Chapter 34 - 33: Charcoal-grilled Lamb Skewers

While thinking, he left Zhaochen Palace. "Ah..." Li Shengan responded, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and hurried to catch up. ... 「Zhaohua Pavilion」 The mutton had been sliced and marinated. Xiao Xizi grabbed a handful of chopsticks and was whittling bamboo skewers. Zi Yue, following her master’s instructions, was starting up the charcoal brazier again. "The previous one was a bit dirty, not suitable for cooking with!" As soon as she finished speaking, a loud call came from outside. "The Emperor has arrived..." Xia Ruqing hadn’t even reacted before Zhao Junyao had entered. After a round of formal greetings, Zhao Junyao sat down. "Emperor... Your Majesty... what brings you here?" Xia Ruqing felt a little guilty as she personally stepped forward to offer tea. Zhao Junyao took the tea, said nothing, and just watched everyone inside the room bustling about energetically. He felt a bit awkward, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly. "I... was just passing by..." Xia Ruqing: "..." Li Shengan: "..." The air suddenly became awkward. Xia Ruqing’s inner thoughts: Why did the Emperor come? Even if he wanted to... get intimate, he should at least turn over my nameplate first! So it’s probably not for that! Then what is it? Zhao Junyao’s inner thoughts: I am so hungry! I heard she was going to eat raw meat, but I didn’t think she’d be that foolish. There must be some new delicacy she’s trying! Now it seems I was right in my guess! But mutton has a strong smell! I used to dislike it because of the odor, so the Imperial Kitchen dared not prepare it. The girl doesn’t seem brave enough. I wonder if she would dare to offer it to me! I really want to try it! The food she makes is so delicious! Both were rich in their internal worlds, but as for the real world... Zhao Junyao was drinking his tea leisurely. Xia Ruqing stood by his side, not daring to speak. She couldn’t figure out why the Emperor had come, but another thought struck her. Mutton has a strong smell... are we still making the charcoal-grilled lamb skewers? Everything was prepared and the Emperor had seen it. What was she to do! "Emperor... Have... Have you had your meal?" she asked tentatively. She meant to show concern, but as soon as she said it, Xia Ruqing instantly regretted it. Isn’t that a pointless question? It’s already so late. In this world, anyone might starve, but surely not the Emperor! Zhao Junyao’s inner thoughts: I am indeed starving... Li Shengan stood to the side, starting to understand the Emperor’s intentions. But he dared not speak out, only silently shooting Xia Ruqing meaningful glances. Xia Ruqing saw them, and so did Zhao Junyao. Zhao Junyao thought: Eunuch Li, that fool, has finally gotten it right for once! Good, I... am very satisfied! Xia Ruqing glanced at Li Shengan, then sneakily stole a couple of looks at Zhao Junyao. Huh? Is he smiling? In an instant... what else was there not to understand? At that moment, she went forward and knelt halfway. "Emperor, I haven’t eaten yet and have been hungry for half a day. Everything is ready..." After speaking, she looked at him with pitiful eyes. Zhao Junyao finally set down the teacup he had nearly drained, cleared his throat lightly, and waved his hand. "Go ahead!" It was like being granted amnesty. "Thank you, Emperor!" Just as she was about to leave, Xia Ruqing thought for a moment and added, "I’m going to make some charcoal-roasted lamb. Would Your Majesty like to try some?" Zhao Junyao was "hesitating." "Your Majesty, after you finish, you can wash and bathe! The smell can be washed off, and no outsider will know!" "It’s really delicious, please have a taste." Encouraged by Li Shengan’s hint, she boldly "softened and cajoled." In the end, Zhao Junyao did not say yes, nor did he decline. Xia Ruqing "made" the decision for him: "That settles it then. Xiao Xizi, please ask Eunuch Li to go to the side room for tea and pastries..." Li Shengan smiled, gave a respectful bow, and withdrew. In his heart, he couldn’t help but praise: Lady Xia truly understands the ways of the world! No wonder she remains in the Emperor’s thoughts! In this palace, if the Emperor thinks of you, even with just a little favor, your days won’t be tough... Xia Ruqing had Zi Yue move the charcoal stove to the side of the heated brick bed. On the small kang table, there was a pot of stewed lamb soup, skewers of sliced lamb ready to be roasted, pear soup, sesame cakes, and a few delicately prepared side dishes. Xia Ruqing also had the fruit brought by Little Zhuzi washed and placed in a white porcelain bowl. It looked quite nice, and the small kang table was packed full. Zhao Junyao’s stomach began to protest uncontrollably. On the surface, he lived a life of luxury and abundance, but in reality, he had not tasted many truly delicious foods. So, when Xia Ruqing presented him with a skewer of sizzling, fatty lamb, he wanted to refuse but instinctively took it. "This..." Zhao Junyao was somewhat troubled. How should I eat it? Biting into it directly seems somewhat inelegant! Zi Yue discreetly left, leaving only the Emperor and the Honored Lady alone in the warm pavilion. Because they were alone, Xia Ruqing loosened up a bit and smiled, "Your Majesty, you should eat it like this!" With that, she picked up a skewer and bit into it, chewing heartily. Although it was indeed a bit inelegant, it looked so satisfying to watch, and Zhao Junyao didn’t think much more about it. He also took a bite. Though he didn’t devour it greedily, he was much more relaxed. "What do you think, Your Majesty? Isn’t it delicious?" Xia Ruqing looked at him with anticipation. Zhao Junyao savored it carefully. The lamb was roasted to a perfect crisp on the outside and tender on the inside; it was rich but not greasy, very flavorful, with a hint of spiciness and a slight numbing sensation on the tip of his tongue. This very flavor perfectly whetted his appetite. Xia Ruqing devoured the skewers with gusto. In my past life, it was precisely this kind of flavor that swept away a day’s fatigue, making me feel that the day’s busyness was worthwhile! She thought, The Emperor has had a tiring day; he must surely enjoy this too! Who wouldn’t want to have some delicious food after a long day? The Emperor is only human too! Xia Ruqing didn’t mock him but gently guided him, and Zhao Junyao gradually let himself go. There were no Civil and Military Officials here, no messy rules, just delicious food. Outside, the cold wind howled. Inside the room, the two of them sat by the small charcoal stove, roasting and eating meat. Zhao Junyao grew increasingly carefree and, eventually, even started to thread meat onto skewers and roast it himself. "Is it cooked yet?" he asked, holding up a skewer with a stiff motion, afraid to move. Xia Ruqing, with her bare feet on the kang, took a glance and replied. "It’s not ready! Keep roasting!" She commanded boldly, no longer afraid. "Oh..." Zhao Junyao continued to hold the pose, his expression serious. At that moment, Xia Ruqing felt that the Emperor was nothing more than an ordinary big boy. Even though... he has quite a few concubines, he isn’t unlikable! Being with him is quite enjoyable, and that’s enough for me. I don’t want to think about the rest; thinking about it is pointless... Just as her thoughts returned to the present, she saw Zhao Junyao holding up a burnt skewer, his face dark. One side of the skewer was charred, while the other was still raw. Zhao Junyao just held it there, not daring to move. The scene looked increasingly comical. "HAHAHA... Your Majesty, you..." Zhao Junyao felt he had lost face. He had been trying to suppress his laughter, wanting to appear solemn. But then he couldn’t help but laugh as well. "Your Majesty, you manage the great affairs of the state. These little things, I can take care of. Please, just eat more!"