Returning after a three-year escape from death, the tyrant has turned evil.

Chapter 296 Building the Attic

"Zhuqing, go out and find out what His Majesty has been doing these past two days. His heart is unpredictable; it's still uncertain who will become Empress."

Since her father wanted her to make him proud, she would prove him right.

"Yes."

Day two.

Song Yi has recently had a rare appetite. Although she was able to eat a little bit a while ago, her appetite is much smaller than before.

This time, Jiang Lanye was actually quite pleased.

When she woke up, she turned her head and saw that the table was already filled with all kinds of breakfast, with bowls and plates almost filling the entire space on the table.

She stared in disbelief, pointing at the table laden with delicacies, and asked, "What does this mean? Is this the last meal?"

The person calmly put down the folded paper: "Here's some food for you."

Song Yi walked over and touched her stomach: "My stomach is only this big. If I could eat just one bite of any of these dishes, I would be stuffed to death."

Jiang Lanye glanced at her, his expression unusually calm: "You've been suffering from morning sickness for the past few days, and I've already punished the people in the imperial kitchen. They tried everything they could, but they couldn't get you to eat a single bite. Now that your appetite has improved, if they don't perform well, I'll have them killed."

Song Yi snatched the memorial from his hand and slammed it on the table: "What are you talking about killing so early in the morning? Now I know why. This breakfast must have all been your idea."

Jiang Lanye gave her an innocent look. "Is it wrong for me to want to be good to you?"

Song Yi choked for a moment: "Don't give me that."

"Go wash up and have your meal. Eat well and don't let them down."

Song Yi stared at the faint smile on his face and suddenly shuddered.

The people in the imperial kitchen must have it really tough. They're constantly facing Jiang Lanye, and the slightest mistake could cost them their heads.

For their safety, Song Yi first took a sip of water to moisten her throat, then picked up her chopsticks and ate a little of everything.

Jiang Lanye casually sat down to the side, watching her and reminding her, "Eating too much will make you feel bloated."

"Then why did you tell me not to let them down? The expression you gave me just now made it seem like you were going to kill them if I didn't eat more."

Jiang Lanye smiled slowly: "I was just kidding you."

Song Yi: "."

She handed the half-eaten pastry to Jiang Lanye, who didn't mind and ate it.

After the two had breakfast, Song Yi collapsed onto the bed, lying in a starfish position, one hand clutching her stomach: "I'm so full—"

As soon as he finished speaking, something furry brushed against the back of his neck.

She scooped the rabbit into her arms.
She buried her face in the rabbit's soft fur and rubbed against it. The little rabbit didn't flinch; instead, it affectionately touched her cheek with its wet nose.

"Oh dear, you've been stealing vegetable leaves again, haven't you?" She gently shook the rabbit's pink paw. "There are still bits of meat on its mouth."

The little rabbit tilted its head and moved its mouth.

Song Yi wanted to cuddle with it a little longer, but a shadow fell over her. Jiang Lanye picked up the rabbit and said, "The rabbit needs a wash."

Song Yi immediately sat up: "I'll wash it."

"No, let the palace maids wash them."

"Anyway, I have nothing to do right now."

Jiang Lanye looked at her, "The people from the workshop bureau just delivered the blueprints for the pavilion. I originally wanted to discuss the layout of the pavilion with you in detail."

"Then let someone else do the washing."

Song Yi changed his tune very quickly. Jiang Lanye was finally satisfied, and carrying the rabbit in one hand, he opened the palace door.

Eunuch Cao quickly leaned over: "Your Majesty, what are your orders?"

Before he could finish speaking, a rabbit was stuffed into his arms.

"Give it a wash."

".yes."

Song Yi sat on Jiang Lanye's dragon throne, looking at the drawings that almost filled the entire table. The patterns on them were drawn in great detail with charcoal pencils, and there were annotations and explanations written in brush next to them. The lines looked exceptionally complex.

She glanced at it briefly, then hesitated.

"Jiang Lanye, building a pavilion is more troublesome than I imagined. Should we just give up?"

He casually put his arm around Song Yi's waist: "This is what the Workshop Bureau should do. The people there are more idle than anyone else, yet they receive a decent salary. This time, I've found them something to do."

Song Yi felt somewhat helpless.

"What, you feel sorry for them?"

His voice rang in Song Yi's ears. Song Yi glared at him and said, "Don't give me that. I'm just worried that this is too much trouble. After all, it's not really necessary."

"necessary."

Song Yi then realized that Jiang Lanye was getting closer and closer. Alarm bells rang in her mind, and she tried to stand up, but Jiang Lanye pulled her back into his arms.

His hand slid inside her clothes, his warm palm resting on her slightly protruding belly: "Looks like you really ate too much, your belly is all bulging."

Song Yi rolled her eyes: "Let me go."

Jiang Lanye not only didn't let go, but instead intensified his efforts by gently rubbing her round belly: "I'll rub it for you to help with digestion."

"Nonsense, how come I didn't know that massaging like this could aid digestion?"

Jiang Lanye narrowed his eyes.

Song Yi clicked her tongue lightly and reached out to press down on his wrist: "Jiang Lanye!"

Jiang Lanye simply gagged her.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty has been planning to build a small pavilion for the Imperial Concubine in the past two days."

Consort Ning frowned slightly: "Where? The imperial palace?"

"Yes."

She couldn't help but chuckle: "His Majesty only comes to this palace when the weather is hot every year, yet he is still willing to spend a lot of money to build it here. It's obvious that it was Consort Yun who threw a tantrum and begged for it."

Consort Ning really didn't understand. Perhaps for men, someone like Song Yi, who could act coquettishly and make a fuss, was more attractive. But Jiang Lanye was the emperor, so how could the empress who could stand beside the emperor be such a person?
Zhu Qing asked quietly, "Your Highness, what are your plans regarding the construction of this pavilion?"

Consort Ning thought carefully for a moment, "Building a pavilion... I really can't think of any tricks I could use right now. Zhuqing, go and get some paper and pen. I'll tell Father about this first."

Perhaps her father has some ideas.

Two days later, the reply arrived.

After reading it, Consort Ning gasped and her hands trembled uncontrollably.

Her father had traveled to the Western Regions two years ago and brought back a lot of strange stones, thinking they could be used for construction. However, after having others examine them closely, he learned that the stones were called saltpeter.

Normally, the stone is as hard as ever, but once it comes into contact with water, it heats up and then expands violently. In severe cases, it can even explode, bursting out scorching sparks.

Consort Ning's hands trembled so much that she could barely hold the letter.

If these stones are mixed into the foundation or roof of the attic, the consequences will be unimaginable when it rains.
(End of this chapter)