USWHC -Chapter 528 The Rivers and Mountains of Daliang (Part 8)

The Empress was genuinely surprised to see the Emperor arrive on time, but she immediately composed herself into a posture of respectful welcome and said softly, “Your Majesty, your humble servant pays respects!”

The Emperor, however, did not respond and merely walked past her, sitting down on the chair with a cold demeanor. Even so, the Empress warmly approached him and asked politely, “Your Majesty, have you dined yet?”

“Not yet.” The Emperor’s response was curt, just two words, but his mind seemed elsewhere.

Suddenly, the Empress let out an excited whisper and turned to quietly instruct a nearby palace maid, “Quickly, quickly bring the meal!”

Seeing her excitement, the Emperor raised his head slightly in surprise and asked with concern, “You haven’t eaten either?”

The Empress’s cheeks flushed lightly, but she did not answer. Instead, the senior palace maid beside her smiled and said, “Your Majesty, the Empress has been waiting for you all along!”

“Waiting for me? I never said I would come!” The Emperor exclaimed, watching as one dish after another was brought up, each piled high with delicacies he favored. He was even more taken aback.

The palace maid, realizing she had perhaps spoken out of turn, hurriedly lowered her head and muttered softly, “The Empress waits every first and fifteenth day of the month, no matter what anyone says!”

“What are you saying?” Before she could finish, the Empress awkwardly said, “Your Majesty, don’t listen to her. I just happen to eat late!”

The Emperor cast her a deep glance, then pointed to the chair across from him. “Sit and eat.”

Though it was such a simple sentence, the Empress felt tears well up, deeply moved. She hurriedly sat down, timidly and expectantly looking at the Emperor, just like the innocent young girl she once was.

The Emperor, too, was touched. He pointed to a dish in front of him. “This is your favorite. Eat more of it.”

Immediately, a palace maid placed a portion onto the Empress’s plate. The Empress displayed an expression of utmost gratitude, gently picking up a bite and murmuring softly, “Your Majesty, you should eat more too.” Her voice carried a faint trace of sadness.

The Emperor lowered his gaze, lightly pointing to another dish. The palace maid quickly added it to his plate. He picked up a small piece of cabbage, tasted it slowly, and then suddenly smiled. “This ‘Wealth and Prosperity’ dish has your touch from back then—soft, fragrant, and sweet.”

A nearby palace maid laughed, “Your Majesty, this was made by the Empress herself. How could it taste any different?”

“You made this yourself?” The Emperor’s frown slowly eased as he savored the sweet cabbage heart.

The palace maid coquettishly replied, “Of course! The chicken, the glutinous rice, even the cabbage hearts were all carefully chosen by the Empress! She prepares this dish every day, just because Your Majesty likes it.”

The Emperor’s heart gave a sudden pang as he looked at the woman before him, realizing how long it had been since he truly looked at her. She had aged noticeably.

The Empress anxiously called out, “Xinrong, why are you talking so much? Go back now!”

“No, let her speak. I’ve been negligent all these years.” The Emperor sighed softly, his hand slowly reaching over to hold the Empress’s shy hand.

The Empress shyly tried to withdraw, but could not bring herself to fully let go. She allowed him to hold her hand, and both of them smiled, moved.

“She truly cares for me.” The Emperor murmured deeply.

The Empress shyly nodded with a small smile, remaining silent, but asked with concern, “Your Majesty seems troubled. What is weighing on your mind?”

The Emperor sighed again. “It’s because of this year’s top scholar.”

“What? Is there something wrong with him?” The Empress asked with a naive expression, as if she knew nothing of the previous court’s affairs.

The Emperor shook his head quietly. “No, he’s excellent. Too excellent. I simply don’t know what to do with him.”

“Oh? What do you mean?” The Empress asked, puzzled.

The Emperor let out a cold laugh. “Just now, Consort Li tried to speak for her niece, attempting to match them together.”