Yun Qingluo then instructed Yun Xin to go find Granny Gong and tell her that she would be having lunch with the Emperor and that she didn't need to wait for her.

She was also instructed to tell Granny Gong to keep an eye on the wet nurses and take good care of Zeyan and Qianyue.

Yunxin was also sent away.

Yun Qingluo glanced at Eunuch Wu.

Yes, that's good.

Her movements were obscured by the stove.

This time, Yun Qingluo cheated like crazy.

After quickly stir-frying the cabbage with vinegar, I made cola chicken wings. Ah Chen had tried them and really liked them.

I also made sweet and sour pork, braised pork ribs, garlic lettuce, braised eggplant, shredded pork with garlic sauce, dry pot bullfrog, and dry-fried green beans.

Finally, thinking of the sweet and sour taste, Yun Qingluo made a squirrel-shaped mandarin fish dish.

Fortunately, she was the empress, so even in a small kitchen, there were plenty of pots; otherwise, there really wouldn't have been enough time to cook.

Considering that chicken soup is too oily and Ah Chen might not drink it, I made a spicy soup instead. It's warm and comforting in winter, with a numbing and spicy flavor that's very soothing.

I also made some syrup in a small pot and made sweet and sour candied hawthorns, including strawberry, hawthorn, orange, and tangerine varieties.

It looks crystal clear, not bad.

Just as Yun Qingluo was wondering why the two of them had disappeared, Yun Xin returned.

"Your Highness, His Highness the Crown Prince and the Princess have woken up, and I, hehe, couldn't resist staying a little longer," Yun Xin explained with a dry laugh.

Yun Qingluo didn't seem to mind. "When we were at the border, you took care of Zeyan and Qianyue the most, so it's normal that they're willing to be close to you and Yun Tao."

Now that you're back, could you help me pack these things into a food container? I'm going to wash up and change my clothes.

Yun Qingluo had just left when Yun Tao returned, followed by another person.

"Yun Tao, why are you taking so long too? Oh, what brings Steward Xue here?"

Yunxin was surprised when she saw the person behind Yuntao.

Yunxin knew, no, everyone in the Empress's palace knew.

Although Chief Steward Xue was outwardly respectful due to the Empress's status, he actually didn't want to say a single word to anyone in the Empress's palace in private.

Did the sun rise in the west today?

Steward Xue said expressionlessly, "Where is Her Majesty the Empress? I need to speak with Her Majesty the Empress."

Hearing Steward Xue's cold words, Yunxin immediately became angry. "Do you think you can just see the Empress whenever you want? The Empress is busy delivering lunch to the Emperor. Steward Xue, don't delay things."

Hearing the commotion outside, Eunuch Wu came out and greeted Steward Xue with a businesslike smile.

"Oh, it's Steward Xue. What brings you to our little kitchen for some fun?"

Steward Xue looked at Eunuch Wu and said calmly, "I heard that Her Majesty the Empress personally cooked for the Emperor. I'm afraid that's not a good idea."

"Your Majesty's health is too precious to do such a thing. We have troubled Your Majesty. Our Imperial Kitchen is guilty, and I have come to apologize."

Yun Xin frowned and said coldly in a low voice, "Apologize? This posture doesn't look like someone coming to apologize; it looks more like someone coming to interrogate someone."

Eunuch Wu frowned slightly. "Don't talk nonsense. It's not easy for Steward Xue to find the time to come over."

She turned to Steward Xue and smiled, "Steward Xue is so devoted to the Empress; such kindness is truly admirable."

However, the Empress had already finished cooking and went back to change her clothes.

"It's almost lunchtime, and Her Highness must hurry to dine with the Emperor. Why don't you wait until Her Highness returns before discussing this matter, Chief Steward Xue?"

Steward Xue remained silent, but he did not leave either, his posture suggesting that he would wait until the Empress appeared.

Yunxin was unhappy. Even the Emperor didn't dare to show any displeasure to the Empress. No matter how high his position as chief steward was, he was still a servant in front of his master. What did he have to be so arrogant about?

Yun Xin's expression also turned cold, and her voice was icy, "Steward Xue, you are an important person with many matters to attend to, so I won't see you off."

Steward Xue didn't even glance at Yun Xin. "It's alright, I'm not in a hurry. I'll just wait here."

Just as Yun Xin was about to curse, Yun Tao quickly pulled her back, saying, "Calm down, don't cause trouble for the Empress."

Steward Xue must have powerful backers to be so arrogant.

In this palace, it's obvious who can be his backer.

However, it was still a bit too arrogant.

Even his master doesn't dare to argue with the Empress, so who gave him the courage?

"Steward Xue has come, I suppose not just to see Her Majesty the Empress. We're all smart people here, so please speak frankly," Yun Tao said calmly, pulling Yun Xin along.

Eunuch Wu gave Yun Tao an appreciative look. As expected of someone who grew up with the Empress, she was indeed different.

You figured it out so quickly.

Steward Xue glanced at Yun Tao, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, as if he hadn't expected her to see through his true purpose.

But so what?

"His Majesty's food has always been prepared by the Imperial Kitchen, and naturally undergoes multiple layers of inspection before it dares to be served to him. As for the dishes here, Your Highness..."

Before Steward Xue could finish speaking, Yun Xin angrily interrupted him.

"What, do you mean the food the Empress makes isn't worthy of being served to the Emperor?" Yunxin was smart enough not to say anything about poisoning.

The speaker meant no harm, but the listener took it to heart. Moreover, there were ears on the walls of the palace, so she couldn't just barge in recklessly—this was what the palace maid had taught her.

Steward Xue's expression changed slightly. If these words were to reach the Emperor's ears, even with the Empress Dowager's protection, he would not have a good ending.

The Emperor dotes on the Empress to the core.

Single-handedly, she persuaded the court to abolish the imperial concubine selection system and quickly appointed an empress.

This favor is unique in all dynasties, and he is not so foolish as to seek death.

However, rules cannot be disregarded.

"I didn't mean that. It's just that these are the rules left by our ancestors, and I'm only following them. Please don't make things difficult for Your Majesty."

Yun Tao was so angry she laughed.

"Did you see Her Majesty the Empress? She said she wouldn't make things difficult for you. What, just because you have a mouth, you can act recklessly?" Yun Tao's face darkened.

When Yun Qingluo came over after changing her clothes, she noticed that the atmosphere was off.

"Steward Xue, what brings you here? Is there a problem with the Imperial Kitchen?"

Ignoring the tense atmosphere of the standoff between the two sides, Yun Qingluo asked Steward Xue with a smile.

Steward Xue gave Yun Qingluo a proper bow. Upon seeing this, Yun Xin snorted coldly and went into the kitchen to tidy up.

Steward Xue reiterated his initial statement.

Yun Qingluo raised an eyebrow slightly. "Apologize? There's no need for that. I was just bored and heard that His Majesty had a poor appetite, so I decided to cook a meal for him. I'm sorry to trouble Steward Xue to make the trip."

Seeing that Yun Qingluo's words implied that she was seeing the guest out, Steward Xue became slightly anxious.

"Your Majesty, the food from the Imperial Kitchen undergoes more than a dozen inspections before being served to the Emperor. This is the rule of every dynasty, and even your kitchen is no exception," Chief Steward Xue said through gritted teeth.

Yun Qingluo's expression didn't change much. "Oh? So, what does Steward Xue mean?"