Page 149

Chapter 149: Chapter 148: The Empress helps cover up lies, and also wants to pay homage to Guanyin for gifting a child...

Shen Chuwei’s motion of pouring water halted as she looked up and saw the Empress staring at her with a curious face, giving her the false impression of being caught sneaking food.

Well, she was indeed sneaking a snack–

"Replying to Your Highness the Empress, this concubine is eating instant noodles."

The Empress was originally just out for a stroll, and upon seeing Shen Chuwei’s furtive actions, she curiously followed her, not expecting to catch her sneaking a snack.

She leaned over for a closer look, as she had never seen this kind of food in all her years.

"What are instant noodles?"

Shen Chuwei explained, "Instant noodles are a type of noodle, and they taste quite good."

"Would you like to try a bowl, Your Highness?"

Let’s just share, since she saw it anyway!

No, this would be considered bribery.

The Empress eyed the dry noodles and the dark stuff inside with skepticism, "Can this be eaten?"

Shen Chuwei assured her with certainty, "Of course, it can be eaten."

The Empress then asked, "How does it taste?"

After a moment’s thought, Shen Chuwei said, "This concubine finds it quite flavorful."

Seeing Shen Chuwei so certain, the Empress whose stomach just happened to be growling with hunger, decided to try some since it was free.

"Is that so? Then let this Empress have a taste."

The Empress reached out to take the instant noodle bowl, but Shen Chuwei promptly stopped her, "Your Highness, it’s not ready to eat yet."

The Empress asked with puzzled face, "Why not?"

You don’t eat it dry, it’s not meant to be eaten that way–

Shen Chuwei explained, "Instant noodles need to be soaked in hot water for a while before they’re ready to eat."

The Empress suddenly understood, "I see."

"Please take a seat and wait for a moment, Your Highness. This concubine will prepare it for you."

"Alright." The Empress sat down on the stool, waiting patiently.

Shen Chuwei poured the hot water into the bowl and then covered it with the lid.

The Empress was quite patient and did not urge her to see if it was ready to eat.

About six minutes later, Shen Chuwei lifted the lid, stirred the noodles with a fork for a while, and then placed them in front of the Empress, "Your Highness, it is ready to eat now."

She then handed the fork to the Empress.

The Empress looked at the steaming noodles for a moment and, with curiosity, picked some noodles up with the fork, cooled them off, then chewed them in her mouth.

It was a flavor she had never experienced before, but unexpectedly delicious.

She was not used to using a fork and wanted to use chopsticks.

But the temptation of the delicious food was too strong, so she made do with what she had.

Watching the Empress savor her meal made Shen Chuwei even hungrier, and she licked her lips.

While the Empress was not looking, she turned and ran out,

When the Empress saw Shen Chuwei suddenly dash away, she wanted to ask her why but couldn’t, as her mouth was full of noodles.

Shen Chuwei had dashed out to sneakily retrieve instant noodles from her Space, since she wanted to eat as well.

When she returned, she had an extra bowl of instant noodles in her hands, the packaging already torn open on her way back.

The Empress finally found a chance to ask Shen Chuwei, "Where did you go?"

"This concubine went to get more instant noodles." Shen Chuwei placed the bowl on the table and skillfully took out the seasoning packets, tearing them open one by one to add to the bowl, before pouring in hot water.

The Empress complimented, "The instant noodles taste good, much better than the vegetarian meal."

"Of course, they are." It’s not just Shen Chuwei boasting - instant noodles are a favorite of many, especially those trying them for the first time, finding them particularly delicious.

After waiting a few more minutes, Shen Chuwei also began to eat.

The two of them didn’t speak again, as they were both hungry, and eating was the most important thing.

While eating, the Empress used her handkerchief to wipe her nose, her demeanor at that moment far from her usual lofty aura. Confronted by delicious food, she couldn’t care less about being elegant or proper.

Shen Chuwei did the same, eating and rhythmically wiping with her handkerchief.

After a satisfying meal, Shen Chuwei contentedly patted her stomach.

The Empress, similarly content, gracefully wiped her mouth with her handkerchief, realizing that although she had been a bit cold before, her body had started to warm up after eating the instant noodles.

She looked up at Shen Chuwei sitting opposite her and said, "Lady Shen, it’s time to go back."

Shen Chuwei also felt it was time to return, or else Xiao Jinyan would start to worry.

"Alright."

The Empress stood up, walking ahead with graceful strides.

Shen Chuwei followed unhurriedly behind her.

After finishing his lunch, Xiao Jinyan sat and waited. Not seeing Shen Chuwei return, he couldn’t help feeling anxious.

Lady Chang carried a cup of freshly brewed tea over at a leisurely pace and offered it with both hands, "Your Highness, please have some tea to warm yourself up."

How could Xiao Jinyan be in the mood for tea now?

He refused coldly, "No need."

Seeing Xiao Jinyan occasionally glance outside, Lady Chang tried to comfort him, "Your Highness, Lady Shen is not a child; she knows how to come back on her own."

But inwardly she thought, if she doesn’t come back, all the better.

When Xiao Jinyan’s icy gaze swept over Lady Chang, she involuntarily shivered.

In Xiao Jinyan’s eyes, wasn’t Shen Chuwei just like a child?

He wondered if Chuwei could have gotten lost in the vast White Horse Temple.

The possibility of this made him quickly stride out.

Just as he stepped outside, he saw the Empress and Shen Chuwei approaching him, one in front of the other.

This finally allowed him to breathe a sigh of relief.

As they drew closer, he asked softly, "Why have you only returned now?"

Shen Chuwei glanced at the Empress, "Your Highness, on the way back, your concubine encountered the Empress, so we returned together."

The Empress had gone out with Shen Chuwei to secretly eat, and naturally, she would now help cover up the lie.

"Lady Shen is correct, we chatted for a bit and were delayed for a while," said the Empress.

Lady Chang, seeing the Empress and Lady Shen return together, felt displeased. Hadn’t Shen Chuwei been seducing His Highness for favor, and now she’s currying favor with her aunt too?

Her aunt was there to support her; she couldn’t let Shen Chuwei take that away.

With a smile, Lady Chang stepped forward and linked arms with the Empress, gently reminding her, "Aunt, the wind is strong outside, you should go inside first."

The Empress, feeling guilty, nodded her head, "Right, we should go inside first."

Xiao Jinyan glanced at Shen Chuwei and the Empress, a flicker of doubt crossing his eyes.

After lunch, the Empress took the Crown Prince, Lady Chang, and Shen Chuwei to pray at the temple.

First, they prayed for the emperor’s safety.

Then, they hoped for a grandson soon, granting her a chance to show off.

The worshipping and chanting lasted about an hour.

The Empress knelt upright, clicking wooden prayer beads, her lips moving in silent prayer.

Xiao Jinyan also knelt upright.

Shen Chuwei, a modern person, how could she endure kneeling for such a long period? By this point, her legs had gone completely numb.

She massaged her legs, the discomfort unbearable.

Noticing Shen Chuwei’s actions, Xiao Jinyan asked softly, "Do your legs hurt?"

Shen Chuwei nodded, whispering, "Yes, I can hardly kneel anymore."

Xiao Jinyan soothed, "Just endure a little longer, it’s almost over."

Shen Chuwei was about to crack.

Shouldn’t you say, if it hurts, stop kneeling?

Xiao Jinyan, where is your domineering CEO demeanor?

Just as Shen Chuwei felt she could no longer hold on, the Empress rose to her feet.

Shen Chuwei couldn’t even get up because her legs were numb.

Seeing this, Xiao Jinyan extended his hand to lift her up. Her body was light, easily lifted.

She relied entirely on Xiao Jinyan to support her weight./