About an hour later, the Sixth Princess also woke up. To be specific, she was awakened by a tempting fragrance.

She followed the scent to the small kitchen. The palace maids she met along the way had the same expression as her, sniffing the sweet aroma with enjoyment.

"Sister-in-law, what kind of cake are you making? How can it smell so good?" The Sixth Princess asked with her little head poked.

"You little glutton really know how to pick the right time. You came just as the egg yolk pastry came out of the oven." Tao Ti took the opportunity to wrap one in oil paper and handed it to her, "Try it, be careful not to burn it."

As soon as you hold the egg yolk pastry in your hand, the rich sweet aroma becomes even stronger.

The palace servants nearby couldn't help swallowing their saliva, their eyes fixed on the small golden snack in the Sixth Princess's hand, as if they could also taste the flavor if she took a bite.

The Sixth Princess couldn't wait to take a bite, her eyes lit up. The crust was crispy, soft and sweet. When she bit down, she first tasted a layer of soft and glutinous snow meringue skin, followed by sweet and rich bean paste and salty egg yolk. The sweet and salty taste blended together just right... It was so delicious!

The Sixth Princess had no time to comment. She just stuffed mouthful after mouthful of food into her mouth. When her mouth was full, she nodded to Tao Ti with a look of surprise, "Great!"

Seeing her flattering look, Tao Ti laughed out loud, "Eat slowly, I made a lot. If you don't have enough, I'll pack another plate for you to take back."

"Thank you, sister-in-law!" The Sixth Princess said with great admiration.

Seeing that it was getting late, Tao Tizhen packed her a plate of egg yolk pastry and four small jars of preserved fruits before leaving.

The Sixth Princess was still a little reluctant, so she pulled Tao Ti's sleeve and said affectionately, "Sister-in-law, can I come to play with you next time?"

Seeing the dependence inadvertently revealed in those big eyes, Tao Ti's heart moved slightly, and she touched the Sixth Princess's head, "Of course, you can, you are welcome anytime."

Hearing this, the Sixth Princess was extremely happy.

Looking at the Sixth Princess's cheerful back as she left, Tao Ti couldn't help but let a faint smile appear on her face. This was probably the healing power of food.

She slowly withdrew her gaze, turned around and filled a plate of egg yolk pastry, and asked the eunuch to bring it to Pei Yan as an afternoon snack.

Seeing that the palace servants in Yaoguang Palace were all greedy, she was not stingy and kept a portion for herself and let them share the rest.

"This freshly made egg yolk pastry is meant to be eaten fresh. It has rained a lot recently and the air is humid, so it won't keep for long. Rather than wasting it, you might as well share it among yourself."

This reason made the palace servants of Yaoguang Palace put aside their fears and began to distribute the cakes with peace of mind.

"Oh my god, this tastes absolutely amazing! The Crown Princess must be the reincarnation of the Prince of Shang, otherwise how could she make such delicious pastries!"

"The Crown Princess is really clever. She can make so many delicious dishes just from salted duck eggs. If she were to open a restaurant outside, her business would surely be booming and she would make a lot of money."

"Look at what you said, you are such a fool. As a princess, you don't care about that little money!"

"Alas, such a delicious snack, but it's a pity that I only got half. I understand why the Sixth Princess cried. When I think about the fact that I can only eat one bite of such a delicious pastry, I am about to cry."

"Before, when I heard that I was going to work for the Crown Princess, I was reluctant. Now, if anyone wants to transfer me away, I won't agree! The Crown Princess is really a fairy master. As long as I can get a bite of food from time to time, I am willing to serve her like a cow and a horse for the rest of my life!"

"Me too!!"

In the afternoon, Yaoguang Temple is immersed in the rich aroma of desserts, and the atmosphere is extremely peaceful.

On the other side, inside the Zixiao Palace.

Song Taifu pinched a piece of egg yolk puff and chewed it slowly, narrowing his eyes with a look of pleasure, "It's good, the puff pastry is crispy, the filling is substantial, and the taste is rich. It's really unforgettable. Such a good craftsmanship, your highness is really lucky."

Song Taifu said this compliment sincerely. After finishing the cake in his hand, he still felt unsatisfied. If it were not for his status, he would have wanted to pick up the crumbs that fell from the plate and eat them.

"If the teacher likes it, try some more."

"No, no, no, this is a token of the Crown Princess's love for you. I am very grateful for having the honor of tasting a piece today." Although he said this, Tutor Song glanced honestly at the plate of pastries.

"I don't need so much by myself." Pei Yan raised his eyes and looked at Fu Xirui calmly.

Fu Xirui immediately understood and placed three egg yolk pastries in front of Master Song.

Song Taifu was no longer polite and sighed, "The Crown Princess is so considerate to Your Highness... If you had known that she would be so caring, you should have gotten married earlier. With someone who understands your feelings and takes care of you, Your Highness will be able to recover sooner."

Pei Yan thought, it's not too late now. He smiled slightly, picked up a piece of egg yolk pastry and ate it, his dark eyes unconsciously revealing a barely perceptible joy.

After having tea, the two discussed the issue of spring taxes.

Seeing Fu Xirui coming out with an empty cup and plate, Zhan Ping, who was standing at the door, was surprised and said, "This... is all finished?!"

Fu Xirui smiled broadly, "Yes, Your Highness used three pieces, and Master Song used five. The Crown Princess's cooking skills are truly amazing!"

"Your Highness actually used three pastries? Eunuch Fu, why don't you persuade Your Highness? He eats a lot now, so there is no need for dinner."

"Three pieces of pastry are nothing. Lord Zhan, you didn't see that His Highness had such a big bowl of fried rice last night, a big bowl of soup, and several fried chicken wings. In my opinion, our Crown Princess is really His Highness's lucky star. I believe that it won't be long before His Highness will be stronger and healthier. Being able to eat is a blessing!"

Seeing Fu Xirui calling her "our Crown Princess" affectionately, Zhan Ping frowned and said, "Eunuch Fu, have you forgotten how much she embarrassed Your Highness before? Now, just for a few cakes, you have turned against her..."

Fu Xirui was stunned for a moment, and said, "Master Zhan, you are too prejudiced against the Crown Princess. In fact, the Crown Princess is a very good person."

He explained a few sentences, but Zhan Ping still looked stubborn and refused to budge. Fu Xirui didn't waste any more words and just thought to himself: A person's true character will only be known over time. Let's wait and see, maybe you will change sides in the future.

——

The rain stopped, and the wet nurse took the Sixth Princess back to Tingyuxuan.

The Sixth Princess was enjoying a small piece of egg yolk pastry. Just as she passed a palace gate, she saw the Fifth Prince coming towards her.

The fifth prince is the second youngest child in the palace. He is nine years old this year. His birth mother is Concubine Xu. When he was born, there was a severe drought in the northwest. Emperor Zhaokang was so worried that his hair fell out. As luck would have it, when the fifth prince was born, there was a heavy rain in the northwest, which relieved the drought. Therefore, Emperor Zhaokang doted on this little son very much and thought he was a lucky little boy.

Loved by his father and his mother being a noble concubine, the Fifth Prince could be said to have grown up in a honeypot, and as a result, he developed a lawless character.

Seeing this little devil now, the Sixth Princess subconsciously put her hands behind her back and timidly greeted him, "Hello, Fifth Brother."

The fifth prince frowned, "It's Xiaoliu, where are you from?"

The Sixth Princess's long eyelashes drooped slightly. "I, I... just went to the East Palace to play for a while."

"Eastern Palace? Why did you go there? Doesn't the Crown Prince find you annoying?"

"It was the Crown Princess's sister-in-law who asked me to go play..."

"Crown Princess Sister-in-law?" The Fifth Prince was stunned for a moment before he remembered that there was such a person. He was about to ask again, but he saw the Sixth Princess's hands behind her back unnaturally, and frowned, "What are you hiding?"

"No, nothing." The Sixth Princess was a little flustered.

"Look at your cowardly little rat." The fifth prince raised his chin and pouted at the eunuch beside him, "Go and see what she has hidden."

The young eunuch went over immediately. The wet nurse subconsciously protected the Sixth Princess but did not dare to interfere. After all, the Fifth Prince was the Royal Concubine's treasure. If they upset this little devil, they would not end up well.

When the Fifth Prince saw that the Sixth Princess was hiding a small piece of biscuit, he could not help but roll his eyes, "What is a piece of biscuit hiding? Would I steal it from you?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he couldn't help sniffing, "What smells so good?"

The eunuch also looked around, and finally fixed his sight on the cake in the Sixth Princess's hand. "Master, it seems to be... the cake in the Sixth Princess's hand?"

The Sixth Princess has a small mouth, so she took two bites of the egg yolk pastry and half of it was left, revealing the rich fillings inside.

Seeing the Fifth Prince staring at the egg yolk pastry in her hand, the Sixth Princess whispered, "Fifth Brother, I've eaten this before."

The young eunuch beside the Fifth Prince was very clever. He immediately whispered something into the Fifth Prince's ear.

"Let me see your food box." The fifth prince had a domineering look on his face. Although he was young, he had a bit of a bandit-like air.

Seeing that the wet nurse was hesitating, the Fifth Prince simply asked the eunuch to go and get it.

The Sixth Princess wanted to grab it, "This was given to me by the Crown Princess's sister-in-law!"

The fifth prince had no intention of snatching food from his sister at first. After all, it would be so embarrassing if this matter got out. But - this cake smells too good, right?!

As soon as he opened the food box, the rich, sweet aroma hit his nose, instantly arousing his greed.

He swallowed his saliva, reached out to take it, and explained, "Xiao Liu, brother will only take one piece to try, don't be stingy."

Although the Sixth Princess was reluctant, she couldn't get angry with the Fifth Prince over a piece of cake.

The egg yolk pastry was still warm, with a thin skin and thick filling. When you take a bite, the skin is extremely crispy. The soft and stringy snow meringue skin paired with the red bean paste filling with just the right sweetness simply injects the soul into this small pastry.

"This pastry is really good!" The fifth prince was not as polite as the princess when eating, and finished one in just two bites.

Seeing that he was about to reach out his hand, the Sixth Princess became anxious, "Fifth Brother! You said you would only take one bite."

The Fifth Prince touched his nose and coaxed, "Little Six, how about you give me this plate of cakes? I'll ask the kitchen to make you some other cakes?"

"don't want!"

"Hey, don't be stingy. I will never bully you again and give you cakes every day."

"No..." The Sixth Princess wanted to refuse, but the wet nurse gently tugged at her sleeve and gave her a look.

The Sixth Princess pursed her lips, with a hint of grievance between her brows.

The fifth prince coughed lightly and said, "Don't worry, I won't take it for nothing. I'll have someone give you some farewell cakes later."

Having said this, he took the little eunuch, picked up the food box and walked away humming a little tune.

The Sixth Princess lowered her head and stared at the half piece of egg yolk pastry in her hand, with crystal clear tears welling up in her eyes.

The nanny quickly squatted down to comfort her, "My dear princess, no matter how delicious this pastry is, there is no need for us to compete with the Fifth Prince. He has the Imperial Concubine's favor, and you...ah, you are different from him..."

The Sixth Princess tried hard to hold back her tears and bit her lip, "I know."

The Crown Prince once said that to survive in the palace, it is useless to rely on tears. One must accumulate strength bit by bit and make oneself stronger. Only then can one get everything one wants and make those who have bullied one pay.

She is weak now, but she still has time to become stronger.

——

Although the fifth prince was domineering and mean, he was still very honest. As soon as he returned to Mingyue Palace, he sent an eunuch to deliver seven kinds of cakes, several books and painting albums, and a bunch of entertainment gadgets to Tingyuxuan.

Concubine Xu Guifei saw this and asked curiously, "When did you become so close to Xiaoliu?"

The fifth prince was too embarrassed to say that he had snatched his sister's pastry, so he just said vaguely, "Anyway, I have pastries to eat every day, and I'm tired of playing with these toys, so I'll just give them all to her."

In order to prevent Concubine Xu from asking any more questions, he quickly took out an egg yolk pastry and handed it to Concubine Gui, "Mother, try this, it's delicious."

Concubine Xu never liked sweets, but seeing her son's filial piety, she accepted it anyway.

The biscuit was small, with a beautiful golden round surface and a layer of black sesame seeds sprinkled on it. It was delicate and cute.

Concubine Xu thought that it would be bad to discourage her son, so she took a small sip reluctantly.

She brought the egg yolk pastry to her mouth, and her nose was immediately filled with the rich aroma. After taking a bite, her eyes lit up instantly.

Afterwards, she finished the egg yolk pastry in just three bites.

"Mother, is it delicious?" The Fifth Prince showed a hint of pride in his eyes.

It was rare to come across such a delicious pastry. Concubine Xu wiped the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief and looked at the fifth prince with her beautiful eyes. "Chen'er, is this pastry new from the kitchen? It tastes really good, but it's a little cold. But it's not a big deal... Can you give me another piece to try?"

As she spoke, her slender hand was about to reach for the food box.

The Fifth Prince immediately felt the Sixth Princess's mood when her food was taken away from her. He stood in front of the food box with a nervous look on his face, "Mother, there are only three pieces left! Don't you dislike sweets? Eating too much sweets is not good. It makes you fat."

Concubine Xu Guifei's mouth twitched, "..." This bastard was really born in vain!

Just as she was about to teach her son a lesson, she heard a long announcement from outside the door -

"Your Majesty has arrived!"