Chapter 45 - Handsome emperor, tasteful cuisine

Feng long and Zhong Kunyi enter the luxurious bathroom. A wooden bathtub is located at the side of the bathroom, and the showerhead is on the opposite side.

Feng Long moves in front of Zhong Kunyi:

-Let's undress, can you do that for me? 

-I... of course... Please, your Majesty, turn your back to me. - He smiles.

Feng long turns around and Zhong Kunyi undresses him, putting his garment carefully on the countertop. He returns, and Feng long does the same for him.

Feng Long turns on the faucet, letting the water run for a while until he feels it is warm. He invites Zhong Kunyi, and both shower together.

Xia Chunyu let an aromatic soap on the soap dish, and also a kind of shampoo, made of rice water and an aromatic scent:

-It seems to be good. Let's use it, Zhong Kunyi...

-Allow me to pass it on your hair.

Feng Long squats, so Zhong Kunyi can finger-comb his long hair while applying the product, He then gets up so Zhong Kunyi can reach his hair in all its extent from behind:

-This is such a wonderful scent, Your majesty... - Zhong Kunyui smiles.

-Let me apply it to your hair too...

Feng Long repeats the same procedure. 

After they have finished their bath and dried themselves, Feng Long notices his hair has now a beautiful glossy effect and seems to be moving more freely. The same happened for Zhong Kunyi:

-Your Majesty now looks even better. - Zhong Kunyi smiles.

-I'm really impressed!

  

They dress up quickly and move downstairs. They arrive at Xia Chunyu's room in an instant, bowing to him. He quickly gets up and meets with them, helping them to rise:

-You can rise, please... Feng Long, Zhong Kunyi, you are looking... gorgeous! - Xia Chunyu smiles.

-Your Majesty has left a bottle with a kind of shampoo on it. We tested it, and I am surprised at how good my hair is looking now. We have similar products in Zhejiang, but I'd need two applications to get the same result. Furthermore, it has such a heavenly scent... - Feng Long smiles.

-I'm happy you are both so satisfied... But, before the ink is dry on the page, let's have a walk. I will offer you some food along the way, you will notice that we have nice restaurants. 

-As soon as your majesty wishes. 

Xia Chunyu smiles and takes Ouyang Ziyu by his hand. Feng Long and Zhong Kunyi follow them, hand in hand as well.

The main street of Wuxi is a bustling place, full of all kinds of shops, eateries, among other entertainment options. Like in Zhejiang, lanterns stand over the street, tethered by ropes. Their light is reflected by Feng Long's hair, an effect that pleases Xia Chunyu:

-Feng Long...

-Your Majesty? - He turns

-Well... I will tell you later. 

Feng Long raises an eyebrow. They continue walking down the street. Then, Xia Chunyu stops and invites Feng Long and Zhong Kunyi to enter a restaurant across the street:

-Please, follow me. This restaurant has an excellent assortment of dishes that are typical of Wuxi.

-As your majesty prefers. - Feng Long smiles.

They enter the restaurant. The waiters recognize the emperor and all bow to him. Xia Chunyu also bows:

-You all can rise. 

The waiters wait until they choose a table. Feng Long and Xia Chunyi seat together, Zhong Kunyi, and Ouyang Ziyu too, but at the opposite side. After they sat at the table, one of the waiters moves close to them:

-We are happy for having your majesty at our restaurant tonight, as well as your friends. What would you like to order?

-May we get our Wuxi-style xiaolongbao as an appetizer and braised spare ribs as the first course? 

-Yes, as your majesty wishes. Anything else? 

Xia Chunyu waits. No one reply:

-Well, I think that's it.

-Thank you. We will bring your appetizer shortly. I'll take my leave.

The waiter bows and moves away. Feng Long smiles and touches Xia Chunyu from behind, whispering in his ear:

-Hey, Majesty. How many courses will you order? Do not forget the main course, that no restaurant in the world can offer...

-What? Ah... Feng Long, you...

Xia Chungyu blushes, and Feng Long smirks. Xia Chungyu quickly recovers:

-Well, so... Feng long, Zhong Kunyi, our food is very sweet. We like to add sugar and soy sauce to all our dishes. I hope you will enjoy it!

-Ha! Except for the fact that some people are sweeter than sugar! - Feng Long laughs.

-Well, you know... Sometimes... - Xia Chunyu smiles.

-I feel blessed for having been invited by your majesty in person to taste your local cuisine. - Zhong Kunyi smiles.

-Zhejiang is my ally... I could not do it any different.

The appetizer arrives shortly:

-I suggest you put some soy sauce on the xiaolongbaos, you will notice how tasty they become. - Ouyang Ziyu smiles.

-Yes, this is a good thing to do. - Xia Chunyi replies.

  

Feng Long tastes the buns, following what Ouyang Ziyu suggested:

-Wow, those buns taste fantastic, even better with the soy sauce! 

-I agree with your majesty... - Zhong Kunyi nods.

Xia Chunyi smiles. A few minutes later, the main course arrives in four individual portions. Given that it was nighttime, the portions are small so as not to disturb sleep.

The dishes are well decorated, and they smell "like heaven". The waiter delivers the four dishes:

-This is beautiful, Xia Chunyi? Are you willing to implement the beauty of the governance model in the kitchen as well? - Feng Long smiles.

-It'd be a shame to be considered the most handsome emperor while having poor cuisine at the same time.

-Well, I must agree with you... particularly in the first part. - Feng long smirks.

-Ah, Feng Long!!! - Xia Chunyu blushes.

They start eating. The food would be better described as "coming from the heavens". It was sweet, the meat simply melted inside their mouths. And the soy sauce was a good additive.

After they finish eating, Xia Chunyu ordered four portions of multiple-layer oil cake for dessert, a very popular option in Wuxi. Feng Long and Zhong Kunyi feel very satisfied:

-I am pleased by Wuxi's cuisine. It is so good! - Zhong Kunyi smiles. 

-I also loved the food. It tastes.... like a dream... - Feng long smiles, staring at Xia Chunyu. 

He smirks:

-Well... That's a dream I want too.

Later, they leave the restaurant, after greeting the owner:

-Well, let's go back to the palace? Will you return home tomorrow, Feng Long? - Xia Chunyu asks.

-Yes, I want to come back home tomorrow... I have some appointments there for the following day, and I think our boat will sail slower due to the strong current downstream. 

 -I understand... So, let's go home. The temperature will drop even further tonight, Wuxi is usually colder than Jinhua. 

When they arrive in the palace, Xia Chunyu asks:

-Well, maybe Zhong Kunyi and Ouyang Ziyu might want to play some Weiqi?

-I have no problem. Will Feng Long participate? - Ouyang Ziyu asks.

-He, well...- Xia Chunyu freezes.

-I politely dismiss his highness invitation this time. I like to play Weiqi, but today I'm a bit tired to think too much. - Feng Long smiles - I guarantee you Zhong Kunyi is very good at it. 

-So, well. No problem. Zhong Kunyi, would you like to play it?

-Yes, His highness, we can do it. - Zhong Kunyi bows to him.

-Please, follow me then. - Ouyang Ziyu smiles 

 

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