Born a phoenix? The husband I picked up is the young emperor

Chapter 1923

At that time, Anxia knew that the people's happiness depended on wise rulers governing the country and honest and capable officials like his cousin.

The two of them finalized the account books for the Lantern Festival and chatted for a while before Qiu Zhiyan stood up to say goodbye.

In the flickering candlelight, Qiu Zhiyan's thin face showed the character of a scholar, and his jawline was as thin and neat as the folds of rice paper. The official uniform that once fitted him now hung loosely on his body, with wide sleeves blowing in the wind, giving him a sense of desolation.

Shi Anxia called him softly, "Cousin."

Qiu Zhiyan turned around holding the account book, his brows and eyes were gentle, "Cousin, is there anything else?"

Shi Anxia stood up and waved her sleeves, a faint smile on her lips, "I just want to ask my cousin to have dinner with me."

He understood in his heart that this was not to ask him to accompany them, but it was obvious that they were afraid that he would just have a few bites outside again.

His eyes fell on his cousin's thin shoulders, thinking of how she became a widow at a young age, raising three children alone, and the long years ahead... Alas!

Qiu Zhiyan sighed secretly, put the account book gently on the table, and replied in a good temper: "Okay."

In the dining hall of the inn, Shi Anxia instructed that the prepared Huizhou dishes be placed on the table.

The pork elbow in the blue and white porcelain dish is like amber, with the gelatin under the skin trembling slightly; the snow peas are stewed until soft and soft, and they are faintly visible in the thick soup. There is also a bowl of tangerine peel and old duck soup, with oil stars floating in the green smoke, and the fresh fragrance is subtle.

Several authentic Huizhou home-cooked dishes were scattered among them, especially a dish of pickled radish tops in yellow and green, sour and refreshing. Ordinary ingredients were skillfully prepared and made people salivate.

Qiu Zhiyan stood up and left the table, saying softly, "The magic of Huizhou elbow is all in the dipping sauce. I'll go make some for my cousin."

Shi Anxia smiled and nodded.

When Qiu Zhiyan returned from the kitchen with a small celadon plate, there were three uninvited guests at the table.

Emperor Zhaowu sat in a plain robe, and Zhuo Qiran and his teacher Mr. Ye Xun were also present.

Qiu Zhiyan paused slightly, but saw that the emperor had a calm look and Mr. Ye Xun looked composed.

He walked forward calmly, not performing the formalities of a king and his subjects, but rather the etiquette of an ordinary meeting between scholars.

She greeted Lord Zhuo and Mr. Yexun one by one, but thought to herself: If Mr. Yexun knew that the emperor was in front of him, would he lose his leisure? Isn't my cousin afraid that this weirdo Yexun might frighten the emperor?

Qiu Zhiyan placed the small celadon dish before Emperor Zhaowu and said, "It is a crude workmanship. Please... appreciate it, sir." The honorific he had just changed was still on the tip of his tongue, and he caught a glimpse of a smile in the emperor's eyes.

He lowered his head quickly, sweat on his forehead due to nervousness. He never dreamed that one day he would be able to eat at the same table with the emperor.

Shi Anxia also gave her portion of sauce to the person on the left, "Mr. Ye Xun, please."

Ye Xun didn't hesitate and just raised his hand to take the small celadon plate.

Qiu Zhiyan turned around and went back to the kitchen, the corner of his robe swirling in a half arc of breeze at the doorstep. When he came back, everyone had a plate of sauce in their hands.

He took his seat, consciously taking his place at the bottom. The person sitting at the top, the main seat, was still Shi Anxia.

The table was extremely quiet for a moment. Mr. Yexun took the first step with his silver chopsticks, picked up a piece of crystal pork elbow, dipped it in the sauce and ate it.

Zhuo Qiran's forehead was covered with sweat, and Qiu Zhiyan's knuckles turned slightly white while holding the chopsticks.

Mr. Ye Xun was completely unaware of it. He chewed slowly without even moving his eyebrows.

Qiu Zhiyan thought, Mr. Ye Xun is really not afraid of losing his head. He remained silent, waiting for the emperor to start eating, and glanced at the emperor's expression from the corner of his eye.

Xiao Shuzi, who was standing nearby, was wearing the uniform of a servant, with his head lowered and his fingers clenched. He was thinking that since he had no chance to test the poison, eating it first would be a good way to test the poison.