Green Locust was followed by Green Jade and Greenery; their scent wafted in as soon as they entered.
Huo Qinghe moved the handkerchief that was originally covering her lips up a little: "Is it river seafood?" She guessed it just by smelling it.
Green Locust nodded: "Yuzhi said that the Imperial Kitchen sent a lot today. Since I was staying with you, Madam, I sent some over so that you could have a taste."
Huo Qinghe was already stuffed and couldn't eat anymore, but she still let Luyi and the others take a few steps forward so she could take a look.
She had eaten fried fish and similar dishes with her younger brother when they were at home, but she had never actually eaten oysters; she had only heard of them.
"It looks quite novel. Since it's a gift from Madam Zhou, you can quietly take it and share it. Don't force yourself if you can't finish it, or you'll ruin your face, and that would be terrible."
Green Locust and the others were naturally grateful and accepted. Green Cloud and the others took the food and left first, while Green Locust remained by their side to serve them.
"Didn't they say that Madam Zhou couldn't eat river fish? How come the imperial kitchen dared to make so much? Aren't they afraid of angering Madam Zhou? Now Madam Zhou has ordered it to be sent here again..."
Is this disgusting or what?
Huo Qinghe first picked up the teacup on the small table and drank it: "Go and change it to locust flower tea, it's too bitter. His Majesty went to the main hall first, who knows?"
Upon hearing the sound, Green Locust hurriedly went and brought in locust flower tea.
“You’re right, madam. But now that His Majesty has turned back, I’m afraid Madam Zhou will be angry again.”
This girl is starting to worry again.
Huo Qinghe drank two cups in a row before she finally felt less stifled: "We'll deal with whatever comes our way."
Compared to Green Locust Tree, she was much calmer. Even if Consort Zhou was arrogant and domineering because of Empress Dowager Zhou's support, she still needed a reason. She should not reveal her true colors to others first.
Green Locust quickly cheered up: "But His Majesty has come today... My lady has been ill lately, but His Majesty's arrival today shows that he still remembers her."
Huo Qinghe glanced at her: "You've become glib too. You're not allowed to say these things in public. Not just you, all of you are."
Green Locust hurriedly agreed.
Just then, Baosheng came in from outside.
"My lady. The imperial kitchen has made some new milk cakes and said they'd like to send them over for you to try." Baosheng was still holding a tray in his hands.
Huo Qinghe was slightly taken aback: "The Imperial Kitchen is really well-informed. It's just a pity that His Majesty has already left. Let it sit there; we can't eat right now."
She ate way too much for lunch; hopefully, it wasn't a waste.
She had finished the locust flower tea in her small cup and turned the lid over: "That's enough. I'm tired, I'll rest for a while."
Green Locust understood, put down the milk cake first, and then withdrew with Baosheng.
...
Meanwhile, Pei Yuanhui left Yanxi Palace and boarded the imperial carriage in the sunlight. He twirled the eighteen-character divination stick in his hand again and again: "I remember that there are still many historical books from previous dynasties in the Library. Tell the Library to pick some out and you to personally deliver them to Consort Huo... Consort Huo."
Jin Yang responded with an "Eh".
After giving his instructions, Pei Yuanhui suddenly raised his hand and added, "I remember that the Chongwen Academy and Jixian Academy have recently revised and compiled some books? Have them sent them over."
Jin Yang couldn't figure out how these two things were connected. But where were the historical records delivered to the concubines?
Among the imperial concubines, Consort Huo was the first to do so, but among the emperors, His Majesty was indeed the first to send historical books to his concubines.
However, Jin Yang himself had only ever served one emperor, the Emperor.
But besides sending historical records, the emperor also sent other strange and unusual items to the imperial concubines.
"Prepare dinner at Xianfu Palace and inform them." Pei Yuanhui tapped his fingers lightly on his knees, seemingly deep in thought.
Jin Yang dared not delay and quickly agreed. He raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, increasingly unable to fathom the Emperor's thoughts.
No sooner had they left Consort Huo's Yanliang Pavilion than the Emperor ordered them to have dinner at Consort Yi's Xianfu Palace.
It's truly baffling whether His Majesty's favor towards Consort Huo stems from Consort Yi or from Consort Huo herself.
However, it is generally believed that the Emperor has always favored spoiled concubines like Consort Chi, Consort Cao, and Consort Zhou. It was originally thought that Consort Huo would not win His Majesty's favor upon entering the palace, but now it seems that this may not be the case.
...
Jin Yang wasn't the only one with this question.
"I wonder what His Majesty likes about Consort Zhou's personality. Did His Majesty have lunch at Xiao Huo's place?" The voice was sweet and melodious.
"Yes, that's what the Imperial Kitchen said. Lady Zhou has the Empress Dowager's backing, so naturally things are different for her. It's getting late, Your Highness, please don't look at the account books now, it'll hurt your eyes," said the palace maid named Fang Kui.
Consort Chi turned a page: "With the weather getting hot, the cost of ice in each palace is already a considerable expense. With the arrival of new concubines, the expenses will be even greater. There's also the service of the eldest princess and the eldest prince in the Xiefang Palace, and Consort Ming and Consort Cao are currently pregnant. Every expense must be carefully managed. If we don't settle things now, are we going to wait until everything piles up before we're overwhelmed with work?"
Seeing this, Fang Kui quickly added more candles: "Yes. Consort Zhou has been released from confinement and has asked the Imperial Household Department for a lot of things, far exceeding her allotted allowance, it's really..."
If it weren't for this, why would the Empress be so overworked?
Chi Xiexiang pressed her temples: "What are these things? In the end, it's because the Empress is ill that all these matters have fallen on my shoulders. By the way, how is Lady Fu these days? Her quiet demeanor is actually making me more worried."
Fang Kui stepped aside to avoid blocking the candlelight: "The imperial physician has examined her. These past few days, Consort Fu has mostly been sleeping and rarely goes out. After all, she nearly lost her life in the water; how could Consort Fu possibly have the strength to act recklessly?"
Chi Xiexiang smiled upon hearing this, and first pointed to a certain place in the account book: "The monthly allowance for Consort Zhuang's palace, let's calculate it again later. This is based on whether she was a Noble Consort or not, it's wrong."
"Who knows which little devil is behind this? If Lady Fu were to behave herself, I wouldn't bother with her. But if she goes too far, who knows if His Majesty will remember the old friendship with the Fu family?"
Fang Kui noted it down: "I originally thought Consort Fu would come out on top, but it seems Consort Xie and Consort Huo are more favored by His Majesty. However, Consort Huo..."
"Looking at Xiao Huo's clumsy and silly demeanor, you're probably wondering what His Majesty likes about her? Xiao Huo may be silly, but she's a beautiful silly girl. Just like His Majesty's fondness for General Tan, she's so fair and pitiful, what man wouldn't fall for her?"
However, judging from Chi Xiexiang's tone, she didn't seem to care at all.
"Where will His Majesty stay tonight?" Chi Xiexiang turned another page, her head already spinning from reading for so long.
Fang Kui stole a glance at Chi Xiexiang: "We just went to Xianfu Palace, and we don't know if we'll be staying overnight."
Chi Xiexiang's slender fingers, which were turning the page, paused slightly. When she spoke again, her tone was inexplicable: "Has Your Majesty remembered Da Huo after seeing Xiao Huo? Is Huo Yiyun being remembered by Your Majesty because of Xiao Huo?"
As she spoke, Chi Xiexiang couldn't help but burst out laughing.
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