Walking from the back to the front, The Old Emperor had already left the Golden Terrace for the palace, leaving only those second-rank officials ahead, each of whose positions could easily crush him.

Evan Foster silently saluted. “Greetings, gentlemen.”

Secretary of War: “Hmph.”

Evan Foster looked at him openly, full of confusion.

【What’s going on? When did I ever offend him?】

Secretary of War: “……”

“Hmph!!!”

The other ministers also looked at Evan Foster with very strange expressions.

Evan Foster: “?”

Why did these people seem… not very friendly toward him?

“Master Xu.” Suddenly, someone called out to him. Evan Foster looked over and, to his surprise, it was Chancellor Dawson.

The other party smiled gently and nodded at him. Maybe it was just Evan Foster’s imagination, but he actually saw a hint of… gratitude in the other’s eyes?

“Since His Majesty has summoned you, it means he has high hopes for you. Don’t worry. When you meet the Emperor later, be sure not to act rashly…”

After that, Chancellor Dawson quietly shared some tips for meeting the Emperor.

Evan Foster was almost flattered.

Was the Prime Minister really such an approachable person?

Secretary of War glanced at Chancellor Dawson, but didn’t give Evan Foster any more attitude.

Secretary of Rites tried to smooth things over: “His Majesty is still in the palace. Colleagues, let’s go.”

……

The Old Emperor sat in the Wuying Hall, working in the inner court. For the first time, he wasn’t absorbed in official business, but kept glancing up at the hall doors, making Grand Chamberlain puzzled.

Who could His Majesty be waiting for?

A eunuch hurried in to report, “Your Majesty, the Prime Minister and the ministers request an audience.”

The Old Emperor nodded, waited a few moments, but heard nothing further. He looked at the eunuch, who was at a loss and glanced at Grand Chamberlain for help. Little did he know, Grand Chamberlain was just as confused.

A curtain in the corner fluttered, and The Old Emperor said calmly, “Besides them, who else?”

The eunuch suddenly understood and said, “Ministry of Personnel Secretary Evan Foster is also waiting outside the hall.”

The Old Emperor: “Summon him.”

The eunuch took a deep breath: “Summon—”

Soon, all the officials entered the hall.

As usual, The Old Emperor said, “Bestow food.”

Palace attendants brought in small tables and cushions, and everyone took their seats in order.

Evan Foster carefully wrapped his official robe tighter, his eyes fixed on the tray in the attendant’s hands.

After every court session, The Old Emperor would bestow food to the officials, but the meals in each yamen and in Wuying Hall were not the same—now he finally had a chance to try the food of the second-rank officials!

Then, as the tray was set down, Evan Foster looked closely.

Tofu? Greens? Noodles? No meat, and at most two eggs in the noodles?

Evan Foster: “……”

【This isn’t even as good as eating back at the yamen.】

The Old Emperor pretended not to hear, and casually sighed, “Ah, the Imperial Kitchen has made the same few hundred dishes for decades. I’m tired of eating them. Lately, I’ve had little appetite and prefer light food. Sorry to make you all suffer with me.”

The ministers: “……”

Not at all, not at all.

How could we dare.

Normally, anyone with sense would take this chance to say they’d recently acquired a new recipe, tried it, found it delicious, and would like to offer it to His Majesty.

However, Xu-the-Ivory-Tower-Student-Yanmiao had no reaction at all.

The Old Emperor: “……”

Even though this person was putting on a deep and thoughtful act, he could see the confusion in his eyes—he had no idea how to read his superior’s intentions. And he wanted a promotion?!

The Old Emperor felt an unprecedented irritation.

Today, he was determined to eat that thing called hotpot!

He leaned over and quietly instructed Grand Chamberlain a few words. Moments later, the attendants brought to each table a small divided pot, each compartment a separate cooking space, filled with meat broth. The rich aroma of meat and the scent of charcoal mingled in the air, making everyone’s mouth water.

【Hotpot?!】

Hearing this, Evan Foster was surprised. The Old Emperor picked up his chopsticks, eating noodles while thinking: I knew it, using chopsticks to dip raw meat into the pot—no matter how you eat it, you can’t do without a soup pot!

A warming pot is just this kind of small pot you can bring to the table!

Over there, Evan Foster’s inner voice followed: 【Oh, it’s not hotpot, it’s a warming pot, used to keep dishes warm. What a pity, such a good thing should really be used for hotpot.】

“However, after thinking it over, you are all pillars of the state and work hard every day. Too light a diet isn’t good for your health.”

The Old Emperor’s smile was tinged with pride. “Whatever you want to eat, just tell the attendants to add it to the warming pot.”

Evan Foster’s eyes lit up.

The other ministers’ eyes also… lit up.

Evan Foster: “Let’s start with two pounds each of beef and lamb, all sliced raw!”

Other ministers: “Yes, yes, beef and lamb, raw slices!”

Evan Foster: “Add more charcoal, this little bit isn’t enough to bring the soup to a boil.”

Other ministers: “Yes, yes, more charcoal for us too!”

Evan Foster: “Pepper, salt, minced garlic, and oil… the oil should be…”

Other ministers: “Pepper…”

Evan Foster silently turned to look at them.