That evening, at the Zhuangyuan’s residence.
Xie Caiqing sat at his desk, with two slips of paper before him.
The left slip was written by Ru Shi, who had gone back to check with their intelligence network that afternoon. The right slip had been delivered by a servant from Xie Zhe’s residence later in the evening.
Both detailed Xiao Yun’s preferences.
For verbal habits, Ru Shi’s note on the left read: “Eats anything, not picky at all.”
Xie Caiqing glanced at the right slip—braised deer tendons, yellow-braised shark fin, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, stir-fried paddy finch tongues… His lips gradually pressed into a thin line.
Every dish required an expert chef, and the ingredients were all rare delicacies—deer tendons, shark fin, sea cucumber, fish lips, abalone, paddy finch…
Especially the paddy finch—there might not even be a thousand of them in the entire Great Ning empire, and they were to be eaten for their tongues.
Each paddy finch didn’t even have that many tongues.
Xie Caiqing kept his expression stiff as he continued reading.
The left slip listed Xiao Yun’s hobbies as horse riding, hunting, archery, bird-keeping, and handicrafts. Ru Shi had summarized it as: “Highly skilled with his hands, but also utterly restless.” Attached was a list of dozens of hobbies Xiao Yun had eagerly tried but quickly abandoned, including but not limited to hot spring bathing, writing books, fishing, and raising any pet that needed constant cleaning. The conclusion—he hated slow, tedious, and time-consuming activities, but loved anything active that let him expend energy.
He could play chess and drink alcohol.
At the word “drink,” Xie Caiqing furrowed his brows and asked Ru Shi, who was standing nearby, “Does he drink often?”
Due to time constraints before, he had only studied Xiao Yun’s personality, leaving gaps in his knowledge of his lifestyle habits.
Ru Shi thought for a moment before shaking his head. “He drinks at banquets, but he doesn’t drink alone in his free time.”
Xie Caiqing’s brows remained tightly knit. He had already asked the old master—drinking could affect fertility and lead to unhealthy children. Over the next few months, he needed to find a way to get Xiao Yun to quit drinking.
Temporarily setting this concern aside, his gaze fell upon the slip from Xie Zhe.
His expression turned utterly grim.
On the right slip, it read: “Xiao Yun enjoys listening to singing and watching dance performances.”
—
As he compared the notes line by line, Xie Caiqing’s fingers unconsciously curled. With a sudden squeeze, the slips of paper crumpled in his grasp.
He took a deep breath, inwardly cursing a certain someone as shameless. Then, he slowly relaxed his grip and smiled faintly.
Very well.
—
The following night, Xiao Yun leaned on his desk with his eyes closed, fingers tapping rhythmically as he listened to an eunuch read reports and dictated his responses.
Yin Xian entered and whispered in his ear, “Your Majesty, Xie Caiqing is outside requesting an audience.”
Xiao Yun’s tapping paused. He cracked one eye open. “It’s so late. Why isn’t he at home? What does he want with me?”
It was already two hours past dinner, and the sky was completely dark. Soon, he had planned to turn in for the night.
Yin Xian replied, “He was worried you might be overworked and hungry, so he went to the imperial kitchen and personally made a nourishing soup for you. He wishes to show his gratitude.”
Xiao Yun’s brow arched as he sat up. “Isn’t that what imperial consorts do? Delivering nourishment at this hour…”
He paused, then smirked. “Sounds like something that could ‘nourish’ me all night.”
Yin Xian blinked before stifling a laugh, thinking, His Majesty is truly incorrigible.
Indeed, if a consort personally delivered soup at this hour, it was an implicit request for the Emperor’s favor.
The Zhuangyuan probably had no idea.
Yin Xian grinned obsequiously. “But Your Majesty has no consorts. And since the Zhuangyuan owes you his life, isn’t it only natural for him to serve you in return? Even if he were to be your servant in every way, it would be justified.”
“That’s true,” Xiao Yun’s grin widened. “Alright, let him in.”
Xie Caiqing entered, properly greeted him, then approached with the soup bowl in hand.
Standing upright, he held it with both hands at eye level, presenting it with utmost respect.
He had removed his official robes, wearing only his usual plain attire. Neither as soft as water nor as cold as snow—he was like a beam of moonlight, quiet and unassuming.
Xiao Yun, for some reason, found this look particularly pleasing. Watching him like this, an idea flickered in his mind.
If Xie Caiqing were truly a woman… and his consort…
Hmm. What title would suit him best?
His family background wasn’t prestigious, but Xiao Yun never cared about lineage. He was undoubtedly good-looking, so perhaps… “Meiren” (Beautiful Lady)?
Shui Meiren? No, sounded odd. Rou Meiren? Too delicate. Lian Meiren? No, no. Duan Meiren? Too old-fashioned. Shu Meiren? Wait, wasn’t that his mother’s title? Jing Meiren? Hui Meiren? Xian Meiren? Zhen Meiren?
Yes, let’s call him Zhen Meiren (Virtuous Beauty)! It’ll serve as a reminder for him to uphold the virtues of a wife, remain loyal and devoted. I am his heaven, and he must give his all to serve me, to win my favor. Only when I am pleased will I begrudgingly bestow some favor upon him. Otherwise, I’ll send him to the Cold Palace, where no one will hear his cries for help…
A soft voice called, “Your Majesty?”
Xiao Yun snapped out of his thoughts, quickly wiping the grin off his face and replying indifferently, “Mm. Belov— No, my dear minister, you are thoughtful.”
Zhen Meiren had thin skin, and under the emperor’s gaze, he lowered his eyes and murmured, “…It is my duty.”
“What made you think of bringing me soup?”
Xie Caiqing replied, “What Your Majesty said yesterday was an awakening for me. Your Majesty has shown me great kindness, yet I have not thought of repaying it. I was truly foolish.”
“I am inexperienced and of little use in the court. If I wait until the future to repay Your Majesty, I would feel uneasy. So, I thought I would start with some small, insignificant gestures…”
Xiao Yun deliberately frowned at him. “That was not my intention. I simply told you not to avoid me. Just doing what you should is already a form of loyalty. There’s no need for all this.”
Xie Caiqing bit his lip slightly and softly pleaded, “Your Majesty, please don’t misunderstand. This is of my own will. I only hope Your Majesty will not disdain me and allow me to contribute in whatever little way I can, so that I may feel at ease…”
Xiao Yun waved a hand impatiently. “Fine, fine. You have the heart for it—how could I stop you? Do as you wish. But stop holding it up, just looking at you like that makes me tired. Put it down.”
Xie Caiqing freed one hand to tidy up the messy memorials on the emperor’s desk, neatly stacking them to one side before setting down the soup.
“What kind of soup?” Xiao Yun asked casually.
Standing beside him, Xie Caiqing already looked tense. From the moment he entered, he had not once lifted his head to look at the emperor. Upon hearing the question, he nervously lifted the lid.
Xiao Yun glanced at the bowl and saw it was just an ordinary old hen soup. He deliberately frowned. “Leave it. I’ll drink it later.”
As he spoke, he picked up another memorial.
Xie Caiqing thought to himself, “It won’t kill you,” but he still felt somewhat uneasy. He responded with a soft “Mm.”
Since Xie Caiqing had entered, all the palace attendants had been dismissed by Yin Xian. With no one else around, Xiao Yun had to read the memorials himself.
The top scholar was left standing there, neither dismissed nor asked to stay, making the situation rather awkward.
Several times, Xie Caiqing wanted to speak but hesitated. Finally, he mustered the courage to persuade the emperor, but before he could, Xiao Yun casually asked, “Did you make it yourself?”
Xie Caiqing swallowed his words and shook his head. “…I do not know how to cook.”
Xiao Yun chuckled. It was just as he thought—Xie Caiqing’s delicate fingers were not meant for the kitchen. If he had cooked it himself, it would probably have been so bad it could kill him.
“So, is the top scholar offering flowers in another’s vase?”
Xie Caiqing shook his head.
Xiao Yun waited for a long moment without hearing a response. He shifted his gaze from the memorial and looked at him.
Outside, the night was dark and quiet. Inside, the candlelight flickered, casting a warm glow on Xie Caiqing’s usually pale complexion, making it appear soft and gentle. His face carried a slight flush, reminiscent of a bride unveiling her wedding veil on her wedding night.
Xiao Yun’s heart wavered. He cleared his throat and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Xie Caiqing, feeling embarrassed, said, “Your Majesty is the ruler of the nation and lacks for nothing. Anything I offer would be unworthy. I cannot cook better than the palace chefs, and I am utterly lacking in skills. So, after much thought, all I could offer was… sincerity.”
He lowered his voice, his face turning redder. “So, this soup… I made it myself, under the guidance of the royal chefs. I hope Your Majesty will not dislike it and will drink a few sips while it’s still warm.”
Xiao Yun was momentarily stunned. “You gave your first time to me?”
A deep smile spread across his face, as if he could no longer suppress it. He said seriously, “Then I must have a good taste of the top scholar’s craftsmanship.”
Xie Caiqing immediately lifted the bowl and presented it to him. Xiao Yun reached out to take it, but in the process, his fingers accidentally brushed against Xie Caiqing’s.
Their fingers touched. Their eyes met.
Xie Caiqing instantly withdrew his hand, letting go of the bowl.
Xiao Yun hadn’t expected him to let go so quickly and almost spilled the soup all over himself. He barely managed to steady it, but a few drops splashed onto the desk.
“…Your Majesty! Please forgive me!” Xie Caiqing saw the golden droplets on the table, his face turning even redder. He hurriedly pulled a handkerchief from his robe to wipe it up.
Xiao Yun had never intended to blame him. Seeing him so flustered, his attention was suddenly drawn elsewhere. He stared at him in disbelief. “The top scholar carries a handkerchief with him?”
Xie Caiqing’s movements stiffened. He had, indeed, always carried a handkerchief with him for years.
He hadn’t expected Xiao Yun to lose his grip.
Xie Caiqing didn’t understand why the emperor’s expression was so exaggerated and softly replied, “…Yes.”
Xiao Yun had never seen a man who carried a handkerchief with him. Looking down at the white fabric embroidered with two birds on a branch, he asked on impulse, “…The top scholar knows embroidery?”
“…” Xie Caiqing forced a smile. “Your Majesty, I… I do not. My elder sister embroidered this for me.”
Xiao Yun coughed awkwardly. What had he been thinking?
After a moment of silence, Xie Caiqing quietly said, “If Your Majesty likes it… I can ask my sister—”
“No need, no need,” Xiao Yun interrupted hastily. “I was just asking casually. I thought the top scholar had a gentle nature and might enjoy feminine hobbies. That was my mistake.”
“…” Xie Caiqing clenched his teeth but kept his expression unchanged.
Xiao Yun took a sip of the soup, not expecting much, but the moment it touched his tongue, he was pleasantly surprised. The broth was rich and flavorful, enhanced by medicinal herbs that complemented its aroma without overpowering it.
He couldn’t quite tell the difference between what the imperial chefs made and what Xie Caiqing had cooked, but it was unexpectedly delicious.
Looking at Xie Caiqing’s expectant gaze, Xiao Yun felt a surge of generosity and silently promoted him in his heart—from Zhen Meiren to Virtuous Noble Consort with remarkable culinary talent. However, his face remained indifferent as he commented, “Not bad.”
Xie Caiqing sighed in relief and smiled sincerely. “As long as Your Majesty enjoys it.”
Xiao Yun was slightly hungry, teased by the lingering aroma. He was always busy, and with the high demands on his energy, he tended to get hungry not long after eating.
Under Xie Caiqing’s unblinking gaze, Xiao Yun finally remembered the note he had asked Xie Zhe to deliver last night. He put on an act, giving Xie Caiqing plenty of face by taking two or three more sips of the soup before decisively handing the bowl back.
Xie Caiqing took it with satisfaction.
Xiao Yun watched as he, like performing a magic trick, pulled another handkerchief from his sleeve—this one embroidered with a design of two playful fish. Xiao Yun blinked slightly, thinking to himself: Why does this guy have so many handkerchiefs? Is he some kind of handkerchief spirit?
Xie Caiqing, unaware of the emperor’s inner thoughts, thoughtfully offered it to him. “Your Majesty, please wipe your—”
Xiao Yun was still staring at the handkerchief in his hand.
Xie Caiqing belatedly realized something and murmured, “…This one is unused. I brought it specifically.”
Only then did Xiao Yun slowly accept it.
“Your Majesty, wipe your hands—”
Xiao Yun’s hand, which had been moving quickly to wipe his mouth, suddenly froze.
