Datang: Only by resisting the decree can we become stronger

"I also like to cook on weekdays."

"Before, Master Changsun always said that your dishes are special, so I thought of going to your back kitchen to have a look."

Hearing these words, Li Qiu hastily bowed and saluted.

"Back to your mother, the back kitchen here is smoky and spicy, and you may hurt your mother's jade body."

"This……"

At this time, Changsun Wuji on the side hurriedly smoothed things over.

"Hehe, Li Qiu, you don't have to worry too much."

"My lady and I are just standing in the distance, watching you busy and cooking."

"You do your work, we watch ours."

"Exactly, I'm actually quite curious about your kitchen and the cooking process of these dishes."

In this way, Li Qiu had no choice but to obey.

He and Wang Zhong cooked the dishes with great care, while Empress Changsun, accompanied by Changsun Wuji, stood quietly watching from a distance.

From the beginning to the end, Empress Changsun never left Li Qiu's eyes.

She finally had a chance to take a closer look at her poor child in such a bright and aboveboard manner.

While quietly looking at Li Qiu, she was full of thoughts in her heart: This child is really like her brother said, more like herself.

At the same time, he has the toughness and heroism of his father.

He is really a handsome and handsome kid.

He is so cute when he smiles.

Just like when she coaxed him when she was a child...

Thinking about it, for some reason, it was originally something to be happy about, but it suddenly made her want to cry.

A few teardrops fell uncontrollably from Empress Changsun's eyes...

Chapter 27 A Meal Money, One Hundred Taels of Gold

Seeing that Empress Changsun was about to lose control of her emotions, Changsun Wuji who was at the side hurriedly said softly: "Your Majesty, the lampblack here is still too choking."

"Look, Li Qiu's food is almost ready here, why don't we go in first?"

Empress Changsun wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with a silk handkerchief, nodded, and left the kitchen.

When Li Qiu finished his work and presented all the meals respectfully, Empress Changsun had calmed down and returned to normal.

"Empress, all the dishes in the kid's shop are ready."

"Because I am worried that my mother can't eat spicy food, the taste of these dishes is relatively light."

"In addition, the volcanic snow, Qiuyue Hongchen, and fish-flavored shredded pork are all sweet and sour, which may be more suitable for the empress's taste."

Seeing Li Qiu's careful introduction to herself, Empress Changsun smiled slightly, "Li Qiu, you have a heart."

"Don't tell me, I'm really hungry after smelling the aroma of this dish."

"I'll try it first."

As she spoke, Empress Changsun picked up her chopsticks and tasted every dish, especially the ones Li Qiu introduced.

Immediately, to her great surprise, these few dishes of Li Qiu turned out to be even more delicious than what she expected before coming here!

Only now did she finally understand why Li Shimin and his brother praised Li Qiu's food so much.

It turned out that it was not just because of Li Qiu, but because it was truly delicious.

"Li Qiu, how many of these dishes did you cook yourself?"

"really tasty."

After finishing speaking, she looked at Changsun Wuji who was at the side again.

"Brother, sit down and eat together."

"Li Qiu, and you, after working so hard for so long, let's sit down and eat together."

As for Changsun Wuji, he was an important official in the court and the queen's brother.

It’s understandable to be invited to sit down and eat together.

But if it was Li Qiu, he would only think that he is qualified to sit at the same table with the empress for dinner unless he is crazy!

So, he hastily bowed and replied: "My mother respects the world, and I am very grateful for this kind of love for the people like a child."

"But the kid is really terrified, absolutely dare not."

At this time, Changsun Wuji shook his head, laughed and pulled him to sit down.

"Haha, Li Qiu, since the empress has already said it, don't be too cautious."

"Accompany me to have a meal with Your Majesty, and by the way, can you introduce these dishes to Your Majesty?"

At this moment, after being forced to sit down by Changsun Wuji, Li Qiu's heart exploded.

I am a mere peasant, the most humble merchant, according to the etiquette, I am afraid that I am not even allowed to look up at the empress.

And now you actually have to eat at the same table as the empress?

If this matter gets out, he won't be beheaded, right?

The meal that followed was the most frightening and uncomfortable meal that Li Qiu had ever eaten in his life.

Basically, he didn't move his chopsticks much throughout the whole process, and he concentrated on answering the questions of the queen and eldest grandson Wuji carefully.

As for Empress Changsun, it may be because she finally saw her child, and she wished to express all her bitter thoughts of more than ten years.

He was also concerned about Li Qiu and asked various questions.

At the same time, seeing that Li Qiuguo is really as clever, intelligent, personable, and far-sighted as her husband and brother praised, she is also very happy and proud from the bottom of her heart.

The food in this mouth also feels more and more sweet and delicious.

Before she knew it, she ate a bowl of rice for the first time, which was simply unbelievable.

It was only then that she suddenly realized that Li Qiu's job hadn't even been touched.

At that moment, under anxiety, distress and self-blame, Empress Changsun hurriedly took a few bites of food for Li Qiu.

"Look at you child, why didn't you eat a bite of food?!"

"At your age, when you are growing up and eating the most food, how can you survive without eating?"

The eldest grandson Wuji at the side also persuaded with a smile, "Yes, Li Qiu, the empress personally brought you some food, why don't you hurry up and eat some?"

At this time, looking at the dishes that Empress Changsun had picked up for herself in her bowl, she couldn't help sweating from her forehead.

God... you are trying to play tricks on me, aren't you?

As a small merchant like myself, how could He De let the empress pick up food for him?

Should I eat this dish by myself, or not?

If you eat, how much do you eat?

Eat too much, rude.

Eat less, why, you are disgusted with the dishes served by the empress, and have no appetite?

This inexplicable favor came too much, and my small body really couldn't bear it!

Finally, such a meal ended under Li Qiu's panic.

At this moment, Empress Changsun sighed with difficulty concealing her disappointment.

I really don't want this meal to end so soon, I really don't want to leave Li Qiu so soon.

"Li Qiu, this is the money for this meal, you must accept it."

At this time, a palace eunuch had already brought a delicate wooden box that had been prepared to Li Qiu in front of him.

When I opened it, I found that there were 100 taels of gold inside!

Seeing this, Li Qiu was on the verge of crying.

It's not that I cry when I see Jin Zi, but I'm scared...

So he hastily bowed and saluted, "Empress Empress, I absolutely dare not accept this golden boy."

"This... these mere dishes are not worth a hundred taels of gold no matter what?!"

"The favor of the empress, the boy has received it, but this gold, the boy will not dare to accept it no matter what."

His reaction was naturally expected by Empress Changsun.

"Li Qiu, you may have misunderstood."

"These silver coins are not just for this meal."

"It's that I want to buy some of your exclusive ingredients and spices."

"I wish I could cook some delicious meals for His Majesty when I'm in the palace in the future."

"In short, you must accept the money."

"Think about it, there is still so much time in the future, let's take this as a one-time deposit."

Under the persuasion of Changsun Wuji, Li Qiu could only bite the bullet and accept the money.

Then he turned around and left to prepare the chili, pepper and various seasonings.

After Li Qiu left, Changsun Wuji called the old housekeeper Wang Zhong to the front of Empress Changsun.

"Wang Zhong, you have been watching Li Qiu grow up since childhood, right?"

"I want to hear about Li Qiu's life experience, and things about Li Qiu over the years."

As soon as the queen asked about Li Qiu's life experience, the expression of the old housekeeper Wang Zhong changed instantly.

Chapter 28 Li Qiu is the adopted son...

Seeing Wang Zhong's face change, Changsun Wuji also added a sentence.

"Wang Zhong, if the empress asks you, just answer truthfully."

In that era, Wang Zhong, an old housekeeper who had never seen much of the world, faced the questioning of Empress Changsun and Changsun Wuji.

Not to mention that he was so nervous that his body was like sifting through chaff, but he didn't get much stronger.

Ever since, he could only sigh, and uttered a shocking truth.

"Report to the empress, my eldest grandson."

"If you talk about my young master's life experience, there are really too many stories behind it."

"The deceased master of my family had no children or daughters all his life."

"Seventeen years ago, my young master was rescued by the master in an accident."

Although this incident was already within the expectation of Empress Changsun.

But now that he got the truth again from Wang Zhong's mouth, his heart still trembled.

"Huh? Li Qiu, the adopted son?"

"Then he himself knows about this matter?"

Changsun Wuji pretended to be surprised, and helped Empress Changsun ask this question.

The next moment, Wang Zhong shook his head, "My young master doesn't know."

"Before my young master grows up, my master is already dead."

"Now in this world, there are only us, the master and the servant, who depend on each other for life."

"I also reached the age of [-] this year, and I just feel that my body is getting worse day by day."

"Especially this time, my young master was sent to prison for taking in Wei Zheng and Wang Gui."

"During that month or so, the old slave's health deteriorated a lot in a hurry."