When Lin Wanyi awoke the next day, the sun was already high in the sky.
She was so embarrassed she didn’t know how to step outside, wishing she could hide under the quilt.
But the Emperor wouldn’t let her go.
A warm body held her closely and then spoke with a good mood.
"Get up now, do you want them to help you bathe?"
She didn’t want Xia An and the others to see the marks on her body, so she shook her head like a rattle.
The Emperor couldn’t help but laugh.
"Why worry? If they see it, they’d probably be happy about my exclusive affection for you."
It was nearing the year’s end and rare days of relaxation.
So these two days, the Emperor wasn’t as composed and unpredictable as before.
All day, he was either thinking about eating and drinking or how to tease her.
Lin Wanyi now felt this "exclusive royal favor" was truly inappropriate, preferring the former equitable treatment.
After all, young grass needs to lay dormant during winter.
Otherwise, with such daily torment, she feared not seeing the spring’s first sun.
But she wasn’t foolish; saying such words now would spoil the moment.
So she kept quiet and pointed to the clothes on the bed.
The intention was clear.
"You want me to dress you?"
"I have no strength left."
The Emperor gazed affectionately at her; aside from that, the originally white and tender beauty had been somewhat...
How should one say, somewhat "battered."
So with good nature, he agreed to it, not expecting this person to continually retreat.
Otherwise, it would become a good habit.
For example, after that, Lin Wanyi’s clothes were basically attended to personally by the Emperor.
Years later, the Emperor realized how unfair it was to himself.
Yet, having cultivated this habit for many years, how could it be changed?
The first night he murmured resentfully, but the next day he still dressed her as usual.
Everything became natural and rightful.
After getting up and grooming, it wasn’t long before the Imperial Kitchen sent over the lamb stew pot.
First, of course, it went to the small kitchen.
Chunqi, having never seen it before, was especially curious.
She asked the Imperial Kitchen staff in detail back and forth.
Together sent were several brass pots of varying sizes, Chunqi learned that they could be used individually or collectively.
Considering the Emperor was here, it was better to use them individually.
So the furnace paired with the copper pot burned with silver wire carbon.
Inside the copper pot was a pre-prepared clear broth, seemingly plain, but Chunqi just tasted a bit and felt it was exceedingly delicious.
"This lamb was specially frozen for an hour, so the sliced pieces are just right."
With a nice balance of fat and lean, thickness just right.
Seeing the Imperial Kitchen staff pick up chopsticks to dip a slice into the copper pot, swirling it, the meat changed color.
Then they brought out some sauce, speaking to Chunqi.
"Try this, girl, this stew pot is unique in the palace, even Your Majesty loves it. If you learn, it’ll be quite convenient to make for the young masters in the future."
The staff knew of Chunqi’s exceptional skills.
Usually, when consulted, she never hesitated to share her cooking secrets.
Thus, the Imperial Kitchen had a mutual appreciation for Chunqi.
The lamb entered the mouth with a taste of sauce.
Originally fearing it would burn, the sauce surprisingly moderated the heat.
The mouth was filled with the fragrance of lamb mingled with sauce.
Eating this in winter was simply perfect.
Chunqi, already well-versed in cooking, quickly came up with numerous ideas.
"This lamb stew pot is truly satisfying; once I ponder it, there is surely another way to enjoy it!"
The Imperial Kitchen staff laughed cheerfully, never doubting Chunqi’s skills.
Once she mastered it, they would come to learn from her.
After preparing the vegetables and lamb, the stew pot was sent together to the main room.
Sure enough, upon lifting the lid, the aroma filled the room.
Even the Second Princess, eating porridge, was drawn to it and made noises.
She seemed to be asking, why does this smell so good?
Lin Wanyi approached, also curious about the pot.
Once she looked it over, she quickly understood how to eat it.
"Second Prince should step back a little, let Nanny Du prepare it for you. Otherwise, if the carbon falls on you, it’ll be unpleasant."
The Emperor thought using the carbon stove and copper pot in winter was comforting.
Though he forgot the Second Prince was still a child.
If not careful, it could cause danger.
Upon Lin Wanyi’s reminder, he quickly realized this.
His face showed faint guilt, which Lin Wanyi noticed.
Reflecting for a moment, she proposed a compromise.
"I once saw a kind of table in the commoner’s world, underneath it can be hollowed to place a charcoal basin. Then we can instruct the Inner Court Department to create one, putting this carbon stove inside, making the copper pot level with the table for safety."
Hearing this, the Emperor also became curious.
He stared at Lin Wanyi.
Suddenly he thought, isn’t her father skilled in crafting strange handiworks?
So he understood her cleverness.
"Alright, later tell Qin An to handle it."
Then spoke to the Second Prince.
"Lady Lin is right; you should eat from a distance this time. Once the table is ready, you can sit up."
The Second Prince nodded.
He wasn’t foolish, knowing everyone meant well.
Besides, Nanny Du was quick with her hands; wasn’t it better to eat ready-made?
So he eagerly watched Nanny Du, slicing and serving the lamb.
When he ate, he understood why Father was so fond of it.
It truly brought comfort.
From head to toe, a kind of comfort.
Lin Wanyi thought the same.
Thus, even someone not particularly fond of lamb, ate quite a bit. Follow current novels on N0velFire.ɴet
Once she indulged heartily, what followed was excessive fullness.
She mumbled a couple of sentences.
"If I continue eating and not moving, I fear all my clothes next year will need remaking."
The Emperor examined her up and down.
"Yes, remember to allow extra room around the waist, otherwise a protruding tummy will feel tight and uncomfortable."
Lin Wanyi was speechless.
She meant she feared gaining weight, but the Emperor had quite the imagination.
He was eager for her to be pregnant, commenting on it so early!
But, these words were a reminder!
These days had been wild, with the Emperor ever by her side.
If by accident she really was pregnant, she wasn’t prepared at all.
So she hurriedly glanced at Xia An, her hand on her belly, conveying an unmistakable message.
Xia An nodded subtly, giving a reassuring look.