“To be honest, I’m rather ashamed. Today is the Third Princess’s birthday. This was originally a birthday delicacy I prepared for Her Highness, but before I had the chance to present it to her, I lost the opportunity.”
“Fortunately, Heaven has shown me favor and allowed me to meet Your Highness here. It’s not too late to give it to you now.”
After hearing this, Xiao Zhaoning glanced suspiciously at Yun Zhiyue.
“According to the rumors, you’re usually arrogant and overbearing. You disrespect your parents, mistreat your younger siblings, and often beat and scold servants.”
“But seeing you now… it doesn’t seem to match.”
Yun Zhiyue smiled faintly, unconcerned.
“Rumors are just that—people spread whatever they wish.”
“Wise people know better than to believe gossip. I have no desire to explain myself excessively.”
Xiao Zhaoning raised an eyebrow slightly.
“You’re quite interesting.”
Yun Zhiyue then handed over the instant noodles.
“Your Highness, this is called ‘instant noodles.’ It’s a delicacy I invented.”
“You simply tear open the package, place it in a bowl, pour in hot water, and wait a short while before eating.”
“It’s very simple and convenient.”
“The flavor is rich and fragrant—spicy but not overwhelming. Very delicious.”
“No one else has tried it yet. I wanted Your Highness to be the very first person to taste it.”
It had to be admitted—those words were extremely pleasing to Xiao Zhaoning’s ears, making her even more curious about this strange food called instant noodles.
“Is it really as delicious as you say? Then I want to try it right now.”
She had long grown tired of palace cuisine.
The imperial kitchen mostly prepared light dishes—steamed, boiled, or stewed foods that emphasized freshness and subtle fragrance.
The chefs hardly dared make anything heavily seasoned, fearing it might offend the noble residents of the palace.
The corners of Yun Zhiyue’s lips curved upward.
“If Your Highness wishes to try it, we may move indoors. We only need bowls, chopsticks, and hot water.”
“Then what are we waiting for? Hurry and come with me.”
Lifting the hem of her embroidered dress, Xiao Zhaoning quickly walked ahead.
Mingzhao Palace.
As Xiao Zhaoning stepped across the vermilion-red threshold, the palace maids and eunuchs immediately knelt.
“Greetings to the Third Princess. May Your Highness be blessed with peace.”
Following behind, Yun Zhiyue secretly clicked her tongue.
So this was the power of authority.
Xiao Zhaoning said excitedly, “Someone bring a bowl, chopsticks, and a pot of hot water.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Afraid they might bring a tiny bowl, Yun Zhiyue added, “Make sure the bowl is about the size of a palm.”
“Do as she says,” Xiao Zhaoning ordered.
“Yes.”
Soon, everything was brought in.
Resting her chin on her hands atop the table, Xiao Zhaoning watched Yun Zhiyue’s every move with bright eyes.
It was surprisingly simple and convenient—and it didn’t even require an open flame.
Before long, a rich aroma drifted through the room.
Xiao Zhaoning’s eyes lit up.
It smelled amazing.
Even the palace maids and eunuchs outside sniffed eagerly, unable to stop themselves from peeking inside.
Good heavens, what kind of smell was this? It was overwhelmingly fragrant.
Yun Zhiyue picked up the chopsticks and mixed the noodles.
“Your Highness, please enjoy.”
Seeing this strangely fragrant dish, Xiao Zhaoning had already lost all patience.
“Please wait, Princess. Allow this servant to test it first.”
A woman dressed in emerald green strode in quickly.
She pulled a slender silver needle from her sleeve and swiftly inserted it into the bowl. After a moment, she withdrew it and examined it carefully.
“It is not poisoned. Your Highness may eat safely.”
Xiao Zhaoning waved her hand impatiently.
“Enough, enough. You don’t need to serve me this time.”
Yun Zhiyue secretly observed the surroundings.
Just the servants standing outside waiting on the princess numbered more than ten.
Their clothing colors varied. The one testing for poison with the silver needle was likely the princess’s personal maid.
The palace truly had an excessive number of rules.
As Xiao Zhaoning ate the instant noodles, she became more and more addicted.
After eating bland foods for so long, tasting something with a stronger flavor suddenly awakened her taste buds.
The spicy aroma and intense flavor powerfully stimulated both smell and taste.
It was a little spicy—but incredibly fragrant.
Even the broth had a unique and delicious flavor.
It felt as though a whole new world had opened before her.
After the meal, her personal maid handed her a damp towel and cooled tea.
Xiao Zhaoning was thoroughly satisfied.
Her sparkling eyes turned toward Yun Zhiyue.
“Are there more? I want to eat this again tomorrow. I also want to bring some for Crown Prince Brother to try.”
Yun Zhiyue shook her head.
“I only prepared this one package today. If Your Highness still wants more, I can deliver them tomorrow at any time.”
“However, the palace has many strict rules. I’m merely a merchant’s daughter now. I fear this may be my last time entering the palace.”
Hearing this, Xiao Zhaoning frowned slightly before ordering:
“Cuizhu, bring me my palace token.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Cuizhu replied.
“Take this. It’s a token allowing entry into the imperial palace. Tomorrow, bring more instant noodles. I shall reward you.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Yun Zhiyue rubbed the palace token in her hand.
It was bell-shaped and hollow, edged with raised double borders, with auspicious cloud patterns engraved at the top—every detail radiating nobility.
Today had truly been worthwhile.
“Your Highness, it’s getting late. I’m worried about my parents at home…”
Xiao Zhaoning waved dismissively.
“Cuizhu, escort her out of the palace.”
Unexpectedly, the legitimate Third Princess had quite a straightforward and adorable personality.
Outside the palace gates.
A young woman hurried forward upon seeing Yun Zhiyue.
“Miss, are you really leaving the Marquis’s Manor? Then this servant wants to follow you too.”
Yun Zhiyue nodded.
“I won’t remain in the Marquis’s Manor. Once I leave, I’ll only be a merchant’s daughter. Lüliu, are you certain you still want to follow me?”
Her personal maid Lüliu immediately knelt and raised three fingers in oath.
“Miss, years ago when my mother fell ill, you paid for a doctor to save her. Since then, I swore to follow you for the rest of my life and remain loyal to you.”
Quite loyal indeed.
Yun Zhiyue helped Lüliu up and patted her shoulder.
“Good Lüliu. Then stay with me from now on. As long as I have food to eat, I’ll never let you go hungry.”
Lüliu nodded repeatedly.
“Mhm! I knew Miss is the best.”
Yun Zhiyue remembered that the original owner of this body had once sent people to investigate where her biological parents lived. But at the time, she despised the fact that they were merchants, and since the Marquis’s Manor had tried to keep her, she never returned to them.
“By the way, Lüliu, you still remember where my biological parents live, right?”
Lüliu nodded.
“Of course. In the eastern alley of South City. The third house on the right.”
The capital was divided into East City, West City, South City, and North City.
East City housed nobles and imperial relatives.
West City was also home to officials and aristocratic families.
South City was commercially prosperous, gathering merchants and craftsmen.
North City was where ordinary commoners lived.
The Fifteenth-Day Family Banquet at the Pingyang Marquis Manor.
The Old Madam sat at the head of the purple sandalwood table.
To her left sat the Marquis, the Marchioness, and the legitimate second young master.
Further down sat Concubine Lin, the eldest illegitimate daughter, and the eldest illegitimate son.
After them sat the legitimate second young miss, Li Wanqing.
Below her was another seat that originally belonged to Yun Zhiyue, but it now sat empty.
On the right side sat the Second Master, the Second Madam, the second branch’s legitimate eldest son, and legitimate eldest daughter.
With the Old Madam at the center, the left side was considered superior, and seating was arranged according to rank and status.
The second branch had fewer members, and their concubines and illegitimate daughters were not qualified to sit at the table.
The Marquis’s other unfavored concubines and illegitimate daughters were also unqualified.
They stood in rows together with the maids and old servants.
Concubine Lin was the niece of the Old Madam’s natal family.
Back then, after the Marchioness had gone a year without bearing children, the Old Madam personally arranged for Lin to enter the manor.
Lin’s womb proved exceptionally fruitful. Only a month after entering the manor, she became pregnant, earning considerable favor from both the Old Madam and the Marquis.
The Old Madam loved lively gatherings.
Every first and fifteenth day of the lunar month, she would hold family banquets, delighting in the sight of the manor bustling with people inside and out.
She greatly enjoyed the life of grandchildren gathered around her knees and children surrounding her in harmony.