Chapter 973 - 967: Appetite
Steward Zhou was also in the military tent.
Although he was injured in the shoulder, it did not touch any vital areas.
Having traveled far and wide with Old Master Zhou, he had suffered many injuries and wouldn’t lie down because of a minor wound; he couldn’t stay idle.
But the pain indeed pierced with every smile due to the injury.
Marquis Dongxiang poured a cup of alcohol to toast him.
If not for Steward Zhou’s escort along the way, no one knows if Su Jin could have arrived safely at the border.
Moreover, Steward Zhou’s contribution regarding the horses cannot be underestimated.
If it weren’t for his extensive knowledge, timely guessing of Young Master Li’s identity allowed Su Jin to arrive in Linzhou just in time to thwart the enemy’s plot.
Marquis Dongxiang has always paid back his debts, and in the military, he is especially clear about rewards and punishments.
This cup of alcohol represents his gratitude as a father to Steward Zhou for helping his daughter.
However, Steward Zhou was terrified and quickly said, "Marquis, you are too polite. This is what I should do."
Old Prince also raised a cup; Steward Zhou assisted his granddaughter-in-law.
This time, escorting horses and grain to the border resulted in significant casualties for the Li Family and Zhou Family.
The Li Family lost over a dozen servants, and the Zhou Family lost nine.
Many more were wounded, and they were all recuperating in tents.
Steward Zhou wanted to depart after two days of recuperating in the camp, but Su Jin refused to let him leave, so he had to stay and continue healing.
Before deciding to come to the border, Su Jin packed the herbs in the bamboo house and sent them over.
Included was an ointment for scar removal, though only about one box remained.
Su Jin bought medicinal materials and made a lot in the military tent.
When the Li Family servants recuperated sufficiently, they were sent off along with Steward Zhou, taking the ointment back to the Eldest Young Master Li.
Marquis Dongxiang included Steward Zhou’s merits in the memorial while petitioning for Su Jin.
Messengers on fast horses delivered the letter back to the Capital in great urgency.
The Emperor thought something major had happened at the border; upon seeing his daughter had safely arrived, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Marquis Dongxiang didn’t mention Xie Jingchen in the letter; even though the messenger was a close aide, no one could guarantee the letter wouldn’t fall into others’ hands.
Instead, Marquis Dongxiang mentioned the person who searched Su Jin and threw her on the grain and grass cart, causing her to move her fetal energy...
The Emperor became furious after reading the letter.
If it weren’t for knowing Marquis Dongxiang deeply cared for Su Jin and those who bullied her never had good outcomes, the Emperor would have named Marquis Dongxiang to capture the person alive and hang him for three days and nights.
The matter in the letter regarding Xie Jingchen was bound to come to light eventually; he would surely be scolded.
After rereading the letter, Eunuch Fu gave the Emperor an empty memorial and said, "The princess has already accomplished many feats on her way to the border, and now that she is at the border, her chance for more accomplishments will surely increase, with many requests for her deeds expected."
"The Emperor can write down what rewards he wants to give the princess and present them all at once upon her return."
The Emperor gladly accepted this suggestion.
Yet, the daughter’s movement of fetal energy at the border made the Emperor worried.
The border is a tough place with strong winds and lacks many things; he couldn’t let her come back now after all the efforts.
The border is harsh, but his daughter and grandson cannot suffer.
Thus—
The Emperor sent an Imperial Chef to the border to cook Imperial Banquets for Su Jin.
This Imperial Chef was none other than Imperial Chef Li, whom Su Jin wanted but never received.
Imperial Chef Li makes Haitang Cake, which is Consort Yun’s favorite dessert.
Although Consort Yun is no longer here, Chaohua Palace remains.
The Emperor occasionally tastes a few pieces.
If it were someone else, the Emperor would never let Imperial Chef Li leave the palace, let alone to go as far as the border.
He wanted his daughter to feel his concern for her as her father-king at every moment.
He couldn’t let Marquis Dongxiang surpass him!
Earlier, when Su Jin left the Capital for her safety, her secretive journey to the border was kept under wraps.
But soon secrets like this are hard to keep.
Nonetheless, the Emperor was not worried; he sent so many to find his daughter without success, he doubted any assassin could.
Especially with Prince Jin of Nanliang teaching Su Jin Disguise Technique.
While Su Jin’s Disguise Technique was initially meant for investigation, her journey to the border certainly involved its use.
If disguises were easily discernible, Disguise Technique wouldn’t be necessary.
Initially, Su Jin’s departure led only to private gossip, but the emperor sending an Imperial Chef to the border sparked open discussions.
Such a father, so loving towards his daughter.
A daughter goes to the border, and instead of reprimanding, he fears she won’t eat well, sending an Imperial Chef to make meals for her...
The Emperor seemingly wanted every daughter in the world to envy the princess.
As people envied Su Jin, Imperial Chef Li was rushing to the border.
The carriage sped all the way, causing his internal organs to nearly shift positions.
Half a month later, the carriage stopped at the military camp.
Imperial Chef Li got out of the carriage in a dizzy state, vomiting like crazy.
This wasn’t about cooking!
This was outright murder!
Driving at such speed as if one step later, the princess would starve to death.
Imperial Chef Li entered the camp but didn’t see Su Jin.
Currently, with armies in fierce battle, Su Jin as a doctor was far from idle; after half a month of recuperation, the fetus was stable, and she went to help.
Minor injuries were handled by Xingxing and Xueling, while Su Jin treated those severely wounded, on the brink of death.
It’s no exaggeration to say Su Jin snatched many from King Yama’s grasp.
Her achievements were no less than those warriors who fought bravely on the battlefield.
This battle lasted until dusk before pausing; when Su Jin returned, her skirt was stained with blood.
Soldiers delivered meals, and seeing the dishes with their delightful aroma and presentation made Su Jin pause, "Why have the dishes changed?"
"So fragrant," Xingxing said, with greedy eyes.
Xingxing ran outside to inquire and learned that the Emperor had sent an Imperial Chef to cook for Su Jin.
Not only Su Jin, but Marquis Dongxiang and others also ate the chef’s dishes.
Bringing a chef such a long way, it’s impossible to cook for only Su Jin.
Generals ate the dishes, while the soldiers enjoyed meat buns.
"Yes, today’s meat buns are unusually fragrant," said the soldier after taking a big bite.
"It’s said the Emperor sent a chef to cook for the princess; the bun filling was flavored by the chef."
"With a chef, no wonder the buns taste so good."
"The Emperor truly dotes on the princess."
"And we get to enjoy some good food thanks to the princess."
As long as they won battles, there were assured to be meat buns to eat, with plenty to go around.
Food made by the chefs was exceptional, and after Su Jin ate the military meals for half a month, the Imperial Banquet felt even more delicious.
After a day’s fatigue, with pregnancy nausea reduced, Su Jin had a bowl of rice and added another half bowl.
Recently, Xingxing’s appetite had decreased significantly.
It wasn’t for lack of appetite but due to tight grain and grass supply in the camp; wastage was frowned upon, hence only a slight measure was made beyond their two-people serving.
This portion was even considered insufficient for Xingxing alone, let alone sharing with Su Jin.
Su Jin ate a little more, causing Xingxing to eat less.
Xingxing gently suggested to the soldier delivering the meals, only for the portions to remain unchanged.
Unable to bear hunger, Xingxing sought help from the Hidden Guard.
The Hidden Guard confidently declined, "You’re a girl with an appetite bigger than the soldiers; if they find out, they may feel ashamed. If they eat more out of rivalry, the camp’s grain and grass will become even scarcer."
Although Xingxing was a little discontent, she acknowledged the Hidden Guard had a point, enduring the hunger.
A few extra eaten individually is fine, but if the whole camp ate one extra meat bun, it’d fatigue the kitchen soldiers to death.
Occasionally, when Su Jin ate less, Xingxing brewed some porridge outside the tent to alleviate hunger.
Like this, she plodded along for half a month, and the hunger reduced, lowering Xingxing’s appetite by at least two meat buns.
Getting accustomed, it felt less discomforting.