Chapter 104 A Rival Appears? Miss Zhao's Bold Declaration
"Greedy cat."
Consort Liu couldn't help but smile and handed the chopsticks to Zhao Bailu.
After taking a bite, Consort Liu couldn't help but sigh, "If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have introduced rouge into the palace. That way, I could have eaten more of her cooking."
"Aunt, Rouge is really amazing." Zhao Bailu smiled and looked at Consort Liu. "This is so delicious! How did she even think of using butter to stir-fry the spices as a base for the pot? It's incredible!"
Although cooking is a very small thing, doing it to the extreme is not an easy thing at all.
Seeing Zhao Bailu's expression, Consort Liu smiled gently and then said, "This girl is indeed extraordinary. The small kitchen is such a dull place, but this little girl can make it so interesting and delicious. She's really amazing!"
After Zhao Bailu had eaten her fill, she went to Meng Yanzhi's room.
From afar, Zhao Bailu could see that Meng Yanzhi's room was brightly lit. She was a little curious. Why was her room still so bright at this hour?
Zhao Bailu quickened her pace and rushed into Meng Yanzhi's room, smiling broadly as she said, "Yanzhi, I'm here!"
Upon closer inspection, Meng Yanzhi was sewing a purse.
Seeing this, Zhao Bailu was somewhat surprised and quickly stepped forward. Looking at Meng Yanzhi's fingers, which were swollen like radishes, she became anxious: "How can you still do needlework with your hands like this?"
"It's nothing serious, just a minor injury."
Before he could finish speaking, Wang Huanhai knocked on the door and came in.
"By imperial decree, Miss Meng need not work until her finger has fully healed."
Wang Huanhai looked at Meng Yanzhi with a smile.
"Ms. Meng, congratulations. Please get some rest."
Meng Yanzhi knelt on the ground and bowed respectfully.
"Your subject obeys the decree."
That's it?
Wang Huanhai stood there waiting for a long time, but he never expected that what he would hear was just this sentence.
He frowned and looked at Meng Yanzhi: "Miss Meng, do you understand the Emperor's intentions?"
"Your Majesty's compassion for his subjects is truly benevolent! I am deeply grateful!"
Meng Yanzhi kowtowed again respectfully, performing a grand salute.
this……
For a moment, Wang Huanhai was speechless, and his eyes held a complex expression as he looked at Meng Yanzhi.
This girl is usually very smart, so how come she's so slow when it comes to this kind of thing?
Does she really not understand what the emperor means?
Seeing Wang Huanhai shake his head helplessly and leave with a sigh, Meng Yanzhi became even more puzzled.
"Bai Lu, was I impolite just now?"
Meng Yanzhi stood up and looked at Zhao Bailu with a puzzled expression.
Zhao Bailu shook her head: "No, you don't have to work these days, why don't you come home with me and have some fun?"
"Alright."
Since she didn't need to be on duty, she didn't need to stay in the palace and could leave. Meng Yanzhi had nowhere else to go, so going back with Zhao Bailu was considered proper.
Although the two hadn't known each other for long, they were incredibly intimate while lying in the same bed. Meng Yanzhi was particularly fond of Zhao Bailu, not for any other reason than that Zhao Bailu was the first person in both her past and present lives to show her kindness.
The Imperial Study.
"Why didn't she come to express her gratitude?" Xiao Xingyuan asked coldly, waiting for a long time before finally saying, "How could this girl be so foolish!"
Seeing his sullen expression, Wang Huanhai felt helpless and could only resign himself to his fate, saying, "Your Majesty, please calm down. When Miss Meng received the decree, she kowtowed several times. She must be extremely grateful to Your Majesty."
"I am deeply grateful, why don't you come and express your gratitude in person?"
Xiao Xingyuan gave a displeased snort.
"Your Majesty, Miss Zhao is still in Miss Meng's room. I'm afraid it's inconvenient for her."
Wang Huanhai could only state the objective situation.
Now, Xiao Xingyuan was even more troubled.
"That girl from the Zhao family is a crazy girl. She's not young anymore and they still haven't found her a husband. She's always causing trouble. What kind of behavior is she?" Xiao Xingyuan muttered to himself.
Wang Huanhai found it strange that Xiao Xingyuan had become so concerned about this matter.
However, he didn't say anything else, but just looked outside and said, "Your Majesty, it's getting late, why don't you rest?"
"Hmm, time to sleep." Xiao Xingyuan sullenly put down the memorial in his hand and went to bed.
Knowing that the person I'm waiting for won't come today, what's the point of waiting? If I don't sleep, what else can I do?
The next day, early morning.
When Meng Yanzhi got up in the morning, she personally made some snacks for Xiao Xingyuan and carried them into the imperial study.
"Your Majesty, I am very grateful for Your Majesty's grace."
As she spoke, Meng Yanzhi placed the pastries in her hand on the table and smiled gently at Xiao Xingyuan.
That's more like it.
Xiao Xingyuan nodded at the table with satisfaction, then picked up a piece of locust flower cake and stuffed it into his mouth, quickly realizing that something was wrong.
His eyebrows furrowed, and his gaze fell on Meng Yanzhi's swollen fingers.
"Didn't I say you're not allowed to touch water?"
Xiao Xingyuan put down the locust flower cake and looked at Meng Yanzhi with displeasure.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. My hand is fine. I'm just glad Your Majesty enjoyed your meal."
"Your Majesty, Miss Zhao has invited me to her home for a few days. I humbly request Your Majesty's permission!"
Meng Yanzhi immediately knelt on the ground, looking at Xiao Xingyuan in a fawning manner.
The original subtle sweetness has now turned into bitterness!
Xiao Xingyuan frowned at Meng Yanzhi: "You really dislike staying in the palace that much?"
"That's not what I meant," Meng Yanzhi said, feeling utterly bewildered.
She was originally a female official and could have stayed in the palace, but she had nowhere else to go, so she stayed there. Now she just wanted to go out for a walk, so how did that offend the emperor?
"what ever."
Xiao Xingyuan snorted coldly and threw down the locust flower cake he had half-eaten.
"Yes, thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"
Meng Yanzhi kowtowed heavily, then turned and strode outside.
Watching her walk away so gracefully, Xiao Xingyuan's expression changed, and he looked at the plate of pastries with increasing displeasure.
Meng Yanzhi had no idea what he was thinking. She packed her things and happily left the palace with Zhao Bailu.
Originally, they were going back to the Zhao family, but Zhao Bailu realized halfway there that if she went back, she might be forced into marriage again, so she took Meng Yanzhi directly to the camp on the outskirts of the capital.
"Is this a place we can just trespass on?" Meng Yanzhi grabbed Zhao Bailu's wrist, looking at her with some concern. "Won't we break some taboo?"
Zhao Bailu waved her hand dismissively and said calmly, "This is just where the army is stationed. There are no secrets here. Of course, it's fine. My brother is inside. Let's go!"
As she spoke, Zhao Bailu pulled Meng Yanzhi along and entered the camp on the outskirts of the capital, and quickly found Zhao Dongzhi's tent.
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