Changle Palace’s rear hall was bustling with activity.
Yun Shu was changing the bedding in the Qindian, while the young palace maids Chun Qi and Xia Meng were tidying up the hall.
Pei Tingyue had taken off her shoes and sat cross-legged on the Luohan couch, staring seriously at the pastries on the table.
She reached out and picked up a piece.
After tasting it, she murmured, “Delicious, delicious. Could I be a culinary goddess?”
Over the past few days, Pei Tingyue had successively made several different types of pastries, all of which tasted quite good.
She planned to select the most delicious one to send to the Imperial Presence.
To steadily increase the emperor’s daily favor.
As for how to conquer the emperor’s heart, Pei Tingyue hadn’t yet thought of a good method.
This matter couldn’t be rushed too much; she needed to plan carefully.
Just as she was hesitating over which pastry to send, she suddenly heard a series of clear, pleasant tinkling sounds.
She turned to look inside the hall, where the two young palace maids were changing the curtains.
The original curtains were made of Xiangyun gauze, used to separate the main room from the two side rooms.
The one they were replacing was made of red beads strung together. Although its blocking effect wasn’t as good as the gauze, it was more beautiful.
Chun Qi, noticing her fixed gaze on the bead curtain, stammered, “Did we disturb the Cairen?”
Pei Tingyue propped her chin on her hand and said lazily, “Not at all, I enjoy listening to the sound.”
After the replacement was complete, Chun Qi stared at it for a long time, then began to move.
Lifting it, walking in, then lifting it again, walking out.
For a while, the sound of jade ornaments and tinkling beads was continuous.
Pei Tingyue laughed so hard she collapsed on the couch. It wasn’t the action itself that was funny, but Chun Qi’s deadpan expression that amused her.
This girl was truly simple-minded.
Pei Tingyue laughed for a while until Yun Shu finished tidying the Qindian and came out to see this scene, hurriedly stopping it.
“Stop, stop!” She quickly walked over and hung the bead curtain on the golden hooks on both sides. “This Red Jade Bead Curtain was bestowed by the emperor! It’s extremely precious. How can it be used for amusement!”
Chun Qi sheepishly retreated to the side.
Yun Shu then threw a reproachful look at Pei Tingyue, “The Cairen didn’t stop it, and even laughed so heartily! This was specially bestowed upon the Cairen by the emperor. We finally have something presentable…”
“Stop, stop, stop!” Pei Tingyue interrupted Yun Shu’s grumbling, picking up a piece of pastry and offering it to her. “Want some?”
“Yes.”
Yun Shu stopped complaining and slowly moved closer.
Pei Tingyue breathed a sigh of relief.
She had made plenty, with two plates on the table. Thinking they couldn’t finish it all, she handed one plate to Chun Qi and Xia Meng.
“You two have worked hard all day. Go back and rest.”
The two thanked her for the favor and happily carried the pastries out.
“How is it? Delicious?” Pei Tingyue smiled softly and looked at Yun Shu.
“Delicious.” Yun Shu swallowed a large mouthful and praised, “The Cairen’s culinary skills are getting better and better.”
Pei Tingyue nodded with satisfaction.
Decided!
She would send this White Jade Cake.
Not only was it delicious, but it was also simple and easy to make.
Later, she would refine the recipe to make the White Jade Cake taste its absolute best.
Yun Shu was eating happily, and Pei Tingyue, watching her, felt tempted and joined in eating too.
Halfway through eating, Pei Tingyue remembered that while making the pastries, there was still more than half a pot of cow’s milk left. She asked Yun Shu to find it and poured a cup for each of them.
Just as they were enjoying their food, someone entered the hall.
The newcomer curtseyed to Pei Tingyue.
“Consort Pei.”
Pei Tingyue wiped her lips with a handkerchief, got off the couch, and helped the person up. “It’s Zhi Wu. Why have you come at this time? Does the Empress have any instructions?”
Zhi Wu smiled and said, “The Empress has sent this servant to deliver two pots of Green Chrysanthemums for the Cairen’s enjoyment.”
Pei Tingyue asked curiously, “Green Chrysanthemums at this time of year?”
Zhi Wu explained, “Yes, the Internal Affairs Bureau managed to cultivate them with great effort. Besides the Green Chrysanthemums, there are many other rare varieties, though the quantities are limited, so each palace can only receive a few pots.”
Pei Tingyue understood, “I see.”
Zhi Wu added, “The Empress is concerned that the Imperial Concubines might not fully enjoy the viewing, so she plans to host a Flower Viewing Banquet. Once preparations are complete, she will inform all the Imperial Concubines. We hope the Cairen will grace us with her presence then.”
Pei Tingyue laughed, “I’ll definitely go to feast my eyes.”
After seeing Zhi Wu off, Yun Shu no longer ate the pastries. She walked excitedly toward the bedchamber, “This servant will select a beautiful spring outfit for the Cairen, ensuring you outshine everyone at the Flower Viewing Banquet.”
“Come back,” Pei Tingyue called out to her in time. “I’m not going. I was just deceiving Zhi Wu earlier.”
“Ah?” Yun Shu stood frozen in place. “Why isn’t the Cairen going?”
A profound glint flashed in Pei Tingyue’s eyes as she said leisurely, “Shu Consort’s pregnancy is too precious. If any accident were to happen and implicate us, it would be better to avoid trouble by not going.”
Yun Shu thought her mistress made a valid point, “That’s true.”
“Mm, anyway, my monthly courses are almost due. We can tell others that I’m physically weak and unable to attend the Flower Viewing Banquet.”
“Alright.”
Pei Tingyue waved to her, “Come quickly, there are still plenty of pastries here.”
The night was cool as water, the moonlight hazy and soft.
In a quiet palace chamber.
A beauty sat before a writing desk, practicing calligraphy with a brush.
Under the flickering firelight, her appearance became increasingly captivating—she was the same type of beauty as Pei Tingyue.
Radiant and graceful, dazzlingly beautiful.
At first glance, their eyebrows and eyes even bore some resemblance.
Yet with a closer look, one could distinguish their differences.
Though their features were of the same type, their temperaments were entirely distinct.
Pei Tingyue’s every movement was bright and fervent, vivid and lively.
Whereas this beauty seemed to carry an air of frost, giving off a cool and distant feeling.
This person was none other than Consort Liang, Shen Yuyao.
Her brushstrokes were powerful, and the characters she wrote were not delicate and graceful like those of typical women. Her calligraphy was strong-boned, robust, and fluid, even more resilient than that written by men.
“This one is well-written. Help me store it properly,” Consort Liang Shen examined it for a moment before instructing her palace maid, Yu Ling.
Yu Ling stepped forward to carefully store the writing. Her expression carried a hint of caution, “This servant has gathered some news. Would Your Highness like to hear it?”
Consort Liang Shen set down her brush and said softly, “Naturally. Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.”
Yu Ling organized her thoughts before speaking slowly, “Over the past two months, the Emperor has either rested alone in Chengming Hall or summoned Consort Pei from Changle Palace.”
When Yu Ling mentioned “the Emperor,” a trace of tenderness flickered in Consort Liang Shen’s cold eyes before quickly returning to normal.
“Consort Pei? Is she the new consort who entered the palace last year?”
“Exactly. I’ve heard that this Consort Pei bears some resemblance to Your Highness in the eyebrows and eyes, which is why the Emperor favors her particularly.”
“Impossible!” Consort Liang Shen said coldly. “I understand the Emperor. He wouldn’t seek a substitute to tarnish the affection between us. Moreover, I am unique in his heart—no one can compare.”
“Tell me in detail about this Consort Pei.”
Yu Ling revealed all the information she had gathered.
Following her words, Consort Liang Shen meticulously unraveled the truth layer by layer.
“I understand now!”
“There’s no need to concern ourselves with this Consort Pei—she poses no threat!”
She had thought another formidable figure had emerged in the palace, only to realize the Emperor had set up a decoy for her.
Touched by the Emperor’s genuine affection, Consort Liang could no longer restrain her longing. She walked to the palace entrance and gazed toward the direction of Chengming Hall.
Yaohua Palace was the closest among the Six Eastern and Western Palaces to Chengming Hall.
Standing at the entrance of Yaohua Palace, one could even glimpse the corner eaves of Chengming Hall.
Consort Liang stared fixedly at those eaves and murmured,
“Ah Chen, you still hold Yu Yao in your heart, don’t you?”
“Otherwise, you wouldn’t have specially established a decoy for Yu Yao.”
Yu Ling approached her side and advised, “Your Highness, the evening wind is strong. Please return inside.”
Consort Liang steadied her emotions, and when she reopened her eyes, her expression had regained its frosty composure.
Yu Ling poured her a cup of hot tea and suggested, “Your Highness has been recuperating in the palace for a year. If you wish to go out, now would be an opportune time.”