After the death of the host: the tyrant cried red eyes

"Miss Shen, you have mastered the etiquette of the palace very thoroughly and passed the examination successfully. It is time for me to go back and report to His Majesty."

Shen Bingning responded gratefully, knowing that this nanny held an important position in the palace. If she could make friends with her, she might become a help in the future.

Nanny's fondness for Shen Bingning was also beyond words. She praised: "Miss Shen is really the most astute person I have ever met in my life. You can understand what I mean without me saying much."

Upon hearing this, Shen Bingning lowered her head slightly, with a faint smile on her lips. The charm contained in that smile made the nanny a little dazed.

During these days of getting along, Nanny was shocked by Shen Bingning's beauty more than once, and secretly sighed in her heart, no wonder she could enter the palace with a humble status and gain the favor of His Majesty.

The nanny thought privately that the outside world all said that Miss Zheng was of a distinguished family, and she had recently taught Miss Zheng in accordance with His Majesty's order, but Miss Zheng's etiquette performance was not as good as Shen Bingning's.

It seems that many things really need to be witnessed with one's own eyes, and rumors cannot be fully trusted.

After the nanny left, Shen Bingning immediately put aside her deliberate dignity and smiled at Qing'er, "I'm a little hungry."

Due to the assessment, today's dinner was postponed. Qing'er quickly responded and prepared to get dinner.

However, just as the food was placed on the table, a voice came from outside the door: "His Majesty has arrived."

Shen Bingning prayed secretly in her heart, hoping that she could become temporarily deaf and pretend not to hear.

Finally, she had to put down her chopsticks, forced an official smile on her face, walked to the door and saluted: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

Xiao Yi walked into the palace, carefully examined Shen Bingning's etiquette, and commented with satisfaction: "My beloved concubine has learned the etiquette well, and the nanny also praised you highly."

Shen Bingning maintained that appropriate smile. This was the new etiquette she had learned - when facing the king, the smile should be just right, neither too enthusiastic nor too indifferent.

"Please stand up, my dear."

Xiao Yi stepped into the hall, his voice gentle.

Shen Bingning's knees were aching from kneeling for a long time, and coupled with the hunger, she almost couldn't stand steadily. Fortunately, Qing'er supported her in time.

Although he was dissatisfied in his heart, he dared not show it on his face.

Xiao Yi explained, "I have been busy with government affairs these days, and I haven't had dinner with my beloved concubine for a long time. Today I came here specially to accompany you for lunch."

Shen Bingning usually advocates frugality, so she instructed Qing'er to simplify the original sumptuous eight dishes and one soup into four dishes and one soup, but this was obviously inconsistent with Xiao Yi's dining habits.

Seeing this, Eunuch Wei stepped forward and asked, "Your Majesty, do you need more dishes?"

Xiao Yi waved his hand and sat down calmly: "The national treasury's food reserves are tight, and I am worried about this. I am very pleased to see that my beloved concubine can understand my worries and take the initiative to reduce the standard of the meal."

Then, he turned to Eunuch Wei and issued an order: "Wei Quanxi, draft an edict immediately. From now on, all meals in the palace will be reduced by half, in order to emulate Miss Shen's frugal style."

Shen Bingning's heart tightened when she heard this, and she quickly explained: "Your Majesty, this is all what I learned from Miss Zheng."

Eunuch Wei was puzzled but remained calm.

Shen Bingning continued, "A few days ago, I accidentally discovered that the imperial kitchen also sent four dishes and one soup to Miss Zheng. Miss Zheng has a distinguished family background, but she is still so frugal. How dare I be extravagant? So I followed suit."

This speech not only cleared her of responsibility, but also cleverly led the topic to Miss Zheng. Shen Bingning was secretly proud of herself.

Eunuch Wei was thinking in his mind that Concubine Zheng was restricted because she violated the palace rules. According to the rules, the diet of such concubines should not exceed the standard of four dishes and one soup. Shen Bingning's words, whether others believed it or not, cleverly shifted the focus to Concubine Zheng.

"If you want to learn, you should learn from Lady Zheng."

After Shen Bingning finished speaking, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, a hint of cunning flashed in her eyes, and then she leaned forward slightly and respectfully performed a standard court salute. Her posture was elegant, like the breeze blowing across the lake in spring, which was neither rude nor implied.

Xiao Yi didn't seem to notice Shen Bingning's thoughts. He just followed her words and said gently, "Since my beloved concubine has a calm temperament and doesn't care about the good reputation in the outside world, then I will act according to my beloved concubine's wishes and let everyone in the harem follow Concubine Zheng and learn a thing or two."

His voice was low and magnetic, like the breeze on a summer evening, with a bit of casual laziness and majesty.

Shen Bingning nodded secretly in her heart, thinking: This good reputation really belongs to Concubine Zheng, her talent and virtue are unmatched in the harem. This arrangement is not only an affirmation of Concubine Zheng, but also a way out for herself.

"Wei Xiquan, go to Hanqing Palace again and tell Concubine Zheng that the Queen helped her win this reputation, and remind her not to forget to express her gratitude to the Queen."

As soon as these words came out, Shen Bingning couldn't help but smile bitterly in her heart. This Xiao Yi was really talking about something that was not relevant. He clearly knew the delicate relationship between Concubine Zheng and himself, but he insisted on making it clear. It was really laughable!

Even if she could really win fame for Lady Zheng, Shen Bingning knew very well that she might not be grateful to her for it.

Xiao Yi's action seemed more like he did it on purpose, for he was afraid that Concubine Zheng would not find an opportunity to settle old scores with him.

Xiao Yi straightened his sleeves, washed his hands, and prepared to have lunch. This series of movements was smooth and calm, demonstrating the emperor's dignity and majesty.

Shen Bingning kept in mind the court etiquette she had learned recently, and knew that as a concubine she could not sit down without the emperor's permission.

So, she slowly stepped back a few steps, keeping a certain distance from Xiao Yi, and stood quietly with a dignified posture, like a quietly blooming lotus.

Xiao Yi's gaze moved and fell on Shen Bingning, his tone filled with some confusion and tenderness: "I have come here specially to accompany my beloved concubine for dinner, why are you standing still?" There seemed to be a hint of teasing in his eyes, as if he was admiring Shen Bingning's restraint and adherence to etiquette.

"This is the palace rule. Concubines cannot sit down without the emperor's permission."

Shen Bingning's voice was cold and firm. She still maintained that distance and was unwilling to break the rules easily.

Xiao Yi chuckled, his words carrying unquestionable authority: "In this Forbidden City, my words are the rules. If I tell you to sit, you can sit."

Shen Bingning muttered to herself, if your words are the rules, then all the palace rules I have studied hard these days are useless, right? But she didn't show it on her face, and slowly walked to the dining table, intending to choose a seat away from Xiao Yi to sit down, but her hand was gently pulled.

"Sit next to me."

Xiao Yi's voice was deep and magnetic, and could not be rejected.

Shen Bingning had no choice but to sit next to Xiao Yi as he said.

Upon seeing this, Eunuch Wei was about to step forward to serve the two of them food, but Xiao Yi gently waved his hand to stop him, signaling him to step back.