He misspoke just now. He even said something about Consort Yu being understanding of the Emperor. Wasn't that just hitting Feng Muting where it hurt?
Their mother is no longer alive, so what's the point of asking for understanding or not?
Immediately, Su Fuliu felt uneasy. He pursed his lips slightly and said, "I'm sorry, Your Highness, I didn't know about Consort Yu..."
"You didn't say anything wrong, so why should you apologize?"
"Then, I will definitely do my best to stew a good fish soup for Consort Yu to 'taste' later," Su Fuliu said.
"Hmm." Feng Muting nodded slightly.
Upon arriving at the Jade Pavilion outside the city, Su Fuliu and Feng Muting alighted from the carriage, and were immediately taken aback…
Chapter 102 Deep Affection
After alighting from the carriage, Feng Muting cupped his hands and said, "Father."
Su Fuliu quickly followed suit and bowed, saying, "This humble servant greets Your Majesty!"
The Emperor glanced at him and asked, "Is this the servant who was injured last time?"
Feng Muting nodded slightly: "Yes, his cooking skills are quite good. His fish soup is absolutely amazing. It just so happens that Mother Consort also loves to eat fish, so I brought him here to make fish soup for her."
"Is that so? If it can earn your praise, it must be really good. I'll have to see for myself later to see if it lives up to its reputation."
"I will absolutely not disappoint Father Emperor," Feng Muting said with great confidence.
The Emperor nodded: "Very well."
Su Fuliu, standing to the side, was extremely nervous and dared not look up at all.
Feng Muting naturally noticed his nervousness, so he said, "Then Father, let's go in."
"Hmm." The Emperor glanced at Su Fuliu again before entering the Jade Pavilion.
Su Fuliu followed closely behind.
Once inside, he secretly glanced around and couldn't help but marvel at how this place was in no way inferior to the imperial palace.
It even has some unique features that surpass those of the imperial palace.
It's obvious that someone put a lot of thought and effort into its construction.
All the people who came with the Emperor stayed outside the Jade Pavilion to guard it, so only the Emperor, Feng Muting, and Su Fuliu entered.
Su Fuliu didn't speak; of course, he had no right to speak here.
All he needs to do is follow Feng Muting.
He assumed they would go to some kind of ancestral hall or temple, since today was the anniversary of Consort Yu's death, and they should first pay their respects at her memorial.
But he found out they came straight to the kitchen.
However, he came to the kitchen to stew fish, so why did the Emperor come too?
Su Fuliu looked at them with a puzzled expression.
Feng Muting went over and helped the Emperor roll up his sleeves.
Upon seeing this, Su Fuliu was taken aback. Was the Emperor going to cook himself?!
He had never seen the emperor cook before; this was the first time.
However, this also shows how deeply the Emperor loves Consort Yu.
Feng Muting glanced at Su Fuliu and saw that he was still staring blankly at the Emperor, so he said, "What are you standing there for? Take the things out of the basket and just stew your fish."
"Yes." Su Fuliu paused for a moment, then quickly went over and took out all the prepared ingredients from the basket.
Feng Muting watched him busily working, and before he could look away, he heard the Emperor say, "What are you looking at? Why don't you help me wash the lotus roots?"
"Yes." After withdrawing his gaze, Feng Muting went to the Emperor's side to help.
Su Fuliu was clearly more skilled, after all, cooking was something he excelled at.
While he was stewing the fish in the pot, the Emperor was still cutting lotus root.
He thought for a moment, then walked over and said, "Shall I, the junior, also help?"
If it's just about cooking, he's not afraid to talk to them.
Feng Muting didn't speak, but looked at the Emperor.
The Emperor glanced at him and said, "No need. Go and watch over your fish soup. Don't make any mistakes."
Su Fuliu understood his implication: he was reminding him that this was stewed for Consort Yu, and if he made a mistake, he would be finished.
"Yes..." Although the emperor's tone was not unfriendly, the imposing aura he exuded was still intimidating. Su Fuliu lowered her head and returned to her seat to tend to her fish soup.
Feng Muting glanced at him, then said to the Emperor, "Your subject will go and supervise."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor couldn't help but glance at Feng Muting...
--
A note from the author:
Your Majesty: I feel like something's off with my son...
Chapter 103 Feeling a Little Guilty
Feng Muting noticed the Emperor was looking at him and was slightly taken aback: "Why is Father looking at me like that?"
"Your words remind me of the time when your grandmother disliked your mother and punished her by making her work in the imperial kitchen. I said the same thing to your grandmother back then, saying I was going to keep an eye on her, but actually I just wanted to see if she was being mistreated."
The emperor was lost in his memories.
Feng Muting's eyes flickered, and for some reason, he felt a little guilty.
He didn't speak, he just stood there.
After the Emperor snapped out of his reverie, he looked at him and said, "Why are you still standing here? Didn't you say you were going to keep an eye on him? Go ahead, that's fish soup prepared for your mother. You can't let him mess it up, or your mother will be angry."
“Yes…” Feng Muting responded, but he didn’t leave in a hurry.
Instead, he waited until his father continued cutting lotus root before leaving.
So that his father wouldn't say he had no intention of helping him.
Su Fuliu was sitting by the stove, her hands supporting her chin as she stared at the fire inside.
"Aren't you afraid of missing something while you're daydreaming?" Feng Muting said, standing next to him.
Su Fuliu came to her senses and looked up at the tall Feng Muting.
He sat there, his figure completely enveloping everyone else.
Upon seeing Feng Muting approach, he quickly stood up: "Your Highness!"
"How long will it take?" Feng Muting asked.
"Simmer over low heat for about an hour."
"I see you're just standing here daydreaming, so I guess the fish is just simmering in the pot and you don't need to watch it too much."
"Well, there's no need to keep such a close eye on me, which is why I dare to daydream."
"Then, come with me. There's an old tree in the courtyard. Every year, mushrooms grow at its base. There must be some now. Go and see if you can pick some to eat."
Su Fuliu nodded: "Alright, Your Highness, please take me there."
Feng Muting nodded slightly and led him away from the kitchen to the other courtyard.
Upon arriving at the villa, Su Fuliu saw the large tree and jogged over to it.
After circling the big tree once, he turned back to look at Feng Muting, who was walking slowly towards him, and asked, "Didn't Your Highness say there were mushrooms? Where are the mushrooms?"
“I’m mistaken. It shouldn’t be this season yet,” Feng Muting replied calmly.
"..." Su Fuliu was speechless for a moment, but he also realized that the little mushroom had not yet arrived in the world and that it would take another month or two before it could be produced.
He heard Feng Muting say that and without thinking, he came along.
If they had realized the timing was wrong, they wouldn't have made him and Feng Muting make a wasted trip.
Seeing his slightly disappointed expression, Feng Muting said, "After a while, when the mushrooms grow, I will bring you here to pick them again."
He immediately perked up: "Great! I think we can still find some wood ear mushrooms later. When that happens, I'll cook a pot of mushroom soup for Your Highness and stir-fry a plate of wood ear mushrooms with eggs. How about that?"
“Very good.” Feng Muting nodded.
"Well, since there are no mushrooms, shall we go back?"
"No rush, we're already out here, you'll just be spacing out when you get back anyway," Feng Muting said.
“That’s true, but is it appropriate for us to come out and leave His Majesty alone in the kitchen?” Su Fuliu asked.
"What's wrong with that? Father isn't a three-year-old anymore. Why would we worry about him playing with fire and breaking plates?"
"..." Su Fuliu choked. This prince really doesn't know how to talk!
Seeing his speechless expression, Feng Muting smiled and gently patted the top of his head.
Su Fuliu was stunned for a moment, then immediately jumped up and down...
--
A note from the author:
Your Highness: I couldn't resist patting my wife's head because she's so cute, why is she reacting so strongly?!
Chapter 104 Abnormal Heartbeat
"Oh dear, Your Highness, you can't pat my head like that! It'll stunt my growth!" Su Fuliu said with a hint of dissatisfaction.
Feng Muting was slightly taken aback, then looked at him and said, "How much taller do you want to grow? This is fine."
"No, that's not enough! I want to grow as tall as Your Highness! That would make it easier for me to find a wife. Girls all like tall men. Although I'm not short, it would be perfect if I could grow as tall as Your Highness!"
"..." Feng Muting frowned slightly.
As soon as Su Fuliu finished speaking excitedly, she saw Feng Muting frown and immediately dared not say anything more.