Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Xǐ Liáng acted swiftly.

By the time Geng Shuning had completed her task at Nanny Zhou’s place and was returning the food box to the imperial kitchen, Xǐ Liáng had already finished lunch.

In her past life, due to her sensitive stomach, Geng Shuning couldn’t rely on takeout, so she often cooked for herself, honing her culinary skills.

A young eunuch tended the stove, while Xǐ Liáng, with the help of another eunuch, ground the stomach-soothing ripe pu-erh tea, glutinous rice, and jelly.

Geng Shuning only needed to watch the fire and manage the pots.

Gradually, the fresh and sweet scent of the mint cold cake and citron tea paste spread throughout the kitchen, drawing even the resting pastry chefs to gather around Geng Shuning.

An experienced chef could judge the quality of a pastry just by its aroma.

Xǐ Liáng’s godfather, Liáng Chéng, who was responsible for presenting the food to the Empress Dowager, kept a close eye on Geng Shuning’s every move. He even retrieved the rarely used huanghuali molds and colorful enamel dishes from the cabinet.

The pastries were exquisitely crafted and placed in a huanghuali food box inlaid with jade. Even Liáng Chéng had to praise that, whether it was color, aroma, or taste, it was on par with the grand banquet standards of the imperial kitchen.

Geng Shuning smiled warmly at the chefs who praised her creativity.

"It was made with the help of Chief Xǐ and the masters. Your craftsmanship is undoubtedly excellent."

"In the future, I will definitely need the help of the masters. If the Empress Dowager approves, I will make sure it is presented to the Imperial Kitchen Bureau."

Great Chinese cuisine was like standing on the shoulders of giants. Geng Shuning knew that if she didn’t work hard to climb up, she would have wasted her opportunity.

Once the crisis was over, she planned to settle in the back hall of Cining Palace, focusing on creating new dishes and beverages to please the Empress Dowager.

This meant she needed to build a strong relationship with the kitchen staff.

Upon hearing this, both Liáng Chéng and Xǐ Liáng’s godfather immediately showed a glow on their faces, and the other chefs couldn’t help but feel excited as well.

They had gone through all this trouble with Geng Shuning, and apart from the initial effort, she hadn’t needed to lift a finger. They were hoping to gain recognition from the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Household Department, aiming to make a name for themselves in the palace.

If the masters found it good, and the various palaces or the Imperial Household Department wanted to learn it, they would have to offer benefits in exchange according to the rules.

After tasting the pastries, the chefs in the kitchen were filled with a refreshing sweetness in their hearts and enthusiastically sent Geng Shuning to the front hall, assigning two young eunuchs to help her carry the boxes.

When Geng Shuning met Nanny Wu Ya at the front hall, she had a different approach.

"This servant is weak and unable to serve diligently at the Empress’s side, nor dare to serve in the front hall for fear of passing on illness to the Empress Dowager. I truly feel guilty."

"Hearing that the Empress suffers from summer heat and has lost her appetite, this servant was so anxious that she couldn’t eat. I remembered some cooling and appetizing food recipes from outside the palace and hurriedly asked the kitchen to prepare them."

"Please ask the Imperial Physician to check if it is suitable for the Empress. If it can make the Empress eat a little more, then this servant would not have wasted the Empress Dowager’s grace."

The young eunuchs carrying the boxes admired how well-spoken Geng Shuning was, noting that the food box she returned still had a full bowl of rice.

Seeing that Geng Shuning’s face was still somewhat pale, Nanny Wu Ya sent her back to rest.

While asking the Imperial Physician to check the food recipe, she happily reported to the Empress inside the hall.

"This old servant understands from Shuning’s words that she is a grateful person and is willing to serve diligently in Cining Palace, which would not be in vain for the Empress’s grace."

Most importantly, "The Fourteenth Princess Consort cried quite loudly. I estimate that she heard the news and came to share the Empress’s worries."

The Imperial Physician soon entered and reported that the recipe was good, with no issues other than the expensive ingredients.

It has a slightly cooling effect, but those with weak spleens or excessively cold bodies should not eat too much. It can indeed help alleviate the discomfort of summer heat.

Empress Dowager Uya was overjoyed.

Since learning of her youngest son's troubles, her heart had been heavy with sorrow, leaving her restless day and night.

Any mother, knowing her son was suffering outside, would not be able to rest easy.

Geng Shuning's timely arrival with the desserts was a relief.

Uya dismissed the Imperial Physician and, in her excitement, sat up in bed, eagerly calling for someone to instruct the kitchen, "Quickly have the kitchen prepare some and send it to the Fourteenth Prince!"

The expense was no concern.

As long as Yinzhen could eat, she would ensure he had everything he needed.

Nanny Wu Ya interrupted her and whispered a reminder, "Your Majesty, the circumstances are different now. The emperor was also afraid of the heat since childhood. It would be more appropriate to send it to the imperial presence first."

"The emperor cares for his younger brother and wouldn't let him suffer, would he?"

The joy in Uya's eyes faltered slightly.

During the Retired Emperor's reign, everything was always sent to the Qianqing Palace and Shoukang Palace first. She had never forgotten that.

Becoming the mother of an emperor had significantly altered her perspective.

But no matter how much she wanted to, she wouldn't dare let Yinzhen receive anything before the emperor. As a mother, she knew best how petty her eldest son could be.

She thought carefully and instructed, "Have the kitchen make more and send it all to the imperial presence. Let the emperor send some to Changchun Garden as well. For now, don't mention the Fourteenth."

After a few deliveries, if the emperor appreciated her gesture and was in a good mood, he would naturally think of his brother.

If the emperor didn't care about his younger brother, at least the deliveries to the imperial presence would not raise suspicion. Then, they could send some to the Jingjiao Military Camp without drawing attention.

Pausing, Uya thought of her plans for Geng Shuning.

"Have Shuning take it to the Hall of Mental Cultivation."

A young and beautiful girl's words would be more pleasing than those of an older nanny.

Since the desserts were presented by Geng Shuning, and compared to other female officials, Uya preferred to give Geng Shuning this opportunity to rise.

Nanny Wu Ya didn't dare delay and, after instructing the imperial kitchen, went to find Geng Shuning.

When she entered the duty room, she found Geng Shuning pale and curled up on the kang, her small face ashen and her forehead covered in cold sweat.

Geng Shuning knelt on the kang to receive the Empress Dowager's instructions, pinching herself so hard that she nearly cried out in pain... she had used too much force.

Her voice choked with pain, "It's my fault for being useless. I cannot serve in front of the empress because I've started my menstruation. Earlier, I ate a few pieces of imperfect desserts and now I'm in pain from the cold. I truly cannot get off the kang. I will go to receive my punishment later!"

Nanny Wu Ya had no choice. Since Geng Shuning was unclean, she couldn't force her to go and serve in front of the empress.

This was why Nanny Wu Ya took the desserts to the Hall of Mental Cultivation herself.

Arriving at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, it was time for the lamps to be lit.

*

The incident of Wanyan's complaints in the palace was no secret. Yinzhen listened to Su Peisheng's report and, thinking of his suffering brother in the Jingjiao Military Camp, had a rough idea of Nanny Wu Ya's intentions.

It was likely that the empress dowager wanted to bring the Fourteenth Prince back to his residence.

But for the sake of the Fourteenth Prince's future, Yinzhen could not agree to any leniency.

He planned to send the Imperial Physician to the military camp outside the capital to check on the Fourteenth Prince, partly to appease the Empress Dowager's concerns.

To their surprise, when Nanny Wu Ya entered, she didn’t mention the Fourteenth Prince at all but instead presented a food box with a respectful bow.

"The Empress Dowager has been suffering from the summer heat these past few days and has had no appetite. Miss Shuning from Cining Palace, being meticulous, specially made mint-flavored chilled cakes and citron tea jelly. These two kinds of desserts can help relieve the heat and stimulate the appetite."

"The Empress Dowager knows that Your Majesty dislikes the heat, and she urgently asked the Imperial Physician to examine these desserts. Knowing that Your Majesty can consume them, she ordered me to deliver them to you, so that you may also send some to Changchun Garden."

Both Yinzhen and Su Peisheng couldn’t help but glance at the food box. Was it another delivery from Miss Geng Shuning?

Was there no one else in Cining Palace who could have handled this?

Yinzhen said indifferently, "Please thank the Empress Dowager for her concern. If these desserts are suitable, have the imperial kitchen make more. I’ll send some to the Fourteenth Prince."

Nanny Wu Ya’s face beamed with joy, like a chrysanthemum, feeling that this trip to the Emperor’s presence was well worth it. When she returned, her mistress would surely reward her.

After Nanny Wu Ya left, Su Peisheng personally took out the desserts.

On a dish with a dark green glaze and a subtle pattern of hornless dragons, the chilled cakes were shaped like green bamboo, arranged with the elegance of aged bamboo.

The agate-colored tea jelly, translucent and shaped like a full moon with elegant calligraphy, was stacked in three layers, each resembling delicate flower petals.

After the eunuch responsible for tasting the food had tried it, Su Peisheng, mindful that His Majesty would soon summon the officials from the Southern Study and wouldn’t have time to eat, placed the desserts on the imperial desk.

Yinzhen glanced lazily, his eyes half-lowered, and lightly scoffed, "Does this girl seem to have wandered near the gates of hell, only to return with the wisdom of the dead?"

Otherwise, this girl, having entered the palace at thirteen, had been silent in the palace for five years. After falling ill, she seemed to have gained an unusual amount of courage, which was unexpected.

Su Peisheng smiled and joked, "That’s also due to the Empress Dowager’s and Your Majesty’s benevolence. Otherwise, she would have been sent to a nunnery long ago to eat gruel and rough food, and her great abilities would have gone to waste."

This young lady has caused enough trouble to warrant more than a few reprimands.

Yinzhen curled his lips but hadn’t time to respond when a young eunuch at the door announced—

"Your Majesty, Minister Zhang Tingyu, Minister Ma Wu, and Minister E'lu'tai request an audience."

"Let them in!" Yinzhen waved his hand, instructing Su Peisheng, "Put the desserts away for now; I don’t have time to deal with them."

Su Peisheng had no choice but to have the food box stored away.

*

As Zhang Tingyu and the others entered, they knelt and bowed—

"We humbly offer our respects to Your Majesty."

Zhang Tingyu, holding a formal report above his head with both hands, said, "Your Majesty requested that we draft an edict, which we have now completed for Your Majesty’s review."

Zhang Tingyu, serving in the Southern Study, had been promoted by Yinzhen and was known for his literary talent. Now holding a fourth-rank position, he was specifically in charge of drafting edicts for the Emperor.

Yinzhen asked the three to rise and slowly reviewed the report.

Fu Cha Ma Wu was the Minister of Finance, and Niohuru E'lu'tai was the Minister of Rites.

Yinzhen knew that the others were honest, and their appointments could be arranged after the audience in the imperial study.

As for the ninth and tenth princes, those two troublemakers would be sent to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Rites first thing tomorrow morning after the court session. He had already set the stage for them.

While reviewing the report, Yinzhen finalized the details of the plan with the three ministers.

The palace attendants on the path were already calling out "all is well" in trembling voices, ringing their bells. The distant sound of the night watchman's gong could be faintly heard, and the night was deep, with stars shining brightly.

Bathed in the silvery moonlight, Yinzhen led Su Peisheng through the hidden passage behind the rockery, heading toward Qingyu Pavilion, his mood light.

Thinking about tomorrow’s grand court session, he couldn’t wait to pour himself three cups of bamboo leaf green wine as soon as he walked in.

The smooth, fragrant wine warmed his belly and stirred his appetite.

With a smile, the emperor sat up straight, his presence imposing yet calm. He eagerly picked up a semi-transparent pastry and brought it to his lips.

The moment it touched his tongue, the sweet-sour, chewy texture softly yet firmly erased the warmth of the wine, just like the way a certain hand had once boldly caressed his lips on a particular night.

The tea powder, used to keep the pastries from sticking, lightly clung to his thin lips, and a soft breeze from the window tickled them ever so slightly.

Yinzhen’s body tensed slightly. The pastry was fine, but the feeling on his lips seemed oddly familiar.

In that moment of doubt, a soft "clap" echoed as Su Peisheng closed the box, instantly transporting Yinzhen back to that night.

Suddenly, the pastry felt like it had sharp barbs, making Yinzhen choke as his eyes darkened and his face turned stormy with anger.

He slammed the wine cup down and took a deep breath, trying to rein in his fury.

"Go, bring that cursed thing to me!"

"This… what exactly, Your Majesty?"

Yinzhen lifted his gaze, a cold sharpness flashing in his eyes, his voice sending chills to the heart.

"How many times have you been plotting against me?"

Su Peisheng: "..."