When Wen Lier followed the palace maid to the dining hall, breakfast was already laid out on the table.
There was congee, noodles, meat dishes, vegetarian dishes, soup, pastries, bird’s nest, and various dipping sauces.
Each dish was exquisitely prepared, though the portions were small.
Wen Lier emptied eight plates in succession, along with a bowl of bird’s nest congee.
The two palace maids serving her were genuinely astonished.
They exchanged glances, a flicker of disdain swiftly passing through their eyes.
Wen Fengyi was truly provincial—they had never seen any young lady devour so much food in one sitting.
Only someone from a humble background, unaccustomed to fine things, would eat so voraciously without regard for decorum.
Had Wen Lier known their thoughts, she would have rolled her eyes hard.
Wasn’t this breakfast laid out for her to eat?
Since so much was prepared, why should she be expected to eat only a little? Were they out of their minds?
Besides, how much she ate was none of their damn business!
When leaving Yuqing Hall, Wen Lier had to support her stomach as she walked.
Mama Qin, Qing Zhu, and Qing Mei hadn’t slept all night. They were delighted that their mistress had spent the night in Yuqing Hall, indicating the Crown Prince truly favored her.
On the other hand, they worried the Crown Princess would be furious.
After all, a Bong Yi had no right to stay overnight in Yuqing Hall.
Amid this anxious mix of joy and worry, they finally saw Wen Lier being escorted back by two eunuchs from Yuqing Hall.
Mama Qin stepped forward as usual to offer tips, but this time the two eunuchs cheerfully declined, refusing to accept.
They said it was their honor as servants to escort the Bong Yi back.
These palace maids and eunuchs were experts at gauging the wind—seeing Wen Fengyi currently in favor, who wouldn’t want to curry favor? How dare they accept her tips?
Seeing their refusal, Mama Qin didn’t insist. She simply had Qing Zhu and Qing Mei fetch two handfuls of sunflower seeds from the inner hall for the eunuchs to snack on when bored.
The two eunuchs expressed profuse thanks before departing.
Mama Qin looked at Wen Lier and sighed, “Mistress, you see? This is how these servants’ attitudes change when one gains favor. If you want them to remain respectful, you must work harder.”
Wen Lier thought to herself, since when was she favored?
His Highness had only summoned her to serve him three times and given her three rewards.
Nothing else remarkable had happened, so why were people acting as if they were witnessing the rise of a favored consort?
Mama Qin turned to Qing Zhu and Qing Mei, instructing them to fetch breakfast from the kitchen.
Wen Lier quickly stopped them.
“I’ve already eaten at Yuqing Hall. No need to order more.”
Upon hearing this, Mama Qin became as excited as if she herself had enjoyed a grand feast, murmuring incessantly.
“Bodhisattva be praised. His Highness truly favors you, Mistress! Not only did he let you stay overnight in Yuqing Hall, but he also kept you for breakfast! This old servant will bathe and burn incense later to thank the Bodhisattva, praying for continued favor.”
Wen Lier: “…”
Mama Qin was delirious with joy. Wen Lier turned to Qing Zhu and Qing Mei and said, “Quickly help me change clothes. I need to pay respects to the Crown Princess.”
At her words, Mama Qin’s prayers immediately shifted: “Bodhisattva protect us, please don’t let the Crown Princess punish our mistress.”
Unfortunately, the Bodhisattva didn’t hear her prayer.
When Wen Lier arrived at Fuyao Hall, she didn’t even have time to enter before being stopped by Xie Zhenrong’s personal maid Hongbi.
…
Meanwhile, at Jinluan Hall.
After the morning court session ended, Yan Shixu attended lectures at Deli Pavilion for the entire morning.
When he emerged, Yongtai saw the Crown Prince heading directly toward the inner courtyard, assuming he was going to Fuyao Hall to see the Crown Princess.
Unexpectedly, the Crown Prince walked straight in the direction of Yaohua Hall.
Yongtai was startled and hurried to follow him.
At the East Hall of Yaohua Hall, upon hearing the eunuch’s announcement that the Crown Prince had arrived, Mama Qin didn’t know whether to be surprised or delighted.
She brought Qing Mei out to pay respects.
Yan Shixu glanced inside with confusion and asked, “Where is your mistress?”
Mama Qin opened her mouth, momentarily unsure how to respond.
Seeing her like this, Yan Shixu slightly furrowed his brows.
“Speak.”
Not daring to hide the truth, Mama Qin quickly knelt before Yan Shixu.
“Your Highness, my mistress is still kneeling outside Fuyao Hall. She has been kneeling all morning.”
Upon hearing this, Yan Shixu’s face instantly darkened.
“Your Highness, you…”
She wanted to ask if he could go to Fuyao Hall to plead for her mistress?
But before she could finish speaking, she saw the Crown Prince had already strode away.
Yan Shixu walked swiftly, heading straight for Fuyao Hall.
Seeing his hurried steps but extremely calm expression, Yongtai couldn’t tell whether His Highness was angry or not.
When they arrived outside Fuyao Hall, Yan Shixu immediately spotted Wen Lier kneeling on the ground.
Her face was somewhat pale, fine beads of sweat dotted her forehead, and her slender figure appeared rather pitiful under the sunlight.
Yan Shixu’s heart clenched painfully. He quickly stepped forward to help her up.
When Wen Lier saw him, she managed to force a smile.
Seeing him trying to help her stand, she quickly shifted away.
Glancing toward the hall, she whispered, “Your Highness, please don’t damage your marital relationship with the Crown Princess for my sake.”
Yan Shixu’s movements stiffened. He slowly straightened up and walked directly into the main hall.
Inside the hall.
Xie Zhenrong was reviewing this month’s expenditure accounts for the Eastern Palace when Yan Shixu entered, causing her to pause momentarily.
She then set aside the account books and stood up to greet him.
“Why does Your Highness have time to visit today? Don’t you need to handle court affairs?”
Normally, after finishing lessons at Deli Pavilion, the Crown Prince would go to Taiji Hall to handle government affairs with court officials.
He would naturally have lunch with the ministers as well, rarely coming to the inner courtyard during lunchtime.
Yan Shixu looked calmly at Xie Zhenrong and said slowly, “It’s currently the ministers’ lunch break. I caught a chill last night and feel somewhat fatigued. Since there’s still time, I thought I’d come back to rest for a while.”
Upon hearing this, Xie Zhenrong immediately prepared to send Caixia to summon the imperial physician.
Yan Shixu shook his head to stop her.
“There’s no need for an imperial physician. Wen Fengyi took care of me all last night and fed me Shi Shen Pills. I’m already much better, just a bit physically tired.”
Shi Shen Pills are composed of ten medicinal ingredients including Sichuan lovage rhizome, ephedra, and perilla, which can be made into pills or decoctions. They primarily treat colds and wind-chill ailments, and are naturally regularly stocked in the Eastern Palace.
After speaking, Yan Shixu showed a puzzled expression: “Wen Fengyi meritoriously cared for me last night. Why hasn’t the Crown Princess rewarded her, but instead made her kneel outside?”
Xie Zhenrong’s heart tightened, though she maintained an apologetic smile on her face.
“I misunderstood Wen Fengyi, thinking that as a Bong Yi, she didn’t understand palace regulations and had overstepped propriety by staying overnight in Yuqing Hall. Little did I know she was actually caring for Your Highness.”
Saying this, Xie Zhenrong instructed Hongbi beside her.
“Let Wen Fengyi rise. Since she has rendered service in caring for Your Highness, give her the pair of Gold Twined Branch Jade Bracelets I recently acquired to take back with her.”
“Yes.” Hongbi withdrew slowly.