Chapter 16 The Heartless and Unfeeling Top Scholar (Part 16) (Added)
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."
Lady Jiang bent down, holding the food box.
The emperor didn't even look up: "No need for formalities."
"Seeing that Your Majesty is busy with official duties all day, I specially asked the kitchen to stew ginseng and deer antler soup for Your Majesty to nourish yourself."
"You've had a hard time. I've been busy with state affairs and haven't visited you for some time now." The emperor's words were impeccable.
Consort Jiang looked disappointed: "I thought His Majesty didn't want to see me."
"So if the mountain doesn't come to me, I will go to it myself."
Consort Jiang was dissatisfied. During this time, His Majesty had been visiting the Empress frequently, so why was he busy with state affairs when it came to her?
The emperor chuckled: "If I didn't want to see you, do you think you'd be in the imperial study right now?"
"It's good that I came today, otherwise I would have misunderstood His Majesty." Consort Jiang was about to open the food box: "Try this soup first, so it won't smell fishy when it gets cold."
The emperor took the memorial and said, "Put it here. I'll drink it once I'm done with what I have to do."
Consort Jiang glanced at the soup and closed the lid again: "Then I'll have Eunuch Su remind His Majesty in a bit."
"Um."
The emperor answered softly, "How is the third prince's studies going lately?"
When the Third Prince was mentioned, Consort Jiang's expression changed: "Recently, the tutor said that the Third Prince has been doing well in his studies and is very attentive in class."
"He kept saying in my palace: 'Your subject has made progress, why doesn't Father Emperor come anymore?'"
Consort Jiang glanced at the Emperor's expression.
Upon hearing her words, the emperor patted her hand: "I have indeed neglected you and your son recently. Tomorrow, invite the third son to dine with us."
Upon hearing this, Consort Jiang immediately beamed with joy: "Yes."
"Then I will be waiting for Your Majesty."
The emperor gestured for her to leave.
When Consort Jiang left, she glanced at the food box next to the emperor.
By the time they finished, it was already quite late. Just then, someone behind Eunuch Su brought over a bowl of soup.
"Your Majesty, Consort Jiang reminded me to heat up this soup for you after you finish your work."
The emperor looked up and touched the ring on his hand: "It's a reward for you."
Eunuch Su was taken aback, his expression somewhat puzzled.
"I said I'd give it to you as a reward."
Only then did Eunuch Su realize his mistake: "Thank you for the reward, Your Majesty."
After expressing his gratitude, he smiled and finished the whole bowl of soup.
The emperor couldn't help but laugh when he saw him like this: "You're enjoying a bowl of soup so much?"
"This is a gift from His Majesty, so this servant is naturally delighted."
"Alright, you can go now."
After Shen Zhiyi gave birth, Ji Huaizhi stayed at home every day to take care of his wife and child.
He used to be diligent in handling official duties, but now he's always the first one home, and he often spaces out even when discussing matters with the emperor.
The emperor asked him what he was thinking.
Ji Huaizhi said he was wondering if Shuyang had cried or made a fuss today.
This made the emperor wonder if he was being a bad father, since he didn't have such worries when his second princess was born.
That's what the emperor said.
"When the Second Princess was born, I didn't act as dramatically as you do."
"Aren't there wet nurses?"
The emperor was unaware that the Princess of Shun'an was personally brought by Ji Huaizhi.
Ji Huaizhi disagreed: "Your Majesty, women are different from men. Women are sensitive, innocent and kind. If they are not properly taught and accompanied, they are very easy to be deceived."
Especially in this era.
Ji Huaizhi did not want his daughter to be subject to the constraints of the times.
The emperor shook his head: "How dare anyone deceive my daughter?"
"If he is, I will have him dragged out and beheaded!"
However, upon closer reflection, he realized that compared to Ji Huaizhi, he had indeed overlooked the Second Princess.
The emperor pointed at Ji Huaizhi: "Minister Ji, you are overthinking it."
Prince Rong smiled and took a sip of tea. He was not yet married, so he did not participate in this topic.
After everyone left, the emperor thought for a moment and then summoned Eunuch Su.
"I remember I acquired a batch of Shu brocade before? Send it to the Second Princess. The little girl loves beauty, so let her use it to make dresses."
Eunuch Su was puzzled. Why did His Majesty suddenly think of the Second Princess?
"yes."
After giving the order, the emperor felt that he was truly possessed.
The slightest movement by the emperor would cause an undercurrent in the harem. When the emperor suddenly bestowed a reward upon the second princess, everyone wondered if he was thinking of the princess's birth mother.
Consort Jiang frowned and cursed, "You vixen, you can't even let people rest in peace after you've died."
He put down the book in his hand and said, "Go tell His Majesty that I have been feeling palpitations and anxiety lately, and I am not feeling well."
"Also, have the kitchen make a crucian carp soup with white jade and emerald green."
"yes."
~
When the emperor arrived, he saw that Consort Jiang did indeed look somewhat unwell: "I heard you're not feeling well, have you summoned the imperial physician?"
Consort Jiang rose and bowed, saying, "This is a heart ailment."
"Even the imperial physician couldn't cure it."
The Emperor said, "Alright, I'm busy with official duties and don't have time to indulge in your little tantrums."
Consort Jiang looked heartbroken: "Does Your Majesty really not want to see me? Even so, didn't Your Majesty say that you would come to see Lin'er often?"
"If I didn't want to see you, why would I have come here?"
The emperor wiped away the tears on her face: "I asked about the third prince's recent situation, and I heard that the tutor praised him?"
"Yes, Lin'er has kept your words in mind. It's because he sees you working too hard every day, so he wants to learn something as soon as possible to help you out."
The emperor's expression darkened: "Oh? To share my burdens?"
Consort Jiang, who had been smiling, immediately knelt down in panic, saying, "Your Majesty, please forgive me."
"I misspoke. My son was only being filial; he didn't mean anything else!"
The emperor pulled her up: "Why are you so panicked?"
"It's a good thing that he's filial."
Consort Jiang looked up and saw that His Majesty was indeed not angry, and breathed a sigh of relief.
"It's getting late, and I have an appointment with Prince Rong to discuss important matters."
Consort Jiang: "So fast?"
"Is there anything else?"
"I had someone make crucian carp and jade soup, and it's ready now." Consort Jiang looked aggrieved again.
"Have someone send it to the Imperial Study."
As she watched the emperor's retreating figure, Consort Jiang stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty."
Consort Jiang looked around and said, "Send the soup to His Majesty."
"yes."
Consort Jiang sat on the chaise lounge to rest, rubbing her temples.
A eunuch brought in tea and knelt down: "Your Majesty, please have some tea."
Consort Jiang frowned upon hearing the voice, and after glancing at the young eunuch, she was startled. She looked around and ordered, "All of you, leave."
"yes."
The other workers filed out.
Consort Jiang stood up, frowning as she looked at the eunuch: "Why are you here?"
This is the eunuch who gave Consort Jiang the medicine before.
"Your Majesty, please do not worry. I am currently serving in your palace, and no one will suspect me."
Consort Jiang was extremely unhappy. What on earth was her father up to?
"Your Majesty, judging by the time, you should have almost finished the medicine I gave you earlier, right?" As he spoke, the eunuch took out another medicine bottle.
"This is new."
Consort Jiang, her face pale and her chest heaving, asked, "What exactly does Father want to do?"
"Your Majesty, you're overthinking it again. Didn't I tell you already?" The young eunuch gently reassured her, "Nothing will happen."
"From now on, I will also be in your palace, and we can discuss anything."
Seeing that Consort Jiang was too frightened to accept it, the eunuch continued to persuade her:
"Your Highness, this is all for the Third Prince!"
Upon hearing this, Consort Jiang's pupils indeed changed.
With trembling hands, he took the medicine bottle: "When His Majesty comes, you are not allowed to appear in front of him."
"yes."
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