Chapter 47: Beggar’s Dish

Consort Jing choked on her breath in an instant.

What did the Crown Prince just say?

She must’ve misheard—how could His Highness possibly say he liked eating Shu Ruohua’s soggy shredded potatoes?

What a joke!

She shot Shu Ruohua a look of disgust, then picked up a piece of crispy pork, intending to place it into Xiao Che’s bowl.

“Your Highness, try the crispy pork I made. I personally cooked it for you,” she said, her voice still as sweet and coy as ever, the kind that could make anyone’s heart itch just hearing it.

Shu Ruohua and Qian Ning, standing to the side, both wore expressions of deep dislike at the sound of her overly saccharine tone.

Xiao Che gave no reply.

Just as Consort Jing was about to place the crispy pork into Xiao Che’s bowl, he suddenly picked up the bowl.

The piece of meat she held fell directly onto the table.

Xiao Che’s expression darkened. “Since my beloved consort is so reluctant, then take it back.”

His words implied that it wasn’t he who refused, but rather she who didn’t want to offer the food sincerely.

Consort Jing instantly panicked.

“Your Highness, please understand.” She dropped to her knees at once. “How could I be unwilling…”

Her face had gone deathly pale, and her words became jumbled.

Heaven knew why Xiao Che suddenly picked up his bowl.

Xiao Che coldly asked, “Are you implying that I did it on purpose?”

Consort Jing was so frightened she immediately burst into tears. “I wouldn’t dare…”

“It was all my fault—the chopsticks were too slippery. I didn’t manage to get a good grip. Allow me to get you another piece right away.”

As she spoke, she hurriedly stood up to pick up another piece of meat for him.

Xiao Che cut her off. “No need. Leave.”

Her hand froze in place, and the meat she had just picked up fell back onto the plate.

She looked visibly aggrieved, and even her voice grew hoarse. “Your Highness~~”

Shu Ruohua was still right there. What Xiao Che was doing—wasn’t it blatantly making her the object of Shu Ruohua’s ridicule?

She couldn’t let Shu Ruohua have the last laugh.

She set down her chopsticks, intending to go over and cling to Xiao Che’s arm and act cute.

But before she could even reach him…

Xiao Che said coldly and decisively, “Get out.”

His voice was icy and his gaze was bone-chilling.

Consort Jing stood there in shock.

She didn’t recover for a long time, and in the end it was Qiu Yue who helped her out of the hall.

At the same time, Shu Ruohua and Qian Ning were also startled by Xiao Che’s frosty demeanor.

They exchanged looks and immediately took a step back.

They absolutely couldn’t get too close to Xiao Che—safety first!

Just as Consort Jing reached the door, Xiao Che suddenly called out to her again.

“Wait.”

Consort Jing’s empty mind lit up with a burst of joy. Was the Crown Prince changing his mind?

But then…

Xiao Che said, “Take your food with you. I prefer eating this kind of dish made to feed beggars!”

His words carried a sharpness, like a blade, cutting straight into Consort Jing’s heart.

Her legs gave out beneath her, and it was only thanks to Qiu Yue that she didn’t collapse right there.

Eunuch Lin quickly came over, packed up the crispy pork and fish from the table into the food box Qiu Yue had brought, and handed it to her.

Qiu Yue took the box.

Consort Jing’s heart filled with bitterness, and tears slipped down her cheeks.

She clenched her wrist so tightly that blood seeped through the gaps between her fingers.

From childhood until now, she had never been humiliated like this.

And now, Xiao Che was scolding her over a plate of Shu Ruohua’s disgusting potatoes.

She gritted her teeth and muttered through choked sobs, “Shu Ruohua, you wretched woman!!”

She was determined to win back the Crown Prince’s favor. And once she did, Shu Ruohua would be the first to be dealt with.

With Qiu Yue supporting her, Consort Jing turned and walked toward the door.

But just as they reached the threshold, the Crown Prince’s voice suddenly rang out from inside—

“Serve me some food!!”

…

…

(End of chapter)