At that thought, the pig's leg in his mouth immediately lost its appeal.
What a headache!
If only I'd taken a few more deep breaths earlier. At least I could have savored the scent of incompetence. Now the smell in this Pigsty wasn't just foul-it was heartbreaking.
How on earth did I ever have the appetite to gnaw on a pig's leg?
Yet the ministers were devouring pork right there in the stinking Pigsty. They had never eaten pork without that rank, gamey smell before. What they tasted was not merely delicious meat, but a blessing for all the people.
Zi Shou swept his hand out, covering his nose and mouth as he said, "My ministers, accompany me to the Poultry House!"
"We shall lead the way, Your Majesty." Bo Yi and Shu Qi promptly volunteered as guides.
Although the Poultry House stood in the West Garden alongside the Ape House and the Pigsty, no one had visited it, since it housed a consort of the Imperial Harem.
Dedicated palace maids usually tended to it, so they had never had a chance to see what was inside.
Before long, Zi Shou and the others arrived at the Poultry House.
The Poultry House occupied considerably more space than the Pigsty or the Ape House. Though called a "house," it was actually a small garden.
A garden within a garden, one might say.
Zi Shou asked a palace maid outside to announce their arrival. The Poultry House was Hu Ximei's little bedchamber. If she disliked feeling constrained while sleeping, bringing the ministers straight inside might give them an eyeful.
He could take a look himself, but the ministers were not allowed to ogle her.
Soon, Hu Ximei emerged in palace attire and dipped into a graceful curtsy. "Your consort greets Your Majesty."