The Empress Dowager seemed to have received some approval and immediately smiled.
"I have been muddleheaded!"
She added, "Speaking of Wanxin, I remember you both enjoy similar foods. Why not invite her over too..."
Before she had finished speaking, a Palace Attendant came to report that Noble Consort Shih had arrived.
The Empress Dowager was very pleased and hurriedly called her in, which left Zhao Junyao feeling somewhat displeased.
Whether it was his mother summoning her or Noble Consort Shih bustling over of her own accord, he was not pleased. He felt as if he was being constantly manipulated and shadowed.
One was his birth mother, the other his childhood companion—and yet they were scheming against him.
Heh...
He truly felt a deep sense of unease, yet he could not just storm out with a flick of his sleeves.
It turned out that an Emperor was not as the legends depicted, capable of doing whatever he wanted, boasting absolute arrogance!
On the contrary, he felt shackled by countless heavy chains, unable to break free.
This time, Noble Consort Shih was truly wronged. The Empress Dowager was her aunt, her powerful support in the Harem. It was normal for her to visit frequently.
But Zhao Junyao felt he was being watched, regardless of whether she was wronged or not.
Seeing the Emperor’s poor expression, Noble Consort Shih thought, He must still be upset about Consort Yun’s miscarriage.
But although the Emperor was upset about that matter, she was quite pleased.
"Emperor, all these dishes are your favorites. Please eat more!" Noble Consort Shih picked up a morsel of food and placed it on the plate in front of him.
Seeing Noble Consort Shih’s gentle smile, Zhao Junyao felt repulsed. He ignored her and did not eat the food she had offered. He picked up a small bowl of rice and began eating the dishes he had chosen for himself.
Noble Consort Shih felt awkward, while the Empress Dowager laughed and tried to smooth things over.
"Eat, eat! Wanxin, you eat too, before it gets cold!"
One was her son, the other her niece. The Empress Dowager was concerned about both. She only hoped they were well.
"Thank you, Mother!" Noble Consort Shih maintained a smiling face, picked up her bowl, and began to eat in small bites. She picked up only a few grains of rice at a time, chewing slowly, her vermilion lips moving slightly, her posture elegant.
Zhao Junyao frowned as he watched her. She’s so deliberate! Could such mannered eating even be enjoyable?
The atmosphere between the two was somewhat strained, but the Empress Dowager, seemingly oblivious, continued cheerfully, "In a few days, Prince Yan will return to the capital, and Junqi will be back too. The three of you must come and have a meal with me then!"
Noble Consort Shih set down her bowl and chopsticks, laughing as she said, "At that time, Mother, please don’t find us too noisy and shoo us out..."
Her words made the Empress Dowager burst into hearty laughter, and even Zhao Junyao’s lips curled into a smile.
Whatever else might be said, Noble Consort Shih was truly attentive to the Empress Dowager. As long as she doesn’t overdo it, I’m willing to grant her some dignity to make her life easier.
"Wanxin, why aren’t you eating? Hurry and eat. These are all dishes you love!" the Empress Dowager urged.
But Noble Consort Shih had already picked up her handkerchief. "Mother, I am full. It’s better to let Cousin eat more; he must have been very busy these past two days."
Zhao Junyao: "..."
She’s only eaten a few bites, and she’s already full?
Harem women often care about beauty, refusing to eat much to maintain their slim figures, that’s true. But to eat just a few grains of rice and declare herself full?
This is really... too affected.
Zhao Junyao suddenly felt a surge of nausea and couldn’t eat anymore.
Perhaps I could have tolerated it before, but now, I can’t.
Having encountered someone so genuine, this affectation felt like a stark contrast. Why can’t people just live normally? Why all this pretense?
"I am also full!" Zhao Junyao said, then set down his bowl and chopsticks.
Though he was inwardly displeased, he maintained a gentle demeanor in front of his mother.
"There are matters to attend to in Zhaochen Palace. I shall take my leave first, Mother!"
With that, Zhao Junyao bowed to the Empress Dowager, not even glancing at Noble Consort Shih, and strode out.
The Empress Dowager hadn’t even reacted before the Emperor was already out the door.
Noble Consort Shih was rather bewildered.
"What... what’s wrong with the Emperor?"
Could I, Wanxin, have possibly displeased my cousin, the Emperor?
She mentally reviewed what had just happened but found nothing amiss.
The Empress Dowager shook her head. "Perhaps there truly is some urgent matter. Even if he has formally put away the imperial brush for now, he is the Emperor; he has many affairs to deal with, after all!"
"But... Cousin left so hastily!"
Noble Consort Shih grew distracted. She knew her cousin well.
If it were truly an urgent matter, he would have dealt with it immediately, without delay.
This thought made Noble Consort Shih even more restless. She didn’t hear half of what the Empress Dowager said to comfort her. She sat for a while longer, then excused herself and left.
The Empress Dowager sighed. "Those two... they truly are a pair of fated adversaries!"
"Why would Your Majesty say such a thing?" Sister Qing said with a smile. "They are still young; what young couple doesn’t bicker?"
"I hope so," the Empress Dowager replied.
After speaking, she asked another question. "When is Prince Yan due to arrive in the capital?"