The Emperor and Little Chubby Boy 8

The Emperor originally wanted to follow Lin Lang into the kitchen, but it was just too small. Two adults couldn’t even turn around, let alone with the stove burning, making the whole place unbearably hot. Even though it was late autumn and the weather was getting colder, Liu Qi, with his robust energy, couldn’t stand the heat from the stove and had to stand by the door after just a short while.

Standing at the door, watching the big and small chatting back and forth, the simple yet warm and loving atmosphere filled his chest with a warmth he had never experienced before. Even as the supreme ruler, enjoying the highest wealth and status, he seemed to have never had such simple happiness, making him feel a bit envious.

Little Chubby Boy was quite satisfied with his identity as a little glutton. Seeing Liu Qi leaning against the door, he ran over, tugged at Liu Qi’s clothes, and said, “Huang Huang, Zai Zai also loves to eat Jade Shrimp Balls, Cherry Meat, and Braised Deer Tendons. When will you invite Zai Zai to eat again?”

These were dishes Little Chubby Boy had eaten in the palace last time and had remembered ever since. Finally having the chance to meet Liu Qi, the little guy didn’t hesitate to express his desires.

Liu Qi was taken aback. He didn’t expect the little guy to be so adorably honest. Although he thought his imperial meals were nothing special, he generously said, “You can come to the palace to eat whenever you want.” The Emperor didn’t even notice that he had unconsciously adopted Lin Lang’s tone for coaxing children.

Little Chubby Boy happily turned back to his father and said, “Daddy, Huang Huang said Zai Zai can come to the palace to eat delicious food anytime!”

Lin Lang, who was already serving the noodles, poured cold water on Little Chubby Boy’s excitement, saying, “The palace is heavily guarded. It’s not a place where a little kid like you can just come and go.”

“And I’ve told you many times, you have to address him as Your Majesty. Calling him Huang Huang is disrespectful and could get you a spanking.”

Little Chubby Boy looked a bit disappointed and turned back to Liu Qi to confirm, “Huang Huang, can Zai Zai not just enter the palace? And will you spank Zai Zai?”

Liu Qi, enjoying the moment, countered Lin Lang’s words, “I’ll give you a little token. You can come to the palace whenever you want. And you can call me whatever you like; I won’t spank you.”

Lin Lang, not pleased, handed the noodles to Liu Qi, saying, “The noodles are ready, Your Majesty, eat them while they’re hot.” He then took off his apron, hung it on the wall, picked up Little Chubby Boy, and took him to the main room. As he walked, he seriously told the Emperor, “Your Majesty, you shouldn’t spoil him like this. He’s young now and can be considered ignorant, but if he gets used to it and others hear, it could cause trouble.”

The distance from the kitchen to the main room was just a few steps, but Liu Qi, the Emperor, felt a bit guilty seeing Lin Lang so serious. He touched his nose and whispered to Little Chubby Boy, “You should listen to your daddy and call me Your Majesty. Even if I don’t spank you, your daddy worries others might.”

Little Chubby Boy reluctantly agreed, poking his chubby fingers.

Liu Qi sat in the small side hall of the main room, where a small dining table and a few stools served as the dining area. Sitting on a stool, he ate the noodles. The white soup, yellow egg, and green scallions, combined with the simple yet strong aroma, whetted his appetite.

After a few bites, most of the noodles were gone. Little Chubby Boy wriggled out of Lin Lang’s arms, approached Liu Qi, and asked in a childish voice, “Your Majesty, isn’t the noodles Daddy made delicious?”

Liu Qi took another bite of the fried egg and a sip of hot soup, feeling utterly content, and answered the little guy, “Yes, it’s delicious. It’s the best thing I’ve ever eaten.”

Little Chubby Boy nodded seriously, “Daddy’s cooking is the best! And his braised pork knuckle, roast goose, and grilled lamb are also super delicious!”

“Your Majesty can come to our house for meals anytime.”

Lin Lang: ……

He really didn’t know how this little guy grew up to be so clever and charming. He felt that even a hundred of him and Liu Qi combined couldn’t be as endearing!

Hearing Little Chubby Boy’s words, Liu Qi couldn’t help but laugh. He gently tapped the little guy’s nose, mimicking Lin Lang, and said, “That’s great, but why are you so hospitable, little one?”

The little guy replied earnestly, “Your Majesty invites Zai Zai for delicious food, so Zai Zai should invite Your Majesty too.”

Lin Lang: You really know how to use your dad as a bargaining chip.

Liu Qi looked at Lin Lang, feigning politeness, “Wouldn’t this be too much trouble for you, Lin Aiqing?”

Lin Lang: If you know it’s a bother, then don’t come so often! What kind of emperor frequently visits a minister’s house? It’s against protocol! Not to mention, if the Emperor leaves the palace in plain clothes, it poses a significant security risk if someone with ill intentions takes advantage.

But he maintained a standard ministerial smile, “Of course not, Your Majesty’s visit is an honor for me. It’s my honor that my humble skills are appreciated by Your Majesty. However, for Your Majesty’s safety, it’s best to be cautious when leaving the palace in the future.”

Liu Qi: ……

He realized that Lin Lang’s words, though polite, were essentially advising him to stay in the palace.

If anyone else had said this, he might have been furious, but he wouldn’t give others such an opportunity. Besides Zimo, he had no interest in interacting with other ministers.

As for Lin Lang, he couldn’t quite explain his feelings. Initially, he noticed him because he seemed similar to Zimo. That similarity was something he felt at first glance.

But upon closer inspection, they weren’t that similar. Their appearances, demeanor, and even temperaments were quite different. They were clearly two different people, so why did they seem similar at unexpected moments?

Yet, his tolerance for Lin Lang was indeed extraordinary. Besides Zimo, no one else could speak to him like this, and he wasn’t even that angry.

He found himself feeling strange, a bit unhappy, wondering how he could be so lenient with someone other than Zimo.

As he finished the bowl of noodles, the atmosphere grew a bit silent. Lin Lang didn’t mind, assuming Liu Qi was unhappy because he understood his advice to stay in the palace.

He felt he hadn’t said anything wrong. As the Emperor, Liu Qi couldn’t just leave the palace in plain clothes. When the Emperor traveled, the entourage and guards were usually grand. Now, with just Wang Dahai and a few guards, if something happened, the ministers would surely hold him accountable. The Emperor’s life was tied to the stability of the nation. To wear the crown, one must bear its weight, a truth Liu Qi should have understood since ascending the throne. He had no room for reckless behavior.

Liu Qi finished the noodles, drank the soup clean, and neatly placed the chopsticks on the bowl. He adjusted his sleeves and said, “Thank you, Lin Aiqing, for your hospitality. It’s getting late; I should return to the palace.”

He stood up, seemingly avoiding looking at Lin Lang, ready to leave.

Unexpectedly, Little Chubby Boy ran behind him, tugged at his clothes, and reminded him in a childish voice, “Goodbye, Your Majesty. Come often, and remember to invite Zai Zai to the palace for delicious food.”

Liu Qi’s strange feelings were suddenly disrupted, and he said helplessly, “Remember to keep the token I gave you. When you want something delicious, let Ming Jian bring you to the palace.” Ming Jian was the more stable and reliable of the two guards he had assigned to the little guy.

Little Chubby Boy nodded enthusiastically, having achieved his goal, and let go of Liu Qi, allowing him to leave.

Lin Lang: Ha, so he just bypassed me entirely. He glanced at Little Chubby Boy, then at Ming Jian, who kept his head down, pretending to be a block of wood. The little guy was too young to understand his father’s meaningful look. Instead, he wobbled back, hugged his father’s leg, and said, “Daddy, Zai Zai wants to sleep.”

Well, he resigned himself to picking up the little guy, washing his feet, tucking him into bed, and telling him a story to lull him to sleep. Whatever about the Emperor or Little Chubby Boy’s little schemes could wait for another time.

As an adult raising a child, there was no extra energy to think about anything else.