The prince longs for me every night after mastering thought-reading
Chapter 378 - 361: Did you despise me for gaining weight? Is this thing edible?

Chapter 378: Chapter 361: Did you despise me for gaining weight? Is this thing edible?

Shen Chuwei spoke with a hint of mystery, "Empress, it doesn’t matter how it’s grilled, as long as it’s delicious, that’s all that matters."

The Empress, her appetite whetted by the comment, trusted Shen Chuwei knew what she was talking about.

"Then let’s have grilled fish for lunch."

Chun Xi watched the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law duo whispering to each other as if they were plotting something terribly important.

Shen Chuwei lifted her chin with an air of righteousness, "Chun Xi, the Empress has decreed we’ll have grilled fish for lunch."

Chun Xi’s guess was right; indeed, they were plotting a big event, and with the Empress’s support, Shen Chuwei began to act unrestrained.

If the Empress wishes to eat it, of course, Chun Xi would have to comply.

The fish, caught from the pond at Xiyun Pavilion by a little rabbit, weighed three taels, had tender flesh, and was perfect for grilling.

Grilled Fish was not new to Chun Xi, and preparing the marinades was like a routine well-mastered.

Soon enough, a fragrant Grilled Fish was served at the table.

In the grill pan, juices bubbled and aromatic scents filled the air.

It was the first time the Empress saw fish prepared this way, and the smell made her mouth water uncontrollably.

Shen Chuwei had been craving grilled fish for some time, and at last, her wish was fulfilled. Her craving was even greater than the Empress’s as she urged,

"Empress, we can start eating now."

The Empress didn’t wait for Qing Ying to lay out the dishes; she picked up her chopsticks, picked up a piece of fish, blew on it to cool it down, and then started to eat.

The fish was tender, full of garlic flavor, spicy just right, without overshadowing the taste of the fish itself.

To sum it up in one sentence, that was the most delicious fish the Empress had ever eaten, bar none.

The Empress, with a handkerchief at her nose, gave her feedback, "It seems to me, the chefs in the Imperial Kitchen need to be changed; their cooking lacks novelty and isn’t up to par."

As Shen Chuwei enjoyed the long-awaited grilled fish, she nodded in agreement with the Empress’s opinion.

In ancient times, there weren’t as many seasonings as there are today, and many ingredients were not available, so they could not be compared with the present.

Even the pastries were less delicate than those in modern times.

The three-tael Grilled Fish didn’t last long before the plate was empty.

With a handkerchief, Shen Chuwei wiped her mouth and held her stomach with a hand, a contented look on her face.

After eating her fill, the Empress left Xiaoxiang Pavilion with the support of Qing Ying.

Shen Chuwei wiped her mouth and, holding her waist, thought to lie down on the couch to rest for a while.

Before she could lie down, Chun Xi approached, "Young Mistress, let’s take a walk to aid digestion."

Shen Chuwei was so sleepy that her legs felt like jelly; she could barely think of walking.

"Can we take a walk after I wake up, is that alright?"

Chun Xi insisted, "Young Mistress, by the time you wake up, it would already be dark. You’ve eaten so much today, and you had spicy food; a walk will help with digestion and prevent constipation."

Constipation is most likely during the late stages of pregnancy, and one might regret as much as they had enjoyed eating beforehand.

In the end, Shen Chuwei was helped by Chun Xi to go for a walk in the courtyard.

On the way back to Fengyi Palace, the Empress touched her stomach and felt the flesh seemed to have grown some more. She asked Qing Ying, "Have I put on weight again?"

Qing Ying watched the Empress’s actions and smiled, "Recently, Your Majesty has been busy making clothes for the baby and has lost weight, how could you have gotten fatter?"

"Really?" The Empress was half-convinced.

A few days before, the scoundrel Emperor had touched her belly, thinking she was pregnant. Now that he knew she wasn’t, why did he still touch her belly?

At night, after the Emperor had tossed and turned with her, he hugged her from behind and started rubbing her belly.

If only she could get pregnant with a princess soon.

The Empress was so exhausted that she couldn’t even lift her arms, and the hand on her stomach kept fidgeting.

Had the Emperor’s mind gone awry again?

*

Chun Xi paced back and forth anxiously, occasionally glancing behind the screen, "Young Mistress, how are you doing now?"

From behind the screen, a weak groan from Shen Chuwei, "I’m fine, still alive!"

Chun Xi, worried and distressed, said, "Young Mistress, I’m not criticizing you, but you’re pregnant now; you can’t binge and indulge as before. See? Now you’re uncomfortable, aren’t you?"

From behind the screen, Shen Chuwei’s hands clutched the armrest, her small face flushed red.

"Next time... I won’t eat so much!"

Hearing the groaning, Chun Xi might have rushed in to help if Shen Chuwei didn’t dislike having others around.

"Young Mistress, how are you feeling now? Should I come in to help you?"

Shen Chuwei’s face was red, "No need, I’ll be fine shortly."

Finally, with a sigh of relief, Shen Chuwei emerged from behind the screen.

Chun Xi stepped forward to support Shen Chuwei, "Young Mistress, I’ve arranged for a bath to be prepared."

Shen Chuwei didn’t refuse, for after visiting the privy there was always an unpleasant smell that might affect her appetite later on.