The "doting husband storm" in the Golden Palace spread throughout the entire capital at an incredible speed.
The emperor declared in court that "the Empress's edict is equivalent to an imperial decree," an unprecedented statement that silenced all those who wanted to use "ancestral rules" as a pretext. From then on, "whatever the Empress says is right" became the new "politically correct" rule in the Liang court.
As all the political turmoil gradually subsided, the court found a new balance in the alternation of old and new forces, and the empire's enormous machine began to operate with unprecedented vitality, time quietly slipped into the dead of night.
Inside Kunning Palace, the solemnity and austerity of the daytime have faded, replaced by tranquility and warmth.
Lin Wanwan dismissed all the palace servants and, alone, carrying a small palace lantern, entered the small kitchen that belonged only to her.
The strategic planning at the grand palace gatherings during the day, the behind-the-scenes maneuvering amidst the court's turmoil—all those identities belonging to Empress Lin Wanwan were gently left outside the door at this moment. At this instant, she was simply Lin Wanwan.
She rolled up her sleeves, revealing two fair and jade-like wrists, and began to work methodically. Kneading the dough, rolling it, pulling the noodles... her movements were skillful and focused.
She is making a bowl of noodles.
A bowl of longevity noodles.
On the Emperor's birthday, a palace coup suddenly broke out. Blood and fire replaced the peace and prosperity, and a meticulously prepared birthday banquet ended abruptly amidst the fighting and flames. Although no one mentioned it again, Lin Wanwan always remembered that day was Xiao Che's birthday.
A birthday spent amidst sword fights and conspiracies is something he probably wouldn't want to recall.
But Lin Wanwan wanted to make up for it for him.
There was no grand banquet, no officials paying homage, only a bowl of the simplest longevity noodles she made herself.
The noodles are quickly scooped out of the boiling water, rinsed in cold water, and then topped with a rich, flavorful bone broth that has been simmering for a long time. Finally, a perfectly fried, golden-brown poached egg is placed on top, and a few chopped green onions are sprinkled on top.
A bowl of steaming hot and fragrant longevity noodles is ready.
...
Inside the bedchamber, candlelight flickered, creating a warm and tranquil atmosphere.
Xiao Che had just finished processing the last memorial and was leaning back on the soft couch, rubbing his tired temples. During this period, he had to both purge the old party and implement new policies, and he had hardly had a day of rest.
Just then, a familiar, enticing aroma of food wafted in, accompanied by light footsteps.
He opened his eyes and saw Lin Wanwan carrying a tray, walking towards him with a charming smile.
"Still busy?" Her voice was gentle, with a hint of reproach. "If this continues, I'll have to impeach His Majesty for 'not taking care of his health'."
Xiao Che chuckled, his tense nerves relaxing involuntarily the moment he saw her. He sat up straight, his gaze falling on the delicate white porcelain bowl in her hand.
"What is this?" He smelled the warm fragrance and asked curiously.
"This is for you." Lin Wanwan placed the tray on the small table in front of him, pushed the bowl of longevity noodles in front of him, and smiled gently in her eyes. "Although it's a little late, you should always eat a bowl of longevity noodles on your birthday."
Xiao Che's movements suddenly froze.
birthday……
How long has it been since he last heard that word?
Since his mother's death and his father's adoption to the Empress, his birthday has become a cold, politically charged symbol. Every year, there is a grand banquet, countless gifts, and the homage of officials.
But none of that was for "Xiao Che". It was a grand performance held for the "Prince", the "Crown Prince", and the "Emperor".
No one remembers what he liked to eat, and no one cares whether he was truly happy. He was simply a statue sitting at the highest point, receiving the worship of everyone.
As for a bowl of longevity noodles... that has never happened before.
He looked at the simple bowl of noodles in front of him. The soup was clear and bright, the noodles were chewy, and the golden poached egg was still steaming. The simplest and purest aroma of the food seemed to have a magical power, easily penetrating his heart and warming up the coldest and loneliest corners.
The two did not go to the dining hall, nor did they even ask any palace servants to serve them food.
Under the soft candlelight of the bedchamber, Xiao Che sat on the couch, while Lin Wanwan sat on the footstool beside him, her hands supporting her cheeks as she looked at him with a smile.
Xiao Che picked up his chopsticks and silently took a mouthful of noodles.
He ate slowly and attentively, as if savoring some rare delicacy.
Lin Wanwan didn't say anything, just quietly watched him. She watched him put the noodles into his mouth, watched his Adam's apple bob slightly as he chewed, and watched the candlelight cast warm shadows on his handsome profile.
At this moment, he was not the ruthless, emperor who ruled the world.
She was not the shrewd and virtuous empress.
They were just an ordinary couple, sharing a simple bowl of noodles late at night.
The grand narrative, the power of the realm, the turmoil of the court—all quietly fade away in this moment. Only the warmth within this small space and the purest comfort brought by this bowl of noodles remain.
As Xiao Che ate, his movements gradually slowed down.
Lin Wanwan noticed that his knuckles were turning white as he held the chopsticks. He kept his head down, preventing her from seeing his expression.
"Is it not tasty?" she couldn't help but ask softly.
Xiao Che didn't answer, but instead picked up another large mouthful of noodles, put it in his mouth, and chewed it vigorously, as if he wanted to deeply engrave all the flavors into his memory.
However, Lin Wanwan saw a drop of crystal-clear, scalding liquid slide down from the corner of his lowered eye, and with a "plop," it dripped into the clear soup, spreading out a small ripple.
Lin Wanwan's heart clenched suddenly.
He...cried?
The man who had never shown the slightest weakness, whether facing assassination attempts, palace coups, or pressure from the entire court, shed tears at this moment because of a bowl of noodles.
He quickly finished the last bite of noodles in his bowl, and even drank all the soup.
Then, he slowly raised his head.
His eyes were indeed slightly red.
He looked at Lin Wanwan, his eyes devoid of imperial majesty and calculating depth, only filled with a tenderness that Lin Wanwan had never seen before, a tenderness that bordered on vulnerability.
He said to her in a slightly hoarse voice:
"This is the first bowl of longevity noodles I have ever eaten since I ascended the throne, a bowl truly made for me."
It wasn't for the "emperor," but for "朕" (the imperial "I"), for him as a person.
These words touched Lin Wanwan more deeply than any sweet talk. She instantly understood the nobility and loneliness behind his imperial status.
She looked at his reddened eyes, and habitually looked up at the familiar area above his head.
There, all the domineering, cunning, and calculating emojis had vanished. In their place was a huge, warm animated GIF, constantly bubbling with pink bubbles. The bubbles rose and burst one by one, as if something was overflowing from the depths of his heart.
In the center of the design, a line of text is twinkling happily—
【So happy I could burst.gif】
Looking at the cute yet pitiful emoji, and then at the man in front of her who was pretending to be calm but whose eyes were red, Lin Wanwan felt a mix of tenderness and sadness in her heart.
She couldn't help but reach out and gently pat his head, as if comforting a big dog that had finally found its home.
She smiled, but tears welled up in her eyes as she softly said:
"I will cook this for you every year from now on."
Xiao Che's body trembled slightly. He raised his head, his reddened phoenix eyes gazing deeply at her. In those eyes, there was emotion, cherishing, and a solemnity of having something lost and then regained.
He didn't say "okay" or "thank you".
He spoke to her with utmost seriousness, word by word:
It's a deal.
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