Ninth Imperial Glorious Phoenix Chapter 783

Chapter 783: Food (3)

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In Lansheng Pavilion, a palace maid's voice was just loud enough for everyone to hear, "The Empress has brought food for His Majesty and the ministers."

Yuwen Guang, though young, already had worry lines. Since ascending the throne, he felt he hadn't had a good day. Marrying Fu Zifei on the Great Empress Dowager's orders made things worse. Although their marriage was nominal, Fu Zifei's pushy nature irritated him.

For instance, why was she here now? Everyone was busy. Even though he was only a figurehead, he knew that mishandling this crisis could be disastrous. If the rebels and Xiongnu attacked the capital, he wouldn't survive. Even if Yuwen Chu was overthrown, any successor would likely dispose of him. He preferred Yuwen Chu's relative leniency over an unknown threat.

Despite his irritation, he couldn't refuse the Empress's gesture, nor seem unkind. So, he ordered, "Let the Empress in."

Fu Zifei entered with a solemn expression and a gentle tone, "Your Majesty, Sixth Uncle, and ministers, you all work hard. Though it's the Dragon Boat Festival, food is essential. Here are delicacies from the imperial kitchen and zongzi from the Great Empress Dowager. Please enjoy."

Any food bestowed by the Great Empress Dowager was special. Everyone thanked her and the Empress for their kindness.

Fu Zifei smiled and personally served Yuwen Guang and Yuwen Chu. The room was cramped, and she used Yuwen Chu's desk for the dishes. She peeled a zongzi for Yuwen Guang and then, with tender affection, placed one on a white porcelain plate, cutting it into four pieces, and gently pushed it towards Yuwen Chu, "Regent, please enjoy."

Yuwen Chu stood up with an impassive face, "I dare not trouble the Empress." He was in a bad mood and had no appetite, but the sweet and glutinous zongzi was one of his favorite foods. The scent of the zongzi and the sweet aroma of honey osmanthus stirred his hunger, so he signaled Wei Tiande to serve him the zongzi.

Fu Zifei, feeling irritated, stubbornly remained by the table, "Does Sixth Uncle despise me?"

Yuwen Guang glanced at Fu Zifei, who immediately lowered her eyes, speaking with grievance, "I only wished to show my respect and lighten the burden of the family and state affairs. You are an elder; it's just a zongzi, a token of filial piety. Why mention trouble?"

Yuwen Chu's expression remained as cold as jade, "The sovereign is sovereign, and the subject is subject. I dare not trouble the Empress."

Wei Tiande, after washing his hands, cautiously requested Fu Zifei to step aside, "Please, Empress, move aside."

Although feeling disheartened, Fu Zifei didn't feel embarrassed. She had anticipated Yuwen Chu's reaction; as long as he ate what she brought, it would be enough to upset Mingzhu. Besides, seeing the strange look in Yuwen Guang's eyes, she decided not to persist. Smiling, she said, "Sixth Uncle is truly loyal. The Great Empress Dowager mentioned recently wanting to confer the title of Princess to Millet."

As she spoke, a sharp pain shot through her foot. Wei Tiande had stepped on it, his face feigning innocence but with a look of disdain and malice, grinding his foot back and forth. Remembering previous humiliations from him, anger surged within her, and she slapped Wei Tiande across the face, cursing, "Wretch!"

This man was clearly Mingzhu's lackey, deliberately causing trouble. Fu Zifei thought back to Mingzhu's previous instructions to Donghui and felt she had to retaliate. The slap on Wei Tiande's face felt as satisfying as if she were hitting Mingzhu. She didn't hesitate to strike him again with all her might, feeling a rush of satisfaction.

Caught off guard, Wei Tiande stumbled, the second slap sending him crashing onto Yuwen Chu's desk, knocking over cups and dishes. Both Yuwen Chu and Yuwen Guang ended up with food and broth splattered on them.

Wei Tiande hurriedly knelt, kowtowing repeatedly, "This servant deserves to die! This servant deserves to die!"

Yuwen Chu silently looked at the mess on his desk, a bowl of soup spilled, staining a stack of memorials. He reached out, frowning slightly, and used his sleeve to wipe the soup from the documents.

The silence spoke volumes.

Yuwen Guang, with a piece of zongzi in his mouth, turned pale and then flushed with anger. He spat the food onto Fu Zifei's face and shouted angrily, "Get out!"

Fu Zifei regretted her actions the moment Wei Tiande hit the table. Being spat on by Yuwen Guang made her feel even more humiliated. Her face burning, she tearfully wiped the filth away with her sleeve, "Your Majesty, this wretch deliberately stepped on my foot. He disrespected me and provoked me..."

Even if Wei Tiande was favored by the Regent, he was still just a eunuch. Why should she endure his disrespect without punishment? In the palace, it was common for masters to discipline their servants. She hadn't expected the eunuch to be so audacious and vindictive; had she known, she would have held back.

Yuwen Guang sneered, "Even if he accidentally stepped on your foot, did you have to be so vicious? Did he provoke you? Did he disrespect you? Did he have a death wish? Does he hold a grudge against you?"

The ministers stopped eating, their expressions varied as they watched the scene. Fu Zifei knew what was happening but couldn't say a word, feeling stifled and humiliated. She turned to Yuwen Chu, "Sixth Uncle, I..."

Yuwen Chu, emotionless, set down the memorial and stood up, his tall figure bowing to her slowly, "As a servant, I failed to manage my subordinates, offending the Empress. I apologize."

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