This was a bit tricky.
The more it was like this, the more Jiang Ning found him suspicious.
When she found out that her family hadnât found out more about Mu Jian, Jiang Ning thought for a long time and decided to test Li Hongyuan.
The Emperorâs health did not improve, and he was always weak and listless.
Li Hongyuan, as the Crown Princeâs Regent, still had to carry on.
He didnât return to the East Palace often.
Sometimes he returned once every three to five days, and sometimes even disappeared for half a month.
As the weather gradually turned cold and everyone was wearing padded jackets, Li Hongyuan still hadnât returned to the East Palace. Jiang Ning was impatient and sent someone to inquire about him.
Li Hongyuan was reading the memorials in the Imperial study, surrounded by several ministers, who were discussing border disputes and the autumn harvest in the south.
Each of these matters was important to the state and peopleâs livelihood.
None of them could be neglected.
The eunuch Li Xiu came in and whispered in his ear, âYour Highness, the Princess Consort has sent someone to ask when you will return to the East Palace.â
Li Hongyuan glanced at the memorial and asked indifferently, âWhat does the Princess Consort want?â
âShe didnât say anything, just that Your Highness hasnât been back for a long time and she misses you.â
âReally?â
Li Hongyuan did not confirm or deny.
Li Xiu served by the side, seeing that he had not spoken for a while, he cautiously reminded, âThe person sent by the Princess Consort is still waiting outside.â
Li Hongyuan made a sound of acknowledgment.
After waiting for a moment, he finished reviewing the document in his hand and said, âSince she wants to see me so much, I will go back to the East Palace for dinner tonight.â
âYes.â
Li Xiu hurriedly went out and told the small eunuch from the East Palace Li Hongyuanâs words.
The little eunuch returned to report to Jiang Ning.
Chunlai happily said, âIâll go to the Imperial Kitchen now and have someone prepare some dishes that His Highness likes in advance.â
Huang Ying asked, âDo you know what kind of food His Highness likes?â
â⦠His Highness likes light food, everyone knows that.â
âYouâre wrong. His Highness likes the food personally cooked by our Princess Consort.â Huang Ying looked at Jiang Ning, âMaster, are you going to cook in person?â
Jiang Ning originally had no intention of cooking.
She was not a cook.
She disliked the smoky kitchen unless she was in a good mood.
But thinking about testing Li Hongyuan and probing him for information this evening, if she couldnât please him with the food, it would probably be difficult.
So she went to the kitchen.
She spent half the afternoon preparing a full table of dishes.
Sweet, savory, soups, and sauces.
Chunlai stood by and couldnât help salivating, âMasterâs cooking skills are really amazing. Itâs tempting the greedy worm in my stomach.â
Xiachu laughed, âWhen are you not greedy? Master cooks, you wait to eat, itâs so wonderful. Hurry and help Master change clothes and wash.â
Jiang Ning wiped her face with a towel and said with a smile, âArenât there still some in the kitchen?â
Her habit had always been to cook in large quantities so that everyone around her could eat.
Since the kitchen was full of smoke, to make Li Hongyuan enjoy the meal, Jiang Ning deliberately chose a delicate and refreshing dress, and put up her long hair that was usually loose, pinning it with several elegant pearl ornaments.
She wore pearl earrings, shining with gentle elegance.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
The maids couldnât help but admire her beauty.
âMaster usually dresses too casually. With just a little embellishment, you have eight or nine points of Madamâs charm back in the day.â Huang Ying laughed.
She was older and had seen Lin Ziziâs peerless beauty when she was young.
Chunlai pursed her lips, laughed, and said, âLooks like we should prepare for His Highness to stay overnight tonight.â