Chapter 2653 - 2586: Monarch and Ministers Rejoice Together

This lunch lasted until 1p.m-3p.m. Manbao had been horseback riding in the morning, so after eating she felt a bit sleepy and leaned against the railing and fell asleep.

Bai Shan couldn’t resist, and tucked his robe into his belt, going barefoot to the pond to find fish.

However, there were no fish in the cold spring, only in the stream below.

Wei Yu and Yin Huo stood by the stream watching, and couldn’t help but say, "Zhishan, aren’t you going to the office this afternoon?"

Bai Shan prodded some rocks with a stick, startling some small fish, then said, "I don’t have duties this afternoon, those tasks can wait, it’s okay to do them a bit later."

Bai Erlang nodded repeatedly, "Exactly, we’re here to escape the heat. Even the emperor takes a stroll in the summer palace in the afternoon to unwind."

The emperor, who was unwinding, was watching them from above with his hands behind his back.

He turned and said to the Central Secretariat assistant, "I had a perfectly fine Academic Editor, and after going to your Central Secretariat for not long, you taught him badly."

Central Secretariat assistant: ... Who taught who poorly, please clarify.

Wei Zhi said, "Your Majesty, you should return to attend to state affairs."

The emperor replied, "The Imperial Hospital said both you and I should rest. Just finished napping, still a bit dazed, let’s go, we should go and refresh ourselves."

Minister Han and others immediately turned their heads to look over, wanting to know more about Wei Zhi’s condition.

But the emperor just used it as an excuse for fun and didn’t continue. He led everyone down.

Manbao’s hand rested on the railing, sitting at the edge of the pavilion, her little head resting on her arm. The pavilion roof shadowed the sun, and she only vaguely heard Bai Shan and them talking and joking, she released her thoughts and fell into a drowsy sleep.

Mingda and Changyu were sitting next to her, pointing out the fish below to others, while also teasingly brushing Manbao’s chubby cheeks with fine grass.

The emperor laughed heartily as he led people down the mountain, asking, "What are my princesses playing?"

Everyone saw him and quickly stopped to pay respects.

Bai Shan and Bai Erlang could only pay respects while standing in the water, seeing the sleeping Manbao not stir at all, feeling a bit anxious.

Mingda reached out to wake Manbao, the emperor stopped her with his hand and smiled, "Let her sleep. It’s hot in summer, she’s been back and forth and likely tired."

Mingda withdrew her hand, stepped forward to hug the emperor’s arm, and asked with a smile, "Why has Father come?"

"Why, you can come out and play, but I can’t come out to unwind?"

The emperor glanced at the pavilion’s setup and laughed, "You are thorough, with tables and chairs."

He looked around, seeing the pavilion perimeter empty, "Why not hang mosquito nets, in case of bug bites?"

Mingda laughed, "No need, the pavilion is scented with insect-repelling herbs, bugs don’t dare come."

They do dare come, the herbs aren’t that strong, but they do disperse most of the insects.

Bai Shan and Bai Erlang also came out of the water, hurriedly putting down their robes, slipping on shoes to apologize.

The emperor waved indifferently, "Just don’t fall into the water and get caught by the Dragon King, otherwise where would I find another prince consort and gentleman?"

Minister Han and others smiled amiably.

The emperor took a seat alone, then pointed to other seats for Wei Zhi and others, looking around afterwards, "I see the food is mostly finished, why not have some tea and fruits?"

Changyu immediately replied, "Father, we have prepared, it’s all soaking in the cold spring."

The emperor immediately responded, "Bring them up, let us try it too."

Changyu happily nodded, signaling her maid to fetch it.

Manbao continued to sleep deeply, now she couldn’t hear the outside sounds, only dreaming. She dreamt of riding on horseback galloping on the grassland, chased by someone, terrifying her so much she couldn’t move, her arms nearly giving out, her neck stiff from the cold wind, afraid to move...

The maid brought up the tofu pudding, first served the emperor a bowl, then poured syrup over it.

The emperor stirred with a spoon, laughing, "What is this? Looks like tender tofu."

"It’s tender tofu," Changyu said, "Zhou Man calls it tofu pudding, made by her sister-in-law, very tender and sweet, daughter tried it, very smooth, best to eat in summer, try it."

"I’ve had tofu and soy milk, but never this tofu pudding. Perfect time to try."

The emperor stirred and tasted a spoonful. It melted instantly, smoothly, with a sweet taste permeating his mouth, offering a refreshing sweetness.

He raised an eyebrow slightly, said to Wei Zhi, "You should try it, very delicious."

The maid immediately served them.

Wei Zhi and others took a bite after mixing it, and slightly raised their eyebrows, nodding in agreement.

The emperor already finished one bowl with satisfaction, "No wonder it’s from Courtier Zhou, truly a summer delicacy, hahaha..."

Manbao was startled awake by the laughter, sitting up straight, dazedly looking ahead, clearly not yet fully awake.

She hadn’t noticed the emperor and others.

But the emperor and Lord Wei were startled by her sudden action, raising their heads to look at her.

Bai Shan shifted slightly, blocking their line of sight, took out a handkerchief to wipe her face, grinning, "Lord Zhou woke up?"

Manbao looked at him blankly, slowly processing his words, why call her Lord Zhou?

Keke received her question, answered, "Probably because with the emperor being here."

Manbao’s eyes widened in disbelief, looking up at Bai Shan.

Bai Shan saw her reaction, unsure whether to praise her quick response or scold her for being too slow.

He pressed her eye marks with the handkerchief, smiled with precision, said clearly, "Quickly pay respects to His Majesty."

Watching her gather her thoughts, he moved aside, revealing her to the emperor and others.

Manbao quickly stood up, but having stayed in one position for too long, struggled to find her footing, feeling numb in her heel and calf.

Bai Shan discreetly supported her arm, smiled at the emperor, and together they paid respects.

The emperor looked at her face marks, stifled a laugh, waved, "Enough, no need for such formalities out here."

Changyu waited till they finished, couldn’t hold back, said, "Father, we haven’t eaten yet."

The emperor jokingly replied, "Rest assured, you’re not forgotten, serve a bowl to the princess consorts, give one to Lord Zhou and Bai Gentleman too, today we’ll all enjoy together."

The maid laughed, went to serve the tofu pudding.

Minister Li smiled and asked Zhou Man, "We don’t mind, but not sure if Lord Wei can consume it, having never had tofu pudding, it being similar to tofu, it might be too cold..."