Chapter 25: Start of Summer (3)

Chapter 25: Start of Summer (3)

Was the sun rising from the west? Why would he be so kind? Yingming didn't believe that the emperor could change his attitude overnight.

He must be up to something sinister, she thought. Sometimes, she felt helpless. Back home, she had been carefree, enjoying a comfortable environment where she could thrive or wither on her own. Each day, she genuinely appreciated the tranquility of time passing by. Now, amidst this opulence, her relaxed temperament was slowly turning cautious, like a taut bowstring that could emit a mournful whine with just a gentle breeze. No wonder Shenzhi, who used to be so spontaneous and playful, had become increasingly preoccupied after entering the palace. The environment truly could transform a person. Yingming was afraid; afraid that she might become like Shenzhi, and that her once boundless heart would eventually be narrowed down to the size of a needle.

Imperial items were always exquisite and luxurious. The steamed buns were placed in an ivory box intricately carved with bamboo patterns, highlighting their crystal-clear transparency. Set on the table, they formed a delicate and charming scene.

Although Yingming wasn't particularly fond of refined things like tea or opera, she adored these dainty snacks. She glanced at them; the steamed buns were beautifully crafted, resembling small fortune bags with pale yellow ribbons tied around their necks, and their edges curled like the hem of a skirt.

The freshly baked pastries still emitted a faint, ethereal steam. She couldn't discern the filling just by its scent, but judging from its appearance, it should taste delightful.

The young palace maid replaced the chopsticks, and Yingming raised them to watch as the Empress Dowager picked one up and placed it in a small lotus leaf vinegar dish. Soon, the tangy aroma of vinegar spread, making it even harder to identify the flavor. Yingming waited for the Empress Dowager's reaction, planning to follow the emperor's command and try one when she expressed her admiration.

The roast duck had been wasted the first time, but there was nothing she could do about it. Zhilongtong had probably wanted to see her make a fool of herself by sending her back an entire duck. This time was different. The steamed buns were delicate, perfect for one bite each. After disappointing the emperor last time, if she refused again, she might not survive in the palace.

The Empress Dowager said, "These little treats are incredibly delicious. You should give them a try."

Yingming bashfully picked one up, placing it in her own vinegar dish. She gently tapped her left finger on the table, "This servant thanks His Majesty for the gift."

Bowing her head respectfully, Yingming indicated her willingness with a gentle nod, as was the custom. The Emperor gave a low chuckle, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "As the Empress Dowager wishes, give it a try."

The Empress Dowager hoped she would eat heartily; after all, a healthy appetite meant good health, and with good health came happiness. Smiling warmly, the elderly lady encouraged her persistently, "Try it quickly. If you enjoy it, I'll ask your master to send you a steamer full every day."

With everyone watching, Yingming felt somewhat self-conscious. As a well-bred young lady, she always paid great attention to her manners when eating. Thus, she covered her lips with one hand while using the other to pick up a dumpling, appreciating its perfect size that spared her the embarrassment of having to bite it in half. However, upon chewing, the taste seemed... odd... No! Not right at all!

Those with dietary restrictions knew that their taste buds were particularly sensitive to disliked foods. Just a hint of it could trigger an immediate reaction in their minds. The Emperor watched as her laughing eyes widened abruptly, as if someone had pinched her without her noticing. Her shock, pain, and panic intertwined, making for quite a dramatic display.

Satisfied, the Emperor felt a sense of revenge being exacted. When the Empress Dowager asked how the food suited her, he understood the situation and responded obediently, "Looking at the delight in her eyes, I believe it suits her taste! Since she enjoys it, I shall follow Grandmother's instructions and order a steamer to be delivered to her residence daily, starting tomorrow. The kitchen is not far from her quarters, so the food will still be warm by the time it arrives."

The emperor then waited, eager to see how she would react. He looked down at her haughtily, secretly hoping that she would glare at him and lose her temper, giving him ample reason to punish her.

To his surprise, she didn't spit out the steamed bun as he had anticipated. Instead, she swallowed it whole, wiped her mouth, and lowered her eyes to say, "Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager and His Majesty. The chef's skills are indeed exceptional. I can taste that it's lamb filling, which I quite enjoy. However, I have asthma and abstained from beef and mutton a few years ago. If I were to break this rule now, my condition might worsen, and that wouldn't be good."

She didn't explicitly say it, but her words put the emperor on the spot once more. He felt displeased and turned away to sip his tea. She smiled gently without even glancing at the emperor.

Eating lamb dumplings in the middle of summer—what else could this be but a deliberate attempt to make things difficult for her? Yingming hated him with all her heart, but due to their vast difference in status, she didn't dare even look him in the eye. The food began to churn in her stomach, rising to her throat, a recurring issue that required vomiting for relief. However, she had to endure it now; if she made a scene in front of these masters, the emperor would surely scold her harshly.

Only after Yingming mentioned it did the Empress Dowager recall, looking regretful. "It was my oversight. I completely forgot about this. The emperor meant well; you mustn't blame your master."

Being perceptive individuals, Empress Dowager understood the situation clearly. The Qi family had falsely reported Yingming's asthma to avoid the imperial selection, and now that she was in the palace, she had to maintain the pretense. There were only two possibilities for Yingming's cautious behavior today: either she constantly remembered her "ailment," or mutton had triggered an aversion, suggesting the Emperor was deliberately making things difficult for her.

This situation worried the Empress Dowager greatly as the two engaged in this subtle contest. She glanced at the Emperor, who had ruled for seventeen years, yet showed no mercy when it came to teasing young maidens. But she couldn't intervene, as she needed to preserve the Emperor's dignity. Even as grandchildren, there were matters that required turning a blind eye.

Yingming's smile remained sweet, but now carried a hint of the sheep's scent. "How could that be? My master cares for me, and I only remember their kindness to me," she said.

The word "kindness" held a tinge of resentment, yet she spoke these insincere words without hesitation, drawing another glance from the Emperor.

Did she pierce his eardrums? Mentioning the master's care might disgust the Emperor. Yingming couldn't afford to worry about that; she genuinely felt nauseated, and soon the smell filled her nose and throat. Unable to sit still, she rose and bowed, "Allow this servant to prepare Tuckahoe tea for the Grand Empress Dowager, to cleanse the digestive system. I've heard that the lotus leaves near the Pavilion by the Stream in the garden are fresh. I shall gather some later to make lotus leaf porridge for the Grand Empress Dowager."

Yingming, often attending to the Fujin at home, has cultivated a disposition that is both perceptive and considerate. The Empress Dowager, noticing her warmth and devotion, no longer regards her with the same wariness as before, avoiding any suspicion that she might be aligned with the Na Xin family, thus constantly guarding against her.

People's destinies, to a great extent, lie in their own hands. Empress Xiao Hui was the sole legitimate daughter of a prominent family, unacquainted with hardship or injustice, and thus prone to a forthright disposition. Yingming, on the other hand, had from an early age striven to please her stepmother, treading cautiously, enduring hardships, and adapting meekly in new environments, tail between her legs. Such individuals are akin to grass, living unostentatiously yet embodying an indomitable spirit. Unlike the late Empress who refused to yield even at the cost of breaking, Yingming is better suited to the treacherous landscape of the imperial palace.

Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Go on with your tasks. It's warm now, so there's no fear of catching a chill. Take a stroll outside. If you make lotus leaf rice porridge, send a bowl to your mistress as well."

Yingming let out a soft coo and performed a graceful kowtow, then gracefully withdrew from the secondary room.

The moment she stepped outside, she could hardly contain herself. Rushing to an isolated spot, she squatted by the wall and was overwhelmed by a wave of nausea. The scent, after fermenting in her stomach, proved disastrous; she vomited until stars danced before her eyes, almost bringing up her intestines along with it.

Songge gently patted her back, holding a teacup and saying, "Mistress, rinse your mouth after vomiting... What's wrong? You asked for red bean porridge earlier, but why did you vomit like this?"

Yingming knelt there, almost exhausted. She didn't want to cry, but tears kept flowing, so she had to use a handkerchief to cover her eyes.

"It's nothing," she reassured Songge. "My stomach isn't feeling well today, probably due to catching a chill."

Songge grew anxious. "What should we do then? I'll go to the pharmacy and ask the imperial physician for some stomach-soothing medicine."

Yingming shook her head, asking her not to make a fuss. "It's not serious, I'll feel better after vomiting."

Songge knew that this was likely another instance of her mistress being bullied, but her mistress just wouldn't admit it. Miss Second's temperament resembled that of the secondary consort, both being strong-willed and not easily overwhelmed by adversity. Just like the secondary consort, enduring life as a concubine wasn't easy; she had also walked step by step through cold and warm moments. Now, with the respect of the primary consort, no one could comprehend the bitterness she had endured.

Songge felt her heart ache and whispered, "Let me help you back to rest. Since you're unwell, when we return to Aunt Queyin, let her know so she can request a leave on your behalf."

Yingming refused. "Don't just stay with me. Go to the copper samovar and inform Eunuch Zhang. Ask him to brew Duongzhong tea, as the Empress Dowager needs it."

Songge had no choice but to comply, turning around frequently as she left. However, at the corner of the wall, she bumped into someone, exclaiming in surprise. Upon closer look, it was Little Fu, a servant of the Emperor. She quickly bowed to apologize, "I'm sorry, Eunuch, I didn't see you..."

Little Fu said it was no problem, his eyes continually glancing in Yingming's direction. "What happened to Miss Ying? Is she unwell? Should we summon Doctor Zhou?"

Songge said, "Our master mentioned that there's no need to worry, it'll pass soon." She then bowed again and added, "I have other duties to attend to, so I won't bother Shuida for now."

Little Fu casually waved her hands and observed Yingming for a while longer. Seeing that the young lady was unharmed, she returned to the emperor's presence to report.

As Yingming straightened up, she felt dizzy and had to lean against the wall for support before regaining her composure. In all honesty, she hated the emperor with a passion. His antics were enough to exhaust even multiple lifetimes. But how did he find out about her aversion to mutton? For the sake of teasing her, the emperor had gone through such lengths, which suggested she should be grateful that he considered her worth bothering, albeit in a vexatious manner.

It was still early, so Yingming rested in a side palace for a while before heading to the garden in the Cining Palace. The palace was suffocating, but strolling through the gardens was the only time one could feel alive.

She was someone who sought joy in the present moment, and as she gazed at the lush greenery, the discomfort she had endured earlier vanished from her mind.

"What a beautiful garden!" she exclaimed. "Ever since the capital was established and the Forbidden City was built, hundreds of years have passed, and countless stories must have unfolded here!"

Songge agreed, "Perhaps a hundred years ago, someone walked this very path to pick lotus leaves from the pond at this same time."

Yingming nodded with a smile, taking in the picturesque view. The scenery had been meticulously arranged, with a new scene at every turn. As she walked along the shaded path, memories of her visit to the Qiong Mansion garden with Hai Yintai came flooding back, with its seemingly endless trails. Back then, the branches were just beginning to bud, unlike now, where the trees were dense and their leaves blocked out the sunlight.

The well-being of old acquaintances was unknown to her now. Sometimes, missed opportunities didn't necessarily lead to a perfect ending; they simply left a small scar on one's heart due to regret...

It was not right to dwell on such thoughts now. Even thinking about it was a transgression. Songge looked ahead and, on tiptoes, pointed to indicate that they were approaching the pond. It was Yingming's first time here, and from a distance, she could see a rectangular pool with a single-arch stone bridge spanning its center. A red, four-cornered pavilion stood atop the bridge, partially concealed by towering magnolia trees. The pavilion's vibrant red was like a bold seal stamp against the greenery.