A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace-Chapter 806

Still need to seek justice?

When was it ever a eunuch’s turn to meddle with his woman’s affairs?

Meddlesome!

In his eyes, Noble Concubine Shih had almost become akin to a petty clown.

Her luck was running thin, handling her wouldn’t require much effort.

Yet, he didn’t want to take action.

Not for anything else, only because back when he ascended to power, during a time of court turmoil, Grand Tutor Shih had lent him a hand in claiming the throne.

Even now.

Aside from being greedy and occasionally flaunting his prestige in court, aligning with a few disciples to form factions and operate privately, Grand Tutor Shih hadn’t done much else wrong.

At least, outwardly, he hadn’t made mistakes.

After all, to hold office at his level.

What mattered was no longer wealth, but reputation.

Thus, Grand Tutor Shih spent his whole life projecting an image of integrity.

Last year, the industries under the Shih Family name were seized, and much of his power stripped.

Currently, the Shih Family was living off their reputation and prestige.

Moreover, Noble Concubine Shih had a brother who was not promising.

In brief.

The Shih Family, who once overshadowed the court single-handedly, was now a paper tiger.

With only this little bit of prestige left, Zhao Junyao couldn’t bear to take it away.

No matter how virtuous or not, they still counted as loyal.

He couldn’t chill the hearts of loyal ministers.

Therefore.

He ultimately couldn’t bear to be ruthless to Noble Concubine Shih.

As long as she didn’t commit any heinous acts, he could turn a blind eye to her occasional antics in the palace.

Of course, if she dared harm anyone again, he wouldn’t tolerate her.

Zhao Junyao hurriedly finished approving the remaining memorials on the imperial desk before getting up and stretching his body.

Li Shengan noticed that it was getting late, and asked.

"Emperor, should the dinner be served now?"

Zhao Junyao got up and walked to the bedside, glancing out.

He frowned and pondered for a while before saying.

"No need, have dinner served... at Xifu Palace!"

"Ah!" Li Shengan nodded, ready to relay the message.

Suddenly, he reacted and was taken aback.

"Hmm? Emperor, Xifu Palace???"

Zhao Junyao replied indifferently.

"You heard correctly, go ahead!"

Li Shengan let out a big breath of relief and bent over as he exited.

Yet he still couldn’t comprehend.

Was the Emperor... changing his demeanor?

Or reminiscing about the past?

Why did he suddenly want to have dinner at Xifu Palace?

Though he had a good memory, even he couldn’t recall how long it had been since the Emperor had gone there.

Indeed, accompanying the monarch is like living with a tiger; the emperor’s heart is unfathomable.

Best not speculate the sacred will; he’s merely a servant, knowing nothing!

...

In Xifu Palace.

Upon hearing that the Emperor would join her for dinner in the evening, Noble Concubine Shih was so moved that she cried on the spot.

Grabbing Li Shengan frantically, she asked.

"Really? Eunuch Li, are you deceiving me!"

"Are you truly not lying to me?"

She didn’t even bother to use the royal ’We’, resorting to just ’you and me’.

Li Shengan was thoroughly scared and nodded quickly.

"Of course it’s true!"

He then shook his head hurriedly.

"Noble Consort, you jest, even if I had ten lives, I wouldn’t dare deceive you, would I?!"

Noble Concubine Shih cried tears of joy, hugging Ying Qiu she said.

"The Emperor finally came to see me!"

"The Emperor finally is willing to... see me!"

Ying Qiu hurriedly and comfortingly patted her back.

"Consort, this is outside, people are watching!"

With this reminder.

Noble Concubine Shih only then realized.

She quickly wiped her tears, took a few deep breaths, and calmed down.

"Reward!"

"Rewards for everyone!"

Without preparing any pouches.

She directly took off a pair of pure gold bracelets from her hands and stuffed them into Li Shengan’s hands.

"A little of my appreciation, Eunuch Li, please don’t disdain it!"

Eunuch Li was so afraid he didn’t dare accept.

"The servant dare not, these are too precious."

"Consort, you’re spoiling the servant!"

Yet Noble Concubine Shih insisted.

"From now on, Xifu Palace will need to rely on you, I beseech you, please accept it!"

Her tone and eyes were filled with eager anticipation.

As if he held the power of life and death over her, she lowered her stature significantly.

Li Shengan could no longer refuse, and had to accept.

"Thank you Noble Consort for the reward!"

"If Noble Consort has no other orders, the servant will return to report!"

Noble Concubine Shih breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.

"Eunuch, take care!"

Only then did Li Shengan bow and leave.

On the way back, he was filled with emotion.

’Indeed, circumstances differ now!’

’Never did he imagine that the once haughty, domineering Noble Consort would turn into who she is now...’

’Cautious and courteous, even to a servant, with a hint of... supplication?’

’Indeed, refined by the deep palace!’

...

Meanwhile, in Xifu Palace, sending off Eunuch Li.

Noble Concubine Shih was ordering to have water drawn for a bath while dispatching for the meal from the Imperial Kitchen.

All the dishes ordered were the best, most exquisite, and most lavish.

Of course, they were also those that the Emperor had eaten the most in her memory.

In addition, she ordered some light dishes.

She heard that the Emperor ate such dishes at Lady Xia’s place.

Though unsure if cousin would like them, preparation is key, just in case he actually does!

While bathing and dining, Noble Concubine Shih instructed the interior to be meticulously arranged.

Incense for accounts, bedsheets and quilts neatly prepared.

Every detail was attended to with great care.

Noble Concubine Shih silently resolved.

This time, she must reclaim cousin.

The humiliation suffered at that harlot Lady Xia’s hands would be returned tenfold someday soon!

She’d let that harlot taste the fall from grace too!

No rush, she’ll take her time, match by match!

The meal was set.

After carefully dressing up, Zhao Junyao indeed came.

"Emperor!!"

She busied herself to welcome him, her face unable to conceal the joy.

"Greetings Emperor!"

"Rise!"

Without much emotion, Zhao Junyao took a casual glance at her, his eyes unfathomably indifferent.

Noble Concubine Shih didn’t mind and simply smiled.

"Thank you, Emperor!"

With that, she rose.

Afterwards.

Serving tea and water, setting meals, and arranging dishes, she was cautious and displayed great obedience.

Zhao Junyao smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying.

Inwardly, he couldn’t help but reflect:

We are cousins, grew up together, not without affection.

If only you had been quiet and obedient like this earlier.

I wouldn’t have ignored you; amidst the harem, would it hurt to favor you more?

Sadly... you let me down too much.

Indeed.

Crucially, I met her.

’When one meets someone like a rainbow, only then does he realize!’

Once your heart is set on someone, it cannot accommodate anyone else.

This is pure instinct, not desire, nor a fleeting whim.

He likes her.

Liking seeing her smile, seeing her play, seeing her get angry, seeing her eat, seeing her lazing around... seeing her.

Yes, whatever she does, he likes.

How could she be so lovely, make him want to cherish her so?:

Simply thinking thus, tenderness and affection overflow uncontrollably from his eyes.

Overflowing, unstoppable.

"Cousin?!"

The words pulled him back to reality.

Raising his gaze, he was met with Noble Concubine Shih’s blushing, bashful face.

Zhao Junyao: "..."