“I heard the Internal Affairs Bureau has recently cultivated many rare flowers. The Empress is planning a Flower Viewing Banquet and will host the Imperial Concubines in the Imperial Garden in two days.”
“This is a perfect opportunity. Your Highness should take this chance to make your formal reappearance.”
Yu Ling was wholeheartedly considering options for her.
Unexpectedly, Consort Liang immediately refused, “Not possible.”
Consort Liang took a deep breath and said with a strained voice, “Back when I lost my child, I nearly lost my sanity and caused widespread discontent throughout the Imperial Harem. Although His Majesty didn’t punish me severely, he ultimately grew distant.”
“To preserve my life and favor, I had no choice but to retreat into this Yaohua Palace.”
“I’ve already made one mistake on this path before. From now on, I must proceed with caution.”
“Even after a year, the period of seclusion is still too short. We should wait longer – until His Majesty’s anticipation is fully aroused, until the other Imperial Concubines shift their attention away from us. Only then will be the right time to emerge.”
“Yu Ling, trust me. That day won’t be long in coming.”
Yu Ling stood straight, her voice firm: “This servant trusts Your Highness completely!”
Consort Liang smiled faintly and sat down behind the writing desk: “I need to write a letter home to tell them I’m doing well and that His Majesty’s favor remains unchanged, so they can set their minds at ease.”
Two days later, Empress Cui announced the Flower Viewing Banquet when the palace consorts came to pay their respects.
Her usual high prestige and generous treatment of the Pinfei meant that none of the Six Palace Consorts declined the invitation, each offering flattering and sycophantic words.
Pei Tingyue nearly dozed off listening to them.
Fortunately, just as she was about to fall asleep, Empress Cui dismissed all the consorts.
While returning to her palace through the Imperial Garden, she saw many palace maids and eunuchs bustling about, already beginning the preparations.
Pei Tingyue paused to admire the scene for a while.
Then she returned to her palace with Yun Shu.
In the afternoon, she sent Yun Shu to Fenghua Palace to request leave. Not only did Empress Cui grant permission, she also advised that if Pei Tingyue felt seriously unwell, she should summon an Imperial Physician.
After reporting back, Yun Shu marveled, “The Empress is so understanding!”
Pei Tingyue neither agreed nor disagreed.
With nothing to do in the afternoon, she decided to find some activity. After thinking for a moment, she said, “Let’s go to the Tea Room to make some pastries.”
The White Jade Cake from last time tasted good, but was a bit too sweet. This time she would try using less sugar.
Yun Shu swallowed hard, “This servant will help the Talented Beauty!”
Pei Tingyue laughed at her, “I think you’re just thinking about eating.”
She was of little help with the work, but never missed a chance to eat.
Yun Shu giggled foolishly, “Hehe.”
Her mistress was so clever.
Her little scheme had been seen through!
Looking at Yun Shu’s silly expression, Pei Tingyue felt at a loss for words. She said helplessly, “If you want to eat, then come quickly!”
With that, she turned and headed toward the Tea Room.
The rear hall had five main rooms. Besides these five, there were two side rooms – the western one being the bathing area, while the eastern one served as the Tea Room.
The Tea Room contained a small stove for brewing tea and heating water. Additionally, the room had simple cooking facilities. While complex meals couldn’t be prepared here, simple dishes were feasible.
Pei Tingyue made pastries here.
White Jade Cakes weren’t difficult to make, and soon she had steamed two batches.
One batch used one-third the original amount of sugar, while the other used half.
After steaming, Pei Tingyue tasted them and found the batch with half sugar more to her liking.
“This would be perfect to make for His Majesty next time.”
Pei Tingyue ate just one piece and didn’t have more, as she had overeaten at noon and still hadn’t fully digested it.
Looking at the two steamers of White Jade Cakes, she quickly made a distribution plan: “This is too much for you to finish alone. Have Chun Qi and Xia Meng come over to share some later, and set aside a plate to send to the Guifei.”
Yun Shu had been eating nonstop since the cakes finished steaming, too busy to speak.
Upon hearing the instruction, she could only nod repeatedly.
Pei Tingyue had woken early that day and could no longer suppress a yawn. Turning toward the door, she said, “I’m going to take a nap.”
Returning to the main hall, Pei Tingyue found a light blanket to cover herself and drowsily fell asleep on the outer chamber’s Imperial Concubine Couch.
The sleep was deep and satisfying.
Pei Tingyue had a wonderful dream.
In the dream, she successfully won over the Emperor—when she said east, he wouldn’t dare go west; if she told him to beat a dog, he wouldn’t dare chase a chicken.
Before Pei Tingyue could laugh aloud, she was shaken awake.
“Cairen, something’s happened.”
As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Yun Shu’s anxious expression.
Pei Tingyue immediately snapped to attention. Throwing off the blanket and sitting up, she asked, “What happened?”
Yun Shu spoke rapidly: “When this servant went to deliver snacks to the front hall earlier, I heard a commotion. Curious, I followed the noise and discovered the chaos was coming from the Imperial Garden.”
Pei Tingyue’s gaze sharpened as she slowly uttered three words: “Flower Viewing Banquet.”
Yun Shu nodded vigorously. “This servant stopped a fleeing palace maid and learned upon questioning that something had gone wrong at the banquet. Somehow, Shu Consort suddenly developed stomach pains and eventually fainted.”
“I heard Shu Consort has been moved back to Changxin Palace now. All the mistresses from the banquet followed her there, except for us…”
Pei Tingyue rose decisively and sat before the dressing table. “We’re going too. Do my makeup.”
“Yes.”
After applying light makeup, Pei Tingyue brought Yun Shu to Changxin Palace.
Gloom hung heavy over Changxin Palace.
Pei Tingyue arranged her expression and stepped into the main hall.
In the central chamber, Empress Cui sat in the host position with a grim expression. The other imperial concubines were seated below according to rank, their faces varied—some worried, some sighing.
After quickly scanning the room, Pei Tingyue lowered her head and stepped forward to pay respects to Empress Cui.
“Pinqie pays respects to the Empress.”
Empress Cui looked at her and said, “Why has Consort Pei come? You should rest in your quarters if you’re unwell.”
Pei Tingyue shook her head. “This minor discomfort is something Pinqie can endure—it’s not important. But how is Shu Consort’s condition? Pinqie grew endlessly worried upon hearing the news and rushed over immediately.”
“Your concern is noted. Please take a seat.” Empress Cui’s brow remained tightly furrowed. “The Imperial Physician hasn’t yet determined what’s wrong with Shu Consort.”
Given the solemn atmosphere, Pei Tingyue asked no further questions. After finding her seat, she quietly minimized her presence.
Remembering her menstrual condition, Empress Cui ordered tea to be served to her.
Pei Tingyue held the teacup, taking small sips that gradually eased the ache in her waist.
Before long, a young eunuch at the entrance announced loudly:
“His Majesty has arrived.”
A tall figure slowly appeared at the palace entrance. He strode swiftly past the assembled concubines and seated himself directly in the host position.
It was undoubtedly Xie Chen.
His expression was cold, his aura terrifyingly icy.
As Empress Cui led the concubines in bowing, he slightly waved his hand. “Rise, all of you.”
Once everyone was seated, Xie Chen turned to the Empress and inquired, “How is Shu Consort?”
Empress Cui said with some self-reproach, “It’s all my fault for organizing this Flower Viewing Banquet, otherwise Shu Consort wouldn’t have been exhausted. Currently, Xia Yuanpan from the Imperial Hospital and Doctor Hu, whom Shu Consort frequently sees, are inside conducting the diagnosis. Shu Consort’s condition remains unclear for now.”
“It’s not your fault, Empress,” Xie Chen’s voice carried a bone-chilling coldness. “Shu Consort is three months pregnant with a stable fetal condition. She usually travels by sedan chair, so it’s unlikely that merely attending a Flower Viewing Banquet would cause her to faint.”
Empress Cui understood his implication, and ripples suddenly stirred in her Phoenix Eyes: “Your Majesty means, someone intends to harm Shu Consort?”