Chapter 995: Where Did All the Meat Go?

"If your eyesight isn’t good, you might not even see it!" Zi Su said, her eyes shining.

"Really? Such an incredible skill!"

Xia Ruqing sighed sincerely.

She still couldn’t quite believe that this thing, which looked like it was made of semi-transparent glass, was actually embroidered.

So she cautiously reached out and touched it; it was indeed silky smooth and elastic.

"It really is embroidered with silk threads!"

"With threads so fine, I guess it must have taken years to finish!"

Zi Su quickly corrected her.

"More than just a few years?"

"A friend of mine works in the Embroidery Workshop, and she said this screen of Fish Playing with Lotus Leaves took a full eleven years for ten embroideresses to complete!"

"The hardships of the process need not be mentioned!"

"And this silk isn’t ordinary silk; it’s a kind of Ice Silk from the Western Regions’ Tianshan Mountain!"

"Only the threads produced by this type of silkworm can achieve such a transparent, watery texture!"

"Moreover, this screen was a tribute from Jiangnan; there wasn’t one before, and there won’t be another one after, only this one!"

No wonder Zi Su knew so much.

Whenever a rare treasure emerges in the embroideress circle, everyone praises it.

It was passed on from one person to ten, from ten to a hundred, until everyone knew.

"Madam, you truly have an eye for beauty!"

"The Emperor gave you such an embroidered piece, showing his deep affection for you!"

Zi Su became more and more proud as she spoke, a hint of pride in her tone.

Following the right master, they had a bright future!

Now, the entire harem had to consider Duanning Palace’s stance before taking any action.

And it was expected that this state of affairs would continue indefinitely!

Thinking about it, there was much to look forward to!

Xia Ruqing didn’t think too much about it.

After hearing this, she was dumbfounded.

"I..."

"How about I not display it, after all!"

"The current screen of Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum is quite nice too!"

Sometimes it’s hard to understand the ancients.

These screens were meant for display.

Isn’t it enough that it’s beautiful?

If you want something transparent, why not just use glass?

Why go through the trouble of getting Ice Silk from Tianshan Mountain?

And then spend over ten years making this thing.

No matter how precious it is, it’s still just a screen!

"Why?" Zi Su didn’t quite understand.

"Madam, displaying such a valuable piece would bring much prestige!"

Xia Ruqing couldn’t help laughing.

"This is my private chamber, others can’t come in to see it anyway, as long as I’m comfortable, that’s what matters!"

"Besides, since when do I need it to show my prestige!"

Zi Su wanted to say more but was pulled aside by Zi Yue.

"Madam, if you don’t like it, we can have it taken away!"

Xia Ruqing nodded.

"Go ahead!"

"Be careful not to bump it!"

It’s the result of someone’s hard work.

Some embroideresses might only create one or two such pieces in a lifetime.

If I display it in my private chamber, I’d have to take care of it carefully.

If it gets damaged, I’d feel guilty.

So forget it, let it gather dust in the storeroom!

The screen was taken away.

Xia Ruqing, feeling a bit aimless, read a book for a while.

As noon approached, the sky suddenly darkened, and Xia Ruqing looked out the window.

"Is it going to snow?"

Since entering the twelfth lunar month, the weather had been fine, without a single snowfall.

Zi Yue was about to reply when they heard the announcement from outside.

"The Emperor has arrived!"

Upon hearing this, the master and servants immediately stood up to greet him.

"We pay our respects to the Emperor!"

Zhao Junyao entered without even removing his cloak and hoisted her up.

"Qingqing, from now on, no need to perform formalities when you see me!"

While helping him untie his cloak embroidered with golden dragons, Xia Ruqing laughed.

"The servants are around, I can’t lead them into breaking the rules, can I?"

Zhao Junyao affectionately pinched her cheek and led her into the inner chamber.

"What’s for lunch today? It’s about to snow outside, and I’m starving!"

"What would you like to eat, Your Majesty?"

Xia Ruqing asked with a smile.

"Snowfall is a good thing. If we get more snow this year, it will be better for the common people next year!"

It’s good for the crops; a bountiful harvest follows a timely snow.

Zhao Junyao thought for a moment.

"Let’s have something spicy!"

"I’ve finished approving the memorials; I won’t be leaving this afternoon!"

Xia Ruqing chuckled.

"Are you hinting you want a hot pot, Your Majesty?"

Hot pots are spicy, and the longer you eat, the better they taste, perfect for this kind of weather!

However...

"Your Majesty, I don’t want it!"

"Why?" Zhao Junyao was puzzled.

"Weren’t you always fond of it?"

Xia Ruqing explained.

"I used to love it, but since giving birth to Yue Er, I haven’t had spicy food much!"

"Perhaps when I was carrying her, I ate all the spicy food I could in this lifetime!"

"Now, I just don’t crave it as much."

Zhao Junyao pondered.

"If you don’t want to eat it, we won’t. Just have whatever else you’d like!"

After all, he only wanted to please his wife.

As for himself, he’d eat anything without complaint!

"I want braised lamb! The most tender lamb!"

"Cooked until it’s soft and tender!"

"The soup should turn white, add some chopped green onion, minced garlic, drizzle some sesame oil, and bake a scallion pancake..."

She started salivating just talking about it.

Zhao Junyao couldn’t help but laugh.

"You, of all people!"

"Isn’t this ordinary food?"

Xia Ruqing raised an eyebrow.

"So what?"

"I come from an ordinary family, so what, are you embarrassed?"

Zhao Junyao was rendered speechless by her sharp retort.

"Alright, alright, I’ll go along with you!"

"That’s more like it!"

Xia Ruqing felt pleased.

Since becoming the main wife, her mindset had completely changed.

She used to be cautious.

But now, she finally felt like the rightful madam.

In her eyes, he was not the Emperor but a husband from an ordinary family.

So she dared to love, dare to hate, dare to speak back, and dare to act spoiled.

And Zhao Junyao liked her just like this.

She wasn’t blindly obedient; she had spirit and a sense of independence, a vibrant woman full of life!

Watching her laugh and play around him.

He felt his heart swell, filled to the brim.

So full that there was no room for anyone else!

...

Lunch was served.

Apart from her beloved lamb stew and scallion pancakes, there were other exquisite dishes.

After all, she was also the Empress.

The meals had to be properly arranged and presentable.

But she was particular, refusing to allow any dish she didn’t like to be served.

The small table had only braised lamb and a few appetizing side dishes.

To keep the lamb warm, she specifically used a small charcoal stove,

and the lamb in the pot bubbled and simmered, its aroma filling the air!

"Your Majesty, please try this!"

She placed a piece of lamb rib into Zhao Junyao’s bowl.

He smiled.

"You go ahead, don’t mind me!"

Seeing her mouth watering like a little glutton, he couldn’t bear to stop her!

"Hehehe, then I won’t be polite!"

With that, she began to enjoy the meal heartily.

Zhao Junyao: "..."

"Slow down, no one’s going to take it from you!"

His eyes fell on her slender shoulders.

"You’ve been eating diligently for so long, where did all the meat go?!"