Red Mansion Rebirth: Ghost Phoenix

While the Pan family gathered together to discuss Pan Wen's entry into the palace as a study companion, Emperor Chongzhao and Wang Xifeng had dinner together.

Today, Wang Xifeng gave instructions to the food bureau that each person would only have a bowl of noodles with gravy and four light side dishes, nothing else.

Emperor Chongzhao was very dissatisfied and showed a hint of disgust on his face.

"What did you eat at the flower party yesterday?" he asked as he picked up a noodle.

Wang Xifeng took a big mouthful of noodles, chewed it well and swallowed it, then said: "Your Majesty, I have given the chef a list of ninety-six people, and the total cost of the meal, including tea and snacks, is three hundred and seventy-eight taels, six cents and three cents of silver.

"As for what was served in the end, I didn't have time to look at it, nor did I eat a single bite.

“However, when the Imperial Food Bureau reported the bill in the morning, they said that because of the interruption, the banquet had not been fully prepared, and the dishes had not been prepared, so they were all used to cover the meals for the various palaces today.

"Most of the leftovers from the banquet were taken back neatly as they were and used as extra food for the servants in various parts of the palace.

"After adding the two together, the total cost yesterday was actually a little over 103 taels."

She didn't eat a single bite, but she still did her job, and her money came and went clearly, in both small and large amounts. She was a pampered daughter, the head of the household, and she didn't complain about the simple meal, so why was I being so pretentious?

Emperor Chongzhao reflected on himself while listening, lowered his head and took a bite, raised his eyebrows and said, "Is this mung bean sprouts?"

"Yes. It's hot, and your majesty and I are both suffering from fever. When the chef heard that we wanted to eat lo mein, he specially served it with mung bean sprouts."

Wang Xifeng answered again, picked up a piece of noodles with her chopsticks, and asked the emperor bluntly, "Your Majesty, do you have anything else to ask?

"Aunt Meng is watching. Don't talk while eating or sleeping. I'm going to finish this bite and then reply to you!"

Emperor Chongzhao knew that she was angry, so he stopped provoking her, shook his finger, lowered his head and started eating noodles.

Wang Xifeng never felt shy when eating in front of him. She could finish half a bowl of noodles in no time.

She really wanted to have another bowl, but was afraid that she would start a quarrel with Emperor Chongzhao, and she would feel uncomfortable if she was too full, so she gave up.

Only the emperor felt that this noodle was more fragrant and refreshing than when he ate it in the Purple Palace, but he couldn't tell the difference. He could only put down the bowl reluctantly while missing it.

He took a handkerchief to wipe his mouth and took the opportunity to burp softly.

"I can always eat more when I eat with the imperial concubine." Emperor Chongzhao showed his goodwill a little awkwardly.

Although Wang Xifeng understood in her heart, she couldn't help but soften her heart when she heard him say this: "Your Majesty, please don't eat in the Purple Palace in the future.

"You just move the memorials and put the food box in it as a meal, but you don't even move from your seat, so naturally your stomach will feel uncomfortable.

"Plus, the affairs of state are put aside, and I can't forget them even if I want to. Isn't that a loss of taste?

"When it's time to eat, you can just go out for a walk. You can go to any palace and eat with anyone, even go to see Brother Tao!

"When the time comes, we'll just eat. No matter what happens, we can talk about it after we finish eating.

"If someone insists on whining while you're eating, you can just treat it as a monkey show and throw away your food!"

Emperor Chongzhao laughed in silence: "How can you treat the affairs of the court as a joke?"

"If it is really a major event of the imperial court, then the cabinet, the six ministries and the officials involved must have come to discuss it with Your Majesty. Why would they discuss it during Your Majesty's banquet?"

Wang Xifeng asked back, and snorted, "If I can grumble while you're eating, then it must be nothing!"

It also makes sense.

Emperor Chongzhao nodded in agreement, then realized belatedly that he had been easily led astray by Wang Xifeng, and couldn't help laughing.

Lead the topic to the direction you want: "The imperial concubine is eloquent and thoughtful--

"I joked with people earlier, saying that the Wang family, including the imperial concubine, still has some traces of old master Wang."

Wang Xifeng blinked: "No? I follow my mother."

Emperor Chong Zhao was almost choked by her words, and his smile suddenly deepened: "Seeking benefits and avoiding harm is also a family tradition."

Wang Xifeng knew she couldn't escape, so she bowed her head and crossed her hands: "Your Majesty, please tell me if you have anything to say."

"I know that your family has extensive connections in Jiangnan, and many things are done quietly but thoroughly."

Emperor Chongzhao carefully chose his words.

Quietly and completely...

When Wang Xifeng heard these two words, her eyes widened: "Your Majesty, you want to..."

Kill who!?

She bit her tongue in time and closed her lips tightly.

Emperor Chongzhao looked at her performance and nodded with satisfaction: "Can you lend me your family's connections on the canal?"

Wang Xifeng's phoenix eyes blinked and blinked for a long time before she spoke carefully in a low voice: "Your Majesty, the Prince of Nan'an...is not yours...?"

"I would like to, but unfortunately, I don't have the talent to do it without anyone noticing..." Emperor Chongzhao blurted out the truth subconsciously.

Wang Xifeng pursed her lips, quickly stood up and took a half step back, lowered her head, then raised the corners of her lips and smiled.

Emperor Chongzhao looked at her and laughed so hard that her shoulders were almost shaking. He touched his nose uncomfortably, snorted, and turned away.

"Oh... Then, Your Majesty, will you make a list for me, or will I tell my father and I'll pick whoever I see conveniently..."

Wang Xifeng looked at him curiously.

Want to take all the connections? That's too much for the emperor! However, the Wang family can still do what they are told.

Emperor Chong Zhao looked a little embarrassed, coughed, and stood up: "I am full, I will go back first.

"As for the rest, you... handle it as you see fit!"

After saying that, he shook his sleeves, put his hands behind his back, raised his head, and walked out slowly.

So, just do whatever you can, and get as much as you can.

Behind him, Wang Xifeng smiled sweetly, clasped her hands together, and knelt down gracefully:

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your favor and for helping me vent my anger!"

Emperor Chongzhao's figure was slightly unsteady as he walked away, but after two steps, he raised his hand and walked more leisurely.

Turning around, Wang Xifeng called out in a delicate voice, "Someone, come here! Prepare your writing brush and ink. I want to write a letter to my father!"

——In fact, no letter was sent out, but Chunnuan was asked to go outside the palace to bring a message to Wang Zifu.

When Chun Nuan came back, the expression on her face was almost unbearable: "The master drew out his sword and pointed it at me, asking me if the queen had been thrown into the inner temple by His Majesty..."

Wang Xifeng burst out laughing: "Daddy is really thoughtful!"

"Later, I presented the Empress's token and explained the whole story of the flower show. Only then did the Master believe what I said."

Chun Nuan smiled, leaned over, and whispered in Wang Xifeng's ear, "The master said that everything was just as he expected..."

Wang Xifeng's face changed drastically: "What did you say?!"

"The master said that Concubine Rong doesn't deserve the queen's pity. Now that he has entered the capital, he can't just watch the queen be sad!"

Chunnuan lowered her eyes and said this, a relaxed smile spreading across the corners of her mouth.