Chapter 249 What does His Majesty want?
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Emperor Wusu took the first bite.
The Empress Dowager had no confidence in what Ji Qingwu had done.
Every dish in the palace was meticulously prepared, but this was the first time such a large pot of stew had been placed directly before the emperor.
Ji Qingwu stared intently at Emperor Wusu's face.
Although I'm not very confident in my cooking skills, I still wanted to hear a compliment from him.
But after waiting for a long time, he didn't say a single word.
Li Yuzong stood behind the emperor. Seeing that the emperor did not speak but continued to eat several more bites, he lowered his head and exchanged glances with Fanghua.
No matter what this master does, the Emperor likes him.
The Empress Dowager was initially uninterested in the plain-looking food made from coarse grains, but seeing that the Emperor was enjoying it, she had Shi Xi pick some up for her.
The Empress Dowager took a sip, put down her chopsticks, and commented, "The broth is rich and flavorful; this tastes really good."
Ji Qingwu nodded perfunctorily to the Empress Dowager, his eyes still fixed on Emperor Wusu, who had already eaten two cornbreads.
She gets restless without getting any feedback.
Seeing Ji Qingwu's pitiful look as she gazed longingly at the Emperor, the Empress Dowager said, "Your Majesty, let Qingwu sit down and eat with us."
Emperor Wusu said, "Please sit down."
Shi Xi placed the bowls and chopsticks next to the emperor, and Ji Qingwu could only sit down in the chair to the left of Emperor Wusu.
The Empress Dowager, sitting opposite the two, nodded with satisfaction. Today's efforts had not been in vain.
Not only did they manage to invite the emperor to dine at Cining Palace, but it seems that the meal prepared by Ji Qingwu was also to his liking.
The Empress Dowager hadn't eaten this rustic dish in a long time, and after taking a bite, her appetite was whetted, so she picked up her chopsticks again.
Ji Qingwu was already hungry, so she picked up a piece of shredded chicken and cucumber with her chopsticks and put it into the small bowl in front of her.
Suddenly, his hand trembled, and the cucumber strips flew onto his blouse.
Following the path of the cucumber strips as they rolled down, Ji Qingwu stared incredulously at the large hand that had suddenly appeared on his knee.
Emperor Wusu asked considerately, "Miss Ji, are your hands shaking from hunger?"
The skirt was made of thin material, and suddenly a large hand touched it. In that instant, a tingling sensation shot up from my tailbone.
Ji Qingwu was startled and trembled.
She glanced at the owner of the long arms and realized that the emperor hadn't even looked at her.
His gaze fell on the dishes in front of him, as if he was pondering what to eat next.
However, with the Empress Dowager still on the table, Ji Qingwu could not reveal anything. She lowered her head and secretly glanced at the Emperor.
Then, she pulled out a handkerchief from her waist and wiped the juice stains off her front.
Emperor Wusu received her glance and deliberately moved his hand up a little, until he pinched her thigh before withdrawing his hand.
Ji Qingwu was so anxious she almost tore her handkerchief to shreds.
Seeing her nervous expression, the Empress Dowager assumed that she was intimidated by the Emperor and that this was why she was behaving so erratically.
She said, "Qingwu, don't be nervous. Go change your clothes later, and let Fanghua serve you some food first."
Fanghua moved at the sound, but before she reached the table, Emperor Wusu deigned to pick up his chopsticks and put food on her plate again.
Ji Qingwu stared at the high stack of food in his bowl and began to eat in silence.
After taking a couple of bites, she noticed something was wrong. Emperor Wusu was serving her food with chopsticks he had used.
Although we've drooled over each other quite a few times in private, that's a different matter altogether.
Seeing this, the Empress Dowager became even more certain that something had happened between the two of them, and she couldn't stop smiling.
To give the two more space to spend time together.
The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I am getting old and my appetite is not as good as yours young people. After I finish eating, I will go to the garden to digest my food."
After saying that, he led Shixi and Fanghua out together.
The Empress Dowager originally wanted to call Li Yuzong away as well, preferably to clear the area completely, but since he was a person who served the Emperor, she couldn't order him around.
Only the three of them remained in the hall.
Ji Qingwu, holding her rice bowl, plopped down and moved far away.
Her lips were glossy, and her eyes shone even brighter as she looked at him.
Emperor Wusu put down his chopsticks and said in a deep voice, "Sit back down."
Ji Qingwu didn't move, showing no fear whatsoever, and accused, "Your Majesty, why are you pinching me instead of eating properly?"
Emperor Wusu said dismissively, "My left hand is idle anyway, so why did you sit so close to me?"
Ji Qingwu said, "This is the Empress Dowager's palace. If the Empress Dowager finds out, it will be a big problem."
Emperor Wusu raised an eyebrow and said, "Not good? The Empress Dowager is just hoping I'll do something to you, otherwise why would she summon you to the palace?"
You can't win an argument with them, and you can't win a fight with them.
A wise person knows when to yield, Ji Qingwu shoveled some rice into his mouth, deciding to eat his fill first.
Seeing Ji Qingwu's face, I couldn't tell if it was round from eating or puffed up from feeling stifled.
Emperor Wusu smiled, took the strong tea offered by Li Yuzong to rinse his mouth, spat out the tea, and asked, "What brings you to the palace?"
Ji Qingwu's eyes flickered sharply, and he said with little confidence, "I came to the palace to help the Empress Dowager prepare for the birthday celebration."
"oh?"
Emperor Wusu seemed to have just heard the news: "So it's for my birthday celebration. Have you prepared any gifts?"
When Ji Qingwu learned of his birthday, he had already considered what to give him to celebrate.
She asked, "What does Your Majesty desire?"
Emperor Wusu said directly, "I want you to sit here."
Ji Qingwu retorted, "Your Majesty, please speak seriously."
Emperor Wusu raised his eyebrows in surprise: "What's wrong with this? This is exactly what I want right now."
Seeing the serious look on her face, he said slowly, "I want many things, such as peace and tranquility for the people, favorable weather, and fewer natural disasters."
He joked that his spoken wish was too small.
But this matter concerns the fate of the nation and its people, and it is too weighty for Ji Qingwu to accomplish.
She asked, "Isn't there anything else?"
Emperor Wusu said, "Actually, there is only one thing I want right now."
Ji Qingwu hurriedly asked, "What is it?"
Emperor Wusu asked with a burning gaze, "Doesn't Awu know?"
Ji Qingwu knew that expression all too well!
She was mentally prepared for this trip to the palace.
Ji Qingwu stammered, "I know."
Emperor Wusu had not expected her to respond to him, and as usual, he remained silent or changed the subject.
But then I was caught off guard by her response.
Emperor Wusu doubted his ears, and a rare look of confusion appeared on his handsome face.
“You know…”
After a long pause, the emperor asked again, with surprise and doubt, "What do you know?"
Ji Qingwu finally mustered up her courage, but instead of the joy she had expected, he doubted himself, leaving her feeling resentful.
She looked up at Li Yuzong and asked, "Eunuch Li, may I step outside for a moment?"
Emperor Wusu did not object, and Li Yuzong slowly walked out.
He was itching to hear more of what Miss Ji was going to say.
Ji Qingwu braced himself on the dining table with both hands and stood up with an air of authority.
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