Shortly after, Zhao Mama brought a slender stick and handed it to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager weighed it and found it unsatisfactory, so she asked Zhao Mama to bring a thicker one.
Zhao Mama turned around to fetch the requested stick and apologetically glanced at Qin Zhao.
Qin Zhao gestured to her that it was alright.
After receiving the newly fetched thick stick, the Empress Dowager walked up to Qin Zhao.
She raised her hand and swung the stick, landing a solid hit on Qin Zhao!
The Empress Dowager's face changed slightly, and she immediately swung the second stick!
This time, Qin Zhao managed to dodge it.
"Hmph, you know how to dodge. The Dowager thought you were old and foolish, not even knowing how to avoid being hit," she said.
Qin Zhao replied, "Grandmother, I willingly took the first hit because I disrespected you by not following your advice and leaving. I deserved to be punished. But after this one hit, no matter what, I won't leave until I achieve my goal!"
The Empress Dowager put down the stick and returned to her throne, her expression calm. "Is that so? Tell me what's going on," she said.
Qin Zhao smiled and lifted the corners of his mouth. "I have prepared a special dessert for the Grand Empress Dowager, guaranteed to be a delicious taste you have never experienced before!"
Qin Zhao placed a food box on the table, opened the lid, and presented the chilled pudding.
Carefully, he handed it to the Empress Dowager and said, "Please enjoy, Grandmother."
The Empress Dowager reached out her hand, and Qin Zhao thought she was going to take it, but instead, she directly knocked the plate over!
Qin Zhao looked at the scattered pudding and broken plate on the floor and muttered, "Grandmother, you've gone too far. It's not good for the floor."
The Empress Dowager remained silent for a moment and then said, "Can you leave now?"
Little did she know, Qin Zhao spoke with a playful grin, "I have prepared a lot. If the Grand Empress Dowager likes smashing plates, then let's smash enough before eating. Anyway, even though this Lily Caramel Pudding has beauty and skincare benefits, it won't show immediate effects. In the future, I will bring it to the Jingning Palace whenever I have the time."
Upon hearing the words "beauty and skincare," a glimmer flashed in the Empress Dowager's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.
She said, "I'm nearly seventy years old. How could I still care about beauty? Don't think about such things. Instead, think about how to survive in the power struggle among the princes."
Qin Zhao chuckled, "So the Grand Empress Dowager cares about me that much! I'm honored."
The Empress Dowager picked up the book again and said, "You are all my grandchildren, and I treat you equally. That's all I have to say. You may leave now."
Smack, smack!
In the spacious palace, the sound of eating suddenly echoed!
Qin Zhao and the Empress Dowager simultaneously turned their heads towards the source of the sound and saw a servant girl enjoying the fallen pudding on the floor!
The Empress Dowager couldn't sit still anymore. She threw away the book and stood up to check on Mimi's situation in excitement.
Speaking incoherently, she said, "Mimi, Mimi is eating!"
Qin Zhao couldn't help but laugh and thought, could it be that the biggest similarity between ancient people and modern people is their love for cats?
Look at the Empress Dowager, who no longer had her previous aloof demeanor.
Her trembling expression and cautious movements revealed her affection and infatuation for the little cat.
In her heart, her own granddaughter probably didn't even measure up to a single strand of the cat's fur!
The Empress Dowager was worried that the fragments of the porcelain plate would cut the little kitten's mouth, so she carefully picked them out.
She performed the task delicately, trying not to disturb the kitten while it was eating.
Qin Zhao squatted down and helped her pick the fragments, saying, "Grand Empress Dowager, please rest. Let your grandson handle this."
The Empress Dowager refused, even pushing Qin Zhao's hand away and saying, "How dare you compete with me for the duty of serving the pampered pet?"
Qin Zhao tactfully leaned back and said, "Grandson would never dare!"
He then stood up and let the Empress Dowager continue with her work.
After the little kitten finished eating, the Empress Dowager sat back in her original position and said, "Bring the snacks you brought and let me taste them."
Qin Zhao's lips curved slightly, and he silently sighed, "This is what they call a twist of fate, when things seem impossible, a new opportunity arises!"
The Empress Dowager took the lily caramel pudding and tasted it slowly, mouthful after mouthful, without stopping.
Qin Zhao had keen insight and placed the food box by her side.
The Empress Dowager ate three in a row before stopping.
Seeing the change in Qin Zhao's expression, she asked, "Whose masterpiece is this? Can you lend the person to me for a while?"
Qin Zhao pointed to himself and said, "The lily caramel pudding is the creation of this chef."
"Hahaha." The Empress Dowager laughed out loud. "You, your audacity has grown. You dare to deceive me."
Qin Zhao didn't defend himself but explained in detail the process of making the lily caramel pudding to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager listened attentively, her eyes widening.
"Grand Empress Dowager, you can send someone to inquire if you wish. In this world, besides your grandson, who else can create such a delicious dish? I'm not boasting; it's my unique skill!"
The Empress Dowager stared at Qin Zhao for a while and reluctantly believed her words.
She asked, "So, you're saying this dish has beauty-enhancing and rejuvenating effects. Is that true?"
"Yes, Grand Empress Dowager. If you eat it every day, you will see the results within ten days."
Finally, a genuine smile appeared on the Empress Dowager's face, and she said, "Very well, from now on, you shall bring it to me daily, this lily..."
"The lily caramel pudding."
"Yes, that's it."
However, Qin Zhao said, "This lily caramel pudding is not an ordinary dish. Each time I make it, it requires a great deal of effort and expense. If the Grand Empress Dowager wishes to enjoy it every day, please agree to a condition of mine first. Only then will I have the motivation to make it every day."
Since the appearance of Qin Zhao, the Empress Dowager knew that she had a purpose in mind. It was not surprising to hear such words.
"Go ahead, tell me," she said.
Qin Zhao knelt down and said, "Please, Grand Empress Dowager, attend this year's Longevity Festival!"
The Empress Dowager's eyes suddenly became sharp, and she said, "Who told you to come and talk to me about this!"
Qin Zhao withstood the pressure and truthfully replied, "It was Father Emperor. He misses you and hopes to see you again, dressed in magnificent attire. And most importantly, the Longevity Festival holds great significance for both you and Father Emperor. He wishes to attend it with you."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager sighed and said, "You can go back for now. I will consider it."
At this point, further pressuring the Empress Dowager to agree would be futile.
After Qin Zhao paid his respects, he turned and left.
As he reached the door, he heard the Empress Dowager calling out, "Zhao Yang, remember to bring me that pudding every day!"
A faint smile curved Qin Zhao's lips as she replied loudly, "Understood!"
At present, it seemed that half of the mission had been accomplished, and they only had to wait for the day of the Longevity Festival to see the outcome.
Zhao Mama expressed her gratitude to Qin Zhao and saw her off at the palace gate.
Qin Zhao boarded the carriage, with Han and Shen Xue following closely behind.
Qin Zhao lifted the curtain of the carriage to catch a breath of fresh air and saw the bustling activity of people coming and going inside the palace. It was evident that they were busy preparing for the Longevity Festival.
However, amidst it all, she spotted a familiar figure!
Qi Yan Su Luo, accompanied by a dozen other women, was being led by four eunuchs towards the Imperial Garden.
Doubts lingered in Qin Zhao's heart. Why would Qi Yan Su Luo appear in the palace?
