GBP Chapter 12 Keep a close eye on Prince Shou; if anything goes wrong, you'll be held responsible.
Chapter 12 Keep a close eye on Prince Shou; if anything goes wrong, you'll be held responsible.
Gao Chen's face darkened as he watched everyone praising the dishes.
"I'd like to see what's so special about this dish that makes these princes and ministers praise it so highly!"
After saying that, Gao Chen instructed the ruffians beside him, "Go and bring a few plates for us to try."
"Yes, father-in-law."
Before long, several dishes with excellent color, aroma and taste were presented to Gao Chen.
Looking at the dishes in front of him and smelling the enticing aroma, Gao Chen couldn't help but swallow.
Then, he picked up his chopsticks and tentatively took a bite and put it in his mouth.
After taking that bite, Gao Chen froze on the spot, speechless for a long time.
After a moment, he slowly came to his senses.
Before he knew it, he had devoured the food with great gusto, quickly emptying the dishes in front of him.
Gao Chen, his mouth greasy from eating, wiped his mouth and let out a satisfied burp.
too delicious!
It is so delicious!
No wonder all those princes and ministers praised it highly!
Wait a minute, these delicacies are even more exquisite than imperial cuisine. What if we poach these chefs?
Offering it to the Emperor would be a great achievement.
Thinking of this, Gao Chen gave a wink to the bad guy next to him.
At Gao Chen's signal, the Bad Guys quietly withdrew.
Before long, the Bad Guys returned to Gao Chen's side.
"Father-in-law, I've inquired. There are people watching the kitchen; no one else can get close..."
"Because I was afraid of alerting the enemy, I didn't go any closer."
After wiping his mouth, Gao Chen's eyes darted around.
It seems Prince Shou was prepared all along...
In that case, even if we could find it, we probably wouldn't be able to take it with us.
Gao Chen frowned, pacing back and forth, muttering to himself.
"What should I do?"
His gaze swept over the empty plates again, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
Since we can't take it with us, we have no choice but to report this matter to His Majesty!
At this moment, a group of scoundrels approached.
"Father-in-law, it's getting late, we should be leaving..."
"Our family knows."
Having made up his mind, Gao Chen stood up somewhat unwillingly upon hearing this, and left the racecourse with several thugs.
On the way back, Gao Chen fiddled with the whisk in his hand.
Finally, Gao Chen uttered a sentence in a low voice.
"Keep a close eye on Prince Shou for me. If anything goes wrong, you will be held responsible!"
"Yes, father-in-law."
……
The night passed, and the next day arrived in the blink of an eye. New restaurants sprang up like mushrooms after rain in Chang'an.
Strangely, none of these restaurants had plaques.
This news was quickly reported to Gao Chen by the Bad Guys.
Upon hearing this news, Gao Chen, who hadn't slept all night, seemed to have grasped at a lifeline, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
"It's like someone just brings you a pillow when you're sleepy."
"It's like heaven is on our side!"
But Gao Chen quickly stopped smiling, looked at the thug in front of him with a sinister gaze, and asked, "Are you sure that all the dishes in these restaurants are the same ones we saw at the racecourse last night?"
In response to Gao Chen's question, the Bad Guys replied affirmatively.
"Your Excellency, I am certain."
"Very good, very good. You may now leave!"
After the Bad Guys left, Gao Chen hurriedly got up, straightened his clothes, and ran all the way to the Imperial Study, where he knelt down.
"Your Majesty!"
"This servant has received a report from a traitor that Prince Shou has trained a group of chefs whose cooking is considered the finest delicacy!"
"This servant has personally tasted it, and the flavor is more than a hundred times better than what the imperial chefs in the imperial kitchen make!"
"What's infuriating is that Prince Shou first let the nobles and princes at the racecourse enjoy it, and then let the common people taste it, but he never thought of Your Majesty!"
At the end, Gao Chen emphasized his words.
After a barrage of exaggerated accusations, Gao Chen dared not say anything more, but simply pressed his head to the ground, quietly waiting for Li Longji's response.
Time ticked by, and Gao Chen grew increasingly anxious.
Why isn't His Majesty angry yet?
Prince Shou's actions are utterly treasonous!
Given His Majesty's temperament, such behavior would be absolutely intolerable.
As Gao Chen waited anxiously, Li Longji slightly raised his eyes and looked at Gao Chen, who was anxious but had to suppress his emotions. His expression was unusually calm.
This eighteenth son has been very filial and obedient lately.
Whenever there are good things, they will definitely report to me.
They have not yet come, and there must be a reason for it.
In that case, I shall wait and see!
Thinking of this, Li Longji gently waved his hand, signaling Gao Chen to step down.
"I understand."
Looking at Li Longji's calm expression, Gao Chen felt unwilling, but he could only retreat for the time being.
After Gao Chen respectfully withdrew, a graceful figure slowly walked out.
With a light and graceful figure, like a willow swaying in the breeze, she moved with light steps, as if each step brought forth a lotus flower, and elegantly arrived at the dragon throne.
She stretched out her hands, as white as mutton fat jade, and gently placed them on Li Longji's broad shoulders. Then she began to move slowly, her movements gentle and soothing, as if they possessed an indescribable magic.
"Your Majesty has been reviewing memorials for a long time, so let me relax for you~"
Her beautiful figure parted her red lips slightly, and the voice that came out was like the song of a nightingale, melodious and gentle, like a spring breeze, softly brushing past one's ear, making one's bones feel weak.
Hearing that captivating voice, Li Longji slowly raised his head, his gaze falling on the beautiful figure.
But it was withdrawn after only a moment.
……
After leaving the Imperial Study, Gao Chen's face grew increasingly gloomy, and he clenched his teeth.
Why is His Majesty so calm this time?
Prince Shou's actions clearly show that he has no respect for His Majesty!
No, we absolutely cannot miss this opportunity!
Since His Majesty is so calm at the moment, then we will wait a few more days.
In a few days, I will definitely present the Emperor with all of Prince Shou's actions, embellished with exaggerated details. Then we'll see how Prince Shou explains himself!
As Gao Chen pondered this in his mind, his pace quickened unconsciously, as if he could already see the moment when he would successfully bring down Prince Shou.
Three days later, Gao Chen, who had been waiting for three days, hurriedly came to the Imperial Study again. His expression was flustered, but also somewhat obsequious. He reported in a high-pitched voice.
"Your Majesty, this servant has received another report from the Bad People!"
"In these three days, Prince Shou made a lot of money with these dishes, but he never thought of presenting them to the Emperor."
"Your Majesty, we beseech you to severely punish Prince Shou as a warning to others!"
These words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples throughout the hall.
Upon hearing this, Li Longji frowned slightly and put down the memorial in his hand.
After a moment of silence on the dragon throne, Li Longji waved his hand.
"Summon Prince Shou to the palace."
Upon hearing this, Gao Chen, who was kneeling below, was overjoyed.
"The slave obeys the order!"