Chapter 159 Visit

Wen Yilin was met with a cold shoulder, and she had nowhere to vent her anger.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Liu Shuyao, that sickly girl, was putting on airs, and Jiang Huan was even more arrogant, relying on the Emperor's favor.

How could she, the daughter of the Minister of Revenue, remain unknown and trampled underfoot in the inner palace?

"Hmph, isn't Consort Zhuang favored? Then I'll go and pay her a visit."

Wen Yilin made up her mind to go to Weiyang Palace herself to find out the truth.

While we're at it, let's see if we can build some connections or find any leverage over each other.

She immediately instructed her maid, "Go and bring out my new ruby ​​headdress, and also select two pieces of the finest Yun brocade, the most vibrant ones."

Although Consort Zhuang was favored, she came from a humble background. When she saw these valuable gifts, she should at least be given some face.

Meanwhile, in another room of Chuxiu Palace.

He Ling listened to the system's incessant analysis in her mind and felt completely overwhelmed.

"...In conclusion, Jiang Huan is the core emotional anchor of the current target character, and her favorability has a crucial impact on the final mission completion. The host should take the initiative to try to establish a good relationship and create favorable conditions for subsequent contact with the target character!"

"How do you plan to build it? Didn't you see the way she looked at me yesterday? She practically wanted to erect a monument for me!"

"It is recommended that the host prepare a gift that reflects their feelings and demonstrates harmlessness and sincerity."

Intentions? Sincerity?

He Ling paced around the room with a worried look on her face, finally looking at a small dragonfly she had made herself on the windowsill.

"Is this...is this a token of my appreciation? Isn't it too stingy?"

"A small gift carries great meaning; when combined with sincerity, it may be effective."

He Ling had no choice but to try anything, so she put the little dragonfly into the wooden box.

Liu Shuyao sat quietly by the window reading. Hearing a lot of noise from Wen Yilin's side and seeing He Ling also leave the room, she hesitated for a moment and put down her book.

Having entered the palace, one can no longer remain untainted.

She had only met Jiang Huan once, and what she saw outside the palace that day left a deep impression on her. Going to pay her a visit was both a matter of courtesy and an opportunity to observe her.

She had her maid bring a fine white jade paperweight and put it in a brocade box.

Thus, these three newly appointed concubines, each with their own thoughts and backgrounds, headed one after the other towards Weiyang Palace.

A strange, sweet aroma was filling the small kitchen of Weiyang Palace.

Jiang Huan was in a good mood and was busy wearing an apron.

The anger has been vented, the reconciliation has been made, and the entanglement in my heart has been put down.

As a result, the whole world seemed to brighten up considerably.

On the cutting board, the freshly baked flaky pastry balls looked golden and tempting. Jiang Huan was holding a small oil paper bag and squeezing the whipped filling into them.

She moved swiftly, her expression focused, and a slight smile played on her lips.

The pastry is baked to perfection, and the cream is whipped just right. When Huo Lin returns from court, it will be a good opportunity for him to try it.

Xiao Zhao assisted from the side, and seeing her mistress's enthusiastic appearance, she was happy for her too.

It's been a long time since Your Majesty has been able to make desserts so easily and comfortably.

Just then, a palace maid came in to report: "Your Majesty, Consort Liu, Noble Lady Wen, and Consort Ling are outside requesting an audience."

Jiang Huan clicked her tongue in surprise, and a hole was squeezed through the oil paper bag in her hand.

The three of them? Came together?

What's going on? The women of the imperial harem are having a morning team-building activity at Weiyang Palace?

How could she not know she was an organizer?

Could it be that the Empress Dowager is brewing some big move, preparing to bomb her bunker?

They can't possibly be a group of people who come here to freeload breakfast just because they smell the cream puffs, can they?

Jiang Huan put down the oil paper bag in her hand, and while untying her apron, said, "Please ask them to sit in the front hall for a while, I'll change my clothes."

A moment later, Jiang Huan changed into a more formal imperial concubine's everyday dress and entered the front hall.

Liu Shuyao, Wen Yilin, and He Ling immediately stood up and bowed.

"No need for formalities."

Jiang Huan sat down in the main seat and calmly glanced at the three of them: "It seems everyone is quite united in having free time today."

Wen Yilin took the lead, a warm smile spreading across her face, and gestured to the maid behind her to open the brocade box she was holding.

"Your Majesty, I am new to the palace and have prepared some small gifts to pay my respects. This ruby ​​was brought from Southeast Asia by my father and it perfectly complements Your Majesty's dignified bearing. These two bolts of brocade are from the new tribute from Jiangnan, and I thought I would present them to Your Majesty as well." Her tone was exaggerated, with obvious flattery and boasting.

Jiang Huan glanced at the almost blindingly bright ruby ​​headdress and brocade, but her heart remained unmoved.

She didn't want to cosplay as a nouveau riche with a big gold chain.

She nodded slightly: "You're very kind, Consort Wen."

Liu Shuyao then stepped forward with composure and elegance, presenting the brocade box containing the white jade paperweight.

"Shuyao greets Your Majesty. This is just a small token of my appreciation; I hope Your Majesty will not find it offensive."

Her gift wasn't expensive, but it was thoughtful and perfectly timed.

It's at least much more pleasing to the eye than Wen Yilin's outfit.

In addition, since the two of them had some acquaintance, Jiang Huan raised her hand, indicating that Xiao Zhao should accept it.

"Consort Liu, you've gone to great lengths. This paperweight is made of warm, smooth jade, and I like it very much."

Finally, it was He Ling's turn. She was so nervous that her palms were sweating. She lowered her head and carefully held up the simple little wooden box, her voice barely audible.

"Greetings, Your Majesty. This is a little trinket I made myself. Please accept it with a smile."

She opened the box, revealing a dragonfly woven from colorful silk threads.

[Oh no, compared to them, we're utterly pathetic. There's no way Consort Zhuang would even be interested in us.]

[System, is 'Sincerity Halo' activated?]

"Halo activated, host, maintain."

Jiang Huan looked at the little dragonfly; it looked incredibly familiar.

The craft class we learned in kindergarten.

To be honest, He Ling's weaving was quite beautiful, but unfortunately she wasn't a teacher and didn't receive any red flowers.

Jiang Huan remained calm and composed, simply humming in response.

"Just leave it there."

Just then, Xiao Zhao walked in carrying freshly made cream puffs and placed them on the coffee table next to Jiang Huan.

Its golden, crispy crust exudes an enticing sweet aroma, and its small, adorable shape is a style never seen before in the palace.

Wen Yilin glanced at it, a flash of disdain quickly crossing her eyes.

A concubine of such high rank, yet she personally cooks these lowly desserts? It's truly beneath her dignity.

As expected of someone from a humble background, they're not exactly respectable.

He Ling's gaze was firmly drawn to the cream puff, and her eyes widened instantly.

Have I been away from modern cuisine for too long and am I hallucinating? It looks like I'm seeing cream puffs!

Where do cream puffs come from these days?

Wait, don't tell me there's more than one transmigrator in this world...

The thought startled her so much she almost jumped up, and the system's shrill alarm blared in her mind.

"Warning! Warning! Host's emotions are fluctuating drastically! Please remain calm. The target's identity is questionable; proceed with caution and do not reveal yourself!"

He Ling quickly lowered her head and clenched her palms tightly to barely control the shocked expression on her face, but her body trembled slightly uncontrollably.

Jiang Huan had been observing all along, and those little schemes naturally didn't escape her notice.

No, the enemy is in the open while we are in the dark, which is an advantageous situation. We cannot let He Ling become suspicious and raise her guard.

But what modules are actually installed in this system?

Deepseek? ChatGPT?

How can its brain work so well? Can we turn off the power to it?

This book is ridiculous; how did it suddenly turn into a human-machine free-for-all?

Amidst a flurry of thoughts, Jiang Huan calmly picked up a cream puff and slowly took a bite.

"I saw how to make this in a miscellaneous book before. It came from the West. Would you like to try it?"

Upon hearing this, He Ling was filled with doubt and suspicion, but dared not ask further questions, and could only force a smile and agree.

"Your Majesty is truly skillful; these pastries look quite exquisite."

Wen Yilin grew impatient as the topic of conversation was diverted by the snacks.

Since she loves to eat so much, go to the imperial kitchen and turn left after you leave. She's here to engage in palace intrigue!

Thinking this, she couldn't hold back any longer and said directly, "You can try these snacks later. Besides paying respects to the Empress, I have another request for you today."