Transmigration: The Little Chef Calls The Shots
Chapter 1201 - 110 Someone (first watch)

Chapter 1201: 110 Someone (first watch)

As she stepped out the door, it was no surprise that she saw Xia Zheng waiting for a long time.

Seeing the look of amazement on his face, Lin Yuan’s cheeks reddened slightly as she averted her eyes.

Xia Zheng stepped forward, took her small hand, and turned to walk back.

Lin Yuan was puzzled, "Aren’t we going to the palace?"

Just as she finished asking, she heard the suppressed voice of someone, "We’re not going to the palace. If people see you, they’ll definitely want to fight with me for you, and it’s better not to let them see!"

Lin Yuan was startled, and then she couldn’t help but laugh and hold on to him, finding his childish words slightly ridiculous, "Are you kidding me? Hurry up; we can’t leave my door unattended any longer!"

Xia Zheng pouted, suddenly looking a bit aggrieved as he turned back and asked, "Yuanyuan, if the Emperor asks later what reward you would like, would you really only ask for just a plaque?"

Lin Yuan blinked her eyes, not sure what Xia Zheng meant by that. Was there another choice? Knowing that receiving a bestowed plaque from the Emperor was already a tremendous fortune, she was just a simple village girl, and even in her past life, she had never had the chance to meet such a high-ranking official as the Emperor!

Seeing the expression of doubt and confusion on Lin Yuan’s face, Xia Zheng silently shook his head, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. He took her hand and led her onto the carriage, laughing, "Let’s go, I was just teasing you. After all, you are mine, and they can only watch!"

Lin Yuan covered her mouth and laughed, "Are you that confident? What if one day I meet a man better than you and fall in love with him instead?"

"What!" Xia Zheng had just sat down when Lin Yuan’s hypothetical scenario startled him, his eyes wide as he said, "Impossible! Where in the world could there be a man better than me? Stop joking around!"

Lin Yuan was speechless; his narcissism had flared up again, but on second thought, she realized that she had met quite a few men since she came here. There was Lin Changqing from Lin family’s compound and Ma Junying from Zhuma Town, and she had met the two princes from the Capital several times, even including Xia Zheng’s elder brother Xia Zhen, but it seemed none of them were better than Xia Zheng.

With this thought, Lin Yuan couldn’t help but laugh inwardly. If Tian Hui were to speak, she would surely prefer Xia Zhen. Perhaps this was just a case of ’beauty is in the eye of the beholder,’ as she had already settled on Xia Zheng, naturally, she wouldn’t take a second glance at other men.

The two chatted along the way as the carriage made its leisurely journey toward the Palace.

In the Imperial Study Room of the Palace, several officials stood respectfully to the left and right as the Emperor sat high on the throne, majestic and solemn.

He glanced up at Prime Minister Su Zhe, who stood at the forefront, amused inside, but his face showed dissatisfaction as he huffed, "Su Zhe, how is your daughter?"

Worried about Su Qiuyu’s illness, Su Zhe suddenly looked up and promptly replied, "Your Majesty, my daughter, my daughter is much better."

The Emperor secretly curled his lip and frowned, "Much better? Your looks don’t seem to reflect that she’s much better."

Su Zhe indeed sighed.

Actually, Su Qiuyu’s condition had indeed improved quite a bit, but for Su Zhe, who valued his daughter like his own life, as long as she hadn’t returned to her previous lively state, he still felt she was ill.

Standing to the side, Su Tianyou stepped forward with folded hands and said, "Your Majesty, my sister has indeed shown improvement in her illness. The high fever has subsided, and she has regained consciousness. It’s just that..."

The Emperor raised an eyebrow. "Just what?"

Recalling his father’s instructions before entering the palace, Su Tianyou frowned imperceptibly, finding himself unable to voice what his father had entrusted him to say.

Seeing his son silent for a long time, Su Zhe gave him a displeased glance and took over the conversation. "Your Majesty, my daughter is unwell, just awakened, and has lost her appetite. I am extremely anxious about her. If someone could persuade and enlighten her, I believe her condition would surely improve much faster."

Hearing Su Zhe’s words, the Emperor’s mind stirred, naturally discerning whom "someone" referred to.

However, that person was not within his command, and he could not help but express his astonishment with an "oh" and pretend ignorance. "Su Qiuyu is the Empress’s niece and also mine. Her sickness has caused the Empress to worry, and I too am concerned. Since Qiuyu needs guidance, in my view, no one is more suitable than the Empress herself. She is most caring towards her, and Qiuyu greatly depends on her. She will surely be able to relieve the bitterness in her heart."

He paused, and without giving Su Zhe a chance to rebut, he continued firmly, "Here’s the plan: once Miss Su’s condition improves, let her enter the Palace and stay with the Empress for a few days. It so happens that Cui Wei has been in low spirits these days, and it would be good for the two sisters to spend time together."

With the Emperor having spoken to this extent, Su Zhe, no matter how much he wanted to argue that Su Qiuyu needed someone other than the Empress, had no choice but to reluctantly agree.

Su Tianyou, who had been quietly waiting with his head bowed, slightly furrowed his brows when he heard about Cui Wei’s poor mood.

The Emperor caressed the jade thumb ring on his finger and turned his gaze to the several people standing opposite Su Zhe, inquiring, "Third son, how is the progress of the imperial examination coming along?"

Third Prince Zhao Hongde stepped forward respectfully, hands folded, and spoke clearly, "Your Majesty, with the strong support of several esteemed officials, the imperial examination is proceeding smoothly. Please rest assured."

Looking at his beloved son, the Emperor nodded continuously. "Good, this is your first time managing such a significant event. You must be careful and cautious, and if there is anything you do not understand, ask the officials. Never act willfully. Got it?"

Zhao Hongde repeatedly affirmed.

Second Prince Zhao Hongsheng, who stood before him, subtly curled the corners of his lips, eyeing the man standing behind the Third Prince. He recognized the man; supposedly, he was the talk of the recent imperial examinations. His surname was Ma, his name Junying, and everyone proclaimed that the title of top scholar belonged to none but him. More interestingly, he hailed from Zhuma Town and seemed to be acquainted with Xia Zheng.

Thinking that such a promising talent had again been recruited by his younger brother, Zhao Hongsheng felt a twinge of dissatisfaction. However, he had not been idle recently either, having recruited quite a few talents with the silver taels funded by the Wu family of Jiangnan.

Yet, if he could also bring Ma Junying into his fold, wouldn’t that be even better?

He had indeed sent people to sound out the man, but Ma’s family was quite affluent, and he was a man of good character, making it unlikely that silver taels could sway him. Zhao Hongsheng frowned slightly, feeling as though there was an impenetrable stone wall standing before him.

Zhao Hongsheng let out a soft sigh. If Ma Junying were merely knowledgeable, that would be one thing, but the fact that he had made a contribution to what they were discussing today and had entered the Imperial Study Room before even passing the examination, he was the first of his kind.

As he thought, Zhao Hongsheng’s ears twitched as he seemed to hear the Emperor calling him. He quickly regained his senses and stepped forward. "Your Majesty."