Autumn saw yellow leaves falling from olive trees, which twirled in the air until they landed. Some ended up in the water and were pushed toward the center of the lake by waves. A number of gardeners were busy watering and fertilizing the flora. Lin Haihai and the empress walked along the long, winding hallway. Past another palace was the Imperial Kitchen.

It was a two-storied building about hundreds of square meters large. Dusk had arrived, but the kitchen was empty since the cooks had been asked to leave.

“How are they going to make food after being told to leave?” Lin Haihai asked. “Wouldn’t we delay the mealtime of the other palaces?”

“It’s fine to delay for a bit,” the empress said with a faint smile. “Besides, it won’t take that long for us to make a few dishes. We’ll be done in no time!”

Might as well. This way, no one will see me embarrass myself! Lin Haihai cried out inwardly. Why haven’t I learned how to cook? I don’t even know where to start now that I’m cooking for my boyfriend! Lin Haihai, you useless woman from the modern world!

“Since you don’t want me to know what you’re making, you should take the second floor while I stay on the first floor. Go on. Don’t let the empress dowager and the emperor wait for too long, especially the gluttonous empress dowager!” The empress pushed Lin Haihai up the stairs before turning around to ask a maid, “Didn’t this Empress ask for two helpers? Where...