Chapter 139 Kunning's warmth and the fragrance of cakes fill the courtyard
The imperial carriage rolled over the bluestone slabs of the Forbidden City with a steady sound, the thick cotton covering the wheels minimizing vibrations. Little Swallow lifted a corner of the off-white curtain and looked at the undulating vermilion palace walls, the glazed tiles gleaming golden in the sunlight. She couldn't help but mutter, "This wall is really high! Much more magnificent than the city walls south of the Yangtze River."
Ziwei leaned closer to her, her fingertips brushing against the lotus pattern embroidered on the carriage curtains. She whispered, "I heard the palace walls are three meters high." She looked at the animals on the eaves in the distance, her eyes filled with curiosity. "I wonder what Shufangzhai looks like."
"I guarantee you'll like it!" Xiaoyanzi patted her chest. "The Emperor said that the room was decorated according to our preferences, so there must be orchids that you'll love." Just as she finished speaking, the imperial carriage slowly stopped and Xiaozhuozi's voice came from outside: "Princess, Miss Ziwei, we've arrived at Shufangzhai!"
The two smiled at each other, then stepped out of the car, lifting their skirts. The courtyard before them wasn't the largest, but it was elegantly furnished—a patch of orchids grew in the corner, their leaves lush and green; a row of bamboo wind chimes hung in the corridor, tinkling in the breeze; and two palace maids stood at the main entrance, one in a pink dress, her eyes lively and lively, the other in a green dress, gentle and demure. They were Mingyue and Caixia.
"Your servant Mingyue/Caixia, greets Princess Huanzhu, greets Miss Ziwei!" The two of them bowed together in clear voices.
"Hurry up, hurry up!" Xiaoyanzi pulled them up and glanced across the yard. "This wind chime is my favorite! The orchid is Sister Ziwei's favorite! The Emperor is really capable!"
Little Dengzi followed in, carrying a bundle, and said with a smile, "The emperor has been keeping an eye on the Imperial Household Department the other day. He said they wanted the most fragrant orchids, bamboo wind chimes, and even modified the kitchen stove to be Jiangnan style!"
The little mosquito came over and shook its head: "Wow! This Shufangzhai is more comfortable than the Fang family villa! There are flowers in the yard, bells under the corridor, and fragrance wafting from the small kitchen. It's simply the 'place where gods live'!" The little bug squatted beside the orchid and imitated the call of a lark with a "chirp", making everyone laugh.
Ziwei walked to the edge of the orchid, gently touched the petals with her fingertips, and her eyes were filled with warmth: "It's really beautiful, more lively than the ones I planted at Fang's house." Jinsuo put down the food box and said with a smile: "As long as the young lady likes it, I will come to water it every day from now on."
Little Swallow walked to the main door and pushed it open to see two carved beds inside. The bedding was her favorite pomegranate red and Ziwei's preferred moon white. A painting of the Jiangnan water town hung on the wall. She couldn't help but applaud, "Wonderful! A hundred times better than I imagined!"
Just as the atmosphere was getting lively, Mingyue stepped forward and bowed, "Princess, Miss Ziwei, the Empress sent someone to ask you two to go to Kunning Palace after you enter the palace."
"Going to see the Queen?" Xiaoyanzi blinked, then suddenly remembered something. She turned to Jinsuo and said, "Quickly bring out the osmanthus cakes and rose pastries my mother made! And the almond candies too. The Queen probably likes sweets."
Ziwei also nodded: "It's time to pay respects and bring some food from home." She helped Jinsuo put the snacks made by Fang's mother into the gilded food box. The sweet fragrance of osmanthus cake mixed with the floral fragrance of rose pastry filled the room.
After changing into their Manchu clothing—Little Swallow in a dark blue with magnolia embroidered on it, Ziwei in a light purple with orchids—they, wearing their golden locks, led the way to Kunning Palace by Xiao Zhuozi. The elm-leaf plum blossoms lining the palace path were in full bloom, their pink and white petals falling to the ground. Guards in dark blue armor stood erect at the foot of the palace walls.
"This palace path is really long." Xiaoyanzi walked hurriedly, her skirt sweeping the fallen flowers. "It's longer than walking from the main hall of the Fang family to the back garden."
Ziwei held her hand and slowed down: "Don't be in a hurry, walk slowly. There are many rules in the palace. Don't make a fool of yourself." Xiaoyanzi stuck out her tongue and slowed down obediently, but couldn't help kicking the pebbles on the side of the road.
Arriving at the entrance to Kunning Palace, the eunuch announced and led the two into the main hall. The hall wasn't as imposing as they'd imagined. The rosewood tables and chairs were polished to a shine, a painting of "Pine and Crane Longevity" hung on the wall, and a faint scent of sandalwood burned in the corner. The empress, wearing a bright yellow phoenix robe, was talking to a woman in a pink palace dress. Upon seeing them enter, she smiled gently.
"May the Queen be blessed!" Xiaoyanzi and Ziwei bowed together.
"Hurry up and get up," the Queen gestured, her gaze fixed on Xiaoyanzi with a touch of warmth. "I've long heard that the young lady from the Fang family is lively and intelligent. Seeing her today, I can see that her reputation is truly well-deserved." She looked at the woman in the pink palace dress, "This is Concubine Ling. You should get to know her too."
Concubine Ling walked forward with a smile, her eyes curved. "I've been looking forward to this for quite some time. The Emperor keeps telling me every day that there are two wonderful girls coming to the palace." She took Ziwei's hand and said, "Is this Miss Ziwei? She looks so gentle."
"Good luck to Empress Ling Fei." Ziwei bowed and greeted, her cheeks slightly red.
Xiaoyanzi picked up the food box in her hand and handed it forward. "Empress Dowager, Concubine Ling, these are sweet-scented osmanthus cakes and rose cakes, as well as almond candies, made by my mother herself. They're all Jiangnan flavors. Would you like to try some?"
The Queen had a maid take the food box and opened it. The osmanthus cake was sprinkled with golden osmanthus flowers, and the rose pastry was faintly pink. The fragrance instantly filled the main hall. "Madam Fang is thoughtful." The Queen picked up a piece of osmanthus cake, took a light bite, and a smile appeared in her eyes. "It's soft, glutinous, and sweet. It tastes more homely than the ones made in the imperial kitchen."
Concubine Ling also picked up a rose pastry and praised it, "This rose fragrance is so strong, it must be made with freshly picked roses. The Emperor said Madam Fang's cooking is excellent, and after trying it today, it's indeed true." She looked at Xiaoyanzi and said, "Please come to Kunning Palace often. The Empress is eager to hear you talk about interesting things in Jiangnan."
"Really?" Xiaoyanzi's eyes lit up. "Then I'll bring you lotus pods from Jiangnan next time! My mother says the lotus pods are the sweetest at this time of year, and the peeled lotus seeds can be eaten as snacks."
The Queen was amused by her appearance. "Very well, I will also try the lotus seeds from Jiangnan." She put down the cakes and took out two brocade boxes from the drawer. "This is my gift to you: a pair of jade bracelets and a pair of jade pendants. Wear them to keep you safe."
The maid handed over the brocade box. Xiaoyanzi opened it and saw that the jade bracelet was translucent and glistening; Ziwei's jade pendant was engraved with orchid patterns, just what she wanted. "Thank you, Queen!" The two bowed again in gratitude.
Little Wanzi was peeking outside the door and was pulled by Xiao Zhuozi on his sleeve, but he still couldn't help muttering in a low voice: "Wow, long dong! The Queen is much more amiable than the legend says, and she even gives away good things!" The voice was not loud, but it was just heard by someone in the palace. Concubine Ling smiled and shook her head.
After talking for a while, the Queen asked them to go back and rest, and reminded them: "Don't get tired after just entering the palace. The people in Shufangzhai are smart. If there is anything, let them report it."
"I know!" Xiaoyanzi agreed with a smile and said goodbye with Ziwei. As they walked out of Kunning Palace, the afternoon sun shone warmly on the palace path.
Ziwei looked at the jade pendant in her hand and said softly, "The Empress and Concubine Ling are both very gentle, not as serious as I imagined."
"That's right!" Xiaoyanzi shook the jade bracelet on her wrist. "With me here, I guarantee that life in the palace will be lively and bustling! Let's go back to Shufangzhai. I want to try the snacks in the small kitchen to see if they are as good as my mother's!"
The two walked back hand in hand, their skirts sweeping lightly across the flagstones, leaving behind a brisk sound of footsteps. The ding-dong of the wind chimes in the corridor mingled with their laughter, echoing across the silent palace walls, bringing a touch of new warmth.
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