Consort Li took the initiative to arrange their next meeting.
After Consort Hui left with Qin Lan, the courtyard still held the sweet aroma of candied fruit and the refreshing scent of chrysanthemum wine. Consort Xian, leaning on her cane, stood up, looked at the scattered chrysanthemum petals on the table, and said with a smile, "Today's banquet is much more lively than the Double Ninth Festival I celebrated in the palace when I was young." Consort Su helped clear the dishes, her fingertips tracing the patterns on the gilded lacquer box, and said softly, "It's not the banquet that's lively, it's the hearts of the people."
Consort Rong, holding the remaining chrysanthemum handkerchiefs, walked to Ya Huan and me, and whispered, "These two... are for you. They're embroidered with 'Longevity Chrysanthemums,' a very auspicious symbol." The chrysanthemum petals on the handkerchiefs were layered upon layered, and the pale yellow stamens were delicately outlined with gold thread. When I took them, I could feel the softness of the fabric, and I quickly thanked her, "Thank you, Consort Rong, these handkerchiefs are so beautiful." Consort Rong's cheeks flushed slightly, and she lowered her head and whispered, "I'm glad you don't mind."
Consort Li sat at the table, still clutching the jujube paste pastry box given to her by Consort Hui, her fingertips repeatedly tracing the pattern on the lid. Ya Huan leaned closer, smiling, and said, "Consort Li, Consort Hui must really care about you, right? This jujube paste pastry, it's obvious she bought it especially for you." Consort Li looked up, a hint of warmth flashing in her eyes, and softly hummed in agreement. She opened the box, took out a jujube paste pastry, and offered it to Ya Huan: "Try some? We used to always buy them from this shop."
Ya Huan took the jujube paste pastry, took a bite, and squinted her eyes in satisfaction: "So sweet! Even better than the ones made by the Imperial Kitchen!" Looking at Consort Li's gentle expression, I secretly breathed a sigh of relief—the misunderstanding of many years was finally showing signs of loosening.
By the time we finished tidying the courtyard, it was already dusk. The Dowager Consort Xian told us to go back and rest early, and before leaving, she specifically called me to her side and said softly, "Consort Li and Consort Hui... take it slow. They both care for each other; it's just a matter of time before they reach an agreement." I nodded, my heart filled with gratitude—if it weren't for the Dowager Consort Xian's initiative in organizing this Double Ninth Festival banquet, they probably would have remained awkward for a long time. She suddenly paused, her gaze both inquisitive and gentle: "I know you're hiding a secret, and I won't press you if you don't want to talk about it. Qin Lan is a perceptive girl; it's good that you've been honest with her. You don't need to hide anything anymore. Just be careful in this palace." These words made my heart tremble, but I could only nod again, swallowing back the surging emotions within me.
Back at our lodgings, the small bed where Qin Lan had stayed was still covered with clean bedding. Ya Huan sat on the edge of the bed, fiddling with the chrysanthemum handkerchief that Consort Rong had given her. Suddenly, she said, "Sister A Zhao, do you think we could ask Sister Qin Lan to make some desserts with us next time she comes? I'd like to learn how to make the osmanthus cake she sent before." My heart skipped a beat, and I smiled and said, "Sure, we'll make them together next time she comes."
Lying in bed at night, I thought about my conversation with Qin Lan during the day, feeling both reassured and a little uneasy. Although she had temporarily accepted the fact that I wasn't Tian Zhao, I knew that truly letting go would take time. Just then, there was a soft knock on the door. I got up and opened it to find Qin Lan standing there, holding a food box.
"Ah Zhao, I... I sneaked out." Qin Lan's cheeks were slightly red from the cold as she shoved the food box into my hands. "This is pumpkin porridge that Consort Hui had the kitchen make. She said you hadn't eaten much during the day, so she asked me to bring it to you." I took the food box; the porridge was still steaming, and my heart felt warm. "Why did you come all this way so late? What if Consort Hui found out?"
Qin Lan smiled, the confusion in her eyes lessening and replaced by a firmer look: "She won't say anything about me. Actually, she's very soft-hearted. Ah Zhao, I've figured it out. No matter who you are, you're still the one who helped and protected me in the Cold Palace. It's just... I still miss Sister Zhao. How about we talk about her occasionally in the future?" I nodded, my eyes welling up with tears: "Okay, we'll talk about her often in the future."
Qin Lan sat for a while, then, fearing she would be discovered, she got up to leave. I saw her to the courtyard gate, watching her figure disappear into the night. Suddenly, all my unease vanished. Perhaps sincerity truly can dissolve all barriers, whether between Qin Lan and me, or between Consort Li and Consort Hui.
The next morning, when I took the food box to deliver breakfast to Consort Li, I saw her sitting by the window, holding the jujube paste pastry box that Consort Hui had given her, with the twin orchid handkerchief beside her. "Your Majesty, the Imperial Kitchen made your favorite lotus seed soup today." I placed the food box on the table and was about to leave when Consort Li suddenly spoke up: "Tian Zhao, could you please pass on a message to Consort Hui for me?"
My heart leaped with joy, and I quickly nodded, "Your Majesty, please speak." Consort Li picked up a handkerchief, her fingertips gently tracing the patterns on it, and said softly, "Just say... the jujube paste pastry was delicious, thank you very much. Also, the plum blossom cake from that shop in the west of the city is best made in winter. If she doesn't mind, I'll make some for her when it snows." I quickly agreed, and as I turned to leave, I could see the smile in Consort Li's eyes, like the warm winter sun, gentle and comforting.
As I approached Consort Hui's palace, I ran into Qin Lan. Seeing me, she smiled and waved, "Ah Zhao, are you here to deliver a message to Consort Hui? She was just talking about you." I followed Qin Lan into the palace and saw Consort Hui sitting under the eaves, flipping through a book. Seeing me, she feigned indifference and asked, "What is it?" I relayed Consort Li's words to her. As soon as I finished speaking, I noticed Consort Hui's ears subtly turn red, and she nearly dropped the book, but she stubbornly replied, "I understand, I... I understand."
Qin Lan chuckled to herself, and Consort Hui glared at her, but wasn't really angry. Watching their interaction, I felt a sense of peace.
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