Chapter 1254: YeXi No forcing (1/2)

Zhao mama was not only an old hand at the palace, but an experienced cook of twenty to thirty years. If she didn’t know the whole story already, she would never have figured out what the lumpy mass in the bowl was made of.

“Zhao mama, speak. What is this?” Han Yunxi asked. If someone can tell these are noodles, I’ll eat them up to the last bite.

Long Feiye also regarded Zhao mama coldly. Zhao mama knitted her brows at the sight and remained silent.

“Think it over carefully!” Han Yunxi added.

“Yes!” Zhao mama put on an air of careful scrutiny. She picked up the bowl and gave it an experimental sniff. “Mm, how delicious! There must be chicken soup in this, from an old hen too.”

Han Yunxi pursed her lips into a forced smile. Even without her saying it, she had smelled the chicken when Long Feiye carried it over.

“Zhao mama, then do you think this is crushed chicken or…” Han Yunxi gave Long Feiye a long look as she trailed off, but he remained unmoved. Instead, it was Zhao mama who had caught every one of the empress’s meaningful looks.

If she said these were noodles, how fake it would be! She could only take it step by step and hoped she could satisfy the empress completely once she identified the dish without revealing that she had already been to the kitchens.

After feigning more careful study, Zhao mama ventured cautiously, “This, shouldn’t be crushed chicken.”

“Then what is it?” Han Yunxi continued to press.

“Esteemed Empress, will you allow this old servant to scoop a spoonful and see?” Zhao mama asked.

A flicker went past Han Yunxi’s eyes before she conceded. “That’s not a bad idea. The emperor and I made a bet, so you have to look carefully.”

“This, this…” Zhao mama grew fearful. “This old servant fears I am incompetent.”

“Zhao mama, what are you afraid of with your years of kitchen experience?” Han Yunxi asked as she personally doled out a spoonful for her. “Here, take a clear look!”

Zhao mama took it and looked at the contents from left to right. Before she could speak, Han Yunxi said, “What are you just looking for? Try a taste.”

Zhao mama was so frightened that she fell to her knees. “Esteemed Empress, spare this old servant! These are the noodles that the emperor personally cooked for you! Even if this old servant had a hundred heads, I wouldn’t dare to try a single bite!”

“So you knew these were noodles!” Han Yunxi chuckled.

Zhao mama wanted to cry. She didn’t know how to answer. When had she ever played the fool in front of the empress, if only for the emperor’s sake? If not for him behind her, she wouldn’t dare to say a lie even with a hundred heads to spare! As soon as the empress asked her what was in the bowl, Zhao mama knew she wanted to rescind the bet and refuse to eat it.

“Zhao mama, tell me, how did you know these were noodles?” Han Yunxi asked.

Zhao mama finally had enough and admitted, “Esteemed Empress, this is the emperor’s first time cooking. After making such fragrant noodles, Esteemed Empress should cherish the dish. This kind of luck isn’t given to just anyone!”

Han Yunxi gave a start. Was Zhao mama scolding her?

Long Feiye remained silent, but his lips had quirked up into a satisfied grin.

After a spell of silence, Han Yunxi rose and fell to her knees in a respectful bow. “May Your Majesty mete punishment, chenqie knows her wrongs.”

Long Feiye creased his brows. What kind of play was his empress putting on now?

“If you ‘gnaw’ your wrongs, that’s good. Eat up,” he intoned.

Han Yunxi stood up with a face full of disappointment, then sat by Long Feiye while taking his arm. Zhao mama didn’t even excuse herself before silently slipping away and shutting the door behind her. If Xu Donglin and Chu Xifeng were here, she’d definitely find them for a bed. She could guarantee that the emperor couldn’t bear to have the empress eat that bowl of muck. That was because the empress was preparing to use the fatal tool of all woman: acting spoiled!

That’s right!

Han Yunxi was being a coquette as she hugged Long Feiye’s arm and leaned against him pitifully. “Your Majesty, chenqie knows her wrongs. Won’t you spare chenqie?”

“Where did you go wrong?” Long Feiye sat unmoving, but his smile had long betrayed him.

“Chenqie should have known my limits instead of daring to bet with the emperor,” Han Yunxi replied.

Long Feiye chuckled and asked, “Wasn it Zhen who found you for a bet?”

That was true. Long Feiye had casually asked Han Yunxi if she wanted to bet, and she had happily agreed with a yes. Then Tang Li and the rest had overheard them and joined in.

“That’s why chenqie was extremely wrong. Chenqie didn’t know the difference between Heaven and Earth and wantonly challenged the emperor’s wisdom. Chenqie shouldn’t have bet with Your Majesty and just directly admit defeat,” Han Yunxi continued.

Long Feiye laughed out loud before his arm went habitually around her shoulder.

“Your Majesty, chenqie really knows her wrongs. Won’t Your Majesty spare chenqie this once?” Han Yunxi quickly begged.