Everyone nodded in agreement.
...
The Emperor stayed behind, as he had something to discuss with the Empress.
Concubine Feng looked as if she’d been struck by lightning, her face pale.
The other concubines also stopped their usual whispering, each holding a posture as rigid as when they were first selected.
After all, even if the lightning didn’t strike them directly, it’s still terrifying when it hits nearby.
"Concubine Xi, please stay."
The Chief Palace Maid of Princess Consort Jing called out to her, respectfully inviting her to visit Qixiang Palace: "His Highness has been mentioning wanting to see Concubine Xi for two days, and the Master wishes to invite you for a warm pot meal. Would you be able to find the time to join? If Concubine Xi comes, the Master will make the delicious cow milk and water chestnut cake you said you liked last time."
Ah, a warm pot!
Yun Jiao thought of it and felt her mouth watering.
One should never be too careful, so she saved her progress first, then smiled and asked, "How did Princess Consort Jing know I wanted to eat from the pot?" Turning to Concubine Li, she asked if she wanted to come along. Concubine Li declined: "It’s cold, I don’t want to move. You go by yourself... why are you staring at me?"
The Emperor thought Yun Jiao’s eyes were as clear and captivating as a deer’s, but Concubine Li didn’t think so; she always felt Yun Jiao’s eyes resembled those of a little dog she had raised before entering the palace.
"I’m afraid Concubine Li Sister will miss me."
Across the palanquin, Yun Jiao reached out to hook her hand.
Concubine Li snorted, signalling the eunuch carrying the palanquin to move on, ignoring Concubine Xi.
Every time Yun Jiao visited Qixiang Palace, she always had a good time. One reason was that the Eldest Prince was soft and adorable; another was that Princess Consort Jing was indulgent towards her son, and coincidentally, the things children liked, Yun Jiao also liked.
Upon reaching Qixiang Palace, the two played some checkers.
Originally, it was intended for three players, but because Princess Consort Jing’s skills far exceeded theirs, she was politely asked to leave the table. After two rounds, the pot was ready, and Princess Consort Jing invited both the elder and the youngster to eat.
The fashionable warm pot of Yan Chi was akin to a modern Su-style hot pot, with the essence of chicken and duck thoroughly boiled out, enriched with scallops, ham, and winter bamboo shoots to enhance flavor. One sip of the broth could disperse the chill, and they believed it was an exceedingly nutritious meal that could extend one’s life.
Nutritious indeed, but rich in purine.
The pot, heated with charcoal, was bubbling with enticing broth. Accompanied by a gurgling sound, various handmade fish balls, shrimp balls, and meatballs gradually cooked, with thinly sliced lamb being a must-have. One spoonful of soup followed by a mouthful of meat made it taste better the longer it stewed.
After winter set in, Yun Jiao’s favorite seasonal delicacy was frost-touched vegetables, which were always extra sweet. She signaled the palace maid to add a handful of frost-touched spinach to the soup. The palace’s masters didn’t eat this way, considering it unrefined, but she specifically instructed the Kitchen to do so, and Chef Lu was keen to please her, ensuring he prepared some every time.
Princess Consort Jing frowned: "Why is such a dish served to Concubine Xi?"
There were too many dishes on the table, and it was only then that Princess Consort Jing noticed the frost-touched vegetables.
The palace maid’s hand, passing the dish, paused, uncertain of what to do.
Yun Jiao hurriedly explained to Princess Consort Jing. Upon learning that Concubine Xi loved them, her expression slightly softened.
"Do frost-touched spinach have a sweet taste?" The Eldest Prince turned to Princess Consort Jing: "Mother, I also want to eat it."
Princess Consort Jing showed a troubled expression.
What others chose to eat was one thing, but her own son eating it was another. After all, in her understanding, fresh and tender green vegetables were the healthy choice.
Seeing this, Yun Jiao stepped in to mediate: "This is a dish only adults can eat. His Highness is still young, eat more of the other dishes, and you’ll be able to eat the same spinach as me when you grow up."
"Why would there be dishes only adults can eat? Lady Xi, don’t try to fool me."
The Eldest Prince pouted, not believing it.
Still unconvinced, Yun Jiao couldn’t come up with any other excuses.
She had no choice but to grit her teeth, use the chopsticks to scoop up all the spinach from the hot pot, and swiftly devour it all in one go.
Afterwards, she elegantly wiped her mouth with a handkerchief: "Now there’s none left, maybe next time."
The Eldest Prince was dumbstruck.
After finishing the hot pot, Princess Consort Jing didn’t see them off, and Yun Jiao didn’t rush to leave. She lay on the floor covered with wool rugs, chatting with the Eldest Prince. Inside, the charcoal basin was burning brightly, ensuring not a trace of cold could creep in. The Eldest Prince recited texts to her; Yan Chi didn’t praise his son, and even Princess Consort Jing rarely praised his recital abilities, often reminding him not to become arrogant.
However, Yun Jiao was not stingy with her praise: "His Highness is truly wise."
"Does Lady Xi truly think so?"
"Truly, I hope my child is as clever as you."
The Eldest Prince, full of confidence, declared: "My younger sibling will definitely be as smart as Lady Xi."
Sitting nearby with a smile, Princess Consort Jing thought perhaps this wasn’t exactly a blessing.
But from the perspective of the Eldest Prince, he surely wished for something good.
"Are you certain it will be a brother? What if it’s a sister?"
The Eldest Prince rolled over on the rug, lowering his voice: "Whether Lady Xi’s child is a brother or a sister, I will like them just the same, but in the palace, wishing someone gives birth to a Princess might cause them to dislike you, so Lady Xi, remember this." He earnestly advised, feeling Lady Xi was good in every way except for her lack of worldly wisdom.
Yun Jiao glanced at him: "Then when she’s born, you have to play with her and protect her from being bullied by others."
The Eldest Prince patted his chest in agreement.
Sincerely speaking, the Eldest Prince truly thought either a boy or a girl would be good: "If it’s a brother, we can play more often together and even attend the Imperial Study together, but if it’s a sister... a sister who looks just like Lady Xi, the more I think about it, the more I like it. I wish time would pass more quickly."
The Eldest Prince’s condition wasn’t contagious; he was born frail.
But the mothers of the three Princesses were reluctant to let their daughters play with him. He longed for playmates and wanted to be an older brother.
That night, when Yun Jiao returned to Xianfu Palace, Qing Que also delivered a letter from the Emperor.
She thought the frequency of their correspondence was almost like exchanging a diary, and they had nearly formed a ship of friendship.
Because he was occupied today, Xie Zhixing hadn’t written much, only briefly mentioning events at the tea banquet—apart from Yun Yuan, everyone at the banquet were top figures, even among the Imperial Family from a young age, their education couldn’t be compared to that of a grassroots scholar, so she needn’t mind.
"It was I who insisted on promoting him. If they want to mock, they can come laugh at me."
"Yet I doubt they would dare."
He even comforted with logic.
Yun Jiao picked up her pen and wrote back: "Hahaha hahahaha."