Can I get to the other side?.

Chapter 96 I May Not Be a True Emperor
Yecheng, a side hall of the imperial palace.

"Why is this damn weather so hot?"

Liu Xie wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, looked at the scorching sun outside the hall, and couldn't help sighing.

He was very afraid of heat, but there was no air conditioning or fans in that era, and it was July, the hottest month of the year, so the dragon robe he wore was extremely thick.

To the extent that he would break out in a sweat if he just stood up and took a few steps, so he now felt less and less willing to move.

"Forget it, let's just continue reading."

After asking the maid beside him to increase the fanning force, Liu Xie perked up and picked up the bamboo slips to read again.

On the table in front of him, there were bamboo slips piled up like a small mountain. These were all classics from hundreds of schools of thought.

His purpose in reading these books is also very simple.

One reason is to kill time.

Secondly, it is to enrich himself so as not to show weakness at some critical moment in the future and let people see that he is just a boastful fool.

Just as Liu Xie was concentrating on reading, an eunuch walked into the hall and reported to him: "Your Majesty, Concubine Zhen is outside the hall asking to see you."

"Ok?"

Liu Xie raised his head when he heard this, feeling a little surprised.

Normally, Zhen Mi had never taken the initiative to visit him except to sleep with him and pay her respects to him in the morning and evening. Today was the first time for this.

After thinking for a while, Liu Xie said, "Let her in."

Now he still doesn't trust Zhen Mi or the Zhen family, so he doesn't really want to have any interaction with Zhen Mi other than in bed.

But it is not easy to refuse someone who asks to see you, otherwise it would seem too inhumane.

Instead, it made Zhen Mi and the Zhen family alienated from him.

The eunuch took the order and withdrew.

Soon, Zhen Mi came into the hall with a maid, bowed to Liu Xie and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

The movements are dignified, elegant, generous and appropriate.

Liu Xie put down the bamboo slips in his hand and asked, "Why did Mi'er come here today?"

Zhen Mi pursed her lips and whispered, "Your Majesty, the weather has been very hot recently. I have prepared some iced plum soup and sent it to you to cool you down."

After saying that, she asked the maid behind her to come forward and put the food box in her hand on the table. When she opened it, she saw a bowl of plum soup inside and ice cubes next to the bowl for cooling down.

Liu Xie was shocked when he saw this, and couldn't help asking, "Where did this ice come from?"

He was really shocked. You know, there were no ice machines in ancient times. Where did Zhen Mi get so many ice cubes in such a hot summer?

Zhen Mi did not hide anything and answered truthfully: "Your Majesty, my family has an ice business in Yecheng. We store ice in the winter and sell it to the rich in the summer."

"I had this ice brought in from outside the palace."

The means of storing ice have actually existed for a long time.

First, you need to cut the ice on the river surface into pieces in winter, and then float it on the water to let it continue to freeze.

When the thickness reaches one meter or more, someone will transport the ice to a pre-dug cellar, insulate the cellar, and put sawdust and other things in the middle of each ice block to prevent them from freezing together.

In addition, the ice cellar is usually full, so the ice can be kept for use in the hot summer weather.

However, storing ice is extremely time-consuming and resource-intensive, and most people cannot afford it. Only the truly wealthy are qualified to enjoy ice in the summer.

"I see." Liu Xie couldn't help feeling a little embarrassed when he heard this. It turned out that he was the ignorant one.

The wisdom of the ancients is truly amazing.

Zhen Mi brought out the iced plum soup and handed it to Liu Xie with both hands, blinking and saying, "Your Majesty, please try it first."

"okay."

Liu Xie took it and took a sip.

I have to say that the iced plum soup tastes really good. Not only is it sweet and sour, but it is also extremely refreshing.

After taking a sip, Liu Xie felt as if someone had poured a basin of cold water over him from head to toe. All the heat in his body disappeared and he felt so comfortable that he couldn't help shivering.

I feel so chilled and excited!
If Liu Xie hadn't been concerned about Zhen Mi being still there, he really wanted to shout out loud. This was even more refreshing than the first sip of iced cola in the middle of summer!
After finishing the iced plum soup in the bowl in a few gulps, Liu Xie felt relaxed all over. He put down the bowl with a reluctant look and said with emotion, "This plum soup is very delicious. Lady Zhen is very thoughtful."

It’s such a treat to drink a bowl of iced plum soup in such hot weather!

"As long as your Majesty likes it."

Seeing that Liu Xie was satisfied, Zhen Mi smiled, with curved eyebrows and eyes, looking very beautiful.

Since her experience with life, Zhen Mi has become less girlish and more charming, and her figure has gradually become a little plumper.

The charm revealed in her smile made Liu Xie unable to take his eyes away, and the passion that had just subsided seemed to rise again.

Feeling that little Liu Xie was about to raise his head, Liu Xie quickly looked away and changed the subject, asking, "Why did Mi'er suddenly think of sending me plum soup today? Do you want to ask me for something?"

Zhen Mi was a relatively introverted and quiet person, not the kind of person who would take the initiative to show her affection, and Liu Xie experienced this deeply in bed.

Today, for the first time ever, I came to bring him plum soup.

Liu Xie didn't believe that it was just a whim.

Being asked by Liu Xie suddenly, Zhen Mi's pretty face flashed with panic, and she said nervously, "No, no, it's just that the weather has been hot recently, so I want Your Majesty to cool down, there is no other intention."

"Is that so?"

Liu Xie said with a hint of regret: "I thought you suddenly showed your courtesy because you wanted me to teach you how to paint. It seems that I was being too sentimental. Please leave now."

"No, Your Majesty! Your humble concubine, your humble concubine..."

These words made Zhen Mi suddenly anxious, but she didn't know how to explain. Her lovely oval face turned red and a layer of mist appeared in her beautiful eyes.

Seeing that Zhen Mi was about to cry out of anxiety, Liu Xie put away his playful thoughts and said with a smile: "Okay, I won't joke with you anymore. I was just teasing you."

"If you want to learn painting from me, just tell me. I won't eat you, so there's no need to beat around the bush."

After all, Zhen Mi is just a young girl, and it is very difficult to guess what she is thinking.

When she suddenly came to show her courtesy today, Liu Xie knew that she must have something to ask for, and most likely she wanted to learn painting techniques.

Sure enough, the truth was revealed as soon as he teased her.

Zhen Mi's eyes were full of grievance. Hearing this, she just lowered her head and said nothing, with her eyes slightly red.

Liu Xie thought that the Goddess of Luo River was so innocent and adorable that she was made to cry so easily. While he felt amused, he couldn't help but feel a little soft-hearted.

So he reached out to wipe her tears, then gently pinched her fair chin and said gently: "Don't cry, I will teach you."

Damn, such a beautiful girl, and her family is so rich.

If I gain my freedom, occupy Jizhou, and get the help of the Zhen family, I may be able to become a true emperor.

But what should I do to get the Zhen family to help me with all their strength?
(End of this chapter)