Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 691 The Exiled Prince (2)
"You have time to make a list of their relationships and give it to me."
Lou Qianyu was slightly startled. Having known it would come to this, why did he waste half a day’s breath here? Alas, a miscalculation, "Yes, Your Majesty, your humble servant shall put pen to paper immediately after returning, and will present it at tomorrow’s court session."
Dugu Chen, however, shook his head, "No, you give it to Zhenzhen, and have her bring it to the Empress when she enters the palace tomorrow, so the spies outside won’t become suspicious."
Lou Qianyu then understood and nodded in agreement.
Dugu Chen lifted his gaze to see that it was getting late, and Yangxin Hall must be about to serve dinner. Just as he was about to rise, the voice of Mei Lenglei came from outside the door, "Your Majesty, the servant sent by the Empress inquires whether Your Majesty will be returning to Yangxin Hall for the meal, Princess Lou is also there."
It was as if what he had in mind had materialized. Glancing at Lou Qianyu, he said, "Let’s go, after lunch, you will accompany Zhenzhen to the Prime Minister Residence for a visit."
"Your servant obeys the decree."
Dugu Chen opened the door of the Imperial Study, and Eunuch Wei outside lifted the cotton door curtain, requesting the Emperor and Lou Wang to enter.
Before reaching Yangxin Hall, the scent wafted out, revitalizing Dugu Chen, his eyes brightening as he quickened his pace. Entering the side hall, he saw a copper pot on the table, alongside plates of tender meat, and his mouth filled with an unnameable saliva. He laughed heartily, "My lady, I could smell the aroma from outside the door."
Lou Qianyu was quite curious about the items laid out on the table and asked Feng Xuxu with a smile, "Your Majesty the Empress, what is this? Why is there raw meat on the table?" He glanced and saw not only raw meat but also vegetables and some round items—it was all very novel to him.
Dugu Chen fully understood the look of astonishment on Lou Qianyu’s face at this moment. He patted his shoulder, motioning for him to sit down next to Xiao Jiazhen, while he sat down next to Feng Xuxu.
Xiao Jiazhen, seeing the expression on her husband’s face, which mirrored her own from a few years ago when she first learned about the pot, gently covered her lips with a brocade handkerchief and smiled.
"This is a copper pot. Today we are having hotpot with mutton. In this cold weather, a hot meal like this will certainly warm the stomach."
"Ah, this is called a copper pot. So the meat... is to be thrown into boiling water?" Lou Qianyu was captivated by the object before him, recalling how meals during winter, once served and set, would be cold by the time of eating, leaving a chill in the stomach.
"Yes, but not to throw, to ’shuàn’ (swish), just like this!" For the first time, Dugu Chen showed a smile to someone other than Feng Xuxu, perhaps because a joyful occasion invigorates the spirit.
Xiao Jiazhen, amazed, gaped until Dugu Chen glared at her. Only then did she close her mouth and smile shyly, realizing that her cousin was becoming more personable, not as icy as before. She preferred this version of her cousin.
Following the example, Lou Qianyu picked up a chopstick-full of fresh mutton and swished it in the bubbling broth, lifting it out and dipping it in the sauce bowl in front of him. With a twist of his chopsticks, he placed it in his mouth, slowly chewing. Barely a few chews in, before he could savour the taste, the meat was gone. Reaching out for the plate, he found it empty. Looking up, he saw the Emperor savoring his meal with gusto. So, Lou Qianyu also let go of his reserve, grabbing another plate of meat, alternating between dipping, swishing, and enjoying, only turning to the vegetables on the table after he had his fill of meat.
"Cousin-in-law, this winter bok choy, you won’t find it in Luo Kingdom. Even in the Imperial Palace, it’s not available in such variety or eaten regularly," said Xiao Jiazhen as she swished the vegetables. Even with silver, one couldn’t buy it.
