Xiao Yuanzheng looked at the look of guilty panic that Wei Empress hadn’t managed to hide in time, as well as the rather “rough” food in front of her.
Not only was he not angry, he actually found it somewhat novel.
Since marrying him, his empress had always been like a perfect jade ornament—dignified, proper, flawless. Yet also cold and lifeless.
It had been many years since he had seen such a vivid expression on her face.
“What fine delicacy is the Empress enjoying? You didn’t even notice that I arrived,” Xiao Yuanzheng said teasingly, though his gaze was firmly fixed on the plate of chicken wings.
Wei Empress quickly regained her composure. She elegantly wiped the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief and rose to bow.“This concubine greets Your Majesty.”
“Enough.” Xiao Yuanzheng waved his hand and sat directly at the table, studying the food with interest. “What is this? It smells rather good.”
Wei Empress’s heart skipped. A protective instinct over food rose within her.
She had finally managed to “snatch” this from her daughter-in-law and hadn’t even had enough yet!
Her eyes shifted. She deliberately picked up a honey-glazed chicken wing and handed it to the emperor with a gentle smile.“It was sent by the Crown Prince’s consort, some small snacks called teppanyaki. Your Majesty is busy with state affairs and surely isn’t used to such common street food. I wouldn’t dare sully Your Majesty’s palate.”
Her words refused him, but her hand offered it steadily.
This coy manner only piqued Xiao Yuanzheng’s curiosity.
“Oh? Made by the Crown Prince’s consort?” He then remembered he had a newly married daughter-in-law.
He had never been very satisfied with this marriage. He felt the daughter of the State-Protecting General was too flamboyant for his cold and distant son. But since he had arranged it to balance the court, it had to be so.
Unexpectedly, this daughter-in-law even made such things to please the empress.
She was thoughtful, at least.
He stopped asking and took the honey wing directly.
Just as he was about to bite, Wei Empress suddenly seemed to remember something. She took another wing—darker in color and covered with red powder—and swapped it into his hand.
“Your Majesty, try this one.” She smiled like a fox that had stolen meat. “This one has more flavor.”
There were only two spicy wings. She herself couldn’t bear to eat them, yet she used them all to “honor” the emperor.
Xiao Yuanzheng didn’t suspect anything. He bit into the “dangerous-looking” spicy wing.
The next second, his expression froze.
A tyrannical wave of spiciness burst through his mouth like a collapsing dam!
Then came cumin and layers of mixed spices, violently stimulating his taste buds.
Color rapidly rose to his normally imposing face. Sweat began to bead on his forehead.
“Cough… cough…”
Even the emperor, who would not change expression even if Mount Tai collapsed before him, was choked by this sudden “attack.”
“Your Majesty!”
The chief eunuch Gao Jin turned pale and shrieked, “Quick! Summon the imperial physicians—!”
“Silence!” The emperor raised his hand to stop him. His voice was hoarse from coughing but still dignified.
He took a deep breath, forced down the heat… and bit again.
Something strange happened.
After the initial burning pain faded, what remained was a hearty, exhilarating feeling. The spicy aroma seemed magical—he wanted more and more, unable to stop.
Gao Jin and Nanny Gui stared in shock.
Their emperor was flushed and sweating, occasionally gasping from the heat, yet eating with relish, quickly finishing the wing.
Afterward, he grabbed his teacup, drank deeply, and let out a long breath.
“Refreshing!”
He had actually said “refreshing”!
Gao Jin felt he must not have woken up today.
Wei Empress watched his loss of composure and smiled smugly.
“Your Majesty, didn’t I say you wouldn’t be used to it?” she asked knowingly.
“Who says I’m not?” Xiao Yuanzheng glared at her, then picked up a piece of teppanyaki tofu. This time he blew on it first before eating.
The tofu was milder, but the unique spices still surprised him.
“This is indeed good,” he gave a fair evaluation. Looking at Wei Empress, he asked, “Made by the Crown Prince’s consort?”
“Yes,” she answered leisurely. “Today I went to Tinglan Pavilion and saw her making this in the courtyard, eating with Seventh and Ninth. The three of them had mouths full of oil, laughing happily.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yuanzheng imagined a lively scene.
He had always thought his son Xiao Jingshi was too cold, the entire Eastern Palace lifeless.
Now it seemed that placing such a vibrant consort there… was not a bad thing.
At least she could bring some warmth and everyday life to that cold palace.
The next day, Ye An’an slept until she woke naturally.
She was still upset that the empress had “looted” everything yesterday and was thinking about how to comfort her wounded heart.
But just after she got up, Gao Jin from the Imperial Household Department personally arrived with people, bringing two large chests.
When opened, they were filled with all kinds of top-tier spices she had never even heard of—cumin from the Western Regions, the finest Sichuan pepper tribute, and more.
“Your Ladyship, these are rewards from His Majesty and Her Majesty,” Gao Jin said flatteringly. “If anything is lacking, just tell this servant.”
Ye An’an stared at the treasures, eyes wide.
My heavens, I’m rich!
Yesterday she mourned her stolen bait. Today she received a golden fishing rod and an entire fishpond!
Totally worth it. Huge profit!
In high spirits, Ye An’an now had everything—except the most important step: leaving the palace.
After sending Gao Jin away, she went to find Xiao Jingshi.
He had just returned from court and was reading in his study.
The guard Changting was about to announce her, but Ye An’an gestured for silence.“Don’t shout. I’ll go in myself.”
Changting hesitated, seeing her sly smile, and stepped aside.
She straightened her clothes and knocked lightly.
“Come in,” Xiao Jingshi’s cool voice sounded.
“Your Highness, let’s discuss something?”
She pushed open the door. The study smelled faintly of ink. He sat focused on a memorial.
Seeing her, a trace of softness flickered in his eyes, unnoticed even by himself.
“What is it?”
“Take me out of the palace for a stroll,” she said directly.
He paused. “Leave the palace?”
“Yes.” She leaned on the table, smiling. “I need to buy things not available inside.”
“What things?”
“My spices are used up. I need to go outside for authentic ones.” She hid yesterday’s reward.
Just as she was about to continue, he said, “The Crown Prince’s consort cannot leave without permission.”
“I know.” She blinked. “That’s why I’m asking you. Who would dare stop me if you speak?”
He didn’t answer, tapping the table lightly.
She expected a long persuasion and even prepared backup show-plans.
But he simply looked at her and stood.
“Alright.”
Just one word.
All her prepared arguments were swallowed back.
He agreed so easily?
“Change clothes. Meet at the palace gate in fifteen minutes.” He walked inside to change.
She stood stunned.
Happiness came so suddenly?
She rushed back, changed into convenient male attire, and ran to the gate.
He was already there, wearing a pale brocade robe, less imposing and more like a noble young master.
They met eyes.
“Let’s go.”
Outside waited a simple carriage.
Inside was small but comfortable. Xiao Jingshi sat calmly.
“Where are we going?”
“You wanted spices. West Market.”
Her eyes lit up.
The carriage moved.
She peeked outside—vendors shouting everywhere.
“Candied hawthorn! Sweet and sour!”
“Fresh pastries!”
“Meat buns!”
She swallowed.
“Want some?” his voice came.
“A little.”
He ordered the carriage to stop.
Soon everything she looked at was brought in.
She handed him a candied hawthorn.
“Try.”
He bit. Sweet and sour exploded in his mouth.
“Good, right?” Ye An’an said with a proud expression.
Xiao Jingshi looked at her satisfied expression and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
The carriage continued forward. The further they went, the busier the streets became. Yet the carriage slowed as it moved, gradually becoming surrounded by a crowd. Up ahead came a commotion.
“You spendthrift woman! I told you to buy meat, and you bring back this rubbish!”
A rough male voice rang out, accompanied by a woman’s crying.
Ye An’an frowned and lifted the curtain to look outside. She saw a burly man grabbing a woman by the hair. Beside them stood a frightened girl of seven or eight, crying loudly.
The woman was carrying a basket containing chicken feet, pig’s trotters, and offal.
“Husband, the butcher’s meat was all sold out. I didn’t have enough money, so I could only buy this…” the woman explained tearfully.
“Nonsense!” The man slapped her, “You’re just trying to steal money!”
The woman staggered from the blow, dropping the basket and spilling its contents. A crowd had gathered, but everyone was only watching, no one stepped forward. Some tried to intervene but were stopped. People nearby said, “This is a domestic matter; even an honest official cannot judge family affairs.”
Ye An’an could not bear it. She was about to speak when Xiao Jingshi had already instructed Chang Ting.
“Chang Ting.”“Yes.”
Chang Ting quickly walked up to the burly man and took a silver ingot from his bosom.
“Brother, these things are wanted by my master.”
The man froze. His eyes widened at the sight of the silver.
“This… this is ten taels of silver!”
“Take it.” Chang Ting handed it to him, then crouched to pick up the scattered items and put them back in the basket.
The woman knelt by the carriage, repeatedly kowtowing.
“Thank you, young master! Thank you, young master!”
Xiao Jingshi said nothing. Chang Ting returned to the carriage with him. Then Xiao Jingshi spoke:
“Life for the common people is not easy, and for women even harder.”
Ye An’an looked at him, a strange feeling rising in her chest. This man, usually so cold, could actually notice a woman’s hardships.
“Your Highness, do you do this often?”“What?”“Go out of the palace to help people.”
Xiao Jingshi was silent for a moment, then said lightly, “Occasionally.”
Chang Ting added from outside, “His Highness goes out several times a month to understand the people’s lives.”
Ye An’an’s heart stirred. No wonder he was so familiar with the capital. Such a crown prince would surely become a good emperor.
But looking at the basket of offal, the carriage continued forward and soon arrived at the Western Market.
Here it was even livelier than the previous streets. Stalls crowded every corner, selling everything imaginable. The carriage could not move and they had to disembark. Ye An’an put on her hat and jumped down, her eyes wide with excitement.
“Your Highness, I want to go look around!” She said, about to dive into the crowd, but Xiao Jingshi grabbed her.
“Stay close to me.” His hand was cool but held tightly.
Ye An’an froze for a moment, her heartbeat quickening for no reason.
They moved through the crowd with Chen Zhu and Chang Ting close behind.
The Western Market had everything: silk, porcelain, spices, jewelry… There were also many merchants from the Western Regions, wearing exotic clothes and performing acrobatics by the street.
One man was swallowing fire, flames shooting from his mouth, drawing gasps from onlookers.
Ye An’an watched in fascination, but Xiao Jingshi pulled her along.
“First, business.”“Oh.”
They arrived at a small spice shop. It wasn’t large, but it was filled with jars of various spices. The owner, a lean middle-aged man, greeted them with a smile.
“Welcome! What would you like to buy?”
Ye An’an stepped to the counter, carefully inspecting the spices: Sichuan pepper, star anise, cinnamon, cloves… She smelled each one before selecting a few.
“I’ll take all of these.”
The owner’s eyes brightened and he quickly weighed and packed them.
“That’s two taels of silver.”
Chang Ting stepped forward to pay. Ye An’an hugged the spices, feeling satisfied.
“Your Highness, shall we keep looking around?” She asked.
Xiao Jingshi glanced at her, unusually without refusal.
“As you wish.”
They continued wandering through the Western Market. Ye An’an wanted to buy everything she saw: candied hawthorns, crispy pastries, meat pies… Xiao Jingshi did not stop her, silently following.
Passing a jewelry stall, Ye An’an paused. Various small items were displayed: hairpins, earrings, bracelets… She picked up a silver hairpin engraved with a delicate flower.
“How much is this?”“Fifty wen,” the vendor said with a smile.
Ye An’an reached for her money when Xiao Jingshi spoke suddenly.
“Too expensive.”
The vendor froze.“Sir, this is pure silver!”“Twenty wen,” Xiao Jingshi said calmly.
The vendor’s face changed; he was about to refuse when Xiao Jingshi turned to leave.
“Forget it, I won’t buy it.”
“Wait, wait! Don’t go!” The vendor panicked, “Twenty it is, twenty!”
Xiao Jingshi finally turned back and had Chang Ting pay.
Ye An’an held the silver hairpin and laughed.“Your Highness, you can bargain too?”Xiao Jingshi glanced at her.“Did you think I couldn’t?”
Ye An’an suddenly felt this man was surprisingly down-to-earth.
They continued forward and suddenly heard a commotion ahead.
“Move, move!” A child dashed out from the crowd, holding a money pouch. Behind him, a fat merchant ran, panting heavily.
“Thief!” The child ran fast, almost colliding with Ye An’an.
Quick as lightning, Xiao Jingshi pulled her behind him.
A child brushed past them and disappeared into the crowd.
The fat merchant caught up, but when he saw Xiao Jingshi, he froze for a moment.
“Sir, did you see which way that little thief ran?”
Xiao Jingshi pointed in a direction.
The merchant thanked him and hurried off in pursuit.
Only then did Ye An’an realize she was still being held protectively in Xiao Jingshi’s arms.
There was a faint scent of ink on him—clean and pleasant.
“Your Highness…”
Xiao Jingshi released her, the tips of his ears slightly red.
“It’s good that you’re unharmed.”
Ye An’an’s heart skipped a few more beats.
They continued walking, but the atmosphere suddenly felt a little delicate.
When they passed a stall selling sesame flatbread, Ye An’an stopped.
“Your Highness, I want to eat this.”
Xiao Jingshi glanced at the greasy-looking flatbread and frowned slightly.
But in the end, he still had Changting buy two.
Ye An’an took a bite and happily narrowed her eyes.
“So good! Your Highness, want a taste?”
She held the flatbread out to him.
Xiao Jingshi looked at the piece she had already bitten into. The tips of his ears turned even redder.
“No need.”
“Don’t be shy,” Ye An’an said with a grin. “This is the best flatbread in the capital.”
After a moment of silence, he finally accepted it and took a small bite.
Watching him, Ye An’an suddenly felt that he was actually quite adorable.
They kept strolling, and before they realized it, dusk had fallen.
The lanterns of West Market lit up, bathing the entire street in a warm golden glow.
Ye An’an hugged her pile of purchases, completely satisfied.
“Your Highness, we should head back, shouldn’t we?”
Xiao Jingshi nodded.
The carriage was parked not far away.
They climbed in, and the atmosphere suddenly turned quiet.
Ye An’an stole a glance at him and saw that he was staring out the window, lost in thought.
The carriage slowly started moving toward the palace.
As night deepened, the streetlights grew fewer.
Leaning against the carriage wall, Ye An’an suddenly felt drowsy.
She yawned, her eyelids growing heavier and heavier.
At some point, she felt something gently draped over her.
Opening her eyes, she realized it was Xiao Jingshi’s outer robe.
He sat opposite her. On the robe, there seemed to be a few faint glittering specks. A hint of dark red drifted across Ye An’an’s face as her gaze darted away guiltily.
After a while, the grinding sound of the carriage wheels stopped.
They had arrived at the main gate of the imperial palace.
There, they saw two men dressed in dark blue official robes standing at the entrance.