Concubine Li fell ill, and naturally, the Xuanwu Emperor was concerned. For five consecutive days, he stayed in Concubine Li's palace.
Such favoritism, she truly was the most favored in the harem.
The Internal Affairs Department bestowed gifts like a flowing river, ceaselessly pouring into the Changxin Palace. Many were waiting to see the joke that Hexi Palace would become.
After all, ever since Jiang Xinyue entered the palace, she had shared half of Concubine Li's favor. The concubines in the harem were all looking forward to the two pulling each other's hair out!
Even the Empress and Consort Liang hinted several times, suggesting she do something to win back the Emperor's heart.
Jiang Xinyue pretended not to understand, spending her days with Xi Que, Shuang Jiang, and Jiang Chuan, along with a few other palace maids and eunuchs, researching delicious food behind closed doors in Hexi Palace.
The two young imperial chefs in the Imperial Kitchen had mastered the secret of roasting meat. It was said that they were even summoned by the Xuanwu Emperor to the Changxin Palace to roast meat exclusively for the Emperor and Concubine Li.
The dog Emperor really knew how to use her achievements to curry favor.
This made all the imperial chefs green with envy.
Those old imperial chefs who had previously looked down on them were now shamelessly asking for the method of roasting meat.
Everyone thought that Concubine Li had not taken Concubine Zhenji seriously before, so she did not compete for favor. Now that she realized the threat of Concubine Zhenji, she made a move that caused Hexi Palace to lose favor.
The hottest part of summer had passed, and it was already autumn.
Jiang Xinyue, with her unparalleled culinary skills of this era, did not live a hard life as the other concubines in the palace had imagined. Instead, she seemed to have become more rounded.
There was no choice, as autumn arrived, she had stewed many nourishing and lung-moistening Cantonese soups in the Imperial Kitchen. Drinking them made one's complexion rosy and radiant.
Even Empress Zhu, Consort Liang, and Consort De had some sent to their palaces. They all felt that their bodies had improved this autumn.
The eldest princess, the second princess, and the third prince, ever since they had tasted the roast meat in Hexi Palace, would come to Concubine Zhenji's place every now and then to enjoy the food, only leaving when their bellies were round.
Half a month had passed, and the Emperor had not visited Hexi Palace.
Because Concubine Li was ill, the Imperial Physician said it was a disease caused by worry. She needed to rest and could not be stimulated. Otherwise, her body would collapse, and it would be difficult for her to conceive in the future.
Chengqian Palace—
The atmosphere in the entire hall was very low. The Xuanwu Emperor's temper was not very good recently, and the palace maids who served him were trembling with fear, daring not to make any mistakes.
"Your Majesty…"
Wang Dequan's heart was in his throat: "Concubine Zhenji has gone to Yikun Palace again."
Carrying a pot of beef soup with radish and dried tangerine peel…
"Snap!"
The wolf hair brush in the Xuanwu Emperor's hand was snapped in half. The ink splashed on his hand, but he didn't care. He pulled over a piece of paper to wipe his hand and said expressionlessly: "I know, you can withdraw!"
Concubine Zhenji had been stewing nourishing soup for half a month, but not once had she sent any to Chengqian Palace, even though the two palaces were so close.
The Xuanwu Emperor felt blocked in his heart, sour and uncomfortable.
Concubine Li and Consort Jiang, even Consort De and Consort Liang had sent some several times.
Yesterday, when the Xuanwu Emperor went to Changxin Palace, he saw Jiang Xinyue at the door of Hexi Palace. She had become even more beautiful after not seeing her for half a month.
Her figure was ample, a picture of rounded and polished beauty. Her skin was so white it seemed to glow, making her all the more charming. Yet, she retained a touch of girlish innocence.
In short, even without the Emperor's favor, she lived her days in carefree comfort.
After half a month of leisure, Jiang Xinyue returned from Yikun Palace. As she passed by Chengqian Palace, she finally felt a pang of conscience and decided to visit the Emperor.
Just as she approached the steps of Chengqian Palace, she ran into Concubine Li, who was coming toward her.
"I pay my respects to Concubine Li," she said.
Concubine Li didn't even spare her a glance. She lowered her head and took the food box from Layue's hands, then allowed a young eunuch to announce her arrival. Very soon... Wang Dequan came to invite Concubine Li inside.
As Concubine Li moved aside, Wang Dequan finally saw the smiling Concubine Zhenji standing at the foot of the steps.
His eyes widened. He wanted to explain something to the Emperor, but he saw Concubine Zhenji wave her hand and run off with her handmaids Xi Que and Shuang Jiang.
Wait!
Why did he feel guilty, as if the Emperor's meeting with Concubine Li was a betrayal to Concubine Zhenji?
How strange!
As he closed the doors of Chengqian Palace, he looked at the retreating figure of Jiang Xinyue, thinking: Perhaps it was the Emperor's particular concern for Zhenji that made him feel this way.
"Your Majesty, please taste this pig stomach soup. I had it prepared in the small kitchen of Changxin Palace."
The Xuanwu Emperor, who disliked offal, politely took a few sips. Seeing Wang Dequan's hesitant expression, he said to Concubine Li: "I have many state affairs to attend to today. You have just recovered, so it's best if you return to Changxin Palace to rest. Wang Dequan, use my royal carriage to send Concubine Li back."
Concubine Li didn't want to leave, but the offer of the royal carriage was too appealing to reject: "The state affairs are important, Your Majesty. Please take care of your health. I won't disturb you any longer."
That was the royal carriage!
Even the Empress had never ridden in it. She would be the first concubine to do so.
This honor would surely drive others mad with jealousy.
Let the woman in Hexi Palace see who the Emperor really loved.
After sending off Concubine Li, Wang Dequan hurried back: "Your Majesty, when Concubine Li arrived just now, Concubine Zhenji was also outside, presumably to see you."
"Wha-"
"What did you say?"
The chair beneath him was jolted, making a harsh noise. The Xuanwu Emperor walked a few steps then stopped: "Why didn't you say so earlier?"
"I only saw her when I went out. I asked the eunuch on duty at the gate, and he said that Concubine Zhenji arrived first."
"Why was Concubine Li announced first if Zhenji was here earlier?"
The Xuanwu Emperor frowned: "Change all the eunuchs on duty at the gate today. They are not following the rules."
They must have looked down on Concubine Zhenji and didn't announce her!
In Wang Dequan's heart, Jiang Xinyue's status had subtly risen another notch.
Back in Hexi Palace, Jiang Xinyue said to Shuang Jiang: "I want to have lotus seed pig stomach soup for dinner. Go and notify the Imperial Kitchen."
Shuang Jiang complied and left when the time came, but she did not return for a long while.
The autumn wind is desolate, in the backyard of Hexi Palace, fruits and vegetables have already borne fruit, they are shiny and green, looking quite appetizing.
The lantern at the door was swaying in the wind. Xi Que, kneeling at her feet with a stew pot, said, "Your Highness, please don't cry anymore. Although we don't have pig stomach soup, we still have Tianma pigeon soup, and it's just as delicious."
"Am I crying over pig stomach soup?"
Jiang Xinyue's voice choked up, "It's all my fault. I shouldn't have intentionally provoked the noble concubine because I lost favor. Now, you all have to suffer with me during Layue. I'm so useless."
"I don't feel pain."
A sound of teeth gritting and gasping followed. Jiang Xinyue’s tears flowed even more fiercely, "Shuang Jiang, don't be afraid, I will definitely not let you have a scar on your face."
The door creaked open as the Xuanwu Emperor entered…
