Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Sigh, I hope this chef is tactful. Otherwise, Ttn afraid I wonât be able to open that elegant abode in the future.
The Empress asked again, âIâll give you another chance. Does your sect own these recipes, or did Princess Anâning create them herself and teach you how to cook today?â
It was as if all the guests present would lose their memories if Furong changed
her words.
Everyone complained in their hearts, but there was only the usual coldness on their faces.
It seemed like no matter how Furong answered, Xiaoxiaoâs reputation that she had just established recently would plummet.
The Emperorâs good mood instantly disappeared. He was glad that he had eaten quickly and had filled his stomach early, but he also regretted coming today. Couldnât he find an excuse to say that he was busy with government affairs and reject it?
Now, what should he, the emperor of the country, do?
Whether it was asking the Xiao Familyâs girl to take back her previous words or asking this chef to change her words, it did not seem appropriate.
Furong was also very conflicted when she had a headache. Master told her to listen to the Empress, so what should she answer now?
Fortunately, Xiaoxiao could tell that she was in a difficult position and took the
initiative to speak up for her. âLet me speak for her.â
Xiaoxiao propped her chin on her hand and looked at the Empressâs hand that was pressed against her abdomen unconsciously. She was all smiles. âI taught her.â
The Emperor sighed in his heart-the Xiao Familyâs girl was usually quite smart. Why did she make a mistake today?
However, the Empress was very happy. She knew that the daughter raised by the farmers was short-sighted. As expected!
Because she was too happy, she even ignored the obvious discomfort in her stomach. She said to Furong with a straight face, âIn that case, itâs you, an unruly person, who is trying to lie to us.â
-What a joke. How dare you spout nonsense in front of so many of us? Would a dignified princess be greedy for your mere recipes and frame you?â
She planned to use Furong to frame Xiaoxiao, but after using her, she did not plan to protect this chess piece. On the contrary, she wanted this matter to blow up as much as possible. It would be best if the entire Imperial Capital knew how arrogant and despotic the only daughter of the Generalâs Residence was and how she treated human lives like grass!
This way, neither the Xiao Family nor the Third Prince, who was about to marry Xiaoxiao, would pose a threat to the Yan Family.
This chef was unlucky. If she had to blame someone, she could only blame those people for praising the Third Prince too much recently and disturbing her.
The Empress raised her fingers with sharp nail guards and said with a dignified expression.
âGuards, drag this lying commoner down. Killâ¦â
âHey, wait!â The Empress looked at Xiaoxiao unhappily. This wild girl from the Xiao Family was indeed uneducated to dare to interrupt her!
Xiaoxiao said, âSheâs not lying.â
The Empress frowned. At the same time, she felt an urgent pain in her stomach.
âWhat do you mean?â
Xiaoxiao deliberately slowed down. âItâs not a lie when Furong said that the
recipes were taught by her sect.â
âShe didnât lie, so thereâs no need to be punished, right?
The Empress really could not help but want to laugh. She did not expect this daughter of the Xiao Family to be so stupid. Did she think that she could be a good person just because she turned back at the last minute? Little did she know that going back on her word would only make her fall into an even more awkward situation.
Sure enough, someone immediately asked, âThen⦠Princess, did you remember wrongly?â
The Empress glanced at that person and added this personâs name to the list of people to be promoted next time.
However, Xiaoxiao said, âNo.â
âI indeed figured out these dishes from reading books.â Everyone was confused, but Xiaoxiao said happily, âBecause Iâm her master.â The Empressâ hand that was holding the wine glass trembled. âWhat did you say?â
The Emperor relaxed his brows. âAnâning, is what you said true?â Xiaoxiao raised her chin at Furong. âYour Majesty, you can ask Furong-â Furong said respectfully, âYour Majesty, Iâm Masterâs first disciple. Iâve already acknowledged her as my master when I was in Xijiang County. Master taught me to make the snacks and drinks in the elegant abode.â
Good lord, this Princess Anâning was too low-key!
Someone asked curiously, âSince the princess has such ability before she returned to the Imperial Capital, why didnât she do it herself?â
Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes. âIâm young and short. I canât reach the stove.â
Everyone was speechless.
They actually⦠could not refute herâ¦
The Emperor laughed. âYouâre smart, humble, and polite. The Ning Family and the Xiao Family have taught their daughters well. Iâm very satisfied with this meal. Anâning, Furong, what reward do you want?â
This was originally a conventional pleasantry. Usually, when the Emperor asked this, others would answer that it was up to His Majesty to make the decision. However, Xiaoxiao did not. She said, âSince His Majesty asks, I wonât stand on ceremony.â
The Emperor panicked and regretted speaking too quickly.
Recently, the Imperial Court had focused on planting food and refining iron.
The treasury was a little tightâ¦
The Emperor couldnât make empty promises. Wouldnât it be embarrassing if he couldnât take out any rewards after opening his mouth?
Fortunately, Xiaoxiao made a very sensible requestâ
âI heard that Your Majesty has good handwriting. I wonder if I can boldly ask for your calligraphy treasure for the elegant abode?â
This flattery made the Emperor beam. âHow difficult is that? Dezi, prepare the Four Treasures of the Study!â
Not only did she fail to frame Xiaoxiao, but she also gave her a chance to become famous. The Empress was already angry enough. Seeing that the Emperor really started writing, she was even angrier.
This anger ran rampant in her heart. It darted around and suddenly went to a place it shouldnât goâ¦
There was a faint âpfftâ sound, accompanied by an indescribable smell. As she was close, Xiaoxiao could see the Empressâs pupils tremble and her face turn pale.
Without batting an eyelid, she retreated a distance far enough to express her reverence and secretly held her breath.
The Empress felt like dying on the spot right now.
With all her strength, the Empressâs face turned red. She tightened her body and gave her nanny a look.
The nanny did not follow the Empress for so many years in vain. She immediately turned around and glared at the palace maids. âWhatâs going on? Hurry up and get down!â
The palace maid was puzzled when the nanny said to the Emperor, âYour Majesty, actually, Her Majesty didnât sleep well last night. Iâm worried that Her Majesty will be exhausted. Why donât you persuade her and get Her Majesty to go back to rest early?â
Since it was the palace maid who farted, Eunuch De was relieved to fan the Emperor in exchange for fresh air.
The Emperor calmed down for a while and said with difficulty, âYour health is more important.â
However, every word was short, as if he was afraid of inhaling the stench again.
Eunuch Deâs wrist strength was outstanding. The Emperor felt that the air was fine so he planned to persuade her again. However, at this moment, the usually talkative and stubborn Empress had already stood up. âYes, Iâll take my leave.â
Without even saying goodbye to Noble Consort Ji, she hurriedly left.
At first, when everyone was in sight, the Empressâs footsteps were still neither fast nor slow. As soon as she walked away, she wished she could fly. Fortunately, the banquet was held in the Empressâs palace. It was only a few steps back to the inner hall. The Empress trembled as she was helped down by the nanny. However, her clothes were destroyed.
After an unknown period of time, the Empress asked, âWhat happened?â