noveltune Chapter 48: Just how much must I pay for a single bite to eat?!
Chapter 48: Just how much must I pay for a single bite to eat?!
Chapter 48: Just how much must I pay for a bite to eat?!
Li Shimin threw the silver chopsticks in his hand onto the table.
clang!
The sound wasn't loud, but it made Wang Dequan, who was setting out the dishes next to him, tremble three times.
On the table was a plate of steamed venison, its color dark and its appearance dry.
"They've withdrawn."
Li Shimin rubbed his temples, his stomach feeling uncomfortably empty, yet the strong smell of mutton made him nauseous.
"Your Majesty, you haven't eaten much for the past two meals."
Wang Dequan advised with a pained expression, "Your health is more important. How about I send someone to the Imperial Kitchen to urge them to get some of that... those fried dough sticks?"
The mere mention of fried dough sticks darkened Li Shimin's face considerably.
That cold, limp thing, like a rubber band, was lying in the corner of the imperial desk, as if mocking him, the emperor of the Tang Dynasty.
"Why would I eat fried dough sticks!"
Li Shimin stood up and paced anxiously around the hall. "It's useless when it's cold! I want it fresh out of the pot! I want it the kind that makes a crunchy sound when you bite into it!"
He got angrier the more he thought about it.
What's the point of being an emperor?
"Change your clothes."
Li Shimin suddenly stopped and tugged at the tight buttons on his collar.
Wang Dequan was taken aback: "Where is Your Majesty going?"
"Go and fulfill your filial duties!"
Li Shimin gritted his teeth and forced out these three words, "The Emperor Emeritus did not return last night. As his son, shouldn't I go and visit him? This old man is getting on in years; if he freezes in that drafty woodshed, how can I explain it to the people?"
Wang Dequan's eyelids twitched.
With the sun shining brightly, how could they be freezing? They're clearly just craving something and want to freeload a meal.
But he dared not say it, and quickly found a set of casual clothes. It was an inconspicuous brocade robe with floral patterns, which looked unassuming, but the material was indeed a tribute item.
After changing his clothes, Li Shimin did not bring any guards. He only had Wang Dequan follow him from a distance, and with his hands behind his back, he strode towards the backyard of the imperial kitchen.
The further we go, the further we stray from the right path.
The surrounding palace walls were mottled, and weeds grew in the cracks between the floor tiles.
Before we even reached the alley, a gust of wind blew in our face.
Li Shimin paused, his nose twitching suddenly.
This taste—
It's different from the rich sesame paste flavor of before, and also different from the simple wheat oil aroma of this morning.
It has an extremely aggressive fragrance!
Glug—!
Li Shimin's stomach indeed let out a thunderous roar.
"It smells so good!"
Li Shimin's Adam's apple bobbed, and he took bigger strides, almost jogging.
Is this the expert's new trick?
Turn the corner, and the peeling wooden door of the Imperial Kitchen's backyard comes into view.
Just as Li Shimin was about to step forward and push the door open, he abruptly stopped himself with his foot.
There are people at the door.
A dilapidated bamboo recliner lay across the threshold, completely blocking the way.
Li Yuan was wearing a loose-fitting coarse cloth jacket, with the trousers rolled up to his knees and a pair of cloth shoes with multiple layers of soles. He was half-reclining in a chair, holding a toothpick in his hand, picking his teeth comfortably.
On the small wooden stool next to it, there was a half-finished bowl of tea.
Li Shimin's heart skipped a beat.
This isn't an emperor emeritus; he's clearly just one of those old men in Chang'an who guard their own gates and glare at anyone who comes near.
"Father—Father Emperor?"
Li Shimin braced himself and stepped forward, bowing respectfully.
Li Yuan didn't even lift his eyelids, only snorted through his nostrils, the toothpick in his hand still twirling in his mouth.
"Erlang."
Li Yuan spoke slowly, his voice lazy, "In the middle of the day, instead of governing in the capital, what are you doing running around in this smoky, fiery kitchen? Aren't you afraid of getting your imperial robes smoky?"
Li Shimin straightened up, his smile a little stiff.
"Your Majesty, I heard that Your Majesty did not return last night, and I am very worried about you. That is why I have come—"
His eyes involuntarily darted through the crack in the door, where a fragrant aroma was wafting out and filling his nostrils. "I've come to invite Father Emperor back to the palace to rest."
"miss?"
Li Yuan chuckled and spat out the tea stalk from his mouth. "I think you're just craving this food."
Caught off guard, Li Shimin's face flushed slightly, but he still had to maintain his composure: "Father, you misunderstand. Your son is acting purely out of filial piety. This place is simple and dirty, truly unsuitable for Father to spend his remaining years in peace. Besides—"
He took another deep breath of that irresistible aroma and swallowed hard.
"Moreover, the smell is so pungent that it might harm Your Majesty's health. I have specially instructed the Imperial Kitchen to prepare a light and nourishing mutton soup—"
"Stop, stop, stop!"
Li Yuan waved his hand dismissively, "Don't try to disgust me with that mutton soup. I'm quite comfortable and at ease here. If there's nothing else going on in your Liangyi Palace, you should go back now, don't stay here blocking the wind."
Li Shimin was unwilling to leave.
The aroma grew stronger and stronger, and you could even hear the sizzling sound of oil popping inside.
"Father, now that I'm here, why don't I go in and ask for a cup of water?" Li Shimin tried to walk around the reclining chair.
Li Yuan stretched out his leg, blocking the middle of the road.
"Water? There's no water for you at Da'an Palace? You're coming to this woodshed to drink water, aren't you ashamed if word gets out?"
Li Yuan glared at him. "They're busy working in there right now, it's full of fumes. If you, with your precious body, go in and get burned or hurt, wouldn't the people of the world curse this old man to death?"
Li Shimin was speechless.
This is clearly a no-entry policy!
Just then, Su Mu's voice came from the courtyard.
Clear and bright, with a touch of languor.
"It's done cooking!"
Then came the crisp sound of a spatula hitting a wok.
"Ah! It's so hot! I'm going to lose my grip!"
The little ox screamed, not out of fear, but out of an impatient excitement.
"Eat slowly. These chive boxes are hot inside. If you bite through the skin, you'll get boiling oil inside. Be careful not to burn your mouth."
Su Mu gave instructions from inside.
fried leek dumpling?
Li Shimin's ears stood up like a rabbit's.
What kind of rare item is this?
"Snap!"
A crisp sound pierced through the door and clearly reached Li Shimin's ears.
That was the sound of crunchy pastry being chewed.
"Wow—wow—smells so good!"
The little rhinoceros exhaled and shouted, "There are eggs in here! And little shrimp! And—and green grass!"
"That's chives."
Su Mu's voice was tinged with laughter, "This is the first taste of spring, refreshing and invigorating, strong—cough, anyway, it's delicious."
"Click, click!"
The sounds of chewing rose and fell.
Li Shimin stood under the blazing sun, sweat dripping down his temples from his forehead.
He felt like a fool, guarding a mountain of gold but unable to enter, only able to listen to the sounds of money being counted inside from the doorway.
The smell of chives and eggs fried in hot oil was like the cruelest torture in the world. It awakened all the cravings in my stomach, making my already empty stomach start to convulse.
"Father Emperor————"
Li Shimin's voice was a little hoarse, "Since Sizi is inside, I'll take her back—"
"What are you answering for!"
Li Yuan interrupted impatiently, "The girl is enjoying her meal. If you interrupt her now, won't you just make yourself unpopular? Besides, this chive smell is strong. If you go back to court smelling like this, won't the censors impeach you?"
"There is no need to attend court today."
Li Shimin was still struggling in his death throes.