Li Zhu was utterly bewildered.
"The milk tea was excellently made. My beloved consort is clever and skillful. I have decided to promote you to Jieyu."
A pot of milk tea? And just like that, she was promoted to Jieyu? How was this any different from pie falling from the sky?
Seeing Li Zhu's delayed reaction, Li Shengyuan asked, "Are you dissatisfied?"
Li Zhu was more than satisfied. With neither family background nor offspring, Jieyu was already a high rank for her.
Li Zhu hurriedly expressed her gratitude, "Your Majesty, this concubine was simply overjoyed and momentarily stunned."
"Mm. Ji An will soon deliver the edict to Huaqing Palace. You may leave now."
"Yes, this concubine takes her leave."
Li Zhu left the Hall of Political Affairs beaming with joy.
"Your Highness, you seem so delighted. Did His Majesty greatly enjoy the milk tea you made?" Zhi Zi inquired.
"Indeed! His Majesty adored the milk tea I prepared!"
So much so that he promoted her!
Less than two hours after returning to Huaqing Palace, Ji An arrived.
Amidst the astonished expressions of everyone present, Li Zhu received the edict of promotion.
Even after Ji An had departed, the entire palace staff remained in a daze.
How could Her Highness, who had just become Gui Pin two days ago, suddenly be promoted to Jieyu?
"Why is everyone so stunned? I told you all that His Majesty absolutely loved the milk tea!"
"Congratulations, Jieyu Li!"
"Congratulations, Your Highness!"
"Rewards! Everyone shall receive an extra month's wages!"
At these words, the palace staff's congratulations became even more heartfelt and joyous.
While one household celebrates, others mourn.
Su Jieyu was grinding her teeth in resentment. Someone who had to bow and pay respects to her just days ago was now her equal.
Su Jieyu found this hard to accept.
When everyone learned that Li Zhu had won the Emperor's favor by presenting milk tea, they grew curious about the beverage.
What kind of delicacy could possibly entice His Majesty to promote Li Zhu?
Ambitious imperial concubines sent people to investigate. Upon discovering this, Li Zhu didn't keep it secret and shared the method of making milk tea.
Palace staff from Huaqing Palace were now regarded with greater respect wherever they went.
When one person achieves success, even their pets ascend to heaven—the staff of Huaqing Palace finally understood what this felt like.
Soon, all the palace consorts were drinking milk tea, and even the Empress Dowager wasn't left out.
Hmm… not bad, quite delicious actually.
Before long, a milk tea craze swept through Jingcheng.
But that's a story for later.
Since the Emperor was coming for dinner that evening, the small kitchen had prepared the ingredients early.
Under Li Zhu's eager anticipation, Li Shengyuan finally arrived.
The bronze hot pot was brought out, with plates of lamb, fish slices, and various fresh vegetables arranged appetizingly on the table.
Li Zhu gazed affectionately at the lamb—oh no, at Li Shengyuan—waiting for him to pick up his chopsticks.
Just as Li Shengyuan raised his chopsticks, he noticed an extra bowl by Li Zhu's hand.
"What's that in your bowl?"
"Oh, this is a dipping sauce I prepared myself."
"Why don't I have one?"
"This concubine was concerned Your Majesty might not be accustomed to it, so I didn't prepare one for you."
Without another word, Li Shengyuan took Li Zhu's dipping sauce.
"Then I'll trouble my beloved consort to prepare another bowl for yourself."
Watching helplessly as her dipping sauce was "defiled" by the dog emperor, Li Zhu cursed inwardly: Is this human behavior?
In her fury, Li Zhu prepared another bowl of dipping sauce for herself.
Oh well, who made the dog emperor her provider of food and clothing?
Li Zhu finally tasted the eagerly anticipated lamb—indeed, it melted in her mouth without any gaminess.
Seeing how heartily she ate, Li Shengyuan unconsciously ended up overeating as well.
After finishing her meal, Li Zhu simply shifted her position to recline on the soft couch.
Li Shengyuan frowned, "You ate rather too much tonight. Get up and walk around to aid your digestion."
Li Zhu felt somewhat lazy, but under Li Shengyuan's insistent gaze, she still rose to her feet.
"Let's go for a stroll in Yu Garden."
Since the Emperor had spoken, Li Zhu had no choice but to comply.
Palace servants, upon seeing the imperial couple, stepped aside and bowed in greeting.
Just as Li Zhu was walking slowly with her mind wandering, they encountered Xianfei, who was also taking a stroll.
"Greetings to Your Majesty." Xianfei was pleasantly surprised as well. After wandering through Yu Garden for so many days, she had finally managed to encounter him.
Li Shengyuan bid her rise.
Initially, Li Zhu didn't know who she was, but judging by her attire, she deduced that the woman before her held at least the rank of Consort.
And Shufei was still under confinement.
"Greetings to Xianfei."
"Rise, Jieyu Li."
Li Zhu stared at the enormous exclamation mark hovering above Xianfei's head, her curiosity itching to act.
Fortunately, Xianfei had eyes only for the Emperor and began making conversation with Li Shengyuan.
[So Xianfei isn't the Grand Princess's biological daughter?]
[Oh, it turns out the Grand Princess's real daughter was kidnapped when she was seven. To ease the princess's longing for her daughter, the Grand Consort adopted a girl from his own clan, and that girl is the current Xianfei.]
Li Shengyuan nodded inwardly; he was aware of this matter.
[Damn! That cursed Grand Consort!]
Li Shengyuan multitasked, secretly pricking up his ears.
[Xianfei isn't a girl from the Grand Consort's clan at all—she's his illegitimate daughter from a concubine!]
Li Shengyuan clenched his fists. The Grand Consort was seeking death!
Although Li Shengyuan wasn't close to this aunt of his, a princess was still a princess! For the Grand Consort to pass off an illegitimate daughter as an adopted daughter to the Grand Princess was an outright contempt of the imperial family!
Li Shengyuan's gaze toward Xianfei turned hostile.
Xianfei noticed it but had no idea what had happened.
"Your Majesty, has this consort said something wrong?"
Li Shengyuan didn't spare Xianfei another glance and left with Li Zhu to return to the palace.
Back in Huaqing Palace, Li Zhu was still savoring the scandal about Xianfei.
[Poor Grand Princess, not only did she lose her daughter, but she was also kept in the dark by her husband, raising an illegitimate child. If this truth were exposed, I wonder if the Grand Princess could bear it.]
Li Shengyuan sighed inwardly as well. Ever since losing her daughter, his aunt had never stopped searching for her.
Over a decade had passed, exhausting her spirit and weakening her health.
Both lost in their thoughts, they bathed and then lay down on the bed.
Even though her mind was still buzzing with thoughts, Li Zhu fell asleep shortly after touching the bed.
Once asleep, Li Zhu grew restless, especially after eating so much heating mutton that day. Before long, her clothes were tugged into disarray.
As her soft flesh pressed against him, Li Shengyuan grew feverish all over—he, too, had eaten a fair amount of mutton that evening.
Li Shengyuan turned his head and was instantly dazzled by the expanse of pale, fair skin.
An unmentionable area tented the covers.