"This… this concubine inquired about it. I heard that when the palace maids in Cishou Palace fall ill, the Empress Dowager personally checks their pulses. So I speculated that the Empress Dowager must be quite interested in medicine."
Li Zhu wasn't exactly lying – she had learned this through palace gossip about Cishou Palace.
It turned out the Empress Dowager had been quite knowledgeable about medicine since her youth, though she never flaunted this ability. After entering the palace, she often checked pulses for the palace staff.
When palace maids fell ill, she would even prescribe medicine for them.
Of course, initially the Empress Dowager didn't dare to prescribe medicine recklessly. Each time, she would specially summon the Imperial Physician to reexamine the patient, then privately compare their prescriptions.
The Empress Dowager's medical skills gradually improved.
The palace staff in Cishou Palace were all long-serving veterans (not elderly, but experienced), because whenever anyone fell ill, the Empress Dowager not only checked their pulses and prescribed medicine, but also covered all medical expenses from her personal treasury.
There wasn't a single person in Cishou Palace who wasn't grateful for the Empress Dowager's kindness.
However, treating palace staff wasn't considered a dignified activity, especially when the Empress Dowager was still the Empress – the slightest carelessness could invite criticism. All the palace staff kept their mouths tightly shut.
After learning this, Li Zhu couldn't help but sigh – the Empress Dowager wasn't merely interested in medicine.
She genuinely enjoyed studying medical principles and herbs, she loved treating people, yet she was confined within the palace walls, forced to carefully conceal her passion.
"Your Majesty, those medical texts should preferably be rare editions, from famous physicians – the more the better."
"You have quite many demands, and I haven't even said whether I'll help or not."
"Your Majesty isn't willing? The Empress Dowager is your mother! Are you unwilling to help with even this small matter?"
Li Zhu shamelessly deployed the tactic of moral coercion, but unfortunately Li Shengyuan wasn't having any of it.
"Hmph, I've already prepared gifts for the Empress Dowager."
Li Zhu could only resort to another tactic, "Your Majesty~ Are you really going to stand by and do nothing? This concubine truly can't manage without you~"
Though fully aware that Li Zhu was pretending, Li Shengyuan's heart still softened.
"Fine, since you're my beloved consort, I'll help you with this matter."
"Really! Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"However, I shouldn't help for nothing, should I?"
Li Zhu's smile instantly froze on her face, "Then how should this concubine repay Your Majesty?"
"My beloved consort hasn't read to me for a long time."
"Yes, this concubine will read to Your Majesty later."
Li Shengyuan felt quite satisfied.
What Li Zhu hadn't expected was that reading would progress from outside the bed to within the bed curtains.
Li Shengyuan relaxed as he lay on the pillow with closed eyes, while Li Zhu sat cross-legged on the inner side.
Having not read for a long time, Li Zhu found it difficult to concentrate.
With eyes closed, Li Shengyuan listened as Li Zhu's voice grew gradually softer, with increasingly drawn-out endings.
[This dog emperor is really handsome! His nose is a nose, his eyes are eyes.]
Li Shengyuan: If you don't know how to compliment, don't force it.
[Actually, the dog emperor is quite good, just a bit doggish.]
Tch, this woman always calls him dog emperor in her heart – he could tolerate that.
But what did she mean by "a bit doggish"?
Why compare him to a dog? How infuriating!
"Beloved consort, why have you stopped reading?"
"This concubine is thirsty."
Lies.
Li Shengyuan opened his eyes and sat up, getting off the bed to pour a cup of water.
"Continue reading after drinking."
The dog emperor actually poured water for her personally?
This was quite the privilege.
As Li Zhu reached out to take the teacup, Li Shengyuan said, "I'll feed my beloved consort personally."
[What madness is this? Has he truly fallen for me? Hehe, my charm is really something!]
Li Shengyuan's hand paused slightly.
Li Zhu didn't notice and leaned forward to drink the water.
After drinking a glass of water, Li Zhu continued reading.
Li Shengyuan, however, fell into confusion.
Had he truly fallen in love with Li Zhu?
But…
What exactly was love?
Li Shengyuan pondered this deeply but could not find an answer.
~~
For the second innovative dish, Li Zhu also had an idea.
That was—Liangfen!
The main ingredient for Liangfen is Bili Fruit, which grows in the south, and its seeds can be used medicinally.
Making Liangfen is simple: collect the Bili seeds, place them in a gauze bag, and knead them in water.
Let the water sit, and after a few hours, it will solidify into Bingfen.
Zhi Zi witnessed the process of making Liangfen and was amazed.
"It actually solidified! Your Highness is truly incredible!"
Li Zhu smiled and said it was nothing special.
Zhi Zi then asked, "Your Highness, how should this Liangfen be eaten?"
"Liangfen can be delicious whether savory or sweet!"
Soon, a bowl of Liangfen sprinkled with brown sugar syrup and osmanthus, and another mixed with sesame oil, soy sauce, and chili were placed before Li Zhu.
Taking a bite of the cool, refreshing Liangfen, Li Zhu savored a long-missed flavor.
Li Zhu enjoyed the Liangfen so much that Zhi Zi, watching from the side, couldn't help but drool.
They had made plenty of Liangfen this time, so Li Zhu gave a bowl each to Gu Gu Qi, Zhi Zi, and Fo Shou.
"Wow, this Liangfen is so refreshing and cool!"
Fo Shou added, "Indeed. The Empress Dowager's birthday banquet is in August, right in the height of summer. This Liangfen is perfect for relieving the heat."
Li Zhu nodded—that was exactly what she had in mind.
"Later, take two bowls and deliver them to Junior Consort Cui and Imperial Concubine Sun."
Zhi Zi and Fo Shou acknowledged the order.
But Gu Gu Qi said, "Jieyu, should you also send a bowl to His Majesty?"
"Well… His Majesty will return in the evening."
Gu Gu Qi understood Li Zhu's meaning and did not press further.
At Feiyan Hall, Junior Consort Cui personally opened the food box.
It was a dish she had never seen before.
Without hesitation, Junior Consort Cui picked up her chopsticks and began eating.
"Mmm~ delicious!"
"What a fascinating texture—so slippery!"
After finishing two bowls of Liangfen in one go, she finally remembered to ask Zhi Zi.
"Miss Zhi Zi, what is this dish called?"
"This dish is called Liangfen."
"Liangfen? Is this another new dish thought up by Li Jieyu? What is it made from?"
"Replying to Liangyuan, it was indeed conceived by our mistress. However, since Liangfen will be served at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, the method of preparation cannot be disclosed for now."
Junior Consort Cui understood. "Don't worry, I won't make things difficult for Sister Li."