Going back and forth to find medicinal ingredients had only taken Chu Ning around two hours.
After finding them, he returned to process everything. At first, he had planned to find Xiao Bing and have her help deliver it.
But Xiao Bing was not in the palace. When his divine sense covered the entire palace, his wife was not there either.
Only then did Chu Ning discover that the two of them had already left the palace. It seemed they had gone to find a physician.
His wife had actually already begun paying attention to the children’s health. Chu Ning felt very relieved.
But how could some so-called 5th grade medicinal herbs compare to the ladleful in his hand?
He had originally planned to wait for Ye Qinglian to return, but he accidentally waited for too long.
A moment later, Ye Qinglian expressionlessly picked up the sword from the ground.
“Did We not instruct you that you are not allowed to see Us without a summons? Yet you even slept inside Our bedchamber. What is the meaning of this!”
Chu Ning looked a little embarrassed. “I originally wanted to personally hand it to you, wife, but you kept not coming back. But do not worry. I came here secretly. No one will discover me for sure…”
Ye Qinglian’s face turned red. Her mind instantly fell into chaos, and the self-protective instinct she had built up over many years made her glare at Chu Ning in shame and anger.
“You and I are not married yet. Even if we do marry, you are merely the children’s father. You are not allowed to call Us that!”
Chu Ning thought about it and felt that made sense. Although he was the children’s father, their relationship truly had not reached that point yet.
“Then… Qinglian, I assume you have not eaten dinner yet. Eat first!”
Call her Your Majesty?
That was absolutely impossible.
She was already the mother of his children. He had to take the initiative and shoulder this responsibility.
Although Chu Ning had no experience being a father or a husband, he understood one thing deeply. He had to take the first step.
Ye Qinglian’s face turned even redder.
Somehow, this name made her blush even more than “wife” had.
She did not want to continue discussing this topic, so her gaze quickly turned cold.
“We were handling political affairs just now. We have already asked Xiao Bing to summon dinner. Xiao Bing has already told Us about today’s matter. We advise you to behave yourself and stay properly inside the palace. We will not mistreat you.”
Handling political affairs? Did she really think he did not know she had gone to care about the babies?
Chu Ning sighed inwardly. “Looks like you do not believe me. At least look at my cooking first before deciding, how about that?”
After saying this, Chu Ning opened the clay pot. Inside was the Dragon Marrow Jade Treasure Soup that he had spent tremendous effort making today.
The 9th grade dragon marrow was incomparably fierce. Dragon nature was extremely Yang, especially its essence, the dragon marrow. But with the Heavenly Dream Ice Lotus to harmonize it, even a mortal could drink it. Its wonders were endless, and it was the most suitable for calming the mind and nourishing the fetus.
Ye Qinglian crossed her arms over her chest, her gaze unfriendly. She had originally intended to drive him out directly.
This man had disobeyed her order and walked around without permission. If he was discovered, would that not become a huge problem?
Moreover, he had even trespassed into her palace.
Only she and Xiao Bing had ever come to this place, let alone a man. Even if they already had the reality of husband and wife, their relationship had not reached that stage yet.
She was not a casual woman.
But out of consideration for Chu Ning’s intentions, she would let it pass for now. If there was a next time…
A strange fragrance instantly pulled Ye Qinglian’s thoughts back.
What was that scent?
Her throat moved beyond her control, and her gaze fell on the clay pot Chu Ning had opened.
He had already filled a bowl and brought it before her.
What kind of food was this? It smelled so good.
The golden soup looked enticing, and its fragrance overflowed. Ye Qinglian instantly felt her mouth water.
Since half a month ago, her appetite had never been very good. At this moment, however, she could hardly hold herself back.
But she was the Empress of the Great Qian Empire. What had she not seen before?
A mere bowl of soup, how could it possibly…
Chu Ning immediately leaned closer.
“Qinglian, come, ah…”
Ye Qinglian instantly stiffened, and her face turned red again.
“No need. We can do it ourself!”
Feeding her was far too intimate. She would do it herself.
“Considering your sincerity, We accept your intentions.”
She was still a little prideful. Although it smelled wonderful, she was still unwilling to praise it.
Chu Ning chuckled and sat down again, staring intently at Ye Qinglian before him.
“These are ingredients I specially selected. Did Xiao Bing not tell you? Under heaven, no one has better cooking skills than I do. Also, this medicinal cuisine was specially prepared for you. It can calm the mind and nourish the fetus. You are busy with political affairs all day, so this suits you best…”
“Medicinal cuisine?”
Ye Qinglian snorted softly, clearly not believing him.
But with Chu Ning staring at her so closely, she still opened her mouth and drank a sip.
In an instant, she felt as if all the exhaustion in her body had vanished. Her body felt both warm and cool, an extremely strange sensation.
Ye Qinglian looked over in surprise.
“What did you make this with?”
Chu Ning looked proud. “Is it good?”
Ye Qinglian turned her head away. She did not suspect it was poisoned or anything. After all, these babies were not only hers, but also this man’s.
“It is acceptable.”
Chu Ning smiled again. “If you like it, I will make it for you every day. I am not joking when I say I can make many other things too. They will definitely suit your taste…”
The bowl was quickly emptied, and Chu Ning immediately took it from her and filled another.
This was the mother of his children. He absolutely could not let the mother of his children do it herself.
Watching Chu Ning’s actions, Ye Qinglian’s emotions became a little complicated for a moment.
He really was caring about her. Had her words just now been a little too harsh?
Since childhood, Ye Qinglian had lost both parents. In truth, she had rarely received this kind of care. Was it because she was now carrying Chu Ning’s children?
As she was thinking this, Chu Ning brought the bowl over.
That fragrance once again filled her nose. Ye Qinglian felt as if she could no longer think.
This man…
How exactly had he made this? It was actually this delicious…
Usually, her appetite was only around one bowl’s worth. Especially after having the babies, her appetite had become even worse.
Moreover, there seemed to be some kind of change inside her body. However, it was extremely gentle, and for a while, she could not tell what the reason was.
“Chu Ning, were your words just now true?”
Chu Ning looked over in confusion.
“What words?”
Ye Qinglian raised her head, glanced at Chu Ning, and stopped speaking.
Only then did he come back to his senses and immediately say, “Oh, oh, oh! You mean about being responsible for your meals? Leave it to me! From morning to night, even if you get hungry in the middle of the night, just leave it to me!”
“The food outside is unreliable. The ingredients they use are not good either, and their cooking skills are average. Since your pregnancy cannot be exposed right now, setting up a separate stove in Heavenly Tranquility Palace can also keep it hidden. It will not leak out. What do you think?”
Ye Qinglian glanced at Chu Ning calmly. “If these words spread, the cooks in the royal kitchen may come to cut you down. Their cooking skills are average, and their ingredients are not good? Do you know that everything in the palace is among the best under heaven?”
Chu Ning scratched his head, looking puzzled.
“Is that so? I could not tell. It did not seem much better than what I made.”
Ye Qinglian had nothing to say.
That was true…
This flavor really was fragrant…
Another bowl soon reached the bottom.
Holding the bowl in her hand, Ye Qinglian did not know whether she should ask for more. She really wanted to keep eating, but if a woman like her ate this much, would she be disliked? She had already eaten half a pot…
Chu Ning seemed to notice Ye Qinglian’s concern and quietly took the bowl from her again.
“Qinglian, what do you think of what I said? Consider it. At worst, you can arrange an identity for me as a royal kitchen cook who specializes in preparing royal meals. But I must be responsible for your meals. How about it?”
After receiving another bowl, Ye Qinglian felt a little happy. She could eat more now.
This man was rather perceptive. He had seen through her thoughts…
“There is no need for that. If you are willing, you can set up a stove in Heavenly Tranquility Palace. Xiao Bing is also a cultivator, and with the fire-controlling technique, there will be no smoke, so no one will discover it.”
Hearing that his wife had agreed, Chu Ning was overjoyed.
“Thank you for considering both yourself and our babies. I definitely will not disappoint you!”
Ye Qinglian snorted lightly. “If you are willing to fuss over it, then do as you please. But you must be careful of people passing by on the road. You cannot let anyone discover you…”
“Good!”
The pot of soup was soon finished.
She had actually finished an entire basin-sized pot of medicinal soup.
Even as the Empress of the Great Qian Empire, her face felt a little strained.
“We… have not had much appetite these past few days. The soup you made tastes rather good, so…”
Chu Ning grabbed Ye Qinglian’s hand.
“If you are not full, I will make another portion. You must not let yourself go hungry!”
What kind of hard days had his wife been living before this? Those useless cooks in the royal kitchen had made his wife unable to eat properly.
The woman immediately panicked and hurriedly pulled her hand back. Her face flushed red, but she could not bear to scold Chu Ning, so she could only use an excuse to make him leave.
“We are going to rest. You should go back as well!”
Looking at Ye Qinglian’s shy expression, Chu Ning’s heart also stirred fiercely.
Goodness, he really wanted to hold her and sleep together. Of course, with the babies there, he definitely would not do anything. Just holding her while sleeping would already make Chu Ning unbearably happy…
“You still are not leaving?”
Ye Qinglian turned back and noticed Chu Ning staring fixedly at her. Her face grew even redder.
“Although you and We already have the reality of husband and wife, today is only the first time we have truly met. You absolutely cannot stay!”
She was not that kind of casual person. How could she let Chu Ning stay and sleep in her palace on the very first day?
Chu Ning naturally understood. At this moment, he only smiled.
“No, I was just thinking that I suddenly have such a beautiful wife, so I am a little excited.”
“Do not say such strange things. We are going to rest!”
“Got it! Then leave tomorrow’s meals to me. I will definitely make sure you eat until you are full!”
Chu Ning quickly left.
Did he return to his palace?
Of course not. He went to look for ingredients!
Otherwise, what would his wife eat tomorrow?
It seemed his Emperor Grade cooking skills were still very reliable. He had to keep changing the dishes and make his wife eat even better.
Meanwhile, inside Heavenly Tranquility Palace, Ye Qinglian lay on the bed, her face flushed.
How could she have eaten everything? Was there any need to be that greedy?
And just now, she had actually forgotten to ask whether Chu Ning had eaten. It made her seem as if she was selfishly enjoying everything alone.
Ye Qinglian, who truly had no experience with this kind of matter, had a mind full of chaos.
How exactly should she handle this…
That man actually seemed quite reliable. He looked very good, and his cooking skills were also decent. More importantly, he was a mortal and would not interfere with the affairs of her Empire.
It seemed he was quite suited to be a good father…
But she had not yet acknowledged that Chu Ning could become her royal consort.
As drowsiness came over her, a barely noticeable smile appeared at the corner of Ye Qinglian’s lips.
He had better know how to cook tomorrow. She should find something to reward him with. After all, she had said she would not mistreat him.
Only then, the medicinal power inside her body gradually began to take effect…
It was as if there were an entire world inside her body, continuously sending cultivation into her and nourishing both her and the twins.
Right, that man had been correct.
They were indeed twins.
Heh.