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

Pei Yuening pushed open the glass door of the greenhouse, and a wave of humid, warm air immediately rushed in.

Magic stones for maintaining constant temperature were attached to both sides, and moonlight poured down from the transparent dome, illuminating rows of neat planting racks.

The tomatoes he wanted were right in front of him.

The bright red fruits hanging among the emerald green stems and leaves look incredibly tempting.

Pei Yuening squatted down, picked out a few of the ripest ones, and gently placed them into the basket.

Gao Gao poked her head out of the pocket: "Is that enough, Master? Do you need my help?"

"That's enough, no need." Pei Yuening stood up and casually grabbed a few scallions. "Let's go back."

"Okay."

Pei Yuening hummed a song all the way back to the kitchen. After closing the door, Gao Gao finally flew out of her pocket.

Pei Yuening was taking the tomatoes out when Gao Gao skillfully helped cook the rice.

Tomato scrambled eggs.

This dish is an absolute must-have for any rice-eating buddy, yet it's incredibly easy to make.

Wash the tomatoes, drain them, make a cross-shaped cut on the top, blanch them in hot water heated by the Fire Magic Stone, then peel and cut them into small pieces.

He's making a rice bowl dish, so it's best to cook the tomatoes into a paste later.

Next, beat the eggs, add salt and lemon juice, and mix well.

After preparing all the ingredients, heat the oil in a wok.

The moment the egg mixture was poured in, the golden egg flowers expanded rapidly in the hot oil.

Pei Yuening kept a close eye on the heat, quickly stir-frying it a couple of times before taking it out of the pan, otherwise it would overcook.

Then pour in the oil and add the tomato chunks.

The tomatoes slowly softened in the hot pan, their juices overflowing and bubbling, filling the entire kitchen with a sweet and sour aroma.

Gao Gao is craving it like crazy.

"Awoooooo!!!"

Pei Yuening ignored her and poured the scrambled eggs back into the pot, letting the egg pieces be coated with tomato sauce.

Add salt and a little sugar to enhance the flavor.

Finally, chop some scallions and sprinkle them on top.

The rice on the other side is also cooked.

Since it was for the emperor, it still needed to be plated properly.

So he pressed the rice into a semi-circle at the bottom of the bowl, turned it upside down, poured the scrambled eggs with tomato and broth over the rice, and sprinkled sesame seeds on top as decoration.

There are four portions in total.

Gao Gao's portion was the smallest, and she couldn't eat much, so Pei Yuening simply mixed the rice and scrambled eggs with tomatoes in a small plate and placed it on the counter.

Cake, clutching the spoon, cried out, "Master! Give me a bite! Give me a bite! Give me a bite—!!"

Pei Yuening pushed the plate over: "Okay, you eat first, I'll take it upstairs."

Gao Gao's eyes lit up, and she immediately swooped down and plunged headfirst into the plate.

Pei Yuening carried the tray out of the kitchen, followed by Gao Gao's screams.

"Ughhhhhh—this is so delicious!!"

Its ferocity was so extreme that someone unfamiliar with it might think a tomato had bitten someone.

……

The corridor was quiet, with only the light from the wall lamps flickering slightly in the night breeze.

Inside the study, the tea in front of Ye Jiyun had gone cold.

Qin Shuxing, sitting in the chair opposite, spoke first: "I've read the letter."

Ye Jiyun nodded: "What is Your Majesty's opinion?"

"Okay, what exactly do you want me to do?" Qin Shuxing asked.

"It's nothing, we just need to send someone to protect him secretly," Ye Jiyun said. "Ningning has no magic, and flower fairies are too precious. If people find out, I'm afraid... someone might cause him trouble."

This is a very euphemistic way of putting it; normally, they would probably kill Ning Yuegao.

"Okay." Qin Shuxing replied, "Alright, then I'll arrange for people to come to the Holy Academy."

"As you wish, we will not alert the Silver Staff Council, nor will we let Pei Yuening know."

Ye Jiyun lowered his eyes, visibly relieved: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Forget it," Qin Shuxing waved her hand, "I came all this way specifically for something else."

He changed the subject: "You also said in your letter that you were willing to join the Privy Council to help me?"

"Yes." Ye Jiyun replied without hesitation.

"Why? You've declined several times before, saying you were too busy with your fiefdom affairs to handle everything."

Ye Jiyun nodded: "Times have changed, I believe you understand."

Qin Shuxing suddenly laughed: "Sure, it's a trade-off."

Ye Jiyun did not deny it.

"Alright." Qin Shuxing shrugged. "But don't feel like you're at a disadvantage. I never intended to send Luo Ren back to the border this time."

"The Privy Council needs him, and it needs you."

"Duke Luo?" Ye Jiyun was somewhat surprised.

"Yes, the border has not been peaceful in recent years, but we can't rely on him alone to hold it together."

"It's not fair to him either, he's getting on in years and he still can't find a wife like you."

Ye Jiyun: "…………"

Qin Shuxing ignored his expression and continued, "The council always says he's too powerful to challenge the emperor, but I can't be bothered to listen."

"Let him stay in the capital while he's back; that way, there will be less gossip."

Ye Jiyun nodded: "Your Majesty is right."

"Then it's settled." Qin Shuxing picked up her teacup and said leisurely, "I'll arrange your brother's safety after school starts, and you'll enter the Privy Council next month."

"clear."

The study was quiet for a while.

A moment later, there was a knock on the door.

Ye Jiyun glanced at Qin Shuxing, who nodded.

He then spoke, "Come in."

Pei Yuening pushed open the door and bowed in greeting.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Qin Shuxing raised an eyebrow: "Oh, Little Rose."

Pei Yuening: "..."

He stepped forward and set out the two meals: "Your Majesty, and brother, please eat while they're hot."

Even eating can't shut him up!

After he finished speaking, he prepared to take his leave.

"Where are you going?" Qin Shuxing asked.

"Come downstairs, Your Majesty." Pei Yuening remained silent, only offering a forced smile: "My portion is still in the kitchen."

Qin Shuxing looked down at the tempting bowl of braised rice in front of her, then looked up at Pei Yuening.

Then he picked up his bowl.

"Your Majesty?" Pei Yuening was stunned.

"It's stuffy inside, let's go out to eat." Qin Shuxing.

Ye Jiyun couldn't help but chuckle: "Go, Ningning, take good care of His Majesty."

Pei Yuening: "Oh, oh. (Smiling apologetically)"

As he spoke, he followed Qin Shuxing out of the study, down the stairs, and through the hallway, completely bewildered.

Upon reaching the entrance, before Pei Yuening could even ask a question, he watched as Qin Shuxing plopped down on the steps of the main entrance.

Pei Yuening: "…………"

The emperor of the great empire sat on the steps of the duke's mansion, holding a bowl and preparing to eat.

He never imagined that one day the words "what kind of behavior is this?" would come out of his mouth.

"Why are you standing?" Qin Shuxing looked up at him. "Sit down."

Pei Yuening silently sat down next to Qin Shuxing, shifting slightly to maintain what he considered a safe distance.

However, he was really hungry, so he picked up a spoon and scooped up a mouthful of rice.

Sure enough, it has to taste like this...

Qin Shuxing, who was standing next to her, finally had time to carefully examine the contents of the plate.

To be honest, according to the empire's custom, tomatoes have always been eaten as fruit.

Pei Yuening said that tomatoes can be used for stir-frying, but in Qin Shuxing's eyes, this was as surprising as someone suddenly telling you that strawberries can be used to make dumplings.

Qin Shuxing hissed.

He glanced at Pei Yuening, who was wolfing down his food, and then smelled the aroma emanating from the bibimbap.

"..."

He tentatively scooped out a spoonful and slowly put it into his mouth.

In an instant, heavenly thunder ignited earthly fire—

"Ah!!!" Qin Shuxing screamed.

Pei Yuening was startled: "Wha...what's wrong?"

The tomato is biting again?

"What is this?!" Qin Shuxing's cheeks were bulging, and a grain of rice was still hanging from the corner of her mouth.

He chewed a few times hastily, then swallowed it in a daze: "This...is this a tomato?"

"How can this be! It's so delicious???"