Soon, the wound medicine was brought. Yuwen Lan didn't call Fu Hai into the hall, but took it to the bedside himself.
Yanshu emerged from behind the curtain, attempting to make amends. "Your Majesty, may I apply the medicine for you?"
Yuwen Lan handed her the medicine bottle.
Yanshu began applying it carefully.
Only then did she realize how powerful her teeth were, to have bitten him like this.
Yuwen Lan: "???"
Was she proud of this?
He lightly snorted, "Your bite is indeed quite strong."
Yanshu blushed and could only say, "This concubine is ashamed."
In her heart, she couldn't help but retort - how was this her fault? Who wouldn't bite in that situation? It was lucky she didn't take a chunk out of him.
Yuwen Lan hissed.
Yanshu was startled and asked carefully, "Does it hurt?"
Yuwen Lan looked at her with a stern face, "Mm."
Not only did it hurt, he was a bit angry too.
But then he saw her pout her small mouth and lean in to blow on the wound.
Her pink lips formed a perfect circle, like a ripe cherry, tempting to taste.
Yuwen Lan's throat bobbed as he couldn't help but recall the earlier sensation.
But he held himself back.
Now that he had calmed down, he found it strange. He had come tonight to investigate, so how had this woman managed to distract him again?
Could she be doing this on purpose?
Just then, voices suddenly came from outside the door.
It seemed Fu Hai was scolding someone, "Don't you know what time it is? Have you no sense!"
Another small eunuch mumbled, "But, but His Majesty said..."
Oh? Was there some matter?
Yanshu quickly looked at Yuwen Lan.
Yuwen Lan directly called out to inquire, "What is it?"
The small eunuch outside hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, urgent memorials just arrived from Chuanqian. They report that freezing rain fell suddenly the day before yesterday, affecting over ten thousand civilians."
Yuwen Lan immediately stood up, "Why didn't you say so earlier?"
Oh, was he leaving?
Yanshu quickly got up to help him dress, carefully asking, "Will Your Majesty return?"
Yuwen Lan glanced down at her, "Do you want me to return?"
Yanshu blinked her almond eyes and boldly said, "Yes, this concubine hopes Your Majesty will return soon to rest."
In her heart, she kept repeating, [Please don't come back, I want to sleep alone, thank you...]
Yuwen Lan: "..."
He knew it.
Although he didn't want to see her so happy, he could only tell the truth, "I won't be back. Sleep on your own."
Chuanqian was an important military region and a crucial granary for Yue Country. A disaster there was no small matter.
He heard her rejoicing in her heart, [Finally I can sleep well!!!]
Yuwen Lan raised an eyebrow, "You're very happy?"
"No, no," Yanshu shook her head like a rattle drum, putting on a gentle and obedient expression, "This concubine is only concerned for Your Majesty's health. Your Majesty worries for the country and people, but should also rest well."
Yuwen Lan snorted, "As if I'd believe you."
What a hypocritical woman.
Mobilizing the national treasury, allocating food and supplies, while also guarding against foreign enemies taking advantage of the situation - Yuwen Lan was busy the entire night.
Yanshu, however, slept comfortably in her new bed all night.
But early the next morning, she dutifully got up, changed her clothes, and went to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.
On the way to the Palace of Benevolent Peace, she saw that Noble Consort Zhou was also there.
The Empress Dowager sat upright on her heated couch, while Noble Consort Zhou stood to the side. Her expression was poor, as if she had just been scolded.
Yanshu pretended not to notice and hurried to bow to both of them. Unexpectedly, Noble Consort Zhou changed her attitude from the previous day and actively apologized to her, "There was a misunderstanding the other night. I hope Noble Lady Li won't take it to heart."
Yanshu could only play along, "Noble Consort Zhou is too kind."
The Empress Dowager said, "As imperial consorts, you should prioritize the emperor in all things."
After speaking, she separately awarded Yanshu a bracelet, saying, "You are the first in the harem to be promoted, showing you meet the emperor's approval. Seize this opportunity well and bear children for His Majesty as soon as possible."
Yanshu: "...Yes."
Tsk, this task was truly difficult.
Fortunately, after saying this, the Empress Dowager dismissed them both.
Yanshu felt like she'd been granted amnesty and hurried back to Ganlu Palace to enjoy her breakfast.
However, when Noble Consort Zhou returned to ChongHua Palace, she immediately smashed several teacups.
"I even apologized to that scheming woman! If this continues, won't she be riding on my head?"
At the initial conferment of titles, she had been made Noble Consort based on her aunt-niece relationship with the Empress Dowager. She thought she was only one step away from becoming Empress, but who knew that one step would take so many years.
Yet that Li Yanshu, just by dropping a teacup at the palace banquet, gained His Majesty's favor and was the first to be promoted!
Consort An advised from the side, "My Lady, no matter how angry you are, you must endure it. You've just angered His Majesty, it's not good to act now."
Noble Consort Zhou snorted, "If I endure any longer, she might even give birth to a prince!"
Consort An said, "How could that happen? Even if you don't act, there are others in the palace who hate her. Why not reap the benefits without lifting a finger?"
Noble Consort Zhou paused, then smiled, "That's true."
-- Consort Ning had always prided herself on her beauty and looked down on others. Now that His Majesty had favored Li Yanshu for several days in a row, how could she stand it?
Then she heard Consort An whisper, "I heard that last night, His Majesty sent Eunuch Fu Hai back to fetch some wound medicine."
"Wound medicine?" Noble Consort Zhou paused, "That... requires wound medicine?"
Consort An leaned close to her ear and said softly, "My Lady may not know, but a few days ago some ministers saw wounds on His Majesty's hands in the study. His Majesty said he was injured while practicing swordsmanship early in the morning, but I've inquired and His Majesty didn't go to the training grounds that day at all."
Noble Consort Zhou was surprised again, "Could someone have injured His Majesty, and His Majesty is covering for them?"
Consort An nodded, "The one who injured His Majesty must be someone he cares for deeply."
Noble Consort Zhou pondered, then suddenly realized, "Could it be Li Yanshu? She's so bold, daring to harm His Majesty! This won't do, I must report to the Empress Dowager!"
Consort An quickly stopped her, smiling, "My Lady is being hasty again. We're only guessing, without real evidence. How can we report to the Empress Dowager? Why not let someone else handle it? This is a serious crime, she certainly won't escape punishment."
In the afternoon, it began to snow. The flakes drifted down for half the day, and by late afternoon, a thick layer had accumulated on the ground.
Yuwen Lan was busy at his desk. As the time approached for lamps to be lit, he showed no signs of stopping.
Fu Hai couldn't bear it any longer and reminded him, "Your Majesty, it's time for dinner."
Yuwen Lan didn't even look up, "Wait a bit longer."
Fu Hai couldn't help but worry. His Majesty had been busy for a night and a day, hadn't slept well, and wasn't eating properly. How could this go on?
After some thought, he suddenly had an idea and said, "I just saw Noble Lady Li send someone to the kitchens. She said she wanted hot pot tonight."
Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, the emperor looked up and said, "Hot pot?"
Fu Hai quickly nodded, "Indeed. Noble Lady Li is quite particular. Hot pot on a snowy day is most fitting."
Yuwen Lan thought for a moment, put down his brush and walked towards the door, "Let's go take a look."
It was still early today. He definitely couldn't let her distract him again.
When Yuwen Lan arrived, the hot pot was already set up on the table.
Charcoal burned slowly under the copper pot, the bone broth inside bubbling away. The entire hall was filled with a warm, fragrant aroma.
Yanshu was smiling happily as she looked at the pot.
Tsk tsk, meatballs and crispy pork, cabbage, vermicelli, and tofu, along with freshly sliced lamb - each a perfect hot pot ingredient. This upgrade really made a difference; she'd never been able to eat so well before.
As she was secretly salivating, she saw Yuwen Lan enter the hall. Startled, she quickly led the others in bowing, "Greetings to Your Majesty."
Why did he come at this time? Don't interfere with my meal!
Yuwen Lan pretended not to hear and glanced at the table, saying, "What made you think of having hot pot?"
Yanshu tried hard to smile, "It's snowing today and cold. This concubine thought hot pot would be warming."
[You're the emperor, of course you don't understand the troubles of us lowly concubines. I've been in the palace for three years and finally get to eat hot pot today. Do you know how rare this is for me!]
Yuwen Lan: "..."
How did this become his fault?
So eating hot pot was actually a rare treat?
"It seems I've come at just the right time," he walked over to the table and sat down, beckoning to her, "Let's eat together."
Yanshu: "???"
So he came to mooch a meal?
She could only agree and walk over.
Rendong quickly brought new bowls and chopsticks. Just as she was about to withdraw, she saw Fu Hai winking at her repeatedly, looking at her and then at the silver chopsticks on the table.
Rendong slowly understood - he wanted her to serve food for the masters.
Good heavens!
In the past, the master never needed her help with meals, but today she was to serve dishes to the Emperor? If she accidentally displeased His Majesty, would she be beheaded? Oh no...
Yuwen Lan found it annoying and raised his hand, saying, "I'll do it myself."
Rendong was overjoyed and retreated to the side, feeling greatly relieved.
The aroma at the tip of her nose grew stronger, and Yanshu couldn't count how many times she had swallowed. If the Emperor wasn't beside her, she would have started eating already!
The Emperor seemed oblivious to the fragrance. Instead of reaching into the pot with his chopsticks, he leisurely asked her, "What did you usually eat in your hometown?"
She had to reply, "Your subject's hometown of Ande is not as prosperous as the capital. The common people mainly eat flour-based foods, such as noodles, dumplings, steamed buns, and bao. There are also a few famous snacks like pan-fried buns, noodles with gravy, donkey meat, and braised chicken."
Fu Hai interjected from the side, "Your Highness is indeed fortunate. The braised chicken from Ande is famous far and wide!"
Yanshu's eyes lit up, "Master Fu truly knows his stuff! Our Ande braised chicken uses a centuries-old recipe. The fresh chicken is stewed over high heat and then simmered over low heat. When it's done, the meat is tender and flavorful. With a gentle pull, the meat separates from the bone. Not only is the meat infused with flavor, but even the bones are soft and crumbly. It's absolutely delicious!"
Just talking about it made her even hungrier.
Leaving home young and returning old, one's accent remains unchanged while the temples turn gray. No matter how many delicacies she had eaten in the palace, she still missed the food from her hometown the most.
Alas, the palace gates were as deep as the sea. She wondered if she would ever be able to taste the authentic braised chicken from her hometown again in this lifetime.
She cast a wistful glance at the person beside her, thinking to herself that the Emperor should do her a favor and send her back home one day!
Yuwen Lan heard every word, and inwardly raised an eyebrow —
Let her go back? That was impossible.
"Eat," he finally extended his chopsticks into the pot.
Yanshu was overjoyed and quickly followed suit, picking up a beef meatball with her first attempt.
After cooling it slightly, she put it in her mouth and felt instantly satisfied. The meatball had a smooth exterior and a salty, juicy interior. It was delicious even without dipping sauce!
Next came the crispy meat. The originally crisp outer layer had now absorbed the broth, offering a different flavor compared to eating it dry.
After the crispy meat, she picked up a piece of tofu. Wow, the fried tofu absorbed even more broth. Besides its inherent bean flavor, it was infused with the savory taste of the scalding bone broth, not at all inferior to the meat.
Then she tried a piece of blood tofu. It had a unique elasticity amidst its tenderness, with an extremely delicate texture and rich flavor.
The most impressive was the lamb. Thinly sliced tender leg of lamb, cooked with just a few swishes in the hot soup, then dipped in a bowl of sesame paste mixed with chive flower and fermented bean curd sauce. The taste was simply irresistible.
Yuwen Lan had been listening attentively, but he didn't expect to hear so much about delicious food.
— Meatballs, tofu, crispy meat, lamb, there seemed to be nothing she didn't like.
Come to think of it, he rarely paid attention to such culinary pleasures in his daily life. Only after listening to her today did he realize how delicious these things really were.
Moreover, smooth, tender, savory, rich — there were so many words to describe them.
Especially the lamb. When dipped in the sauce and put in the mouth, layers of fresh, salty, fragrant, and rich flavors burst forth. It was truly excellent.
Yuwen Lan ate several bites in succession, feeling quite pleased. But then he heard her thinking anxiously, [Oh no, just one plate of lamb is not nearly enough!]
[Doesn't he eat well enough in his own palace? Why does he have to come and compete for food with others?]
[If he had given some advance notice, I could have asked the kitchen to send more dishes!]
[How annoying!!!]
Yuwen Lan: "???"
This was truly audacious.
