To Win a Woman's Heart, You Must First Conquer Her Stomach!

After running around gathering medicinal herbs, Chu Ning had spent no more than an hour.

Once he had found them all and processed them, he had originally planned to ask Xiao Bing to deliver it for him.

But Xiao Bing was not in the palace. When he spread his divine sense over the entire palace, his wife was not there either.

Only then did Chu Ning realize that the two had already left the palace, apparently to find a doctor.

His wife had actually begun caring about the children's health. Chu Ning felt quite gratified.

But what Fifth-Rank Medicinal Herb could compare to the spoonful in his hand?

He had planned to wait for Ye Qinglian to return, but before he knew it, he had waited too long.

A moment later, Ye Qinglian expressionlessly picked up the longsword from the ground.

"Didn't I tell you that you were not to see me without being summoned? Yet you even slept in my bedchamber. What do you mean by this?!"

Chu Ning looked a little embarrassed. "I originally wanted to give it to you in person, Wife, but you never came back. Don't worry, though. I snuck in, so no one definitely noticed..."

Ye Qinglian's face reddened, and her mind instantly fell into turmoil. Years of self-protective instinct made her glare at Chu Ning in shame and anger!

"We are not yet married. Even if we were, you would merely be the Father of the Child. You are not allowed to call me that!"

Chu Ning thought about it. That was true. Although he was the Father of the Child, their relationship really had not reached that point yet.

"Then... Qinglian, I suppose you haven't had dinner yet. Eat first!"

Call her Your Majesty?

That was absolutely impossible!

She was already the mother of my children. Shouldn't I take the initiative and shoulder this responsibility?

Although Chu Ning had no experience being a father or husband.

He knew full well that he had to be proactive!

Ye Qinglian's face reddened further.

For some reason, those words made her blush even more than "Wife" had.

She did not want to discuss this topic any further, and her gaze immediately turned cold.

"I was handling state affairs just now. I already had Xiao Bing summon dinner. Xiao Bing has told me about what happened today. You had better behave yourself and stay in the palace properly. I will not mistreat you."

Handling state affairs? Did you really think I didn't know you went to check on the children...?

Chu Ning sighed inwardly. "It seems you don't believe me. At least try my cooking before deciding, alright?"

With that, Chu Ning opened the clay basin. Inside was the Dragon Marrow Jade Precious Soup he had painstakingly made today!

Ninth-grade Dragon Marrow was incomparably potent and carried the utmost yang nature of dragons. Its essence was even more so. Yet with the Heavenly Dream Ice Lotus to harmonize it, even mortals could drink it. Its effects were endless, and it was perfect for calming the mind and nourishing the fetus!

Ye Lianyi crossed her arms, her gaze unfriendly, originally intending to drive him out immediately.

This man had disobeyed her orders and wandered around on his own. If he were discovered, would that not cause enormous trouble?

Not to mention that he had barged into her palace?

Only she and Xiao Bing had ever come here. And he was a man. Even though they already had the reality of husband and wife, they had not reached that point yet!

She was not a casual woman!

But considering Chu Ning's intentions, she would let it go this time. If there was a next time...

A strange fragrance instantly pulled Ye Qinglian back from her thoughts.

What was that smell?

Her throat moved uncontrollably as she looked toward the clay basin Chu Ning had opened.

He had already ladled out a bowl and held it before her.

What kind of food was this? How could it smell so good!

The golden broth looked enticing and gave off a rich fragrance. Ye Qinglian's mouth instantly filled with saliva.

Ever since half a month ago, her appetite had been poor. Yet now, she could barely hold herself back.

But she was the Empress of the Great Gan Dynasty. What had she not seen before?

Could a mere bowl of soup really...

Chu Ning immediately leaned closer.

"Qinglian, come on. Ah..."

Ye Qinglian froze for a moment, and her face instantly turned red again!

"There is no need. I can do it myself!"

Feeding her was simply too intimate. She would do it herself.

"I appreciate your thoughtfulness."

She was still a little tsundere. Although it smelled wonderful, she was unwilling to praise him.

Chu Ning chuckled and sat back down, staring intently at Ye Qinglian before him.

"I specially selected these Ingredients. Didn't Xiao Bing tell you? No one in this world has better cooking skills than me. And this medicinal meal was specially prepared for you. It calms the mind and nourishes the fetus. You spend all day dealing with state affairs, so this is perfect for you..."

"Medicinal meal?"

Ye Qinglian snorted softly, clearly unconvinced.

But with Chu Ning staring at her so intently, she still opened her mouth and took a sip.

In an instant, she felt as if all the exhaustion in her body had vanished. Her body felt both warm and cool, an extremely strange sensation.

Ye Qinglian looked over in surprise.

"What did you make this from?"

Chu Ning looked proud. "Is it good?"

Ye Qinglian turned her head away. She did not suspect there was poison in it or anything. After all, the child was not only hers, but this man's as well.

"It is acceptable."

Chu Ning smiled again. "If you like it, I'll make it for you every day. I'm not joking—I can make many other dishes too. They'll definitely suit your taste..."

She quickly finished the bowl. Chu Ning immediately took it from her and filled another.

This was the mother of his children. He absolutely could not let the mother of his children do anything herself!

Watching Chu Ning's actions, Ye Qinglian's feelings became rather complicated.

He really was caring about her. Had she spoken too harshly just now...?

Having grown up without parents, Ye Qinglian had rarely received this kind of care. Was it because she was carrying Chu Ning's children now?

Just as she was thinking this, Chu Ning held another bowl out to her.

The fragrance filled her nose again, and Ye Qinglian seemed unable to think about anything else.

This guy...

How exactly had he made it? How could it be this delicious...?

Normally, one bowl was all she could eat. Especially after becoming pregnant, her appetite had gotten even worse.

And she could feel some sort of change within her body, though it was extremely gentle. For the moment, she could not tell what was causing it.

"Chu Ning, was what you said earlier true?"

Chu Ning looked over in confusion.

"What was true?"

Ye Qinglian raised her head, shot Chu Ning a glance, and said nothing more.

Only then did he realize what she meant and immediately replied, "Oh, oh, oh! You mean taking responsibility for your meals? Leave it to me! From morning until night, even if you get hungry in the middle of the night, just leave it to me!"

"The food outside is unreliable. The Ingredients are not good, and the cooking is average. Your pregnancy cannot be exposed right now. Setting up another stove in Qianqing Palace would also keep things hidden, and no one would find out. What do you think?"

Ye Qinglian looked at Chu Ning indifferently. "If those words got out, the chefs of the Imperial Kitchen would probably come chop you to death. Their cooking is average, and their Ingredients are poor? Do you know that everything in the palace is of the finest quality under heaven?"

Chu Ning scratched his head, looking strange.

"Really? I couldn't tell. It didn't seem much better than what I make?"

Ye Qinglian was speechless!

That was true...

It really did smell amazing...

Another bowl was emptied.

Holding the bowl, Ye Qinglian did not know whether she should ask for more. She really wanted to keep eating, but would he dislike her for eating so much as a woman? She had already eaten half a basin...

Chu Ning seemed to notice Ye Qinglian's concern and quietly took the bowl from her again.

"Qinglian, what do you think about what I said? Consider it? At worst, you can give me the identity of an Imperial Kitchen chef and have me specifically make imperial meals. But I have to be responsible for your food, alright?"

As he accepted another bowl, Ye Qinglian felt a little happy. She could eat more.

This guy was rather perceptive. He had seen through her thoughts...

"There is no need for that. If you are willing, simply set up a stove in Qianqing Palace. Xiao Bing is also a Cultivator. With the Imperial Fire Manual, there will be no smoke, and no one will discover it."

Hearing his wife agree, Chu Ning was overjoyed!

"Thank you for thinking about yourself and our children. I definitely won't disappoint you!"

Ye Qinglian snorted softly. "If you wish to fuss over it, then fuss over it. But be mindful of people on the way. You cannot let anyone discover you..."

"Alright!"

The basin of soup was quickly finished.

She had actually drunk an entire basin of medicinal soup as large as a washbasin!

Even this Empress of the Great Gan Dynasty found it a little embarrassing.

"I... haven't had much appetite these past few days. The soup you made tastes rather good, so..."

Chu Ning grabbed Ye Qinglian's hand!

"If you're not full, I'll make another serving. Don't you dare go hungry!"

What kind of hard life had my wife been living before this? Those useless fools in the Imperial Kitchen had made my wife lose her appetite!

The woman panicked and hurriedly pulled her hand back. Her face was flushed, but she could not bear to scold Chu Ning, so she could only find an excuse to leave.

"I am going to rest. You should return as well!"

Seeing Ye Qinglian's shy expression, Chu Ning's heart stirred.

Damn, I really want to hold her and sleep with her. Of course, with children involved, I definitely wouldn't do anything. Just holding her while we slept would make me happy to death...

"Are you still not leaving?"

Ye Qinglian turned back and noticed Chu Ning staring at her intently. Her face reddened even more!

"Though we have the reality of husband and wife, we have only just met today. There is absolutely no way I will allow you to stay!"

She was not that casual. How could she let Chu Ning sleep in her palace on the very first day!

Chu Ning naturally understood and merely smiled.

"No, I was just thinking that I suddenly have such a beautiful Wife. I'm a little excited."

"Stop saying such strange things. I am going to rest!"

"Alright! Then leave tomorrow's meals to me. I'll definitely make sure you eat your fill!"

Chu Ning quickly left.

Did he return to his own palace?

Return my ass! He was going to find Ingredients!

Otherwise, what would his wife eat tomorrow!

It seemed his emperor-level cooking skills were indeed reliable. He had to keep changing things up and make his wife eat even better!

Meanwhile, in Qianqing Palace, Ye Qinglian lay on her bed with a flushed face.

How had she eaten all of it? Did she really need to be so greedy!

And she had not even asked whether Chu Ning had eaten. It made her seem so selfish, keeping everything for herself!

Having never experienced anything like this, Ye Qinglian's mind was a complete mess.

How exactly should she handle this...?

This guy actually seemed rather dependable. He was handsome, and his cooking was good. Most importantly, he was a mortal and would not interfere in the affairs of her dynasty.

He seemed quite suitable to become a good father...

But she had not yet acknowledged that Chu Ning could become her Emperor Consort!

Drowsiness washed over her, and an almost imperceptible smile appeared at the corner of Ye Qinglian's lips.

He had better be able to cook tomorrow. She had to find something to reward him with. After all, she had said she would not mistreat him.

Only, the medicinal power within her body gradually began to take effect...

It was as if there were a world inside her body, endlessly sending cultivation into her body and nourishing both her and the Twins.

Right, this guy had been right.

They really were Twins.