At this moment, the newly appointed dining eunuch, Little Yuan, who originally replaced Eunuch Qin, who failed to remove the fishbone cleanly, hadn’t held his position for long and was eager to stand out. He couldn’t help but say, "This servant went to the Imperial Kitchen today and smelled something particularly fragrant from the large kitchen. Upon checking, found out National Lady made some fresh dishes today. This servant tasted it, and it was truly delicious."

"The brine is still there. After National Lady left, this servant saw several chefs put chicken and duck in to cook. By now, they should be about done."

"If Your Majesty doesn’t have an appetite, this servant will go—"

Before he could finish speaking, Eunuch Xu interrupted, "Do not speak nonsense. How could Your Majesty eat food from the large kitchen?"

The Emperor waved his hand, indicating Eunuch Xu should stop talking, "What are these fresh dishes? Could they be something I haven’t tasted before?"

Little Yuan replied, "Your Majesty might really not have tasted them yet."

"National Lady used some herbs to cook in the kitchen, calling them braised medicine, and the cooked dishes are called marinated dishes."

The Emperor became interested, "I know National Lady reads many books. Once she even presented me some never-before-seen recipes, which the late Emperor asked the Imperial Chef to make and greatly praised."

"Whatever she prepares is surely something good."

"They are probably dining now, let’s go over and check it out."

The Emperor stood up and walked out.

Behind him, Eunuch Xu fiercely glared at Little Yuan.

Little Yuan wasn’t afraid of him. Cleverly, he took clean bowls and several pairs of silver chopsticks, placing them in the food box, and followed out.

When the Emperor arrived at Yun Jiao’s courtyard, they had just started eating.

Yun Jiao had just raised her cup, planning to toast the Marquis, when she heard eunuchs in the courtyard announce, "The Emperor has arrived!"

Everyone at the table looked at each other and quickly put down their chopsticks, stood up, and knelt at the door to welcome the Emperor.

The Emperor strode over, personally helped the Marquis up, "Get up, get up, I’m just here to join for a meal." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Jiang Youzhi saw the Emperor’s face without any hint of jest, feeling a bit troubled, "Your Majesty, this, this is inappropriate."

The Emperor raised his eyebrows, "Why is it inappropriate? Afraid I’ll eat up all your fresh dishes?"

Jiang Youzhi helplessly smiled, "I fear I cannot bear the consequences."

The Emperor shook his head, "Ah, I remember when we went to the capital back in the day, we once missed the post station and rested at a rural inn, and finished all the remaining food there."

"Now, I can’t even have a meal at my subjects’ houses?"

He looked at the table filled with dishes, suddenly feeling hungry, "Quick, bring a chair."

"Don’t just stand there, sit down quickly."

The eunuch placed a chair at the head, everyone waited for the Emperor to sit first, hesitated for a moment, and then sat down.

When the Emperor sat down, he looked at the table and exclaimed, good heavens, pig trotters, pig tails, pig ears, whole chickens, whole ducks, chilled seaweed strips, smashed cucumber, and loofah soup.

A full array of meat and vegetables.

The Emperor picked up his chopsticks just about to move when Eunuch Xu said, "Your Majesty, please wait a moment, this servant will test—"

The Emperor displeasingly turned his head to glare at Eunuch Xu, "What’s there to test? Everyone was just eating."

He waved his hand, "You leave, let Little Yuan serve dishes for me."

Eunuch Xu bowed his head and retreated.

Little Yuan saw the Emperor’s gaze towards the braised beef and promptly picked up two slices, placing them in the Emperor’s bowl.

The Emperor put the beef into his mouth and chewed slowly, his eyebrows gradually rising, "Sure enough, a flavor I’ve never tasted."

"Not bad, the taste is excellent."

He suddenly felt something was missing.

Upon looking, except for a few children, everyone had a wine glass in front of them, whereas he did not.