Help! The Frosty Noble's Son Is in Love With Me!-Chapter 377: Of Course He’s Playing Favorites
The Emperor wants to cook for Princess Mingzhu.
This news spread through the palace as if it had grown wings.
The entire harem exploded in commotion.
"Where did this news come from, it’s so absurd," Noble Princess Consort Xu was utterly skeptical upon hearing it.
"My palace maid went to the Imperial Kitchen to get some pastries and saw it with her own eyes; there’s no mistake."
The usually aloof Emperor had suddenly transformed into an ordinary father cooking for his daughter, showing an unparalleled gentleness that anyone who saw it would never forget.
Noble Princess Consort Xu was filled with countless thoughts, unable to utter a single word.
"I need to see this for myself," Noble Princess Consort Xu couldn’t help but stand up, intending to visit the Imperial Kitchen.
But the other consort said, "Your Highness, don’t go. The Emperor ordered that no one is to disturb him. I heard that even when the Empress sent something over, the Emperor only had a message of thanks passed back and didn’t let the Empress in."
At this moment, Noble Princess Consort Xu couldn’t care to mock the Empress. If the Emperor didn’t want to see anyone, no one fared any better, so what’s there to be proud of? 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖
"The Emperor really dotes on that daughter," Noble Princess Consort Xu said with a hint of sourness.
The consort, without a child of her own and unable to empathize, belonged to Noble Princess Consort Xu’s faction and couldn’t help but offer some comfort, "After all, they just reunited, so the novelty will likely wear off after a while."
Noble Princess Consort Xu shook her head, "The Emperor has never treated other Princes and Princesses this way; it’s different..."
To have undisturbed time alone with that daughter, it couldn’t be more obvious what that means.
The Emperor wishes to live a life belonging only to their family, setting aside the entire harem; that family includes only that titled wife and their daughter, leaving no room for others.
So after all these years, that person still holds the unique place in his heart, with no one capable of replacing her.
So you wonder if emperors are heartless. For years, he couldn’t even see that woman, yet you’d think he has feelings, as he’s the same towards other consorts.
At the root of it, he is sentimental; it’s just unfortunate that his heart was given to someone else.
Ah, the heart of an emperor, who wouldn’t want it? Just lacking the fortune.
Those who have the fortune are already tasting the Emperor’s cooking.
How is the Emperor’s cooking different from that of ordinary people?
Qu Fulan is the one most qualified to speak on this, and she’d say there’s no difference; it might not even be as tasty as what ordinary people make.
But there’s a deep fatherly love in each dish; the Emperor had even washed his hands to prepare the broth for her, so she couldn’t help but show appreciation.
Moreover, the Emperor was eagerly awaiting her evaluation.
After taking a few bites, Qu Fulan spoke as she noticed the Emperor’s eager expression, "It’s alright, just a bit too much salt."
The Emperor was taken aback momentarily, then picked up chopsticks to taste it himself. Hmm... indeed, it was too salty. "Then don’t eat this dish, try this soup. It used to be your mother’s favorite to drink, and it’s the dish I’m most skilled at."
Qu Fulan took a sip of the soup; her expression changed slightly. The Emperor thought it was again too salty and quickly tasted it himself, frowning immediately, and had the soup taken away as well.
"I haven’t cooked in years; my skills have rusted. No need to try the rest, they’re probably not good either," the Emperor said with a trace of dejection.
But Qu Fulan replied, "Father only rarely cooks; to do this much today, your daughter is very satisfied."
The Emperor smiled with relief, "Just now, Father didn’t ask what you like to eat, only making what I thought I was good at, resulting in failures. Tell me what you like, and I’ll make it for you next time."
Qu Fulan didn’t hesitate and mentioned a few of her favorite dishes.
The Emperor nodded, "Father has remembered. I’ll make them for you next time, but it’ll be a few days later."
Postponing it a few days was to properly practice, to avoid similar issues next time he cooked.
When the two left the Imperial Kitchen, they saw Noble Princess Consort Xu waiting outside. Seeing the Emperor, she quickly approached with a smile, "I specially prepared a gift for Princess Mingzhu, having carefully prepared it over several days. Once it was ready, I hurriedly brought it over, hoping the Princess would like it."
She received a gift box from the handmaid and handed it over. Before Qu Fulan could accept it, the Emperor took it, "What is it?"
Noble Princess Consort Xu smiled, "My father sent an excellent piece of jade, saying that wearing it as a bracelet frequently benefits health. I hastily had it crafted and brought it for the Princess."
The Emperor inspected it; indeed, it was a rare quality jade before handing it to his daughter, "Since it’s a good thing, just accept it."
Qu Fulan took it and thanked Noble Princess Consort Xu.
Noble Princess Consort Xu smiled, "We’re all family, no need for formality." She paused and added, "I heard the Emperor prepared a meal for Princess Mingzhu. I came eagerly to see if I might have the fortune to taste a bite?"
As the saying goes, "You can’t be too pushy when receiving favors." Noble Princess Consort Xu made sure to mention this after giving her gift, revealing her careful consideration.
But the Emperor replied, "Let’s discuss next time, it wasn’t very successful today."
Which implied there would be a next time, and Noble Princess Consort Xu gave a faint smile, agreeing softly.
It’s said that an invitation isn’t as good as an unexpected meeting. Since they met, with the Emperor planning to take his daughter for a walk in the Imperial Garden, Noble Princess Consort Xu followed along.
But most of the time, the Emperor only conversed with his daughter, hardly acknowledging Noble Princess Consort Xu, leaving her to initiate the conversation.
During this, someone came to report, and the Emperor stepped aside to listen, leaving Qu Fulan and Noble Princess Consort Xu sitting at a stone table, exchanging brief looks, Noble Princess Consort Xu wearing a façade of smiles.
"Princess Mingzhu is fortunate indeed, to have the Emperor personally cook for her, not to mention accompany her around the Imperial Garden, which is something many Princes and Princesses could only dream of."
Qu Fulan replied, "You’re joking, Noble Consort. Father treats everyone equally."
That was naturally a perfunctory statement, as admitting the Emperor’s favoritism wasn’t an option.
Noble Princess Consort Xu merely smiled and said nothing more.
Sometimes a wordless conversation is more awkward than none at all; before the Emperor returned, the two didn’t speak further.
Even with Noble Princess Consort Xu’s ability to charm and entertain at will, she simply didn’t want to curry favor with this Princess Mingzhu, feeling a deep-seated aversion. So she maintained only the most basic level of courtesy and nothing more.
Qu Fulan, even less inclined, was uninterested in pleasing a harem consort; maintaining a peaceful relationship was the best outcome, with no further motive.
"My dear daughter, Father needs to attend to some matters in the Imperial Study Room. Come with me."
Noble Princess Consort Xu: My dear daughter...
That’s not the main point; the crucial point is the Emperor inviting her to the Imperial Study Room... such an invitation was unprecedented. The Imperial Study Room was off-limits to them, aside from some exceptionally favored Princes for official matters. Now letting a Princess in...
This unexpected honor was truly enviable.
Yet Noble Princess Consort Xu could say nothing, only smiling as she watched them leave.
Once they left, her smile completely faded.
While these social interactions were complicated there, on the other side, Heir Pei returned to court duties, receiving congratulations from colleagues all saluting and congratulating him for becoming the unexpected Prince Consort.
Heir Pei spent the day in cordial exchanges, his forced smile nearly slipping. Once he finished his work, he hurried to pick up his wife for home.
Only to be informed of the Emperor’s message, that Princess Mingzhu would stay at her maiden home for a while, and that Heir Pei should feel free to attend to his affairs.
Pei Ji’an: Bloody hell, feel free.
