Chapter 58 Delicious Food
Hearing this, both of them were stunned.
Just as the Concubine Shu was about to agree to Yun Wan's departure, she changed her words: "Your Majesty, what are you talking about? What's the point of disturbing me? I can't wait for your Majesty to come!"
To avoid Emperor Jingxuan's suspicion, Concubine Shu smiled and said to Yun Wan, "Your sister-in-law should stay and have dinner with us, so we don't have to go back and forth."
If she were to leave when His Majesty came, wouldn't it seem like His Majesty was driving people away?
Meeting her smiling but unyielding gaze, Yun Wan realized that he had to stay for lunch.
There was no point in saying more, so she sat down again.
Lunch was served in the dining hall. Due to the visit of Emperor Jingxuan, the imperial kitchen had added a few more dishes, and they were still steaming hot when served.
Emperor Jingxuan sat in the main seat, Concubine Shu was on his left, and Yun Wan sat next to her.
During the meal, Concubine Shu took the initiative to serve the dishes and soup to Emperor Jingxuan, "Your Majesty, the weather is getting hot now, and this old duck soup is the best to clear heat and refresh the taste. Please try it."
"And this crystal jade meat jerky and braised gold and silver threads, you should try them too."
It was rare for His Majesty to dine with her, and Concubine Shu had gone to great lengths to make Emperor Jingxuan feel her thoughtfulness and consideration, so that he was satisfied with the lunch.
Her attentiveness left Jiang Fusheng with no room to maneuver, so he had to wait by the side with his head down and remained silent.
Seeing that she was about to continue introducing herself, Emperor Jingxuan said calmly, "Shufei, don't talk while eating."
What I mean is, you are too noisy.
Concubine Shu froze, looking embarrassed, and dared not say anything more.
From beginning to end, Yun Wan remained silent and ate his food in silence.
She just wanted to finish lunch as soon as possible and leave.
But obviously, someone saw through her little thoughts and did not do what she wanted.
Under the round dining table, the tips of Yunwan's embroidered shoes seemed to be touched, like a dragonfly skimming the water.
Yun Wan paused, then continued to take a bite of the bamboo shoots in the bowl as if nothing had happened. At the same time, she put her legs together and moved back a little, avoiding the situation calmly.
But the owner of the long boots opposite seemed to have eyes and kept chasing her, getting closer and closer, until Yun Wan was forced to retreat with no way out and his legs pressed against the legs of the stool.
Yun Wan felt depressed and raised her leg to kick the owner of the boots, but she didn't dare to move too much for fear of attracting Concubine Shu's attention.
The boots didn't move at all, showing no sign of moving away.
Yun Wan was embarrassed and ate faster, but she didn't notice that she had swallowed a piece of spicy ginger. Her face changed slightly and her skin turned red from the irritation.
Seeing this, Concubine Shu at the side cast a puzzled look and asked, "What's wrong? Did you eat spicy food?"
The palace maids hurriedly served tea. Yun Wan suppressed the discomfort in her mouth and drank a cup of warm tea. After suppressing the spicy taste on the tip of her tongue, she explained, "I lost my composure. I just ate a piece of ginger."
Concubine Shu nodded and said nothing.
She subconsciously looked at Emperor Jingxuan, fearing that he would be unhappy.
Emperor Jingxuan looked indifferent, as if he didn't take this little incident to heart. After tasting a piece of jade meat jerky, he raised his eyes and asked casually, "Madam Lu, what do you think of the dishes in the imperial kitchen?"
Yun Wan lowered her eyes and said, "Your Majesty, it is naturally delicious."
"How does it compare to the cooking skills of the Lu family chef?"
"The imperial kitchen's delicacies and the Lu family's congee and side dishes each have their own merits."
Yun Wan's answer was flawless, and Concubine Shu chuckled and said, "Sister-in-law, you're right."
Emperor Jingxuan glanced at Yun Wan and said nothing more.
After finishing most of the lunch, Yun Wan stood up and took her leave while thinking about her excuse.
After coming out of Changchun Palace, Yun Wan let out a breath of foul air.
She felt quite stressed while eating lunch just now, fearing that Emperor Jingxuan would ignore her and that if she asked too many questions, it would arouse Concubine Shu's suspicion.
On the way back, passing by the Imperial Garden, Yun Wan saw from afar several women dressed exquisitely, who seemed to be concubines in the harem.
Fuling also saw it, and whispered to Yun Wan, "Those are noble ladies and gentlemen. It seems they heard that the emperor was dining in Changchun Palace, so they are waiting here specially."
This kind of thing is very common in the harem, and it is just a trick used by the concubines to compete for favor.
It would be best if I could wait for Emperor Jingxuan, but if I can't, I won't be disappointed, because I'm used to it anyway.
Back in the courtyard, it was quiet. There was no one else there except himself and Fuling. Yun Wan's tense heartstrings could finally relax.
Fuling was a very active person. After she finished cleaning up the room, she turned around and saw Yun Wan sitting quietly on the couch. She took the initiative to ask, "Aunt, would you like some tea? If so, I'll make a fresh pot for you."
The pot of tea I had this morning has gone cold, and drinking it will damage my stomach.
Yun Wan waved her hand, covered her lips and yawned lightly, "No more drinking, I want to rest for a while, you go out first."
Fuling: "I am in the adjacent room. If you need anything, just call me and I will be there immediately."
After running around for a whole morning and meeting many people, Yun Wan was already exhausted and fell asleep as soon as he touched the pillow.
Emperor Jingxuan put down his chopsticks when he was about 70% full. Seeing this, Concubine Shu also stopped and asked with concern, "Your Majesty, are you full?"
Emperor Jingxuan hummed, "I have something else to do, so there's no need to send me off."
After leaving the palace, he turned his head and ordered: "Tell the imperial kitchen to put less ginger in the summer dishes. They are neither autumn nor winter. People who don't eat them will get angry."
Jiang Fusheng took note of it silently.
Are you afraid that Mrs. Lu will feel spicy?
.........
Yun Wan slept for an hour. When she woke up, she subconsciously called out "Yueya". No one answered, and she suddenly remembered that she was in the palace.
Fuling came in: "Auntie, are you awake?"
Yun Wanzhi stood up and asked her, "Fuling, has anyone come to me while I was asleep?"
"have."
Fuling explained, "Someone from the inner court and a few maids from the incense bureau came here. The former wanted to ask if you needed anything, and the latter brought you some gifts."
Yun Wan paused, "Gift?"
Fuling: "Don't worry, Auntie. These are the little palace maids' gifts. They made them themselves. Since they will be working under you in the future, they just wanted to show their filial piety to you."
This is a common occurrence in the palace. If you want to live comfortably, you have to show respect to your superiors.
Fuling: "Aunt, do you want to accept it? If not, I will return it to them tomorrow."
After thinking for a moment, Yun Wan said slowly, "Keep it and put it in my box."
Rather than returning it, Yun Wan thought that it would be more reassuring for the young palace maids if she accepted it herself.
She added, "Tomorrow you can give them some suitable jewelry from my jewelry box as a return gift."
Fuling smiled and said "eh".
"By the way, what time is dinner in the palace?" Yun Wan asked.
Fuling: "It's around the end of the Shen hour or the beginning of the You hour. Auntie, are you hungry?"
Yun Wan nodded somewhat embarrassedly.
She hadn't eaten much at Changchun Palace at noon, and had walked back from there. Now, after waking up from a nap, she felt hungry earlier than usual.
Fuling smiled and said, "Then I'll go to the imperial kitchen and bring back dinner as soon as possible!"
After she went out, Yun Wan walked around the yard and returned to the house, just in time to see two books on the antique shelf.
When she had nothing to do, she took a book and leaned on the couch to read it.
I don’t know how long I watched. The sky gradually darkened and the light in the room was insufficient. Yun Wan got off the bed and prepared to light the candlesticks.
At this time, there was a knock on the door. Thinking that it must be Fuling coming back, Yun Wan said, "The door is not locked, come in."
As soon as he finished speaking, the door was pushed open from the outside, and a ray of light suddenly appeared. The dark gold robe fluttered in the air, and the wide sleeves were like clouds.
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