Shocking! The entire court was drooling with envy because of me.

"Ah Qing, just wait a little longer. Yan Wenli and Lord Pei are already making plans. I believe you'll be able to leave the palace soon!!"

Tao Wanrong lowered her voice and whispered in Shen Qing's ear.

Shen Qing hurriedly asked, "What are they plotting?"

Tao Wanrong looked around warily, her face full of vigilance, seemingly hesitant to speak.

"Don't worry, Wanrong, there's no one around," Shen Qing said.

From the moment she moved into this Treasure Pavilion, she didn't need many servants to attend to her, only leaving three or five palace maids to clean and do some rough work.

Moreover, she possesses unparalleled martial arts skills, and she can sense if there are people around her.

"I heard Yan Wenli say that once the Song family army enters the capital, Prince Chun will lead the secretly assembled righteous army to attack the Song family army under the pretext of suppressing the rebels, catching them off guard."

"Once successful, Prince Chun will be able to become the new emperor without any problem."

Shen Qing lowered her eyes and asked, "What are the chances of success?"

"The Black Hawk Guard and the Imperial Guard will definitely deplete some of the Song family's forces. Moreover, the Song family's army has fought its way from the south and must be exhausted. We are in a position to wait for the enemy to tire themselves out, so our chances of winning are not low."

"Ah Qing, you don't need to worry about these things. We will definitely succeed. What shall we eat today?" Tao Wanrong was still very optimistic.

Lord Pei's plans are flawless; there's definitely no problem.

Shen Qing: "His Majesty is going to lead the Black Hawk Guard on a personal expedition, and I will go with him."

"What?!?!?!" Tao Wanrong was completely shocked.

No, is the emperor sick?

Why not just wait to die in the palace and enjoy a few more days of peace and comfort, instead of rushing off to the battlefield to die?

If you're going to send them to their deaths, then so be it. What's the point of taking Ah Qing along?

"Ah Qing, don't be afraid. The entire court will not stand idly by and watch you be taken to the battlefield..."

"This was my own choice," Shen Qing said.

Tao Wanrong: "???"

"Swords have no eyes, Ah Qing, you absolutely mustn't go!"

Tao Wanrong's eyes revealed deep worry.

That's a battlefield! Countless people die every day. She didn't even want to think about what might happen to them.

"Don't worry, I know martial arts, nothing will happen to me."

Shen Qing continued, "Tell Pei Yuan and the others that after a few days, regardless of whether the emperor is alive or dead, you can use the reason that the emperor died on the battlefield to allow Prince Chun to ascend the throne and take charge of the overall situation."

"In this way, the Imperial Guards of the capital can be used by Prince Chun, and his chances of defeating the Song family army will be greater."

"I will try my best to help if I go to the battlefield."

Tao Wanrong was stunned, but seeing Shen Qing's calm expression, she knew that it was no use trying to persuade him.

"I understand, Qing. You must take good care of yourself."

Shen Qing smiled and said, "Don't worry, Sister Wanrong, I will."

"Didn't you just ask me what we're having for dinner today? We'll have braised pork rice today."

She was too lazy to cook a big meal, so she decided to just have some braised pork rice.

"This name sounds delicious, Qing, I'll help you!"

When food was mentioned, Tao Wanrong's eyes lit up, and she looked radiant.

Shen Qing smiled and nodded: "Okay! Let's get started."

The key to braised pork rice lies in the braised pork; the sauce is important, but the pork is even more important.

Shen Qing chose a piece of pork belly with alternating layers of fat and lean meat; it was the kind with three layers of fat and lean meat, and it looked excellent.

After blanching the pork belly, cut it into small cubes. Also cut the shiitake mushrooms into small cubes. Prepare some shallots, minced garlic, and minced ginger.

Heat oil in a wok. Once the oil is hot, add the shallot slices and fry over low heat until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain the oil.

Leave the scallion oil in the pot, add the diced pork belly and stir-fry until the surface of the pork is slightly yellow. Move the pork to the side of the pot, add minced ginger and garlic and stir-fry until fragrant. Then add diced shiitake mushrooms and stir-fry together. Pour in soy sauce seasoning, add water, some star anise, cinnamon, bay leaves, etc., cover the pot and let it sit for one hour.

While waiting, Shen Qing boiled a few more eggs and put the peeled eggs into the pot to braise together.

Then steam some rice.

All that's left is to wait.

Meanwhile, the emperor excitedly announced that he was preparing to personally lead an expedition with Shen Qing.

Everyone was completely astonished.

"Your Majesty, please reconsider!!" Yan Wenli was the first to shout out.

"Swords have no eyes. Nothing is more important than the safety of Your Majesty and Lady Shen. Your Majesty, you must think this over!"

Of course, the main concern is the safety of Madam Shen.

The other ministers quickly echoed, "That's right, the battlefield is dangerous. If something goes wrong, the consequences would be unimaginable."

Pei Yuan frowned: "Your Majesty, this is inappropriate..."

"What's wrong with that? With Lady Shen here, I'm sure I'll return victorious!"

The emperor was very impatient and interrupted Pei Yuan with a frown.

He thought he would receive a lot of praise for "Your Majesty's wisdom," but instead he received a lot of "Think it over again." He just didn't understand what was so important about thinking it over again.

The best way to break the deadlock is for the emperor to personally lead the expedition.

"The battlefield is dangerous, Your Majesty should not put yourself in danger..." Pei Yuan wanted to persuade him again.

But the emperor wouldn't listen: "Even Lady Shen has agreed!!"

"Madam Shen said she would definitely protect me."

"I've summoned you here today not for discussion, but to inform you that you only need to remain in the court to oversee the overall situation!"

The more they listened, the more their brows furrowed.

Is Lady Shen really going to help the Emperor?

So what happens to their plans? Should they still rebel?

Everyone couldn't help but look at Pei Yuan.

Pei Yuan lowered his eyes, his gaze complex.

The next moment, he calmly said, "Since Your Majesty has made a decision, we will do our utmost to stabilize the situation in the court and look forward to Your Majesty's triumphant return."

Just now, Madam Shen called Madam Yan away, presumably to say something to her.

With the emperor being so incompetent, he didn't believe that Lady Shen would help him.

Rather than continuing to obstruct her, it's better to choose to trust Madam Shen.

The emperor was right when he said that Lady Shen's martial arts skills were superb, and she would have no problem protecting herself on the battlefield.

When he heard that Madam Shen was going to the battlefield, he didn't have time to think for a moment.

The ministers were stunned for a moment, then could only shout in unison, "Your Majesty will surely return in triumph!!"

"A triumphant return!!"

The emperor was delighted and burst into laughter.

They returned in triumph, recovered the Song family army, and then turned to attack the north, conquering the Liao Dynasty!

Thus, he became the greatest emperor of all time!

He will definitely bestow a title of prince upon Lady Shen when the time comes.

Yes, there's also the elixir of immortality. Once the elixir of immortality is found, he will be the emperor for all eternity.

I'll eat Shen Niangzi's delicious food for the rest of my life!

The emperor grew happier the more he thought about it.

Just then, Shen Qing's voice rang out from outside the door:

"Your Majesty, lunch is ready."

The emperor sniffed: "It smells so good, so good! What is that smell?"

Braised pork rice.

Braised pork rice?

The emperor's eyes lit up: "Quickly, hurry, I'm starving!"

All the court officials looked toward the entrance, their eyes filled with longing and anticipation, and the sound of swallowing saliva rose and fell.

Braised pork rice, just hearing about it makes my mouth water.

As expected of Lady Shen's delicacies, the aroma alone is irresistible.

The braised pork rice was served, one bowl for each person, and the steam rose up, filling the whole room with its aroma.

A white porcelain bowl holds perfectly separated grains of white rice, topped with a layer of braised pork. The broth and sauce have dyed the rice grains a deep amber color.

The meat was diced very small, with alternating layers of fat and lean meat, and coated with a glistening layer of sauce.

The diced shiitake mushrooms, soaked in the sauce, are plump and round, while the braised eggs, cut in half, lie on the edge of the bowl.

The top layer is a layer of bright green scallions, adding a touch of freshness to the dark brown braised pork rice.

Take a spoonful and put it in your mouth. The rice is sticky and glutinous, and your mouth is full of the aroma of soy sauce. The fatty meat melts in your mouth, and the lean meat is stewed until tender, giving off a rich, oily fragrance.

The diced shiitake mushrooms are chewy and springy; with one bite, the meat juices absorbed by the mushrooms burst forth instantly.

The aroma of the meat and rice blends perfectly, making it irresistible.

"This one bowl of rice is worth more than all the delicacies in the world..."

"I want to eat it again and again. I really miss the days when I used to queue up to buy food from Shen Niangzi."

"Waaaaah, why does it have to be war?"

"..."

The crowd couldn't help but wail; they still felt the battlefield was dangerous and that Shen Qing shouldn't be sent on such a risk.

But the emperor was determined.

Looking again, the emperor beside him was in tears.

"This is so delicious! This is so delicious! All I wanted was to have some good food, so why won't the Song and Liao people let me have my way?"

"What did I do to deserve this?"

"All I want is to eat Lady Shen's cooking every day..."

Good grief, he even told himself he was wronged, as if he were the most innocent person in the world.

She ate and cried at the same time, and even licked the bowl clean.

Then she raised her wet eyes and asked, "Madam Shen, do you still have braised pork rice?"

"Or other dishes would be fine too..."

Shen Qing: "..."

It's hard to look at directly.

"Your Majesty, that's all."

"After we finish this meal, let's pack up and get going."

Emperor: "(´°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥ω°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥｀)"

The braised pork rice was delicious, but after the meal, we still had to face reality. The emperor's personal expedition was no small matter, and everyone was busy making preparations.

Shen Qing didn't really have much to prepare. She only packed a few changes of clothes and some daily necessities, and one bundle was enough.

Before leaving, she made a special trip to say goodbye to Su Jiao'er.

As dusk fell, Shen Qing arrived at the palace gate carrying a small bundle.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Gou hurriedly came forward: "Madam Shen, come quickly! His Majesty has specially ordered that a super large and comfortable carriage be prepared for you. Please rest well in the carriage and have a good sleep!"

"We've brought everything we can, including pots, pans, and various ingredients. If you're still missing anything, we can buy it anywhere. So you can focus on making delicious food."

Shen Qing: "..."

She saw it all without Zhao Gou saying anything.

The carriage in front of me was spacious and luxurious. Inside, there was a soft couch with thick bedding and two brocade cushions.

There was a small table next to it, with a white jade teacup and a small food box containing some pastries.

Looking further into the distance, the Black Hawk Guards were all carrying pots, pans, and various ingredients, which was quite incomprehensible.

It doesn't look like they're going to war; it looks more like they're going on a picnic.

That's just outrageous.

Shen Qing didn't say anything and got into the carriage.

Before long, the procession began to move forward, the carriages swaying and rocking.

Shen Qing lay down on the soft couch and fell asleep shortly afterward.

......

The Song family army marched towards the capital and won many battles. On this day, they captured Pingkou City.

Song Chengwu sat in the city lord's mansion, looking smug and self-satisfied.

"You all deserve immense credit for taking this city today. I've already ordered my men to prepare fine wine and meat; let's drink until we drop tonight!!"

At this rate, his army will grow larger and larger, and it will be only a matter of time before he marches into the capital.

"If you ask me, let's skip the drinking and just go for it, take the city in one fell swoop. Those soldiers guarding the city are easy targets; we can crush them in no time!"

The speaker was a burly general with shaved head but a large beard.

"General Zheng Quan is valiant, but we are already somewhat exhausted," another general said with a smile. He was much more presentable than Zheng Quan.

This is another general under Song Chengwu, named Wang Wu.

Song Chengwu above laughed heartily: "General Zheng is brave, and General Wang is wise. With the two of you, how could I, Song Chengwu, not conquer the capital!"

"Commander-in-chief, you flatter me. If we're talking about both literary and martial prowess, then it has to be your two sons," Wang Wu said with a smile.

Song Anbang: "General Wang is too modest. We two are just eager for revenge. All our achievements in conquering the enemy city are thanks to the two generals."

"With all this praise going on, I'd say we'd be better off drinking a few more bowls of wine," Song Leye remarked from the side.

Song Chengwu had two sons and one daughter. Song Anbang was the eldest brother, the second son was the empress who died in the palace, and Song Leye was the youngest brother.

After the Empress died, Pei Yuan urged the Emperor to send the Black Eagle Guard to wipe out the Song family army, while also secretly sending someone to deliver a message to the Song family.

Its purpose was to incite the two sides to fight.

Unexpectedly, the formidable Black Hawk Guards fell directly to the Song family army.

"Hahahaha!" Song Chengwu burst into laughter again. "Le Ye is right, we're all on the same side, no need for all that formality."

"Once we storm the capital, eliminate the vixen, and overthrow the dog emperor, you will be the founding heroes of my Song Dynasty!!"

Song Chengwu no longer felt sad about the Empress's death; in fact, when he received news of the Crown Prince's death, his excitement outweighed his grief.

The crown prince is dead. If they can kill the emperor as well, the world will belong to the Song family.

He's going to change the dynasty!

Song Chengwu smiled, and everyone else laughed and echoed his sentiment.

Founding heroes, once they succeed, will be remembered in history.

Moreover, judging from the current situation, the chances of success are very high!

"The emperor has personally led his army and has now arrived at the gates of Pingkou City—"

Just then, a loud shout came from outside the door.

The visitor was Zhou Wentong, the same Zhou Wentong who used to gnaw on braised pork ribs in Ping'an County.

Now, he has become a deputy general under Wang Wu.