Everyone was worried that Mingxiu would fail.

After saying this, the Empress raised an eyebrow and demonstrated it directly on Green Bamboo's face, leaving everyone stunned.

Mingxiu looked at her makeup in the mirror and was quite satisfied. She then prepared to eat.

She has been eating very light meals on the road these past few days because she gets carsick and can't eat anything greasy.

So now Mingxiu just wants to fill her stomach, which has been bland for a long time, with some big, meaty dishes.

He nodded in satisfaction as he looked at the food on the table.

One dish of stir-fried shrimp, one dish of steamed chicken wings with abalone, one dish of sweet and sour pork with pineapple, and one dish of stuffed green peppers.

Finally, add a pork rib soup and that's it.

Mingxiu picked up the rice and reached into the sweet and sour pork with pineapple first.

Sweet and sour pineapple pork, paired with rice, brings a sense of pure bliss.

Mingxiu squinted as she ate.

Next up is stuffed green peppers. The spiciness of the green peppers and the aroma of the meat fill your taste buds.

Although there were many dishes, each portion was small, just the right amount for Mingxiu alone.

After Mingxiu patted her belly contentedly, having eaten her fill, the food on the table was almost completely gone.

She doesn't like waste, so she usually cooks meals in normal portions.

However, it depends on whether the Emperor comes or not. If he doesn't come at night, half of it will be given to Mingxiu, and the other half will be divided among Luzhu and the others.

Mingxiu patted her belly contentedly, let out a burp, and took a sip of tea to ease the greasiness of the food in her stomach.

They called to Green Bamboo and the others to take the gifts and begin preparing to go to Consort Hui's place.

Myung-soo and Consort Hye's relationship has been getting better and better lately, so it's only right that she should go and visit them now that she's back.

Moreover, she bought many gifts and should have delivered them herself.

In addition, she needs to inquire about the events that have occurred in the palace recently, as she is scheduled to pay her respects tomorrow.

Although Xiao Xizi and the others said nothing happened, they weren't very clear about many of the turmoil in the harem. It would be best to ask the people involved.

The concubines knew more than they did.

Mingxiu ate too much at noon, so she didn't take a sedan chair and walked there instead.

By the time she arrived, a thin layer of sweat had formed on her forehead.

Green Bamboo took out a handkerchief and gently wiped Mingxiu's forehead before Mingxiu led them into Consort Hui's palace.

As soon as she entered, she saw Consort Hui and the others standing at the door, smiling at her.

When Mingxiu saw Consort Hui, she smiled and called out sweetly.

Then my attention was drawn to a cherry tree.

There were no cherry trees planted here before they left, but after only a few months away, there was a cherry tree here when they came back, and the cherry fruits on the tree were already the size of fingernails.

It should become famous in about ten days.

Seeing cherry blossoms reminds me of the cherry pie and cherry pancakes I ate before.

They drooled over the tree full of green berries with envy.

Seeing Mingxiu's pathetic state, Green Bamboo really wanted to cover her face.

My lady is so engrossed in eating, she can't take her eyes off it, it's really...

Consort Hui glanced at Mingxiu with amusement. "I just got this cherry tree from the Imperial Household Department. I don't know where they got it from, but it's been pruned so beautifully. My maidservant happened to be fetching something and saw this, so she asked for it. I think it's quite nice, so I planted it in the courtyard. If you like it, I'll send some to your palace when the cherries ripen in a few days."

Mingxiu smiled shyly, "Then thank you, sister."

Then, following Consort Hui into the main hall, she said, "My younger sister brought many gifts for me this time. You can take a look and see if you like them."

After she finished speaking, the maid behind her handed the things in her hand to Consort Hui's maid.

Consort Hui looked at the large bundle of things, her lips twitched, but she was very pleased. "I'm so glad you thought of me, sister. I like it very much."

Without saying anything, she looked at Consort Hui with a smile and said, "I'm glad you like it, sister. It's good that my efforts haven't been in vain."

Consort Hui couldn't help but shake her head when she saw Mingxiu's ingratiating manner. "You, you're always good at using your charm and food."

"Tell me, what brings you here this time? It's not just to bring me something, is it?" Consort Hui took a sip of tea and then asked Myung-soo.

"You really can't hide anything from your elder sister. I came mainly to deliver something to you, and also to ask what's been going on lately, since I need to pay my respects tomorrow."

Consort Hui smiled. "What happened in the palace? Your eunuch wouldn't have told you. It's nothing serious, just that Consort Yi and her sisters have both given birth. But since you've been away for so long, I imagine the other sisters in the palace are missing you. Tomorrow's morning greetings will definitely be no quiet."

Mingxiu nodded; she knew that. "It's alright. We'll deal with whatever comes our way. I still have my sister, right? I don't think she'll just watch me fight this battle alone tomorrow."

"You see, it seems there's some bribery involved in these gifts," Consort Hui shook her head, smiling as she gently pointed to a bundle beside her.

"No way, this is just sisterly affection. These are all things that I, your sister, would like. You can't wrong me, sister." Mingxiu stood up from the chair in a lewd manner, stood behind Huipin, and gently pinched Huipin's shoulder twice.

Consort Hui couldn't help but laugh at Mingxiu's obsequious behavior.

Her laughter caused the servants behind her to burst into laughter as well, for Consort Ming was truly hilarious.

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