Although Sun Miaoqing told her to prepare just a plate of pastries, it was something to be sent to the emperor, so Liuli didn't dare to be perfunctory.

The small kitchen carefully prepared a plate of lotus flower pastries, and after frying them, used paper to absorb the excess oil from the surface.

Following Sun Miaoqing's instructions, a candied cherry was then placed on top of the filling.

It's both beautiful and delicious, just like her mistress's affection for the emperor.

The food was packed in a food box, the sedan chair was arranged, and Sun Miaoqing was wrapped in a cloak with a pink Suzhou embroidered satin exterior and a snow-white rabbit fur interior.

Then he put on a pair of light yellow gloves embroidered with auspicious clouds, and inside the gloves he was holding a small heater, a little bigger than a duck egg.

Even the inside of his shoes was lined with a thick layer of fur. He covered himself up completely before riding in the sedan chair to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Little did anyone know that Su Peisheng had already had people keeping an eye on the movements at Chuxiu Palace. Knowing that Sun Miaoqing was heading towards Yangxin Hall, he immediately reminded Da Pangju.

"Your Majesty, someone from Chuxiu Palace said that Consort Cheng heard that Your Majesty has been busy with state affairs these past few days, so she specially had some snacks prepared for Your Majesty to try."

"They're already on their way."

Just moments ago, Big Orange was energetically reviewing documents, in high spirits. But now, upon hearing that Sun Miaoqing was coming, and thinking of her annoying nature, he suddenly felt uneasy all over.

I suddenly became depressed...

He hasn't lived enough yet, and he doesn't want to die of anger at such a young age!

The chubby orange said, "I haven't visited Consort Hua for two days. She has just recovered from her illness, and I should pay more attention to her."

Su Peisheng said with a smile, "This servant will make the arrangements right away. If Consort Hua knew that His Majesty was so concerned, she would be overjoyed."

Thinking of Consort Hua, a faint smile appeared on the corner of Big Fat Orange's mouth.

If we disregard Nian Gengyao and focus solely on Consort Hua, he genuinely hoped to grow old with Shilan like an ordinary couple, surrounded by children and grandchildren.

Unfortunately, he was the emperor and could not indulge in personal feelings. For the sake of the country, he felt guilty towards Consort Hua.

"She looks much thinner than before after she fell ill a while ago. We have someone send her some bird's nest every day to help her recover."

"Your servant obeys."

*

When Sun Miaoqing arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the room was already empty, leaving only Xia Xiazi behind.

"This humble servant greets Noble Lady Cheng. May Noble Lady Cheng be blessed."

"Get up."

"Thank you, Nobleman Xie Cheng."

Standing outside in the cold wind, Sun Miaoqing felt her face turn red and asked directly, "I heard that His Majesty has been so busy with state affairs these past few days that he hasn't even taken care of his own health."

"So I specially had some lotus-shaped pastries made, hoping that His Majesty could steal half a day of leisure and taste these pastries to see if they suit his taste."

Xia Zi said with difficulty, "It's really unfortunate, Your Excellency, you're a little late today. The Emperor isn't in the Hall of Mental Cultivation right now."

Liuli spoke on behalf of Sun Miaoqing, asking, "May I ask, Eunuch Xia, if the Emperor is not here, where has he gone?"

Xiazi said, "I am not pleased with you, Your Majesty. The Emperor has gone to Yikun Palace."

Sun Miaoqing asked, "Thank you, Eunuch Xia. May I ask how long His Majesty has been gone?"

Xia Zi said, "Your Excellency, His Majesty should be arriving at Yikun Palace soon."

Sun Miaoqing nodded, "Thank you, Eunuch Xiazi. Since the Emperor is not here, I will return now."

After saying that, Sun Miaoqing turned to leave, but Xia Xiazi said, "Take care, esteemed guest."

"By the way, these lotus flower pastries... Your Excellency can give them to me. When His Majesty returns, I will personally deliver them and explain Your Excellency's sentiments to him."

Sun Miaoqing said, "No need to trouble you, Father-in-law."

"The pastries in Consort Hua's palace are the best. The most important thing about lotus flower pastries is that they taste fresh. They will taste different when the Emperor returns."

Having made a wasted trip and squandered everything she had prepared, Sun Miaoqing made another note in her notebook.

She refused to believe that the chubby orange cat could hide from the first day of the month, but it could hide from the fifteenth!

*

Yikun Palace

Consort Hua put two spoonfuls of purplish-red spices into the incense burner, and soon the palace was filled with the fragrance of Huan Yi incense.

Songzhi's worried expression was impossible to hide.

"Your Majesty, the musk in this Joyful Fragrance is extremely harmful to a woman's body. I didn't know this before, but now that I do, why do you still use so much of it every day?"

"Why not secretly have someone remove the musk from it and replace it with a similar spice to get by?"

Consort Hua said nonchalantly, "There's no need. If the Emperor finds out, it will only cause harm."

"Besides, this thing only makes people infertile, it doesn't do any other harm. I've used it for so many years, and I'm already infertile, so what difference does it make how much I use it?"

Songzhi advised, "There are many skilled doctors outside the palace; surely someone can cure Your Highness's illness..."

Consort Hua said, "So what if I'm cured? The Emperor is so heartless. It's not like I haven't been pregnant before!"

“Even if I could give birth, he is not worthy at this moment.”

Songzhi lowered her head dejectedly. In fact, it wasn't just Consort Hua who was upset; the palace maids serving in Yikun Palace also smelled the Joyful Fragrance every day.

It's better for her not to leave the palace; those who are released when they reach a certain age are already finding it difficult to find a good husband because of their age.

Furthermore, with the inability to have children, who knows how miserable the rest of her life will be...

Both mistress and servant cursed inwardly, wishing they could rush to the Hall of Mental Cultivation and tear the fat orange into eight pieces to vent their anger.

After Zhou Ninghai finished his business, the first thing he did was to take the gifts to Consort Hua to claim credit. Everyone else was waiting outside the palace, only Consort Hua, Songzhi, and he were inside.

After closing the door, Zhou Ninghai took out a white porcelain bottle and handed it over. He knelt before Consort Hua and said excitedly, "Your Majesty, it's done!"

"This servant is absolutely certain that this thing will grant Your Majesty's wish!"

Consort Hua stared excitedly at the bottle in her hand. When she opened it, she found that it contained about half a bottle of white powder.

"Zhou Ninghai, are you sure this thing is really as useful as they say?"

"It's absolutely true, and this stuff only works on men; it's harmless to women."

"Just wait until the Emperor comes over, then put some of the powder in his food and drink. In the blink of an eye, the Emperor will be no different from a servant."