But given that her current persona is that of a gentle and graceful lady, she absolutely cannot let that persona crumble!

She knew perfectly well that these people were there to bring her food, but "asking a question she already knew the answer to" is an essential quality of a lady!

"No need for formalities, everyone. This is..."

The head eunuch smiled broadly, "This servant, Xiao Lezi, is here to deliver food to Consort Gu!"

After saying that, he shouted an order to the palace maids behind him:

"Quickly bring Consort Gu's food in, be careful not to spill it! If even a drop of the precious soup is spilled, His Majesty will punish you!"

The palace maids, well-trained and moving in unison, carried trays past Gu Jiangli.

The fragrance that wafted into his nostrils made Gu Jiangli somewhat infatuated.

She really wanted to devour the food right away, but she kept reminding herself that she couldn't let her persona fall apart!

"Thank you so much, gentlemen, for making this special trip for me."

Gu Jiangli's polite and gentle demeanor brought a smile to the face of the father-in-law who was delivering the meal.

"Oh, Consort Gu, you're too kind! His Majesty has decreed that from now on, Yilan Palace will no longer be chained! Congratulations, Consort Gu, your good days are just around the corner!"

"You flatter me, sir. I know my sins are heinous and I dare not ask for too much. I am already very grateful that His Majesty has removed the chains."

"Oh, my lord, please don't underestimate yourself. I've been working here for many years and I'm sure I'm not wrong about people."

Xiao Lezi made a solemn vow, and these servants weren't stupid; they could easily guess the emperor's thoughts.

If His Majesty did not intend to favor Consort Gu, he could have easily turned a blind eye to her being forced to eat simple meals and suffering injustices.

But instead of turning a blind eye, he ordered the imperial kitchen to treat Consort Gu's meals well, and even removed the chains from the palace gate.

The implication is so obvious that even a fool could understand it!

Everyone in the harem knew that with Consort Gu's stunning beauty, as long as she was willing to soften her stance, act coquettishly, and shed a few tears, even if she really killed the emperor's unborn child, the emperor would only be angry for a while and would not make things too difficult for her.

He will always be soft-hearted because of her face!

However, the former Consort Gu was too foolish and had too strong a personality. She clashed with the emperor, and when she made mistakes, she refused to admit them and remained unrepentant. Even if the emperor wanted to protect her, he couldn't find an excuse.

Things are different now.

Look at the appearance of Consort Gu in front of us. Her eyes are full of tenderness, and she is gentle and polite to us servants. Who could bear to see her suffer?

"By the way, Consort Gu," Xiao Lezi continued, "the head chef of the Imperial Kitchen asked me to tell you that if the Imperial Kitchen has ever been inconsiderate to you in the past, please forgive us. It was that wretched girl, Fuling, who did those filthy things behind your back, truly bringing shame to the entire Imperial Kitchen!"

"Now she has been kicked out of the Imperial Kitchen and sent to the Laundry Department. Don't worry, I have already made arrangements with the Laundry Department, and they will definitely 'take good care' of Fuling."

"To apologize to you, the chef prepared two main dishes today. From now on, your meals will be of the highest quality. I hope you can forgive me for this."

Gu Jiangli feigned a flustered expression, "What are you saying, Father-in-law? The Imperial Kitchen hasn't done anything wrong. I'm just a lowly concubine now, and I'm already very grateful that the head chef is so attentive to my meals."

Xiao Lezi's eyebrows and eyes curved into a smile.

When Consort Gu said this, it meant she had absolutely no intention of blaming the Imperial Kitchen!

He had never seen any concubine in the harem who was so easy to get along with and talk to.

If it were any other temperamental empress, who knows how she would have treated those who looked down on her after she regained power!

"Your Majesty is magnanimous and will surely be favored by His Majesty in the future. Your Majesty, please go and have your meal. I will leave a few maids to serve you, and the rest of you will be taken away."

"Keep one, I don't need that many servants for the time being."

Gu Jiangli said with a smile, but in reality, she was clenching her back teeth.

Why aren't you leaving yet?! Why are you still nagging?! She needs to eat!

Xiao Lezi understood, "Yes, yes, then we'll leave the lotus flowers for you and take our leave."

Gu Jiangli smiled and nodded, even bowing slightly.

Hurry up and get out of here!

I'm starving! I'm starving!