Do You Know?: Rule the World.

Chapter 156 Dining with Minglan, Consort Xiang

With Danju's help, Minglan put on the armbands herself and busied herself in the small kitchen.

The stove fire was blazing, and the iron pot was glowing with a slightly hot white light. Xiao Tao was chopping vegetables with her head down, and the cleaver made a thud as it hit the cutting board.

With practiced ease, Minglan slid the sea bass fillets into the hot oil. They sizzled and popped open with a soft crackling sound, the edges curling up slightly, and a unique, fresh aroma immediately filled the air.

In a daze, she seemed to have returned to Shou'an Hall.

I wonder how Grandmother is doing... Are my mother and Liu-ge'er alright...?

Minglan thought to herself, but her hands never stopped moving.

At the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), inside Ninghui Palace, Zhao Han and Minglan sat facing each other, while Xiaotao and Danju respectfully entered carrying dishes one after another.

"Thank you for your trouble, Sixth Sister." Zhao Han looked at her with a smile.

Minglan's eyelids twitched slightly, and her pink lips parted slightly, "Why does Your Majesty still call me Sixth Sister? It sounds a bit strange now."

"What should we call it?"

“Anything but Sixth Sister is fine.” Minglan lowered her voice unconsciously.

Zhao Han laughed heartily, "How about calling him Ming'er?"

"it is good!"

Minglan's round face was adorned with a faint smile, making her look incredibly cute. Then she said softly, "Your Majesty, please try my cooking."

Zhao Han focused her gaze on the table.

The water shield and perch soup served on the porcelain plate was pure white, with the bright green water shield hidden among the fish, and a few tender yellow ginger shreds floating on the surface. Just looking at it made one's mouth water.

He picked up the silver spoon, scooped it up gently, and the fish melted in his mouth. The water shield was slippery, and the soup was fresh and delicious, truly leaving a lingering aftertaste.

Xiao Tao, who was serving nearby, couldn't help but purse her lips, her mouth watering.

Seeing the approval in Zhao Han's eyes, Minglan craned her neck and asked, "Does this suit His Majesty's taste?"

"Not bad, it's better than what the chefs in the imperial kitchen make!"

Upon hearing this, Minglan gave a soft snort and adjusted her sleeves.

"Your Majesty's praise is a bit too much. My meager cooking skills are nowhere near comparable to those of the Imperial Chef."

Zhao Han explained, "The dishes in the Imperial Kitchen are all the same, and every step is done according to the established procedures. Although the taste is not bad, it lacks a bit of spirit."

Minglan nodded thoughtfully.

Then, Zhao Han picked up another piece of roasted mutton, secretly marveling at Minglan's culinary skills, which were exactly as he had imagined.

"Don't just stand there, let's eat together."

Minglan smiled gently before picking up her chopsticks. Her eating manners were completely different from how she usually ate at home, becoming exceptionally dignified and proper.

"Did you learn your cooking skills from the old lady?"

The two ate and chatted.

Minglan swallowed the jujube and yam cake in her mouth, pondered for a moment, and then replied, "Yes and no."

"When I first came to my grandmother's side, she was ill and had a poor appetite, so she only ate some light vegetarian meals every day."

"To please my grandmother, I first asked my maid for some tips on how to make light and simple dishes."

"Later, my grandmother's health improved, and she ordered the reopening of the small kitchen in Shou'an Hall."

"Only then did they begin to teach me how to cook proper dishes, and there were also Mama Fang and Mama Cui, who were both my teachers."

Zhao Han picked up a piece of quail meat and put it into her bowl. "So this is a combination of the best of many schools of thought."

"Your Majesty is teasing me again!" Minglan smiled brightly.

After dinner, several palace maids carefully cleared away the dishes, and Zhao Han leaned against the soft couch.

Minglan sat to one side, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her dress, her voice barely audible, "Is Your Majesty staying here with me tonight?"

"That depends on whether you want to tomorrow or not," Zhao Han said with a smile, her tone slightly teasing.

"I……"

Minglan hesitated, as she hadn't slept well the night before and her whole body ached terribly.

This morning, Hualan and Yanran took turns talking to me, leaving me no time to catch up on sleep.

While she was in the Sheng family, although she went to pay her respects to the old lady and Wang Ruofu every day, she would return to her own room afterward.

The first thing I did was crawl back into my warm, cozy bed and continue sleeping until it was almost lunchtime, when Danju urged me to slowly get up.

Even during the time she attended classes at the academy, whenever she had a spare moment, she would find a quiet place to take a nap.

Zhao Han took Minglan's hand and pulled her directly into his arms.

The two were standing very close, and the atmosphere around them became somewhat ambiguous.

Minglan blinked, and Zhong Ling's delicate face suddenly turned red. Her fair neck exuded a unique fragrance that made one's heart tremble.

In this moment, Zhao Han lowered his head and kissed him deeply.

At first, Minglan's body was a little stiff, and she could only close her eyes, looking obedient and submissive. But gradually, she began to get into the mood, and her whole body became as soft as water.

Just as she raised her head and responded somewhat awkwardly.

Danju walked over carrying a freshly brewed cup of tea, and upon seeing this scene, she froze on the spot.

After regaining her senses, she blushed and quietly withdrew.

Xiao Tao, who was sitting on the stone steps outside eating snacks, turned her head and glanced at her. "Sister Danju, why did you bring the teapot out again? Don't let the Emperor and Empress get thirsty."

Danju lowered her eyes and frowned, saying, "The Emperor and the Empress are inside..."

"What are you doing in there?" Xiao Tao asked without thinking.

"Oh dear, you're so young, don't ask so many questions. Anyway, we'll go in and serve you later."

"Alright, I haven't finished my snacks yet." As she spoke, Xiao Tao nodded sweetly.

It wasn't until an hour had passed that Zhao Han reluctantly released Minglan, saying, "You should rest well tonight. I'm going to Consort Xiang's place, and I'll come see you again when I have time."

Minglan's face turned bright red. She had been held in his arms the whole time, and now that he had suddenly let go, she felt a little weak.

He slumped limply on the soft couch, looking completely bewildered.

After Zhao Han left, Danju and Xiaotao came in with a teapot to serve him.

"Quick, pour me a glass of water!" Minglan's voice was a little slurred. She struggled to sit up straight, her chest rising and falling slightly, as she supported herself on the armrest of the soft couch.

Danju responded and quickly brought over a teacup.

Minglan tilted her head back and drank it all in one gulp, leaving several clear red marks on her neck.

"Oh dear! Your Highness, what happened to your neck?"

Xiao Tao leaned closer, her eyes full of worry, "Was it bitten by an insect? Should I go to the Imperial Hospital and get some anti-itch and redness-reducing ointment to apply?"

Danju quickly reached out and nudged her arm, then gave Minglan a meaningful look.

"You silly girl, so many people sweep and clean this palace every day, how could there be bugs?"

"This is clearly a mark left by the Emperor out of affection for our Empress."

Upon hearing this, Minglan buried her face in her arms and said, "Danju, don't talk nonsense."

Xiao Tao lowered her eyes thoughtfully. No wonder Danju had come out with a flushed face carrying a teapot earlier; it turned out that the Emperor and the Empress were being intimate inside.

She looked up at the sky outside. Hmm... it was already dark, so it couldn't be considered daytime debauchery...

The Jia Rui Palace was brightly lit and filled with the fragrance of flowers. Xiang Yunyu, having learned that Zhao Han had ordered her to serve him in bed that night, had been preparing early. Only after serving him would she truly be considered a concubine.

She gazed at her beautiful reflection in the mirror, her fingers tightening slightly.

Before long, Zhao Han stepped into the hall and carefully examined Xiang Yunyu. She was dignified and gentle, and looked like a lady from a prominent family, even more so than Yanran.

The woman before me in history.

When asked about the wrongdoings he had committed, the only one he could recall was ignoring the advice of his ministers for his own selfish reasons.

On the grounds that he was born out of wedlock, Zhao Xu's brother, Prince Jian, Zhao Si, was not to be enthroned.

Using his poor eyesight as an excuse, he refused to enthrone the eldest prince, Zhao Bi, and insisted on supporting Prince Duan, Zhao Ji, to succeed to the throne.

Xiang Yunyu lowered her head, feeling a little embarrassed by Zhao Han's gaze.

"Your Majesty, is there something wrong with me today?"

When Zhao Han was asked this question, she immediately came to her senses and gave a dry laugh.

"No, I only saw her briefly on the day of the selection. Today, I see that my beloved concubine is beautiful and gentle, which suits my taste very well."

Xiang Yunyu smiled, pursing her lips.

"Your Majesty is too kind. It is my great fortune to be able to serve in the palace."

Zhao Han nodded with satisfaction.

Before long, red candles flickered and brocade quilts rolled around in the inner hall.

On the other side, in Qiantang County.

Zhao Pan'er has already used the money she has saved over the years to open a teahouse.

As for the purse that Xu Yi left behind before his departure, she did not use it, intending to save it for Song Yinzhang's future release from official status.

Song Yinzhang's sister had saved her life three months before Xu Yi came to see her with the deregistration documents.

A domineering young master in the city took a liking to her by chance, offered her a large sum of money, and specifically asked her to come to his mansion to perform songs and dances.

Song Yinzhang's sister knew this person's purpose, and she also knew that Zhao Pan'er was from an official's family and had been hiding her clumsiness all these years in order to protect her innocence. She had been beaten by the nanny countless times for being clumsy.

So he volunteered to take her place and serve her.

That very evening, the young master's residence announced that Song Yinzhang's sister had fallen from a building and died from her injuries.

Because of this incident, Zhao Pan'er secretly vowed that she would only have two goals in her life.

First, to exonerate his father and restore the Zhao family's innocence; second, to help Song Yinzhang clear his name and leave the music camp.

To save money, she did not place the teahouse in a busy downtown area.

They chose a small building by the river, with several square tables and plain-colored gauze curtains hanging on the windows, so that one could enjoy the river and the surrounding scenery while drinking tea.

It has both the rustic charm of the neighborhood and the elegance of a teahouse.

She also made a good friend named Sun Sanniang.

Sun San Niang is the daughter of a pig butcher. She not only knows how to butcher pigs, but also how to make all kinds of pastries. Zhao Pan'er is good at tea soup, and her tea-making skills are superb.

Nowadays, not only royal officials and literati, but also ordinary people are particularly fond of this.

Pour hot water into a porcelain bowl containing finely ground tea powder and mix it into a paste. Then slowly add hot water and whisk the tea with a tea whisk.

Continue until a thick layer of foam appears, then use clean water to draw on the foam.

Flowers, birds, fish, insects, and animals in the forest are all depicted, requiring considerable wrist strength and patience.

With their combined efforts, the two attracted many customers in just a few months.

-

Zhao Han was overjoyed to learn that Hua Lan was pregnant again.

Half a month later, when he summoned several important court officials, including Han Zhang and Shen Shiqi, to the Wenhua Hall.

Madam Sheng and Wang Ruofu, acting on Hua Lan's orders, were already inside the Renming Hall.

The old lady was dressed in a dark purple robe with gold cloud patterns, her full head of silver hair was neatly combed, and her complexion was becoming increasingly rosy.

"Hua'er, if you can give birth to a prince this time, your position in the harem will be even more secure," Wang Ruofu said impatiently, sitting on the soft stool on the right.

Compared to the past, her every move exuded a more noble and dignified air.

Hua Lan's brows relaxed, and she gently stroked her lower abdomen. "Mother, please don't say that. I love both princes and princesses."

"Shulan's daughter, Lingjie, is well-behaved, clever, and has a sweet tongue. I really like her very much."

"The Emperor is the same; he has to see Ling'er every few days."

The old lady said gently, "Children are ordained by Heaven. Just take good care of yourself during this time. We have some good news to tell you when we go to the palace."

"Oh? Grandmother, tell me quickly." Hua Lan raised an eyebrow, her eyes full of anticipation.

“Changbai sent a letter home yesterday, saying that Chaoyun is pregnant and Quan’er will soon become an elder brother.”

As the old lady spoke, Wang Ruofu couldn't stop smiling.

In order to abide by the Hai family's ancestral teachings, Sheng Changbai was unwilling to even keep a concubine by his side.

Hai Chaoyun was worried that if word got out, it would damage her reputation, and she also wanted to avoid any colleagues or superiors trying to force Sheng Changbai to have a concubine.

So she took the initiative to elevate Yang Hao, who had served Sheng Changbai the longest and was also taciturn, to the position of concubine.

At the same time, Hai Chaoyun also reached an agreement with Yang Hao: she would guarantee Yang Hao's wealth and status for life, but Yang Hao would not be allowed to have any children.

In this way, the heavy responsibility of ensuring the continuation of the Sheng family's eldest branch's lineage will naturally fall entirely on Hai Chaoyun's shoulders.

"Great!"

"This is truly wonderful news!" Overjoyed, Hua Lan couldn't help but pat the table beside her.

The three chatted for about an incense stick's time.

Hua Lan knew that the old lady was worried about Ming Lan, so she asked Cai Zan to lead her to Ning Hui Palace.

Inside the inner hall, only Hua Lan and her daughter Wang Ruofu were present.

Wang Ruofu sat down next to her and whispered, "Has Minglan been obedient since she entered the palace?"

"Why is Mother asking these questions out of the blue? Tomorrow I will be obedient and well-behaved, without the slightest impoliteness." Hua Lan frowned slightly.

Wang Ruofu sighed softly, "It's good that she's obedient; all those good things I bought weren't wasted."

"Entering the palace tomorrow will benefit both me and the Sheng family. Mother, just take care of things at home. I know what I'm doing."

Wang Ruofu patted the back of her hand, "I understand the reasoning, I'm just asking."

“I went back to the Wang family yesterday. Your maternal grandmother and aunt are also worried about this matter. You have no idea how angry your aunt is with Madam Wei.”

After Wang Ruofu explained the reason for the matter.

Hua Lan took a deep breath and put down her teacup. "This is something my aunt had to do to provoke us. What does it have to do with her what our family's affairs are like!"

"She lives such a miserable life herself, yet she comes to our house and criticizes us. If she were truly capable, how could Uncle Kang have married so many concubines?"

"Mother, don't go along with her nonsense!"

“Grandmother is the same. She has been very obedient to Aunt all these years. When will she ever treat Mother like this? It’s only because our family is in power now that she’s willing to give us a second glance.”

Wang Ruofu lowered her eyes and pursed her lips. She had long known that her mother favored her older sister.

(End of this chapter)