"Your Majesty, you'll see for yourself!"
Xiao Hong smiled, then instructed the palace maids to take out the food from the food box and place it in front of Liu Hong, totaling about ten dishes.
"Huh? These don't look like they were made by the palace kitchens, do they?"
Looking at the dishes in front of him, which were quite different from those he had eaten before, although they were not as refined, they had a more home-style flavor, which made Liu Hong's mouth water.
"Your Majesty is indeed discerning. This was specially arranged by the Empress Dowager for the wives of officials outside the palace to do for Your Majesty!"
Xiao Hong smiled and explained the origin of the food.
"Oh? Hehe~ Very well, then today I will dine with my ministers!"
After Song Dian and others tasted the food, Liu Hong picked up his bowl and chopsticks and began to eat heartily.
After tasting everything, Liu Hong focused on three dishes, constantly stuffing them into his mouth, because he felt that the taste of these three dishes was very similar to the taste of the dishes his mother, Madam Dong, used to make when he was in the Marquis's mansion.
"Ugh, I'm full!!"
Liu Hong rubbed his round belly and couldn't help but let out a burp. A satisfied smile appeared on his face. This was the first time he had such a good appetite since entering the palace. He finished all three dishes and ate two whole bowls of rice.
Looking at Liu Hong's expression, Xiao Hong couldn't help but smile.
"Song Dian!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Take the rest of the food away; you and my guards can eat it!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the food!"
Then Song Dian, accompanied by several eunuchs, took the remaining seven dishes out and distributed them to the guards at the palace gate.
"By the way, I received some nice things today. I'll give you one, and you can take the rest to my mother for me!"
As he spoke, he took out the glass balls and gave one to Xiaohong.
"So beautiful... Thank you for the gift, Your Majesty!!"
Looking at the colorful glass ball in her hand, Xiao Hong's eyes lit up. It was the first time she had ever seen something so beautiful. She carefully put it away, thinking that these glass balls must be very precious.
"Hehe~, they're just little trinkets! They're just for looking nice!"
Seeing how Xiao Hong treasured the glass ball, Liu Hong couldn't help but laugh. It seems that girls, whether in ancient or modern times, have little resistance to these sparkly things.
Before long, Xiao Hong returned to the Empress Dowager's palace, Chang Le Palace.
"How is the Emperor's appetite today?"
Upon seeing Xiao Hong return, Dou Miao immediately asked Liu Hong how he had eaten.
"Your Majesty, His Majesty ate a wonderful meal today! He ate two large bowls of rice and finished all three dishes! This is the first time I've ever seen His Majesty eat so much!"
"Oh? Which lady sent the Emperor his dishes?"
Upon hearing Xiao Hong's report, Dou Miao's expression changed, and she hurriedly asked.
Xiao Hong thought carefully for a moment and said softly, "Reporting to the Empress Dowager, those three dishes were made by Madam Song, Madam Cao, and Madam Liangde!"
The three ladies Xiao Hong mentioned were Song Feng's wife, Cao Song's wife, and Yuan Shao's mother.
Dou Miao nodded in satisfaction, "Hmm! Good, good, good... Xiao Hong, convey my imperial decree: the three ladies are virtuous and gentle, and are hereby rewarded with ten bolts of silk and fifty taels of gold. Also, tell them that from now on, they must prepare a dish for His Majesty every day, just like the one they made today!"
"promise!!"
Recently, Chang Le Palace has been in charge of Liu Hong's meals, so Dou Miao is very concerned about Liu Hong's diet. Every time she learns that Liu Hong only takes a few bites, she is very worried.
So Dou Miao had no choice but to send someone to Dong Shi in Hejian to ask what to do. Dong Shi's reply was just a list of a few of Liu Hong's favorite dishes.
Looking at the few home-style dishes in the letter, Dou Miao felt that the palace chefs probably couldn't make them taste the same. So, Dou Miao sent someone to find the wives of officials outside the palace who were good at cooking, and asked them to make those dishes for Liu Hong themselves.
"Oh, by the way, Your Majesty, His Majesty also asked me to bring you some gifts!"
As she spoke, Xiao Hong took out the bag of glass beads and handed it to Dou Miao.
"I'm not a little girl anymore, what would I need these things for? These things are only good for pleasing you!"
Looking at those sparkling glass balls, Dou Miao couldn't help but shake her head and chuckle. Then, as if remembering something, she glanced at Xiao Hong with a meaningful look in her eyes.
"Your Majesty has indeed bestowed one upon me!"
Meeting Dou Miao's gaze, Xiao Hong trembled slightly. She was afraid that Dou Miao would think that she had bewitched the emperor, which was why she gave it to her. As she spoke, she hurriedly took out the glass ball that Liu Hong had given her, with a hint of reluctance in her eyes.
"I didn't mean anything by it. The emperor knows how to please girls, which is a good thing! Since it's a gift from the emperor, just accept it!"
Seeing that Xiao Hong seemed to have misunderstood her words, Dou Miao couldn't help but smile.
"Thank you, Empress Dowager!!"
Xiao Hong then realized what was happening, and blushed as she put the glass ball away.
Looking at these glass balls that were so popular with girls, Dou Miao thought for a moment and then said:
"Take half of the rest and send it to the Emperor's mother. Send the rest to the girls of the Song, Ma, Dong, and Yin families. Hmm... just say it's a gift from His Majesty!"
"promise!!"
Soon, Xiao Hong personally led several eunuchs away from Chang Le Palace with the rewards.
Upon learning of the Empress Dowager's reward, Song Feng immediately brought his wife and daughter to the gate of the Song residence to wait for her.
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