Dethroned the Crown Princess? Then she became your mother

As her eyes moved, Zhang Tianai's gaze still stayed on Emperor Murong Shuo, and her tender eyes seemed to be able to melt everything.

"Your Majesty, is you free today?" she asked softly, with a barely perceptible tenderness in her voice.

Murong Shuo tilted his head slightly, met her gaze, a smile flashing in his eyes: "Although I am busy, but when I heard that you had guests visiting, I took the time to come and see you." There was an indescribable doting in his words.

Tenderness flowed between the two of them, as if even the air had become gentle.

"The Lin family has been waiting here for a long time. I believe you have had a pleasant conversation?" There was a hint of sarcasm in Murong Shuo's words, as if he was making fun of the close relationship between Zhang Tianai and the Lin family.

Zhang Tianai smiled slightly, and the smile on her face was as warm as the spring sunshine: "Yes, Your Majesty. The Lin family is very kind and friendly, and we had a very pleasant chat." There was a hint of gratitude in her voice.

Murong Shuo gently twirled the whisk in his hand and asked casually, "So what did you talk about?"

Zhang Tianai paused for a moment, then laughed again, "Your Majesty is truly a curious child. We talked about a lot, including family matters, state affairs, and world affairs. However, most importantly, I thank Your Majesty for giving me this opportunity to reunite with my family."

At this moment, a hint of disappointment flashed across Miss Lin Er's eyes, but was soon replaced by anticipation. She seemed to be expecting something, yet afraid of disappointment.

Murong Shuo noticed the look in Miss Lin's eyes, but said nothing. He turned to look at the Lin family, his gaze filled with a hint of majesty and scrutiny.

The Lin family felt the emperor's gaze and smiled respectfully.

"Now that you have entered the palace and met Concubine Liang, you should know what to do." Murong Shuo's words carried a hint of unquestionable majesty. "Concubine Liang is my concubine. You should treat her as you would treat me. As long as you do what you should do, I will treat you well."

Upon hearing this, the Lin family nodded to show that they understood.

Zhang Tianai looked at this scene and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.

However, at this moment, a trace of reluctance flashed in Miss Lin Er's eyes again. She seemed to have something else to say, but was afraid that speaking out would ruin the beautiful atmosphere.

Zhang Tianai noticed the look in Lin Er's eyes, and a ripple of emotion appeared in her heart. She understood that Lin Er might still have some illusions about Murong Shuo.

She turned to Murong Shuo and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, why don't you invite the Lin family to have dinner with you? It's almost noon now, so you can try some of the new dishes I've come up with."

Upon hearing this, Murong Shuo nodded slightly to show his agreement.

Zhang Tianai ordered Li Ma and the others to prepare the meal and have it delivered to the adjacent hall. Although she would not be accompanying the family in person, it was a great favor for the Lin family to have them eat with her.

While waiting for the food, Zhang Tianai and Murong Shuo continued to talk.

Murong Shuo was still thinking, "You once said that you only mentioned this to the Crown Princess."

He was lost in thought, his eyes deep.

"Indeed, Your Majesty. I have asked whether I should inform the Crown Princess of this matter. After all, I am now a daughter of the Lin family, and I should inform her. Yesterday, Your Majesty sent someone to inform me that I would be presenting myself as the daughter of the Lin family's second wife. I immediately sent Nanny Li to the Crown Princess to explain the situation. Last night, I also reported this matter to Your Majesty."

Zhang Tianai repeated what Nanny Li had said again, and every word was the truth.

She was frank and open, hiding nothing.

"You woman..." There was an elusive emotion in Murong Shuo's voice.

Last night, he hadn't asked her what she had said specifically, and she naturally hadn't mentioned it either. Now, after hearing her say it, he suddenly understood where those groundless rumors had come from.

He stared at Zhang Tianai, wanting to say something but stopping himself. In the end, he just sighed softly, as if he was blaming himself, and as if he was blaming her.

Zhang Tianai also began to wonder, "Could it be that I didn't explain myself clearly that led to this misunderstanding?"

She quickly understood the reason, but felt that the idea was a bit too complicated.

"Rumors are common." Murong Shuo said lightly.

"It's all my fault." Zhang Tianai quickly apologized.

"If anyone is to be blamed, it should be the Crown Princess! Even if you said so, how could you easily let people know that you are a concubine's daughter? Now this rumor has spread throughout the palace. I have never thought of letting you become a concubine's daughter, and it is even more impossible for me to let you really become a concubine's daughter!" There was a bit of displeasure and helplessness in Murong Shuo's tone.

Zhang Tianai whispered, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, my second sister...how could the Crown Princess..."

"Don't mention the Crown Princess again!" Murong Shuo looked even more displeased.

Seeing this, Zhang Tianai dared not say anything more.

Soon, Chunmei arrived with Nanny Li, who announced that lunch was ready and the Lin family was enjoying their meal. Upon seeing the food on the table, they all claimed to have never seen or eaten it before, and inquired about the names and recipes of the dishes. Upon learning that these dishes were all Zhang Tianai's creations, their curiosity intensified, and after tasting them, they were filled with praise.

Zhang Tianai looked at the emperor nodding and smiling, feeling very relieved. She had a pleasant conversation with the emperor, and Chunmei also brought her lunch at the right time.

She asked softly if the emperor wanted to have dinner, and Murong Shuo replied "Okay".

She then ordered Nanny Li to accompany the Lin family while she herself had dinner with the emperor.

The table was filled with a variety of delicacies, with the cold-mixed shredded vegetables being particularly eye-catching. The shredded vegetables were thinly shredded and mixed with sesame oil and other seasonings for a refreshing cold dish. There was also bitter melon, a dish that depended on individual taste. There was also black fungus and a bowl of chilled white fungus soup, offering a refreshing break from the summer heat.

Finally, there is a bowl of cool red bean porridge, which is sweet and delicious.

There were also two stir-fried dishes, both of which were the emperor's favorites. They tasted them together, and Murong Shuo was particularly fond of the cold-mixed shredded vegetables and black fungus, praising them, saying, "I didn't expect there were such recipes."

"Of course, many dishes have multiple ways of cooking. If you change the method, the taste will be different." Zhang Tianai looked at the emperor's favorite dishes, secretly took note of them in his heart, and asked Chunmei to write down the methods of these dishes as well.

Chunmei and another palace maid served the emperor and Zhang Tianai at their meals.

Zhang Tianai has a special fondness for bitter melon. Although it tastes a bit bitter at first, the more she eats, the more she enjoys it. She finds it especially delicious when served cold. She can adjust the seasoning to suit her taste: using less for a lighter flavor or more for a stronger one.

She even thought about making a dish by shredding chili peppers, adding them to broad bean paste, and then adding chicken essence and other seasonings. The taste must be spicy and refreshing.

She picked up a piece of bitter melon and gave it to the emperor, hoping that the emperor could also taste this delicacy.

However, Murong Shuo was somewhat displeased: "Why are you giving me this?"

"It's for cooling down your body, Your Majesty. You've been busy in the front court recently, so you need to cool down even more. Just one piece, just one piece." Zhang Tianai said coquettishly. She hoped that the emperor could taste the bitter melon with her.

Murong Shuo looked at Zhang Tianai and thought to himself: You, woman, dare to make me eat this bitter thing. Why should I listen to you?

However, he finally opened his mouth, took a bite of the bitter melon, and swallowed it in one gulp.

Zhang Tianai looked at the emperor's expression and couldn't help but want to laugh. Although the emperor didn't show any abnormality, she could still read the bitterness and helplessness in his eyes.

After Murong Shuo took a bite of bitter melon, he immediately asked for a glass of water to rinse his mouth.

Chunmei hurried forward to serve.

Zhang Tianai continued to savor her own dish, while Chunmei and another palace maid looked nervously at the emperor and Zhang Tianai. They didn't understand why Zhang Tianai wanted the emperor to eat food he didn't like, but they didn't dare to ask any more questions.

After eating the bitter melon, the emperor didn't say much, but just put down his chopsticks.

After Zhang Tianai and Murong Shuo finished their meal, Murong Shuo stared at the bitter melon on the table. "What's so good about this?" He didn't like bitter melon on a daily basis, let alone this kind of cold bitter melon. Even if it was sliced thinly, the bitter taste was hard to mask.

"It's delicious." Zhang Tianai said with a smile. She told the emperor that she had someone go out of the palace to buy this bitter melon.

Murong Shuo looked at her, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

Zhang Tianai also looked back at him, while the Lin family had already finished their meal and were waiting.

Hearing Nanny Li coming to report again, Zhang Tianai said, "Let the Lin family go back. We've finished lunch, so we won't keep them any longer."

Murong Shuo didn't say anything, which was considered as his tacit agreement with Zhang Tianai's decision.

Nanny Li responded and went to pass on the message. Chunmei also came with her people to clear the dishes.

Zhang Tianai stared at the emperor: "Your Majesty, are you going anywhere else this afternoon?"

"I'm going to the previous dynasty." Murong Shuo answered briefly.

He stood up and prepared to leave.

Zhang Tianai took his hand and whispered, "Your Majesty, are you going now? Won't you take a rest?"

"What do you want to do?" Murong Shuo heard the deep meaning in her words and his eyes became sharp.

"I just want Your Majesty to have some rest." Zhang Tianai still held his hand and refused to let go.

Murong Shuo didn't move, just looked at her quietly.

Zhang Tianai continued, "The Lin family has already been summoned today, and the superficial efforts have been made. If you want to summon them again, let's wait until the Queen Mother's birthday."

Murong Shuo looked at her, a glint of approval flashing in his eyes: "It's good that you know."

After saying that, he pulled his hand away and walked away in big strides.