The emperor just doesn't treat everyone equally, and it's none of my business!

After traveling to this place, the thing that Gu Shijin was most satisfied with was the rich supplies of this dynasty, with a wide variety of vegetables and fruits. Gu Shijin was also puzzled at first, but as time passed, she didn't take it to heart, because she was not an archaeologist.

And this is a good thing for her. Food and drink are very important to Gu Shijin. Only by eating well and sleeping well can one be in a good mood.

It’s just that the chefs in the imperial kitchen are very methodical in their preparation. It would be a waste if they just have the ingredients but don’t know how to cook them.

In the past, Gu Shijin was not favored and could not order the people in the imperial kitchen. He had to spend money to buy vegetables and then cook them quietly in Ningyu Pavilion, which was always inconvenient. Now, Gu Shijin only needs to write down the recipe, and someone in the imperial kitchen will naturally make it.

"Your Majesty, your concubine pays respects to you," Gu Shijin bowed gracefully.

Lu Junze helped Gu Shijin up, took her hand and walked to the dining table to sit down.

Dining with the emperor does not mean just sitting down and eating together. One has to serve the emperor first. Especially for Gu Shijin, a mere noble, it is impossible for him to sit down and eat together like the concubines.

Gu Shijin picked up a piece of bamboo shoot with a serving chopstick and put it in Lu Junze's bowl, saying, "Your Majesty, please try it. Today's dishes are prepared by the imperial kitchen at the order of this concubine. Your Majesty, please try it and see if it suits your taste."

"These bamboo shoots are spring bamboo shoots, especially fresh and tender."

As he spoke, Gu Shijin quietly swallowed his saliva.

We have to say that the wisdom of the ancients should not be underestimated. It is very rare that they could preserve these things so well in an era without refrigerators.

Lu Junze picked up the bamboo shoots in the bowl and tasted it, and commented: "It's really good, light and refreshing."

Lu Junze tasted all the other dishes on the table and found that they were surprisingly to his liking. It's not that he doesn't like heavy dishes, but it's hot in summer, so light dishes are more suitable.

"You sit down and eat with us." Lu Junze had already noticed that Gu Shijin was greedy, so he smiled and ordered.

Gu Shijin did not refuse. After thanking him, he sat down and ate together.

Both of them were very satisfied with this dinner. Lu Junze enjoyed the meal and it seemed that Gu Shijin's efforts were not in vain.

“Did you come up with these dishes yourself?” Lu Junze asked, pointing at the table after rinsing his mouth and washing his hands.

"Your Majesty, my mother loves to cook. I learned all this from her when I was at home." As she spoke, a trace of longing appeared on Gu Shijin's face.

Lu Junze nodded: “Not bad.”

Lu Junze took Gu Shijin's hand and said, "Come for a walk with me."

There have been a lot of things going on in the court and the harem these days, and Lu Junze has had a poor appetite. He ate a little too much tonight.

At this time, Xingzhu came in with a tray with two bowls on it.

"Your Majesty, I have prepared some red dates and hawthorn water. Drinking it will help digestion. Would Your Majesty like to drink some first?"

Lu Junze nodded a little in surprise, picked it up and took a sip, his eyebrows slightly raised. This hawthorn juice was very sour and sweet, suitable for drinking after meals. Lu Junze was very happy.

Everything Gu Shijin prepared today made Lu Junze satisfied and happy, and his impression of her improved a bit.

Gu Shijin noticed the change in Lu Junze, and a hint of smile flashed across his eyes.

After drinking the water, the two went out for a walk. Ningyu Pavilion was remote and there was nothing interesting to see. It was summer, so they started sweating after walking a few steps.

"Are you used to living in Ningyu Pavilion?" Lu Junze asked.

Gu Shijin: "Ningyu Pavilion is very good. I like it very much and I am used to living here."

Ningyu Pavilion is quiet, and there are few concubines nearby, so there are fewer troubles.

"Okay, if you don't like it, I'll find you another place to live." Lu Junze felt that Ningyu Pavilion was too remote and lacked popularity.

Gu Shijin bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, but I'm used to living here and I think everything is fine."

Lu Junze didn't say anything more.

Gu Shijin breathed a sigh of relief. With her current position, if she moved out, she could only live in a side hall in another palace and be controlled by the queen. It would be better for her to live freely in Ningyu Pavilion.

As the saying goes, when you are full, you will think about sex.

After the walk, both of them were sweating. Gu Shijin took a shower and waited in the dormitory.

After taking a shower, Gu Shijin didn't do anything else. She let her hair down behind her head and wore a white long dress with some morning glories embroidered on it with gold thread.

Gu Shijin's face was exquisite. Without makeup, she was lively and charming, yet innocent, making men feel itchy.

When Lu Junze walked into the bedroom, he happened to see Gu Shijin playing with candlelight.

The candlelight shone on her face, setting off her fair skin and the charm between her brows, making people unable to take their eyes away.

Gu Shijin turned around and saw Lu Junze, and said, "Your Majesty."

"My dear, go to sleep."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

This was the second time that Gu Shijin did this with Lu Junze. The last time it was more painful, but this time Gu Shijin felt some pleasure from it.

The two of them seemed to be playing a piece of music together, jumping together, singing low together, responding to each other, and slowly calming down after reaching the climax of the piece.

That night, the two played song after song together, and both felt an inexplicable excitement.

When Lu Junze got up for the morning court session, he didn't let Gu Shijin serve him.

"No need to get up, sleep a little longer." He knew he had gone too far last night.

Gu Shijin didn't force herself and lay back down obediently. Before Lu Junze left Ningyu Pavilion, she fell asleep again.

When Lu Junze left, he touched Gu Shijin's face and smiled.

"Find someone to go to the Queen's Palace to ask for leave for Concubine Jin." Lu Junze ordered after leaving Ningyu Pavilion.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Su Deyuan agreed and immediately asked someone to do it, and in his heart he raised Gu Shijin's status a lot.

To be protected by the emperor like this, Concubine Jin is no ordinary person and her future is limitless.

It is said that Su Deyuan is the chief eunuch in the palace.

Although Lu Junze asked for leave for Gu Shijin, Gu Shijin still woke up on time.

This is her subconscious mind. Being spoiled in the harem will only make her gradually lose her way and lose her sense of proportion.

"My lady." Xingzhu came in holding clothes and helped Gu Shijin get up.

This time, Gu Shijin did not feel so uncomfortable. He was worthy of being an emperor who had experienced many battles. The technique was indeed good. Gu Shijin was indeed immersed in it last night.

Anyway, she can't escape the cage of the palace now, so why not do it if it can make her happy and feel better.

"My lady, the emperor clearly exempted you from paying your respects this morning." Xingyue said while combing Gu Shijin's hair.

Gu Shijin smiled and said, "We are already awake anyway, it is good to get up early and take a walk."

Xingyue pursed her lips: "Okay."

Xingyue picked up the velvet flower hairpin on the table and was about to put it in Gu Shijin's hair, but was stopped by Gu Shijin.

Gu Shijin opened her dressing box and took out the Lingzhi bamboo-joint jade hairpin that the emperor had given her last time: "I'll wear this today."

"Yes, my lady." Xingyue was a little surprised, but didn't ask any more questions.

She now knows that everything the young lady says and does has her own intention.