Chapter 49 – Your Highness, You’re Too Kind

Because she hadn’t eaten meat for quite a while…

All four of the dishes Shu Ruohua left behind were meat dishes.

Longjing Shrimp, Crystal Pork Knuckle, Braised Spare Ribs, and Stir-fried Frog Legs.

They were all her personal favorites.

She didn’t treat herself as an outsider in the slightest.

Whether Xiao Che ate them or not didn’t matter—she thoroughly enjoyed herself.

As for Xiao Che, perhaps because he had already eaten some shredded potatoes earlier, he wasn’t very hungry now.

He only ate a little rice and some shrimp, purely to accompany Shu Ruohua.

Shu Ruohua seemed to have completely forgotten about her weight loss plans, and quickly finished a bowl of rice.

Then she turned toward Eunuch Lin, beaming, “Would you mind getting me another bowl?”

Eunuch Lin: “…”

It was his first time seeing a concubine dining with the Crown Prince who could eat this much.

He quickly took the bowl from Shu Ruohua. “Yes, ma’am.”

Qian Ning watched from the side, full of mixed emotions.

She was truly speechless when it came to her mistress.

The Crown Prince was sitting right across from Shu Ruohua, but she treated him like thin air and ate with such enthusiasm.

The etiquette and rules about status she had taught her during the day had all clearly gone in one ear and out the other.

Eunuch Lin soon returned with another bowl of rice and handed it to Shu Ruohua.

Shu Ruohua replied, “Thank you.”

She politely expressed her gratitude to Eunuch Lin, then looked over at Xiao Che.

Xiao Che had already set down his chopsticks. He didn’t have much of an appetite to begin with and was now sipping tea.

Shu Ruohua asked, “Your Highness, why aren’t you eating anymore?”

Seeing that the Crown Prince was no longer eating, Shu Ruohua felt a twinge of guilt.

Xiao Che said, “I’m full. You go ahead and eat. If it’s not enough, you can get more.”

Xiao Che wasn’t bothered by Shu Ruohua’s large appetite.

On the contrary, he found it rather refreshing.

In the entire Eastern Palace, probably only she would eat so openly and unreservedly.

Watching her like this, he suddenly felt an unexpected sense of ease.

Shu Ruohua smiled, “It’s enough, it’s enough. Your Highness, you’re too kind.”

Xiao Che’s handsome face froze slightly. Was she… complimenting him?!

…

Shu Ruohua soon finished her second bowl of rice. She was about to ask for a third when she suddenly remembered her diet plan.

Forget it, better not.

But when she saw there was still food left on the plates…

If she didn’t finish it, Xiao Che likely wouldn’t eat the leftovers. It would be a waste if it got thrown out.

Maybe… she should just eat it.

After all, eating like this once wouldn’t ruin her diet.

With that comforting thought, Shu Ruohua cleared all four plates entirely—she even finished off the sauces.

At last, fully satisfied, she patted her stomach. “Burp~”

Eunuch Lin: “…”

Qian Ning: “…”

Qian Ning really wanted to dig a hole and throw her mistress in it.

Her lady had no sense of image whatsoever!

Burping was one thing, but thank goodness plates weren’t edible—otherwise, Shu Ruohua might have eaten those too.

The corners of Xiao Che’s lips suddenly curled into a faint smile.

He casually asked, “Are you full now?”

Shu Ruohua nodded. “Mm-hmm. I haven’t had meat in so long. It was just too delicious.”

Xiao Che said, “Then come dine with me more often from now on.”

Shu Ruohua agreed without hesitation. “Sure, sure!”

She had already completely forgotten the cold and ruthless look Xiao Che had given Consort Jing earlier.

As long as there was meat, nothing else mattered.

Just then…

Zhong Zihan walked in.

He first respectfully saluted Xiao Che, “Your Highness.”

Xiao Che responded, “Mm.”

Zhong Zihan said, “Your Highness, Eunuch Li requests an audience.”

Xiao Che, who was just about to take a sip of tea, paused.

Eunuch Li was the Emperor’s personal eunuch, having grown up alongside the Emperor and known for his unwavering loyalty. He was considered one of the Emperor’s closest confidants.

For him to visit at this late hour, it must be something important.

“I understand,” Xiao Che nodded, then turned to Shu Ruohua. “If you’re full, you should head back for now.”

Shu Ruohua, understanding the need for discretion, immediately rose, gave him a respectful salute, and left with Qian Ning.

…

(End of Chapter)