Inside the Golden Throne Hall, candles shone brightly, ablaze with brilliance. The golden light filtered through the glazed palace lanterns, casting a brilliant shadow on the polished marble floor. The Emperor sat high atop the Dragon Throne, clad in a bright yellow robe embroidered with a five-clawed golden dragon. In the candlelight, it seemed as if it were about to soar into the air, a testament to the Emperor's royal majesty. He held a folding fan, gently tapping the throne's armrests, his gaze resting with interest on the tanned Si Yan and Nian Li.
"How did my top scholar and talented daughter become fringe children?" The emperor's voice echoed through the empty hall, tinged with a hint of teasing and curiosity. He narrowed his eyes slightly, carefully examining the two children before him. They were sturdy and strong, their eyes gleaming with a spirit and uninhibited spirit, completely different from those he had seen in the palace before.
Upon hearing the emperor's words, Nian Li hurried forward to pay her respects. However, as she did so, a string of red chilies from her waist accidentally fell, a "clack" that echoed remarkably crisply through the silent hall. Nian Li paid no mind. Instead, she raised her head, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she exclaimed, "Your Majesty, there are candy paintings to be had in Jianghu!" Her voice was clear and resonant, echoing through the hall like a silver bell.
The emperor was taken aback for a moment, then bent down to pick up the bunch of chilies. He brought the peppers to his nose, sniffed them gently, and a look of surprise crossed his face. "It's even more fragrant than the snacks in the imperial kitchen?" He couldn't help but burst out laughing, his laughter echoing throughout the hall. He turned to look at Prime Minister Su and jokingly said, "Prime Minister Su, your girl has seduced my top scholar!"
Prime Minister Su hurried forward, bowed, and wore a helpless smile on his face: "Your Majesty, you are joking. The children are lively by nature. I believe they have gained a lot of knowledge during this journey."
Jiang Yan also stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, my wife said that the Jianghu is more interesting. These three years of traveling have broadened the children's horizons, which is not a bad thing."
The emperor nodded slightly, his smile still lingering. "Well, well, well, in that case, I will host a banquet today to share this fascinating story with you."
Soon, the banquet began. Eunuchs from the imperial kitchen filed in, serving up exquisite dishes one after another. The table was filled with delicacies, the aroma filling the air, mouth-watering. However, Nian Li seemed unsatisfied with these exquisite dishes. She picked up the chili oil from the table and, without hesitation, drizzled it onto a piece of pastry. The vibrant red oil slowly flowed along the grain of the pastry, instantly transforming its original appearance.
The emperor was holding up the wine glass, ready to taste the wine. Seeing Nian Li's action, he couldn't help but widen his eyes and said in amazement: "The way you eat it is up to your mother!" After that, he turned to look at Su Jinli with a smile in his eyes.
Su Jinli nodded slightly and said apologetically, "Your Majesty, please forgive me for making fun of you. Nianli has been in Shu for a long time and she prefers spicy food."
At this moment, Si Yan slowly pulled out an account book from his pocket. He stepped forward and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I have calculated the shipping cost for the Sichuan peppers used in the imperial kitchen..."
Upon hearing this, the emperor quickly waved his hands and said with a mixture of laughter and tears: "Yes, yes, yes, I'll treat your whole family to hot pot, isn't that enough?" As soon as the emperor finished speaking, the whole hall suddenly erupted in laughter. The laughter echoed in the hall for a long time, as if dispelling the usual solemn atmosphere in the court.
Amidst the laughter and joy, Su Jinli turned to look at Jiang Yan. Jiang Yan's face was also filled with a relaxed smile, his eyes revealing his love for his family and his satisfaction with this warm scene. Su Jinli suddenly felt that this usually solemn and dignified court was actually quite interesting at this moment.
The emperor looked at the joyful scene before him, feeling a surge of emotion. He recalled his own life in the palace, where, despite enjoying all the splendor and wealth, he was often constrained by tedious government affairs and palace rules. The arrival of Su Jinli and her family seemed to bring a breath of fresh air to the dull palace, allowing him to experience a different kind of life.
"Your Majesty, there are so many interesting things in this world." Nianli said while eating cakes sprinkled with chili oil, "When we were in Yangzhou, we saw people performing acrobatics on the streets. It was wonderful! And in Shu, we participated in a lively temple fair. There were delicious food and fun things everywhere." Nianli's eyes were shining, as if under her description, those wonderful scenes of the world were being displayed before everyone's eyes one by one.
"Oh? Tell me about it." The emperor said with interest, leaning forward slightly, his face full of anticipation.
Seeing this, Nian Li became even more interested. She put down the cake in her hand and gestured, saying, "The juggler can throw and catch several balls at the same time, and can even swallow a sword and take it out again. It's really scary! And the temple fair is packed with people, and there are all kinds of snacks, including sugar figurines, stinky tofu, and spicy and delicious skewers." Nian Li couldn't help swallowing as she spoke.
"Stinky tofu? What kind of food is this? It sounds novel." The emperor asked curiously.
Si Yan took over the conversation and said, "Your Majesty, stinky tofu smells bad, but it tastes delicious. It is made by specially marinating tofu and adding a unique sauce, giving it a unique flavor."
The emperor's eyes flashed with eagerness after hearing this. "That sounds interesting. I'll have the imperial kitchen try it someday."
Su Jinli smiled and said, "Your Majesty, the production process of this stinky tofu is somewhat special. I'm afraid the imperial kitchen can't produce the authentic taste. If Your Majesty really wants to try it, I will bring some back for you next time I travel around the world."
The emperor laughed and said, "Then I am looking forward to it. Tell me what interesting things you have encountered along the way."
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