Zhong Li's Rush to Deliver MealsZhong Li swept up the fallen leaves by the lake at top speed, then cleaned the dust under the pavilion until it was spotless—he even pulled out every single weed growing between the stone cracks. He told Xia Zhi he was going to collect their meals and asked Xia Zhi to head back to their quarters first. Then, carrying two empty lunch boxes, he hurried toward the area where servants picked up their food.
The meal collection spot was tucked in a corner of the palace wall. A dozen eunuchs crowded around a small earthen stove, each clutching a lunch box and craning their necks in anticipation. Zhong Li waited in line for quite a while before finally getting his portion: a plate of shredded pork with fish flavor, two plates of boiled greens, and a bowl of steaming white rice. He'd specifically begged the old eunuch in the kitchen for this better meal, claiming he'd been exhausted from work lately and needed nourishment. The old eunuch had only agreed after taking half a month of Zhong Li's meager salary.
Carefully, he packed the hot food into one lunch box. Then he picked up the other—it contained the spoiled rice the kitchen had "specially reserved" for "Prince Si": a yellowish clump reeking of rot, dotted with a few unknown bugs. Zhong Li frowned, but still closed the lid tightly. Holding both lunch boxes, he hurried toward Ying Zheng's side courtyard.
As expected, two eunuchs stood guard at the courtyard gate—the same ones who'd bullied Ying Zheng alongside the lead eunuch the day before. When they saw Zhong Li, they immediately raised their eyebrows: "Gu Yu? What are you here for?"
Zhong Li deliberately puffed out his chest, putting on a haughty expression and mimicking the head eunuch's tone: "This one has come to deliver meals to Prince Si. The Queen Mother has ordered me to watch the Prince finish his food. You two can step aside—this one will let you inspect the bowls later."
The two eunuchs exchanged a glance, clearly hesitant. Zhong Li let out another cold snort: "What? Don't you trust this one? Should I go report to the head eunuch right now that you're defying the Queen Mother's orders?"
The pair quickly waved their hands: "We dare not! We'll wait outside—hurry in."
Zhong Li pushed open the door and entered the courtyard. It was still as dilapidated as before: a pile of wood sat in the corner, and weeds sprouted from the stone crevices. He walked to the house door, knocked gently, and lowered his voice: "Your Highness, this servant has brought your meal."
There was a moment of silence inside before Ying Zheng's voice came: "Come in."
Zhong Li pushed the door open. Ying Zheng was sitting at the table, his fists clenched tightly, his face dark. The boy had clearly assumed Zhong Li had brought more spoiled food—even his eyes held a hint of resistance. Zhong Li paid it no mind; he just smiled, stepped forward, and set the two lunch boxes on the table: "Your Highness, please stay seated. Let this servant serve the food."
He opened the box with the hot meals, and the aroma of shredded pork with fish flavor instantly filled the air. The pork, stir-fried with soy sauce, glistened with oil, mixed with diced carrots and green peppers. The boiled greens were bright green, still dotted with droplets of water, and the white rice grains were distinct, steaming hot. Ying Zheng's eyes widened in shock. He stood up abruptly, pointing at the food on the table, his voice stammering: "Th-This is..."
"Your Highness, this is a reward I begged the old eunuch in the kitchen for," Zhong Li said as he set out the chopsticks and bowls, hiding the guilt in his heart—he didn't dare say he'd paid his own salary for it, fearing Ying Zheng would suspect his motives. Looking up and seeing Ying Zheng's astonished gaze, he added: "Please eat quickly, Your Highness. It won't taste good once it gets cold."
Ying Zheng picked up his chopsticks, hesitated for a moment, then took a bite of the pork. His eyes lit up instantly, as if he'd discovered a new world. He began eating rapidly, rice grains sticking to the corner of his mouth, but he didn't care. In no time, he'd finished the bowl of rice and both plates of vegetables. Leaning back in his chair, Ying Zheng patted his full stomach and let out a contented burp. Only then did he notice Zhong Li still standing nearby, holding the other lunch box.
"What's that in your hand?" Ying Zheng asked, pointing at the unopened box, confused.
Zhong Li's smile froze. Slowly, he opened the box, and a foul stench immediately filled the room. The spoiled rice inside was yellowish, with spots of mold—disgusting to look at. Ying Zheng's face darkened instantly: "What are you bringing this for? Do you expect me to eat it too?"
"No, Your Highness!" Zhong Li hurried to explain. He picked up his chopsticks, poked at the spoiled rice, and lowered his voice: "This is what the kitchen specially prepared for you, by the Queen Mother's order—you're supposed to finish it. This servant is just a lowly eunuch; eating this is fine. But you're royal blood—how can you consume such filthy things?"
He paused, recalling the system's prompt—[If you eat this bowl of spoiled rice, Ying Zheng's favorability toward you will increase significantly, and you'll even unlock a "Physical Enhancement" mini-reward!]. Taking a deep breath, he lifted the lunch box and poured the rice into his mouth.
"Wait!" Ying Zheng suddenly spoke up. Watching Zhong Li eat the spoiled rice without changing his expression—even though the stench was so unbearable—Ying Zheng felt something suddenly tug at his heart. He watched as Zhong Li swallowed the last bite, even sticking out his tongue to lick the edge of the box, and his eyes unexpectedly reddened.
Zhong Li set down the lunch box, wiped his mouth, and smiled: "Your Highness, see? This servant is fine after eating it. From now on, if there's more food like this, this servant will eat it for you."
Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by a shrill eunuch's voice: "Gu Yu! Has Prince Si finished the meal the Queen Mother ordered? Hurry up and bring out the bowls for this one to inspect!"
Ying Zheng's face changed instantly. He looked at Zhong Li, his eyes filled with worry—if they found out Zhong Li had eaten the spoiled rice, Zhong Li would definitely be punished. But Zhong Li shook his head at him, signaling him not to worry, then stood up and walked toward the door.