A steamer basket of fresh meat buns was steamed out, and wisps of fragrant steam rose up, instantly filling the entire kitchen.
Chu Yi couldn't wait to open the steamer. Seeing the plump, white buns on top, a sense of pride and accomplishment welled up inside him.
"This is the first time I've ever made food by my own hands. You're lucky to be able to witness it!"
After Chu Yi finished speaking to Su An with an air of arrogance, he was attracted by the tempting aroma and, disregarding his image, grabbed one and started eating.
With a gentle bite, a rich aroma of meat instantly filled his mouth. Savoring the delicious broth, Chu Yi's face flushed red.
This wasn't the first time he'd eaten steamed buns, but these were ones he'd made himself, and they tasted just as delicious as the ones Su An made.
"Hahaha, not bad, you should have a taste too!"
Chu Yi ate two in a row before remembering Su An, and then gave an arrogant and domineering order.
Su An had to admire his arrogance.
They were just copying the steps and following their own instructions, but they thought they had suddenly become master chefs.
She rolled her eyes silently, took the bun, took a bite, and immediately put on an expression of admiration and shock: "Wow! No wonder it's His Majesty!"
Not satisfied, Chu Yi shouted loudly and hurriedly called Fu Hai from outside to come in and have a taste together.
After taking a bite of the steamed bun, Fu Hai was truly stunned: "It's astonishing! The skill is divine, truly unparalleled! Your Majesty made it casually, yet it resembles a delicacy from a celestial palace. This servant is in awe!"
As she spoke, she wolfed down her food with tears in her eyes, seemingly deeply moved by the delicious food.
Su An secretly marveled at this; look at that, the flattery was truly masterful!
Chu Yi fell for it, laughing uncontrollably and seemingly reaching for the sky.
Su An glanced at the remaining steamed buns, dozens of baskets of different flavors, cleared his throat, and suggested:
"Your Majesty, we usually distribute porridge and provide relief at this time. The Prince used to participate as well. Since Your Majesty has made so many buns, why not extend your kindness and go outside to help the disaster victims? Everyone will surely be grateful after tasting Your Majesty's cooking."
Su An specifically mentioned that Fu Zhun had also done it, and sure enough, Chu Yi's expression changed, and he immediately wanted to compete for victory.
"What does it matter what the disabled make? I am the supreme ruler. It is the greatest honor for those disaster victims to be able to eat the food I make."
"You, go and prepare immediately!"
Su An smirked; he had finally achieved his goal.
After a busy day like this, the emperor certainly wouldn't have the energy to bother with his own affairs anymore, right?
She happily directed the helpers to put the buns into the steamer, then arranged for the cooking of porridge and the setting up of the shed.
Chu Yi arrived at the entrance and saw a large group of refugees queuing up. He immediately frowned, and annoyance flashed in his eyes.
These ragged, smelly disaster victims are truly an ill omen.
But the next moment, Su An struck the gong loudly and shouted, "Everyone line up and don't push! The steamed buns we're distributing today were made by His Majesty the Emperor himself, who is so considerate of the people. This is an immense and unique imperial favor!"
"His Majesty's virtue and compassion for all people are something we must always remember!"
"What!" The crowd erupted in a commotion, their surprised and grateful gazes instantly falling on the emperor.
Chu Yi suddenly stiffened, unable to react for a moment in the face of countless grateful and tearful people.
Immediately, all the disaster victims knelt down before him with a thud: "How dare we, a bunch of lowly people, cause Your Majesty such trouble? Your Majesty's virtue is boundless and your grace is immeasurable!"
"Your Majesty's virtue is boundless, and Your Majesty's grace is immeasurable!"
"Long live the Emperor!"
The dark, stench-filled crowd suddenly erupted in a deafening roar.
Everyone's faces were flushed with excitement, and tears welled up in their eyes.
Staring blankly at this scene, Chu Yi took a moment to come back to his senses, and a surge of intense emotion welled up in his eyes.
Suppressing his excitement, he waved his hand with boundless pride and declared, "You are all subjects of the Great Chu. Though famine has struck, I stand with you! I believe in you all; you will surely overcome this calamity with unwavering determination!"
Whoosh—
The crowd was already moved, and upon hearing these words, they were even more energized, crying and shouting "Long live the Emperor!"
Chu Yi nodded in satisfaction, then turned and went back, feigning calmness.
Once inside the shop, his excitement was palpable, and his fists clenched so tightly they trembled.
"Hahaha! My uncle has been superior to me since childhood. People only know my uncle but not me. All the officials in the capital are like this. They all follow my uncle's lead in everything! They compare me to my uncle at every turn!"
"But now, now! Finally, the people truly love and respect me! It has nothing to do with my uncle; they only have eyes for me, the Son of Heaven!"
Thinking of the heartfelt tears streaming down the faces of the people just now, Chu Yi felt his breath become hot, and his eyes grew even more intense and red.
Su An watched silently from the side, and after listening to these words, he couldn't help but take a serious look at the emperor for the first time.
The young emperor looked to be about the same age as himself, around sixteen or seventeen, wearing a yellow robe, with a handsome yet arrogant young face.
Yet, beneath this air of arrogance lay a joy that had been suppressed for so long.
There was also an inexplicable air of humility about it.
Looking at it this way, it really does seem a bit pitiful. Su An couldn't help but sigh softly and whispered some words of advice:
"Why should Your Majesty dwell on the past? The Prince's legs are crippled. Now all the people under heaven belong to Your Majesty. If you are a good emperor, the people will naturally love and respect you."
As soon as he finished speaking, Chu Yi, who was immersed in ecstasy, suddenly turned his head to look at her, a hint of ruthlessness in his eyes. "A peasant girl is just a peasant girl, so naive."
"Do you know that as long as the Emperor's legs are healed and he can stand up again, bringing peace and prosperity to the country, the court officials will once again turn to him and support him, and the people will only shout the name of the Prince of Zhenbei!"
"Why?!"
He smirked, as if possessed, and said, "So, only when the Imperial Uncle is completely dead will everything return to normal, and I will be the true emperor, the one who is in accordance with the will of Heaven!"
He seemed to be venting or making a decision, talking to himself and then bursting into laughter.
Su An was startled upon hearing this.
This emperor went mad at a young age.
But in retrospect, it seems that no one is at fault?
A monarch possesses the entire nation, yet there is a powerful minister whose merits overshadow the monarch's. Any emperor would feel threatened and restless, driven to madness by suspicion.
Sigh... Although it's not something she can control, she'll definitely side with Fu Zhun!
Just then, a guard's voice came from outside: "Your Majesty, a messenger has arrived, saying that the Prince has sent you a letter."
Upon hearing news of Fu Zhun after two days of separation, Su An's eyes widened in surprise, and she immediately revealed her joy.
Although it wasn't a letter for her, at least we have some leads!
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