"Stop the beheading!" Shi Muyuan quickly called out to the eunuch who had received the order. Although the food was unpalatable, it wasn't enough to warrant someone's head being chopped off!
Cui Qizhou disdainfully picked up the white silk beside the table and gracefully wiped the corners of his mouth. "Isn't the Empress Dowager always like this? Beheading those she can't stand?" he said. "Why are you showing mercy today?"
There was an underlying meaning in Cui Qizhou's words. Shi Muyuan pursed her lips slightly. This man clearly came here just to cause trouble!
Those were the misdeeds of the previous owner of this body, not hers!
"The national teacher is overstating it. I... cough... I've always been kind - hearted and would never take a life lightly," Shi Muyuan said, making up lies effortlessly. After that, she deliberately gave Cui Qizhou a demure smile.
Little did she know that this smile looked extremely strange in the man's eyes.
The dishes on the table were all unpalatable in their own ways, but her stomach was already growling. Shi Muyuan could only let the maid help her up and then gently cover her stomach.
"Someone, take me to the imperial kitchen," she said. "I'll show you what real delicious food is!"
"What?"
Shi Muyuan's words were like a thunderbolt, scaring the maid who was supporting her so much that she almost fell. Seeing the chief eunuch quickly kneel down, she also prostrated herself on the ground.
"Empress Dowager, you mustn't! Absolutely not!"
Since ancient times, there had never been a precedent of an empress dowager cooking in person.
But in the palace, who dared to interfere with the empress dowager's affairs? Shi Muyuan didn't care about the numerous objections. She simply grabbed the little maid and headed straight for the imperial kitchen.
The commotion on the way was quite big. The eunuchs and maids who knelt down one after another were all trembling with fear, afraid that the empress dowager, who had been acting strangely since she woke up, would punish them.
When they reached the destination, Shi Muyuan ordered the eunuchs and maids to rise. Then she bypassed the people kneeling on the ground in the imperial kitchen and started rummaging around.
There were only a few fresh vegetables left on the table. Most of the food consisted of meats and fish that ordinary people couldn't afford.
An idea popped into Shi Muyuan's mind. She thought that grilled skewers would be the most practical. She picked up some bamboo skewers of unknown use and chose a piece of meat, cut it, and put it on the skewer.
Seeing her actions, Cui Qizhou's disdain grew even stronger.
Did she really think the palace was under her sole control? Just because she was the empress dowager, could she act so recklessly?
She lit the stove. She didn't know what kind of wood the charcoal in the palace was made of, but the smell of the burning wood was incredibly pleasant.
Shi Muyuan quickly placed the skewers on the fire to roast. Soon, the aroma of the meat filled the air.
Looking at the roasted skewers, Shi Muyuan showed a smile. "National teacher, would you like to try one?"
She took a bite of the meat. It was perfectly balanced between fat and lean, and it tasted wonderful.
It smelled so good!
Shi Muyuan raised her eyes slightly. Just as she was sighing, she noticed Cui Qizhou's disgusted look. He even took a few steps back, as if he thought she was crazy.
Shi Muyuan shrugged helplessly. At that moment, an idea flashed through her mind. Holding the skewers, she shouted to the people around.
"Does anyone want to try my cooking?"
The grilled skewers were already extremely fragrant, and everyone was drooling. But when the eunuchs, maids, and imperial chefs heard Shi Muyuan's words, they all knelt on the ground and didn't dare to move.
"Please calm your anger, Empress Dowager!"
"Please spare our lives, Empress Dowager!"
Only the three children who came to watch the fun showed a hint of curiosity on their faces.
Because Ji Huang was young, some saliva dripped from the corner of his mouth. Ji Ling, being a girl, timidly hid behind her brother, blinking her big eyes with curiosity.
Even Ji Heng, the eldest, just stood there and didn't dare to step forward.
The previous empress dowager had an unpredictable personality. When she was cruel, she wouldn't spare even the people closest to her. Now that she had woken up, she was even more abnormal.
Thinking of this, Shi Muyuan sighed deeply. She tried to show a gentle smile on her face, but little did she know that it scared the three children back even more.
"Take them. Have a taste," Shi Muyuan said softly, even with a hint of flattery. Although Ji Heng didn't understand her intention, he still respectfully took the skewers with both hands.
"Grandson thanks the Empress Dowager."
Because he was older, although Ji Heng was afraid, he also showed more respect.
Shi Muyuan couldn't help but sigh. Fortunately, there was at least the eldest grandson who could communicate with her.
She distributed the skewers in her hand. The two younger children couldn't hold back anymore. As soon as they got the skewers, they took a bite.
"It smells so good!" Ji Ling said indistinctly with the meat in her mouth, but her eyes were shining with satisfaction.
Ji Huang gobbled up the skewer in a few bites. Then he couldn't help but cautiously look at Shi Muyuan.
"Empress Dowager, can grandson have some more?" he asked carefully. Shi Muyuan generously put the roasted skewers on a plate and placed it on the low table.
"Eat quickly!"
Since Shi Muyuan became the empress dowager, this was the first time the four generations of grandparents and grandchildren had gotten along so harmoniously in the palace.
Cui Qizhou watched the scene in front of him with deep - set eyes. Then he said in a deep voice, "The envoy will arrive tonight. I hope the Empress Dowager has a plan to deal with him."
After saying that, he flicked his sleeves and left. His figure drifted away gracefully, and even the corner of his clothes seemed to carry his disgust and disdain for Shi Muyuan.
Feeling unhappy, Shi Muyuan couldn't help but complain. "Just because he's good - looking, what's so great about him? And his mouth is so poisonous..."
To welcome the envoy, a grand dinner was held in the Western Palace.
Shi Muyuan was wearing a magnificent robe, wrapped in three or four layers. The crown on her head weighed about three or four catties. Sitting upright on the exquisitely carved chair, she felt like she could hardly breathe.
She had only seen such a luxurious palace banquet on TV before. She never thought that one day she would be able to experience it in person and sit in the most important seat in the whole place.
Looking at the luxurious banquet with singing and dancing in front of her, she couldn't help but want to sigh to the sky: Who else has a more incredible fate than me?
"We are honored to be summoned by the Empress Dowager and enter the palace. It's our great fortune. Your servant pays respects to the Empress Dowager and wishes the Empress Dowager a long and prosperous life!"
A hoarse male voice came. Shi Muyuan looked over curiously.
She saw a man about nine feet tall in a black silk - embroidered robe walking in from the hall.
He had a strong build and deep, rugged features. His unique hooked nose was especially eye - catching. Although he was saying respectful words, there was full of disdain in his eyes, and even his kneeling salute lacked respect.
Although she didn't know who this man was yet, his attitude had already shown his stance.
The visitor was unfriendly!
While Shi Muyuan was feeling unhappy, she curiously looked at the seat of the national teacher, Cui Qizhou. She saw that he was leisurely holding a wine cup, his ink - like eyes lowered, as if he was deep in thought.
Humph!
She snorted in her heart. As she withdrew her gaze, she couldn't help but complain.
Even if she had great power and unlimited strength, so what? Wasn't she still looked down upon?
Even a mere envoy dared to be so presumptuous. If she didn't show her authority, how could she do?
Just as Shi Muyuan was about to speak, the eunuch beside her leaned over.
"Report to the Empress Dowager. The man below is Mosang from the Black Stone Country. It's rumored that this man is extremely skilled in both martial arts. He can fight ten people alone and has won countless military merits. He is the head of a country!"