Jing Xin made another batch of puff pastry cream puffs and personally delivered them to Ziyan Palace after Qi Shen’s midday nap.
When she entered the hall, Qi Shen had just woken up. The tall, upright man stood by the couch while palace servants hurriedly helped him dress.
Serving Qi Shen was no easy task. All the palace servants would rather be sent to clean slop buckets than attend this tyrant. However, Jing Xin’s arrival eased their tension considerably. At least if anything went wrong, there was someone who could plead on their behalf.
Everyone in the palace now knew that the once vicious favored consort had become a gentle and virtuous woman.
While a palace maid was fastening Qi Shen’s jade belt, she accidentally tightened it too much. Qi Shen narrowed his eyes slightly.
The maid paled in fear and immediately dropped to her knees, begging forgiveness.
Jing Xin said, “You may leave.”
She placed the food box down and stepped forward to help Qi Shen fasten his jade belt, only to realize she had never handled something like this before.
The cool jade belt had nine eyelets and complicated threading. She fumbled awkwardly several times, her arms moving in circles. Qi Shen did not grow angry. Instead, he simply watched her patiently.
Jing Xin gave him an embarrassed smile. “This consort has not helped Your Majesty dress in a long time. I’ve become rusty.”
Her hands, busy at his waist, were suddenly caught by him.
Jing Xin lifted her gaze. Qi Shen was already leaning down as if to kiss her. She tilted her head slightly, and his cool lips landed by her ear instead, cold and ticklish.
She blinked, then curled her red lips into a smile. “Your Majesty, I brought you pastries. Please try them.”
“You are avoiding me?”
“I am not,” she said softly, tugging at his sleeve. “These past days I made Your Majesty angry. I was only afraid you would not be pleased.”
She was much shorter than him, and the way she looked up at him with pitiful eyes made it impossible for him to stay angry.
He lowered his head, his voice low and seductive. “If you want me not to be angry, then you must coax me. Hmm?”
Jing Xin: “……”
This damned emperor really knew how to play it.
“Your Majesty, please lower yourself a little. You are too tall. I cannot reach.”
Qi Shen bent down.
Jing Xin rose onto her tiptoes and leaned in to kiss him. She was not skilled at it, lightly nibbling at his lips. His lips were soft and cold. She quickly withdrew, the teasing motion leaving him unsettled and restless. By the time he reached out again, she had already turned away to fetch the food box.
“Your Majesty, please try my handiwork.”
Qi Shen’s eyes darkened slightly in annoyance, but he was not in a hurry to punish her yet. Instead, he looked at the puffs in the box with curiosity.
Jing Xin wrapped one in a handkerchief and handed it to him.
Qi Shen took it. The soft texture filled his palm, and his eyes lit up briefly, though he quickly regained his composure, masking his fondness for the softness.
Jing Xin explained, “This is a cream puff. Inside is the same white filling Your Majesty tasted before. It is called cream. It is rich, smooth, and melts in the mouth.”
Under her expectant gaze, Qi Shen took a bite.
Just one bite, and he immediately tasted an indescribable richness and sweetness. The crispy outer shell gave way instantly to creamy filling that melted like silk in his mouth. He loved it.
This was a divine flavor.
“Your Majesty, is it good?”
“It is… acceptable.”
It was clearly far too delicious.
Jing Xin said softly, “Making these cream puffs requires whipping cream by hand, continuously stirring for two full hours. In the summer heat, even one’s thin clothing becomes soaked with sweat. Although it is tiring, as long as Your Majesty enjoys it, this consort is satisfied.”
She performed her role with an expression of pure innocence and no complaint.
Qi Shen had already finished one and picked up a second. He did not comment on her hardship, only asked why there was ice inside the box.
“Cream cannot be left at room temperature for too long. It must be kept cold, otherwise it will melt and lose its taste.”
Jing Xin rubbed her sore fingers. “Being able to watch Your Majesty enjoy it makes this consort very happy.”
She mentioned that she had once brought him this same pastry before, but he had not seen her.
Qi Shen: “……”
How was he supposed to know she had made something this extraordinary?
Seeing her rubbing her fingers, he understood she had been overworked. He picked up a puff and handed it to her. “A reward for you.”
Jing Xin smiled brightly and accepted it. “This consort would like to sit with Your Majesty.”
Qi Shen raised a brow slightly and made space on the bench.
Jing Xin ate while leaning her head against his shoulder. This time, Qi Shen did not tease her further. She seemed to understand him a little better now. He truly loved sweets, and when eating, he was entirely focused, not wasting time on unnecessary words.
So Jing Xin felt comfortable sitting so close to him.
She wanted to bring herself closer to Qi Shen.