Consort Yu stood to the side, taking in Jiang Huan's disheveled state with immense satisfaction.
She wanted Jiang Huan to remember—she was the mistress of Jin Hua Palace!
As long as Jiang Huan remained in Jin Hua Palace, she would be under Consort Yu's control!
Outside the door, Xiao Zhao had long fallen silent.
The matron administering the slapping punishment bent to check before entering.
"Your Highness, that wretched maid has fainted."
Consort Yu glanced outside, her eyes filled with disgust at the sight of blood pooling on the ground.
She waved a hand dismissively. "Throw her out."
Jiang Huan's eyes were bloodshot, nearly bursting with rage.
She struggled violently, her palms scraping against the floor tiles until they bled, leaving streaks of blood on the ground.
But the weight pressing down on her felt like two mountains, rendering her completely immobile.
Never before had Jiang Huan felt so powerless—unable to do anything but watch Xiao Zhao suffer.
She suddenly realized that in the depths of the palace, human life was cheaper than grass.
In Consort Yu's eyes, she and Xiao Zhao were nothing but ants to be crushed at will.
And the more wretched Jiang Huan appeared, the more pleased Consort Yu became.
Looking down arrogantly at Jiang Huan, she curled her lips into a condescending smile.
"Think carefully about what you should do."
With that, Consort Yu gestured for Jiang Huan to be released.
Once freed, Jiang Huan immediately rushed outside, not even bothering to remove the ropes still binding her face.
She ran so fast that the wind mixed with her tears felt like blades slicing her face—
As if cutting her into pieces.
Xiao Zhao lay motionless by the roadside where she had been discarded.
Staggering, Jiang Huan stumbled toward her.
Her eyes red, she held her breath and cautiously reached out to check for Xiao Zhao's breathing.
One second, two seconds…
Feeling a faint stream of air, Jiang Huan gasped in relief.
Xiao Zhao was alive! Still alive!
As long as she was safe, there was still hope. Where there's life, there's hope.
With no one to help, Jiang Huan carefully lifted Xiao Zhao herself, supporting her step by step as they retreated.
Back in the West Side Hall, Jiang Huan laid Xiao Zhao on the bed and retrieved hidden medicinal ointment.
In the three months since arriving in this world, Xiao Zhao had always been by her side.
Whenever Jiang Huan was bullied by others in the palace, Xiao Zhao would shield her recklessly.
This time was no different.
How could this girl be so foolish?
Tears welled in Jiang Huan's eyes as she gently tended to the wounds on Xiao Zhao's face.
The corners of Xiao Zhao's mouth were split, her cheeks swollen and bruised with ugly purplish-red patches interspersed with broken blood vessels.
Using a wooden applicator, Jiang Huan carefully applied the ointment, trembling at the horrifying sight.
Perhaps applying too much pressure, she accidentally touched a wound, causing Xiao Zhao to frown and flinch in pain.
Jiang Huan felt her own heart constrict as if bleeding alongside her.
With just one word, Consort Yu could dispose of Xiao Zhao as she pleased.
And Jiang Huan was merely a low-ranking attendant—without power or the Emperor's favor.
Jiang Huan truly had no intention of competing for favor among the consorts; she only wanted to live quietly like a carefree idler.
But reality never bowed to her wishes.
Because of serving the Emperor, Consort Yu already held a grudge against her. If she continued remaining passive, it would only get those around her killed.
The tears brimming in her eyes finally fell.
Like a floodgate bursting open, unstoppable.
Jiang Huan raised a hand to wipe them away, but they kept flowing.
She wept for her own helplessness.
Had she not been serving such a mistress, Xiao Zhao might not have suffered this torment.
In her dazed state, Xiao Zhao heard weeping and struggled to open her eyes.
"My lady…" Xiao Zhao's voice was hoarse, her words slurred and thick with self-reproach, "This servant… has I… caused you trouble…"
As she spoke, blood seeped from the corner of her mouth.
"Don't speak."
Jiang Huan hastily wiped her face with her sleeve, trying to appear composed.
"Rest well, don't overthink. I'll handle everything."
Xiao Zhao had endured great suffering and was barely holding on. Soothed by Jiang Huan's words, she fell unconscious again.
Jiang Huan didn't leave, remaining seated by the bed in deep thought.
She didn't want to stay in Jin Hua Palace for even one more day, but if she wanted to move out, she could only depend on the Emperor's favor.
And to escape Consort Yu's clutches also required the Emperor's favor.
Alone and powerless, she could only bide her time for now, waiting for an opportunity.
She knew Consort Yu's purpose was simply to make her prepare food to curry favor with the Emperor.
Since that was the case, she would grant Consort Yu's wish.
Having made up her mind, Jiang Huan went to the main hall and was brought before Consort Yu by a palace maid.
"Your humble servant pays respects to Consort Yu." Jiang Huan respectfully curtsied.
With Xiao Zhao injured and uncertain when she would recover, she needed to placate Consort Yu.
She couldn't let Consort Yu cause them more trouble.
Consort Yu didn't speak immediately. She leisurely sipped from her teacup, only speaking after finishing the entire cup.
"Rise."
Jiang Huan's legs ached, her clothes were soaked with sweat, and her damp hair clung to her face.
But she didn't move.
"This servant has committed errors and dares not rise."
Consort Yu's smile widened as she deliberately asked, "Tell me, what have you done wrong?"
"When Your Highness ordered this servant to prepare food, it was an honor. Previously…" Jiang Huan's voice choked, "Previously this servant was ungrateful. This servant willingly offers to prepare food for Your Highness, begging Your Highness to forgive this servant."
"Henceforth, whenever Your Highness or the Emperor requires, this servant will come at once."
Tears fell, mixing with the sweat on her forehead, creating wet patches on the ground.
Jiang Huan lowered herself completely. She came to play the victim – the more wretched she appeared, the more pleased Consort Yu would be.
Sure enough, Consort Yu's smile grew even brighter.
That last sentence particularly pleased her.
The Emperor liked Jiang Huan's culinary skills. If she could learn them, that would be ideal.
If she couldn't learn, then keeping Jiang Huan confined in Jin Hua Palace as a cook would achieve the same effect.
She was the mistress of Jin Hua Palace, while Jiang Huan was nothing but a dog in her domain.
When a dog misbehaves, it must be disciplined.
See? It learned its lesson.
"You know what's good for you."
Consort Yu was satisfied. As long as Jiang Huan remained obedient, she could tolerate her presence.
After all, this was her secret weapon for winning favor.
"Since you've recognized your errors, I'll give you another chance."
But Jiang Huan remained silent, still not rising immediately.
Xiao Zhao's earlier claim that the West Side Hall had no ingredients left wasn't a lie.
Jiang Huan didn't believe Consort Yu was unaware.
Now that Consort Yu wanted her to prepare food, she couldn't give Consort Yu another excuse to punish her.
Jiang Huan pressed her lips together, putting on an extremely embarrassed expression as she struggled to speak.
"Dare I not deceive Your Highness? This lowly servant's status is humble. The ingredients usually available in the West Side Hall are leftovers fit only for palace cats and dogs. Your Highness is noble and precious. This servant truly dares not use such things to prepare food for Your Highness."
In Jiang Huan's heart, these were all premium ingredients, but she could only speak this way to please Consort Yu.
The more she equated herself with cats and dogs, the more it highlighted Consort Yu's nobility.
"Hahahaha!"
Consort Yu hadn't expected Jiang Huan to say such things. She laughed so hard that the buyao in her hair trembled, only stopping after a long while.
After all, she comes from a humble background—utterly unpresentable.
Wiping the tears of laughter from the corners of her eyes, she felt thoroughly pleased.
"Just proceed with the cooking. Whatever you need, I'll have Cui Ying prepare it for you."
Jiang Huan breathed a sigh of relief, knowing she had passed this immediate test.
If she wanted Consort Yu to become dependent on her assistance, she needed to demonstrate irreplaceable value.
After some thought, Jiang Huan decided to make charcoal-grilled meat and asked Cui Ying for the ingredients.
This dish wasn't chosen arbitrarily.
Grilling meat required mastering the heat, and it was best enjoyed fresh off the grill—skills Consort Yu couldn't learn quickly.
Hearing Jiang Huan's request, Consort Yu's expression darkened slightly.
"This is the first time I've heard of using charcoal and a wire grill for cooking. Changzai Zhuang, are you making a fool of me?"
"I wouldn't dare," Jiang Huan hurriedly bowed, explaining meekly. "Please calm your anger, Your Highness. If I fail to prepare food to your satisfaction, I willingly accept punishment."
Consort Yu glanced at Jiang Huan, confident she wouldn't dare deceive her.
Soon enough, Cui Ying brought the ingredients and tools Jiang Huan needed.
Jiang Huan busied herself in the kitchen, slicing the meat, marinating it with a special sauce, washing and arranging the vegetables, and preparing several dipping sauces for the meat.
But this time, she felt none of the usual joy she had while cooking.
When delicacies became tools for currying favor, they lost their original essence.
She, this salted fish, now felt like meat roasting over flames.
Scorched relentlessly by the fires of jealousy in the rear palace.
Once all preparations were complete, Jiang Huan lit the charcoal, set up the wire grill, and began grilling.
Her knife skills were excellent—the meat sliced paper-thin. Placed on the grill, each piece cooked in mere moments.
Jiang Huan served the first grilled slice to Consort Yu in a bowl.
"Your Highness, please taste."
Consort Yu had been tantalized by the aroma earlier. Now, taking the bowl, she ate the slice in one bite. Juices burst in her mouth—crispy outside, tender inside, utterly delicious.
Consort Yu's eyelashes trembled uncontrollably. She had never tasted anything so exquisite!
The second slice was ready. Consort Yu ate it leisurely, letting the oils seep into the lines of her lips.
Jiang Huan grilled another slice, wrapped it in a fresh lettuce leaf, and offered it to Consort Yu.
"It's even more delightful wrapped in a tender leaf. Would Your Highness like to try?"
She then pointed to the porcelain bowls of dipping sauces, explaining patiently, "Each sauce has a distinct flavor—garlic paste, cumin chili powder, and…"