Chapter 16: Merely Average—Third Place in Great Qin (Add to Your Collection~)

"You still remember you're the ruler of a nation, do you? And yet you want to sleep in the Minister’s Study? Are you planning to sleep on the floor, or perhaps the Grand Tutor’s chair?" Fang Xu eyed Qin Suwen with amusement, unable to resist teasing her as he watched her in this state.

Hearing his words, Qin Suwen could only blush furiously, unable to come up with a retort. She was well aware that the Minister’s Study offered no place to rest, but she also knew that if she lingered here any longer, and Fang Xu continued with his reckless advances...

Her cheeks flushed an even deeper crimson, brighter than a monkey’s behind—indeed, far redder and more radiant. She couldn’t help it; after all, when had she ever experienced such thrilling things before? She didn’t even understand what had just happened to her.

Why had she allowed Fang Xu to be so forward with her? Yet, to her own surprise, she realized she didn’t dislike it at all.

“I’m doomed! I’m truly doomed! I must be broken somehow. Tomorrow I must ask Mother what on earth is happening to me!” Qin Suwen resolved silently, casting a wary glance at Fang Xu.

"Don’t worry, I won’t do anything else to you—for now. Let’s leave it for another time," Fang Xu said gently, understanding that Qin Suwen was nowhere near ready, and admitting to himself that he’d lost a bit of control earlier.

He hadn’t expected that, upon arriving in this world, his self-restraint would become so fragile. He’d nearly made a grave mistake. Besides, he knew that his relationship with Qin Suwen was far from solid—they were bound together by fate, and nothing more.

So, unless Qin Suwen consented and their hearts truly aligned, Fang Xu decided it was best to keep his desires in check, lest he one day perish because of them.

“Really? You promise?” Qin Suwen’s eyes lit up with hope as she pressed him for reassurance.

“Really, truly, I promise. Is that good enough?” Fang Xu replied, half laughing, and only then did Qin Suwen finally relax. Fang Xu then prepared to head out for a stroll.

Though night had fallen, Fang Xu was the only one residing in the inner palace, so his movements were largely unrestricted.

Otherwise, the previous tragedy—of the body’s former owner throwing himself into a well—would never have occurred.

“What are you planning to do now?” Qin Suwen called out anxiously as she saw Fang Xu preparing to leave. But the moment the words left her lips, she realized her tone was off.

Why was she so concerned about Fang Xu’s actions? What he wanted to do had nothing to do with her, did it? She berated herself, but Fang Xu turned with a smile.

“My liege, do you really think those pastries from yesterday afternoon were enough to fill me?” Fang Xu replied, smiling. After all, he’d spent all afternoon telling stories, and had not eaten a morsel since.

“Were the pastries not enough—”

Before she could finish, her own stomach protested loudly.

It was already night, most of the little eunuchs and maids had retired, and only Fang Xu and Qin Suwen remained in the room. The silence made the rumbling of her stomach all the more pronounced.

Utterly embarrassed, Qin Suwen hung her head, unable to meet Fang Xu’s gaze. Why did she always end up making a fool of herself in front of him?

“It seems my liege is a bit hungry as well. How about joining ‘your humble consort’ to find something to eat?” Fang Xu said, smiling, but Qin Suwen, head still bowed, did not answer immediately.

“If you’re hungry, why not just order a maid to prepare something?” she asked, puzzled. In her experience, whenever she was hungry, she simply gave the command.

Why would Fang Xu insist on going out himself? But as she watched him approach, she hurriedly wrapped herself in the bedsheet.

Fang Xu leaned in and whispered something in her ear, leaving Qin Suwen wide-eyed in astonishment.

“You can cook?” She looked at him as though she’d discovered a new continent. Fang Xu, for his part, was puzzled by her surprise.

But then he understood; scholars, according to the old saying, were to keep their distance from the kitchen—they were to shun the slaughter and the act of cooking. But Fang Xu found this notion utterly absurd.

Could reading books fill one’s belly? Was it truly better to starve than to cook for oneself? Evidently, the original owner of this body had also been one of those so-called ‘gentlemen.’

That explained why Qin Suwen was so shocked to learn Fang Xu could cook.

“Nothing special—third best in Great Qin,” Fang Xu replied modestly. Qin Suwen, however, looked at him with a complicated expression.

“What is it?” Fang Xu asked, touching his nose, unsure if he’d said something wrong.

“Are you really the third best chef in Great Qin?” she asked, mouth agape. Fang Xu felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him; clearly, she’d taken his boast at face value.

“Well, uh… that depends on what ingredients are available,” he coughed awkwardly, smiling at her.

“The Imperial Kitchen has everything. My dear consort, are you truly the third best in Great Qin?” Qin Suwen replied, a mischievous glint in her eye. Fang Xu realized she was getting back at him for his earlier teasing.

“Ahem, well, that makes it much easier. Your Majesty, after you?” Fang Xu said, touching his nose again. Qin Suwen gave him a playful glance, then led him toward the Imperial Kitchen.

Now Fang Xu truly understood the old saying: women and petty men are hard to please—the ancients did not deceive him.

He felt very much like a duck pushed onto a perch, but since he’d boasted, he would have to see it through to the end, no matter what.