The poorest member of the Imperial Guard, the Empress begged me to embezzle.

"Yes, Your subordinate obeys!"

The Imperial Guard captain responded and quickly left.

"Minister Chu, today's events have disturbed your peace and quiet..."

Murong Si looked at Chu Xiu, a hint of apology on her face.

"Your Majesty's actions have cleared my name, and I am deeply grateful."

Chu Xiu smiled slightly, his eyes clear, revealing a detached and indifferent attitude.

"Minister Chu, I see your fish porridge is ready. Why don't you have breakfast first? We'll wait here."

Murong Si's gaze fell on the steaming fish porridge in the courtyard. She took a sniff, and the aroma of the porridge whetted her appetite.

She usually eats breakfast after the morning assembly.

Today's situation is unusual; I haven't eaten yet.

"Your Majesty, would you like to try some?"

Chu Xiu asked politely, but in his heart he did not think that Murong Si would accept it.

"Alright, then I'll trouble you, Minister Chu."

Murong Si's eyes lit up, and she agreed without hesitation, revealing her eagerness.

"..."

Chu Xiu was stunned; he really was just asking politely.

Unexpectedly, Murong Si was actually willing to eat his simple meals.

It seems she was really hungry.

"Your Majesty, this fish porridge is freshly cooked and still a little hot. Please enjoy it."

As Chu Xiu spoke, he picked up the bowl and chopsticks he had prepared for himself, ladled a bowl of fish porridge for Murong Si, and carefully handed it to her.

"It's alright, I will be careful."

Murong Si took the fish porridge, sat down on a small stool without any affectation, and slowly began to savor it.

Chu Xiu smiled and watched with delight as Murong Si, the ruler of the Great Zhou Dynasty, a peerless beauty who could topple kingdoms, drank porridge.

"Minister Chu, you don't need to worry about me. Go and serve the porridge."

Murong Si seemed to sense Chu Xiu's gaze. Her pretty face flushed slightly, and she raised her head slightly, pretending to be calm as she spoke.

However, Chu Xiu and the others did not notice anything amiss, only thinking that the fish porridge might be too hot, which was why Murong Si's face turned slightly red.

Chu Xiu nodded, went into the kitchen, took out a set of bowls and chopsticks, and moved a small stool. He then ladled out a bowl of porridge and sat down in front of a pot of fish porridge to enjoy it with Murong Si.

"..."

The officials, both civil and military, looked at each other in bewilderment, their hearts filled with mixed emotions.

The aroma of fish porridge wafted over, and seeing Murong Si and Chu Xiu eating with relish made me feel even hungrier.

Not only did Murong Si skip breakfast, but they did too.

However, they were too ashamed to share Chu Xiu's fish porridge with Murong Si.

After all, Chu Xiu was the target of impeachment and hadn't invited them, so how could they shamelessly freeload off Chu Xiu's fish porridge?

"Minister Chu, this fish porridge is absolutely the best I've ever eaten!"

"Even the imperial chefs in the palace are far inferior to the fish porridge cooked by Minister Chu!"

After finishing a bowl of fish porridge, Murong Si praised it highly, her eyes revealing her recognition and appreciation for Chu Xiu's culinary skills.

"Your Majesty, if you find it delicious, please have another bowl."

"Your humble servant has come to offer this feast to Your Majesty."

Chu Xiu smiled gently and said knowingly.

"No need, Minister Chu is also eating, I will do it myself."

"Minister Chu, you need not concern yourself with me."

Murong Si shook her head, got up, picked up the spoon from the pot, and ladled out a full bowl.

She showed no airs of a female emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty and appeared approachable.

The civil and military officials watched with longing as Chu Xiu put the fish porridge in the pot.

But they could only endure it.

Chu Xiu pretended not to see anything. "You impeached me, and now you want to drink porridge?"

After a while.

A large pot of fish porridge was completely devoured by Chu Xiu and Murong Si.

"Minister Chu, I have enjoyed your fish porridge today. In the future, I will host a banquet for you in the palace so that you can taste the imperial cuisine."

Murong Si put down her chopsticks and said with a comfortable expression.

"Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness."

Chu Xiu thanked the emperor.

The civil and military officials looked at Chu Xiu with envy, jealousy and hatred.

How can you expect to receive an imperial banquet for serving such simple food to Your Majesty?

"You're too kind, Minister Chu. It's only right; this is called reciprocity."

Murong Si said dismissively.

"Your Majesty, before the investigators return, I will first wash these bowls and chopsticks."

Chu Xiu didn't say anything more, but instead spoke to Murong Si.

"Thank you for your hard work, Minister Chu."

Murong Si handed the bowl and chopsticks in her hand to Chu Xiu, and said with a sigh.

“I do this kind of thing all the time, and I’m used to it.”

Chu Xiu smiled calmly, took the bowl and chopsticks from Murong Si, put them into the large pot along with his own, and then carried the pot toward the kitchen.

"A wise man keeps away from the kitchen."

"Minister Chu was appointed as the Commander of the Northern Garrison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

“A fourth-rank official of my Great Zhou Dynasty personally cooks and washes dishes.”

"That's truly remarkable."

Murong Si looked at Chu Xiu's retreating figure, her face showing admiration.

Upon hearing this, many civil and military officials showed a hint of embarrassment on their faces.

Did they really suspect the wrong person?

Could Chu Xiu really be that poor?

Dugu Tai remained indifferent, as if he hadn't heard anything, but a slight ripple stirred within him.

The Imperial Guard captain strode into the courtyard, knelt on one knee before Murong Si, and reported with utmost respect: "Your Majesty, the investigation has been completed."

At this moment, Chu Xiu had finished washing the dishes and came out of the kitchen.

All eyes turned to the Imperial Guard captain, eager to know the outcome.

"Your Majesty, Lord Chu has no other residences besides this one."

"This is the only residence the Li family has ever owned for generations!"

The Imperial Guard captain bowed to Murong Si and said with admiration.

"Is this true?"

Murong Si's voice was deep and powerful, and her clear eyes shone with a sharp light.

"Your Majesty, it is absolutely true! This humble general is willing to stake his life on it!"

The Imperial Guard captain's expression was resolute, and every word he spoke was firm and resounding.

“Your Majesty, even if Chu Xiu has other residences, they may not necessarily be registered in his name.”

“By investigating their daily movements, we can find clues.”

Dugu Tai glanced at Chu Xiu and said meaningfully.

"Minister Dugu is right. Have you investigated Minister Chu's whereabouts?"

Murong Si nodded slightly, agreeing with Dugu Tai's suspicions.

"Your Majesty, I have already investigated."

"Besides going to the Northern Garrison Office of the Embroidered Uniform Guard to handle official business every day, Lord Chu stays at home and occasionally goes fishing by the river."

"Apart from that, Lord Chu doesn't go anywhere else and doesn't have any social engagements."

The Imperial Guard captain spoke with utmost respect.

"My dear minister Dugu, do you still have any questions?"

Murong Si looked at Dugu Tai and said calmly.