As he spoke, Changshan led Li Lu to a clean small room on the right side, serving tea along with several neat pastries. "Brother Li, try these—freshly baked red date and yam cakes. I just made them."
Although Li Lu wasn't as close to the Emperor as those personal attendants in Funing Hall, he was still a person of some repute. Facing Changshan's attentiveness, he accepted it calmly, took a bite of the cake, and nodded. "This cake tastes quite good. Steward Chang's skills have improved."
Changshan smiled and said, "Thank you for your praise. Why aren't you by Guanjia's side today? Is there a message to deliver?"
Li Lu took a sip of tea before speaking. "Guanjia's meals are already set according to custom; just follow the routine. Today, Cairen Xue is accompanying the Emperor and requested steamed hilsa herring and loquat duck. Zhang Zhongguan instructed me to come and remind you all to be meticulous in preparing them."
"Of course, of course. With Grandpa Zhang's instructions, how could we not take them seriously?" Changshan grinned so widely his teeth showed.
Li Lu lowered his voice and glanced at him from the corner of his eye. "Being meticulous doesn't just apply to these two dishes. From now on, all of Cairen Xue's meals must follow this standard." Since he had already decided to align himself with Cairen Xue, Li Lu naturally had to consider her interests.
Changshan's response wasn't as quick this time, and a troubled expression appeared on his face. While there were many skilled chefs in the imperial kitchen, only a few could truly be considered top-tier. Each had their assigned duties, and he couldn't make such a decision on his own.
With a pained expression, he pleaded, "Brother Li, you understand the difficulties of us lowly servants. This matter still needs Grandpa Liu's approval."
This "Grandty Liu" referred to Liu Yue, the true head steward of the imperial kitchen. Managing such an important place, he naturally had both seniority and prestige. Born as a confidant of Empress Dowager Liu, he had overseen the Emperor's meals since childhood. Even Zhang Maoze would address him as Eunuch Liu upon meeting him.
Li Lu didn't press him further, only asking him to go and seek instructions. After all, he had intended for Changshan to relay the message.
Changshan scurried off, first going to Chef Ma's stove to instruct him to prepare the steamed hilsa herring and loquat duck—both of which happened to be Chef Ma's specialties. After that, he dashed off to Liu Yue's quarters.
Liu Yue was a portly old man with a kindly and pleasant appearance that put people at ease. He had long since stepped back from managing most affairs, leaving the major responsibilities to his disciples while he oversaw things from the background. Upon hearing Changshan's words, he patted Changshan on the head. "You should have agreed to him just now."
Changshan was confused. "Master, if we add Cairen Xue, we won't have enough hands. It wouldn't be good to cut anyone."
Liu Yue snorted. "Guanjia and the Empress definitely cannot be cut. Shi Shuyi, Consort Miao, and the eldest Princess also cannot. As for the other Jieyus and Consort Zhang, just pick one to cut."
Changshan remained hesitant and unable to decide. He moved behind his master to massage his shoulders and said with a flattering smile, "Your disciple's abilities are still too shallow. Master, please give me some guidance."
Liu Yue closed his eyes and said, "Fine, since I took you as my disciple. Use your head and think: whoever Guanjia favors becomes the priority. Consort Zhang cannot be touched. Although she seems to be losing favor now, it's still too early to say for sure, and she carries a precious treasure in her womb. As for the three Jieyus—Consort Meng, Consort Yu, and Consort Zhou—Consort Meng has seniority, Consort Yu has emotional ties, but Consort Zhou lacks both. If not her, then who?"
Changshan had settled on a plan and, after flattering Eunuch Liu a few more times, politely informed Li Lu that the matter was settled. Li Lu was quite satisfied, already scheming in his mind about how to reveal this accomplishment to Cairen Xue to claim credit once he was by her side.
With the task completed and the dishes ready, Li Lu called over a few young eunuchs to pack everything up and headed back.
From a distance, Li Lu saw Bai Liu standing outside holding the curtain aside. He jogged over and said, "Oh, Sister Bai Liu, why trouble yourself with holding the curtain?" Bai Liu curled her lip. Look at that old face of his, still calling me 'sister.' If I didn’t know he was coming to Lady Xue’s place, I wouldn’t even bother with him.
Outwardly, Bai Liu smiled and replied, "Thank you for making the trip. Lady and Guanjia are waiting inside." With that, she directed the eunuchs carrying the meal to go in and set the table, then swayed her hips and followed them inside.
Li Lu wasn’t offended, his face still wearing a cheerful smile. No stove burns hot from the very start. If you haven’t reached the point where everyone fawns over you, you need a thick skin.
Inside the hall, Xue Dongyu watched as rows of people entered. Even though she knew none of them dared to look up, she still felt uneasy and squirmed slightly, trying to break free. The long, slender fingers resting on her waist tightened. "What are you moving for?" a low, guiding voice came from above her head. She panted softly and whispered, "It’s time for the meal. You can let me down now."
The Emperor turned his head, thought for a moment, and realized he couldn’t hold her like this forever. Reluctantly, he released his grip around her waist. Xue Dongyu quickly jumped down, not daring to go too far, and sat on the nearby couch.
After collecting her thoughts for a while, Xue Dongyu wondered, Could the Emperor have a skin hunger disorder? Is that why he keeps holding me like this, clinging to me like a cat to catnip? In her modern life, she had never even held hands with anyone, so this was far too stimulating for her.
Then she thought about the Emperor’s three thousand beauties in the harem and the several children he already had, feeling she had gotten the short end of the stick…
The Emperor watched with amusement as the woman beside him seemed lost in thought, her face shifting between shyness and dejection. Her expressions were ever-changing, a fresh and entertaining sight.
Others in his presence, if not holding their breath in fear, were always mindful of their words and actions. None were as unguarded as Cairen Xue.
He found it amusing that he had been angry at himself for believing Consort Meng’s words about her. Someone who wore everything on her face like this, with no scheming or guile, would believe whatever others told her.
Zhang Maoze and Bai Xing, who had entered earlier, stood frozen to the side. Zhang Maoze glanced at Bai Xing. "Go and remind our masters to eat. The meal is all set." Bai Xing shot him a look in return. Do you think I’m stupid? Look at the atmosphere between Guanjia and Lady—there’s no room for anyone else. How could I dare to interrupt?
In the end, it was Xue Dongyu who snapped out of it first. She looked at the table, laden with a dazzling array of dishes that looked absolutely delicious. After the day’s events, her mouth was practically watering. Yet, she didn’t dare speak before the Emperor, so she could only gaze at him with hopeful, pleading eyes.