"What do you plan to do this afternoon? Would you like to join for hunting?"
"Fourth Brother, aren’t you going hunting with Father and the others this afternoon?"
"No." The Fourth Prince said, "Father has General Shen and the others with him. I won’t disturb them."
"Then, Fourth Brother, you can take us hunting this afternoon."
"Alright."
Over at another camp, Empress Xie was dining with the harem’s concubines.
Sun Kui brought several eunuchs over, firstly bowing to Empress Xie, and then paying respects to the other ladies.
"Empress, His Majesty asked to bring you so food."
Empress Xie first thanked the Emperor, then inquired with Sun Kui, "How is His Majesty’s appetite?"
"Rest assured, Empress, His Majesty’s appetite is excellent."
"That’s good." Empress Xie continued, "Mr. Sun, have soone prepare a bowl of sobering soup for His Majesty. When His Majesty finishes drinking, make sure he drinks the sobering soup promptly."
"Yes, Empress."
Several young eunuchs served the dishes they brought to the various ladies.
Seeing no venison in front of Noble Princess Consort Rong, Empress Xie asked, "Why doesn’t Noble Princess Consort Rong have venison?"
"Replying to the Empress, His Majesty said the noble consort’s health is not suited for venison and asked her to eat more mutton, as it’s better for her health."
Upon hearing this, Noble Princess Consort Rong smiled sweetly, "The Emperor still cares about ." Saying this, she personally poured three cups of wine and handed them to Sun Kui, "Mr. Sun, please give these three cups to the Emperor as my thanks."
"Yes, Noble Consort."
Empress Xie saw Noble Princess Consort Rong’s actions and showed disdain in her eyes.
Princess Consort De and the others were also disdainful, but in truth, they were very jealous.
Sun Kui personally brought the three cups of wine from Noble Princess Consort Rong back to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, this is Noble Consort’s toast to you."
The Emperor smiled, then picked up the cup and drank. After drinking, he handed the jug in front of him to Sun Kui, "Send this to the Noble Consort."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Empress Xie saw Sun Kui returning with a jug of wine, guessed it was for Noble Princess Consort Rong, and her gaze turned cold instantly.
As expected, the jug was indeed bestowed to Noble Princess Consort Rong.
"Noble Consort, this is the wine given to you by His Majesty."
Noble Princess Consort Rong smiled fully and said, "Help thank His Majesty."
Upon delivering the wine, Sun Kui left. Before leaving, he deliberately glanced at Liang Zhaoyi. Seeing Liang Zhaoyi unfazed, he wondered if she wasn’t at all concerned.
Several lower-ranked concubines flattered Noble Princess Consort Rong, saying His Majesty kept her in mind all the ti, knowing she couldn’t eat venison and specifically letting her eat more mutton. Moreover, he specially sent her a jug of wine.
Hearing the flattering of the junior concubines, the smile on Noble Princess Consort Rong’s face grew increasingly proud.
As Empress Xie was about to say sothing, she saw Sun Kui coming again.
This ti Sun Kui brought two dishes, both favored by Noble Princess Consort Rong.
"Noble Consort, His Majesty asks if there’s anything else you’d like to eat, so that the servants can send it over later."
Empress Xie’s hand holding the chopsticks suddenly beca forceful, and a trace of jealousy unavoidably surfaced on her usually dignified face.
Princess Consort De and the others also looked displeased, their eyes full of jealousy.
Liang Zhaoyi and Yu iren remained calm.
Noble Princess Consort Rong smiled sweetly, "I want braised ham with knuckle and chicken marrow bamboo shoots."
"I understand, I’ll bring it to you imdiately."
"By the way, please tell His Majesty to drink less wine," Noble Princess Consort Rong said tenderly, "I’m worried His Majesty’s stomach might feel uncomfortable from too much wine."
"I will convey your ssage, Noble Consort."
"Also, His Majesty doesn’t like to eat dishes or als when he drinks," Noble Princess Consort Rong instructed Sun Kui, "You tell him I said to eat more. Once he finishes drinking, let him eat so rice and vegetables, so that his stomach won’t be uncomfortable."
"I’ve noted down the Noble Consort’s words, and I will surely pass them to His Majesty."
Noble Princess Consort Rong nodded and said no more.
After Sun Kui bowed to Noble Princess Consort Rong and Empress Xie, he withdrew.
The appetite of Empress Xie and the others suddenly disappeared.
A mont later, Sun Kui returned with the two dishes Noble Princess Consort Rong had specifically ntioned.
"Noble Consort, these are freshly made by the Imperial Chef on His Majesty’s order, still hot, please enjoy them while they are warm."
"Alright."
"His Majesty said he would eat so food," Sun Kui said respectfully beside Noble Princess Consort Rong, bending slightly, "His Majesty asked you to also drink less wine and eat more food."
"I understand." The smile on Noble Princess Consort Rong’s face beca even sweeter, "You hurry back to attend to His Majesty."
"Then I take my leave."
Empress Xie stood up with a stern expression, "I’m full." Then, she exited with a cold face.
Princess Consort Shu and Princess Consort De didn’t have the appetite to eat any more either. Seeing Empress Xie leaving, they got up and left as well.
Noble Princess Consort Rong paid no mind to their departure. She continued to sit at the table, blissfully eating the two dishes the Emperor had specially ordered the Imperial Chef to prepare for her.
Consort Li and Liang Zhaoyi did not leave. With their lower statuses, they didn’t dare to leave arbitrarily.
After finishing the two dishes, Noble Princess Consort Rong also left and returned to her own tent.
It was only after Noble Princess Consort Rong left that Consort Li and Liang Zhaoyi got up and left.
Empress Xie returned to her tent in a fit of temper.
Seeing the Emperor being so attentive to Noble Princess Consort Rong, she felt both jealousy and anger, as well as grievance in her heart.
She felt aggrieved that the Emperor did not show her face. She was the Empress, his wife, yet he only bestowed wine and food to Noble Princess Consort Rong and not to her, making her lose face in front of everyone.
Thinking of Noble Princess Consort Rong’s smug deanor, Empress Xie’s eyes filled with malice, and she cursed through gritted teeth: "That Noble Princess Consort Rong, a vile woman!"
"Madam, should we do sothing about Noble Princess Consort Rong?" Jiang Chuan asked viciously, "There are more people in the hunting grounds, easier to make a move than in the palace."
"That vile woman, Noble Princess Consort Rong, is too vigilant and hard to deal with." Empress Xie recalled the previous warning about making a move on Noble Princess Consort Rong during the forr Empress’s anniversary, only to be caught in advance by Noble Princess Consort Rong. If it weren’t for her alertness, Noble Princess Consort Rong would have turned the situation to her advantage.
"Madam, scaring Noble Princess Consort Rong could still be a good move."
Understanding Jiang Chuan’s intention, Empress Xie nodded and said, "Then you go make arrangents."
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