The Young Emperor had a separate kitchen and chefs, located within Yangxin Restaurant, where he prepared his own meals.

Today, at the nightly meal, Yuan Shangyi had little appetite. He barely tasted the food before setting his chopsticks down.

Surrounding servant girls, maids, and eunuchs encircled him, documenting what the Emperor ate and how many bites he took. Despite their cajoling and persuading, he stubbornly left the table.

"The master said, ’Not eating after midday is beneficial for the stomach and intestines.’

The servants sighed silently.

So many people fussing over a little brat, and none could coax him properly.

"Your Majesty!"

A Huangmen entered gleefully, bowed to Yuan Shangyi, and presented a food box in his hands.

"The Princess of Yonghuai sent people with this, saying they slaughtered a pig at the farmstead. They’ve steamed buns and prepared other food items, inviting Your Majesty to try them."

The Female Historian furrowed her brows.

Pork is considered common fare.

It is something commoners, unable to afford better, come to regard as a delicacy.

It is almost never consumed in the palace.

She said, "Reward them to your men. His Majesty has just dined..."

"How dare you!" Yuan Shangyi’s voice, crisp, suddenly escalated.

He looked at the Female Historian with dissatisfaction and pointed at the food box.

"You, bring it to my table," he ordered.

He had been Emperor for only a few months and was not yet accustomed to referring to himself as "We." Other than during court sessions, when he had to repeat certain formal phrases, he rarely referred to himself this way, let alone reprimand someone with such sternness.

The Female Historian was startled.

The servants also hurriedly bowed their heads.

The food box was placed on the table, containing not only the well-steamed meat buns and two small dishes but also a bowl of pork intestine and bean soup garnished with green leaves.

Also there was a small dish of pickled radishes.

Looking at the pork intestine soup, the Female Historian tasted it and became indignant.

"Is the Princess trying to humiliate His Majesty? To present such unclean things like pig offal for His Majesty to consume..."

Yuan Shangyi remained silent, lifting a chopstick full to his mouth.

"Your Majesty!" the Female Historian exclaimed in shock.

Yuan Shangyi lowered his eyes: "Delicious."

The words the Female Historian had left to say were swallowed back.

The servants remained silent, attending and recording as needed...

The Young Emperor seemed especially happy with this meal. If not for the Female Historian intervening, concerned that he was eating too much, he might’ve burst his belly...

Feng Yun was generally aware of what transpired in Yangxin Restaurant.

But she never interfered.

Contrary to everyone’s belief that she was in "control," since the Emperor moved into Huaxi Village, all matters other than consulting with Doctor Yao and Puyang Jiu about the Young Emperor’s health were handled by officials the Young Emperor had brought with him.

Yangxin Restaurant functioned as an entity independent from Changmen, with complete freedom and autonomy.

When Doctor Yao came a second time before dawn, he spoke of this matter while laughing yet inevitably sighing.

"His Majesty’s health is no longer in serious trouble, but yesterday, he overate the evening meal sent by the lady, causing some indigestion..."

Upon finishing, he furrowed his brows.

"After all, he is still a child. Being cooped up in Yangxin Restaurant all day, he lacks vivacity and agility. It’s hard for his body to recover fully."

Feng Yun nodded, "Thank you for your efforts."

Doctor Yao waved off the thanks with a smile, "His Majesty is very obedient to the doctor, very cooperative..."

He paused, seemingly recalling something, then looked at Feng Yun:

"Last night, someone from the Princess Residence sent a message, asking me to visit Taiping Garden to check the pulse of His Highness..."

He was seeking Feng Yun’s opinion. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Doctor Yao might not be considered a member of Changmen Village, but since he had moved into Huaxi Village, he, like the others, consulted Feng Yun whenever there was a decision to be made.

Feng Yun chuckled, "A physician does not choose his patients. If the Princess is unwell, Doctor Yao, you should treat her as you see fit."

Yao Ru gave a deep bow, "Madam is wise."

-

For several days in a row, Yao Ru would examine the Young Emperor in the morning and must visit Taiping Garden in the afternoon. If he went to Taiping Garden in the morning, he would return to Yangxin Restaurant afterward.

The villagers jested that Doctor Yao had now become the Imperial Physician.

Yao Ru chuckled sheepishly, offering no comment.

The majority of the villagers were proud to have the Young Emperor recuperating in their village, walking out with their backs straight, and even if not asked, they would "casually" mention in conversations.

"I am from Huaxi Village."

Doctor Yao, however, remained remarkably calm and indifferent.

The Princess of Taiping Garden, eager to foster good relations with Huaxi, had rewarded Doctor Yao generously with money and gifts.

He accepted them without reticence, then arranged for someone to purchase some medicinal herbs to give back to the village.

Poverty-stricken families, or the elderly and children with minor ailments, could get medicine from Yao’s clinic without charge...

As his reputation grew, more and more people sought him out for medical treatment. Yao Ru had to employ several medicinal apprentices to help. His elderly father, respected Old Yao, had also re-entered the fray, prescribing and consulting despite his advanced age.