Chapter 101 An Lingrong 42
"Human nature is like this, there's nothing funny about it."
Lingrong took the needle and thread from her hand, and the two chatted about some needlework. Just as she was talking about embroidering a tiger-head hat for Meijie's child, she saw Pei'er come in with a food box in her hand, and behind her was the little girl holding paper.
"My lady, the paper is here."
"Got it. Give it to Xiao Jinzi and ask them to paper over the windows."
After Zhen Huan finished speaking, she saw that only the young palace maid had left, so she asked, "Do you have anything else to say?"
Pei'er hurriedly opened the food box in her hand and took out a plate of cakes: "I thought that the young lady didn't eat much for lunch today, so I ran to the imperial kitchen and brought back a plate of eight-treasure cake."
As she spoke, she carefully observed Zhen Huan's expression. Seeing that she showed no reaction, she hurriedly continued, "I also took some tapioca flour and will make pearl dumplings for you tonight as a midnight snack. I heard from Sister Huan, uh, Liu Zhu, that you used to love eating them."
Everyone present knew who she was going to talk about. Knowing that she had said the wrong thing, Pei'er's face turned pale and she knelt on the spot, not daring to say those flattering words anymore.
"Bring the cakes here. It's hard for you to miss me." Before Pei'er could relax, Zhen Huan immediately extinguished her thoughts: "From now on, except when on duty, do not enter and leave my room at will. Liuzhu and Juqing will naturally take care of the personal chores. You just need to do your part."
"...Yes, my lady."
Lingrong couldn't help but feel puzzled when she saw the lingering sense of loss on Pei'er's face. It looked like she was really devoted to following Zhen Huan and had no intention of changing jobs. So why was it her turn to complete Concubine Hua's cassava flour plan this time?
"Lingrong, try it too. The Eight Treasures Cake from the Imperial Kitchen is really good."
Seeing Lingrong staring at the food box on the table, Zhen Huan brought the cakes to her. Lingrong did not explain, and followed Zhen Huan's words to chat with her about food while she picked up the large bag of cassava flour in the box:
"For example, tapioca pearl balls can be mixed with many different sauces to create different flavors... Oh my!"
Zhen Huan only saw the rope tied with the oil paper suddenly fall apart, and all the cassava flour inside spilled out, most of it fell on the ground, and some of it stained Ling Rong's clothes, like snowflakes flying in the sky.
After Liu Zhu and Ju Qing cleaned up the room, Zhen Huan took Ling Rong's hand apologetically and said, "I'm so sorry. It's all Pei Er's fault for not checking carefully. She didn't even notice that the rope was not tied tightly, and it got your clothes dirty."
"I was too impulsive and spilled my sister's midnight snack." Ling Rong smiled sheepishly, "When we get back, I'll ask the kitchen to make some jujube and yam cake and send it over."
Before leaving, he reminded her: "Just sprinkle the tapioca flour on it. Eating it at night will cause indigestion."
Seeing Zhen Huan nod, Ling Rong came out of the Sui Yuxuan. Seeing a bird flash across the sky, she had an idea in her mind.
Two days passed like this and it was New Year's Eve.
The palace was decorated with lights and colorful lanterns everywhere, creating a prosperous New Year atmosphere.
At the New Year's Eve banquet, she arrived at the perfect time and saw Concubine Cao, who looked obviously bad.
Lingrong just glanced at her and sat down in her seat, but found that Zhen Huan and Jingpin were not there.
"Why are you so late?"
"On the way, Jingpin and I ran into Song Dekang from Huafei's palace punishing a palace maid in the corridor. I couldn't help but argue with him, but now it's a little too late."
"Why should you care about what's happening in Yikun Palace?" Lingrong shook her head in her heart. She already knew how they framed Zhen Huan.
It was more rigorous than in the previous life. Perhaps because Concubine Cao didn't have to resort to trickery to fight for her daughter's custody this time, she was more considerate of Concubine Hua?
Zhen Huan smiled at her flatteringly, "I couldn't help myself. Song Dekang clearly saw that the maid was pretty and had ulterior motives, so he did it on purpose. I was really angry, so... But I was careful. I only sent Song Dekang away and left with Concubine Jing."
At this point, Lingrong said nothing more.
When the banquet was halfway through, seeing that Zhen Huan couldn't help but want to get up for some fresh air, Ling Rong held her down and whispered, "What are you going to do?"
"It's so stuffy in the room, let's go out and get some fresh air."
"There are so many people in the palace right now, be careful not to bump into anything if you go out on your own."
Zhen Huan thought Ling Rong was being too cautious, but then she thought of Mei Zhuang and Huan Bi, and her mind suddenly cleared. She sat back down and said, "You're right. I'll just have to endure it."
Since Zhen Huan didn't move, Concubine Cao couldn't just stand up and say Wen Yi had vomited. When the banquet ended, even the clueless Zhen Huan noticed the gazes of Concubine Cao and Concubine Hua. Although she didn't understand what was going on, she subconsciously gave a provocative smile.
Seeing Hua's expression inexplicably stiffen, he whispered to Lingrong with a smile: "You said that Concubine Hua has been staring at me. Is she planning something bad?"
Lingrong glanced at her in surprise and thought: Not bad, she is worthy of being the heroine, she got it right with just a random guess.
"Who knows, it won't be a good thing anyway."
"That's true, but it's also possible that she simply hates me and can't do anything about it, so she got angry out of shame."
Zhen Huan was narcissistic, trying to find joy in her misery, but she didn't think so in her heart. Hua Fei's status in the palace and in the emperor's heart had become extremely high with the power of Nian Gengyao.
She really couldn't imagine that Concubine Hua, who was favored by the emperor almost every day, still had a grudge against her and Lingrong.
When the two of them came out of the palace and passed by Yikun Palace, they suddenly pointed at a little palace maid and said, "Look, that's the one I just saved."
Lingrong took a quick look and saw the beautiful palace maid, carrying a black lacquer and gold-painted rosewood box, bowing to them on the roadside. She seemed to want to step forward and say something, but then glanced at Lingrong and retreated.
"Ugh..." Lingrong's face turned pale, and she covered her mouth with a handkerchief and retched twice. Zhen Huan hurriedly supported Lingrong and had no time to care about the palace maid.
"What's wrong? Are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere?" Zhen Huan hurriedly stroked her back, her face full of anxiety.
"It's nothing. I didn't eat a single bite at the banquet. I'm hungry."
Ling Rong wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and said as if on a whim, "I'm craving some pearl dumplings right now."
"Your taste changes so quickly. Didn't you advise me not to eat this for dinner a few days ago? And today you've given in." Zhen Huan patted her with amusement. "But I haven't asked for it these past two days. Where can I get tapioca flour now? Or should I send someone to the imperial kitchen to ask?"
"No, you won't want to eat it anymore if you tell me. I want to eat milk and water chestnut flour cake now." After making sure that Zhen Huan didn't ask for tapioca flour again, Ling Rong casually mentioned a cake to divert her attention.
"Okay, I'll have them make it when I get back to Suiyuxuan. I'll make sure it's piping hot and sent to your palace."
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