With Xingxing's help in dressing her up, An Ke, dressed in a bright red palace gown and with such flawless makeup, looked exceptionally elegant, luxurious, and sophisticated.
"Princess, the Empress Dowager has just sent someone to invite you to breakfast." Xingxing looked at her princess's increasingly beautiful face, even though she saw it every day. Xingxing was still amazed.
"Then let's hurry up and go." Upon hearing this, An Ke realized that the Empress Dowager was still waiting, so they had to hurry.
On their way to the meal, they overheard two palace maids whispering to each other while wiping a vase. Following the principle of "since we're already here, what's the harm in listening?", Anke decided to listen to what they had to say. So she slowed her pace, and Xingxing followed suit.
"I heard that Princess Huanzhu from Shufangzhai has been released from confinement and is now under house arrest."
"Yes, I heard she caused a scene in the Imperial Garden yesterday," the palace maid said, busy with her work. She clicked her tongue in amazement as she spoke. She had been in the palace for several years and had never seen a princess like this before; it was truly unheard of.
"I had a bit of an upset stomach yesterday, so I didn't go to the Imperial Garden. I was on night duty at Cining Palace last night. What happened after that?" The young palace maid asked curiously.
Anke was also very curious about what the two of them would say next, and she almost leaned out of her seat.
"Shh, keep your voice down. Do you want everyone to know?" The palace maid peeked around and, finding no one nearby, whispered again. "It's because he was questioning the Fifth Prince in the Imperial Garden."
"Who's questioning whom, sister?" The little palace maid couldn't believe that such a commotion had started in the Imperial Garden. Wouldn't it become known to everyone?
"Who else could be questioning whom? Of course, it's Princess Huanzhu questioning the Fifth Prince!" the palace maid said with a look of exasperation.
"Huh? Princess Huanzhu is questioning the Fifth Prince?" The little palace maid was completely stunned, as if struck by lightning. "But wasn't it the Emperor who confined Princess Huanzhu? Why would he be questioning the Fifth Prince?" The little palace maid felt that her worldview had been shaken.
"Who says otherwise? You've been in the palace for three years now, haven't you?"
"Yes, sister, it's been three years this year." The little palace maid said sincerely, her eyes still quite clear.
"I've been in the palace for nine years, and I've never seen a princess dare to yell at a prince like that," the palace maid said, shaking her head as she wiped the porcelain, seemingly amazed. "Besides, the Fifth Prince is the Emperor's most favored son; who in the palace doesn't show him respect?"
“I think Princess Yong’an could be like that,” the little palace maid said innocently, blinking her dark eyes. “From the moment I entered the palace, a matron told me that Princess Yong’an was the most honored person in the palace. Sister, why is that?”
"Don't ask questions you shouldn't. The old woman is right, just do as she says. In this palace, the right thing to do is to ask less, do more, and keep quiet. Our masters' affairs are not for us servants to discuss. Only by keeping our mouths shut can we save our lives and be released from the palace safely when the time comes." The maid said gravely. She was two years away from reaching the age to leave the palace. She hoped her childhood sweetheart was still waiting for her. Every maid in the palace hoped to leave when she reached that age. Of course, it was also best to stay safe and sound in the palace, lest she accidentally anger her master and, for any excuse, make her life a living hell.
"Yes." Seeing the other maid's gloomy face, the little maid didn't dare to ask any more questions and hurriedly went about her work.
Seeing that there was nothing more to hear, An headed straight for the dining hall.
"Didn't you sleep well last night? Look at how listless you are." The moment the old lady stepped into the charity hall, her gaze was fixed on her.
"No, I only read one or two picture books last night, I didn't stay up late." Anke was indeed telling the truth; she only read two picture books yesterday. They were stories about rich girls and poor boys. Regarding these clichéd stories, Anke said: "I don't read clichéd ones, but I definitely read the really clichéd ones."
"I specially ordered someone to prepare a bowl of black chicken soup today. Please have a couple more bowls later," the Empress Dowager said with concern.
"Yes, my granddaughter will definitely eat two more bowls later," An Ke said obediently.
At this moment, Granny Gui, her face ashen, walked to the Empress Dowager's side and whispered something. (Granny Gui had almost recovered after taking the medicine, and fearing that the Empress Dowager might need her, she immediately went to her post. Mainly, she was afraid someone would replace her.) After hearing Granny Gui's words, the Empress Dowager's face also darkened, and she slammed her chopsticks on the table.
An Ke gave Qing'er a wink, and Qing'er, understanding, asked, "Your Majesty, what's wrong? You kept telling An'an to have two more bowls of black chicken soup, and Qing'er thinks you need one too. These past two days, Qing'er has heard you haven't been able to sleep well at night. In a little while, Qing'er and An'an will go and prepare some pear-flavored soup for you. The imperial physician also said not to let you get too angry in the morning." As Qing'er spoke, she ladled out a bowl of chicken soup and placed it in front of the Empress Dowager.
Anke wasn't in the mood for anything else at the moment. She ate her breakfast, put down her chopsticks, and observed the Empress Dowager's expression.
How could the Empress Dowager not know what those two mischievous girls were up to? She patted Qing'er's hand and gave An Ke a reassuring look. "I heard that yesterday, that Princess Huanzhu from Shufangzhai caused a scene in the Imperial Garden and even questioned a prince in public. I think she can't learn proper manners; she's always causing trouble, both big and small."
An Ke then stepped forward and gently patted the Empress Dowager's back to help her catch her breath. "Grandmother, please don't worry so much. Your aunt is handling things in the palace. You can rest assured."
"How could I not know that the Empress manages the affairs of the inner palace?" The Empress Dowager sighed helplessly. "But the Emperor just happens to dote on that adopted daughter. I've heard that the Emperor will be going on an incognito tour soon, and he'll be taking that adopted daughter with him. The matter is already common knowledge in the palace. Does he really want to lose face outside the palace as well?"
"Even if Grandmother and Uncle were to travel incognito, they would have surely thought it through carefully before bringing Princess Huanzhu along. Besides, with her not in the palace, you can be less upset. In An'an's opinion, this is a very worthwhile deal." You should always try to see things from a different perspective.
“What you say makes some sense, but I’m not at ease with her by the Emperor’s side.” The Empress Dowager’s eyes narrowed sharply. “I have a feeling there’s something unusual between them. An’an, you go with your Imperial Uncle and help me find out what’s going on.”
The Empress Dowager was certain that her sixth sense was correct; there was always that strange atmosphere between them. Although she hadn't been back in the palace for long, judging from their expressions and actions, she felt that they were definitely hiding something from everyone in the palace, and that it was something big, something that could involve many people.
Anke: Good heavens, the title of "champion of palace intrigue" is well-deserved! But even back in the drama, the Empress Dowager sensed something was amiss and sent Qing'er to investigate. How could she possibly think it's normal now?
It's good to be able to leave the palace; being confined to this fortified city all the time is making me feel like I'm going to get sick. Going on an incognito tour with my uncle will allow me to see different landscapes and scenery. When my father and mother return, I can go back to the Prince's residence with them.
“Alright, then An’an will go to the Hall of Mental Cultivation in a little while to tell Uncle Huang.” An Ke agreed with a smile. “Now, can the Empress Dowager have a little more breakfast?”
The old lady smiled and nodded to Anke, then took the bowl of lukewarm black chicken soup. Qing'er and Anke exchanged a glance, both letting out a sigh of relief.
After breakfast, An Ke went to the small kitchen in Cining Palace and personally made two delicate pastries. She put them in a food box, preparing to visit her hardworking and meritorious uncle at Yangxin Hall.
Xingxing followed behind, carrying a food box in her hand, which was for Eunuch Li Yu and Eunuch Xiao Luzi. Her princess was kind-hearted; whenever she did something, her servants always got to enjoy the delicious food she had personally prepared. Of course, the princess never forgot those who served the Emperor and the Prince.
As An Ke walked through the palace, she pondered the events of her incognito tour. She vaguely remembered that Ziwei had been stabbed, and it was then that she pleaded for Xiaoyanzi's life.
Ha! I wonder if they'll get their way now that I've stirred things up? I'm really looking forward to it! Besides, Fu Erkang has become an ordinary guard, so it's likely he won't be the one advising the Emperor this time. It's getting more and more exciting.
Anke walked quickly, and Xingxing wasn't slow either. But the two of them still walked and stopped frequently, appreciating the people and things around them.
Every scene along the way is worth seeing, even just stopping to admire it.
They walked at a leisurely pace until they reached the entrance of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Upon seeing the princess at the entrance, Li Yu immediately went to greet her with a beaming smile. "This servant greets the princess. May the princess be well. Princess, what brings you to the Hall of Mental Cultivation at this hour?"
"Please rise, Eunuch Li. I made some peach blossom pastries today and would like to offer them to Your Majesty," An Ke said with a smile. She deliberately used pastries as an excuse. She couldn't very well come up and say that she knew Your Majesty was going on an incognito trip and had come to tell him to take her along, could she?
"Princess, your arrival is perfectly timed! His Majesty hasn't had breakfast since the court session ended, and this servant has been extremely anxious," Li Yu said, looking at An Ke with the expression of someone looking at a savior. Normally, if the Emperor didn't have breakfast, a palace servant would definitely invite Princess Yong'an. And whenever Princess Yong'an arrived, the Emperor would always give her face and surely have a few bites. Moreover, these were pastries made by the Princess herself; if the Emperor knew, he would certainly eat a few.
"Really? Then it seems I've arrived at just the right time." An Ke indulged in a little self-admiration. "By the way, Eunuch Li, is anyone inside the Imperial Palace right now?" If there were ministers inside, An Ke didn't plan to go in now. She would wait in the side hall for a while until the Imperial Palace finished its business before going in.
Upon hearing this, Li Yu's face lit up with admiration. Indeed, the princess was so poised and magnanimous. Thinking of the character Huanzhugege, Li Yu felt there was simply no way to compare her to the princess.
If the princess is the bright moon in the sky, then Princess Huanzhu can't even reach the level of a star. The princess could attend court to discuss state affairs, yet she knew to wait a moment while the emperor met with his ministers. But Princess Huanzhu? She would seek an audience with the emperor for personal matters, completely disregarding whether he was currently reviewing memorials and meeting with ministers. The difference in their status is immediately apparent.
What's even more ridiculous is that the people in the palace actually think that Princess Huanzhu is lenient and generous towards her servants. If Li Yu wants to know, the one who's truly lenient and generous is Princess Yong'an. Not only do they always share in the pastries the princess makes, but she's also incredibly generous with her rewards. A single reward can be two or three months' worth of wages. Do they even know that? They're just spouting nonsense.
Li Yu: I am Princess Yong'an's number one supporter. I'm the biggest fan! Anyone who speaks ill of Princess Yong'an is an enemy of our family!
"No, Your Majesty, we just received Lord Fuheng. Only Princess Huanzhu and the Fifth Prince are inside now. Princess, please come in." Li Yu reported truthfully and then stepped aside.
"Alright, then I'll have to trouble Eunuch Li." After saying that, he winked at Xingxing.
Xingxing immediately understood and stepped forward, handing the food box in her hand to Li Yu. "Eunuch Li, these are pastries that the princess prepared this morning. Please accept them."
Li Yu was deeply moved and said, "This...how could I possibly trouble the princess?"
"When the princess heard that the emperor had finished his court session, she went to the small kitchen to make some pastries. She even made some for you and Eunuch Xiao Luzi. Please accept them." Xingxing, having followed her princess around, had picked up these words from her.
“Then we’ll accept it.” Li Yu didn’t hesitate and accepted it directly, his resolve to support the princess even stronger.
Sure enough, An Ke went inside and saw Xiao Yanzi and Yong Qi. At this moment, An Ke didn't bother to eavesdrop and just walked in casually.
"An'an greets her Imperial Uncle, may the Imperial Uncle be blessed with ten thousand years of good fortune and peace." An Ke stepped forward and half-knelt to pay her respects.
The Emperor, who had been rubbing his temples because of what Xiao Yanzi had said, immediately looked up upon hearing his niece's voice, beaming and beckoning An Ke to come up. "An An, what brings you here?"
“An’an heard that Uncle Huang hadn’t had breakfast, so she specially prepared some pastries for him.” An’an didn’t ask why Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi were here, but simply opened her food box and took out the pastries inside.
"As expected, only An'an truly pleases me. Are these pastries only for me, or do they all belong to everyone in the palace?" The Emperor asked sourly, looking at the plates of exquisite pastries.
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