Can I get to the other side?

Yecheng, 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 fan in this era, and now it was the hottest month of July, and the dragon robe he was wearing was also very heavy.

As a result, he would sweat all over if he just stood up and walked a few steps, so he was less and less willing to move.

"Forget it, let's continue reading."

After asking the maid to increase the intensity of the fan, Liu Xie cheered 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 of hundreds of schools of thought.

The purpose of his reading these books was also very simple.

First, it was to kill time.

Second, it was to enrich himself, so as not to show his weakness at some critical moments in the future, and let people see that he was just a boastful straw bag.

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 for an audience."

"Hmm?"

Liu Xie raised his head and was a little surprised.

On weekdays, Zhen Mi had never come to him on her own initiative except for serving him in bed and paying respects to him in the morning and evening. Today was the first time in history.

After thinking about it, Liu Xie said, "Let her in."

Now he still didn't trust Zhen Mi or the Zhen family, so he didn't really want to have any interactions with Zhen Mi other than sex.

But it was not easy to refuse someone's request for an audience, otherwise it would seem too unkind.

On the contrary, it would make Zhen Mi and the Zhen family alienated from him.

The eunuch took the order and left.

Not long after, Zhen Mi walked into the hall with a maid, bowed to Liu Xie and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

The action was dignified, elegant, generous and decent.

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...I prepared some iced plum soup and sent it to your Majesty to cool down."

After 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, there was a bowl of plum soup inside, and ice cubes were placed next to the bowl for cooling.

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

He was really surprised. You know, there was no ice maker in ancient times. Where did Zhen Mi get so many ice cubes in the hot summer?

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

"I had people bring this ice 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 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 then put sawdust and other things in the middle of each ice block to prevent them from freezing together.

In addition, the ice in the cellar is usually full, so the ice can be used in the hot summer.

However, storing ice is very time-consuming and labor-intensive, and ordinary people cannot afford it. Only the real rich and powerful are qualified to enjoy ice in summer.

"I see."

Liu Xie felt a little embarrassed when he heard this. It turned out that he was the one who was ignorant.

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."

"Oh... OK."

Liu Xie took it and took a sip.

It must be said that the taste of this iced plum soup is really excellent, not only sweet and sour, but also extremely cool.

After taking a sip, Liu Xie felt as if someone had poured a basin of cold water on him from head to toe, and the heat in his body dissipated, and he couldn't help shivering with comfort.

It was so cool and refreshing!

If it weren't for the fact that Zhen Mi was still there, Liu Xie really wanted to shout out, this was even more refreshing than the first sip of iced cola in the summer!

After drinking the iced plum soup in the bowl in a few gulps, Liu Xie felt relaxed all over. He put down the porcelain bowl with a feeling of unsatisfied desire and said with emotion: "This plum soup is very delicious. Lady Zhen is thoughtful."

It is really a pleasure to drink a bowl of iced plum soup in such hot weather!

"As long as your majesty likes it."

Seeing Liu Xie's satisfaction, Zhen Mi smiled, her eyebrows curved, and she looked very beautiful.

Since experiencing the human world, Zhen Mi has less girlish immaturity than before, more unspeakable charm, and her figure has gradually become a little plumper.

The charm revealed by the smile made Liu Xie unable to look away, and the passion that had just disappeared 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: "Mi'er, why did you suddenly think of sending me plum soup today? Do you have something to ask of me?"

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

Today, she came to send him plum soup for the first time.

If you say it was a whim, Liu Xie would not believe it.

Being asked by Liu Xie suddenly, Zhen Mi's pretty face flashed a panic look, 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 meaning."

"Is that so."

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

"No, Your Majesty! I, I..."

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

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

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

Zhen Mi is just a girl after all, and her thoughts are really easy to guess.

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 the painting technique.

Sure enough, she was exposed as soon as she teased her.

Zhen Mi's eyes were full of grievances. When she heard this, she just lowered her head and didn't say anything, and her eyes were slightly red.

Liu Xie felt that this Luoshen was so innocent and cute that she was so easily teased to tears. While feeling interesting in his heart, 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'll teach you."

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

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

But what should I do so that the Zhen family will give me full support?