Nanli Palace—
The man sat at the head of the table, staring at the few lumps of blackened stuff on the dining table, his thick eyebrows twitching uncontrollably.
He gritted his teeth: “Shouldn’t you explain to me what these things are?”
Behind Wen Qitian knelt a crowd of people. She was covered in grime from head to toe, having wiped her hands across her face, leaving three little paw prints on her already dusty cheeks. Standing there, she looked up, resembling a cat that had just rummaged through a trash bin.
She mumbled softly: “I didn’t know the stove fire was so fierce.”
Nan Leli was probably seeing such a destructive woman for the first time, the veins on his forehead throbbing: “From now on, without my permission, you are not allowed to go to the Imperial Kitchen.”
Wen Qitian put on an innocent face: “This time, it was with Your Majesty’s permission.”
The people from the Imperial Kitchen behind her were trembling with fear, thinking they were done for this time. Unexpectedly, the Emperor paid no attention to them at all, and even more surprisingly, Miss Wen remained unapologetic after causing trouble, showing no regard for the Emperor.
The last person who confronted the Emperor like this was Imperial Tutor Su, who had already been exiled to Jiangnan—and that was despite Imperial Tutor Su having disciples all over the country.
This young girl had no power or influence, so she probably wouldn’t be so lucky…
Sure enough, a loud noise came from above, startling them. Zhu Fugui couldn’t bear to look up.
His Majesty the Emperor slammed the table fiercely: “From now on, I’ll have meals prepared for you. Let’s consider this matter closed, and don’t bring it up again, or I’ll have your head.”
If he had known she would turn the food into this state, would he have dared to let her go to the Imperial Kitchen?
Everyone: “…”
That’s it?
“But…” Wen Qitian said reluctantly, “I want to try a few more dishes.”
Nan Leli couldn’t take it anymore: “You call this food? What is this?”
He pointed at a strangely shaped long strip on the table, black with a faint hint of deep red.
Wen Qitian: “…It seems to be braised carp.”
“…”
“And this?” Nan Leli shifted his finger to a dark green lump.
“I remember this one.” Wen Qitian’s eyes lit up: “This is chestnut cake.”
Zhu Fugui behind her whispered a reminder: “Miss, this is mung bean cake…”
Wen Qitian: “…”
The young girl began to withdraw into herself, standing there with her head down, fiddling with her fingers and staring at her toes, refusing to look at the man’s face, which was darker than the braised carp.
Just then, a rumbling sound came from her stomach. She coughed awkwardly—she hadn’t eaten breakfast yet…
Nan Leli rubbed his temples; he was also a bit hungry.
“All of you, leave. Clean up the Imperial Kitchen, then go to the small kitchen next to Nanli Palace and prepare a few dishes to bring up.”
Zhu Fugui and the others breathed a sigh of relief and quickly withdrew from the scene. For some reason, in such an environment, although they were a bit frightened, they mostly felt rather full…
Then, they left so quickly that the little tail behind them followed somewhat abruptly, only realizing it afterward.
Nan Leli lightly tapped the table with his fingertips, his tone sinister: “Wen Qitian, where do you think you’re going?”
Wen Qitian: “…”
The Imperial Kitchen had experienced a fire, but fortunately, it was extished in time, and the losses weren’t severe. After cleaning up, it could be used again in a few days. Zhu Fugui only took a small team of chefs to the kitchen at Nanli Palace, leaving the rest to clean up the Imperial Kitchen.
During this time, someone whispered: “What do you think that girl’s background is? She doesn’t seem ordinary at all. Could she be… someone the Emperor fancies?”
“Shh~ The Emperor will have three thousand beauties in the future, how could he truly love just one woman? It must be temporary favor.”
“It seems our harem will soon have its mistresses.”
“How dare you discuss such matters? Get back to work!”
Zhu Fugui spoke up to stop them, while also noticing the look of fear on a young eunuch’s face in the corner. He paused and comforted, “Don’t worry, Xiao Jinzi. That girl doesn’t seem like the type to hold grudges. She won’t come looking for trouble.”
Xiao Jinzi gritted his teeth. “Of course she won’t come looking for trouble. I was only thinking of His Majesty’s safety. Who told her not to speak up directly and instead made a fool out of me?”
Zhu Fugui frowned. “Watch your words!”
Today’s events in the palace were neither major nor minor, but they still stirred waves within the palace walls. They couldn’t spread the news outside, but inside, they could discuss it quietly.
Now the entire palace knew that His Majesty had a young beauty by his side.
The Emperor doted on that girl immensely. He didn’t even hold the Imperial Kitchen accountable for burning the food, and instead had her served with the finest delicacies.
All the servants were on high alert, fearing that if they accidentally offended her, they might be dragged out by His Majesty and skinned alive.
At night, candles were lit as usual in the side hall. Wen Qitian, dressed in white inner garments, held an illustrated book in her hands and squinted her eyes. “Why give me something like this?”
Could it be that man who ordered it?
Didn’t we just agree during the day that I’d help treat his illness and act as a mascot the rest of the time?
Does he have some improper intentions?
Bai Zhi and Yue E, the two maidservants attending to her, exchanged glances. Bai Zhi winked and said, “This was sent by the palace matron. The matron is old and has served many mistresses, so she has plenty of experience. His Majesty has never had a woman before, so naturally, he might not consider your feelings in certain matters. The matron said some positions can lessen the pain. You should study it.”
Wen Qitian: “…Are you misunderstanding something?”
Bai Zhi and Yue E looked at each other, shaking their heads in confusion. “What do you mean, Miss?”
Wen Qitian thought for a moment, then suddenly curled her lips into an “innocent” smile. “I’m afraid I’ll disappoint you. Your Emperor is still a—virgin!”
Bai Zhi & Yue E: “…”
“Wen! Qi! Tian!”
A furious roar erupted as Nan Leli stormed into the side hall, nearly shouting himself hoarse. He could hardly believe that the timid little girl who acted like a mouse in front of him would dare call him a… virgin behind his back.
The dim candlelight in the hall hid the unnatural flush at the roots of his ears. The two maidservants were terrified out of their wits, while the culprit innocently looked up. “Your Majesty, what are you angry about? I was just studying a cookbook. There’s a dish in it called ‘virgin chicken.'”
The dragon’s roar came to an abrupt halt.
Nan Leli strode past Bai Zhi and the others in two or three steps, stopping beside Wen Qitian. He glanced at her awkwardly, suspicion in his eyes. “Really?”
His fury rapidly subsided, only to surge again when his gaze fell on her hands.
“Wen Qitian!”
Wen Qitian lowered her eyes. The palace booklet was exquisitely illustrated, with vivid and immersive scenes. Two small figures were depicted intertwined, the woman on top and the man below. The woman’s long hair cascaded, covering the key areas, leaving just enough to the imagination to make one blush.
With little sincerity, she closed the book and blinked. “Oops, caught red-handed.”
Nan Leli: “…”
Furious, he turned to leave.
But as he reached the doorway, he felt something was off.
The entire palace was his. Why should he be the one to leave?
With a flick of his sleeve, he returned, snatched the picture book, and threw it to Yue E, accompanied by a cold glare: “If you show her such disgusting nonsense again, you won’t need your heads anymore. Now get out.”
Yue E trembled, pulling along Bai Zhi, who was already stunned.
“Your servant takes her leave.”
Having dealt with the eyesores, Nan Leli warned Wen Qitian: “Don’t get any ideas. I have no interest in that disgusting business. Your duty is to help relieve my headaches, and I will naturally ensure you have food and clothing. If this happens again, you won’t be spared… Why are you crying? Weren’t you quite bold just now?”
In this lifetime, she was the first to dare call him a virgin.
They say only those who care pay attention. Could it be…
Nan Leli narrowed his hawk-like eyes, about to issue another warning, when the little girl, tears streaming down her face, suddenly threw herself into his arms and slapped him.
“Wah wah wah, Your Majesty, you’re truly too kind. My own father doesn’t care whether I live or die, yet you’re willing to provide for me. I can never repay you in this lifetime, except by slapping you a few more times to help ease your worries.”
Nan Leli’s legs went weak, nearly causing him to stumble headfirst as he had on the first night. Gritting his teeth, he peeled her off him.
“From now on, you are not allowed to suddenly hit me.”
“Okay!”
Wen Qitian wiped away her crocodile tears, which were ready to dry at any moment, and tried her best to appear obedient and sensible, successfully causing the tyrant emperor’s darkening value to plummet to 98% before she triumphantly withdrew.
They agreed that before sleeping, Wen Qitian would hit him once to relieve his headache, allowing him to rest peacefully.
After all the commotion, the emperor had clearly forgotten to pursue the “virgin” incident. It wasn’t until he returned to the Dragon Bedchamber late at night and lay in bed that it dawned on him.
He had been a tyrant for many years, with a vengeful temperament. Having suffered so many setbacks today, if he didn’t get even, he wouldn’t be able to sleep even without a headache.
Nan Leli threw off the covers, his face dark, and strode out. The night watch servants were startled: “Your Majesty? What are you—”
“Silence!”
Without looking back, he passed them and entered the neighboring room.
The poor maids and eunuchs watched helplessly as their emperor once again barged into the room in the middle of the night. Then, they didn’t know what happened inside, but after a series of clattering noises, everything fell silent.
They exchanged glances. Could the emperor have beaten the young lady in the middle of the night?
Everyone kept watch with trepidation until the next day at mao hour, when they saw the emperor stride out, head held high and spirits lifted, looking remarkably refreshed. For a moment, they grew even more worried about the young lady.
Although their interaction had been brief, who wouldn’t adore a lovely, delicate, and obedient little beauty?
Before their shift ended, they specifically reminded Bai Zhi and Yue E, who were taking over: “His Majesty came to the side hall last night and didn’t leave until just now, after a whole night of commotion. Quickly heat some water and prepare to attend to your mistress for washing up.”
Bai Zhi was horrified: “Heavens, could it be that yesterday…”
Yue E remained calmer: “Don’t jump to conclusions. Let’s wait until the young lady wakes up.”
They waited for another hour, and Bai Zhi grew anxious.
“Yue E, could something really be wrong? Let’s go check.”
Yue E was also uncertain. After hesitating for a while, she and Bai Zhi pushed the door open and entered…
Outside, the sky was bright, but inside, it was eerily quiet, with a strange atmosphere spreading.
A frail figure lay buried under the covers, unmoving. Sensing something amiss, Yue E reached out to check for breath. A warm exhale brushed her fingertips, and she sighed in relief before frowning: “The young lady seems ill. You go fetch the imperial physician, and I’ll inform His Majesty.”
At this hour, Nan Leli had already been dismissed from court, with some memorials still awaiting his review. A heavy snowfall in the morning had left the paths uncleared. As he rode in the imperial dragon carriage toward Junlin Palace, his thoughts drifted inexplicably to the previous night.
That heartless girl was nearly asleep when he arrived. She seemed deeply insecure, startling awake from her dreams as he approached the bed and reflexively slapping him again.
Drawing from his previous experience, he dodged swiftly, only to find the floor unexpectedly slippery. He nearly lost his balance but managed to flip with his martial arts training and then… tumbled onto the bed.
“Your Majesty, this humble servant greets Your Majesty. Your Majesty, something terrible has happened—the young lady has fallen ill.”
“How dare you block the imperial dragon carriage! Guards, seize her!” The escorting guards instantly surrounded Yue E.
Yue E knelt on the ground, kowtowing. “Your Majesty, spare me! It’s Miss Wen who is ill. I dared not act without permission and beg Your Majesty to decide.”
The man’s thoughts were abruptly cut off, and his previously relaxed posture straightened instantly.
“Ill?” Wasn’t she lively and energetic just last night?
[Author’s Note]
Guess what childish mischief the little broken lord has done?