Chapter 57 The Mei family's "dripping cream" (a type of pastry) is an act of utter disrespect towards the Emperor, a grave crime! ...

Wang Yan's legs went weak, his knees slammed down hard, his collar was soaked with cold sweat, and his hands trembled uncontrollably even when clenched tightly. His gaze was fixed on those bare shoes.

The Taoist priest Chen acted as if he were the messenger of the Yue emperor, saying, "To speak ill of the Son of Heaven is a grave offense of disrespect!"

Wang Yan kowtowed deeply, her forehead instantly turning red. "This humble woman knows her mistake and begs Your Majesty's forgiveness!"

The Taoist priest then whispered to Emperor Yue, “Since Your Majesty needs her to refine elixirs, you can collect her blood tomorrow. What she said before was true; refining elixirs is not something that can be accomplished in one go. Heart blood is precious, so you can try collecting blood from various parts of her body first.”

"Let's do as the Taoist priest says."

Emperor Yue rose, walked to her, paused for a moment, then flicked his sleeve and left the side courtyard. A single osmanthus petal that had just fallen was trampled under her bare shoes.

The Emperor of Yue had been in a good mood lately, granting her permission to open the window, and especially after the blood draw, the meals had become much more lavish. Wang Yan sat by the window all day, gazing intently at the osmanthus tree. The wind rose, and the blossoms fell. Before she knew it, night had fallen, and the person handed her three pieces of osmanthus cake.

"I made this myself, you should try it."

Perhaps it was the concubine who gave the order, for the raccoon leaped into the room and curled up beside her hand. Wang Yan carefully took the handkerchief, picked up a piece, and took a bite. The taste was remarkably similar to what was made in the manor. The remaining half, already soaked with tears, remained in her hand.

Consort Chen hurriedly handed over another handkerchief, "Why are you crying like this all of a sudden?"

For over a month, she hadn't shed a single tear. Wang Yan thought she had long since forgotten how to cry. But then, tears streamed down her face, unstoppable.

"I...I miss...home..."

Consort Chen offered no further words of comfort, waiting for Wang Yan to gradually calm down. Wang Yan quickly wiped her face clean, picked up a piece of paper, and began to tell another story. Back then, she and Li Changling had outwitted a local tyrant in Suzhou who was trying to abduct a woman…

At that time, she and Li Changling spent a month in Linqu obtaining the bandit camp's defense map, and on the night of the victory celebration, they released all the bandits' horses.

Back then, she caused a scene at the princess's martial arts contest in Jiangning, exposing the true face of that romantic and talented man to everyone.

Back then, she accompanied Li Changling to Kunlun to challenge the swordsmanship. The sword energy was so strong that she didn't even have the right to watch from the sidelines.

Later, she and Shen Minghuai, who suddenly appeared, solved the wrongful case. The day she set off to return to the capital was his birthday.

"Is that man your ideal husband?" Consort Chen asked excitedly.

Wang Yan smiled and gave a soft reply.

"It's wonderful to have someone you love when you're young," Consort Chen murmured softly. "But how have you been lately? You sound a little weak."

Yesterday marked the third blood draw. Wang Yan always ate only a couple of bites of the food delivered each day before putting down her chopsticks; even the best tonics were of no use. With the osmanthus blossoms all fallen, she felt lightheaded, her face pale, as if winter were approaching.

"I'm fine, I'll be alright after a couple of days of rest." Wang Yan lowered her eyes and stroked the note in her hand. "Sister, have you ever tried the 'dried pastry' from the Mei family shop? It tastes amazing. I had it once when I first visited the capital with him, and I still miss it."

Consort Chen leaned against the window, silent. After a long while, a slender hand handed her a piece of paper. On her fair wrist, the newly scabbed scars were a shocking sight.

"Could you... help me one last time?"

Consort Chen's heart suddenly tightened. She tucked the note into her sleeve. "No matter what, try to survive first."

Emperor Yue's visits to Yiyao Palace became increasingly frequent, from once every three days to every day, turning the once tranquil place into a place of constant anxiety. Everyone in Yiyao Palace was delighted by the Empress's belated imperial favor, except for Consort Chen, who had been hoping for something different.

Qin Zhu carried the water for washing to the palace gate and said to Yun Xiang beside her, "Your Majesty has not been feeling well lately, please take extra care."

Yunxiang nodded, "Every time the day His Highness enters the palace approaches, Her Majesty looks forward to it like this."

Qin Zhu and Yun Xiang turned out of the palace gate and found Emperor Yue standing there at some unknown time. They hurriedly knelt down to pay their respects.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Emperor Yue waved his hand and entered the Liufang Palace. The next day was not a full moon day, yet Prince Su actually came to the palace to pay his respects.

Consort Chen first inquired about his recent life, whether his duties were going smoothly, and whether anyone had tried to sabotage him. Qian Yao helped Consort Chen stroll around the courtyard, saying that his father was very satisfied, and that he had been spending time with friends and focused on official duties lately, so how could he have paid attention to such things?

"A new friend I made recently?"

Qian Yao replied, "Yes. The young master of the Wang family, the fourth young master of the Lu family, the young master of the Chu family, and the young master of the Shen family that I mentioned a few times before, have just returned to the capital recently, and I have met them a few times."

Consort Chen nodded. "I'm relieved that I can make more friends this time back in the capital. Are you familiar with the capital now?"

"Mother, what you're saying is ridiculous. I grew up here and only went out to gain experience for a few years. How could I be unfamiliar with this place?"

The wind started blowing irrationally again, so Qian Yao had no choice but to help Consort Chen back to the palace to sit down.

"Speaking of which, the Imperial Kitchen recently sent over some dried pastries. Yunxiang always says there's a place in the city that makes them exceptionally good, which has really piqued my curiosity. You should try them next time." Consort Chen took out a tea cake, preparing to serve tea.

Qian Yaoxuan said, "If Mother wishes to eat, I will bring some when I return to the palace. Didn't Father just grant me permission to visit the palace to pay my respects whenever I am in the capital? I will bring some for Mother tomorrow."

"You're so thoughtful." Consort Chen's eyes lit up with a smile. Suddenly remembering something, she walked to the table, took out a piece of paper, and handed it to him. "This is the name Yunxiang wrote for me. It shouldn't be wrong."

Qian Yao stood in front of Mei's restaurant, opened the note again, confirmed it, and went into the shop. Just as he was about to speak, he saw a familiar figure.

"Minghuai?"

"Your Highness."

Qian Yao quickly helped Shen Minghuai up, "No need for formalities, we call each other brothers when we're out. You're here for some pastries too?"

Shen Minghuai watched as he tucked a piece of paper into his sleeve; the handwriting resembled the beautiful Yan style.

"...Yes. Brother Yao, you're here to eat Disu too?"

"My mother heard about the reputation of the Mei family's recipes from the palace maids and was curious about what this 'drop pastry' tasted like, so I came to buy some to take with me."

Qian Yao waved and ordered a dish first. "Now that you're here, I'm even more curious. Is it really that delicious?"

Shen Minghuai forced a smile, "Everyone has different tastes, Brother Yao will know once you try it." The crispy pastry was clearly sweet, but when he put it in his mouth, only a bitter taste flowed into his heart.

Seeing that he still looked exhausted and his complexion was even worse than when they last met, Qian Yao knew that there was still no news from Wang Yan, so he didn't bother to ask again. The waiter brought over the pastry, and he quickly took a bite, agreeing, "It's really good. People with a sweet tooth should like it very much."

Shen Minghuai had finished eating and was sitting upright waiting for Qian Yao to finish. "I remember Brother Yao doesn't like sweets."

"Yes, she took after her mother, but I especially love her osmanthus cake."

Qian Yao still offered a comforting remark, "I will continue to keep an eye on your father's matter; there's bound to be a turning point."

"Thank you... Brother Yao." Shen Minghuai swallowed the words he was about to say.

Qian Yao quickly finished his meal and ordered more from the waiter, completely unaware that Shen Minghuai's gaze was fixed on his sleeve. Just as he was about to leave, he heard Shen Minghuai call out to him.

"Brother Yao, please wait!"

As Qian Yao turned around, he flicked his wide sleeve, and the note accidentally fell from his sleeve. Shen Minghuai quickly stepped forward to pick it up, and after seeing the writing on the paper, he stared in astonishment, frozen in place. Only after Qian Yao spoke did he come to his senses and return it to him.

"This calligraphy is so beautiful, could it have been written by Her Majesty?"

Qian Yao freed one hand and tucked the note into his waistband. "It was written by a palace maid."

Shen Minghuai frowned slightly, but when he looked up at Qian Yao, his expression was very firm. "Brother Yao, do you believe there are people in this world with exactly the same handwriting?"

Qian Yao found it absurd. "You mean this character is—"

"Brother Lao Yao, let's find another place to talk."

Qian Yao left the Tax Gift Tea House, carrying the dried pastries, and hurried into the palace, not returning until evening. He had always believed that the person who had captured Wang Yan was Consort Shu. With the plan changed, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, except for Qian Yao, who remained completely unaware.

"You originally planned to force your way in?!"

When Li Changling learned from Jiang Wan that the person behind the scenes was the Yue Emperor, the three of them made such preparations.

"We can't possibly involve Your Highness Prince Su, can we?"

Enraged, Qian Yao jumped up, pointing at the three of them and saying, "You really don't consider me a friend! Now you know to come to me?"

Shen Minghuai's spine was too weak to straighten, and he said in a deep voice, "Now we can only ask Your Highness and Consort Chen for help with this."

Qian Yao turned around and saw the three of them bowing deeply, pointing at each other for a long time before letting out a heavy sigh and sitting back down. "Why aren't you discussing a plan? Do you think the palace is so easy to break into?"

Wang Zhen was the first to suggest that the most urgent task was to find an excuse to send Emperor Yue away. Although there were not many guards at Yiyao Palace, it was difficult to move an inch once inside the palace gates, and if Emperor Yue discovered them, there would be no way to escape.

Shen Minghuai pointed out that an opportunity would arise soon, "October 3rd, the anniversary of the Crown Prince's death."

Eight years have passed, and no one dares to mention those two words, not even his father.

"The breeze is gentle and the sun is warm; it's perfect for a stroll in the Imperial Garden." Emperor Yue strolled through the Imperial Garden with Consort Chen in his arms.

Consort Chen replied with a smile, "The wind was strong a few days ago, but it's much calmer today. I wonder if the flowers can still withstand it."

“I came to see it a few days ago. The hibiscus flowers are in full bloom. I’ll take you to see them.”

Emperor Yue's cough seemed to have eased recently, and he was in high spirits at the moment. After dismissing his attendants, Emperor Yue led Consort Chen towards the lotus bushes.

Why is Si Hua so concerned about Fu Rong?

"You don't know this, but Si Hua used to work in Empress Wei's palace. Our Empress loved hibiscus flowers the most. When the weather was nice, she would come to see them every day."

Emperor Yue stopped Consort Chen from speaking, and only emerged from around the corner after the two palace maids had left. The swing he had built for Empress Wei years ago was still there, but the hibiscus flowers had withered and faded, a far cry from its former glory. Twenty years had passed; back then, he was still young. He and she would sit on the swing, the Crown Prince always making noise beside them, making everyone laugh.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Emperor Yue looked at Consort Chen, who had been silent for a long time.

Consort Chen then withdrew her gaze from the hibiscus flower and replied, "Your Majesty, I fear that mentioning old friends rashly would only add to your sorrow."

"Old friend..."

Consort Chen glanced at Emperor Yue, about to kneel down and confess her sins, "Your Majesty, I misspoke—"

Emperor Yue quickly helped her up. "What crime has he committed? It's been a long time since anyone has spoken of him to me. I happened to come across his insights on governing the northern border, and ever since then I've frequently dreamed of him. Is he blaming me?"

Consort Chen kept her eyes lowered and said, "Your Majesty, I don't understand these things. If it is the Crown Prince, I have heard that he is very filial. Perhaps he misses Your Majesty too much, which is why he appeared in my dream."

“Yes, the Crown Prince used to be the most filial.” Emperor Yue patted Consort Chen’s hand and walked towards the swing. “I’ll walk around by myself.”

Two days after the Cold Clothes Festival, Emperor Yue, accompanied only by two or three palace guards and a top imperial bodyguard, left the city and headed straight for Jinchi. Prince Su, Prince Wei, and Prince Yi, as usual, went to the palace to pay their respects.

Qian Yao casually summoned a tall, burly palace maid to carry the large camellia he had presented to his mother into Yiyao Palace. Consort Chen had already cleared a pit in the courtyard and personally planted the purple-robed flower with the maid.

"The Taoist priest led two people back to the alchemy room. They won't be back for a while, but there are still two people guarding the courtyard. Be careful."

Shen Minghuai carried a food box and quietly left Yiyao Palace. He walked to the gate of a side courtyard, introduced himself as a palace servant from Huarong Palace, and said that the person imprisoned inside was a distant cousin of the Empress, and that he had come to deliver some food. After he placed two pearls into the hands of the two guards, the two guards let him in.

"Who is this woman? A medicine deliveryman just came to Yiyao Palace, and now she turns out to be a distant cousin of Consort Shu?"

"The relationships between influential people—"

Shen Minghuai moved the two fallen people aside, then looked up and saw Wang Yan in the hall holding a bowl of medicine, preparing to drink it under the watchful eyes of the palace servants.

"don't want!"