Since the Old Emperor had said so, Hu Xiaotian had no need to stand on ceremony with him. He had not wanted to kneel in the first place. Bowing at his side, he said, "Your Majesty, please enjoy your breakfast!"
By then, Yin Zheng and the others had already laid breakfast on the table. At the sight of the table laden with dishes, Long Xuan'en frowned in displeasure. "I came to the Heavenly Dragon Temple to recite sutras and worship the Buddha, not to live in pampered luxury! What is the point of all this extravagance?"
He glared at Hu Xiaotian. "Was this your idea?"
Hu Xiaotian inwardly cursed his luck. What the hell does this have to do with me? It was your own pack of bootlickers who made such a grand affair of breakfast. He hastily explained, "Your Majesty, my responsibility is merely to supervise their preparations and ensure your food is safe. What they make and how much they make have nothing to do with me." He washed his hands of the matter completely.
Long Xuan'en said, "Go back and tell them not to make things so elaborate. Since I came here, I never intended to live as I do in the palace."
At his side, Yin Zheng said, "Please calm your anger, Your Majesty. You should eat while the food is still fresh."
Long Xuan'en sat down at the table. His gaze swept over the dazzling assortment of breakfast dishes before settling on the cornmeal bun Hu Xiaotian had casually slipped among them. He reached out, picked it up, and took a bite. His tightly knitted brows relaxed. "Delicious!"
Hu Xiaotian laughed inwardly. He had known that this old fellow, accustomed to fine robes and sumptuous meals in the palace, had developed a finicky palate. Coarse