Upon hearing the words “die of old age,” the young eunuch’s eyes lit up.
To die of old age—not bad, not bad at all. At least Consort Su’s life was spared.
Shen Heng suddenly stood up again, pacing anxiously behind the imperial desk. The next moment, he glared at Zhang Guide.
Zhang Guide, who had been feigning death, shuddered instantly. Good heavens, how could he still be singled out?
“Am I ugly?”
Zhang Guide hurriedly knelt down. “Your Majesty is majestic and spirited, as handsome as a celestial being, radiant as the moon after rain, standing out like a crane among chickens—how could the word ‘ugly’ ever be associated with You? If even Your Majesty speaks so humbly, then there would be no one worth looking at in this world!”
“The Empress Dowager said the same.” Shen Heng let out a short, sharp laugh. “As the books say, indeed: ‘My mother praises me out of affection; you praise me out of fear.’ Not a single one of you speaks the truth!”
Zhang Guide: …
Then why bother asking?
Shen Heng caught sight of the food box placed on the floor by the young eunuch and frowned, scolding sharply, “How dare you! Who allowed you to put the things sent by Consort Su on the floor?”
The young eunuch trembled in fear and quickly kowtowed to admit his fault.
Zhang Guide walked over, kicking him while cursing, “Get out!” At the same time, he hurriedly opened the food box, carefully lifted out the still-steaming chicken noodle soup with both hands, and placed it cautiously on the small table by the window. He then arranged several side dishes of refreshing appetizers alongside it.
“Your Majesty, please try it quickly. This chicken soup smells incredibly fragrant. One can tell at a glance that Consort Su put her heart into it.”
Shen Heng barely managed to calm his temper and walked over to sit by the window. Picking up the jade chopsticks, he took a bite of the noodles and immediately showed a mocking expression.
After swallowing, he glanced coldly at Zhang Guide. “What heart? Is your nose blind? Can’t you even recognize the taste of the imperial kitchen?”
Zhang Guide wore an apologetic smile. “Although this was made by the imperial kitchen, Her Ladyship truly put her heart into it. Your Majesty, think about it: from the imperial kitchen to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, it’s neither too far nor too close. Wouldn’t it have been easier to send pastries or similar items instead of soup noodles? There would be no worry about spilling or cooling on the way, which might displease Your Majesty. Yet Her Ladyship still sent chicken noodle soup. Why is that?”
Shen Heng paused his chopsticks and looked up at him.
“Isn’t it because she knows Your Majesty is overworked and hasn’t been eating? This chicken noodle soup both satisfies hunger and nourishes the body. Compared to overly sweet pastries, it is naturally more suitable for Your Majesty’s current needs. Ah, Her Ladyship’s heartfelt intentions…”
Zhang Guide had racked his brains for this explanation, sighing with feigned emotion while secretly observing the Emperor’s expression.
Shen Heng stared at the chicken noodle soup in contemplation for a moment, then silently picked up another mouthful of noodles and slowly ate it.
It seemed… to carry a bit more heartfelt flavor than what he usually ate.
“Zhang Guide.”
“Your servant is here!”
Shen Heng lowered his gaze, picked up a piece of sweet and sour lotus root, and said softly, “Go and give the order: from now on, replace my tea with mulberry and black goji berry water. Also, my scar-removing ointment is almost used up. Have the Imperial Hospital prepare more.”
Zhang Guide was slightly taken aback. He glanced at the barely noticeable scar on the Emperor’s face and sighed inwardly.
He had followed His Majesty since the Eastern Palace days and had witnessed firsthand how the once gentle and refined young man had been gradually tempered by the late Emperor into the cold, somber, and lifeless figure he was now.
The only one who could make His Majesty regain a trace of his youthful spirit was Consort Su.
But Consort Su had genuinely hurt His Majesty deeply back then. If these two wanted to mend their broken relationship, Consort Su would have to put in some real effort. She couldn’t think that simply sending some food would solve everything and coax His Majesty into changing his mind.
…
Palace of Earthly Honor.
Luzhi was earnestly teaching her mistress massage techniques.
“Like this, with a bit more pressure. His Majesty spends long hours at his desk, so his shoulders and back often ache. A massage like this will bring him much relief.”
Su Yuewu nodded in understanding, then had Luzhi sit in front of her so she could try it herself.
During the midday meal today, Empress Dowager Su had summoned her to dine together.
Throughout the meal, the Empress Dowager kept talking about how hard Shen Heng had been working on state affairs these past few days, neglecting his health, with no one thoughtful by his side—truly pitiable.
Su Yuewu knew her aunt was trying to bring her and Shen Heng back together.
And that suited her just fine.
However, rekindling an old flame had to be done gradually, step by step. After all, things had ended so unpleasantly three years ago. If she rushed in with excessive attentiveness now, Shen Heng might get angry and drive her away, leaving no room for reconciliation.
Today, she had sent chicken noodle soup to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, along with a few provocative words—both a gesture of goodwill and a test.
For the next three days, as dusk approached and it was time for the evening meal, Su Yuewu would time her arrival at the Hall of Mental Cultivation precisely, leave a box of food, then turn and leave without a word.
Today was no different.
After Su Yuewu departed, the eunuchs guarding the door exchanged glances, each seeing bewilderment in the other’s eyes.
Ever since Consort Su had delivered the shredded chicken noodles that day, Chief Eunuch Zhang had instructed them that if Consort Su came again with offerings, they were to report her arrival.
But she didn’t seem to have any intention of entering at all—she would just deliver the items and leave promptly.
What a perfect opportunity to vie for favor, yet Consort Su didn’t seem to grasp it!
Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Zhang Guide carefully opened the food box and peeked inside. Well, this time it was a roasted lamb leg, sliced, golden-brown, and glistening with oil.
As he placed it on the dining table, he racked his brain for how to spin this.
“Lamb strengthens the spleen, warms the middle, and replenishes qi and blood—it’s an excellent food. Perhaps Consort Su felt the cucumber buckwheat noodles she sent yesterday were too light, so today she sent this meat dish to help Your Majesty regain strength.”
Shen Heng’s expression had already darkened considerably. He stared coldly at Zhang Guide. “Yesterday you said the weather was stifling, so she chose a light, cool noodle dish instead of something greasy, showing her thoughtfulness and consideration for Us.”
Zhang Guide forced a dry laugh and steeled himself. “It was considerate, Your Majesty. The summer heat makes people lose their appetite for rich meats, but going without any meat isn’t good for the body either. So yesterday, Her Ladyship considered Your Majesty’s mood and sent vegetarian noodles. Today, thinking of Your Majesty’s health, she sent meat.”
Shen Heng sneered, staring at the fatty, dripping lamb leg for a moment before asking, “Zhang Guide, tell Us the truth—did she bribe you?”
Zhang Guide immediately protested with grievance. “Your Majesty, please be just! How would this servant dare!”
“We are not a fool.” Shen Heng withdrew his gaze, lowering his eyes. His tone suddenly grew somber. “Lamb is warming, best consumed in autumn and winter. Yet she sends it to Us in the height of summer—clearly, she put no thought into it. And these past three days, she hasn’t even shown her face, just dropping off the food and leaving. She probably finds even seeing Us repulsive.”
“Your Majesty… Consort Su might be…”
“Zhang Guide.”
Shen Heng directly cut off those words meant to deceive himself, rubbing the jade thumb ring on his hand. After a long while, he spoke softly, “Tomorrow, after I finish court, I will discuss matters with the ministers in Qianqing Palace. If Consort Su sends anything again, you shall decline on my behalf. Tell her there is no need to go through such trouble in the future. Since she has entered the palace, I will let bygones be bygones and ensure her a lifetime of wealth and safety.”
“Yes…”
Zhang Guide did not try to persuade further this time.
Looking at his master’s somber expression, he couldn’t help but feel heartache.
Speaking up for Consort Su was originally meant to cheer up His Majesty. If His Majesty no longer wished to hear it, then why should he say more?