Chapter 0135: Strategy

Chapter 0135: Strategy

By the time the Emperor arrived, Lady Ning had already left.

After he paid his respects and took his seat, the Empress Dowager said, "Jieyu just left."

"Oh? Why didn't she wait for me?" the Emperor inquired.

"I have something to discuss with you, so she left first," the Empress Dowager replied.

The Emperor became serious. "What is it, Mother?"

The Empress Dowager sighed. "It's about the Empress's situation. I've thought about it all day and decided to tell you."

"What's wrong with the Empress? Has she done something improper?" Emperor He Jinli frowned.

The Empress Dowager waved her hand. "No, it's about her dietary habits. I initially didn't want to meddle, but since I know now, I felt compelled to inquire. I rarely eat from the imperial kitchen, but I was once an Empress. Not all the staff in the imperial kitchen have changed."

This was how she found out about the Empress's situation.

"The Empress might have been consuming foods that clashed for half a year. She's aware of it now but hasn't taken action. I understand her concerns. If even the Empress is afraid to question, how safe will the palace be in the future? Considering the situation in the imperial kitchen, I worry for you, Emperor."

Emperor He Jinli was unaware of this matter.

Frowning, he said, "Thank you for bringing this to my attention. The Empress is still young and doesn't think as much as you do, Mother."

"Don't blame her. I... sigh... I know what she's thinking. She's not having an easy time. It's all because of that treacherous rebel. He caused her premature birth, resulting in a weak child and her own injuries. Now, she has even more worries," the Empress Dowager lamented.

"It worries Mother," Emperor He Jinli said.

"Worrying is inevitable. The Fourth Prince is still young, and with his current frailty, we can only nurture him slowly. The Third Prince was also premature, but I hear he's improving. They'll grow stronger. The Empress's legitimate son will be the future Crown Prince. During the late emperor's time... if the legitimate heir can be secured, where would the disputes come from afterward? The hardships we've endured, we must not let our children suffer the same," the Empress Dowager spoke earnestly.

He Jinli took a deep breath. "Yes, I will ensure the Empress and the child are well taken care of."

The Empress Dowager nodded approvingly. "The Empress is still young. Take good care of her, and we won't worry about her having more children in the future."

"Since you're here, it's been a while since we've dined together alone. I've asked for some dishes to be prepared. Shall we dine together today?" the Empress Dowager smiled.

He Jinli nodded. "I've been thinking about the quails here."

"That's easy. Not only do we have those, but also a few of your favorites. The dishes from the small kitchen are delicious," the Empress Dowager said happily.

When they dined together, there was no sense of constraint.

For many years, they used to eat like this, sometimes even sending away the attendants, just the two of them.

Now that one was the Empress Dowager and the other the Emperor, things had naturally changed.

However, the Empress Dowager still knew the Emperor's culinary preferences.

He Jinli felt the same.

In his heart, he hoped things would stay the same in the future.

That night, the Emperor rested in the Phoenix Splendor Palace.

No one knew what had happened, but the next day, several people from the Imperial Kitchen, the Royal Kitchen, and the Empress's personal kitchen were taken away.

During the morning audience, the Empress's explanation was, "During dinner last night, a dish of mushroom soup, made with dried mushrooms, was served. These people seem to have become more careless and allowed it to spoil. His Majesty loves this dish, and he was visibly upset. Both the Imperial Kitchen and the Royal Kitchen may be at fault. I also bear responsibility."

"Your Majesty, please don't think like that. This group of servants in the palace is like this. If they're not disciplined properly, trouble always arises," Princess Jinde said.

"Yes, I remember when we were still in the Eastern Palace, during one New Year's, His Majesty and Her Majesty attended a banquet at the Zhengyang Palace. Do you remember what the Eastern Palace sent for the feast?" Ye Zhaoyi frowned.

"I remember that year too. They brought up six dishes, and not a single one was edible," Princess Wuyan frowned. She was pregnant at the time, and they dared to treat people like this.

Later, His Majesty, who was then the Crown Prince, directly questioned several people from the Imperial Kitchen.

They dared to deceive even the Eastern Palace; these people had some nerve.

"Why bother in the first place? It's still the same now," Lady Wu shook her head.

She didn't specify when, but she must have endured a lot too.

The Empress talked about her own shortcomings again, and no one dared to interrupt.

The matter was temporarily put aside.

After all, when it came to serving meals, most women in the harem had tasted bitterness. The few who had never suffered were the exceptions.

Of course, some people didn't believe it.

Like Yunli and Lady Jing.

If it were true, it should have been brought up and dealt with last night.

Besides, incidents like tainted meals for His Majesty? Why not just hang yourself instead of going through the trouble?

The more you try to cover up, the more suspicious it becomes.

What is it that the Empress isn't explicitly saying?

Probably trying to uncover the person behind it.

So who tampered with the Empress's food?

Yesterday it was the Empress Dowager who summoned His Majesty, so it's highly unlikely to be her.

Who else could have done it?

Yunli glanced briefly at the Empress's side, then looked away.

Could she be capable of such a thing?

The Qi family was once adamant about making her the Crown Princess, so it's unlikely they wouldn't have prepared resources for her.

Could it be her?

Who else could have access to the Imperial Kitchen?

Whoever it is, hasn't been identified yet.

Everyone left the Fengyi Palace and went their separate ways.

Back at the Yuqu Palace, after having her breakfast, Yunli paced in the courtyard, pondering over the matter.

"Who do you think would have the audacity?" Yunli, unaware that the Empress's food clashed with her constitution, pondered aloud.

So, she suspected that there might be something harmful in the Empress's food.

Zhifu and Zhuding shook their heads.

"I think there are only a few who could have done it," Zhuding said.

"During the late Emperor's reign, there were changes in the Imperial Kitchen staff, but after Your Majesty ascended the throne, not all were replaced. Even half of the managers are still the original ones."

Yunli raised an eyebrow. "If they are the original staff, wouldn't the culprit be quite obvious?"

"But the Empress Dowager has spoken up, indicating she isn't feeling guilty," Yunli remarked.

"Indeed, that's quite peculiar. After all, for other consorts, it's difficult to make a move without leaving a trace." The Imperial Kitchen is, after all, of utmost importance.

"Quite interesting," Yunli suddenly chuckled.

The others fell silent, unsure of her meaning.

Yunli didn't explain either.

That night, the Emperor went to visit Ning Jieyu.

Meanwhile, for dinner, Zhang Xiuyi and Liu Baolin dined together in the Bamboo Pavilion courtyard.

"The moonlight is lovely tonight," Zhang Xiuyi remarked.

"Yes," Liu Baolin also looked up, the crescent moon hanging in the starry sky.

It was breathtaking, but Liu Baolin preferred sunlight.

"Do you remember Yining Pavilion? Although it's secluded, I love the bamboo there. Watching the moon through the bamboo leaves adds a special flavor," Zhang Xiuyi said.