one to her mistress.Yet, Feng Changqing enjoyed this sensation, allowing Qí Lín to bite his finger for the duration of a cup of tea before getting up and leaving under Xiao Ningzi's anxious urging."Oh...Chapter 8 This is the Result of Sneaking a Taste

Almost an hour passed before the door was pushed open just as Feng Changqing was about to grab Qi Lin and interrogate her.

A faint fragrance accompanied by a gentle breeze wafted in.

A few palace maids carried dishes in orderly fashion, carefully setting them down before retreating.

Qi Lin was the last one to enter. In her hand was a plate of sweet and sour pork ribs.

"Is this your solution" Looking at the plain-looking dishes on the table, along with a pot of porridge mixed with vegetable leaves, Feng Changqing found it hard to believe that these simple meals surpassed the luxurious ones taken away earlier. "Did I not tell you that my stomach is very picky"

"People from the imperial family are naturally like this," Qi Lin said indifferently, serving a bowl of porridge and handing it to Feng Changqing. In her haste, she had only prepared one pot of green vegetable porridge with bitter greens, two hastily cut scallions, and several egg rolls that were rather ugly in shape and burnt somewhat.

The sole dish containing meat was the sweet and sour pork ribs she suddenly thought to make for the first time.

"You intend to serve this to me" Receiving Qi Lin's bowl with some bewilderment, but Qi Lin didn't stop there.

Handing Feng Changqing a pair of chopsticks, she started eating herself without hesitation. The bitterness from the greens spread in the air and dispersed the sweetness, making her feel extremely comfortable. Taking another bite of scallion made her think it was simply divine.

"Why aren't you eating" Realizing that Feng Changqing hadn't touched his chopsticks after a while, Qi Lin felt puzzled. Suddenly remembering that he was the emperor, she put down her utensils and smiled slightly as she said, "Your Majesty, simple meals can also be quite pleasant. Try them; perhaps you'll find it refreshing."

As she spoke, Qi Lin personally scooped a spoonful of porridge for Feng Changqing to sip under her saintly smile.

Carefully observing Feng Changqing's reaction, she saw him initially frown slightly before his expression gradually relaxed. Then, Qi Lin picked up a strand of scallion and put it into Feng Changqing’s mouth, whispering softly, "Your Majesty manages countless affairs every day; while delicious food is good for the soul, rich dishes can be quite taxing on your body. This simple porridge and side dish are just right to ease pressure on your stomach. I chose bitter greens because they have a detoxifying effect despite their bitterness. After you eat this refreshing scallion salad, you'll feel much better."

At this point, Qi Lin paused for a moment, put down her chopsticks and explained, "The toxins I mentioned refer to the waste produced by your body under fatigue; sometimes it accumulates so much that one feels confused. But with slight adjustment, everything's fine."

Fearing Feng Changqing might misinterpret her words as something serious, Qi Lin quickly clarified, only to find him tightly pursing his lips and staring at her intensely - was he thinking about what she said Surely not, did he actually believe it

Just when Qi Lin was struggling with this thought, preparing to explain herself again, she noticed Feng Changqing's face gradually turning red, even his eyes seemed to be reddening; it looked like flames could be seen in his pupils.

No way... Could he be angry Panic-stricken, Qi Lin hurriedly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, what I said just now was nonsense; please don't take it to heart."

Expecting a stern reprimand from Feng Changqing, she waited anxiously for him to speak but instead heard the slow sound of porcelain clinking near her ear. Looking up carefully, Qi Lin saw Feng Changqing fumbling with his teapot in slight disarray; unfortunately, he hadn't had time to change his tea cup and yet seemed extremely thirsty.

Could it be... Qi Lin's eyes lit up as she rushed into the inner room to fetch a new teapot. She then hurriedly returned and handed it to Feng Changqing.

"Glug, glug."

A few sips of cool herbal tea finally relieved the burning sensation in his mouth. He never expected that when he was poisoned before, he wouldn’t be as panicked as now. He didn’t expect that a small piece of scallion would make him break out into a cold sweat. The culprit was Qi Lin.

However, at this moment, Qi Lin looked like a child who had done something wrong. She kept her head low and occasionally touched her ears. This reaction made his anger dissipate somewhat.

"This is how you relieve my worries" Fèng Chángqīng emphasized the words "relieve" with extra weight, but his gaze was on the oddly shaped golden-brown egg roll. He had never seen anything like it before.

"Your concubine... Your concubine didn't know that His Majesty doesn’t eat spicy food... However," Qi Lin cautiously raised her eyes to look at Fèng Chángqīng, noticing that his attention wasn’t on her. Following his gaze, she picked up a chopstick and placed another egg roll in front of Fèng Chángqīng, smiling as she said, "This is a specialty from my hometown; it’s crispy and delicious."

Qi Lin tried to use the egg rolls to attract Fèng Chángqīng's attention. But what she didn’t know was that her behavior seemed flirtatious to him.

But what puzzled Fèng Chángqīng even more was that he obediently opened his mouth.

The crisp sound echoed in his mouth, followed by a frown from Fèng Chángqīng...

"Gulp."

He swallowed it with difficulty and drank all the tea water in the teapot. Today was undoubtedly the most unlucky day of his life.

This was the first time he waited for a concubine to return to have a meal together, only to be left devastated by spicy food. He thought these strange dishes would be interesting, but they were so sweet that it made him want to kill someone. He hadn’t even managed to eat his meal and ended up drinking plenty of tea water instead.

Could it be that after all this time, she still didn’t understand his preferences

Moreover, he should be the one who’s angry, so why is she the one thinking deeply at this moment

"This is how you relieve my worries" Suppressing his anger, Fèng Chángqīng pulled out a fan from his waist and said icily.

"Yes." Qi Lin lifted her chin, speaking neither humbly nor arrogantly. Ignoring Fèng Chángqīng's raised eyebrows, she continued, "Your concubine finally figured out His Majesty’s taste."

Hmm Fèng Chángqīng was slightly startled and then looked at the dishes on the table before focusing on Qi Lin once more.

"His Majesty dislikes spicy food and overly sweet flavors, but prefers a light flavor. However, he also tends to drink strong tea to refresh his senses. But strong tea isn’t good for health, so I prepared bitter vegetable porridge for him. Although it’s simple, it’s very beneficial to the body," Qi Lin said as she picked up a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs and placed them in front of Fèng Chángqīng. Instinctively, Fèng Chángqīng moved back. Qi Lin looked at the ribs; this was her specialty dish, so without hesitation, she put it into her mouth. A faint sweetness mixed with a subtle sourness, perfectly cooked to be tender and delicious, oiliness but not greasy as it melted in her mouth. "This is truly delicious."

His eyebrows furrowed—was this woman really helping him relieve his worries Why was she the one enjoying her meal so much

Hence, he stretched out a hand and took the piece of sweet and sour pork ribs Qi Lin had just picked up. When he tasted it, it was surprisingly good.

Within two cups of tea time, the plate of sweet and sour pork ribs and the pot of clear porridge were completely finished by Fèng Chángqīng and Qi Lin.

"Was the sweet pancake and the strange scallion prepared to figure out my taste" If so, why does he feel a bit happy about it

Zi Lin was slightly stunned for a moment. Feeling guilty, she wiped her mouth and said, "Uh... yes."

Actually, it was just to prove that Feng Changqing disliked sweet food; after all, children usually have similar tastes as their parents. Therefore, the Empress Dowager also didn’t like sweets. However, for some reason, it seemed that refined sugar was always added to the food of high officials and royalty. Perhaps young people liked it, but as they aged, their taste preferences changed.

"But the Empress Dowager wouldn't like this," he thought, knowing what Zi Lin had been busy with these past few days. He had been watching her closely every day; tonight was just a bit unusual.

Seeing the dishes on the table, he assumed that she had been working hard for the Empress Dowager's sake.

"What are you talking about I just thought you might like it," she said softly, resting her chin in her hands. "The food we usually eat has a subtle sweetness, and I assumed it was something you liked."

It could be said that Zi Lin's lack of favoritism had some benefits: In the deep palace, if one wasn't favored, they were nothing. Therefore, the ingredients she used were the worst, naturally with little sugar; hence, her food didn’t contain any sugar. Perhaps because the chefs saw her not complaining, they deducted all the sugar for their own use.

Uh… Wait a minute, what’s going on

Just as Zi Lin was thinking, she felt a strong force pulling her in and enveloping her in a warm embrace. She could smell faint dragon musk and hear his powerful heartbeat, which made her heart race.

I wonder if A-Piao is watching…

A-Piao Zi Lin's consciousness seemed to grow wings and flew outside the palace walls to familiar White Tiger Mountain by a familiar creek. She could even see the red marks on the white stones.

She remembered that A-Piao’s embrace was also warm, with a faint scent too. He had taken her through the artificial hills and trees; he seemed like a god who visited earth for a short time.

Dong

Zi Lin suddenly opened her eyes wide, realizing Feng Changqing had pushed her to the ground. His passionate gaze was focused on her lips, and his long fingers kept rubbing against them—the rhythm of something about to happen.

She didn’t know that her current reaction only intensified Feng Changqing’s passion, who then completely skipped the persuasion stage and moved towards Zi Lin's rosy lips…

"No."

"Your Majesty, General Qin has urgent matters to report," Ningzi’s voice from outside sounded slightly hurried, presumably something important.

But for Feng Changqing, it was the rhythm of inviting death.

For Qi Lin, however, this was an angel that saved her life, and she seized the opportunity to escape from Feng Changqing's constraints.

Feng Changqing was quick to grab Qi Lin’s ankle. With a slight smile, he said, "I am tired. Let General Qin come again tomorrow."

This statement was like a bolt out of the blue sky for Qi Lin. She firmly and calmly replied, "Your Majesty, state affairs are important; it's best not to delay them."

"But..." Feng Changqing pulled hard, and Qi Lin once again found herself in Feng Changqing’s embrace. He buried his head in her neck and sniffed her scent when he suddenly smelled a sweet aroma that instantly aroused him. Suppressing the burning desire, he continued, "I suddenly want to have a child to play with. This is also an important national matter. My consort, do you wish to be the first contributor"

Under no circumstances! But Qi Lin couldn't say it out loud; she would surely die if she did.

What should I do Ah Piao

Wait a minute, why am I thinking of Ah Piao at this moment He is clearly the person I detest most.

"Your Majesty, General Qin said it has to do with White Tiger Mountain. It’s a matter of great importance," Ningzi said while practically putting his neck on the line. Wiping sweat from his forehead, he was probably going to be the first steward to die for disturbing His Majesty's affairs.

The phrase "White Tiger Mountain" struck like lightning, causing both Qi Lin and Feng Changqing to freeze. Feng Changqing quickly stood up and tidied his clothes.

"I will leave this chance to contribute to you."

Speaking, he walked towards the door, opened it, and saw Ningzi kneeling with his head bowed down. He said, "Tell General Qin to wait in the Imperial Study; I'll be there shortly."

Ningzi was stunned for a moment before quietly raising his head. Seeing Feng Changqing's faint smile, he felt alarmed because he had never seen such an expression on Feng Changqing before. Quickly obeying, Ningzi withdrew.

Only when Feng Changqing left did Qi Lin finally breathe a sigh of relief; she was saved at last

"You seem disappointed."

Ah!! Qi Lin suddenly sat up and looked around but saw only the closed door. However, seeing Ah Piao’s name on it made her heart warm, causing her to change into an impatient expression.

"Yes, this is my chance of favor with... um..."

Before she could finish speaking, everything went dark in front of her eyes as Ah Piao's rarely seen handsome face appeared before her.

"Listen carefully."

Qi Lin was stunned; what kind of gaze was that Like the moon on a cold winter night, it emitted piercing coldness along with traces of human anger.

This was the first time she had seen him look so serious and earnest.end, it was Mu Qingfeng who invited Yu Mu; considering Qi Lin's sake, Yu Mu finally stepped in and treated Susong, managing only to restore her to her current condition. She could now move around usin...