Heng's expression gradually became strange. After carefully examining her, he raised his head and looked towards the Hall of Eternal Life. "The Emperor asked me to drink with him. I didn't expect you to come too. I feel like something is wrong."

What? !

Did Xie Yanci only call the two of them?

She suddenly felt panic, recalling the emperor's previous suspicion of Xie Yanqing. She was afraid that she would need to find an opportunity to explain clearly that she had nothing to do with the young general.

"Yao'er, Qingshi, did you meet outside the door again?"

Xie Yanci's words made her kneel down and plead her case first: "Your Majesty, after receiving the news from Sang Yuxuan, I immediately rushed here. Coincidentally, the young general was also brought here by the eunuch, so..."

"Yao'er, I'm just asking casually, what are you afraid of?" He took the initiative to lead her to his side, "Come, the imperial kitchen has prepared some new and delicious dishes. I think they taste great, so I specially called you here to taste them."

Wei Shuyi didn't dare to pick up her chopsticks. She felt that the hand around her waist was too strong. If he used a little more of his internal strength, it might even break her in half.

Nangong Heng paid no attention to these things and began to eat the meat with big mouthfuls: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your gracious invitation. This roasted meat is a rare delicacy that I can enjoy while guarding the border!"

"As long as you like it, my dear." Xie Yanci held the silver chopsticks again and took the initiative to help her with the dishes. "Yao'er, how about trying this fish sashimi?"

It doesn't make sense for the emperor to feed it to his mouth himself.

She was about to turn her head and choose to pick up a piece for herself, but she saw his burning gaze, as if he would not refuse!

"..." Wei Shuyi had no choice but to take it and savor it carefully, racking his brains to think of words of praise. However, the moment he opened his mouth, he was blocked by the emperor's golden cup.

"Yao'er, I ordered someone to bring out the peach blossom wine that has been buried for several years. I personally buried it in the courtyard the year I ascended the throne. Would you like to try it?"

"Your Majesty, there is a cup in front of me, please..."

"Between you and me, what's the point of distinguishing between us?" Xie Yanci leaned closer, almost leaning on top of her. "Last time, you also fed me wine. It's a courtesy to return the favor. This time it's my turn."

Is this true?

Wei Shuyi could only take a small sip. Nangong Heng's voice of praise reached his ears: "Excellent wine! As expected of His Majesty's carefully curated private collection, it's indeed much better than what's sold in the capital!"

"As long as you like it, my dear." Xie Yanci still replied perfunctorily. He exerted force with his right hand, forcing her to fall into his arms. "Yao'er, what else do you want to eat? I'll order someone to make it now."

"Your Highness, I'm not hungry yet. Sang Yuxuan usually has dinner later, so I'm full after drinking this glass of wine."

"Really?"

The emperor seemed to be lost in thought, and with a hint of apology he looked at Nangong Heng, who was still feasting on his food. "My dear, I need to take her to help digest her food. You can eat slowly."

"This..." He looked embarrassed, "Your humble servant..."

"Why? Now that Concubine Yi has left the table, you've lost your appetite?"

The question was pointed, but he rebuffed it: "No! I am simply worried. If Your Majesty returns and I eat all the roasted meat on the table, will you forgive my disrespect?"

Xie Yanci was slightly startled, then smiled and replied, "That's all right! If you like to eat the roasted meat from the border, then enjoy it! Noble Lady Yi and I will go ahead."

"Your Majesty and the young lady are respectfully seen off."

Nangong Heng couldn't wait to salute, then quickly sat down at the table and continued to tear the ribs.

Wei Shuyi was brought into the inner hall where the emperor lived. Just as she was about to find out what the strange atmosphere was tonight, he grabbed her wrist and pressed her against the screen!