If you want to survive after transmigrating, become the male protagonist's new mother.

Pei Yuening's hands trembled almost the entire way.

He sat in the carriage, his mind frantically searching for fragments about this emperor in the original text, trying to find some relevant clues.

Unfortunately, no.

In the original novel, the emperor is simply a tool for issuing decrees!

Pei Yuening committed a crime, resulting in the emperor's fury.

Pei Yuening courted disaster, resulting in the emperor's fury.

Then, the sentence briefly mentions the tragic end of the imperial decree that was issued against Pei Yuening.

But what should we do with him now?

That's the emperor! He's really going to see the emperor!

Moreover, there wasn't a single passage from the original work to refer to, so he couldn't even follow the plot, and his brother was away on official business...

Only one person, devoid of magic and fame, and most likely to kick the bucket and go home to enjoy a life of luxury, bears all of this alone.

Helpless, Pei Yuening could only do her best.

He checked the food box three times, making sure the flower cakes and cranberry cookies were neatly arranged and that each one was perfect before closing the lid.

By the time the carriage stopped in front of the palace gate, it was already broad daylight.

Pei Yuening was helped down by servants, though she tried her best to tell herself not to move, not to forget, not to think...

But when he actually saw the palace, he was still slightly amazed.

The palace walls were made of off-white giant stones, and were larger than any European castle he had ever seen in his previous life.

The archway was inlaid with golden emblems, and the guards wore silver-white armor, their spears gleaming in the morning light.

Just like in fairy tales.

A servant came forward, his attitude very respectful.

"Good morning, Your Excellency," he said. "His Majesty is already waiting. Please follow me."

Pei Yuening nodded: "Thank you."

The two passed through archway after archway and corridor after corridor.

The palace gardens were exceptionally beautiful, with fountains and sculptures galore, but he had no interest in looking at them.

He had only one thought in his mind: what should he say when he met the emperor?

A bow? Definitely.

But what should I say? Just say "Your Majesty" and then shut up?

Should I introduce myself?

Who cares, let's do it, brothers!

The servants stopped in front of a huge, carved door.

"Your Majesty, the person you've been waiting for has arrived."

A languid voice came from inside: "Come in."

The door was pushed open.

This is an exquisitely decorated room.

Please forgive Pei Yuening's limited vocabulary.

It's basically that kind of extreme European style, even more exaggerated than that old money of Loren.

The emperor's study or something similar.

Pei Yuening stepped to the center, then lowered his eyes and performed a standard aristocratic bow.

Good morning, Your Majesty.

Don't ask, the answer is that I crammed in advance.

The young man sitting at the head of the table, who had his eyes closed, quietly opened one upon hearing this.

"No need for such formalities," he said.

Pei Yuening breathed a sigh of relief before daring to raise her head.

This person looks to be in his early twenties, with handsome and refined features, and a noble and elegant demeanor. In the real world, he would definitely be a youthful and adorable guy.

Unfortunately, this was another world, and the other person was looking at him with a scrutinizing gaze.

Pei Yuening's heart skipped a beat.

"You're Ye Jiyun's younger brother?"

"Yes."

Qin Shuxing's gaze lingered on his face for a few seconds.

"The Empire's most dazzling rose truly lives up to its name."

Pei Yuening's eye twitched: "...Your Majesty flatters me."

He took two steps forward, placed the food box in an empty space on the desk, and gently opened the lid.

"Your Majesty, these are flower cakes and cranberry cookies for you."

Even eating can't shut him up!

Qin Shuxing hummed in agreement.

He picked up a flower cake with a calm and impeccable demeanor.

After finishing one, he picked up his teacup and took a sip of tea.

Throughout the entire process, his expression remained almost unchanged.

"Not bad," Qin Shuxing said.

He glanced at the servants beside him and said, "You all step outside."

"Yes."

The servants filed out.

Pei Yuening shrank back to where she was.

Uh... should he go out? But I don't think I called him just now.

But since all the servants have been dismissed, shouldn't he be even less likely to stay here, given his status?

Just as he was struggling with this dilemma, the palace doors closed.

Pei Yuening trembled at the sound of the "bang."

Realizing his rudeness, he widened his eyes and immediately began to discreetly observe the emperor's expression, ready to slide to his knees at any moment.

Qin Shuxing remained silent, only focusing on eating her snacks.

He picked up the flower cake again and took a big bite.

The movement was so vigorous that the rose filling overflowed from the crack and stuck to my fingertips.

But this gourmand didn't even wipe it off; he just licked it off.

Pei Yuening: "..."

He couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty, please slow down, be careful it's hot—"

Qin Shuxing looked up at him.

That glance held no imperial majesty, no scrutiny, no probing.

There was only one foodie's guilty conscience when their mouth was stuffed with snacks.

"Oh, oh," he replied perfunctorily, continuing to say, "Pei Yuening."

"exist."

"What's this called again?"

"Flower cakes, Your Majesty."

"What is it made of?"

"Rose."

Qin Shuxing paused for a moment: "You mean those roses that you can see everywhere?"

"Yes...uh, no!" Pei Yuening was startled, her mind racing: "What's offered to you is naturally made with the most precious ingredients."

Qin Shuxing ignored his flattery.

"I've eaten all sorts of snacks," he said, still chewing on something: "from empires, neighboring countries, border towns, all sorts of strange and wonderful things."

"But I've never had this before. It's really delicious, unlike any other tea snack in the Empire."

Pei Yuening remained silent, only offering a forced smile: "I'm glad Your Majesty is pleased."

Qin Shuxing finally noticed his unease and, amidst her busy schedule, took a moment to ask with concern, "Are you afraid of me?"

Pei Yuening nodded honestly: "A little."

Why?

"Because you are the emperor, I cannot bear the consequences of offending you..."

Qin Shuxing was even more confused: "What's wrong with the emperor? The emperor needs to eat too."

"Besides, what you make is absolutely unique. If I kill you, won't I never be able to eat it again?"

Pei Yuening paused.

Hey?

That's right!

He stood there, and the alarm that had been screaming in his head suddenly stopped.

To be honest, after he transmigrated, all he could think about was "hanging in two months", "cannon fodder from the original story", and "not making any mistakes".

He desperately tried to stay out of trouble, but he was exceptionally bold in flirting with Luo Ren. Otherwise, he was afraid that every action he took would trigger the plot of the original story.

but now……

His cooking was delicious, and the emperor loved it.

In other words, as long as he doesn't betray his country and cause all sorts of trouble to kill Ryan like in the original story...

Is that alright?

If the emperor loves to eat it, isn't that practically a get-out-of-jail-free card?!

He can even control the emperor's stomach!

Pei Yuening almost burst out laughing on the spot, but she desperately held it back.

No, I can't float.

What if Qin Shuxing gets tired of the food tomorrow? What if an even more skilled chef comes the day after tomorrow?

We still have to walk on two legs – we need to take care of the stomach, and we also need to take care of Luo Ren.

No, Luo Ren is the key figure.

The emperor is someone who saves his own life; Luo Ren is...

Those grey-blue eyes flashed into his mind, and his ears began to burn again.

Okay, stop thinking about it.

He didn't need to look in a mirror to know how lewd his expression was when Luo Ren was on his mind.

It wouldn't be good if the emperor got sick of looking at it; he'd think it was from eating too much flower cake.

Wouldn't that be a disaster?