bayedsolid Chapter 602
Chapter 602
Chapter 602
The two women's faces fell instantly, because they were lying. What "personally prepared imperial cuisine"? It was all made by others and then served. Who would actually cook it themselves?
A woman who reeks of cooking oil—no man would like that!
Pei Fang was pampered since childhood, and she couldn't even do embroidery, let alone cook.
Zeng Rou had been wielding knives and guns since she was a child. All she knew was how to kill chickens. When she went into the kitchen, she could only chop vegetables at most. She didn't know anything else.
"Your Majesties, please begin!"
"Whoever wins, the Emperor will dine with them." Before they could react, Eunuch Fu had a stove brought over and the meal was to be served in an open space.
Upon hearing the news, the other concubines all came to watch the spectacle.
As it turned out, neither Zeng Rou nor Pei Fang knew how to do it.
It turned into a huge joke; Pei Fang injured her finger while chopping vegetables and was forced to stop.
Zeng Rou almost burned herself to death.
"The two ladies just told the Emperor that they had personally prepared a meal for him to taste, but now they can't even cut vegetables. It seems they were lying to the Emperor."
"This is deceiving the emperor."
Eunuch Fu watched coldly and casually sentenced the two men.
Zeng Rou and Pei Fang's expressions changed slightly.
The news quickly reached the Pei and Zeng families.
Pei Xiang and General Zeng arrived at the Imperial Study.
Murong Yu refused to see them, leaving the two waiting for a whole day and night.
"Please leave, both of you! His Majesty does not wish to see you."
Prime Minister Pei understood that the Emperor was about to launch a counterattack.
General Zeng was even more familiar with the Emperor's character and methods.
"I'm afraid we won't make it through tomorrow," he said pessimistically.
Prime Minister Pei was secretly furious and planned to go to the Empress Dowager.
But the Empress Dowager was not in Funing Palace, so Ghost Hand took her out of the palace, saying that going to the mountains to soak in hot springs would help her sleep.
He insisted on climbing to the top of the mountain by himself, and was trained to the point of being almost like a grandson.
The Empress Dowager was cursing inwardly!
Seeing the Empress Dowager's disheveled appearance, Ghost Hand said, "It's still a little short, Empress Dowager, give it your all."
The Empress Dowager was panting heavily, "I can't climb anymore!"
"Have someone carry me up there."
Seeing that she had indeed reached her limit, Ghost Hand allowed someone to carry her on his back.
By the time we reached the mountaintop, it was already dark.
The meal was prepared, and the Empress Dowager was not picky at all; she practically wolfed it down.
After we finished eating, we were arranged to soak in the hot springs.
"This hot spring is indeed wonderful..." The Empress Dowager finally felt alive again.
The Pei family sent someone, but it was already evening. The Empress Dowager had eaten her fill, soaked in the hot spring, and felt drowsy. She fell asleep shortly afterward.
Until the next day, during the morning court session.
On the throne in the Golden Palace, Murong Yu questioned, "Prime Minister Pei, General Zeng, I would like to ask, what is the punishment for deceiving the emperor!"
The two knelt down, cold sweat pouring down their faces.
"Your Majesty, Consort Gui did not mean to deceive you..." Prime Minister Pei was surprised that his daughter was so useless, having not learned to cook in all these years.
No wonder he couldn't gain favor!
I'll make him furious!
General Zeng didn't want to speak. "Your Majesty, neither of the two empresses intended to deceive you. It's just that they both longed for Your Majesty's company."
"I must prioritize the affairs of the state. How can I waste my time spending every day in the harem, accompanying my concubines?" Murong Yu said.
General Zeng felt powerless; he was not good at debating.
Seeing that he didn't speak, Murong Yu looked at Prime Minister Pei and said, "The Consort has been in the palace for many years. It's not that I don't give her a chance."
That is to say, it's not that he doesn't want to share the benefits evenly.
It's their daughter's fault for being so disappointing.
"From now on, don't talk about the equal distribution of favors. I'm not thinking about having an heir right now. I should be focusing on state affairs. The national treasury is tight."
"The war has just ended, and the people on the border are suffering much more than the people in the capital. Starting tomorrow, let's think about how to improve their livelihoods."