inspire-indiana Chapter 196 was written by Spider, and it's better than what you wrote.
Chapter 196 was written by Spider, and it's better than what you wrote.
After finishing his dinner, the Emperor did not get up and leave as usual. Instead, he sat leisurely at the table, picked up a cup of steaming tea, and slowly savored it.
Meanwhile, Su Nuannuan, sitting to the side, quietly observed the Emperor's actions. When she saw how leisurely and carefree he was, she couldn't help but mutter to herself and secretly roll her eyes. However, she quickly adjusted her expression so as not to let the Emperor notice anything amiss.
Thankfully, the two adorable children are still here and haven't gone back to prepare for bed.
Cang Lan Jingcheng blinked his bright eyes and asked curiously, "Mother, what kind of filling did we have for the dumplings tonight?"
Hearing her son's question, Su Nuannuan smiled and looked at Cang Lan Jingcheng, replying softly, "Tonight's dumplings are made with fresh shepherd's purse and fresh meat filling. This shepherd's purse was painstakingly dug up from the vegetable garden and peach orchard."
It is known that within this magnificent palace lies a beautiful and enchanting peach grove. Now, in the warmth of spring, it is the perfect time to admire the vibrant peach blossoms. However, unlike others who come to the grove simply to enjoy the scenery, Su Nuannuan's purpose in entering this grove is far more complex than merely admiring the flowers. In reality, she is always thinking of picking the peach blossoms to make delicious food, drinks, or to decorate the palace.
In fact, there was also a graceful peach tree growing inside Cuiwei Palace. Unfortunately, this year the number of blossoms on that tree was relatively small, far less abundant and vibrant than in the peach grove. That's why Su Nuannuan couldn't bear to harm the peach tree in her own palace, and instead chose to search for what she needed in the more lush peach grove.
While picking peach blossoms in the peach orchard today, Su Nuannuan inadvertently discovered several palace maids busily clearing weeds from the overgrown areas. In a casual glance, she was pleasantly surprised to find clumps of tender, fresh shepherd's purse hidden among the weeds.
Springtime is a season brimming with life and vitality, making it the perfect time to savor shepherd's purse. Su Nuannuan hadn't tasted this delicacy in a long time, and her heart was filled with anticipation.
So she immediately ordered the palace maids in the peach garden to select all the shepherd's purse and put it into a small, exquisite basket.
After picking the peach blossoms, they carried baskets filled with shepherd's purse and peach blossoms, chatting and laughing as they returned to Cuiwei Palace. Along the way, the spring breeze gently caressed their faces, bringing with it the refreshing fragrance of peach blossoms, which was delightful and uplifting.
Back in the palace, Li Quan was the first to notice the basket full of "green grass." Curious, he approached, staring at the contents of the basket from left to right, and asked with a puzzled expression, "Your Majesty, what are you going to do with this basket of grass?"
Su Nuannuan smiled slightly and patiently explained, "Li Quan, these are not ordinary grasses. They are shepherd's purse, which can be used to cook vegetables."
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Li Quan suddenly realized something, slapped his forehead, and said, "Oh dear, shepherd's purse is growing in our palace's vegetable garden too. I was just having the eunuchs clear the weeds there, but no, I have to make them pick out this shepherd's purse." With that, he hurriedly turned and ran towards the vegetable garden.
A short while later, Li Quan came running back, panting, and excitedly told Su Nuannuan, "Your Majesty, I've had the eunuchs who were weeding pick out all the shepherd's purse!"
Originally, Su Nuannuan wanted to make cold shepherd's purse salad, since she didn't have much shepherd's purse brought back from the peach orchard. Now, with the shepherd's purse from the vegetable garden and some meat filling, she could also make dumplings.
Then everyone got busy, some washing the shepherd's purse, others preparing the seasonings, and the whole Cuiwei Palace was filled with laughter and joy.
The Emperor came to freeload a meal because Li Desheng reported that Su Nuannuan had brought back a basket of wild grass from the peach orchard. The Emperor was curious about what Su Nuannuan was going to do with the wild grass. Then, he heard from his spy planted in Cuiwei Palace that Consort Zhuang wanted to use that basket of wild grass to make a dish.
Then, the informant reported that Consort Zhuang wanted to use this herb with fresh meat to make filling for dumplings. Although the informant heard every word they said clearly, he failed to notice that the wild grass he mentioned was actually shepherd's purse.
Therefore, when the Emperor arrived, he walked straight to the table without saying a word, sat down, washed his hands, and then calmly picked up his chopsticks, took a dumpling, and put it in his mouth. He seemed completely unconcerned about whether the dumplings were poisonous, as if he had already decided that even if he unfortunately ate something poisonous, Su Nuannuan would definitely not be much better off.
Just then, Canglan Jingcheng looked at Su Nuannuan with anticipation and excitement, and said, "Mother, I also want to go to that peach grove to dig shepherd's purse tomorrow."
However, before Su Nuannuan could respond, the Emperor suddenly interrupted, "You still need to go to the Imperial Academy to study tomorrow." His voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.
Upon hearing this, Canglan Jingcheng retorted without hesitation, "Your subject is unwilling to go! The knowledge taught by the tutors at the Imperial Academy has already been carefully imparted to us by Mother Consort. Going there would only be a waste of time." After the words were out of his mouth, he suddenly realized that the person he was speaking to was his incomparably noble father, the Emperor. He couldn't help but feel apprehensive and hurriedly moved closer to Su Nuannuan's side, as if he could find some protection in that way.
Seeing this, the emperor was not angry. Instead, he said with great interest, "Oh? In that case, why don't you recite the Thousand Character Classic in front of me?"
“I can memorize it, I can not only memorize it, I can also write it!” Cang Lan Jingcheng raised his chin and said with a proud look.
Hearing her brother's confident words, Canglan Jingyao couldn't help but roll her eyes. She really wanted to shout, "I don't know this guy at all, really!"
You see, while my brother can indeed write, the characters he writes are simply unbearable to look at. To paraphrase what our mother once said, even a spider's writing would be better than yours.