What happened at General Shen Ce's residence that day quickly became a closely guarded "miracle" within the inner circle of the dynasty.
No one knows how His Highness the Crown Prince knew about the obsession that General Shen had almost forgotten deep in his heart.
All people know is that after that day, the Empress personally ordered the Imperial Kitchen to make General Shen a bowl of the most ordinary plain noodles using the simplest ingredients.
The noodles contained no delicacies, no precious medicinal herbs, and even, according to His Highness the Crown Prince's "decree," not a single scallion was added as a finishing touch.
But it was just a bowl of noodles, plain and watery.
When it was delivered to General Shen, this iron-willed veteran who shed blood but not tears on the battlefield, held the bowl of noodles and wept uncontrollably.
He cried as he ate the bowl of noodles, soup and all, until it was completely clean.
From that day on, General Shen resolved his inner conflict.
He stopped fasting and began to actively cooperate with the imperial physicians' treatment.
Although his body was no longer able to return to the battlefield.
However, his desire to die was rekindled with the hope of living.
However, His Highness Crown Prince Xiao Tuan, the instigator, was completely unaware of this.
All he knew was that on that day, he had "ordered" a bowl of noodles for an old man, the noodles the old man wanted most.
Then, the old man cried.
Then, his father and mother looked at him with an extremely...complex gaze all day long.
...
Late at night, Kunning Palace.
The bright moonlight, like mercury spilling onto the ground, bathed the entire courtyard.
The little dumpling was already fast asleep in its own bedroom.
Lin Wanwan and Xiao Che, however, were unable to sleep.
The two walked side by side in the moonlit courtyard, taking a slow stroll.
The evening breeze, carrying the sweet fragrance of osmanthus, gently caressed Lin Wanwan's hair and stirred Xiao Che's clothes.
The atmosphere was tranquil and beautiful.
After a long silence, it was Lin Wanwan who broke it first.
She raised her head, looked at the bright moon on the horizon, and a dreamy smile appeared on her lips.
"Xiao Che," she said softly, "tell me, isn't this...fate?"
"Hmm?" Xiao Che turned his head and looked at her beautiful profile bathed in moonlight.
“I,” Lin Wanwan’s eyes gleamed with a strange light, “come from another world, with a strange ability that can see through your thoughts.”
“And our son,” she paused, her tone filled with emotion, “possesses an even stranger ability: the ability to see through everyone’s ‘desires’.”
"It all seems like... it was all arranged by God long ago."
She marveled at the wonder of fate.
In her view, all of this was full of fateful coincidences.
However, Xiao Che, who was beside her, remained silent for a moment after hearing her words.
Then, he slowly reached out and took her hand.
His palms, as always, were large and warm.
He spoke in a low, unusually emotional tone:
"I understand everything now."
Lin Wanwan was taken aback, turned her head, and looked at him.
"Understand what?"
Xiao Che looked at her, and in her deep phoenix eyes, illuminated by the moonlight, it seemed as if the entire Milky Way was contained.
A knowing, gentle smile curved his lips.
"I understand, it's Heaven's 'arrangement'."
He gripped her hand, tightened his grip, and then, in an extremely solemn tone, began his summary report on the "royal division of labor."
“Heaven sent you here,” he said, looking into her eyes, each word clear and distinct, “so that you may see through my heart.”
"I want you to help me clear away all obstacles inside and outside the court and stabilize my vast empire."
He looked down at their clasped hands, and the smile on his lips deepened.
"So, your ability is to read 'memes' and to understand people's hearts."
"And it is only effective for me, and only for me."
Lin Wanwan's heart trembled slightly at his words.
It only works on him, and on only him...
She had never thought about it from this perspective before.
“And Heaven sent Tuanzi here…” Xiao Che raised his head and looked towards the direction of the East Palace, his eyes filled with the pride and tenderness of a father.
"...so that he can see through the 'stomachs' of all the people under heaven."
"Let our already secure country become even more prosperous, peaceful, and well-fed."
He turned back to look at Lin Wanwan, his eyes gleaming with wisdom.
"Therefore, his ability lies in 'delicious food' and in comforting people's hearts."
"And it works for everyone in the world."
The moment the words left her lips, Lin Wanwan was completely stunned.
She...she never imagined that these two seemingly "nonsensical" cheat codes actually concealed such profound..."political implications"?!
One person is in charge of the "heart" and is responsible for "conquering the country".
One is in charge of the "stomach," while the other is responsible for "governing the country."
This division of labor is so clear, so...scientific!
Seeing Lin Wanwan's stunned and adorable expression, Xiao Che couldn't help but chuckle softly.
He raised his hand and affectionately pinched her nose.
“So, Wanwan,” he looked at her, his eyes filled with tenderness, “you see, none of this is a coincidence.”
"Instead, it is Heaven that has bestowed upon our Xiao family the best legacy."
The two of them smiled at each other under the moonlight.
All doubts were answered perfectly at this moment.
"So..." Lin Wanwan's eyes sparkled with longing, "a crown prince who can see through everyone's 'desires,' then he will surely become a... remarkable and benevolent ruler in the future, right?"
"Hmm." Xiao Che nodded, then added in a serious tone.
"And, a remarkable... gourmet of his generation."
"Pfft—"
Lin Wanwan couldn't hold back any longer and burst out laughing.
Her clear and melodious laughter echoed throughout the courtyard.
However, in this warm and beautiful atmosphere, Xiao Che suddenly stopped smiling.
His expression instantly became extremely serious.
He looked at Lin Wanwan and said in an extremely solemn tone:
"However, Your Majesty."
Lin Wanwan was taken aback, caught off guard by his sudden seriousness and left her somewhat at a loss.
"What's wrong?"
Xiao Che slowly approached her, a dangerous, malicious glint flashing in his dark phoenix eyes.
He lowered his voice, speaking in a seductive tone that only the two of them could hear, and whispered:
"Tonight, the thing floating above my head..."
"Tuanzi, he can't see."
Lin Wanwan's heart skipped a beat!
She instinctively wanted to back away.
"...What...is it?" she stammered, a sense of foreboding rising in her heart.
A smug, mischievous smile curled at the corners of Xiao Che's lips.
The next second, before Lin Wanwan could react, she was suddenly picked up and carried horizontally!
"Hmm!"
Caught off guard, she could only let out a short gasp and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.
All she heard was His Majesty the Emperor's deep voice, filled with a warm laugh, slowly ringing in her ears.
"yes……"
"'you'."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com