"His Majesty just ordered this old servant to fetch a hot pot from the Empress, and now the Empress is bringing food. Is this a newly made cold dish from the Empress?"
Consort Xi handed a food box to Eunuch Jiang.
"What a coincidence! I made an extra portion. You must be tired after serving us all day. Take this and enjoy it."
"Oh dear, that won't do!"
He spoke politely, but his hands moved with incredible speed and dexterity as he took the food box.
"Then this servant thanks Your Highness."
As he spoke, he leaned closer and whispered, "His Majesty is craving the Empress's food. This old servant is going to invite the Duke of Ningguo and the Minister of Revenue to have hot pot, as well as General Weiyuan and Marquis Fuyu."
Chen Jin'er felt a warmth in her heart.
These were all people close to her; the emperor's protection was self-evident.
As her gaze swept over the swaying bodies kneeling outside the Imperial Study, Chen Jin'er's lips curled into a slight smile.
Since they want to pin the title of "femme fatale who brought ruin to the country" on her...
Well... thankfully it's confirmed!
"thump--"
Chen Jin'er suddenly knelt down and loudly begged for forgiveness, "Your Majesty—I am guilty. I beg Your Majesty to allow me to move to the South Palace to quell the Empress's anger!"
These words were spoken.
The ministers kneeling outside were overjoyed.
Immediately following were loud cries of "Your Majesty, please grant the Empress's kind request!"
Upon hearing the sound, the emperor strode out.
He quickly helped Chen Jin'er up, "My beloved concubine, please get up."
"His Majesty--"
Chen Jin'er looked up, tears streaming down her face. "Your Majesty, it's all my fault for angering the Empress. I'm willing to move to the South Palace to appease the Empress and quell the wrath of Heaven."
"His Majesty--"
Jiangnan Jiaojiao added.
"Today, the Imperial Concubine observed a vegetarian diet, chanted Buddhist prayers, bathed, and burned incense. She went to the Phoenix Palace to kowtow to the Empress, telling her that she was willing to move to another palace. The Empress has always been kind and magnanimous, and she will surely appease the divine punishment!"
"Your Highness, look—"
"Your Highness's personal belongings have all been packed!"
Jiang Jiaojiao held up a small package.
The ministers looked at the small package, exchanging bewildered glances. For a moment, they were at a loss for words, unsure whether to praise the Consort for her quick compromise or for her diligence and thrift.
or……
He reprimanded Miss Jiang for being shameless, taking out the imperial concubine's personal belongings to curry favor.
The Imperial Concubine has finished packing and is preparing to move to the new palace.
Can they retire now that they've accomplished their mission?
"I have already shown the Cui family great respect by not deposing her!"
The emperor was furious.
For the sake of the late emperor's decree and to save face for Lady Cui, he did not expose the empress's crimes.
Who knew they wouldn't change their ways!
"Your Majesty, it is all my fault. I have failed to please the Empress. If the Empress does not forgive me, then... then let Heaven punish me and kill me. It is only a pity that the imperial child in my womb will never be with Your Majesty."
Chen Jin'er perfectly imitated the affected and pretentious mannerisms of the scheming women in palace dramas.
Jiang Jiaojiao secretly gave a thumbs up. With such methods, if she didn't take the throne, who would?
We must learn this!
So, maintaining her straightforward persona, she added insult to injury, "Your Majesty, you can't! Her Majesty the Empress is kind-hearted and will surely forgive you. As long as Her Majesty the Empress forgives you, there won't be any divine punishment, right?!"
"Besides, Her Majesty is carrying the emperor's heir, the son of the Son of Heaven. Heaven would never punish its own descendants!"
The Yellow Emperor listened and nodded in approval.
"Jiaojiao is right!"
"I am the Son of Heaven, the Son of Heaven! You will stay by my side, and I will see if Heaven's punishment dares to punish me!"
The emperor's imposing gaze swept over the kneeling ministers, "None of you are allowed to leave! All of you stay here and guard this place!"
Chen Jin'er wiped away her tears as the emperor helped her up.
"Thank you for granting my request, Your Majesty. As long as the Empress calms her anger and appeases the divine punishment, I would be willing to do anything, not only move the palace, but also eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist prayers for the Empress every day."
She casually handed the garlic-soaked handkerchief to Jiao Jiao, then put on the food box. "Your Majesty must be hungry from your busy schedule. I've prepared some refreshing and appetizing cold dishes. Would you like some?"
The emperor had been angry all day and hadn't eaten a single grain of rice. But when he heard about the tangy and appetizing cold dishes, he suddenly felt hungry.
He hurriedly took the food box, led Consort Xi by the hand and entered the room, saying, "I also had hot pot prepared, and these cold dishes are just right to whet the appetite. My beloved consort and I are truly of one mind..."
The ministers trembled with fear and dared not utter a sound, watching helplessly as the emperor carried a food box in one hand and led the imperial concubine into the palace with the other.
A faint, tangy, and spicy aroma wafted to my nose.
suck--
"Gurgle..."
"Gurgle..."
My stomach started rumbling involuntarily.
Jiang Jiaojiao tucked her handkerchief into her sleeve, looked up at the sky, and smiled at Eunuch Jiang, "Eunuch Jiang, look how beautiful the night is..."
"Let's not go in and disturb His Majesty and the Empress's meal. How about we set out a table, and you can join me while we admire the moon and try these newly made cold dishes?"
"Oh! That would be wonderful! This old servant will be fortunate to have such a delicious meal, Your Highness."
Eunuch Jiang hurriedly gave the order, "Hurry up and set up a table, and warm up a pot of wine in the kitchen to warm the princess up."
"Yes, Eunuch Jiang!"
The palace maids and eunuchs quickly responded and left, feeling extremely grateful to Jiang Jiaojiao and the Imperial Concubine. With His Majesty's anger subsided, they had escaped a disaster and took turns going to eat something and drink some water.
then……
The ministers, kneeling all over the courtyard, watched and smelled the extremely tangy cold dishes, and had to listen to Eunuch Jiang's repeated exclamations of amazement.
"Wow—it's so tender!"
"Crisp and chewy!"
"Slurp—how are these translucent noodles made? This old servant has never eaten them before. They're sour, spicy, and refreshing all these years. This old servant has been eating noodles for nothing!"
The ministers, kneeling on the ground: ...
Why are they watching other people eat here? I'm so hungry, I want to leave.
Hearing the rumbling sounds of his stomach, Jiang Jiaojiao poured Jiang Gonggong a glass of green juice. "You can't drink alcohol while on duty, but this green juice has a unique flavor. It's refreshing and thirst-quenching!"
"Good, good! This old servant is truly fortunate to have such a delicious meal!"
Eunuch Jiang bowed and drank a cup, smacking his lips, "Delicious! It really makes your mouth water!"
The ministers, thirsty all day: ...
Grandpa Jiang, could you please eat in a little peace and quiet?
hehe!
There's no peace and quiet at all, because... the hot pot is here!
The Duke of Ningguo and the Minister of Revenue arrived, along with General Weiyuan carrying a deer leg, and Marquis Fuyu carrying a wine jar…
The ministers were almost in tears, both hungry and craving food.
Those in high positions of power and older people have long since fainted or collapsed and gone home. Those still kneeling at the entrance of the Imperial Study are all young, of low rank, or stubbornly persistent.
They can't just come and go as they please anymore.
The emperor had spoken, ordering them to witness the divine punishment firsthand. How could they dare to move? They could only watch helplessly as a hot pot was set up next to Eunuch Jiang and Jiang Jiaojiao.
A strong aroma wafted over.
"Gurgle, gurgle..."
"Gurgle gurgle gurgle..."
"Oh dear! Lord Li has fainted!"
Eunuch Jiang looked up, quickly picked up a slice of cooked meat, and said, "It's alright, the floor isn't cold, lying here all night won't hurt."
The courtiers: ...
Midnight.
Consort Xi, wrapped in the emperor's shawl, walked out with him and looked up at the star-filled sky. "Your Majesty... I am afraid."
"With me here, no one dares to harm you."
The emperor's sharp gaze swept over the kneeling, numb ministers.
The Duke of Ningguo and the Minister of Revenue kept their eyes and noses closed.
Tsk tsk tsk...
Venison hot pot is truly a delicacy!
General Weiyuan stood a step behind the emperor, always on high alert.
Fu Yuhou, hiccuping from the alcohol, waved to Jiang Jiaojiao, "Hiccup... Jiaojiao, come here quickly, even if the sky... if the sky falls, I'll still be there... hiccup... we'll hold it up."
Jiang Jiaojiao walked over with a smile.
Just then—
A star streaked across the night sky, falling rapidly, faster and brighter.
Look in the direction.
This is the location of Qixiang Palace.
Divine punishment is coming!
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