Xia Zhengqi's gaze fell on Concubine Zhou.
There were two shallow marks of stove ash on Zhou Bin's pale little face, and the hem of her skirt was also stained with ash.
What is particularly eye-catching is the red patch on the back of the hand, with a few small blisters on it.
"Princess Zhou, how did you get yourself into such a mess? Why is there so much dust on your body?" Xia Zhengqi was a little confused.
Concubine Zhou was a little flustered. She had been locked up in the cold palace for nearly ten years and had spent very little time with Emperor Mingxi. She was still not quite used to the life of a concubine.
The Queen immediately said, "Sister Zhou insisted on lighting the fire in front of the stove just now, doing the hardest job, which is why her skirt got dirty."
Xia Zhengqi nodded approvingly. He didn't expect that Zhou was such a simple-minded woman.
Xia Zhengqi asked again, "How did you get the blisters on your hands?"
"It was Concubine Li and Concubine An. When they saw the dumplings were out of the pot, they ignored their image as concubines and rushed forward to grab the dumplings. As a result, they broke the plate of dumplings and scalded Zhou." Concubine Shu bluntly exposed Concubine Li and Concubine An.
Xia Miaoyuan looked at Emperor Mingxi, his eyes filled with longing. "Mother and Aunt Shufei have both performed well. Now it's up to you, Daddy."
Concubine Li and Concubine An looked very unhappy, their faces turning red and white.
"Your Majesty, it was an unintentional mistake!" Lipin answered again.
Anpin followed closely behind: "The same goes for me."
Xia Zhengqi raised his eyebrows: "So, it's true that you guys snatched the dumplings and scalded Zhou?"
Concubine Li and Concubine An's faces looked even uglier. They had originally applied a layer of white powder on their faces, but now their faces were turning black.
Xia Zhengqi looked at Concubine Li and Concubine An coldly. Both of them had extremely delicate makeup and hair, not a single strand out of place, and their brocade palace dresses were spotless.
Even if other concubines wore aprons, they could not avoid having flour on their hair or sleeves.
Obviously, these two lazy guys did not do any work just as my daughter said in her heart. Instead, they shamelessly tried to take credit for the dumplings after they were cooked.
Xia Zhengqi was already furious about Liang Chaozong's matter, and now he was even angrier.
How dare you try to be clever right under my nose?
Xia Zhengqi cleared his throat and said, "Since Lipin and Anpin like to serve dishes so much, I will grant your wish."
"Starting tomorrow, every time it's mealtime, you will go to the Imperial Kitchen and help out. You will be responsible for serving my meals. Three meals a day, no one can be missed."
Concubine Li and Concubine An were both stunned.
"I will send someone to supervise you. You are not allowed to delegate your duties to others. From the Imperial Kitchen to my Palace of Heavenly Purity, you must personally carry out the entire process."
Xia Miaoyuan couldn't hold it in any longer and burst out laughing.
"Great, great! The two aunts will take care of Father's meals! What a great job!"
Xia Miaoyuan cheered in a baby voice and jumped up and down.
Concubine Li and Concubine An lowered their heads and rolled their eyes at Xia Miaoyuan countless times.
Concubine Li and Concubine An: This is a good job, why don’t you let your queen mother do it!
All the concubines were laughing wildly in their hearts, but because of their image, they were embarrassed to laugh out loud. They all covered their mouths with handkerchiefs to stifle their laughter, and their shoulders shrugged.
Especially Rongpin, her face turned red from trying to hold back her laughter, and the corners of her mouth kept twitching.
In the past, Lipin always relied on the fact that she had children to ridicule Rongpin for being childless and calling her a beautiful hen that couldn't lay eggs. This time, she finally got her revenge.
"Your Majesty, isn't it too far to walk from the Imperial Kitchen to the Palace of Heavenly Purity?" Anpin's tone was delicate.
"Is it too far? Are you unwilling to do something for the emperor personally?" the queen asked.
Xia Zhengqi said calmly, "If you are unwilling, I won't make it difficult for you. You can ask to leave the palace on your own."
Lipin suddenly pulled Anpin to kneel down. "No, no, Sister An didn't mean that. We sisters are willing to do it for Your Majesty personally."
Concubine Li and Concubine An didn't dare to say anything more. They just lowered their heads and stood aside.
The incident in the small kitchen was finally over and the meal was finally served.
The emperor, empress, and concubines all took their seats according to their ranks.
Nanny Li specifically picked out Xia Miaoyuan's dough cat and placed it in front of her.
"Haha! My cat!" Xia Miaoyuan pouted and blew hot air.
Xia Zhengqi looked at his daughter dotingly, his lips curled up: "Show father what this is?"
"I made this little kitten!" Xia Miaoyuan answered in a baby voice.
"Daddy, are you greedy? I can give you half!"
Everyone couldn't help laughing.
Xia Zhengqi said, "Miao'er worked so hard to make this, so you should keep it for yourself. Father is reluctant to eat it."
Everyone was eating when suddenly, the eunuch at the door said in a gentle voice, "My dears, the food is here."
A beautifully dressed palace maid came up carrying a tray.
[This palace maid is so beautiful!] Xia Miaoyuan glanced at the palace maid's face and was very surprised.
[Is this really just a palace maid?] Xia Miaoyuan looked at the maid's clothes suspiciously.
Although she was also wearing the clothes of a palace maid, she looked much more exquisite than other palace maids. It was obvious that a lot of thought was put into her makeup and hair.
The palace maid walked cautiously between Xia Zhengqi and the queen, placed the dishes in front of the emperor and empress, and stepped back gracefully.
Xia Miaoyuan stared at the palace maid in a trance, [Something is wrong, there is something strange about this person!]
At this moment, the palace maid deliberately stretched out her right hand and instantly touched Xia Zhengqi's wine glass.
The small wine cup fell to the ground and the wine spilled onto Xia Zhengqi's sleeves.
Xia Zhengqi pulled back his sleeves as if by reflex.
The maid fell to her knees and said, "Your Majesty, please spare my life. This servant did not mean it!"
The voice was melodious and the tone was pitiful.
[Oh my god, you came here for Daddy.] Xia Miaoyuan understood instantly.
The palace maid begged for mercy and actually took out a handkerchief from her bosom and wiped the wine off Xia Zhengqi's sleeves.
While wiping, she looked at Xia Zhengqi with affection.
Xia Zhengqi met the palace maid's eyes and shuddered.
"Which palace are you from?" The queen looked at the maid coldly.
The queen also realized the problem of the palace maid. There was no such person in the Qianqing Palace, and she was not a palace maid of other concubines.
"Your Majesty, I am from Chuxiu Palace." The palace maid said sweetly.
After she said this, all the concubines at the table cast vicious glances at her.
"It turns out that it was the little bitch from Chuxiu Palace who came to seduce the emperor!" Lin Zhaoyi spoke first.
Xia Zhengqi glared at Lin Zhaoyi, and she immediately shut up.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me, Queen! I just wanted to see your face! I didn't mean to seduce you..."
The palace maid defended herself eagerly, but became hesitant later on.
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