At dinner time, the aroma of the meal in the Yangju Hall masked the scent of the day’s medicinal herbs.
“Your Majesty, the Empress specifically instructed the kitchen to prepare this yam puree soup for you. She heard that you've had a bitter taste in your mouth lately, so she also told the chefs to add a bit of honey to make it sweeter and more appetizing,” the eunuch said as he carefully laid out the meticulously prepared dishes, each one made with evident care and attention.
“The Empress hasn’t joined you for dinner these past few days. Would you like to summon her?” the eunuch asked tentatively when he saw that Xiao Jing was dining alone.
Xiao Jing tasted the yam soup; it was indeed slightly sweet and refreshing, cutting through the lingering bitterness from the medicine he had been taking.
Seeing Xiao Jing smile but remain silent, the eunuch couldn’t help but continue, “Your Majesty, that Nanchuan King… his behavior is truly outrageous. Not only has he blatantly taken up residence in the Empress’s hall, but he also nearly harmed the young prince.”
Today’s events had already been reported to Xiao Jing, who continued to sip his soup until the white porcelain bowl was empty.
“Is Ji’er still studying in Xuyang Hall?”
Seeing that Xiao Jing had finally spoken, the eunuch quickly bowed and replied, “No, Your Majesty. The Empress recently sent someone to summon the young prince to join her for dinner at Hanning Palace. They should be arriving soon. Pardon my speaking out of turn, but I fear that if the young prince encounters that quick-tempered Nanchuan King, he might be wronged again.”
But given the current situation, it was clear to anyone with eyes that, for the time being, no one had a choice but to tolerate the Nanchuan King. As long as his troops remained in the palace, everyone else could stay alive for another day. The eunuch knew he had overstepped his bounds with his words, but fortunately, Xiao Jing did not reprimand him, so he quietly stood by.
Xiao Jing did not eat much, setting down his spoon after finishing the bowl of yam puree. The eunuch handed him a silk cloth to wipe his hands.
“Go out of the palace on my behalf and bring Master Xiang here. Make sure to do so discreetly, without alerting anyone.”
“Yes, Your Majesty, I will see to it immediately.”
Over in Hanning Palace, a similar array of dishes was laid out on the table, accompanied by a pot of strong liquor that had been brought over by the Nanchuan soldiers on Xiao Yuan’s orders. Unlike in the Yangju Hall, however, these dishes and the wine had been personally arranged by the Empress.
Xiao Yuan, having washed his hands, walked over to find the woman with her graceful figure turned away from him as she carefully set the table.
This was a scene he had dreamed of countless times.
Pei Qing turned around and, seeing him staring directly at her, asked softly, “Are you hungry?”
But such a question stirred up more than just hunger. In the face of this scene, how could he not be hungry? Noticing the evident change in his body, Xiao Yuan glanced down, displeased by how easily she could arouse him. Was this how she asked that sickly emperor every day if he was hungry?
Seeing the displeasure on his face, Pei Qing hesitated before speaking again. “I’ve invited Ji’er to join us for dinner. Please, don’t lose your temper, alright?”
Xiao Yuan ignored her and sat down.
Pei Qing moved closer. “Ji’er usually eats with me every day. I don’t want him to be left alone in Xuyang Hall.”
Xiao Yuan sneered at her words. “It’s fine if you enjoy being a stepmother, but don’t expect me to sit down and have dinner with him too. No offense, Empress, but I can do many things—being someone’s stepfather isn’t one of them.”
Pei Qing was taken aback, her ears turning red as she quietly protested, “That… that wasn’t my intention.”
She had simply thought that since Ji’er was the junior and Xiao Yuan the senior, they were, after all, of the same family and lineage. She didn’t understand why Xiao Yuan had said such a thing, as if they were an ordinary couple arguing over a stepson.
But the man at the table wasn’t thinking about that. He poured himself a cup of wine and downed it in one go. Just then, Zhi Lan’s voice came from outside the hall, “Your Majesty.”
Pei Qing knew that Zhi Lan had brought the child, but because Xiao Yuan was in the hall, Zhi Lan only dared to wait outside with Xiao Ji’an.
After Pei Qing stepped out, Xiao Yuan was left alone in the hall. The sound of him pouring wine was so abrupt in the silence, reminiscent of the nights gone by.
After she left, he would sit alone like this, drinking and eating. No one was there to scold him for being picky, and no one would place food in his bowl. The thought of that smiling face and those gentle reminders had kept him awake at night. Only by drowning himself in the strongest liquor could he find some relief.
He didn’t like this silence. In fact, he despised it. Just as he was about to lose his temper, that familiar figure reappeared in his line of sight.
He wasn’t sure what she had said to the boy outside, but when Xiao Ji’an re-entered the hall and saw Xiao Yuan, he no longer seemed as hostile as he had been earlier.
Pei Qing held Xiao Ji’an’s hand, and when she met Xiao Yuan’s gaze, she felt inexplicably nervous. Her watery eyes seemed to be pleading, Don’t lose your temper.
Xiao Yuan frowned. Was he really that terrifying? Did she think he was some kind of monster that could devour her son in one bite?
Seeing his frown, Pei Qing became even more reluctant to approach with the child. She could endure his temper, but she couldn’t bear to see Ji’er suffer.
But she hadn’t expected Xiao Ji’an to let go of her hand and step forward toward the intimidating man.
“Ji’er…” Pei Qing called softly.
Xiao Ji’an stood tall for his age, clasped his fists, and spoke clearly, “Today, I misunderstood you, Uncle, and was disrespectful. I apologize and am willing to accept any punishment you deem fit.”
One large, one small, one seated, one standing.
Xiao Yuan looked at Xiao Ji’an’s bright, clear eyes, which reminded him of a little beast daring to face him head-on, and he suddenly gave a wicked smile.
“Well then, why don’t you call me ‘Father’ and let’s see how that sounds?”
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