Granny Gui, reclining on the chaise longue, was deeply moved. Having served the Empress Dowager, she had practically watched Princess Qing and Princess Yong'an grow up. She knew Princess Qing was the most soft-hearted, the easiest to talk to, and the most well-mannered. In contrast, Princess Yong'an was the opposite; the princess had once said that soft-hearted people couldn't accomplish great things. As for speech, although the princess was beautiful, she often had a cold expression. Even those unfamiliar with her wouldn't dare breathe loudly standing beside her. As for being well-mannered, the princess was indeed well-versed in literature. But if reasoning failed, the princess could also resort to a little martial arts.
How could she not be moved that such a high and mighty princess cared about a mere servant like herself? Although the princess appeared cold on the surface, her heart was warm.
Erkang, standing to the side, was indignant and spoke rudely, "Princess Yong'an, don't you feel ashamed? Shouldn't Physician Hu have examined Ziwei first? Ziwei just spent so long tending the fire, and it's so hot in the Imperial Kitchen. We don't even know if she's suffered from heatstroke. Why did you let Granny Gui examine her first?"
Ziwei tried to stop Erkang, but she was too late. Her mind was still a mess. She had come to the Imperial Kitchen to please the Empress Dowager and Princess Yong'an. Now, not only had she failed to win their favor, but she was also being mocked by the princess. Ziwei felt extremely embarrassed. For a moment, she didn't want to stop Erkang. She wanted to see the princess humiliated. (Anke: Heh, want to see this princess humiliated? In your next life. You won't see it in this one!)
He's like he's blind. How did Granny Gui get injured? And he, Fu Erkang, has the nerve to call her that here?
An Ke turned to look at Fu Erkang, her eyes swirling with turbulent emotions. A mocking smile played on her lips as she spoke coldly, "Looks like your brain isn't working too well. It's only been a short while, and you've already completely forgotten everything. I must say, this princess is truly impressed!" She then looked at Physician Hu, who was adjusting Granny Gui's bones. "Physician Hu, give this young master of the Fu family a thorough check of his brain later. Make sure there's something wrong with it. If there is, you should inform your Imperial Uncle as soon as possible, lest you threaten his safety."
Physician Hu naturally sensed the unspoken power struggle between the two. But he was, after all, just a physician, and one who received a salary from the royal family; naturally, he had to serve the royal family. He would do whatever the princess said, regardless of whether Master Fu was actually ill. If the princess said he was, then he was; if he wasn't, then he was!
Physician Hu glanced silently at the two Fu brothers. He sighed inwardly. Had Lord Fu mistaken a fish eye for a pearl? The eldest son seemed utterly clueless about the bigger picture, lacking any sense of proportion. He'd offended people in the palace without even realizing it. Looking at the second son, though he held no official position in the court, he seemed clever and astute, knowing exactly what to do and when to act. He was far more astute than his brother.
"Yes, I'll show it to Master Fu in a bit." She said this to try and distract Granny Gui.
After all, bone setting can be very painful, especially for older people; it would probably hurt even more if they did it.
Sure enough, Gui Mama's attention was drawn to it. At that moment, Physician Hu pressed Gui Mama's shoulder with his right hand and twisted her arm with his left.
Granny Gui let out a bloodcurdling scream, like a pig being slaughtered.
Just then, Anke's eyes fell on the sheep's stomach pouch and ice cubes. She remembered the sheep's stomach pouch Benjamin had made for Little Swallow. If she remembered correctly, ice cubes seemed to have a temporary pain-relieving effect.
No sooner said than done, Anke rolled up her sleeves, took a sheep's stomach pouch from the top, and ran to the side to fill it with ice. Then she strode back and pressed the ice pouch against Granny Gui's shoulder.
Sure enough, Granny Gui stopped screaming. She even began to quietly close her eyes and enjoy it. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she abruptly opened her eyes. "Princess, let this old servant do it myself! Princess, your noble body cannot do this for an old servant. This servant is unworthy!" Granny Gui hurriedly reached out and took the sheep stomach pouch from An Ke's hands.
Anke didn't try to take it, afraid of accidentally causing Granny Gui further injury. "Alright then, take this sheep stomach pouch and apply it here properly. It should stop hurting in a little while."
"Yes, yes." Granny Gui's eyes were red, as if she was about to cry, and she quickly raised her head.
"The princess is right. Ice has the effect of reducing swelling and relieving pain. Apply it for a while, and I reckon Granny Gui will be out of pain soon," Physician Hu praised from the side, his eyes full of admiration. It seems the rumors in the palace are true; the princess learns everything very quickly.
Such a pleasant atmosphere, yet someone had to jump up and down in the background. "Now it's Physician Hu's turn to examine Ziwei, isn't it?" The voice was very stiff, as if it were being squeezed out of the throat.
"Are you sure Ziwei needs to be seen by the imperial physician? You say she has heatstroke, then shouldn't everyone in the imperial kitchen be examined? After all, in this sweltering heat, everyone's working feverishly inside. How could they not get heatstroke?" An Ke said sarcastically. So your Ziwei is delicate, huh? Don't the servants in the imperial kitchen need your pampering? What's with all this talk about "servants also have parents, and their parents would be heartbroken if they knew?" What a joke! If they really cared, they wouldn't have sent their children to the palace.
Erkang was completely dumbfounded, still muttering indignantly. "Ziwei is a young lady after all, she should be examined first. The eunuchs in the imperial kitchen are already used to it. There's no need for them to examine her." Erkang himself was a little embarrassed after saying that.
Okay, okay, you guys really know how to play the double standard game! When things are peaceful, everyone's family, no master-servant distinction. But when trouble comes, it's all slaves and masters. Why don't you say that even the eunuchs in the imperial kitchen have parents? Utterly hypocritical!
At that moment, a sharp announcement suddenly rang out from the doorway.
"The Empress Dowager has arrived, the Emperor has arrived, the Empress has arrived, Consort Ling has arrived, and Princess Qing has arrived," Li Yu announced at the door.
At this moment, everyone from the Imperial Kitchen came out to greet the Emperor. "This servant greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, Your Majesty the Emperor, Your Majesty the Empress, Your Highness Consort Ling, and Consort Qing."
The Emperor first looked at his niece standing under the osmanthus tree. Aside from her tense expression, there seemed to be nothing wrong with her. But who dared to make An'an so angry? The Emperor also noticed Granny Gui, who was about to rise to greet him, but his niece quickly pushed her back onto the reclining chair. It seemed what Xingxing had said was true.
Along the way, Xingxing recounted the whole story to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. Although the Emperor didn't want to admit his poor judgment in hiring such a person as his personal attendant, he then thought that if he had truly offended An'an, he shouldn't be blamed for taking his anger out on the Fu family.
On his way there, the Emperor thought about Fu Erkang's arrogant manner and wondered if he had some connection with Consort Ling. So, he sent Xiao Luzi to Yanxi Palace to invite Consort Ling over.
The Empress had just met them in the passageway. Hearing that it was about An'an, she came along with them.
The Empress Dowager, the Empress, and Qing'er immediately turned their attention to An Ke upon entering, ignoring everyone else and quickly walking towards her. The Empress Dowager even neglected her grandson, and the Empress even accidentally bumped into the Fifth Prince.
"Get up, all of you!" The Emperor looked at the three hurried figures and felt somewhat uneasy, discreetly touching the tip of his nose. But then he saw Consort Ling, who had been following him the whole time, showing no concern for An'an's movements. The suspicion in his eyes became even more undisguised.
"Fu'erkang, I heard you wanted me to judge right and wrong? It's perfect that An'an has had me invited here. Why don't you share your thoughts first!" This was the first time the people from the Imperial Kitchen had been so close to the most honored person in the harem. They were all too nervous to speak. The atmosphere was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Master Zhuang, ever observant, immediately had several chairs brought over. Then, glancing at the osmanthus tree, he ordered the chairs placed under it. This way, they could enjoy the fragrance of the osmanthus to calm their minds and find shade and relief from the heat. As for the others, they were certainly unworthy; let them stand in the sun and argue with the Emperor!
Seven chairs were set up under the osmanthus tree. An Ke knew there would be a seat for her, so she sat down without hesitation. She waited for her uncle's punishment, and didn't forget to pull Qing'er aside to watch the show as well.
But seeing such a large group of people in the courtyard, An Ke suggested to the Emperor, "Uncle Emperor, it must be really stuffy with so many people standing in the Imperial Kitchen. There must be a lot of work waiting for them there. Why don't we let the eunuchs in the Imperial Kitchen go back to their tasks?"
The group of eunuchs looked at An Ke with gratitude. Although they wanted to hear the gossip, they didn't want to hear any other rumors. What if they faced retaliation later? The thought was terrifying. Gossip was important, but their lives were more important!
The Emperor also looked at the group of eunuchs, and seeing the crowd surrounding them in layers, he felt annoyed. So, he nodded obediently, allowing them to go about their business.
After the imperial kitchen staff left, he felt his view suddenly become much wider. Fu Erkang didn't want so many eunuchs to hear him. This was for the best! It saved him the trouble of speaking to the Emperor.
Fu Erkang recounted everything he had just witnessed and his own understanding to the Emperor. He remembered that a few days ago, Xiao Yanzi had mentioned in Shufangzhai that the Emperor now held Ziwei in high regard. He had even played chess with Ziwei all night. Therefore, Fu Erkang was very confident that the Emperor would side with him and reprimand and punish Princess Yong'an.
The Emperor's eyes narrowed dangerously for a moment. Had he appeared too merciful? Or did An'an seem too easy to bully? How dare a mere servant or maid accuse the Princess of leading the bullying of them? Even if it was bullying, so what? To be bullied by An'an was their blessing. Besides, his niece never initiated trouble.
The Emperor glanced at the timid Ziwei beside him, his suspicions growing even stronger. He had only overheard Xiaoyanzi mention it briefly. Now, recalling it, Xiaoyanzi seemed to have said that Ziwei belonged to the Fu family and had been sent to the palace by the Fujin (the Princess Consort) to accompany Xiaoyanzi, with Consort Ling acting as her guarantor.
The Emperor then turned to look at Consort Ling, who was sitting upright beside him. Could it be that the Fu family was trying to use Consort Ling to plant people in their own palace, trying to extend their reach into my harem? The Fu family, well done!
The Emperor could remain calm, but the Empress Dowager could not. She already disapproved of the behavior of the servants at Shufangzhai, who acted neither like masters nor servants. Now, they had deliberately walked right into her line of fire.
The Empress Dowager's acting skills were on full display. Her face immediately darkened, and her tone became even more authoritative and heavy. "Oh? Is she dissatisfied with my decree? Back then at Shufangzhai, I specifically asked Ziwei to come and help in the imperial kitchen. How come the princess asked her to help prepare some ingredients? Can't she even do that properly? Besides, Ziwei didn't say anything then, but today she's complaining a lot. Fu'erkang, do you know what Ziwei is really thinking?" The Empress Dowager practically had the words "obeying orders while secretly defying them" plastered on Ziwei's face.
Ziwei's face turned deathly pale instantly, and she hurriedly knelt on the ground, trying to defend herself. "No, no, no, this servant has no complaints about the Empress Dowager's decree. This servant is also willingly preparing ingredients for the Princess." Ziwei's words completely absolved her of any wrongdoing. In her haste, she failed to consider Erkang's predicament.
"Oh, so you weren't dissatisfied after all. Listening to what this Master Fu was saying just now, I thought you were dissatisfied with my decree!" Although the Empress Dowager heard the explanation, she didn't buy it and remained cold.
Fu Erkang was also dumbfounded. Could it be that he really had made a mistake? He thought back for a moment. But it was true that he had seen Ziwei's eyes red. Even if it wasn't the princess who ordered it, it was the princess who asked Ziwei to prepare the ingredients. At this moment, Fu Erkang was still stuck in his own thoughts. He was completely unaware that the atmosphere at the scene had become several degrees colder, and the emperor was beginning to dislike them.
"Are the palace rules of Shufangzhai really that bad? Haven't the masters learned the rules properly, and the servants haven't learned the rules properly either?" The Empress Dowager was now nitpicking, and in any case, she was dissatisfied with them.
Ziwei belatedly realized that she should have gone back to talking about the Empress Dowager first.
At this moment, she didn't want to lose her image in the Emperor's eyes. She immediately looked at the Emperor with tears welling in her eyes.
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