Hearing the noise, Noble Consort Song set down her red-tasseled spear and walked out. A thin layer of sweat glistened on her smooth forehead, which she casually wiped away with a handkerchief.
The faint morning light made it somewhat difficult to keep one’s eyes open. Noble Consort Song raised a hand to shade her eyes as she looked at Tuantuan and said, “Serves you right for disturbing someone’s sleep.”
Tuantuan let out a mournful cry.
Having gotten her revenge, Pei Tingyue felt satisfied and didn’t trouble Tuantuan further. After patting its bottom twice, she let it go.
Noble Consort Song stretched her body and said, “Today I’d like to eat Peach Blossom Cake.”
Peach Blossom Cake was Pei Tingyue’s creation. First, peach blossom petals were picked and thoroughly cleaned, then crushed into juice. This was mixed with glutinous rice flour, Chinese yam, and cow’s milk before being steamed into a soft, sticky, and sweet treat that filled the mouth with the fragrance of peach blossoms.
Finding it delicious, she had sent some to the main hall, never expecting Noble Consort Song would become fond of it.
Upon hearing Noble Consort Song’s words, Pei Tingyue’s eyes lit up. “Then this Pinqie will have breakfast at Your Ladyship’s place today!”
The breakfast provisions for a Talented Beauty were limited to the same few dishes repeatedly, and she had long grown tired of them.
Whereas the breakfast provisions for a Noble Consort were so abundant they couldn’t all fit on the large gold-traced red lacquer round table in the main hall, featuring all kinds of rare and exquisite delicacies.
Having tasted it once, Pei Tingyue had been longing for it ever since.
“Very well,” Noble Consort Song readily agreed.
“Then this Pinqie will go pick some peach blossoms from the Imperial Garden while paying respects!”
Pei Tingyue returned to the rear hall. Since she still needed to pay respects at Fenghua Palace later, she had to wash up and apply makeup first.
After freshening up and seeing that there was still time, she brought Yun Shu and another young palace maid, Chun Qi, to the Imperial Garden.
Changle Palace wasn’t far from the Imperial Garden, so they arrived quickly.
The Imperial Garden covered an extensive area. The front flower beds were planted with precious flowers and plants, blooming vibrantly in this spring season.
There were several ponds where koi swam about, quite amusing to watch. Further back were several flower groves, including Peach Blossom Grove, Pear Blossom Grove, Plum Blossom Grove, and others.
For the convenience of the masters enjoying the flowers, there were pavilions every five steps and gazebos every ten. Having visited numerous times, Pei Tingyue was already familiar with the place. She led her attendants along a shortcut and soon reached the Peach Blossom Grove.
Approaching April, many peach blossoms had fallen, covering the ground in pink and white.
While picking flowers, Pei Tingyue chatted idly, “It seems this year, we’ll only get to eat Peach Blossom Cake this once.”
Yun Shu lamented, “These peach blossoms fall so quickly.”
Whenever her mistress steamed Peach Blossom Cakes, she let Yun Shu eat her fill. The thought of not being able to eat them anymore made her somewhat reluctant.
Pei Tingyue knew why she felt this way and comforted her, “Later I’ll make other pastries for you to eat.”
Yun Shu regained her energy. “That would be wonderful!”
After the mistress and her two attendants had picked for a while and deemed it sufficient, Pei Tingyue led them back.
She instructed the young palace maid Chun Qi, “Take these peach blossom petals back to our palace and rinse them twice with clean water. Prepare the glutinous rice flour and other ingredients. I’ll start making them after I’ve paid my respects and had breakfast.”
Chun Qi was a timid and quiet palace maid. Receiving the instruction, she timidly replied, “This maid understands.”
Pei Tingyue nodded, sending her back to the palace while she proceeded to Fenghua Palace with Yun Shu.
Before leaving the Imperial Garden, they saw a beautiful woman approaching gracefully.
It was Bao Lin Yan.
Bao Lin Yan naturally noticed her too and was the first to bow. “Sister Pei.”
Pei Tingyue smiled faintly. “What a coincidence to meet you here, Sister Yan.”
The delight on Bao Lin Yan’s face was unmistakable. She had been worrying about how to inquire about the previous incident, and now this encounter couldn’t be more fortuitous.
After a few pleasantries, she quietly pulled Pei Tingyue aside and said hesitantly, “Sister, you promised to put in a good word for me before the Emperor a few days ago. How did it go?”
Pei Tingyue smiled cheerfully, “I promised Sister Yan, so of course I haven’t forgotten. I did mention Sister Yan’s good name before His Majesty.”
Mentioned—in reverse.
“Thank you, sister.” Bao Lin Yan felt somewhat disappointed upon hearing this. If she had been mentioned, why hadn’t the Emperor summoned her yet?
Pei Tingyue guessed what she was thinking and patted her hand reassuringly, “Don’t lose heart. His Majesty has been busy with state affairs lately. Once he has more free time, he’s sure to remember Sister Yan.”
Bao Lin Yan thought it made sense.
A smile spread across her face, and she showered Pei Tingyue with sweet words.
Inwardly, however, she felt a hint of disdain, thinking that Consort Pei was indeed as foolish as the rumors suggested—easily manipulated with just a few coaxing words, and already granting her such a significant favor.
After exchanging a few more meaningless remarks, and noticing it was almost time for the morning greetings, Pei Tingyue said, “Sister Yan, shall we go together to pay respects to the Empress?”
Bao Lin Yan had no desire to be seen with her, fearing others might mistake them for close companions. She forced an awkward smile and said, “Sister, I just realized I’ve lost my handkerchief. I need to go back and look for it.”
Pei Tingyue didn’t expose her flimsy excuse. “Then hurry along, Sister Yan.”
Bao Lin Yan quickly took her leave.
Watching her hurried departure, Pei Tingyue let out a cold laugh and turned to head toward Fenghua Palace.
Before she could reach Fenghua Palace, she was stopped again on the palace road.
The person blocking her way was a beautiful woman with striking features and an alluring demeanor. However, her delicate willow-leaf eyebrows were furrowed fiercely, marring her beauty and giving her a domineering air.
She scrutinized Pei Tingyue with extreme disdain.
“This is Consort Pei. Why aren’t you paying your respects?”
Yun Shu had never seen anyone so insolent toward her mistress. The way this woman looked at Pei Tingyue as if appraising goods made her uncomfortable.
After confirming repeatedly that she had never seen this beautiful face in the palace, and noting that the woman wore her hair in a maiden’s style and was not dressed in palace attire, Yun Shu rebuked her sharply.
“Pay respects? She isn’t worthy!” the beautiful woman retorted coldly.
“Step back, Yun Shu,” Pei Tingyue interjected. She looked at the woman blocking her path and asked, “May I ask why you are stopping me, miss?”
The woman snorted disdainfully. “I came to see what the most favored woman in the Imperial Harem looks like. Now that I’ve seen you, you’re nothing special!”
Without another word, she turned and walked away.
Yun Shu was furious and wanted to stop her, but Pei Tingyue shook her head.
“Consort, why did you stop me?”
“You can’t teach her a lesson,” Pei Tingyue said, ignoring Yun Shu’s astonishment. She lowered her voice and analyzed, “Did you see the buyao in her hair? It’s a golden phoenix holding a pearl. In this palace, only the Empress Dowager and the Empress are permitted to wear such an ornament.”
“The fact that it was gifted to her means this young lady has a significant background.”
“Let’s go. We might find out who she is when we reach Fenghua Palace.”
Delayed by this encounter, by the time Pei Tingyue arrived, most of the attendees were already in the hall.
Not long after, Empress Cui made her appearance.
She seemed exceptionally cheerful today. One of the Pinfei gathered the courage to ask, “Why is Your Majesty so happy today?”
A warm smile graced Empress Cui’s face. “There are two joyous occasions in the palace, which is why I am so delighted.”
She looked around at the Imperial Concubines and announced, “The first is that Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has fully recovered from her illness.”
The Imperial Concubines looked at one another in confusion.
Whose health?
The Empress Dowager’s health?
I hadn’t heard that the Empress Dowager was ill. What’s this about her sudden recovery?
The imperial concubines were somewhat confused.
Only Consort Xian (Xie) remained composed as she responded to the Empress, “This is indeed joyous news. Since the Empress Dowager was unwell, the two young ladies’ devoted service in preparing her medicine deserves recognition. Has Her Majesty mentioned how she intends to reward them?”
The Empress maintained her smile. “What reward could there be? Both young ladies are of marriageable age. Her Majesty’s intention is that they need not leave the palace—they shall remain here.”
At this point, even the dullest of concubines understood.
The Empress Dowager’s illness was merely a pretext.
It was nothing but a cover for introducing new women into the Imperial Harem!