Rong Qingqing nodded. "Mm."
Seeing her serious expression, Emperor Zhaojing also suppressed his smile. "What is it?"
Rong Qingqing hesitated for a long time before saying, "Father, please calm down. I have messed things up."
Emperor Zhaojing was even more puzzled. "What did you mess up?" He paused, and seeing her solemn expression, which seemed to be tense and worried, he softened his expression and added, "It doesn't matter what it is."
Upon hearing this, Rong Qingqing seemed relieved and whispered, "Miss Guo was accidentally burned to death a few days ago. I only just received the news." Before Emperor Zhaojing could say anything, she suddenly knelt down and said, "I failed in this matter and have let down Father's trust. Please punish me, Father."
When Emperor Zhaojing heard the news of Guo Li's death, he was stunned for a moment. When he saw her kneeling down, he hurriedly said, "What does this have to do with you?" After a while, he added, "If she's gone, she's gone. Get up quickly."
Rong Qingqing was a little confused about his thoughts, but she readily stood up.
Emperor Zhaojing paused for a moment, then asked, "How did the fire start out of nowhere?"
"They said she got up in the middle of the night and knocked over a candlestick. By the time they discovered it, the fire was already raging. The old women who were watching over her kept calling out, but they couldn't hear Miss Guo's voice. They guessed that Miss Guo must have tripped and fallen when she knocked over the candlestick, knocking herself unconscious, which is why she didn't have time to run. By the time the fire was extinguished and everyone rushed in to save her, she was already badly burned..."
Emperor Zhaojing murmured, "Fire again..."
Rong Qingqing was taken aback, wondering what he was thinking, when she heard him explain, "Back then, Consort Li was also burned to death... Today, Guo Li will meet the same end."
Rong Qingqing then realized that the Emperor Emeritus's sentimental remarks were not out of pity for Guo Li's plight, but rather because he was reminded of the past experiences of Consort Li.
"Alright, don't take this to heart. It's not your fault," Emperor Zhaojing said.
Rong Qingqing nodded, "Thank you, Father." After saying that, she saw that his face was filled with melancholy, which she thought was because he was touched by Guo Li's death. She paused and couldn't help but ask, "Father, is there any dish you would like to eat today? I will make it for you."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Zhaojing's eyes lit up, but he said reservedly, "Wouldn't that be too much trouble for you?"
"I have nothing to do today, no problem." Rong Qingqing had barely finished speaking when Emperor Zhaojing recited a long list of dishes as if they were his own treasures.
"Crystal pork knuckle, stir-fried pork with dried bean curd, Kung Pao chicken, eggplant with garlic sauce, braised beef, fish head with chopped chili..."
Rong Qingqing's lips twitched slightly. It seemed she had been overthinking things. Emperor Zhaojing didn't care much about Guo Li's life or death; it was less important than a lunch.
Fortunately, they were all home-style dishes, which she was quite good at.
"No problem, then Father, please be seated. I will go and make the preparations."
Emperor Zhaojing nodded with a smile, and then added, "There is also a small kitchen in Taichen Palace. I'll have someone tidy it up so you can cook here and avoid having to run back and forth." He paused, "But don't let Xingxiu and your grandmother know."
Upon hearing this, Rong Qingqing couldn't help but feel a little amused and exasperated. She wanted to say that it wasn't good to eat alone, but in the end, she didn't say it. She nodded and went downstairs.
Emperor Zhaojing, contrary to his previous melancholy demeanor, became quite smug.
His daughter-in-law is so filial; even Xingxiu probably didn't get to enjoy such treatment.
He really wanted to show off to his son, but he was afraid that if he did, he wouldn't be able to enjoy the food alone anymore, so he only thought about it for a moment and then gave up.
While Rong Qingqing was living a life of ease in the palace, an uninvited guest arrived at the Xu Prince's Mansion in Xuzhou.
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