As for those beauties who were only visually appealing, they held no attraction for him whatsoever.
Ye Qichi, upon hearing Xiao Zhanping say this, did not overly humble herself.
Sometimes, being too affected can come across as insincere.
She changed the subject, "Father Emperor, the hangover soup can only alleviate the effects of alcohol intoxication and make your body feel better. However, alcohol consumption ultimately harms the body. As your daughter-in-law, I would like to take your pulse again to see if you need further nutritional care."
"Very well." Xiao Zhanping naturally recognized Ye Qichi’s medical skills.
Ye Qichi stood up, went to the Emperor, and took his pulse.
After taking his pulse for a while, Ye Qichi said, "Father Emperor is robust, and though he overindulged in alcohol yesterday, his body has not suffered much harm. Nonetheless, for safety, I still think it necessary to prepare some nutritional supplements to nourish your body further."
"Do as you see fit." Xiao Zhanping said generously.
"Yes." Ye Qichi replied respectfully, "I would also request to personally prepare the nutritional supplements at the Imperial Palace. I have no confidence in others. If the dosage of my prescription is even slightly off, the effectiveness will greatly diminish."
"Princess, you are so considerate; I naturally allow it," Xiao Zhanping said, "Since you’re both here today, Xiao Jinxing and Princess shall stay with me and spend the day. Xing’er, it has been many years since you last played chess with me."
"Yes," Xiao Jinxing hastily agreed.
"In my memory, it was when you were just a few years old that you already surpassed your two brothers in chess. I would occasionally visit your mother’s palace to play a few games with you..." Xiao Zhanping seemed to remember something and suddenly stopped speaking.
It seemed he was reminded of Xiao Jinxing’s mother.
If Xiao Jinxing still had his mother, and she had not been wrongfully sentenced to death,
The one most favored by the Emperor now would be Xiao Jinxing.
"Chief Eunuch Mu." Xiao Zhanping called out to the Chief Eunuch beside him, "Prepare the chessboard for me."
Xiao Zhanping did not seem to want to dwell on the past.
Xiao Jinxing naturally would not bring it up proactively either.
To do so would be to place himself at a disadvantage.
Regardless of how much he was currently favored by the Emperor, his mother once brought shame upon the Emperor, and if it were brought up again, he would be implicated once more.
Xiao Jinxing and Xiao Zhanping played chess.
Ye Qichi was busy at the stove next to them, brewing the nutritional concoction.
A rare moment of familial warmth as it used to be.
Naturally, soon reached the ears of Zhao Mengyu.
Upon learning the Emperor had taken the initiative to summon Xiao Jinxing and Ye Qichi early that morning, she was fuming, and now, hearing that the Emperor had kept Xiao Jinxing to play chess with him, knowing that the Emperor had not played chess for many years and had also not asked her own son to accompany the Emperor for a long time...
This Xiao Jinxing, indeed, was making her feel increasingly threatened.
"Imperial Concubine, it seems today Xiao Jinxing and Princess will be dining together with the Emperor. Our special meal prepared for the Emperor..."
"No matter." Zhao Mengyu was certain, "Colorless, tasteless, no obvious effects after consumption, no need for special precautions."
Zhao Mengyu was not worried that her drugging would be discovered.
Ever since she entered the palace, she had foreseen the use of drugs, so she had long had a concoction developed that was colorless, tasteless, and could even evade detection by a silver needle. And the Emperor’s meals were all tasted by eunuchs by his side, who naturally had no such capabilities, thus they were even less likely to find anything wrong with the food.
Having made such flawless preparations, she naturally trusted in herself.
What she worried about was,
The Emperor’s growing fondness for Xiao Jinxing!
In the sleeping quarters.
Ye Qichi brewed the medicinal soup.
In truth, it was quite boring.
They were all nutritional supplements. Given the recipe, anyone could manage.
But it was all to be able to stay in the Imperial Palace and dine with the Emperor.
She couldn’t help glancing over at Xiao Jinxing and Xiao Zhanping playing chess.
Inwardly, she was somewhat displeased.
Why should Xiao Jinxing sit there leisurely playing chess while she slaved away!
The more she thought about it, the more resentful she felt.
"Princess," Chief Eunuch Mu approached Ye Qichi.
Ye Qichi withdrew her gaze, appearing learned and sensible without a trace of reluctance, "Chief Eunuch Mu. It still needs to simmer for a while."
"I did not come to rush the Princess," Chief Eunuch Mu said. "I have brought some pastries for you."
In his hands, indeed, was a plate of appetizing pastries.
Ye Qichi hadn’t had the chance to eat breakfast that morning.
By now, she was so hungry she felt she could eat a whole cow.
She also harbored grudges in her heart.
Xiao Jinxing and Xiao Zhanping had fine tea and snacks by their side, while she pitifully brewed nutritional supplements on the side, with nothing to eat. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by N0velFire.ɴet
However, Chief Eunuch Mu was perceptive.
He must have seen the gleam in her eye when she looked at the pastries beside Xiao Jinxing.
One cannot help but admire that becoming the Chief Eunuch at the Emperor’s side does come with its advantages.
"Thank you, Chief Eunuch Mu," Ye Qichi said cheerfully.
"It was Xiao Jinxing who had me bring these to you," Chief Eunuch Mu said with a meaningful smile, "Xiao Jinxing is really good to you, Princess.
Was this a moment of realization, or was he being a villain in disguise!