novelraw Chapter 363: Putting on a Show for Whom
Chapter 363: Putting on a Show for Whom
Having said that, she continued to direct the arrangement of the meal.He was the Emperor, naturally deserving of the finest things in the world.
She was the Empress, and when they were together, only the most exquisite food was fitting for them!
Besides, she really wanted to know what the Emperor liked to eat.
Sister Ji, seeing that she couldn’t persuade her, had no choice but to have someone watch over things personally.
The overly luxurious and lavish dishes—if one could be reduced, then one should be.
The Emperor doesn’t like these things!
But even with Sister Ji overseeing, in the end, all the elaborate dishes from the Imperial Kitchen were still presented.
The Empress, looking at the table laden with extremely delicate and luxurious dishes, was very satisfied.
"These recipes were originally not found in the palace; I personally sought them all out from various books, ordering the chefs of the Imperial Kitchen to recreate them exactly!"
"With such good dishes, there’s no way the Emperor wouldn’t like them!"
The Empress was full of confidence.
Sister Ji, sensing something amiss, let out a sigh and remained silent.
Yu Lan stood by the side, even less inclined to say anything.
If Sister Ji didn’t dare to advise, she dared even less.
Under the opulent candlelight that filled the room, that table of exquisite dishes was so gloriously dazzling it was hard to keep one’s eyes open.
Several Second Class palace maids each stood at their positions, heads down, not even daring to breathe too loudly.
Inside Jiaofang Hall, it was luxurious and splendid.
Everywhere displayed the honor and dignity of a nation’s Mother, the paragon of virtue and decorum for the world.
The Empress sat at the main seat, continuously waiting for the Emperor’s arrival.
After sending people to invite him two or three times, Zhao Junyao finally came over in the rain.
The Empress was overjoyed and quickly went forward to pay her respects.
"Greetings to the Emperor!"
Zhao Junyao handed his cloak to Li Shengan and took his place at the main seat.
He said indifferently, "You may rise."
As he spoke, he picked up the teacup beside him.
The Empress smiled and rose to her feet.
"The Emperor hasn’t had his meal yet, has he? I have prepared some new dishes here, please have a taste, Emperor!"
Zhao Junyao was genuinely interested.
"Oh?"
Saying this, he stood up and walked towards the inner chamber.
Upon entering, he saw that it was much brighter inside than outside.
There were two or three candelabra, holding over a hundred candles altogether.
That was still acceptable.
But what in the world were these dazzling dishes on the table that made one’s head spin?
Elegantly laid out, yet without a touch of warmth—could this really be... eaten?
Zhao Junyao frowned slightly.
The Empress, however, took no notice and continued to indulge in her self-satisfaction.
"I had all these dishes made according to ideas I found in books!"
"This dish is called ’Eternal Spring,’ featuring greens from all four seasons on one plate; appealing to the senses in color, aroma, and taste!"
"And this one, called ’Golden House of Abundance,’ is made of pumpkin. Can you even tell, Emperor?"
"And this one..."
The Empress excitedly explained.
Zhao Junyao finally couldn’t bear it any longer.
"Enough!"
The Empress was startled and immediately fell silent.
The next second, she knelt down with a THUD.
"Emperor, forgive me! I know my mistake!"
"Emperor, I know my mistake!"
Zhao Junyao looked at the table of so-called exquisite dishes, inwardly scoffing.
"Such an Empress, the Mother of the Nation, a paragon of virtue to the world!"
"One evening meal, over eighty dishes, more than twenty soups!"
Zhao Junyao sneered derisively.
He had always abhorred excessive extravagance.
It wasn’t a banquet for foreign envoys, nor was it a feast to welcome accomplished officials; it was nothing, just an evening meal. Was all this necessary? Who was this display for? In this world, how many citizens lacked adequate clothing or enough food? As their Sovereign, how could he bear to squander their grain?
"Empress, you are the Mother of the Nation. How can you bear it?"
Zhao Junyao repressed the rage in his heart, his eyes filled with frosty coldness.
With just one glance, the Empress felt as if she had plunged into an ice cave.
"Emperor..."
"I... I didn’t think it through!"
She really had been blinded by the favor she’d received these past few days! Yes, the Emperor disliked luxury and wastefulness; she knew that perfectly well! Sister Ji had advised her, and so had Yu Lan. But why hadn’t she listened? Regret! Deep regret!
"Emperor, I know my mistake!"
Zhao Junyao didn’t touch a bite of his meal and left with a cold laugh and a flick of his sleeves.
"Emperor..."
"Emperor, I truly know my mistake and will never do it again, Emperor!"
The Empress chased after him in a pathetic state.
But her cries were instantly swallowed by the pouring rain.
The Empress sat on the ground, tears falling.
Yu Lan and Sister Ji helped her up.
"Your Majesty..."
「Zhao Junyao returned to Zhaochen Palace.」
Li Shengan asked with trepidation, "Emperor, you haven’t had your meal yet. Perhaps... ask the small kitchen to prepare some late-night snacks?"
Zhao Junyao waved his hand irritably.
"Scram!"
Li Shengan, looking like he wanted the earth to swallow him whole, practically fled for his life.
Zhao Junyao casually picked up a book but tossed it aside after flipping through only a few pages.
He was completely engulfed in rage.
On such a rainy night, all he wanted was a hot meal. Was that so difficult? Was the Empress’s famed virtue merely a facade? Just like the Noble Consort. After he visited them a few more times, they became arrogant and utterly unrestrained.
Zhao Junyao’s lips curled into a cold smirk.
Fine, so be it! Let her continue to remain out of favor.
Thinking this, he stood up and looked out the window.
Tomorrow, all the death row inmates in the Capital Ministry of Justice Prison, including the Second Young Master of the Fan Family, were to be executed at the Capital Noon Gate. Strictly speaking, he was, in a way, an imperial brother-in-law. If the Fan Family had been willing to behave and satisfy him, it wouldn’t have been out of the question for him to spare the man’s life. Unfortunately, the Fan Family was far too arrogant at court. As the foremost Martial Family, the Fan Family was like a towering tree in the court, its roots running deep. If today they dared to coerce the feudal lords and give orders to The King, would they not dare to threaten him, the Emperor, tomorrow?
At this thought, Zhao Junyao’s eyes became sharp.
They truly need to be disciplined! If they couldn’t be brought into line, then this towering tree... perhaps it would be better to...
Zhao Junyao gazed at the distant rainfall, his expression complex.
Before long, Li Shengan personally brought in a meal box.
Inside was a dish of braised green vegetables, a bowl of willow leaf noodles, and two small bowls of freshly prepared sauces.
At the sight of the noodles, Zhao Junyao felt much of his anger dissipate.
His thoughts turned to Lady Xia. Yes, he still had his Lady Xia, his Qingqing. The first time he’d eaten such food, it was with her!
Zhao Junyao took the bowl of noodles, and a corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
After finishing a warm bowl of willow leaf noodles, Zhao Junyao felt much more comfortable.
After washing up, he lay down, listening to the rain.
She should be asleep by now, he thought. Otherwise, he really wanted to bring her over, and then...
COUGH! COUGH!
Zhao Junyao shook his head, daring not to continue that line of thought.
「Early the next morning.」
Zhao Junyao got up for the morning court session.
The emperor’s face on the dragon throne was grim, and his gaze towards those from the martial families was truly frightening.
The court was silent as a graveyard; no one dared to speak.
Even the usually clamorous remonstrance officials kept their mouths shut!
"Report if you have business; if not, court is dismissed!" Li Shengan called out as usual.
The officials exchanged glances and all shrank back further.
Zhao Junyao left the court early and headed to the Imperial Study Room.
The rain grew heavier, pouring down as if venting its fury.
「At the Capital Noon Gate execution grounds, dozens of criminals clad in prison garb were dragged over in prison carts through the rain.」