Free Web NovelChapter 249: Chapter 249: What Is It That Your Majesty Wants?
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Emperor Wu Su took the first bite.
The Empress Dowager had no confidence in Ji Qingwu’s cooking.
Every meal in the palace was a meticulously prepared delicacy. This was the first time such a rustic hotchpotch had been placed directly before the Emperor.
Ji Qingwu fixed her gaze on Emperor Wu Su’s face, not daring to blink.
Although she wasn’t very confident in her culinary skills, she still longed to hear a word of praise from him.
But after waiting for what felt like an eternity, she hadn’t heard him say a single word.
Standing behind the Emperor, Li Yuzong noticed that while the Holy Emperor hadn’t said a word, he was now taking several more bites. He lowered his head and exchanged a glance with Fanghua.
’No matter what she does, the Holy Emperor loves it.’
The Empress Dowager had initially been uninterested in the plain-looking dish made from coarse grains, but seeing the Emperor eating with such relish, she had Shixi get her a small portion as well.
The Empress Dowager took a bite, then set down her chopsticks and savored the taste. "The broth is fragrant and rich. This flavor really is quite good."
Ji Qingwu gave the Empress Dowager a perfunctory nod, her eyes still glued to Emperor Wu Su, who had already eaten two corn cakes.
Without a verdict from him, she was itching with anticipation.
Seeing the pitiful way Ji Qingwu was staring so eagerly at the Emperor, the Empress Dowager said, "Your Majesty, let Qingwu sit down and join us."
Emperor Wu Su said, "Sit."
Shixi placed a bowl and chopsticks beside the Emperor, so Ji Qingwu had no choice but to take the seat to Emperor Wu Su’s left.
The Empress Dowager, sitting opposite the two, nodded in satisfaction. ’Her efforts today were not in vain.’
’Not only did I manage to get the Emperor to dine at Cining Palace, but it looks like the meal Ji Qingwu prepared is very much to his liking.’
It had been a long time since the Empress Dowager had eaten such rustic fare, and that first bite had whetted her appetite. She picked up her chopsticks once more.
Ji Qingwu was starving. She picked up a helping of shredded chicken and cucumber and placed it in her small bowl.
Suddenly, her hand trembled, and a sliver of cucumber flicked onto her blouse.
As her eyes followed the path of the falling cucumber, Ji Qingwu stared in disbelief at the large hand that had suddenly appeared on her knee.
Emperor Wu Su asked considerately, "Miss Ji, are your hands trembling from hunger?"
The fabric of her skirt was thin, and the sudden touch of a large hand sent a tingling numbness shooting up from the base of her spine.
The truth was, she had trembled in shock.
She glanced sideways at the owner of this long arm, only to find the Emperor wasn’t even looking at her.
His gaze was fixed on the dishes in front of him, as if contemplating his next bite.
But with the Empress Dowager still at the table, Ji Qingwu couldn’t let anything show. She lowered her head and secretly shot the Emperor a glare.
Then, she pulled a scented handkerchief from her waist and wiped the sauce from the front of her blouse.
Emperor Wu Su caught her sidelong glance and deliberately slid his hand further up her leg, giving her thigh a pinch before finally withdrawing his hand.
Ji Qingwu had to restrain herself so hard she nearly ripped her handkerchief to shreds.
Seeing her tense expression, the Empress Dowager assumed she had lost her composure out of fear of the Emperor.
She said, "Qingwu, dear, don’t be nervous. Go and change your clothes in a moment. For now, let Fanghua serve you your food."
Fanghua moved to obey, but before she could reach the table, Emperor Wu Su condescended to move his own chopsticks, placing a new helping of food in Qingwu’s bowl.
Ji Qingwu stared at the food piled high in her bowl and began to eat sullenly with her head down.
After a couple of bites, she realized something was off—Emperor Wu Su had used his own chopsticks to serve her.
’It wasn’t as if they hadn’t swapped spit in private plenty of times, but this was a different matter entirely.’
When the Empress Dowager saw this, she became even more certain that something had already happened between the two of them. She couldn’t stop herself from beaming.
To give the two of them more space to be alone, the Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I am old and my appetite isn’t what it used to be for you young folk. I have finished eating, so I’ll go for a walk in the garden to aid my digestion."
With that, she led Shixi and Fanghua out of the room.
The Empress Dowager had wanted to dismiss Li Yuzong as well, to clear the room completely, but he was one of the Emperor’s personal attendants from the imperial court, and she had no authority over him.
Once only the three of them were left in the hall, Ji Qingwu picked up her bowl and promptly scooted away from him.
Her lips were glistening, and her eyes, shining even brighter, were fixed on him.
Emperor Wu Su set down his bowl and chopsticks. "Come back and sit here," he said in a low voice.
Ji Qingwu didn’t move, showing no trace of fear. She said accusingly, "Your Majesty, you should be eating your meal. Why did you pinch me?"
Emperor Wu Su said nonchalantly, "My left hand was idle. Besides, you were the one who sat so close to me."
Ji Qingwu said, "This is the Empress Dowager’s palace! If she were to find out, we’d be in serious trouble."
Emperor Wu Su raised an eyebrow. "Trouble? The Empress Dowager would be thrilled if I did something to you. Why else do you think she summoned you to the palace?"
’I can’t out-argue him, and I certainly can’t beat him in a fight.’
’Discretion is the better part of valor.’ Ji Qingwu shoveled a mouthful of rice into her mouth. She’d eat her fill first and deal with him later.
Watching her, Emperor Wu Su couldn’t tell if her cheeks were adorably round from all the food or puffed out in a silent protest.
The corners of Emperor Wu Su’s lips curved upward. He took the strong tea offered by Li Yuzong, rinsed his mouth, and after spitting it out, he asked, "What did you come to the palace for?"
Ji Qingwu’s eyes darted about nervously. Lacking confidence, she said, "I came to the palace to help the Empress Dowager prepare for the Longevity Festival."
"Oh?"
Emperor Wu Su acted as if this were the first he was hearing of it. "So, you’re here to help prepare for *my* Longevity Festival. Have you prepared a gift for me?"
Ji Qingwu had indeed been thinking about what to get him for his birthday ever since she found out when it was.
She asked, "What does Your Majesty want?"
Emperor Wu Su answered bluntly, "For you to come sit over here."
Ji Qingwu pouted. "Your Majesty, be serious."
Emperor Wu Su raised his eyebrows in mock surprise. "How is that not serious? It’s precisely what I want right now."
Seeing the earnest look on her face, he said slowly, "I want many things. Peace throughout the realm, prosperity for the people, favorable weather, fewer natural disasters..."
His first, teasingly spoken wish was a small, personal one.
But this second wish, concerning the very fate of the nation, was far too great. There was nothing she could do to grant it.
She asked, "Isn’t there anything else?"
Emperor Wu Su said, "Actually, there’s only one thing I want most right now."
Ji Qingwu asked quickly, "What is it?"
With a burning gaze, Emperor Wu Su said, "Surely Ah Wu knows, doesn’t she?"
’That look...’ Oh, Ji Qingwu knew. She knew all too well!
’I came to the palace this time fully prepared for this.’
Ji Qingwu stammered, "I... I know."
Emperor Wu Su hadn’t expected her to actually respond. He’d assumed she would fall silent or change the subject, just like she always did.
So he was completely caught off guard by her reply.
Emperor Wu Su almost couldn’t believe his ears. A rare look of confusion crossed his handsome face.
"You know..."
After a moment, the Emperor asked again, bewildered, "What is it that you know?"
She had finally worked up the courage to say it, but instead of the delight she had anticipated, he was doubting her. A surge of indignation rose in her chest.
She looked up at Li Yuzong. "Eunuch Li, could you please step outside for a moment?"
Emperor Wu Su didn’t object, so Li Yuzong slowly made his way out.
’He was dying of curiosity, desperate to hear what on earth Miss Ji was about to say.’
Ji Qingwu planted both hands on the table and stood up, full of imposing momentum.
