Protect Our Clan Leader

Chapter 998: Chapter 54: 守哲 Arrives in Beijing! Turbulence Resurfaces_2 Chapter 998: Chapter 54: 守哲 Arrives in Beijing! Turbulence Resurfaces_2 In the vast Imperial Royal Large Ranch, where Spirit Cows were bred using a special method over a long period of domestication and improvement, their diet consisted daily of Spirit Valley, Spirit Grass, and other formula feeds, resulting in meat that was tender and rich in nutrients.

This unique breed of Spirit Cow exclusive to the Imperial Household could grow to a maximum of levels five or six quickly, and since their Spiritual Intelligence was low, the Spirit Cow meat produced was tender and delicious, highly popular outside the palace.

From time to time, the Imperial Royal Ranch also sold some Spirit Cows at high prices to cover the ranch’s losses.

For each dinner, the Great Emperor usually consumed six to seven hundred catties of Spirit Cow meat, which, based on market prices, would exceed ten thousand Qian Gold.

Beyond Spirit Cows, the Great Emperor also enjoyed eating some advanced Spirit Fish, some Spirit Melons, Spirit Fruits, and would occasionally drink some Spiritual Wine if he was in a good mood.

This dinner often cost more than thirteen thousand Qian Gold.

For food alone, Emperor Longchang’s expenditure for a whole year reached around seven million Qian Gold. Coupled with the twelve Spirit Yuan Treasure Pills he consumed annually at a million Qian Gold each, his yearly consumption totaled nineteen million Qian Gold.

This was, however, after Emperor Longchang had already given up leveling up, significantly reducing his supply standards to just the basics.

Otherwise, if the provisions matched those of his prime years or times he led battles personally, his consumption would double.

From this, one can see just how staggering the yearly cost to maintain an emperor with Transcendent Void Realm strength was.

“You five little ones, join me in eating this,” Emperor Longchang said with a laugh. “If you like Spirit Cow meat, I will have the royal kitchen prepare more bone-in Spirit Meat for you later.”

The five little ones lit up, immediately nodding in unison.

Old Master, you are truly a good man! The words made their mouths water.

During their conversation, the serving Eunuch had already opened the large lid of the food box, revealing a stack of roasted Spirit Cow meat.

It was apparent that the meat was skillfully roasted, each piece caramelized on the outside and tender within, emitting a rich aroma that was immediately appetizing.

However, Emperor Longchang had only taken one bite when his expression darkened. He complained, “Why wasn’t this Spirit Cow meat marinated beforehand? It tastes completely flavorless. Did the royal chefs get their heads stuck in a door?”

Having lived thousands of years, mostly in luxury, he naturally became more critical as he aged, with extremely high demands for the taste of his food.

The Eunuchs trembled with fear.

Still, Old Yao stepped forward with courage, explaining in a low voice, “Your Majesty, when the chefs in the royal kitchen opened up this morning, they found that the Spirit Cow meat slated for early marinade had all disappeared.”

“As a result, the hastily prepared Spirit Cow meat indeed lacks the flavor of usual preparations. I have already ordered an investigation into this case. Please make do for today, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm,” Emperor Longchang said unhappily, “These chefs are becoming less careful, even managing to lose ingredients. Let it go this time, but if it happens again, I’ll have their heads moved.”

Such events dulled Emperor Longchang’s usual pickiness, reducing his appetite for Spirit Cow meat; after eating merely half he lost interest and ended up only having some Spirit Melon and seventy to eighty catties of Spirit Rice before stopping.

This turn of events ended up benefiting the five little ones who joyously devoured the leftovers.

Indeed, the pet reflects its owner. Though still not fully grown, their appetite and stomach capacities were already astonishing.

Soon, the five little ones had polished off the remaining food, rendering their little bellies round and full.

After eating, they did not forget to snuggle up to Emperor Longchang, performing their ingratiating antics expertly.

This indeed improved Emperor Longchang’s mood considerably.

The next day.

Emperor Longchang, like yesterday, took them for a walk, handled some state affairs, and then it was time for the evening meal again.

This time, the served food was even more unsatisfactory to Emperor Longchang, clearly rushed in preparation and not only less refined than usual but also lower in quality.

“Old Yao,” Emperor Longchang said angrily, “what’s going on? Can’t you even catch a simple kitchen thief?”

“Responding to Your Majesty,” Old Yao replied, sweating, “There were no signs of tampering with the Formation in the royal kitchen, and the guards I assigned to watch overnight saw no one entering or leaving. Strangely, this morning, the ingredients that had been freshly processed and marinated last night had all disappeared.”

“Interesting, interesting,” Emperor Longchang sneered, “It’s been a long time since thieves have appeared in my Imperial Palace, and yet they specifically steal my food. Old Yao, after you find out, bring him to me. I want to see who has such audacity.”

This naturally further spoiled his appetite, resulting again in an unexpected feast for the five little ones, who nearly ate themselves to immobility.

The five little ones, with their big blue eyes, were incredibly excited.

Wuu wuu, kind and gentle old Grandpa is truly a good person!

The third day.

Because of the incidents over the previous two days, Emperor Longchang had no mood for a morning walk and went straight to Zhuozheng Pavilion.

Having guarded it himself last night, Old Yao likely had a result by today.

True enough, just as he arrived at Zhuozheng Pavilion, Old Yao approached to seek an audience, reporting: “Your Majesty, to avoid alerting the thief, I secretly watched the royal kitchen from a distance. But last night, there were still no disturbances to the kitchen’s Formation. When I entered this morning, however, the ingredients had indeed been stolen again.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by novlove.com