Would You Like to Have a Drink

Yuan Jia, who had been waiting at the entrance of the palace for a long time, hurriedly greeted him. “Your Highness, you have finally arrived. His Majesty is waiting for you to have lunch together.”

 

Zong Luo: “???”

 

He began to doubt his ears.

 

Emperor Yuan was busy with affairs on weekdays. He could review memorials for a whole day after going to court. He did not like to be disturbed at will except for official duties. Every year, there would be several tragedies of beauties with poor eyesight being thrown out of Zhang Palace while delivering soup and water, making it almost impossible to eat with him.

 

After returning from the Wei Country, Zong Luo lived in the palace for a year and never enjoyed such an honor.

 

For so many years, it was said that only Zong Hongjiu had dined with Emperor Yuan, and others couldn’t help but not feel envy either.

 

Therefore, he was in an indescribable mood as he walked to the Zhang Palace with Yuan Jia.

 

Just as he walked in, he was about to clasp his fists and salute, when a cold voice came from the seat of honor, “You still know that you should come?!”

 

Zong Luo smiled bitterly in his heart.

 

He thought that coming to the palace, he would just go to the imperial physician to receive acupuncture and drink some medicine.

 

Due to the Qingsi incident, he was well prepared to avoid Emperor Yuan. Thus he slept in late today. Who knew that his father didn’t play cards according to common sense and directly asked Yuan Jia to wait for him at the entrance of the palace.

 

The prince in white straightforwardly lifted up his hem neatly. “This son came in late, hoping His Majesty to forgive the offense.”

 

Regardless of the consequences, the emperor is the greatest in the feudal society, thus let’s take this pot first and discuss later. 

 

Emperor Yuan, who was standing behind the table, stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his sharp gaze pierced through the hanging tassels of his crown.

 

Zong Luo felt glad in his heart.

 

Fortunately, the white silk not only covered his eyes, but also covered the bluish color under, due to staying up late last night.

 

Emperor Yuan snorted coldly. “Come, have a meal!”

 

His voice was stiff, as if hitting the ground.

 

According to Zong Luo’s understanding of his father, the louder the thunder, on the contrary, the less anger there was.

 

Real anger was like throwing a tea cup directly, like during the Qingsi last time, and the slightest mistake would be beyond redemption.

 

The palace maid servants waiting on the side stepped forward while trembling in fear.

 

Imperial kitchen attendants put several tables together and laid silk and satin on them. Other attendants holding red lacquer boxes came in one after another, placing warm dishes on the table.

 

Yuan Jia meekly lowered his head and sighed with emotion in his heart, not daring to say a word more.

 

His Majesty was extremely organized on weekdays. When to get up, when to go to the morning court, when to meet with the ministers, when to review memorials, when to practice with the sword, and when to have meals, all of these were strictly divided into time limits, a little less and a little more wouldn’t do. Just like the ascetics in the Witch Temple, for decades, he had been performing this daily routine like a clockwork.

 

His Majesty should have finished this lunch an hour ago.

 

According to the time, His Majesty should take a nap now, otherwise he would easily doze off while reviewing memorials in the afternoon.

 

His Majesty was in a good mood this morning. However, this good mood, before going to morning court, after going to court, after meeting with the ministers, before reviewing the memorial, and asking whether the Third Prince had gone to the Imperial Medical Courtyard, after receiving negative answers several times, gradually became dull.

 

Before handing down the meal, Emperor Yuan asked again. Hearing that he had yet to come, his expression became obviously displeased and asked people to go and invite him quickly.

 

As a result, he was invited, and it took more than an hour before the Third Highness arrived

 

Unexpectedly, the weather was cold again, thus His Majesty delayed the handing down of the meal, to ensure that it was kept warm. The servant who was waiting in front of Zhang Palace to pass on the meal changed the dishes four or five times before waiting for this ancestor’s arrival.

 

Zong Luo knew nothing about these.

 

He sat down silently following the palace servant’s guidance, quietly waiting for the dishes to be served, then picked up his chopsticks and lowered his head to eat.

 

Eating that first chopstick of a dish, Zong Luo almost didn’t spit out the food.

 

Emperor Yuan liked spicy food, and relying on his internal strength, he never listened to advice on what food to avoid to maintain health.

 

Among them, the spicy shrimp with pepper vinegar that was so spicy that it would make one furrow their brows.

 

The emperor on the opposite side saw it and waved his hand. The attendant took advantage of Zong Luo’s lack of attention and removed the dish from the table while changing dishes.

 

The three words “eat without speaking” faithfully run through the entire palace.

 

Zong Luo immersed himself in eating, especially when he occasionally felt the sharp eyes falling on him, the speed of picking up rice became faster and faster.

 

After the palace servants removed the bowls and chopsticks, Zong Luo cupped his hand with the other and said, “This son won’t disturb Father Emperor’s lunch break, and will go now to the Imperial Medical Courtyard for treatment.”

 

Won’t disturb? It’s already afternoon at the moment!

 

Emperor Yuan closed the memorial heavily. “Go early and return early. After the treatment, come and see Zhen before leaving.”

 

Zong Luo: “……”

 

With unwillingness in his heart, he reluctantly said yes.

 

When he was about to walk out of Zhang Palace, an unexpected and distant calm voice sounded from behind. “If Zhen finds out that you dare to stay up late next time, you can just move in with Zhen, live in the palace next to the Imperial Medical Courtyard, and don’t think of going back to your prince’s mansion again!”