Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1072 - 119: Noble Princess Consort Rong Pleads Again

Inside Yongxin Palace, Noble Princess Consort Rong personally served the Emperor his evening meal.

"Cousin, you’ve worked hard lately. I specially prepared this ginseng soup for you—give it a taste." The entire dinner tonight was crafted solely by Noble Princess Consort Rong, with no other hands involved. Her cooking skills were always impressive, lacking the Imperial Chef’s sophistication yet brimming with that warm, homely flavor.

Prior to becoming the Emperor’s consort, she frequently prepared dishes alongside the late Empress Dowager for the Emperor and the late Emperor. She acquired her culinary talents from the late Empress Dowager, focusing on simple family fare, which both the former Emperor and the current one relished.

After entering the palace as the Emperor’s consort, Noble Princess Consort Rong occasionally whipped up meals or soups for him. Following the late Empress Dowager’s death, the Emperor treasured her dishes even more, as they evoked the late Empress Dowager’s flavors, inherited directly through her teachings.

The Emperor sipped several mouthfuls of the ginseng soup and offered hearty praise: "Tastes good."

Beaming with joy at the praise, Noble Princess Consort Rong said, "I began simmering this ginseng soup at dawn today, infusing it with the pure essence of a century-old ginseng root. It greatly nourishes the body, cousin—please drink more."

The Emperor replied, "If it nourishes the body so well, you should have more yourself."

Noble Princess Consort Rong felt profoundly touched by the Emperor’s words.

"Then I’ll share more with you, cousin."

"Alright."

As she shared the ginseng soup with the Emperor, Noble Princess Consort Rong started reminiscing about their childhood days. Back then, the late Emperor and late Empress Dowager were still alive, and family gatherings meant everyone sitting together for meals and conversations.

Recalling those childhood times brought nostalgic looks to both the Emperor and Noble Princess Consort Rong’s faces. They soon chatted about pranks from their youth, unable to suppress their laughter.

One time, a dog chased and bit at the Emperor, but Marquis Xuanping blocked his path, suffering a severe bite to his rear that tore off a chunk of flesh and bled heavily, terrifying everyone.

During childhood, Marquis Xuanping and his siblings adored playing follow-the-leader with the Emperor. The mischievous Emperor often dragged them into wild escapades, stirring up trouble with chickens or dogs. When mishaps occurred, Marquis Xuanping courageously shielded the Emperor, confessing faults and sparing him scoldings.

As they matured, Marquis Xuanping trailed the Emperor into battles. Whenever danger threatened the Emperor, he dashed to the forefront. Though his martial prowess wasn’t exceptional, he made an excellent supporter, steadfastly obeying the Emperor’s directives.

These days, Marquis Xuanping enjoys a lofty status, backing his nephew Prince Dai, yet his loyalty to the Emperor persists unshaken.

"Cousin, you know my brother inside out. He’d never dare or even dream of rebellion." Noble Princess Consort Rong shared numerous childhood anecdotes to remind the Emperor of Marquis Xuanping’s past sacrifices. "My brother wouldn’t raise troops in Annan. The weapon forging is purely for selling to the Annan people, profiting off them. No arms have been snuck back to Great Zhou, cousin—please see the truth clearly."

The Emperor listened silently as Noble Princess Consort Rong spoke, and once she concluded, he considerately picked some food for her: "Cold dishes lose their appeal—eat quickly."

"Cousin~~~" Noble Princess Consort Rong cooed playfully.

"Eat first, don’t waste the fine meal you made." After that, the Emperor said nothing more, dining in focused silence.

Noticing this, Noble Princess Consort Rong wished to press on but thought better of it, so she ate obediently.

This dinner robbed Noble Princess Consort Rong of her appetite. The moment the Emperor finished and set down his chopsticks, she mirrored him swiftly, then poured a cup of tea for him to cleanse his palate.

After the Emperor drained the tea and placed the cup down, she eagerly restarted: "Cousin, my brother..."

She barely began when the Emperor cut in teasingly: "I suspect in your brother’s heart, the second ranks higher than me."

Shocked by the Emperor’s statement, Noble Princess Consort Rong shook her head vigorously: "No, cousin, in my brother’s view, you are without doubt the most vital."

"Really?" With his hand propping his chin, the Emperor regarded the distressed Noble Princess Consort Rong with amusement: "I fear now, in your heart too, the second matters more than me—after all, I’ve grown old."

Uncertain if the Emperor jested or spoke earnestly, Noble Princess Consort Rong knelt in fright, raising her hand like taking an oath: "Cousin, you are eternally the foremost in my heart—no one in this world can surpass you." These words came straight from Noble Princess Consort Rong’s soul. Though her son mattered greatly, the Emperor held precedence, for her heart had belonged to him since youth.