Chapter 21: The Empress Doesn’t Deceive Me!
Li Shimin didn’t want to dwell on this issue, as he had no answer. Glancing at the food container, he noticed another dish – an egg!
However, Li Shimin remained unfamiliar. He looked delicious with a unique and fragrant taste. Zhang Anan quickly handed chopsticks to Li Shimin, who nodded, appreciating the rare and delicious flavor.
Perplexed, Li Shimin couldn’t fathom the origin of this meal, knowing the standard of the imperial dining room.
“This can’t be from the imperial kitchen. Empress Zhangsun wouldn’t have sent it if it were,” he thought.
“Try this. It’s good!” Li Shimin pointed to the dish.
Father and son indulged without hesitation, savoring the unexpected delight. Li Shimin acknowledged the egg’s delightful taste and wondered about the cook behind it. Li Chengqian focused on eating and paid little attention to his father.
“Your Majesty, perhaps only the empress knows,” whispered Zhang Anan.
The emperor decided to inquire the next day when the empress was available.
“The empress must have made this,” Li Shimin concluded as they enjoyed the mysterious delicacy.
The trio finished the meal swiftly, leaving no traces behind. The emperor expressed satisfaction, remarking it had been a while since he enjoyed such a delightful meal.
As they contemplated the hot soup Li Chengqian brought, Li Shimin took a sip and immediately spat it out.
“What is this substance?” He exclaimed, thoroughly disappointed.
Li Shimin frowned, observing the hot soup in the bowl. Li Chengqian, surprised, reassured himself that he had paid attention to the cooking.
“Father, is there… any issue?” Li Chengqian asked nervously, worried that his efforts might have gone wrong.
“Your Majesty, could it be that the empress’s food was too delicious earlier,” Zhang Anan suggested in a hushed tone.
Li Shimin nodded, “Yes.”
It wasn’t the soup. After savoring the empress’s culinary skills, he simply found the previous meal unappetizing. Li Chengqian sighed in relief, thankful that everything was fine.
“I have many matters to attend to. The prince should return,” Li Shimin said, prompting Li Chengqian to take his leave.
As Li Chengqian left, Li Shimin gestured towards the lunch box delivered earlier, eager to see what was inside. An impatient Li Shimin opened the box to the fish soup and tofu aroma, regretting not checking earlier.
Taking a deep breath, he admitted, “I regret it.”
The once-warm delicacy had cooled, but the fragrance remained captivating. Li Shimin lamented, “I should have opened it sooner.”
In his mind, a realization emerged: “The empress did not deceive me!”
Zhang Anan suggested reheating the food in the imperial dining room, but Li Shimin declined, fearing it might ruin the soup. Even if it was cold, he insisted on savoring the taste.