The steaming beef noodles were served.
Before entering the inner chamber, the spicy aroma rushed out.
Zhao Junyao, usually calm and elegant, couldnât help but sneeze twice.
"So spicy?" He found it hard to imagine.
If itâs spicy just by smell, what about in the stomach?
Xia Ruqing quickly climbed up, pleasingly handed him a handkerchief.
"Emperor, if itâs not spicy, it doesnât go with the meal!"
"I didnât really like this before, but now... your daughter loves it!"
She was a bit worried Zhao Junyao would forbid her from eating, so she quickly used their daughter as a shield.
Zhao Junyao looked at her belly with suspicion and asked.
"Are you sure she loves it, not you?"
Xia Ruqing brazenly nodded quickly.
"Iâm sure!"
Zhao Junyao: "..."
Twitching his mouth.
Seeing her going all out for a bowl of noodles, handing handkerchiefs and being brazen, it wasnât easy.
So it wasnât good to refuse further.
But in the end, he was a bit worried, was it really okay to eat like this?
As he was worrying.
Over there, Xia Ruqing already, while he wasnât paying attention, merrily pulled the big bowl in front of herself.
Ignoring her image, she started eating.
The way she gobbled it down truly left him dumbfounded.
Being Emperor for so long, having quite a few concubines.
But heâd never seen any woman like her, so... disregarding image.
Though she never had much image before, she never gobbled like this.
If one didnât know, theyâd think he had wronged her so much, as if he hadnât even fed her properly.
"Qingqing..."
Zhao Junyao hesitated several times to speak.
Xia Ruqing occasionally looked up at him.
"Emperor, you should eat too, this noodle is really tasty!"
The kitchen maid used some unknown method, braising the beef to be soft, juicy.
The broth was simmered with beef bones, fragrant, the noodles were handmade, added with salt and eggs, aromatic and tasty.
Though just a simple bowl of beef noodles.
But this flavor was truly superb.
It was quite different from modern small restaurant fast meals made in minutes.
Of course, maybe it was due to her unique pregnancy taste.
Anyway, she slurped it up, and the bowl was quickly empty.
After eating the noodles, still feeling a bit unsatisfied.
She simply held the bowl and drank the broth clean.
Finally putting down the empty bowl, Xia Ruqing rubbed her belly contentedly.
Her face was full of the satisfied glow from tasting the food.
The whole process only took less than fifteen minutes.
Zhao Junyao had already watched with amazement.
âWhat is... this situation?â
âThis is too unusual!â
âNever seen her like this before.â
"Qingqing..."
He called her once more.
Xia Ruqing finally reacted.
"Hmm? Emperor?"
She looked at the untouched, non-spicy beef noodles in front of him.
Somewhat surprised.
"Emperor, why havenât you eaten a bite!"
"Is the noodle not delicious?"
"Didnât you say you would eat with me?"
Zhao Junyao: "Uh..."
"Qingqing, werenât you eating for me to watch? I was watching you just now!"
So he didnât eat!
Surely canât say he had never seen such... âunrestrainedâ eating from a woman, really lucky he found such a perfect reason.
Secretly wiping sweat...
Xia Ruqing burped, satisfied, waving her hand.
"Emperor, you should eat quickly, make sure to eat it while hot!"
"This noodle tastes really good, I want to eat it again at noon!"
Zhao Junyao: "..."
He didnât really know what to say.
He lowered his head to look at the noodles, then slowly tasted a small bite.
Hmm...
The taste was indeed not bad.
But not that exaggerated!.
Just tasted, Xia Ruqing then leaned over and asked.
"Delicious, right?!"
Zhao Junyao hesitated for a moment but still nodded.
However, he had already made up his mind.
In the afternoon, he will surely call the Imperial Physician to ask.
How did a normal person turn out like this after going out?
How had she spent these two months?!
Xia Ruqing didnât think so much.
Urging the Emperor to eat faster, she climbed back onto the bed.
Before saying a few words, she fell asleep again.
In her dream, she was still smacking her lips.
Zhao Junyao watched, dumbfounded, she was indeed able to eat and sleep well!
What was... she eating in her dreams?!
Helplessly shaking his head with a smile, he lowered his head to finish eating the noodles in the bowl.
Zhao Junyao then stood up.
Tucked her in, called people to come in and take care of her, and left himself.
Lunch was taken in Zhaochen Palace.
Only a little over an hour since breakfast, he wasnât hungry.
Symbolically ate a bit, then took a nap.
Afternoon came, the first thing was to summon the accompanying Imperial Physician from the Summer Resort.
This time, they brought along three Imperial Physicians.
One older and more experienced, and two young but highly skilled.
The three seemed to be prepared for the Emperorâs summons.
As they entered, they knelt and saluted.
Zhao Junyao didnât let them rise.
He supported his forehead with one hand, his brow slightly furrowed, looking rather troubled.
Gave them a few cool glances, then said blandly.
"Report Noble Consortâs pulse record of the past two months to me in detail!"
All three Imperial Physicians respectfully agreed.
The older one began to speak.
"Reporting to Emperor, Noble Consort at the Summer Resort for the past two months, checked Peaceful Pulse every two days!"
"Except for some morning sickness during the first half month, in the remaining two months, Noble Consortâs fetal condition is stable, her health is good, no issues!"
The two young Imperial Physicians on each side followed up, their results were similar, all showed stable pulse and good health.
Zhao Junyao finished listening and frowned.
"You all... rotated taking the pulse?"
"Yes!"
The three Imperial Physicians nodded in agreement!
Because Noble Consortâs status is highly respected, to prevent any mishaps, the pulse records couldnât solely be handled by one physician.
They all took turns checking to prevent any misconduct.
Zhao Junyao nodded after listening and then asked.
"Then... you all know Noble Consort loves spicy food?"
"Yes!"
Three Imperial Physicians replied in unison.
After speaking, silence fell in the room.
Zhao Junyao waited for their explanation.
And they waited for the Emperorâs next instructions, not intending to explain further.
Thus the impasse between the Emperor and ministers.
Finally, the older Imperial Physician realized and hurriedly explained.
"Emperor!"
"During pregnancy, every woman more or less has some preferences!"
"For instance, cravings for sour or spicy, are all possible!"
"As long as there are no adverse physical reactions, generally thereâs no need for excessive intervention!"
In other words.
A personâs taste sometimes determines what their body lacks?!
Craving spicy indicates a need for that taste.
Forcing prevention would only lead to poor appetite and weakness, which isnât necessary.
Letting her eat freely not only opens her appetite but also improves her mood greatly.
This actually benefits fetal nurturing more.
The Imperial Physicianâs detailed explanation finally dispelled the Emperorâs doubts.