81Empress: Shen Qing deserves a reward
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Chapter 81 Empress: Shen Qing Deserves Reward
Li Hui only felt a headache coming on; when Madam Li got angry, he was a bit at a loss.
At this moment, he thought of Shen Yulou; if he had Lord Shen's ability, he could definitely coax this woman into happiness.
He suddenly remembered what Shen Yulou had said to Tao Hong that day.
Li Hui cleared his throat and walked up to Madam Li.
"Madam, who said you embarrassed me? A Madam is a Madam, across the four seas and myriad nations, for all eternity, there is only one Madam.
If Madam wants to go, then go; at worst, I'll shamelessly speak to His Majesty."
Hearing Li Hui's words, Madam Li's face flushed crimson, and she gave him a charming, flirtatious look.
"Where did you learn such words? They're sickening! If I'm not going, I'm not going, but if there's anything delicious, bring some back for our son!"
Madam Li couldn't suppress the smile at the corners of her mouth; clearly, her anger had already vanished.
Li Hui couldn't help but exclaim, "Lord Shen is truly an extraordinary person; I must learn more from him in the future!"
...Two days passed quickly.
On the Empress's birthday, Shen Yulou returned to the palace.
As per Emperor Ren's request, he began preparing imperial meals for the Imperial Heirs.
Just then, an old eunuch dressed in a python robe walked into the Imperial Heirs Residence.
"Are you Shen Yulou?"
Shen Yulou found him unfamiliar and asked, "And you are?"
"I am Chen Rongmao, the manager of the Imperial Heirs Residence. You've been in office for some time, yet you've never paid your respects to this humble one. Could it be that you don't acknowledge me as the manager?"
This Eunuch Chen was the manager of the Imperial Heirs Residence, Shen Yulou's direct superior.
After Shen Yulou's promotion, he was busy to death every day, so he naturally hadn't gone to pay his respects to Eunuch Chen.
Moreover, all the work in the Imperial Heirs Residence was arranged by Shen Yulou; Eunuch Chen was like a hands-off manager, completely lacking presence. Shen Yulou couldn't be bothered with such a leader.
However, matters of etiquette still needed to be observed.
"Your humble servant greets Eunuch Chen."
Chen Rongmao snorted, "Shen Yulou, you've been promoted quite quickly, but be careful: the higher you climb, the harder you fall."
Shen Yulou said with a chuckle, "Eunuch Chen's reminder is well-noted."
Chen Rongmao said, "Today is the Thousand Autumn Feast. The banquet will be filled with high-ranking officials and nobles. Be sure not to steal too much thunder; it won't be good for you to stand out too much."
Chen Rongmao's tone was full of menace.
Clearly, Shen Yulou's abilities in caring for the Imperial Heirs were a bit too outstanding.
Before he entered the palace, the Imperial Heirs Residence had always revered Eunuch Chen.
But now, Chen Rongmao could no longer intervene in the work of the Imperial Heirs Residence; they asked Shen Yulou about every task.
If this continued, Chen Rongmao, the manager of the Imperial Heirs Residence, would become nothing more than a figurehead.
Shen Yulou smiled slightly, "Eunuch Chen's lesson is well-taken."
This old eunuch could say whatever he wanted; Shen Yulou couldn't be bothered with him.
Chen Rongmao snorted, then flicked his sleeves and left.
After leaving the Imperial Heirs Residence, Chen Rongmao went to wait at the entrance of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Imperial Advisor Sun Xun stood before Emperor Ren's bed, holding a cup of tea.
"Your Majesty, I have already burned the talisman and dissolved it in the tea. After Your Majesty consumes it, you will begin to feel better within two days."
Although the Imperial Advisor's previous method of blood exchange for the Imperial Heirs had failed, Emperor Ren still had a certain degree of trust in him.
After all, the Imperial Advisor had solved some problems for him before, and Emperor Ren also liked to believe in some mystical things.
Emperor Ren drank the tea, then said,
"The Thousand Autumn Feast is about to begin, Imperial Advisor, please."
"Your humble servant takes his leave."
The Imperial Advisor walked out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and Eunuch Chen immediately went to meet him.
"Imperial Advisor, that man surnamed Shen is preparing meals for the Imperial Heirs and princesses today. I had intended to tamper with the food, but that fellow is somewhat wary of me, so the opportunity is probably slim."
The Imperial Advisor said, "There's no need. Doing so is too risky. I have another way to deal with him. You only need to add fuel to the fire at the banquet."
"Understood!"
...At noon, the Thousand Autumn Feast officially began.
The Empress appeared in grand attire, with all the concubines following closely behind.
Today, the Empress was the main character; even the Noble Consort avoided overshadowing her.
The Noble Consort wasn't jealous; the banquet held for her six months ago was much grander than this.
After everyone was present, Emperor Ren made his entrance.
Everyone first greeted Emperor Ren, then the Imperial Heirs and princesses recited birthday wishes to the Empress, followed by song and dance performances.
After this whole sequence, no smile was seen on the Empress's face.
Emperor Ren felt a headache and asked,
"Empresss given name, are you not in a good mood today?"
The Empress said, "Your Majesty, this humble concubine is merely feeling a bit unwell, not in a bad mood."
Emperor Ren said, "If you're not feeling well, you may return early."
The Empress said, "I heard that Minister Shen will be making some special meals for the Imperial Heirs today, and this humble concubine would also like to try some."
Emperor Ren was taken aback for a moment, "Since that's the case, then serve the dishes."
Emperor Ren shook his head helplessly.
He didn't know what had gotten into the Empress lately, making her so unhappy.
Besides the Empress, the Noble Consort and Consort Qing were also a bit strange.
Either their menstrual cycles were irregular, or they were feeling unwell, giving him no chance to call upon them.
However, Emperor Ren also enjoyed the rare peace.
There were many concubines in the Imperial Harem, and quite a few had been in the palace for a long time without receiving Emperor Ren's favor.
Even if he favored one every two or three days, it would still take a month or so to go through them all.
As long as these women didn't cause trouble, Emperor Ren was too lazy to call upon them.
After the songs and dances concluded, dishes began to be served one after another.
All sorts of delicacies, rare and exotic foods, were brought up.
Neither the Empress nor Emperor Ren had much appetite, only tasting a little.
Everyone was waiting to see Shen Yulou, to see what delicacies he could create.
Soon, Shen Yulou, accompanied by Qin Guiru and Tao Hong, came forward carrying food boxes.
"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty. The meals for the Imperial Heirs and princesses are ready."
Shen Yulou lifted the lids, revealing the exquisite dishes inside.
Making complementary food for these young Imperial Heirs was actually not difficult; it was simply about making it soft and easily digestible.
It was just that the fruit rice noodles he made during the last competition with Qin Guiru had seemed miraculous to everyone.
So this time, Shen Yulou made extra fruit rice noodles, adding various fruit juices.
Emperor Ren said, "Minister Shen, everyone was very interested when they heard about the fruit rice noodles you made last time. Today, besides for the Imperial Heirs, please let us adults also try some."
Shen Yulou said, "Your humble servant specifically prepared extra today for Your Majesty and all the empresses and consorts to taste."
After he finished speaking, Tao Hong carried the food boxes and presented them. Inside the food boxes were bowls of rice noodles of various colors, which looked very appetizing.
The Empress picked up a bowl, and after taking a bite, she immediately praised it profusely.
"Your Majesty, these fruit rice noodles have a light and unique flavor. Many desserts I've tasted don't compare to this. No wonder the Imperial Heirs love them so much."
"This bowl of rice noodles deeply pleases me. Minister Shen should be rewarded."
Everyone was stunned for a moment.
He was rewarded just like that?
Although these rice noodles were good, they were just ordinary fare. It was Shen Yulou's duty to make such things for the Imperial Heirs.
This reward... was a bit too casual, wasn't it