Zhao Ming noticed the way Xiao Ruogang was looking at her, it was not pleasant at all. However, she doesn't care a bit about what he thinks of her.

The ministers welcomed Xiao Ruorang with gifts and polite words. How can they not be respectful towards him? He is not only the king of the L country but also Xiao Li's father.

Zhao Ming scoffed seeing the way they are treating Xiao Li's father. It was the opposite of how they treated Zhao Ming's father or even Aunt Shen Jia. They care for him because he is the king of L country, but shouldn't they respect Empress's father as well?

'They didn't even treat Zhao Ming well, how can they treat her father well?'

After talking to others, Xiao Rougang turned to Ji Cheng and her and told them that he brought some gifts for everyone and wished to show it to them.

Ji Cheng agreed. Zhao Ming pursed her lips but she couldn't object this. This is a part of the formality that people have to do, to show their loyalty to the Emperor. Moreover, Ji Dynasty has an alliance with L country, so it's necessary for him to bring gifts to show his loyalty.

Xiao Rougang signaled his men and a few servants walked in front while holding a large tray in their hands which was covered with the silk red colored cloth.

Xiao Rougang walked towards the one servant and removed the cloth from the tray revealing the precious ornaments.

" Your Majesty, I hope these ornaments are to your taste. " Xiao Ruogang said politely to Zhao Ming.

She smiled mechanically.

Everyone's eyes brightened seeing the colorful precious gems on the ornaments. Everyone now had high expectations for his gifts.

Next, he unveiled another tray which has the thousand years old ginseng. Everyone's eyes widened in shock because this kind of ginseng is nothing less than a treasure for the family.

Just as she had expected, he had brought all the expensive items such as clothes, ornaments, ginseng as gifts.

Zhao Ming was a little tired to see so many luxury items. Now she doesn't even feel shocked or amazed seeing these items.

Just as she was getting bored with it, her eyes widened in surprise when Xiao Ruogang removed the cloth from the last tray.

On the tray, there was a fistful of brown-colored seeds that were strange and unknown to everyone.

Whispers erupted in the court seeing the strange seeds as the gifts. No one has ever gifted the seeds to the Emperor.

People started to condemn the choice of the gift after seeing the last item. However, Zhao Ming's eyes widened in shock seeing those foreign seeds.

That's Cocoa seeds that were used to make chocolate. Damn it, how come he got his hands on it? It's not rare in her world, but it's very precious in this world and expensive.

She fidgeted in her place seeing the item and wondered if it's true.

" King Xiao Ruogang, what is this?" Ji Cheng asked, seeing the strange seeds on the tray.

Xiao Ruogang smiled and said, " Your Majesty, these strange seeds are the famous item of A country. These marvelous seeds can be roasted and used as beverages and drinks. Though they are bitter but very addictive and healthy."

Everyone became interested because it is an item from a foreign country and since they were not aware of this item, but the fact that it's from the A country made them interested in it.

Zhao Ming's eyes lit up because she finally found something interesting to do. Ideas started to flood in her mind to use these Cocoa seeds to satisfy her sweet tooth.

[ Read this novel on W e b n o v e l . c o m ( remove spaces). If you are reading this elsewhere, then this novel is pirated. Support the original author, not the thieves, and get the latest updates. Regards Kamlyn]

....

The court ended on a good note and everyone gathered Xiao Li's father to know more about this strange new item. They have many foreign traders in the Ji Dynasty as well but they never tasted this dark-colored thing before.

Zhao Ming returned to her chamber while Ji Cheng went to his study. His workload seems to have gotten heavier that he barely has any time to accompany her for lunch these days.

She was checking the account book that Wen Ru gave it to her when she heard a knock on the door.

" Your Majesty, Empress Dowager has called you to her chamber. "

Zhao Ming raised her brows hearing the maid's words. She stared at the maid for a minute and said, " Please convey my message to the Empress Dowager that His Majesty has strictly prohibited me from going to the orchid pavilion. If she has something important then she can deliver a message with you, or wait till His Majesty returns. I will visit her, once he comes back. " She said curtly while shifting her focus on the account book again.

"-_-"

The maid was surprised to hear Zhao Ming's direct reply.

Zhao Ming was not stupid to go to that place alone again. In the past she made this mistake, and Ji Cheng has scolded her so much for it.

Moreover, she doesn't want to ruin her mood by visiting Wen Xu at this moment.

....

Orchid pavilion.

Wen Xu's face turned red in anger when she heard Zhao Ming's response from the maid. Xiao Ruogang was also present in the chamber and he heard how an Empress rejected the Empress Dowager.

This shows how much value Wen Xu holds.

" Go away." Wen Xu shouted at the maid and asked her to get out.

She pursed her lips and said, " You don't need to worry about her. I will talk to her later and will make her give the position of Head Consort to Xiao Li back. Xiao Li is like my daughter, how can I let her feel wronged?"

Xiao Li who was sitting beside her pursed her lips. Right now, Wen Xu has no worth, even Zhao Ming doesn't feel intimidated by her.

How can she help her?

" Empress Dowager, Xiao Li is my only daughter. I didn't even want this marriage to happen from the start. How can the daughter of King Xiao Ruogang be the Head consort and not an Empress? Not only that, your son has removed her from the position of head Consort as well. Do you think it's right?"

" That girl who came from the low background was sitting on the chair of the Empress while I, the king of L country, had to address her as the Empress. And here my daughter is not even the head consort anymore. Can you see how infuriating and insulting it is?" He said irritatingly.

Wen Xu's lips twitched hearing his words as she was speechless after hearing his words. She doesn't like Zhao Ming as well. But does she have any choice?

[ Read this novel on W e b n o v e l . c o m ( remove spaces). If you are reading this elsewhere, then this novel is pirated. Support the original author, not the thieves, and get the latest updates. Regards Kamlyn]