My Fantastic Chef Wife

350. A Storybook Couple

Translator: ChowvanLee

Ye Xiaoxian smiled, “Even though I’m stuck in the palace, I feel very happy to know that you’re worried about me outside. That means you love me. Even if I die for you, you’re worth it.”

Xiao Baoshan hurriedly put his hand over her mouth. “Stop saying that. I won’t let you die.”

Ye Xiaoxian couldn’t help but think of the classic lines in the TV series. It turned out that people could really speak the same lines in such a circumstance. She smiled.

“Yet you’re smiling. You don’t know how worried I am since I couldn’t meet you these days. I’ve been trying to break into the palace.” Xiao Baoshan said.

“No, don’t do that. You can’t make it. The imperial palace is well protected. If you do so, you’ll die before we reunite.”

“Look at you, you’re talking about death again. By the way, how are you in Empress Dowager’s place?” Xiao Baoshan asked.

Ye Xiaoxian smiled. “Can’t you see it? Look at my fancy clothes. How could I afford these normally? And these jewels, each one could worth a manor in Qinghe county. What I’m wearing is worth a few manors. If Empress Dowager didn’t like me and treat me badly, how could I have this?”

Xiao Baoshan was half doubting.

Ye Xiaoxian added, “Well, Empress Dowager thought I look like her and we’re on the same page, so she took me as her adopted daughter.”

Xiao Baoshan thought about it and said, “No wonder when I first met Empress Dowager, I felt that you two look alike. I haven’t met such a coincidence in my life.”

“So, Empress Dowager and I are really close together. You don’t have to worry about me.”

Xiao Baoshan looked at Ye Xiaoxian’s smiley face.

He could make out that Ye Xiaoxian did not want him to worry, so she emphasized she was getting along well with Empress Dowager.

However, Xiao Baoshan knew that Empress Dowager and State Preceptor were close. Empress Dowager must be planning something inside. Little Ye might know it, but she didn’t say anything.

“Baoshan, I heard you won the battle a while ago. Congratulations, you must be very brave on the battlefield.” Ye Xiaoxian added.

Xiao Baoshan laughed, “A piece of cake.”

“A piece of cake?”

“A piece of cake, like squeezing a lemon.”

“Haha, where do you learn this from?”

“…”

…

State Preceptor had managed to go hunting, but he was caught and surpassed by some young people on the way.

Normally, young people would wait for him to show respect to him because he was State Preceptor. But now in the hunting ground, all horses were running into the forest and dust whirled aloft. Everyone wanted to win, so nobody cared about the identity difference.

State Preceptor was old and his body wasn’t as strong as when he was young, so he come last at the beginning of the race.

So he gave up. He didn’t have much interest in hunting in the first place. Besides, it was difficult to shoot arrows in cold weather.

State Preceptor didn’t start to go back until the others rode far away, so he wouldn’t feel too shameful.

But when he was about to turn the horse, he found that someone was going back, too.

He thought, ‘Is it someone who wants to run away from the race like me?’

When State Preceptor looked clearly, he found that it was Xiao Baoshan.

‘Why does Xiao Baoshan come back? He must go to find Little Ye.’

State Preceptor had wanted to stop Xiao Baoshan, but Xiao Baoshan rode so quickly that he passed State Preceptor in a flash. It seemed that he didn’t see State Preceptor.

State Preceptor was a little frustrated.

‘Well, I have to go back to see what’s going on between Empress Dowager and Little Ye.’

Madam State Preceptor as his wife followed him here this time. State Preceptor returned to the palace, changed his clothes and was going out immediately. When he was about to go out, Madam State Preceptor stopped him, “Dear, didn’t you just come back? Where… where are you going now?”

“Just take a walk!” State Preceptor said impatiently.

He had been impatient with his wife all the time because he had never loved her.

The moment State Preceptor left, Madam State Preceptor followed.

Madam State Preceptor knew that Empress Dowager was here this time, so she wanted to see if her husband was going to look for that skanky Empress Dowager.

‘This time, many officials and their families are here. Would State Preceptor dare to make out with Empress Dowager in the eyes of the masses?’

…

State Preceptor arrived at the lakeside. After a while, he saw Xiao Baoshan and Ye Xiaoxian walking towards him, holding a horse.

It must be because they hadn’t seen each other for a long time, they couldn’t take their eyes from each other the moment they met. State Preceptor was standing in front of them, yet they didn’t notice him.

State Preceptor thought, ‘Why did Empress Dowager let Ye Xiaoxian out just like that?’

What Ye Xiaoxian was wearing made her look more beautiful than when she was in State Preceptor’s residence. They were all precious stuff.

State Preceptor felt puzzled again.

Therefore, he deliberately coughed twice to attract Ye Xiaoxian and Xiao Baoshan’s attention.

Only then did Xiao Baoshan and Ye Xiaoxian notice him.

However, State Preceptor and Xiao Baoshan had broken up long ago. Now Xiao Baoshan saw him, he wouldn’t take State Preceptor seriously. Therefore, Xiao Baoshan and Ye Xiaoxian bowed to State Preceptor and walked forward right away.

State Preceptor couldn’t do anything to them at this moment. He thought, ‘Ye Xiaoxian is here. Then Empress Dowager must be here, too.’

As expected, after walking for a while, he saw Empress Dowager and a group of maids walking by the lake.

“Empress Dowager, State Preceptor is here.” An old woman reported to Empress Dowager.

Empress Dowager turned around and saw State Preceptor. She was calm and maintained grace and poise.

If they were in the palace, State Preceptor would definitely go over to hug Empress Dowager. However, they were standing by the lake, and so many people were watching them. Besides, Empress Dowager didn’t look very happy.

He bowed to Empress Dowager, “Empress Dowager.”

“There’s no need of that here, please stand at ease.” Empress Dowager remained emotionless.

State Preceptor was angry. He thought, ‘So cold. Wait and see what I’ll do to you if I get the chance.’

“Empress Dowager, where’s Princess Ning Yuan? Is she not accompanying you?” State Preceptor asked.

Empress Dowager fiddled with a wild flower that she had just plucked and said, “Princess Ning Yuan’s husband is here. Assistant Minister Xiao begged me for some time to stay with his wife alone. This couple hasn’t seen each other for a long time. How could I say no? People are watching.”

Empress Dowager was right and State Preceptor didn’t know what to say about that.

State Preceptor said, “I’m just worried that they will escape.”

Empress Dowager said leisurely, “State Preceptor, we’re in the hunting ground. Preys can’t escape. How can an adult man with an injured woman escape? Could they fly off? What’s more, haven’t you had eyes here? You can set up more eyes.”

State Preceptor was at a loss for words again.

Empress Dowager suddenly said jealously, “I just saw them. Assistant Minister Xiao and Princess Ning Yuan are a perfect match. He is tall and handsome, while she is beautiful and delicate. They’re a storybook couple when they’re walking together. I’m too lucky to experience the  feeling of walking under the sun with my lover in my life, so it is extremely pleasant to see them walking together.”