The sunlight streamed down, illuminating everything brightly.

A summer breeze blows from the distant mountains, ruffling the silk-like surface of the pond.

The lotus flowers are in full bloom.

Although it was the height of summer, the area around the Imperial Lake was surprisingly cool.

Zhao Huan, dressed in casual clothes with his sleeves rolled up, was intently chopping scallions, ginger, and garlic at the table by the pond.

Han Chenchen was pouring water on the side.

The queen then began to cut the meat.

Roujia is starting a fire.

Zhao Chun blinked his big eyes at them.

The palace maids and eunuchs around them were already used to it.

This official had a great hobby: he loved to cook for himself.

The emperor cooked himself, and the empress and imperial concubine were also inspired by him.

The ministers had repeatedly tried to persuade him about this matter.

The saying "a gentleman keeps away from the kitchen" was completely absent in this emperor's mind.

The emperor loved hot pot, especially the "Chongqing hot pot" he invented, and he loved spicy food.

This type of chili pepper must be briefly cooked in boiling oil to infuse its essence into the oil.

Then add plenty of scallions, ginger, and garlic.

Add various spices.

The emperor liked this, so naturally countless princes and nobles in the capital city followed suit.

Take "Chongqing hot pot" restaurants for example; there are at least thirty, if not fifty, of them in Tokyo City.

Even on the hottest days, the place is packed with guests.

Just then, Shao Chengzhang came running over with small, quick steps and said, "Your Majesty, Commander Li has arrived."

Before Zhao Huan could speak, Roujia jumped up, throwing down the firewood she was holding: "Where is it?"

Zhao Huan laughed and scolded, "A daughter is like a tree that cannot be kept at home once she grows up. When she heard that her lover had arrived, she didn't even care about her father anymore."

"Father, you are mistaken. Roujia is simply following your example and valuing those who have contributed to the Song Dynasty. Didn't you say that Cao Cao welcomed Xu You in the dead of night without even putting on his shoes? And that the Duke of Zhou would spit out his food when he heard that a talented person had arrived? Isn't Roujia deeply influenced by your teachings, Father?"

Zhao Huan was speechless.

My daughter is actually a brilliant and eloquent genius!

She really is a female Zhuge Liang!

Zhao Huan coughed twice: "Let him come over."

"Here you go!"

Shao Chengzhang hurriedly ran outside.

A short while later, Li Bao came in.

"Your humble servant kowtows to Your Majesty."

Zhao Huan washed his hands, dried them with a handkerchief, walked over, and grasped Li Bao's hand, saying with great excitement, "My General Commander of the South China Sea! Thanks to you, the people of Guangnan East Road have been able to rebuild their homes."

"Your Majesty is too kind. It is all thanks to the soldiers below who are grateful for the Emperor's grace and fought bravely that we were able to achieve such a victory!"

Zhao Huan summoned Li Bao over.

The spices had all been added to the pot, and the soup quickly came to a boil.

"sit."

"Your subject dares not."

"What is there to be afraid of? You are my great benefactor. I will let you sit."

Li Bao was a little nervous, but he still sat down.

He was, after all, a high-ranking official in charge of a region, and he rarely returned to the capital or appeared on such occasions.

"Li Bao, have a taste. This is the Empress's cooking."

Li Bao ate a piece of freshly cooked mutton, and as soon as he put it in his mouth, he started panting heavily from diarrhea.

Because he has been leading troops in the South China Sea for many years, Li Bao is tanned dark, and you can't tell if his face is red from the heat.

"If Commander Li doesn't like the food, then cook these on the other side."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty (Empress). It is delicious, but it is my first time eating it, so I am not used to it."

Roujia quickly stood up and quickly prepared a new seasoning for Li Bao: "Here, Commander Li, have this, it's not spicy."

"Thank you, Princess Roujia." Li Bao accepted the things that Roujia handed him with both hands.

Zhao Huan said sourly from the side, "Oh, I think it's really spicy too, I want one too."

Roujia's face immediately turned red.

Han Chenchen quickly smiled and started working: "Your Excellency, here is a copy."

She knew Zhao Huan was teasing Roujia.

Li Bao, on the other hand, was completely clueless about the family's situation. Like a soldier receiving a general's order, he quickly followed Roujia's example and made a copy for Zhao Huan.

Li Bao respectfully presented it: "Your Majesty!"

Zhao Huan accepted the food presented by Li Bao and stopped joking. He said solemnly, "Li Bao, sit down and let's eat and chat."

"Li Bao, I have a question for you."

"Your Majesty, please enlighten me."

"What do you think of my daughter?"

Zhao Huan pointed at Roujia.

Li Bao was stunned for a moment, as if he had been frozen in place. The once-powerful Commander Li was immediately speechless.

Seeing that Li Bao was stunned, Roujia was getting a little impatient. She said, "Commander Li, what do you think of me?"

Zhao Huan thought to himself: Roujia, don't you know any shame?! Where did you learn to be so shameless?!

"Princess Roujia is of noble birth and exceptionally intelligent."

"Do you like me?"

Upon hearing Roujia's words, the people present exchanged bewildered glances, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

Zhao Huan secretly felt a headache coming on: Could you please be a little more reserved?

Like Yue Fei, Li Bao was a master of warfare, but when it came to matters of the heart, he was immediately stumped.

If his skin were very fair, he would be flushed red right now and unable to say a word.

Seeing that Li Bao remained silent for a long time, Roujia became even more anxious.

Li Bao also felt a headache coming on; this kind of situation was even more difficult to handle than a thousand troops.

Zhao Huan smiled and said, "Li Bao, although Roujia is a bit impatient, she is of good character."

Although he had been emperor for eleven years, Zhao Huan still wanted to be more patient when it came to family matters, especially with his most beloved daughter.

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