Chapter Eight: Ingredients Sold Out
Consort Yu was upset because of what happened at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and she threw a huge tantrum at Jinhua Palace.
Cuiying was afraid that Consort Yu might get sick from anger, so she coaxed and persuaded her until Consort Yu agreed to go to the Imperial Garden to relax.
Unfortunately, they encountered Consort Li after walking only a few steps.
Instead of dispelling bad luck, they brought misfortune upon themselves.
Cuiying was filled with regret and was very anxious when Consort Li, supported by a palace maid, slowly walked over.
A gold and jade hairpin swayed slightly with her movements, making her otherwise plain face appear even more harsh.
Consort Li glanced sideways at Consort Yu, who was being supported by Cuiying, and deliberately raised her voice, "Oh, isn't this Consort Yu from Jinhua Palace?"
"I heard that you couldn't even stand up straight outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation yesterday, but you have the energy to come out for a stroll today?"
Upon hearing this, Consort Yu's face instantly turned ashen.
There's no privacy in the palace. That vile woman must have heard rumors and is deliberately trying to humiliate her.
Consort Li was the Empress Dowager's person. Although she had no favor or beauty, she had been able to run rampant in the harem for many years because of the Empress Dowager's support.
But so what? Consort Li has the Empress Dowager backing her up, and she also has Consort Jia backing her up.
Consort Yu, not to be outdone, immediately shook off Cuiying's hand, straightened her back and sneered, her words filled with unspeakable sarcasm.
"Sister Lifei is so well-informed! She's always squatting at the palace gate listening for any whispers. Be careful she doesn't get her face blown askew by some gust of wind!"
"If you're so bored, why not copy a few more Buddhist scriptures to offer to the Empress Dowager? That way you won't have to keep an eye on other people all day. People might think you're jealous of my favor!"
Consort Li and Consort Jia fought for ten years, and Consort Li hated nothing more than others mentioning the word "favor".
Back then, Consort Jia's comment, "With Consort Li's beauty, the Emperor doesn't even need to bestow cosmetics upon her," made her the laughingstock of the harem.
Now even that vile concubine Yu dares to step on her sore spot!
Consort Li closed the fan in her hand, and a gloomy look immediately appeared in her eyes.
"My sister's mouth is even more pungent than sweet and sour pork ribs."
She had heard that Consort Yu had been busy in the kitchen making a dish that had angered the Emperor.
"I'm afraid it wasn't the food that offended the Emperor, but you who offended him!"
Consort Yu froze, her ears ringing.
In an attempt to please the emperor, she secretly poured half a pot of acacia honey into the pork ribs, but to her surprise, the emperor disliked the taste...
She wanted to keep this to herself, but she never expected to run into Consort Li today.
She's exposed all her tricks!
"Sister, watch your words!" Consort Yu dug her nails into her palms, her smile growing even more alluring, though her voice carried a hint of coldness.
"Even if you're not doing so well, you're still better off than me. You barely get to see the Emperor, and the green plaques sent by the Imperial Household Department are covered in dust. I have some fine feather dusters here, why don't you borrow them to sweep them up?"
Consort Li's face also turned ugly. Whether she was favored or not was none of Consort Yu's business to gossip!
She took a deep breath and told herself to stay calm.
"No need. Although I am not favored, I am still better than some sparrows who think they have become phoenixes by climbing up the branches."
Consort Yu's expression ultimately failed to remain composed.
Who are you calling a sparrow? Don't you even look at your own face?
Her voice suddenly became sharp, "I meant well, but you always misunderstand me like this, no wonder you're not popular!"
Seeing that she was being impolite, Consort Li was not going to back down and immediately retorted.
"Intentions? If it were true intentions, there wouldn't have been such a commotion last night. Consort Yu, are you causing trouble for the Emperor or just making trouble for yourself?"
Consort Yu was so angry at Consort Li's words that she could hardly speak.
But she really lost face last night, and it's hard for her to refute it convincingly.
Unwilling to be humiliated here, she gritted her teeth and turned to leave, but was stopped by Consort Li's voice.
"Consort Yu, don't be in such a hurry to leave. I'd like to ask you something. When the Emperor kicked you out last night, you lost one of your shoes. Is that true?"
"Since you're so curious, why don't you go pick it up at the entrance of the Hall of Mental Cultivation yourself?"
Consort Yu snorted coldly.
"You!" Consort Li's fingertips trembled with anger. "What a sharp tongue you have! I'd like to see how long you can remain so arrogant when Consort Jia can no longer protect you!"
"Then there's no need for you to trouble yourself, sister."
Consort Yu adjusted her temples and brushed past Consort Li, her skirt catching a gust of cold wind.
The two parted on bad terms, and Consort Yu returned to Jinhua Palace with Consort Cuiying.
Feeling so frustrated, I smashed half the porcelain in the room and literally got full of anger.
Meanwhile, the west side hall.
Jiang Huan squatted in front of the stove, her fingertips rubbing the last bit of dusty flour at the bottom of the flour sack, feeling like crying.
I endured being disliked, and I endured being beaten and scolded.
I can't stand not having food to eat anymore!
"My lady, the rice jar is empty too..." Xiao Zhao approached hesitantly, holding the empty jar, her face full of sorrow.
"Xiao Zhao, Heaven is going to kill me!"
Jiang Huan sighed, looking up at the sky, resignedly rolled up her sleeves, lifted the earthenware jar in the corner, took out half a piece of cured meat wrapped in lotus leaves, and also plucked a few green onions growing in a small pot.
Let's just make do with this for now. We won't have the energy to think of a solution if we're not full.
Looking at the few ingredients she had painstakingly put together in front of her, Jiang Huan looked bitter and resentful as she picked up a pot and started cooking.
When the piping hot meat patties came out of the pan, Xiao Zhao's mouth watered at the aroma.
"It smells so good! It smells even better than the food I smelled in the imperial kitchen before!"
Jiang Huan twitched the corners of her mouth, recalling the dishes served by the imperial kitchen on Huo Lin's table.
Compared to that, how could it not be better?
Unfortunately, the ingredients ran out, limiting her creativity.
"Let's eat!" Jiang Huan sighed and placed the plate of flatbread on the table.
In the past, she would have arranged the entire plate with great care, but now?
Jiang Huan glanced at the drafty window frame, chuckled to herself, and thought, "Forget it."
I'm not in the mood.
The master and servant washed their hands one after the other and sat down at the low table to eat.
The crispy crust crumbles between your teeth, and the savory, oily meat juices instantly fill your mouth.
Xiao Zhao gasped for breath several times from the heat, but she couldn't bear to spit out the pancake in her mouth.
However, the thought that the ingredients were all used up made Xiao Zhao's face fall instantly.
"Alas, what a pity. If only we could go before Consort Yu and buy our own ingredients."
"I don't know when I'll be able to taste your cooking again."
Xiao Zhao's words reminded Jiang Huan.
A flash of inspiration struck her, and she had a plan in mind.
"Who said you can't buy it?"
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