Since that "decently skilled" massage that afternoon, Lin Wanwan's "confinement" life in Kunning Palace has undergone some subtle changes.
The relationship between her and Xiao Che seemed to have broken through an invisible layer of ice.
Although the two still rarely spoke, with one dealing with state affairs and the other copying books to rest, the tense and guarded atmosphere gradually dissipated.
Lin Wanwan's "services" have also become bolder and more routine.
She no longer needed to make excuses. Every afternoon at the same time, she would put down her pen, walk naturally behind Xiao Che, and massage his stiff shoulders and neck for a while.
Xiao Che, initially acquiescing, eventually accepted it with a clear conscience. At that time, he would even subconsciously slow down the pace of reviewing memorials, lean back slightly, and adopt a posture that said, "I am ready, you may begin."
Of course, his face remained cold and expressionless.
But Lin Wanwan could already accurately grasp the emperor's true feelings from the various "So comfortable~.gif", "Press for another five minutes.jpg", and "So good I can fly.gif" messages that kept popping up above his head.
In addition to massages, Lin Wanwan also took charge of providing tea for Xiao Che in his study in Kunning Palace.
She discovered that Xiao Che disliked strong tea, so she instructed the palace servants to pick jasmine flowers with morning dew every day, brew them with warm water, and make a fragrant tea that could refresh the mind without harming the stomach.
She did all of this subtly and quietly, without seeking credit or flattery, as if she were simply a wife taking care of her hardworking husband, doing it naturally.
Xiao Che never offered any verbal praise for this.
But he spent increasingly more time in Kunning Palace. Sometimes he would even have his evening meals prepared in his study so that he could eat with her.
Although they still ate without speaking and slept in the same bed, this strange daily routine of "being confined in name but living together in reality" stabilized in a wonderful balance.
That afternoon, just past noon, the weather was somewhat gloomy, and the light in the study dimmed as well.
The palace servants had already lit the lamps, and the flickering candlelight illuminated the room with warmth.
Xiao Che had been reviewing memorials for a long time, his vermilion pen remaining motionless for quite some time. He simply frowned, staring at a report from the southwestern border, his face showing obvious fatigue and irritability.
Lin Wanwan knew that he had encountered a problem.
She didn't make a sound to disturb them, but simply sat quietly to the side, continuing to copy the "Palace Rules" that could never be finished.
However, her gaze was already fixed on the top of Xiao Che's head.
She saw that the grumpy little figure above his head, representing "Work is so annoying.gif," finally disappeared after struggling for a long time.
Instead, a brand new emoji pack with a somewhat pitiful feel to it was created.
It was a pixelated little figure, sitting at a table with his chin resting on his hand, gazing longingly at the empty tabletop in front of him, his lips slightly pouting, looking like he was saying, "I'm unhappy, I need to be fed."
A line of small print was added next to it.
[Want some snacks.jpg]
Seeing this expression, Lin Wanwan paused slightly in her hand, and a smile involuntarily crept onto her lips.
It turns out that handling official business had taken too much of his energy, causing his blood sugar to drop, and he wanted to eat something sweet to replenish his energy.
The requirement is simple.
She immediately put down her pen, stood up, walked to the door of the study, and waved to Chun Tao, the head maid who was guarding outside.
Chun Tao hurriedly entered and respectfully asked, "What are your orders, Your Highness?"
"Go to the Imperial Kitchen and see if there are any newly made pastries. Send some over to His Majesty," Lin Wanwan instructed in a low voice.
"Yes," Chun Tao replied, turning around to deliver the message.
"Wait a minute." Lin Wanwan called out to her again, "Don't rush to get it. Tell me your name and let me hear what's included."
She was cautious. His Majesty the Emperor had very discerning tastes.
Although Chun Tao was somewhat puzzled, she immediately replied, "Your Majesty, the afternoon tea snacks prepared by the Imperial Kitchen today include: cheese pastry made with milk and wildflower honey, lotus flower cake filled with freshly ground lotus seed paste, dragon beard cakes made with the finest jujube paste, and..."
Chuntao rattled off a long list of exquisite and elegant desserts. Each one sounded like it was made to the highest standard of imperial cuisine, requiring considerable time and effort and far beyond the reach of ordinary people.
However, while listening, Lin Wanwan secretly observed Xiao Che's reaction.
She noticed that as Chun Tao listed more and more desserts, Xiao Che's already furrowed brows not only didn't relax, but instead furrowed even more, like an unsolvable "川" character.
The "Want some snacks.jpg" emoji above his head instantly transformed into a little person facing a plate of greasy pastries, frantically waving his hands with his face full of resistance.
[It's the same old thing again, I'm so tired of it! .gif]
Lin Wanwan understood.
She understood immediately.
The tyrant didn't want to eat dessert.
Or rather, he didn't want to eat these traditional, exquisite, but monotonous pastries from the palace. He was exhausted and irritable from dealing with state affairs every day, and what he wanted to eat were some "new and interesting" dishes that could make him feel novel and happy.
This demand was something that the entire imperial kitchen could not meet.
Because their minds have been imprisoned by these palace walls. All they can do is make the pastries more exquisite and beautiful on the existing basis, but they can't break out of that fixed framework.
But she can.
A soul from the 21st century, its mind filled with countless whimsical ideas that have been refined and refined after centuries of culinary cultural explosion.
Let alone small snacks, even a full Manchu Han Imperial Feast, as long as you give her the ingredients, she can create something unique and amazing!
This realization filled Lin Wanwan with unprecedented confidence.
She looked at Chun Tao, waved her hand, and said gently, "I know, none of this is necessary. You may leave now."
"Ah? Yes..." Chun Tao was taken aback. Although she didn't understand why the Empress had asked for so long and then refused to accept anything, she still respectfully bowed and withdrew.
The study returned to silence.
Xiao Che seemed to have noticed the commotion. He finally looked up from the troublesome memorial and cast a questioning glance at Lin Wanwan.
Lin Wanwan met his gaze without flinching.
She slowly walked to the desk, faced him, and gave a proper curtsy.
Her face wore a smile that was unprecedented, confident yet tinged with mystery. That smile, in the flickering candlelight, appeared exceptionally captivating.
"Your Majesty, please wait a moment."
Her voice was clear and melodious, like a mountain spring, tinkling and melodious.
"Your Majesty, I will personally make you a 'Understanding Cake'."
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