Transmigrated as the Villainess, Troubled by the Cuteness!

Chapter 278 - 212: The Empress’s Lazy Daily Life (Part 9)

My biggest talent is complaining to my husband — Empress Quotes • Part Eight

Shen Jingxian is now the King; she says she wants to see someone, and that person must respectfully kneel before her to be observed.

During court sessions, this is customary. But now, everyone is seated, and the son of his father’s teacher is the only one kneeling in the middle, which makes Shen Jingxian a bit uncomfortable.

"I’ve heard of the noble demeanor of the eldest son of the Qi Family. Seeing him today, he indeed is a young talent, much like his father." As Shen Jingxian spoke, she thought about her own body, currently only 18 years old. Will future generations also praise her as a prodigy, brilliantly talented, hahahaha.

To be honest, it’s strange for an 18-year-old to praise someone else as a young talent.

But only Shen Jingxian finds it strange.

Others heard Your Majesty praise Qi Yuming as a young talent and were all very jealous, especially Qi Xiuyuan, who felt he had shown his heart to the Princess for so long without receiving any compliments, yet Qi Yuming managed it as soon as he appeared.

He wasn’t less handsome than Qi Yuming; why did only Qi Yuming catch Your Majesty’s eye? He was unconvinced!

Qi Xiuyuan has never faced setbacks since childhood and is quite reckless. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have dashed to the hunting ground to express his feelings to Shen Jingxian in front of so many people.

Now with Your Majesty rejecting him but favoring Qi Yuming (not really), his male pride was ignited.

He wanted to defeat Qi Yuming!

Having received Shen Jingxian’s praise, Qi Yuming bowed his head to express gratitude, carrying out impeccable etiquette from head to toe, presenting himself as a dutiful subject without untoward aspirations towards Your Majesty. Yet, who truly knows the reality?

Shen Jingxian complimented Qi Yuming briefly and then let him sit back down.

Qi Yuming only offered his thanks.

During the meal, a square table was used, and once Shen Jingxian finished speaking, dishes started to be served promptly.

Given the context of hunting, fresh roasted meat was a must: venison, wild boar, pheasant, and roe deer.

She was eyeing the chicken she hunted with Wen Ranchen, and once served, she became excited.

Wen Ranchen found it amusing from the side, thinking his worries were misplaced.

To Shen Jingxian, those men might not rival a chicken.

Wen Ranchen was right, as it turned out.

Shen Jingxian kept her gaze on that chicken, but picking up roasted meat might sully her image, so she resorted to glancing at Wen Ranchen for hints.

Shen Jingxian: Tear the chicken meat for me!

Wen Ranchen: There are too many people, Your Majesty doesn’t fear gossip?

Shen Jingxian: Tear the chicken meat for me!

Wen Ranchen: Everyone is watching Your Majesty.

Shen Jingxian: Tear the chicken meat for me!!!

Others thought Your Majesty and her General were exchanging flirtatious glances, angering another group.

Under Shen Jingxian’s intense gaze, Wen Ranchen eventually relented, using his long, fair hands to carefully tear the chicken meat into a bowl for her.

He wasn’t unwilling; he just feared gossip about Your Majesty.

But since Your Majesty didn’t mind, it became a non-issue.

With Wen Ranchen’s help, Shen Jingxian could now use chopsticks to eat the meat piece by piece, carefree, thoroughly enjoying herself.

Yet, once the novelty of the experience wore off, Shen Jingxian suddenly felt that game meat wasn’t as tasty as she thought.

Except for the exclusive running chicken, which tasted somewhat alright, other meats like wild boar and venison were tough, hard to chew, even bland.

Noticing Shen Jingxian’s change in mood, Wen Ranchen glanced over, "Your Majesty, not feeling well?"

Shen Jingxian saw everyone else heartily eating meat and drinking wine; it would have been too pretentious for her alone to complain, so she obediently smiled at Wen Ranchen, "No, just that my mind is filled with thoughts of my husband’s heroic demeanor just moments ago."

Wen Ranchen feigned an amused smile without contradicting her, simply pausing his actions of tearing the meat.

Shen Jingxian had been watching Wen Ranchen with her periphery, knowing he hadn’t eaten yet while serving her meat, so she started offering dishes to him.

Wen Ranchen accepted anything offered by Shen Jingxian without reservation.

He wasn’t picky, only distinguishing whether Shen Jingxian asked him to eat something.

After some food, everyone began toasting, lively and relaxed, even more so than during palace feasts.

Then someone jested, "Your Majesty, is there a reward for the hunting champion?"

A reward?

Shen Jingxian swallowed her water, realizing she hadn’t considered this.

But a reward could be fitting, adding excitement and joy for everyone.

"Give the Fiery Sun Bow to the eldest son of the Qi Family," Shen Jingxian instructed the Palace Attendant.

The Fiery Sun Bow is renowned, akin to a crowd hailing Jack Ma as "Daddy" or pleading with the bow to recognize them as its master.

Of course, once it entered the Yunyi Royal Family’s coffers, it hadn’t seen daylight, merely serving as a mascot in the palace.

Rather than being an unused mascot, gifting it to someone who needs it while it’s still functional makes more sense, especially since Shen Jingxian believes it might soon be unusable after 200 years.

She even once asked Wen Ranchen if he liked it and offered it to him, but Wen Ranchen declined.

Wen Ranchen preferred swords to bows and arrows.

Thus, the Fiery Sun Bow became a famous yet useless object to Shen Jingxian.

Such a thing is perfect for gifting.

Shen Jingxian hadn’t considered the issue of gifting such valuable items this year and what to gift next year, maintaining the principle: solve anything with Wen Ranchen’s help.

Qi Yuming didn’t expect winning a regular hunting contest would earn him such a treasure; his goal was merely getting closer to Your Majesty, so this was a surprise.

Has such a valuable thing ever been awarded for hunting before?

Qi Yuming recollected meticulously, and the answer was no.

This means only this year was this way.

But why is he particularly special?

Possibly, Your Majesty also feels...

Shen Jingxian was unaware that her casual reward would lead to excessive speculation. She forgot after rewarding, focusing instead on boasting to Wen Ranchen, leaving Qi Yuming anxious.

And Qi Xiuyuan, stewing in jealousy.

After several rounds of drinks and food, conversations exhausted, Shen Jingxian felt tired, bringing the gathering to an end.

Upon returning to the palace, Shen Jingxian’s first task was to wash and change.

Having gone wild at the hunting ground, she was naturally dusty, and after freshening up with Wen Ranchen, someone reported, "Your Majesty, Qi Yuming requests to see you outside."

Shen Jingxian’s head was already resting on the pillow, not wanting to move. She was a bit annoyed at why he didn’t speak during dinner and has to now, so her tone wasn’t friendly, "Not seeing."

The Maid heard and conveyed the order outside.

Qi Yuming faced rejection, perplexed. Did Your Majesty not have that intention towards him?

Never rejected before, Qi Yuming felt quite despondent.

Knowing he couldn’t surpass Wen Ranchen, he wondered if it was all wishful thinking.

Qi Yuming left dejectedly, returning home to explain his situation to the ministers, saying perhaps he didn’t catch Your Majesty’s eye.

But the ministers immediately disagreed.

"Hey, Mr. Qi, don’t belittle yourself. This is just the beginning. Your Majesty remembered you, which is enough. You are simply rushing."

"Indeed, Mr. Qi, take Qi Xiuyuan for example, publicly rejected by Your Majesty at the hunting ground, yet Your Majesty treated you differently, conversing several times and awarding you the Fiery Sun Bow!"

"Exactly!"

Voices bounced around, making Qi Yuming question himself.

Could he be mistaken? Perhaps Your Majesty did treat him differently; he simply rushed.

"Mr. Qi, Wen Ranchen currently monopolizes Your Majesty, captivating her, so take things slowly."

Qi Yuming eventually nodded.