EMHTC -Chapter 4 Wow! The Prince Consort wiped out his entire family!

【These vegetables…】

Xu Yanmiao frowned, his facial muscles tightening.

The Ministry of War’s official beside him noticed that he had even scrunched up his nose, his brows furrowed together, and his entire face emanated an air of anxiety, as though he was deeply troubled by something.

What’s going on?

The Ministry of War’s official instinctively craned his neck to look toward Xu Yanmiao.

【They’re yellow and wilted, how can I eat this?】

【I heard that things bestowed by the Emperor shouldn’t just be thrown away. What a hassle—never mind, I’ll just go back and make a hot pot. It’ll be fine for one meal.】

【Such a grand imperial court, and there’s not even a single fresh green vegetable? Look at how wilted these leaves are. They have the nerve to offer this as a reward—how shabby…】

Bang!

Xu Yanmiao turned around in confusion and saw the Ministry of War’s official, who had seemed particularly timid before, suddenly collapse to the ground, fainting.

He blinked.

【So moved by imperial favor that he fainted again?】

No!!!

He was scared unconscious!

The entire court of civil and military officials silently shouted in their hearts.

The Minister of War quickly wiped the sweat from his brow, instinctively sniffing his sleeve. The strong scent of sweat made him grimace in disgust.

At the front, the old Emperor slapped the armrest of his dragon throne. The sound of his finger-ring, made of turquoise and gold, clashing with the wood echoed crisply through the silent court.

Everyone turned to look at the old Emperor.

The Emperor’s face was flushed with anger.

What do you mean yellow and wilted! What do you mean “Hassel”! What do you mean “wilted these leaves are”!? What do you mean “shabby”!!!

Have you ever tasted fresh, crisp winter vegetables!?

This honor is so great—don’t be so ungrateful!

【It seems like the Great Xia only boils lamb, not hot-pot lamb. I should ask the chef to slice it when I get off work.】

【Good thing chili peppers have already arrived. It’s the best to eat spicy hot pot in the winter!】

【The red, steaming spicy oil, thin slices of beef, holding them with chopsticks, gently dipping them into the soup, keeping them steady as they turn color. The beef is so tender and thin, soaking in the spicy broth… Then you take it out and bite into it… The taste is amazing!】

—Great Xia prohibits the slaughter of oxen, but it only restricts plowing cattle, not meat cattle.

They’re generous when it comes to meat cattle, whether it’s pan-fried, stewed, roasted, grilled, or made into meat paste, preserved dried meat, or cured meat… They eat the meat, tendons, liver, belly, tongue…

Lost in these thoughts, Xu Yanmiao’s eyes glazed over, clearly falling into a daydream, not paying attention to the world around him.

【And lamb, sliced thinly, thrown into the pot, you hear it sizzle for a moment before you take it out and eat it.】

【Then have someone hand-make twenty or so fish meatballs. They must be extra plump for that chewy texture!】

【Then… thin slices of pork, fatty pork, chicken slices, crystal clear vermicelli, fish tofu, beef tripe…】

【And as for the seasonings, sesame oil and garlic paste are essential!】

Gulp—

The old Emperor swallowed.

The anger on his face froze, as his thoughts drifted away, replaced by a slight feeling of expectation and enjoyment.

“This Xu Yanmiao…”

The old Emperor briefly imagined the delicacy known as hot pot, and without realizing it, licked his lips.

“He really seems to know how to eat.”

But… what are crystal vermicelli? I’ve never heard of that before.

After the morning court session, there was the inner court meeting, but that was for second-rank officials, far removed from Xu Yanmiao’s small position. He simply went back to his office to handle his duties as usual.

It should have been like this.

But today…

“Announce—”

“Xu Yanmiao, official of the Ministry of Personnel, present himself—”

The eunuch’s voice echoed from both sides of the golden platform, across the many steps, with sunlight filtering down, casting shadows that separated the civil and military officials. The crowd turned one by one, all staring in shock, exchanging looks with the small official from the Ministry of Personnel.

“Me?” Xu Yanmiao, who had been happily reminiscing about hot pot, was suddenly called out, leaving his thoughts in a daze as the hot pot seemed to fly away from his mind.

The fainted Ministry of War official kicked at his heels as he stumbled forward.

Xu Yanmiao suddenly snapped out of his trance. Realizing it wasn’t the time to daydream, he quickly adjusted his official hat and walked toward the golden platform through the ranks of officials.

He passed the ninth-rank officials…

He passed the eighth-rank officials…

He passed the seventh, sixth, fifth, fourth, and third-rank officials…

Finally, reaching the front, he saw that the old Emperor had already left the golden platform to return to the palace. Only the second-rank officials remained, each holding a position that could easily crush him.

Xu Yanmiao silently bowed. “Greetings, gentlemen.”

The Minister of War snorted, clearly displeased.

Xu Yanmiao looked at him with confusion.

【What’s going on? When did I offend him?】

The Minister of War: “…”

“Humph!!”

Other ministers, especially the ones in higher positions, looked at Xu Yanmiao strangely.

Xu Yanmiao: “?”

Why does it seem like they don’t like him?

“Xu Lang,” someone suddenly called out. Xu Yanmiao turned to see it was Prime Minister Dou.

The Prime Minister smiled and nodded gently at him. Perhaps it was just Xu’s imagination, but he could almost see a hint of… gratitude in his eyes?

“Since His Majesty has summoned you, he holds high expectations for you. Don’t worry. When you meet him, make sure you don’t act rashly…”

The Prime Minister then quietly gave some tips on how to meet the Emperor.

Xu Yanmiao felt a bit flattered.

【So, the Prime Minister is such a down-to-earth person?】

The Minister of War shot a glance at the Prime Minister but didn’t show any more hostility to Xu Yanmiao.

The Minister of Rites tried to smooth things over, saying, “His Majesty is still in the palace. Let’s go, gentlemen.”

The old Emperor sat in the Wuying Hall, his usual office for the inner court, but for the first time, he wasn’t immersed in official business. From time to time, he looked up at the palace door, making the head eunuch wonder.

Who is His Majesty waiting for?

A eunuch hurried in to announce: “Your Majesty, the Prime Minister and the other Ministers are here to see you.”

The old Emperor nodded and waited for two or three breaths. When there was no further announcement, he turned to look at the eunuch, who seemed confused and helplessly glanced toward the head eunuch. The head eunuch, too, was puzzled.

The curtain in the corner fluttered slightly, and the old Emperor calmly asked, “Anyone else?”

The eunuch suddenly understood and quickly replied, “Xu Yanmiao, the official of the Ministry of Personnel, is also waiting outside.”

The old Emperor nodded. “Let them in.”

The eunuch took a deep breath and called out, “Announce—”

Soon, the ministers entered the hall.

Following tradition, the old Emperor ordered, “Serve the food.”

Palace servants brought in small tables and cushions, and the officials took their seats in turn.

Xu Yanmiao carefully adjusted his official robes, his eyes fixed on the tray the palace servant was holding.

After every court session, the Emperor would treat the officials to a meal, but the food served in different ministries and the Wuying Hall was not the same. Now, he had the chance to experience what the second-rank officials were eating!

Then, when the tray was placed down, Xu Yanmiao looked at the food.

Tofu? Green vegetables? Noodles? No meat, and the noodles had only two eggs at most?

Xu Yanmiao: “…”

【This is worse than eating back at the ministry.】

The old Emperor acted as if he hadn’t heard, casually remarking, “Ah, the imperial kitchen has been making the same few hundred dishes for decades. I’ve grown tired of them. Recently, I haven’t had much of an appetite, so I’ve been eating lightly. I apologize for making you all accompany me.”

The ministers: “…”

Not at all, Your Majesty.

Of course not.

Generally speaking, those with good sense would seize the moment to offer the Emperor a new recipe they had recently acquired, claiming it was delicious and ready to be presented.

However, Xu “ivory tower” Yanmiao showed no response at all.

The old Emperor: “…”

Even though this person looked like he was trying to appear deep and serious, the old Emperor could see through his facade. He could tell that Xu Yanmiao was utterly clueless and had no idea how to read his superior’s intentions—how did he expect to rise in rank like this?

A sense of unprecedented irritation stirred within the old Emperor.

Today, he was determined to eat that thing called hot pot!

He whispered something to the head eunuch. A moment later, servants brought out small, divided cauldrons for each table. Each compartment held a different cooking space filled with broth, and the rich aroma of meat and the scent of burning charcoal mingled in the air, making everyone salivate.

Hot pot?!

Xu Yanmiao was stunned as he watched. The old Emperor grabbed his chopsticks and, while eating noodles, thought to himself: I knew it! Holding the raw meat and dipping it into the pot to cook—no matter how you eat it, it’s always going to be in a broth-filled pot!

A warming pot like this can be placed on the table!

Over there, Xu Yanmiao’s thoughts echoed as well: 【Oh, it’s not hot pot, it’s a warming pot, used to keep the food warm. What a waste, such a good thing should be used for hot pot.】

“The thing is,” the old Emperor continued, “I’ve thought about it. You all work hard, day in and day out. Eating too lightly is bad for your health.”

The smile on his face was tinged with satisfaction: “If any of you wish to add something to the pot, just tell the servants.”

Xu Yanmiao’s eyes lit up.

The other ministers’ eyes lit up as well.

Xu Yanmiao: “Start with two pounds of beef and lamb, sliced thinly!”

The other ministers: “Yes, yes, beef and lamb, thin slices!”

Xu Yanmiao: “Add more charcoal. This little amount won’t be enough to boil the soup!”

The other ministers: “Mm, more charcoal, more for us!”

Xu Yanmiao: “Chili, salt, garlic paste, and oil… We need oil…”

The other ministers: “Chili…”

Xu Yanmiao silently glanced back at them.

These second-rank officials had such thick skin, pretending not to see his disdainful look.

The old Emperor cleared his throat. “Ahem, I’ll have some too.”

The head eunuch whispered, “Your Majesty, should we follow the usual custom and send some to the Empress?”

“Of course, it will be sent…”

The old Emperor paused.

The old Emperor fumed: “The Empress, what about the Empress! Do I have to give her everything I have?”

His voice raised a bit.

Xu Yanmiao was puzzled.

【What’s going on? Are they fighting?】

The old Emperor froze.

【Could it be that the Emperor knows the Prince Consort is going to execute the princess, and he wants to spare him, but the Empress won’t agree, and they’re arguing?】

“Pfft—”

The Minister of Rites, who had been drinking, suddenly spit out his wine, choking on the spice and causing him to cough violently.

“Cough, cough—”

Execute?

What execution?

Who’s going to be executed?

Did he hear that wrong?

The old Emperor was also stunned.

He forgot to be angry for a moment and was more confused, wondering why a normal person would act so oddly.

Does this Prince Consort have a grudge against his whole family?

He has twenty-one daughters—who is this Prince Consort who doesn’t value his life?

…

The Emperor’s fifth daughter, Princess Wanshou, asked the same thing of her Prince Consort.

“Do you want to drag me, this vicious woman, out and execute me?!”

Princess Wanshou stared at her Prince Consort in shock.

“Does your entire Nine generations know what you’re saying?”