Those bestowed with the title “Li” (Beautiful) were all exceptional beauties. In the original story, Li Fei was not only stunningly beautiful but also skilled in culinary arts and came from a prestigious family. Unfortunately, she was merely a cannon fodder character with limited screen time. Driven by jealousy to harm Jiang Rumin, she was ultimately executed by the Dog Emperor with a cup of poisoned wine.
What a disposable pawn indeed.
The Dog Emperor appeared frail and delicate, but in private, he had been practicing an advanced martial art. In its early stages, this discipline required abstinence from women, which explained why the emperor never favored his consorts. Since ascending the throne, he had only summoned Shu Fei to share his bed—but her true identity was that of a spy, using the pretext of serving him to act as his guardian during practice. Thus, excluding Shu Fei, the emperor’s harem effectively consisted of only three consorts.
In the original work, these three received little attention: De Fei was quiet and dull, Zhen Fei was arrogant and spoiled, while Li Fei seemed cleverer and more proactive than the others. Perhaps she could be cultivated to become the Dog Emperor’s virtuous helpmate. While the emperor still showed no interest in Jiang Rumin, it was crucial to help him find a kindred spirit quickly to prevent his future descent into madness.
A few feet away, Jun Li Luo, overhearing Song Yun Chu’s thoughts, darkened his gaze.
This scoundrel knew far too much, almost as if he had intimate knowledge of everyone in the palace.
Fortunately, for now, this fellow was still aligned with him—otherwise, he truly couldn’t be allowed to live.
Maintaining a placid expression, he instructed the chief eunuch, “We are occupied with state affairs. Tell Li Fei to return for now, though she may leave the pastries.”
Chief Eunuch Li acknowledged the order and withdrew from the Imperial Study. After dismissing Li Fei with a few words, he brought the food box to the imperial desk.
“Your Majesty, Consort Li’s pastries look exquisitely crafted. Would you care to try one?”
Song Yun Chu caught the sweet fragrance in the air but remained composed, refusing to glance toward the treats.
Jun Li Luo casually picked up a pastry and tasted it. A light sweetness bloomed on his tongue, accompanied by subtle floral and fruity notes that tempted him to have more.
“Indeed delightful. Set aside half of each tray and bring them to Yun Chu’s desk.”
He and Song Yun Chu were still playing their roles of harmony, and besides, Song Yun Chu was currently assisting him with official documents. It would seem stingy to indulge alone while leaving Song Yun Chu empty-handed.
“Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty for the generous reward.”
[The Dog Emperor shared so much with me. Though it’s just a hollow gesture, I still get to enjoy these delicacies thanks to him.]
[Damn, these are incredible! Li Fei’s skills are absolutely masterful! If she weren’t a consort, she could probably make a name for herself by opening a restaurant in the imperial city.]
Song Yun Chu marveled inwardly while maintaining a dignified facade externally, careful not to devour the pastries ravenously but instead chewing slowly and properly.
Jun Li Luo watched her contradictory behavior with amusement.
Since gaining the ability to hear Song Yun Chu’s inner thoughts, he found her less detestable than before.
After all, this scoundrel had foreseen that both of them would meet tragic ends—where power and wealth would vanish like fleeting clouds. Nothing in this world mattered more than longevity.
Present-day Song Yun Chu seemed content with her current life. Though she still showed no respect for him, at least she harbored no intentions of harming him.
Thus, his murderous intentions toward her gradually faded.
Song Yun Chu was an excellent pawn. If she remained obedient and loyal to him henceforth, he could tolerate her occasional mental insults—as long as they stayed unspoken, he would pretend not to feel offended.
After the two had some pastries, they spent a long time reviewing official documents until Chief Eunuch Li reminded them, “Your Majesty, it is time to serve the meal.”
Jun Li Luo responded, “Proceed.”
Shortly after, palace attendants carrying exquisite delicacies filed in and quickly arranged a full table of dishes.
“Yun Chu, take a break as well. Come and join me for the meal.”
“Yes.” Song Yun Chu rose and sat opposite the emperor. He glanced at the dishes on the table and, not seeing any drunken sweet shrimp, felt slightly disappointed.
【When I have time later, I must visit the imperial kitchen and ask the chef for a few plates of drunken sweet shrimp. I’ll even give him some hush money to keep it quiet.】
Jun Li Luo picked up his food unhurriedly, inwardly scoffing.
Spending all day cursing me in your thoughts, and now you want to eat drunken sweet shrimp? Hah, I’ll just instruct the chef later that no one but me is allowed to have this dish.
Unaware of Jun Li Luo’s thoughts, Song Yun Chu waited until the emperor had started eating before picking up his own chopsticks.
Neither of them expected that this meal would be more delicious than the usual imperial cuisine.
【The chefs in the palace are truly remarkable. The imperial cuisine keeps getting better and better. I wonder where they found these chefs—I’d love to hire a couple myself with a high salary.】
Even Jun Li Luo, who was never one to indulge in food, couldn’t help but ask Chief Eunuch Li, “Who prepared today’s imperial cuisine? The meat dishes are fragrant without being greasy, and the vegetables are refreshing. This is a skilled chef.”
“Your Majesty, today’s lunch was not prepared by the imperial chefs but by Consort Li herself.”
Chief Eunuch Li paused before continuing, “Her Ladyship mentioned she has recently developed several new dishes. She knows Your Majesty is busy with state affairs and did not wish to disturb you, but she still wanted to contribute in her own way. She said she would be content as long as Your Majesty enjoys the food.”
Hearing this, Song Yun Chu remarked casually, “Consort Li is truly thoughtful toward Your Majesty. I am honored to have the chance to taste her culinary skills today, thanks to Your Majesty.”
【Well done, Consort Li! You’re exactly the capable partner I had in mind.】
【If you can win over the dog emperor soon and push Jiang Rumin aside, the crisis we face in the future will be resolved.】
Song Yun Chu hoped Jun Li Luo would summon Consort Li and praise her a little. Instead, Jun Li Luo replied dismissively, “Consort Li is considerate, but as a consort, she need not trouble herself with cooking. Otherwise, what are the imperial chefs for? Go and tell her she need not worry about such matters in the future.”
Song Yun Chu sighed inwardly. The dog emperor remained as clueless as ever.
Chief Eunuch Li added, “Your Majesty, there is one more thing. Consort Li accidentally cut her hand while cooking. She instructed this servant not to inform Your Majesty, but I felt it improper to conceal such a matter. Would Your Majesty consider offering some consolation?”
Song Yun Chu’s hand, holding his chopsticks, stilled.
【Dog emperor, she injured herself just to cook a meal for you. She is your consort, after all—couldn’t you show a little concern? Once a woman enters the palace, her world becomes confined. A few words of praise or comfort from you could make her happy for a long time.】
Jun Li Luo, however, replied to Chief Eunuch Li without changing his expression, “In that case, select two boxes of jewels from the treasury and bring them to her.”
Song Yun Chu and Consort Li had never been acquainted. This fellow’s desire to elevate Consort Li was clearly motivated by her exceptional cooking skills.
To be honest, he had never carefully observed these imperial consorts in the palace. Their fathers were all important court officials. On the selection day, he had chosen them entirely based on their family backgrounds, granting them equal ranks and identical rewards during festivals.
He would not develop feelings for Jiang Rumin as in the “original work,” nor would he fulfill Song Yun Chu’s wishes by promoting Li Fei.
Was this fellow’s judgment of people always accurate?
And to secretly criticize him for lacking romantic sensibility—as an emperor, why should he bother with such matters? His duty was to eliminate future troubles and alleviate the people’s sufferings. Everything else fell outside his considerations. The women in the inner palace lived in abundance, their lives far superior to ordinary people’s—why would they need his comfort?
The southern floods and plague had yet to subside, and the list of officials embezzling disaster relief funds remained unresolved. He already had more than enough to worry about.
Song Yun Chu was so tender toward women, as if he felt compelled to care for every one he encountered. A true sentimental philanderer.
Perhaps he should add fuel to the fire at Royal Uncle’s side, urging him to hasten and cause trouble for this fellow. That would keep him from spending all his time preoccupied with women.
“Xiao Li Zi, I recall this year’s tribute included an exceptionally beautiful pair of mandarin duck jade pendants. Fetch them—one for Yun Chu, and the other delivered to the Guogong Residence for Miss Jiang. Select a few additional luxurious pieces of jewelry for her wedding trousseau. Inform Miss Jiang that the pendant I bestowed must be worn on her person at all times.”
Song Yun Chu, who had just picked up a meatball with his chopsticks, trembled slightly upon hearing these words.