Chapter 450: Empress Zhou: Any Young Lady of Interest?

Zhou Huang Hou's dignified, gentle face showed a hint of smile as she carefully examined Jia Jing, seeing his tall, graceful figure, clear features, and distinct facial contours.

In his manner there was neither the coarseness and restlessness of ordinary generals nor the excessive restraint and rigidity of civil officials.

Even rarer was the composure and calm that radiated from him, incongruous with his age, and along with that calm came an indefinable vigor.

It was not the fiery vigor of a horse‑riding warrior, but more like deep, still water; on the surface seemed only an unstoppable youthful vigor, yet upon closer look there was a steadfast, unyielding resolve.

Zhou Huang Hou suddenly understood why Jing Sheng Di's eyes always lit up whenever he spoke of Jia Zi Jie.

It was not only because he could fight, but because seeing him standing there quietly made one feel secure and grounded.

And security and steadiness are the rarest things in this inner palace.

She couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration: truly, he is the most outstanding hero of this generation of the Da Han Empire, and meeting him surpasses hearing his fame.

Thinking this, Zhou Huang Hou withdrew her scrutinizing gaze, her bright eyes lowering slightly, and a thought drifted up in her heart.

It seemed this young man before her was still unmarried?!

What a pity she had no biological daughter; otherwise, taking him as a son‑in‑law would secure the future path for the heir!

Moreover, His Majesty has few offspring, only two daughters under his care.

One, born to Consort Liu, is eight years old; the other, born to Concubine Yuan, is already betrothed.

Both seem unsuitable!

Zhou Huang Hou furrowed her elegant brows, silently pondering.

At that moment Jing Sheng Di smiled and said:

'You and I, ruler and subject, need not observe these empty courtesies; try the Empress's cooking. Her yam‑and‑Poria cake and osmanthus‑sugar lotus root taste fine, and I have always liked them!'

Zhou Huang Hou came back to herself and smiled, saying:

'When I heard Zi Jie was coming, Your Majesty immediately thought of you working through the night, worrying about your health! Today we have prepared plenty, so you can share some of the burden with the Emperor!'

Saying so, she ordered a eunuch to add an embroidered cushion.

Jia Jing stopped declining, his face showing a hint of surprised favor, and said:

'Then, thank Your Majesty and the Empress for your generous kindness!'

Jing Sheng Di smiled as he looked at Jia Jing, having someone hand over the lotus‑seed soup and several plates of dim sum that had been prepared for him.

Jia Jing took them and placed them on the table before him.

Jing Sheng Di said warmly:

'Eat first; we'll discuss military matters after the meal!'

Saying so, he began to eat first.

Jia Jing nodded, lifted the bowl of lotus‑seed soup, scooped a spoonful and swallowed. The heat was just right; the lotus's gentle sweetness had infused the broth, warm, traveling from throat to stomach.

He then set the bowl down, picked up a piece of yam‑and‑Poria cake, bit it; it was soft, slightly sweet, melting instantly—a true delicacy.

He thought inwardly:

No wonder the Empress has a reputation for virtue; judging by this cooking, without years of diligent practice she could not have such mastery.

Moreover, she has been Emperor Jing Sheng Di's devoted wife since his hidden residence, always observing her duties in the harem, never involving herself in state affairs; her natal family only holds a few nominal minor titles.

Considering all this, she truly is a virtuous and gentle woman!

When Jing Sheng Di was about to finish, Jia Jing quickly swallowed the last piece of cake, lifted the lotus‑seed soup and drained it, set the porcelain bowl aside, and took the mouth‑wash handed by a nearby eunuch for a quick rinse.

Zhou Huang Hou's clear, water‑like gaze occasionally fell on Jia Jing; seeing him finish, she smiled and asked:

'Today the dishes were made to Your Majesty's taste, a bit lighter; does Zi Jie still find them to his habit?'

Jia Jing set down the tea cup used for rinsing, smiled, and said:

'Your Majesty's skill, I truly admire. To be frank, I have been accustomed to the big‑pot rice in the army for a month; today's meal actually brings me a taste of home.'

'I fear that after returning to the camp, eating those coarse meals again, I will be a bit unaccustomed for a while.'

'However, cooking is only one aspect; what I admire even more is that, as the matriarch of the Six Palaces and motherly exemplar of the world, you can still stir the soup with your own hands and present it before the ruler. This virtue and affection set a model for women everywhere.'

'Your Majesty and the Empress share deep marital affection; witnessing it today fills me with great emotion. This lotus‑seed soup warms not only the stomach but also the heart.'

Those simple two sentences praised the Empress's cooking, lauded her virtue, and subtly admired the imperial couple's deep bond.

And Jia Jing's face was full of sincere earnestness, his tone casual and natural, as if merely a heartfelt sigh from everyday life!

Upon hearing this, the Empress's jade‑like face showed boundless delight, and she laughed:

'I am merely fulfilling my duties. Your Majesty works day and night on state affairs; the only things I can share with you are these minor, trivial matters.'

She said, paused, and with a pair of beautiful eyes glanced at Jing Sheng Di, her gaze flowing, and asked seemingly without intent:

'But Zi Jie just said he tasted the flavor of home; that reminds me of something.'

'Now that you are at the age to settle down, after you leave the court, if there is someone at home who knows your needs and arranges things for you, you won't have to constantly make do with those coarse meals in the camp.'

'I wonder... is there a young lady you have taken a liking to?'