Yue ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‍Fuguang warned others to be careful, forgetting that she wasn’t twenty years old anymore but an eight-year-old girl who had never tasted spicy food before.

No matter how much her soul could handle spice, it couldn’t override her current body’s inability to tolerate it.

So when the first tender bite of beef hit her tongue, an explosive burst of heat overwhelmed all her senses.

Hiss! That was seriously spicy!

"Little Pearl, quick—ice-cold cola! I’m gonna die from the spice!"

Yue Fuguang’s dramatic outcry startled Emperor Mingxi and the others so much that their hands trembled mid-bite.

Yu Chongshan, seeing his granddaughter flushed and panting from the heat, hastily handed her a cup of water.

"Fuguang, can’t handle the spice? Drink some water to cool down."

[Master, did you forget again that this isn’t your original body? You can’t handle spicy food yet! I’ve stocked two crates of cola in your storage room—go grab one.]

Yue Fuguang jumped up, ready to sprint to the storage room. Only an ice-cold cola could save her burning mouth now.

"Daughter, what’s wrong? Need something? Let me help," Old Yu offered, quick to notice her urgency. With adults around, there was no need for a young girl to haul things herself.

"Dad, there’s a crate of drinks in my storage room. Could you bring it out? Let His Majesty and the others try some too."

"Sure, wait here. I’ll fetch it for you." Father and daughter headed toward the back storage room.

Meanwhile, Yu Qinchun watched with envy. The Minister of Rites, Zhang Zhongping, patted his shoulder consolingly.

"Qinchun, take an old man’s advice. Even though your daughter is with your elder brother now, you should still dote on her as her uncle.

After all, you’re family, right? Just…" He wanted to say "be a better person," but reconsidered. "Do your duty well. With a Junior Preceptor in your household, things won’t go wrong."

And how could they? Zhang Zhongping, a minister of a high-ranking bureau, wouldn’t bother with a mere minor official like Yu Qinchun if not for Yue Fuguang’s influence.

Yu Qinchun nodded obediently and thanked the minister. His life’s regrets stemmed from ignoring good advice—now, it was too late to change.

The cola the system provided for Yue Fuguang came in small glass bottles like the ones from her childhood, though these bore no labels.

Emperor Mingxi and the others marveled at the transparent bottles, turning them over in fascination.

Ignoring the crowd, Yue Fuguang yanked open a bottle and gulped down half in one go.

Ahhh! Relief at last!

Only after the burning subsided did she realize one bite of meat had already left her half-full.

Many others were also hissing from the spice, though a few stubborn souls kept reaching for the spicy pot despite sweating profusely.

Even Emperor Mingxi had to admit—though the heat was intense and his mouth still throbbed occasionally, the flavor was irresistible.

The mild broth could wait, but who knew when they’d get another chance at the spicy one?

"Fuguang, are these vegetables all from the greenhouse? They taste far better than what we usually eat."

The others nodded in agreement, wondering if it was due to the "spiritual energy" the divine artifact had mentioned.

After eating for a while, everyone felt pleasantly warm and energized.

Had Yue Fuguang known their thoughts, she’d have laughed—That’s just the spice talking!

Because of this belief, the vegetables disappeared fastest from the table, followed by the beef. As for the lamb? Aside from Yue Fuguang, no one touched it.

The others admitted they’d eaten enough of it in daily life and had no interest now.

Emperor Mingxi savored the spicy beef paired with the icy, sweet cola, his mood soaring.

"Fuguang, this sweet drink is excellent. Does it have a name?"

"Happy Water. Doesn’t a sip make you feel instantly uplifted, full of vigor?"

[Host, that’s just the carbonation! Stop fooling these ancients, haha!] the system teased.

"System, just admit it—doesn’t a sip make you feel ‘bubbly with energy’? That’s a fact, right?"

Given the "golden aura" Yue Fuguang had been carefully crafting around herself lately, she knew they’d believe anything she said now.

Sure enough, Emperor Mingxi took another sip, pondered, and nodded. "It’s true! Not only refreshing, but it really lifts the spirits!"

Some officials followed suit, while others tucked their bottles away to bring home for their children.

After all, anything from the Junior Preceptor was bound to be extraordinary—let the kids have a taste and share in the blessings.

Yue Fuguang didn’t mind. One bottle per person—drink it or save it, their choice.

After the hotpot came dessert: a large platter of strawberries, their rich red hue and intoxicating fragrance making everyone regret filling up too soon.

They should’ve saved room for these tempting, sweet-smelling, and surely delicious fruits.

"Fuguang, are these… strawberries?" Emperor Mingxi picked one up, examining it closely.

"Cream strawberries, Your Majesty. Try one—they’re divine."

"Sweet!"

"So sweet!"

Yue Fuguang watched with satisfaction as the adults swayed in bliss, more entranced than if they’d drunk aged wine.

Her strawberries surpassed even the premium ones she’d tasted in the modern era—thanks to the spiritual rain nurturing them.

Emperor Mingxi had grown accustomed to visiting Yue Fuguang with the Crown Prince for meals, never bringing a food-tester.

First, he feared being turned away, and second, he saw no need.

If Yue Fuguang wanted him dead, poison wouldn’t be necessary—he was confident of that.

Conversely, if others plotted against him, Yue Fuguang would surely protect him. So why worry?

After devouring a strawberry, Emperor Mingxi sighed inwardly. So delicious!

If he could eat a few of these every day, he’d power through stacks of memorials without complaint.

He glanced at the Crown Prince, lost in strawberry-induced bliss, and mused: The boy would marry next year. As heir, it was time he shouldered more responsibility.

The kingdom would be his someday—no harm in starting early.

Tonight, he’d have the Crown Prince join him in reviewing memorials. That way, he could finish early, maybe even visit the imperial harem!

The thought lightened Emperor Mingxi’s mood instantly. Though the Crown Prince hadn’t lifted a brush yet, the emperor already felt the weight on his shoulders ease.

Truly, sharing the burden was the way to go.