Chapter 399: Chapter 169: Drunk Heart Inquiry! Empress: "Little thief, I want a kiss~
"Your Highness..."
Outside the hall, Sun Senior Palace Lady’s voice suddenly came through.
?!
乂(ﾟДﾟ三ﾟДﾟ)乂
Their minds instantly cleared, and they quickly stepped back.
Chen Mo looked up, studying the mural on the dome, while the Empress lowered her head, her toes tracing the gaps in the tiles.
The atmosphere had a subtle hint of awkwardness.
Sun Senior Palace Lady briskly walked in, saying, "Your Highness, I’ve heard that Consort Yu has returned. Should we send someone to Frozen Sky Palace to inquire about the situation? Perhaps there will be news of Mr. Chen... Hmm?!"
Seeing the tall man standing before her, Sun Senior Palace Lady’s expression froze, her face full of shock.
"Mr. Chen!"
"Sun Senior Palace Lady, it’s been a long time."
Chen Mo nodded slightly in greeting.
"..."
Sun Senior Palace Lady’s throat moved, her voice struggling, "Mr. Chen, weren’t you swallowed by the Blood Tide?"
Having thought he had perished and left no remains in the Southern Border, it was hard for her to not feel unreal seeing him alive and well in the Imperial Palace.
Chen Mo’s mouth twitched, saying, "I was lucky and escaped."
Good news really travels slowly, but bad news spreads like wildfire.
It’s only been two days, and word of my ’death’ has already spread throughout the palace.
Sun Senior Palace Lady came back to her senses, carefully examining him to ensure he was unharmed, shaking her head and sighing:
"Mr. Chen truly has fortune favoring him, able to turn danger into safety in such a perilous situation... You know, Your Highness has been worried sick for you the past two days, unable to eat or sleep well..."
"I have not!"
The Empress quickly interrupted, "I’ve been eating heartily and sleeping well, not worried about him at all!"
Grumble~
Just as the words left her mouth, there was a "grumble" sound.
?
The air went silent for a moment.
The Empress’s pretty face turned bright red.
Ever since hearing about Chen Mo’s accident, she had been deeply worried, having no appetite for meals.
Now that her heart was at ease, hunger surged instantly, feeling as though her stomach would meet her backbone.
"At this season, it is the time when the cuckoo appears, heralding the start of farming, implying diligent work not to waste the spring light—truly a good omen." Sun Senior Palace Lady reacted swiftly, immediately smoothing over the situation.
Chen Mo silently gave a thumbs up.
Turning Her Highness’s stomach growl into a cuckoo’s call not only eased the awkwardness but also gave a subtle compliment...
Indeed, that’s why you can be a Senior Palace Lady.
Grumble~
Soon after, another grumble sounded.
This time it was unmistakably clear, obviously coming from the Empress.
The Empress clutched her flat belly, biting her lip, wishing she could find a hole to burrow into.
Stupid stomach, stop growling!
It’s too embarrassing!
Chen Mo timely said, "Since escaping danger, I have yet to eat, my stomach is quite hungry, please don’t blame me, Your Highness."
The Empress suppressed her embarrassment, nodded, and said, "Mr. Chen has worked hard and has been gravely injured; naturally, you must eat well. Stay for a meal in the palace then... Sun Senior Palace Lady, notify the Imperial Kitchen to prepare."
"Yes."
Sun Senior Palace Lady responded.
She exchanged a glance with Chen Mo, nodding subtly, everything unspoken yet understood.
Maintaining Her Highness’s dignity is indeed not easy...
...
In the Dining Hall.
Palace Servants entered one after another, holding food boxes, placing an array of exquisite dishes on the table.
The whole table was a feast, with dishes of rich color, aroma, and flavor, steaming with luxurious green porcelain and white jade, seemingly like pieces of art, making one hesitate to eat.
The Empress’s throat moved slightly, she swallowed and said, "Mr. Chen, please eat, no need to be reserved."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Having lived in the palace for several days, Chen Mo was already used to it.
Having consumed quite a bit of energy before, he indeed felt hungry now, so without further ado, he began to eat heartily.
The Empress delicately handled her jade chopsticks, taking small bites with grace and elegance, though clearly faster than before.
Indeed, mood does affect appetite.
Her appetite being light, she usually felt full after half a bowl of soup.
Now, she drank three bowls and devoured most of the osmanthus fish fin on her plate, feeling like she hadn’t had enough.
After hesitating for a moment, she put down her chopsticks.
Eating too much would lead to gaining weight... Even though her weight settled where it should, it’s still better to control it.
If she gains more, she wouldn’t fit into the qipao the little thief gifted.
The Empress rested her arm on the table, supporting her chin with her hand, watching Chen Mo eat with no sense of etiquette, her eyes curved like crescent moons.
"Eat slowly, there’s no one else competing with you~"
"Try this fish soup, it’s a new dish from the Imperial Kitchen."
"Eat more snow eagle meat, it’s good for restoring Qi-blood, and this braised deer tendon helps strengthen muscles and bones..."
Under the Empress’s encouragement, Chen Mo’s belly was filled, and he let out a satisfied burp.
Ah, comfort~
"Are you full?" the Empress asked.
"Thank you, Your Highness, for the hospitality." Chen Mo nodded.
The Empress smiled and said, "Didn’t I give you the Flying Phoenix Order? You can come to the palace for meals whenever you want. Otherwise, I can’t finish all the food and it goes to waste."
Chen Mo tilted his head, "Do other officials get the same privilege?"
"..."
The Empress shot him a glance, coldly huffing, "I commend you for your efforts in slaying the Blood Demon. I won’t hold it against you for previous offenses, but if you dare to be so presumptuous next time, I’ll..."
Chen Mo interjected, "Have me castrated?"
The Empress’ tone faltered.
Having said this too many times, such threats no longer held any sway over this little thief...
She turned her head away, sighing softly, "I am the Eastern Palace Empress, yet you repeatedly act improperly. Is there no respect for the Imperial Family in your eyes? If others see this, how am I to conduct myself?"