Echoes of My Heart Throughout the Court

[These vegetables…]

Xu Yanmiao frowned, his facial muscles tightening.

The Ministry of War’s official beside him noticed that he had even scrunched up his nose, his brows furrowed together, and his entire face emanated an air of anxiety, as though he was deeply troubled by something.

What’s going on?

The Ministry of War’s official instinctively craned his neck to look toward Xu Yanmiao.

[They’re yellow and wilted, how can I eat this?]

[I heard that things bestowed by the Emperor shouldn’t just be thrown away. What a hassle—never mind, I’ll just go back and make a hot pot. It’ll be fine for one meal.]

[Such a grand imperial court, and there’s not even a single fresh green vegetable? Look at how wilted these leaves are. They have the nerve to offer this as a reward—how shabby…]

Bang!

He blinked.

[So moved by imperial favor that he fainted again?]

No!!!

He was scared unconscious!

The entire court of civil and military officials silently shouted in their hearts.

The Minister of War quickly wiped the sweat from his brow, instinctively sniffing his sleeve. The strong scent of sweat made him grimace in disgust.

At the front, the old Emperor slapped the armrest of his dragon throne. The sound of his finger-ring, made of turquoise and gold, clashing with the wood echoed crisply through the silent court.

Everyone turned to look at the old Emperor.

The Emperor’s face was flushed with anger.

What do you mean yellow and wilted! What do you mean “Hassel”! What do you mean “wilted these leaves are”!? What do you mean “shabby”!!!

Have you ever tasted fresh, crisp winter vegetables!?

This honor is so great—don’t be so ungrateful!

[It seems like the Great Xia only boils lamb, not hot-pot lamb. I should ask the chef to slice it when I get off work.]

[Good thing chili peppers have already arrived. It’s the best to eat spicy hot pot in the winter!]

[The red, steaming spicy oil, thin slices of beef, holding them with chopsticks, gently dipping them into the soup, keeping them steady as they turn color. The beef is so tender and thin, soaking in the spicy broth… Then you take it out and bite into it… The taste is amazing!]

—Great Xia prohibits the slaughter of oxen, but it only restricts plowing cattle, not meat cattle.

They’re generous when it comes to meat cattle, whether it’s pan-fried, stewed, roasted, grilled, or made into meat paste, preserved dried meat, or cured meat… They eat the meat, tendons, liver, belly, tongue…

Lost in these thoughts, Xu Yanmiao’s eyes glazed over, clearly falling into a daydream, not paying attention to the world around him.

[And lamb, sliced thinly, thrown into the pot, you hear it sizzle for a moment before you take it out and eat it.]

[Then have someone hand-make twenty or so fish meatballs. They must be extra plump for that chewy texture!]

[Then… thin slices of pork, fatty pork, chicken slices, crystal clear vermicelli, fish tofu, beef tripe…]

[And as for the seasonings, sesame oil and garlic paste are essential!]

Gulp—

The old Emperor swallowed.

The anger on his face froze, as his thoughts drifted away, replaced by a slight feeling of expectation and enjoyment.

“This Xu Yanmiao…”

The old Emperor briefly imagined the delicacy known as hot pot, and without realizing it, licked his lips.

“He really seems to know how to eat.”

But… what are crystal vermicelli? I’ve never heard of that before.

After the morning court session, there was the inner court meeting, but that was for second-rank officials, far removed from Xu Yanmiao’s small position. He simply went back to his office to handle his duties as usual.

It should have been like this.

But today…

“Announce—”

“Xu Yanmiao, official of the Ministry of Personnel, present himself—”

The eunuch’s voice echoed from both sides of the golden platform, across the many steps, with sunlight filtering down, casting shadows that separated the civil and military officials. The crowd turned one by one, all staring in shock, exchanging looks with the small official from the Ministry of Personnel.

“Me?” Xu Yanmiao, who had been happily reminiscing about hot pot, was suddenly called out, leaving his thoughts in a daze as the hot pot seemed to fly away from his mind.

The fainted Ministry of War official kicked at his heels as he stumbled forward.

Xu Yanmiao suddenly snapped out of his trance. Realizing it wasn’t the time to daydream, he quickly adjusted his official hat and walked toward the golden platform through the ranks of officials.

He passed the ninth-rank officials…

He passed the eighth-rank officials…

He passed the seventh, sixth, fifth, fourth, and third-rank officials…

Finally, reaching the front, he saw that the old Emperor had already left the golden platform to return to the palace. Only the second-rank officials remained, each holding a position that could easily crush him.

Xu Yanmiao silently bowed. “Greetings, gentlemen.”

The Minister of War snorted, clearly displeased.

Xu Yanmiao looked at him with confusion.

[What’s going on? When did I offend him?]

The Minister of War: “…”

“Humph!!”

Other ministers, especially the ones in higher positions, looked at Xu Yanmiao strangely.

Xu Yanmiao: “?”

Why does it seem like they don’t like him?

“Xu Lang,” someone suddenly called out. Xu Yanmiao turned to see it was Prime Minister Dou.

The Prime Minister smiled and nodded gently at him. Perhaps it was just Xu’s imagination, but he could almost see a hint of… gratitude in his eyes?

“Since His Majesty has summoned you, he holds high expectations for you. Don’t worry. When you meet him, make sure you don’t act rashly…”

The Prime Minister then quietly gave some tips on how to meet the Emperor.

Xu Yanmiao felt a bit flattered.

[So, the Prime Minister is such a down-to-earth person?]

The Minister of War shot a glance at the Prime Minister but didn’t show any more hostility to Xu Yanmiao.@@novelbin@@

The Minister of Rites tried to smooth things over, saying, “His Majesty is still in the palace. Let’s go, gentlemen.”