Xiao Yun let out a chuckle.
Xie Caiqing, led in by Fu An Gonggong, stood respectfully at the lower seat. The corners of his lips were slightly stiff. He thought to himself, Xiao Yun is such a grown man—how can he still be smiling in his sleep? So improper.
Xiao Yun nodded slightly, slowly opened his eyes, and in a daze, saw Xie Caiqing standing there in a white robe. Mistaking it for a white dress, he subconsciously murmured, “Caiqing…”
Xie Caiqing was startled and quickly dropped to one knee. “Your servant is frightened.”
Xiao Yun was silent for a few seconds. Now fully awake, he realized Xie Caiqing wasn’t wearing a dress, but a white scholar’s robe. He wanted to slap himself but maintained a composed tone: “Ah, my beloved subject has arrived.”
Xie Caiqing responded softly.
“Earlier, I was at fault. I heard from Fu An that you were ill—are you alright now?” Xiao Yun asked lazily.
Xie Caiqing shook his head and replied shyly, “So long as I can serve Your Majesty… any illness naturally disappears.”
Xiao Yun’s smile deepened. “Then it’s not too late for me to make amends.”
Xie Caiqing looked as though he was caught off guard by the imperial favor and softly said, “Whenever Your Majesty thinks of Caiqing… Caiqing is always willing.”
“You don’t blame me?”
“Whatever Your Majesty does must have reason. It is only this humble subject’s wooden head that fails to understand. My devotion to Your Majesty is of my own volition. Whether Your Majesty accepts it is Your Majesty’s prerogative. There is no need to feel guilt or distress over it. I should never have hoped for a response… it’s just that I…”
Xie Caiqing trailed off, clearly a bit ashamed of having let his emotions get the better of him and falling ill.
Xiao Yun glanced at him.
The person before him, looking slightly unwell, appeared even more delicate and pitiful—someone you’d want to hold in your arms and cherish, carry everywhere, never letting their feet touch the ground.
Xie Caiqing bit his lip. “If someday my service displeases Your Majesty, there’s no need to show mercy. Just let me go. I do not wish to be a burden.”
Xiao Yun gave a noncommittal hum and stepped down from the desk. “You’re not in good health. Rest for a couple of days. Do something that doesn’t take much effort.”
“Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern,” Xie Caiqing replied.
Xiao Yun walked down and went to fetch a book from the shelf. As his sleeves swayed, a rich fragrance wafted through the air. Xie Caiqing glanced up slightly and saw the black-and-gold scented sachet on Xiao Yun’s waist. He then looked at the silver-and-white one on his own waist. His face flushed red. Just as he was about to quietly remove it, halfway through he hesitated—perhaps realizing that trying to hide it might draw more attention. His hand froze on the sachet.
At that moment, Xiao Yun returned with the book in hand. Seeing Xie Caiqing’s hand on the sachet, he chuckled casually, “That sachet of yours—it really looks like a matching pair with mine.”
Xie Caiqing hung his head, blushing, and stayed silent for a long moment.
“Don’t tease me, Your Majesty… I… I…” He reached to remove it.
“Keep it on,” Xiao Yun said, looking down at him, heart filled with admiration. Such good taste I have, he thought. My bedmate is beautiful, skillful, and clever. While his thoughts strayed, he smiled gently and said, “The sachet from the top scholar—how could I not like it? It’s refined, smells wonderful, and shows good taste. I don’t know how to choose things myself. I’ll have to consult you more often—save myself from the Commander always mocking my taste in court attire.”
“…How could I dare?” Xie Caiqing, overwhelmed by the attention, allowed a cautious smile to appear on his lips. “As long as Your Majesty likes it, that is enough. If ever there’s anything Your Majesty needs of me, just command it.”
“You even saved my life at the Imperial Horse Bureau. If you’re willing to help me a little, I’ll be more than pleased.”
“You said it,” Xiao Yun said lazily, “Then I won’t be polite. Top scholar, your cooking is superb. I’ve been thinking about that soup you made last time. Just yesterday I said to the Commander that he should try it too. He’s coming tonight for dinner…”
“…I understand.” Xie Caiqing’s eyes sparkled like obsidian. “I’ll go prepare it right away.”
Xiao Yun frowned: “Isn’t it just after noon? Why so early?”
Xie Caiqing said, “My skills are poor. I need time to prepare well, so Your Majesty won’t be embarrassed in front of the Commander. I take my leave.”
Without waiting for Xiao Yun to call him back, he was already out of the hall.
Xiao Yun watched his retreating back, shoved the book he’d picked back onto the shelf, and thought: My bedmate really is so gentle and virtuous. What more could one want in a wife or a loyal subject? I really do have great taste.
…
As soon as he stepped out of the imperial study, Xie Caiqing’s expression went completely blank.
Eat, eat, eat. Not enough by yourself, now you want to invite your good buddy too.
Why not just call the whole court?
So shameless. Taking polite words as truth. If Xiao Yun keeps making him cook every day… that won’t do.
Then something occurred to Xie Caiqing. He looked up at the scorching sun and smiled faintly.
Fu An, who was coming in, was momentarily dazzled. The top scholar really looks otherworldly, he thought.
…
At dinnertime, Xie Caiqing returned to the imperial study.
The eunuch led him inside. Xie Zhe was just about to ask, as usual, where the emperor was, when he looked up and saw him already sitting properly at the table, grinning from ear to ear like a starving schoolboy waiting for his meal, eagerly awaiting the servants to serve the food.
“…?” Xie Zhe stared in disbelief at the scene.
The emperor had never cared much for food. He found it troublesome, saying that with how often people eat, a person probably spends close to ten years of their life eating—it was simply a waste of time. He always ate only when hungry, scarfing down food like a whirlwind, and then immediately left.
Because of this, Xie Zhe had always avoided dining with him. He preferred to chew slowly and eat properly, but nearly every time, Xiao Yun would finish eating and slip away, leaving Xie Zhe to sit stiffly under the eager gazes of countless palace staff, slowly chewing by himself.
That was still a better scenario—many times, he would be halfway through his meal when the emperor finally showed up, only for the emperor to still be the first to leave.
“What are you standing there for? Come on,” Xiao Yun waved him over.
Xie Zhe walked over in disbelief and sat down, feeling as though he were sitting on pins and needles. “Did I offend Your Majesty in some way?”
Xiao Yun frowned. “What makes you say that?”
Xie Zhe whispered, “Could this be a Hongmen Banquet, and Your Majesty intends to poison this humble subject? Greeting me with a smile… is it to send me off on my final journey?”
Xiao Yun was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing and cursed, “Get lost.”
“Xie Caiqing is making dinner for us,” Xiao Yun said.
Understanding dawned on Xie Zhe, and he smiled. “Then might this humble subject also enjoy a taste of the feast?”
“Of course,” Xiao Yun’s smile deepened. “You don’t know—this was his first time making soup, and it’s nearly on par with the imperial chefs. I said you should try it, so you’ll get a taste this once, just so you know how good it is. After that, even if you beg, you won’t get any. He’ll only cook for me.”
“…I’m honored,” Xie Zhe said.
“Really, you can’t imagine,” Xiao Yun said. “That day, when he brought the soup over, I heard it was his first time, and he’d made so many preparations. You know that feeling of suddenly going from h*ll to heaven?”
“…I can imagine,” Xie Zhe replied.
“No, no, you can’t imagine,” Xiao Yun insisted. “Let me describe it to you—”
“…,” Xie Zhe put on a polite smile and respectfully listened to the emperor’s excited storytelling.
After finally enduring the emperor’s exuberant tale, Xie Zhe hesitated, then softly asked, “…Is he now Your Majesty’s person?”
Xiao Yun looked at him, baffled. “He’s only been here a few hours! Do I look like that kind of person?”
Xie Zhe: “…”
Then why did His Majesty look like a foolish husband proudly showing off his pregnant wife?
Remembering that the emperor’s passions flared and faded quickly, Xie Zhe reluctantly accepted it and forced a smile. “Then allow me to offer early congratu—”
Just then, Xie Caiqing entered. Xiao Yun cleared his throat, and Xie Zhe immediately fell silent, smiling and turning to greet him. “Much obliged today, Top Scholar.”
Xie Caiqing’s eyes curved into a smile. “It’s nothing. The Commander has helped me before—it’s only proper to make a meal in return.”
“Then I’ll be shameless and enjoy it.”
Xie Caiqing nodded.
Xiao Yun glanced at his hands. Xie Zhe followed his gaze.
Xie Caiqing’s hands were empty.
There was no soup with the old hen.
Xie Caiqing laid out the chopsticks for them, then stepped outside and waved toward the back. Soon, seven or eight palace maids and eunuchs came in, each carrying a dish, lining up in a neat row.
Xiao Yun froze.
He’d only asked Caiqing to make a pot of soup, yet he’d cooked an entire banquet?
Xie Zhe was a bit surprised too. He had to admit, Xie Caiqing treated the emperor very well—he was attentive, gentle as jade, thoughtful, and knew how to serve others.
However, someone like that—so completely accommodating—the emperor might quickly find boring.
The servants placed all the dishes on the table.
Xiao Yun said, “Top Scholar, isn’t this a bit too grand?”
“It should be,” Xie Caiqing replied with a shy smile. “After all, it’s Your Majesty hosting the Commander.”
Xiao Yun’s brow twitched slightly.
Why did he keep saying “Commander” over and over?
Xie Zhe felt flattered and smiled, “Top Scholar thinks highly of me. Then I must return the favor one day—you must honor me with your presence.”
Xie Caiqing’s voice was elegant and clear. “I wouldn’t dare. I shall certainly visit in return.”
Xiao Yun watched the two of them exchange pleasantries right under his nose and ground his teeth in secret.
Did they think he didn’t exist?
When Xie Caiqing saw him, he acted shy—that was true admiration, fondness, and respect. As for Xie Zhe? Hmph, Caiqing smiled at even eunuchs like that. The more Xiao Yun thought about it, the better he felt. He laughed and said, “Uncover the dishes.”
Xie Caiqing glanced at the table and tried to suppress the corners of his lips, sneaking a glance at Xiao Yun.
“What are you looking at me for?” Xiao Yun asked with a grin.
Xie Caiqing quickly lowered his head, his cheeks turning red, hands clasped tightly in front of him.
Xie Zhe watched the two flirting openly right in front of him and thought: I really shouldn’t be here.
“Forgive me for my poor skills,” Xie Caiqing said quietly.
The servants removed the covers from the dishes. Xiao Yun took one look and beamed. “Top Scholar, isn’t this a little too—”
He looked again, and his expression instantly shifted, his face darkening.
Xie Zhe also glanced and said in surprise, “Top Scholar, isn’t this a little too—”
Then he looked more closely, his expression changed too. He glanced at Xiao Yun, his facial muscles twitching involuntarily. He covered his mouth, coughed a few times to stifle a laugh, and said, “Top Scholar, this is all too much. I— I’m overwhelmed with Your favor. But, this menu… seems like someone’s got other intentions entirely.”
Xie Caiqing’s face turned even redder.
On the table were braised deer tendon, stewed shark fin, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, stir-fried sparrow tongues…
Every single dish listed on that note was included—and then some. Several more rich, greasy dishes were added, far too heavy for this warm weather.
Xie Caiqing clenched his hand behind his sleeve, head down, silent.
Xie Zhe glanced at Xiao Yun and coughed. “These are all Your Majesty’s favorite dishes—ah!”
Xie Caiqing looked up in confusion.
Xie Zhe’s face flushed red, but he covered the spot where he’d been kicked without showing any expression and said, “Your Majesty must make good use of it!”
Xiao Yun’s face darkened for a moment, his expression as though he wanted to kill Xie Zhe. But when Xie Caiqing looked over, he instantly returned to a gentle and amiable demeanor.
“No wonder the top scholar went at noon,” Xiao Yun said. “To prepare so much in just one afternoon—everything looks and smells wonderful. The taste can’t be far off either. These dishes aren’t easy to make, and they’re a hassle to prepare. After not seeing you for a few days, it seems you’ve become someone new.”
“Your Majesty flatters me. This humble subject has been reflecting lately and realized there’s nothing irreplaceable about me. If I’m to stay by Your Majesty’s side long-term, I must at least have some skill that pleases you. So I studied a bit, though I’m rather clumsy with my hands.”
Xie Zhe muttered to himself, Pleasing the Emperor? That’s easy enough.
Xiao Yun: “…”
Xie Caiqing glanced at Xie Zhe and said in a low voice, “I was afraid I wouldn’t serve Your Majesty well, so I asked the Commander about your preferences. Please forgive me.”
Xie Zhe turned to Xiao Yun and stood up nervously. “Your Majesty, please forgive me.”
“…What is there to forgive?” Xiao Yun said. “It’s all out of loyalty. In that case, I must taste it. I haven’t eaten like this in a while.”
He looked at the rich, fragrant dishes laid out—glistening with oil, thick with sauce—without changing his expression. He picked up a piece of pig’s trotter, the skin crispy and the fat glistening, and bit into it. A mouthful of oil and stickiness filled his mouth, and he smiled, “I do like this kind of food.”
Xie Zhe: “…”
“The taste isn’t worse than the imperial chefs’. Commander, try some too,” Xiao Yun said.
Xie Caiqing breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. “If Your Majesty likes it, I’ll cook for you every day.”
