When Jiang Huan returned to her own western side hall, she felt as if the sky was about to collapse. This fake night attendance she had performed didn't seem to bring any good at all.
It was bad enough that Consort Yu showed no restraint toward her, but now Imperial Concubine Jia also held a grudge against her. What's worse, she was now forbidden from leaving Jin Hua Palace, making it impossible to deliver food to the Emperor.
She estimated that her demotion decree would arrive early tomorrow morning.
Xiao Zhao anxiously applied medicine to Jiang Huan's face, noticing her pale, ashen expression of utter despair. She realized that with her simple mind that couldn't even understand palace intrigue dramas, getting involved in the harem would only bring trouble!
"Don't be afraid, Mistress. You just focus on preparing the food. Later, this servant will deliver it to the Emperor and definitely help bring His Majesty here to punish that Consort Yu for abusing private punishment!"
Xiao Zhao patted her chest confidently while making this promise to Jiang Huan, who slowly reached out and held her hand.
"Xiao Zhao, you don't need to do these things. Promise me that from now on, don't speak to them. Let me do all the talking."
If this silly girl hadn't made those threatening remarks, she might have avoided one slap. But looking at Xiao Zhao's reddened eyes, Jiang Huan couldn't bring herself to utter a single word of blame.
It was still her own fault for being useless. If she had higher status and more power, no one would dare interfere even if Xiao Zhao cursed heaven and earth outside.
…
Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Piles of memorials stacked up like mountains. Huo Lin had gone from being energetic and sharp-eyed in the morning to having vacant, empty eyes now.
The few pieces of almond blossom cake Jiang Huan had stuffed into his hands earlier were long finished. Breakfast had been cold rice, lunch was plain congee with vegetables, and dinner couldn't escape these healthy meals either.
Thinking about how his stomach would suffer again today, Huo Lin's expression grew increasingly unpleasant.
"Has Changzai Zhuang not come?"
Huo Lin glanced at the sky outside – it was almost dinner time. This Jiang Huan really had no sense of timing. So late and she still didn't know to bring him some food.
Wang Degui smiled beside him: "If Your Majesty wishes to see Changzai Zhuang, this servant can summon her for you."
"No need." Huo Lin responded coldly, his voice clearly several degrees more frightening than before.
Wang Degui's smile stiffened, not daring to make another sound. Despite serving the Emperor for so long, he still hadn't figured out his temper.
One moment missing someone, the next refusing to see them.
Huo Lin felt his stomach through the Dragon Robe, feeling like he didn't even have the energy to lose his temper. What appeared before his eyes now weren't memorials, but one after another of plump, white glutinous rice balls.
With rich fermented rice wine, sweet and fresh rice balls – one bowl would bring such mellow satisfaction.
Damn it, he would demote Jiang Huan tonight!
"Your Majesty, Consort Yu has arrived."
With Huo Lin in such a bad mood, Wang Degui felt quite nervous when reporting this.
"Tell her to get lost."
Wang Degui swallowed hard, timidly adding, "Consort Yu claims that Changzai Zhuang is unwell, and she has come in her place to deliver something."
Huo Lin's ears perked up immediately. He set down the vermilion brush, though maintaining his usual cold expression. "Let her in."
Wang Degui immediately showed a smile. "At once!"
While turning around, Wang Degui mentally noted: Changzai Zhuang currently held the foremost favor – just mentioning her name worked particularly well!
"Consort Yu, His Majesty summons you inside."
A look of joy flashed across Consort Yu's face, and she immediately signaled Cui Ying to bring the food box into the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Wasn't it just delivering food? Who said only Jiang Huan could do it? She could deliver it too!
Before entering, she repeatedly adjusted her clothing, afraid of displeasing Huo Lin.
After all, just a year ago, she had still been Consort Yu.
Back then, during the sweltering summer, she had painstakingly prepared bitter melon porridge to relieve heat and sent it to the Emperor for several consecutive days. Instead of gaining favor, she received news of her demotion to Consort Yu.
This time, there must be no mistakes!
"Your Majesty, this concubine has prepared tangyuan today. Thinking of Your Majesty’s busy schedule with state affairs, I brought it over immediately."
Consort Yu’s voice was deliberately soft and seductive, enough to make one’s bones tingle. Huo Lin’s gaze wavered for only a moment before he forcefully averted his eyes from the food box.
Tangyuan!Tangyuan!
"Your Majesty, please enjoy."
A small bowl was placed in Huo Lin’s hands. He felt a pang of disappointment—the bowl was mostly soup, with only four tangyuan, each no larger than an eyeball.
Was Jiang Huan skimping on the ingredients?
Yesterday’s tangyuan had been as big as half a fist.
As he ate one tangyuan, Huo Lin’s furrowed brow did not relax in the slightest. The taste was off—completely different from what Jiang Huan had sent yesterday.
Yet, despite the lack of flavor, the hungry Huo Lin patiently feigned composure and finished eating.
"Acceptable. I still have state affairs to attend to. Consort Yu, you may return first."
Consort Yu clasped her trembling hands, her gaze at Huo Lin burning with fervent desire.
"Your Majesty, I wonder if Changzai Zhuang pleased you yesterday. She has not been in the palace for long, and what she has learned from me is less than a fraction of my skills. I have prepared some surprises in my palace. I wonder if Your Majesty…"
As Huo Lin listened, his fingers restlessly traced circles on the memorial. So, Jiang Huan’s skills were learned from Consort Yu?
Was this bowl of tangyuan deliberately meant to tease his appetite?
"Fine, go back and wait."
Though Huo Lin’s tone was not gentle, it still filled Consort Yu with overwhelming joy.
Did the Emperor mean he would visit her palace tonight?
If not for the need to maintain decorum in the palace, Consort Yu would have skipped all the way back. To think Jiang Huan had stumbled upon the Emperor’s fondness for tangyuan!
If she had known that sending tangyuan would lead to a night of favor, she wouldn’t have bothered making bitter melon porridge last year, which had cost her even her rank!
"Miss, the Emperor has gone to Consort Yu’s palace."
Xiao Zhao applied ointment to Jiang Huan’s cheek, her lips pouting in frustration.
"Let him go. What does it have to do with us?"
Jiang Huan’s voice was listless. Consort Yu had delivered food to the Emperor on her behalf and would now enjoy his favor tonight. No doubt she would flaunt an array of delicacies. Jiang Huan’s brief moment as the new favorite was likely to be short-lived, vanishing by tomorrow.
Rather than wasting energy envying Consort Yu, it was better to think about how to survive in the future.
"Xiao Zhao, did you buy the iron pot I asked for earlier? I’m hungry."