The time was Shen Shi.
In the Empress's chamber.
On the phoenix chair, Xiao Yunxi dismissed the palace maid, elegantly picked up the teacup, sipped the tea, and while sipping, her long and narrow eyes glanced at the woman kneeling by the long table.
This is a beauty that can make a man's mouth dry and salivate.
Her entire being exudes an irresistible allure.
Underneath the beautiful cheeks is a voluptuous body, even in a slightly oversized elegant dress, Xiao Yunxi could see her chest towering unusually.
The kind of woman that men desperately want to pamper.
Who would have thought that a woman, who entered the palace less than four years ago, barely over twenty, without bearing children, could have such a figure.
Even more unexpectedly, less than a week after entering the palace, she was titled Noble Consort, showered in the Emperor's favor.
"What a pity not to nurse children..."
Thinking to herself, Xiao Yunxi put down the teacup and smiled: "Why would Sister think of coming to me today?"
The woman below let out a silver bell-like gentle laugh and said, "I was unwell for a while and didn't come to greet Sister. Having recovered recently, I came today to avoid losing manners and upsetting Sister."
"What is Sister saying, between us, there's no need to concern with that."
Having said that, Xiao Yunxi stood up, came beside the woman, took her hand, and laughed: "Come, come, the two of us haven't spoken in a long time. You must have a good chat with me today; you can't leave."
In their demeanor, they seemed like true sisters.
"Sister is so gracious, how could I not accompany you."
The woman, also known as Noble Consort Hu, sat together with Xiao Yunxi on the sofa.
"Sister is truly favored by Your Majesty, for days now, Your Majesty has been spending nights in your Yonghe Palace." Xiao Yunxi said with a smile.
Noble Consort Hu showed a hint of melancholy and said: "What a pity Sister has weak fortune. I coincidentally felt unwell and couldn't serve Your Majesty. For several years, I haven't borne a single child for Your Majesty."
"That is still better than this palace; it has been more than three years since Your Majesty spent a night in Weiyang Palace." Xiao Yunxi sighed.
"Sister is jesting; you are the Empress, Chong'Er is the current Crown Prince, Fujin is even the State Preceptor's direct disciple. Sister, I am very envied of you." Noble Consort Hu said with a smile.
Then she changed the topic and said: "Let's not talk about this. I heard Liu Consort from Qian'an Palace is pregnant, already over a month, has Sister heard?"
"I heard a bit, but wasn't she put in the Cold Palace by Your Majesty? What happened?" Xiao Yunxi was puzzled by why Noble Consort Hu mentioned this.
"Being pregnant and sent to the Cold Palace, Sister, don't you find it odd?" She said, abruptly leaning in towards Xiao Yunxi's ear and whispered: "Heard Liu Consort was killed by Nan Zhou remnants yesterday, supposedly to kill the dragon fetus in Liu Consort's belly for revenge against Nan Zhou."
"This palace has also heard, yet such a flawed excuse, does Sister believe it?" Xiao Yunxi raised an eyebrow.
"It's not that Sister doesn't believe, but recently Nan Zhou remnants are increasingly being found in the Imperial Palace. Heard it's all for that so-called Nan Zhou Treasure." Saying this, Noble Consort Hu asked: "Has Sister heard of that Nan Zhou Treasure?"
"Heard a bit, about how Nan Zhou Treasure contains items capable of not only restoring Nan Zhou but also uniting the world..."
While speaking, Xiao Yunxi laughed, saying: "How ridiculous, if such a thing existed, Nan Zhou wouldn't have been destroyed by the predecessor dynasties. "
"In my opinion, this Nan Zhou Treasure is nothing but a fictional object made up by Nan Zhou remnants, merely a belief sustaining their survival."
"Not true, I heard that gathering four Red Sun Bells will reveal the location of Nan Zhou Treasure, and that there is a Red Sun Bell in the Imperial Palace." Noble Consort Hu stated.
"Red Sun Bell?" Xiao Yunxi's eyes narrowed: "What is that? Who did Sister hear this from?"
"I also heard from others long ago; I forgot who exactly said it." Noble Consort Hu chuckled and then shifted the topic:
"Heard two days ago was Fujin's birthday. Sister didn't mention it to me, if I'd known even if I were ill, I'd have come to celebrate with Fujin..."
"It's a child's birthday..."
...
The two were engaged in lively conversation, and before long, the sky darkened.
Noble Consort Hu laughed: "Sister, it's getting late; I shall take leave now."
"No hurry Sister, have dinner before you leave; you might as well accompany me to taste something new."
Xiao Yunxi summoned Wang Ying.
"What does Your Ladyship command?" Wang Ying bowed and respectfully inquired.
"Go see how Xiao Hongzi is recovering. If he can walk, let Xiao Hongzi make the hometown dish he spoke of for me to taste." Xiao Yunxi slowly said.
"Understood."
...
At this moment.
Chen Mo had used up all five Nourishing Essence Pills given by Zhao Fujin.
He felt his Dantian was in a state of saturation.
He believed that given roughly a day to cultivate, he could break through to an Eighth Grade Martial Artist.
But at present, he wasn't cultivating.
He planned to use simulations and find a reasonable talent to replace the King of Zombies.
Just then.
The room door knocked loudly.
If Chen Mo hadn't bolted it and added three layers of security, it could have been pushed open directly.
Outside, Wang Ying's sharp voice called: "Xiao Chen, quickly get up; the Empress wants to eat the hometown dish you mentioned. I'm telling you, Noble Consort is here too, make sure you win some face for the Empress."
Though Xiao Yunxi said, if Chen Mo could walk, let him come to cook.
But Wang Ying, being the lackey, had to see it done.
Even if Chen Mo couldn't walk, he had to get up.
"Eunuch Wang, but..."
Chen Mo initially wanted to use injury as an excuse.
But was immediately interrupted by Wang Ying, saying: "What but? Dare you defy the Empress's words?"
This imposing statement left Chen Mo unable to respond, quickly saying: "I'm coming."
At this moment, Chen Mo's injuries had mostly healed, scabbed over, and no longer affected movement.
Seeing Chen Mo getting ready, Wang Ying dropped the idea of helping him to the kitchen and urged: "Be quick."
"Understood."
...
Chen Mo planned to make braised pork for Xiao Yunxi.
In this world, braised pork was yet to exist.
Moreover, braised pork is relatively easy to make, Chen Mo, before crossing over, this dish was his specialty.
He also won a girl over at a university party with this dish.
Therefore, he felt quite confident about making it.