24. Giving gifts without suspicion

"Finally done!" Li Na exhaled as she took out the last plate of cookies. "Thank you all for your help and sorry for being bothersome."

She took the best looking cookies and put them into boxes. Five boxes were sent to the respective rooms and one more box was prepared for the visitor.

Li Na was not dumb. Even tho the man stood next to the two, they were respectful towards him. The only person they would be respectful of could be that one. She took the box and one plate with cookies while she shared a bunch of others among the servants.

The two servants that came to help her were given five cookies each and they quickly put it into their small bags. Knowing how crazy the Wang family acted about the few cookies they had, they knew they should hide it as soon as possible.

The rest of the servants just chose to eat it right away and were completely baffled by the taste. "No wonder our masters are crazy about this."

A little servant girl nibbled on a bit and hid the rest of it into her clothes. She secretly got a few broken cookies while she helped with the fire. As she planned to visit her family the next day, the cookies would be the perfect gift. After all, such a thing can't even be bought.

Li Na came into the big room and saw everyone talking. As she came closer, Wang Weiming rushed to help her with the box. He already got a notice by his servant that everyone got the cookies into their rooms and knew that this one must be for that person.

The Emperor was wearing an actually simple scholarly robe and had no special adornments, but his natural aura couldn't be hidden. He saw the little girl calmly looking at him and cutely smiling.

"My name is Li Na. Nice to meet you." She truly had no time to introduce herself before.

"Li Na. Good child." He didn't see the box and saw a big plate filled with different cookies. "Can we eat it now?"

"No." She sat on the chair with Wang Weiming's help and smiled at his grandmother. "First proper food and then sweets, right grandma?"

"Right. First food, then sweets." Everyone chuckled as they saw her cute appearance.

Her face had streams of flour, so Wang Weiming waved his hand. "Bring water."

The two servants brought water and under the silent faces of his family, he slowly washed her face and softly patted it dry. As he was done, he saw their stare and ignored it.

General Wang just rolled his eyes at the Emperor and waved his hand. "Bring food."

The Emperor finally realized why this child wanted them to eat food first.

The palace had so many amazing dishes and cooks developed the food every day to make it better. The dishes he saw on the table looked less presentable but the taste was amazing. Li Na chuckled. Who can fight MSG?

She luckily brought many seasonings with her, so the meals tasted completely different.

"This is so tasty." The words slipped the Emperor's lips and made her smile brightly.

"Yes. These are seasonings that needed special care. Sorry, but it's impossible to buy it. I'll give you what I have made for this year and your cooks can use it. But carefully. I'll write a few recipes later." She could see that they were giving her signs that this person had no idea where she came from, so she used her imagination.

"The plants grow only once in five years and only if it's perfect weather. Too cold, they rot, too hot they whiter. So I hope you understand that it is hard to find them." She sighed as she spoke about it.

The whole Wang family and the Emperor believed her words, only Wang Weiming saw a tiny smile in the corner of her lips. It is a lie. But it's fine. He understood why she said that. And he knew she already read the situation properly. Good girl.

The Emperor could see her troubled expression and shook his head. "Don't worry. I survived so far without it. I can live just well."

Her big eyes suddenly filled with tears and he felt uncomfortable. "What now? Why are you crying?" He couldn't recollect anything that could make her cry. What is it now?

Li Na rubbed her eyes that became even redder. "I know I do not have much to show. The only thing I can gift to you is the seasoning and cookies, but I guess they are not good enough. I don't know how to write poetry, or how to paint. And I have no wish to embroider. I know only how to cook... but I guess my skill is not elegant enough."

The more she spoke, the more tears came down her cheeks. Like two rivers, never stopping.

Wang Weiming gave him an icy stare and made him pat his chest in upcoming anger. This little child dares to stare at him in reproach.

He stood up and came to the crying girl. "I feared that you won't have enough. Didn't you say it was rare..."

"Yes. But isn't it fine to be a gift then?" Li Na blinked at him with hope in her eyes. Actually, that was her idea from the start, but she had no idea how to offer it to him without raising any suspicions. But, isn't this too suspicious as well? She must find a reason to stop crying now. This is bothersome...

The Emperor chuckled and patted her head. "I, as an elder should gift you, not the other way around. I accept your gift, but you have to accept mine as well."

Li Na stopped crying and smiled while still sniffling. "I accept."

Looking at her accepting it so fast, the Emperor started laughing. "Naughty."

Li Na shrugged. "I'm a girl. Father said it's fine if I'm naughty. Girls can be naughty and happy, he said. Now I'm happy. You accepted my gift."

He was astonished. So that was her goal? For him to accept her gift? Not because she wanted his?

"You don't even know what I'm going to give you." He smiled as he sat down back to his place.

Li Na smiled brightly showing her dimples. "Elder's gift is precious, no matter what it is. Even if it is a tiny flower I will cherish it."

Flower? The Emperor suddenly had an idea.