The accident left Qi Shen with no desire to continue hunting in the mountains, so he ordered that all activities remain at the foothills for the day instead. However, Jing Xin quickly noticed that he had developed a strong desire to conquer the tiger. He instructed Qin Wuheng and the accompanying ministers that if any trace of a tiger was found, they were to report it immediately, as he intended to personally shoot one.
“Take its pelt and make a soft rug for you to calm your nerves,” he said.
Jing Xin was speechless.
That would only give her a heart attack.
Just seeing a tiger reminded her of the heroine’s tragic fate in the original story.
Qi Shen picked up a pastry and tasted it. Jing Xin could not tell whether he liked it or not, but as expected, all the exquisite snacks on the table were likely made by Shen Qingyue.
A young palace maid standing nearby, composed and steady, saw that Qi Shen had finished the pastry and quickly presented another gilded dragon-patterned plate.
“Your Majesty, please try this Auspicious Fragrant Cake. It was made by a master craftsman specially invited by the Minister of Works.”
Qi Shen took a piece and tasted it. He said nothing about the flavor, but he ate two pieces in succession.
It seemed this maid named Zhu Yu was Qin Wuheng’s trusted aide. She dared to directly recommend food to Qi Shen, yet had never been exposed.
Jing Xin smiled faintly and instructed her to bring one for her to try as well.
Zhu Yu presented the pastry. Jing Xin tasted it carefully. It was called a cake, but its texture was rather dry. The sweetness was strong, and the flower petals inside seemed to be roses, carrying a mellow floral fragrance.
In ancient times, Shen Qingyue’s craftsmanship would be considered excellent, but to Jing Xin, it was only passable. Even a random peach pastry from a street shop in the twenty-first century tasted better.
Once she returned to the palace, she could make Japanese-style ice cream cheesecake, tiramisu, raspberry rolls, snow skin mochi, and freshly baked milk bread. Any of those would put Qi Shen in danger.
Wiping her fingers with a handkerchief, she smiled softly. “Not bad, this master’s skills are impressive. Your Majesty should reward them.”
Qi Shen said nothing about rewarding them, but his silence was already approved. Zhu Yu lowered her eyes and withdrew to arrange tomorrow’s pastries.
Although Qi Shen stayed behind to accompany Jing Xin, he had come out of the palace to relax, and soon grew bored. Jing Xin noticed this and offered to play chess with him.
However, Qi Shen was not in the mood for chess. “I want to hear music. Play the zither for me.”
Jing Xin wanted to say she did not know how to play, but Chief Eunuch Cheng Fu, who was waiting at the door, quickly brought in a guqin.
He knelt and placed it in front of her, smiling nervously. “My lady, this is the finest zither in the palace. This servant prepared it in advance.”
Cheng Fu had originally been a low-ranking errand eunuch and had suffered under Cang Ji. After Cang Ji’s death, survival instincts among the palace servants surged. Knowing Jing Xin would be accompanying Qi Shen, he had prepared all manner of entertainment items in advance.
Sweat formed on his forehead as he asked cautiously, “Is there anything else you require, my lady? This servant will prepare it immediately.”
Cang Ji was already dead. Cheng Fu did not want to die. He was the oldest eunuch among them, though only in his thirties. Being suddenly appointed as the chief attendant of the Son of Heaven had terrified him.
Jing Xin noticed his nervousness.
With Cang Ji’s death, all the palace servants were on edge. She could only say, “Nothing more is needed. This is fine.”
How was she supposed to play?
She felt like she had been forced onto a battlefield.
Fine, she would just blame it on being frightened by the tiger if it sounded bad.
As her fingers touched the strings, fragments of the original owner’s skills surged into her mind, but they were disordered. She could not grasp them properly. After a few tentative plucks, her coordination between hands and mind felt completely off.
Perhaps she still had not fully adapted to the original body.
Qi Shen leaned back in his chair, lifting his cup of wine as he watched her.
Jing Xin tried to find the tune she knew best. The only piece she could recall was “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.”
So she played it on the guqin.
Qi Shen’s hand paused almost imperceptibly. He lowered his gaze and took a sip of wine.
The modern, cheerful melody combined with the guqin’s lingering tones created an unexpectedly delicate rhythm. After she finished, Jing Xin nervously observed Qi Shen’s expression, but he showed no reaction.
Qi Shen raised his eyes. “What piece is this?”
“This piece is called ‘The Stars Cannot Compare to the One Before Me.’ I composed it out of admiration for Your Majesty,” Jing Xin said smoothly, eyes soft and voice gentle.
Cheng Fu appeared at the doorway again. “Your Majesty, the Minister of Works is outside requesting an audience. He says there is urgent business.”
Qi Shen allowed him in.
Because Jing Xin was present, the room was not as spacious as a palace hall. Qin Wuheng stood at the doorway and spoke formally. “Your Majesty, Minister Che has hunted a deer and set up a grill outside. Would Your Majesty like to join us for drinks?”
“Mm.” Qi Shen stood and walked toward the door. His wide sleeve accidentally knocked over the wine cup on the table, but he did not care. He only glanced at Jing Xin. “Will you accompany me?”
Jing Xin stood up. “This consort is still a bit frightened, so I will not accompany Your Majesty. Please go ahead.”
Qi Shen left the room surrounded by attendants.
Inside, palace maids quickly cleaned up the spilled wine.
Chang Huan asked, “My lady, when did you compose that piece? I have never heard you play anything like it before.”
“You think it sounds bad?” Jing Xin asked lightly.
“No,” Chang Huan hurried to explain. “The melody is simple and refreshing, unlike your previous style. It is quite elegant and unique.”
Jing Xin smiled faintly, then suddenly frowned.
Something was wrong.
Music could expose a person.
Just as Bo Ya had his soulmate Zhong Ziqi who understood his music, the original owner’s seductive, alluring melodies had always been used to please Qi Shen. But she had played a cheerful modern tune instead. Even Chang Huan could hear the difference.
Qi Shen was Qi Shen. Could he not hear it too?
“Does His Majesty know music?” Jing Xin asked.
“Has my lady forgotten?” Chang Huan replied. “His Majesty’s music is vast and powerful. Even Master Zhong once said his musical presence is unmatched. Of course he knows music.”
Jing Xin felt a faint unease. She had been careless. This was her first time transmigrating and she could not be cautious about everything.
But she had said she was struck by lightning and changed recently. Qi Shen had seen her transformation and knew she wanted to be better. He probably would not think her music was strange.
A cautious voice came from the doorway. “Imperial Consort Jing, this is the venison His Majesty instructed me to bring to you personally.”
Chang Huan said, “Come in.”
Cheng Fu entered respectfully, presenting the plate.
Before Jing Xin even looked, she smelled a strong meaty aroma.
The dish was kept over a small charcoal stove, still being gently grilled. Pepper leaves were placed underneath, seasoning evenly as oil sizzled. The attendants nearby could not help glancing at it.
Jing Xin immediately covered her nose with her sleeve. She did not eat wild game, and the smell made her feel nauseated.
Cheng Fu was slightly surprised.
Jing Xin smiled lightly. “It smells wonderful.”
Only then did he relax. “Yes, Your Majesty and the ministers are very fond of it. This servant will leave it here and return to report.”
Jing Xin nodded and noticed how careful he was.
“Cheng Fu, your robe is dusty,” she said.
He quickly looked back and thanked her gratefully.
Chang Huan handed over a reward, but he did not dare accept it.
Jing Xin smiled. “The other day, when I was asleep, I did not know Cang Ji had offended His Majesty. If I had been awake, he would not have lost his life.”
Her words carried hidden meaning.
Cheng Fu immediately knelt. “Your mercy is vast, my lady. It was my master’s lack of fortune. This servant is grateful for your reminder, otherwise I would have been disrespectful before His Majesty.”
“Mm, it is nothing. You may rise,” Jing Xin said gently. “If anything happens in His Majesty’s presence, remember to inform me.”
Cheng Fu met her smiling eyes, understood something silently, and bowed three times, promising loyalty.
Jing Xin was satisfied after securing another person in Qi Shen’s circle. She glanced at the venison, felt slightly nauseated again, and ordered it taken away to be distributed.
After dismissing the servants, she lowered her voice to Shou Quan. “Help me find two children, clever ones.”
Shou Quan did not know her intention but went to arrange it.
Near the farm at the mountain foot, villagers worked under the harsh afternoon sun, though the mountain breeze kept things cool. Children ran and played along the paths while adults occasionally scolded them.
“Be quieter! There are man-eating tigers in the mountains! If the Son of Heaven catches you, you’ll be eaten!”
The villagers were worried. The area was fertile and beautiful, attracting even the Son of Heaven. Normally, no one dared wander far, but the fields still needed tending, and Shen Qingyue had told them they could work as long as they avoided conflicts with the soldiers.
They trusted her. Shen Qingyue was like a local goddess.
Shou Quan moved through the trees and crouched behind a mound, smiling at two energetic children.
“Hey kids, come here. Want to try some lychee?”
The children had never heard of lychee before and curiously approached. He quickly handed them two sealed letters.