Yongshou Palace has been sealed off.
Miao Changzai, who had suffered a difficult childbirth the day before, passed away along with her child.
The palace servants wore solemn expressions and hurried along; the usual idle chatter had vanished completely. Everyone in the palace was filled with unease, fearing they might be drawn into the storm.
Was it a conspiracy or an accident?
While the palace servants were still speculating, Emperor Kangxi, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress sat high above in Yongshou Palace, their cold gazes fixed on the pale-faced Consort An, Consort Jing, and the palace servants of Yongshou Palace.
Contrary to the rumors circulating in the palace, Consort Miao did not give birth to a stillborn child, but a living boy. However, before he could even take a few breaths, the unfortunate child died.
The baby, with its bright red, skinless body, empty, lifeless eye sockets, twisted and grotesque, was so deformed and terrifying that the midwife fainted upon its birth.
Even if they said there was no problem, the Empress Dowager didn't believe them.
Unfortunately, Miao Chang was too obese and suffered severe postpartum hemorrhage, passing away without even a chance to ask questions.
Now, Consort An, Consort Jing, and even the palace servants of Yongshou Palace have become the primary targets of the interrogation.
Consort An was drenched in cold sweat.
She suppressed her fear and was even a little scared about the condition of the baby in her womb.
As for Consort Jing, she felt wronged.
She almost cried. Consort Jing, full of anticipation, had been waiting outside the delivery room, eagerly awaiting the birth of her child, never expecting such an outcome.
The thought of rushing forward only to see such a child made Consort Jing tremble. She knelt on the ground, feeling extremely aggrieved: "I only took over Consort Miao's care for the last two months; before that, Consort An had been in charge."
Consort An glanced at Consort Jing.
She was seething with hatred, one hand cradling her belly and the other wiping her eyes: "I was careful and meticulous, arranging everything perfectly, and I absolutely ensured that Consort Miao never touched anything unclean, but..."
Consort An hesitated to speak, then stopped herself from speaking.
She hesitated for a moment before sighing softly, "Consort Miao is arrogant and spoiled. She is very haughty because of her pregnancy. Sometimes I can't control her."
Not only did Consort Jing agree with this, but even Emperor Kangxi and the Empress could not deny it. Consort Miao's capricious behavior had already left a deep impression on everyone. If she were lucky enough to give birth to a healthy child, the child would probably be taken away, but her rank would remain unchanged.
Unable to get any information from Consort An and Consort Jing, and with the imperial physicians finding nothing unusual, the matter entered a strange loop.
After finally waiting for the Emperor, Empress Dowager, and Empress to leave, Consort An retreated to her room, drenched in cold sweat. Clutching the old nanny's hand, her voice was low but filled with fear and unease: "What...what's going on? The medicine...the medicine...is there something wrong with it?!"
Consort An stared at her belly.
Gone was her former joy and pride; all that remained was fear and dread. Tears streamed down Consort An's face as she thought of the midwife who had been driven mad with terror and babbling incoherently after seeing the infant's corpse; her heart pounded like a drum.
The room was full of Consort An's confidants.
Everyone's face showed the same tension and fear. The old woman gritted her teeth and said in a trembling voice, "Master must have asked in detail. I think perhaps Consort Miao secretly ate something!"
The palace servants chattered and speculated.
But Consort Miao is already gone—it's better for Consort An to be thankful that Consort Miao is gone, so that her secret use of the medicine hasn't been exposed.
The problem lay in the fact that Consort Miao was gone. Consort An bit her nails, her heart filled with anxiety. The child she had longed for had now become a ticking time bomb.
"Master, should we send a message back..."
"No!" Consort An resolutely rejected the palace servant's suggestion. Her face was gloomy. "I'm afraid the Emperor has sent people to investigate everywhere. If, if we reveal even the slightest clue... the Emperor will surely find out."
"The baby in her belly..."
"..." Consort An was anxious and uneasy, unable to make a decision for a long time.
Consort Tong was in a similar situation.
She was unaware that Consort Miao had given birth to an abnormal baby, only sensing something strange about the situation at Yongshou Palace. Could it be that someone had sabotaged the process, resulting in the deaths of Consort Miao and her child? Consort Tong was both shocked and frightened, and ordered her servants to send out a list, instructing them to thoroughly investigate the prepared maids and servants.
The letter ended up in the hands of Emperor Kangxi.
Kangxi glanced at it expressionlessly, sighed deeply, and handed it back to the eunuch: "Send it to the Tong residence." At least one thing was certain: his cousin had nothing to do with this.
He breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Kangxi's gaze then fell upon a secret report that had been submitted—regarding the activities of the Li clan in the capital. He carefully examined it, then stopped on a page, his gaze as deep and unfathomable as a still pool.
Consort An is pregnant with another child.
Emperor Kangxi narrowed his eyes slightly, clearly displeased.
The sound of tapping echoed in Liang Jiugong's ears.
The sound suddenly turned into a heavy slam of a fist on the table, making Liang Jiugong's heart leap with fear. Then, a sigh from Emperor Kangxi echoed in the hall: "Consort An."
Kangxi closed his eyes.
The sun blazed violently, and countless feelings of frustration and anxiety welled up in his chest. He opened his eyes, looked out the window into the distance, and suddenly missed the days he spent in the West Garden.
The atmosphere in the Forbidden City was somber, while the Western Garden was peaceful and joyful. It was rare to be in the Western Garden, rare for the Emperor to be away, and more importantly, apart from the Empress Dowager… no one could control them?
It would be foolish not to cause trouble at a time like this!
With that thought in mind, Wan Anran began to ponder other options. What could she find that was hard to come by in the palace, yet still something she missed? After only a moment's thought, she immediately sent someone to find stinky tofu—yes, the smelly kind.
Hai Tao's lips twitched slightly.
Having learned from her previous experience with pig offal, this time she didn't even flinch as she gave Zisu a brief explanation.
It wasn't that I specifically instructed Zisu to do it.
Looking at the palace maids in the room who were terrified, Haitao thought it would be better for her or Zisu to make the trip.
Zisu understood her implication and readily made the trip herself. Compared to pig offal, stinky tofu was at least a well-known food, though it wasn't commonly eaten in the palace... well, no one dared to eat it.
The kitchen staff in the West Garden were also stunned.
They had already heard the rumors about Consort Qi's love of food. But even now, they were still somewhat incredulous—it was stinky tofu! Stinky tofu!
Only Chef Zhao from the Forbidden City remained calm. Amidst everyone's shocked gazes, he composedly replied, "Miss Zisu, please inform Consort Qi that the brine for pickling stinky tofu will take ten days to prepare. Please come back to collect it in ten days."
Zisu smiled and agreed.
Ten days later, the tightly sealed jar was brought into the yard.
The eldest princess happened to arrive with the second and third princesses.
The Third Princess was born to Consort Bu. Not only was her birth mother of low status and not favored, but her adoptive mother, Consort Duan, also did not care much about her, so she was somewhat introverted.
Seeing the tense atmosphere in the courtyard, the Third Princess instinctively felt a sense of fear and whispered, "Eldest sister, second sister, Consort Qi is busy right now, so... so how about we come another day?"
"It's alright." The eldest princess waved her hand, and she and the second princess each grabbed one of the three princesses and dragged them inside. As they walked, they talked about the delicious food and fun things to do at Consort Qi's place, determined to dispel the third princess's worries.
The Third Princess's anxiety gradually subsided.
She took a deep breath and followed her two older sisters into the courtyard.
The next second, a pungent stench wafted from the yard, startling the three of them so much that they all stopped in their tracks, covered their mouths and noses, and looked into the room with fear on their faces.
Wan Anran was well prepared.
This brine, fermented for ten days, is practically a walking biological weapon! She had already dismissed the palace servants, changed into old clothes, and even put on a mask that she had made in advance over her mouth and nose.
Even so, the stench of the braising liquid was enough to make one's eyes go black! Wan Anran quickly put the prepared tofu blocks into it and then swiftly sealed it.
I ate a lot of stinky tofu in my past life.
However, the stench of the braising liquid was quite different from the stench of the stinky tofu itself. Wan Anran and the palace servants looked pale and sickly, while the eldest princess and her entourage were simply overwhelmed by the stench.
They felt dizzy and lightheaded, and only after escaping the courtyard and breathing fresh air did they feel alive again. The Third Princess was terrified, looking at her two elder sisters in disbelief: "Consort Qi really knows how to cook delicious food?"
I bet what they'd make would be some kind of culinary disaster...?
The eldest and second princesses hesitated, wanting to speak but unable to, wanting to speak but also unable to. They wanted to explain for Consort Qi, but faced with such an outrageous situation, they felt speechless.
That's it? That's it! How am I supposed to explain this?
The three stood silently in place, unwilling to take a single step for a long time.
The third princess's wet nurse felt sorry for the young master.
Seeing that the Third Princess hesitated for a moment and couldn't bring herself to leave, she mustered her courage and took a step forward. Before the nanny could even utter the words "leave," a soft exclamation rang in the group's ears: "The First Princess, the Second Princess, and... is this the Third Princess?"
The group suddenly turned around.
The person who appeared before them was none other than Consort Qi. Even with a mask on, Wan Anran couldn't resist the stench and had no choice but to come out to get some fresh air.
Unexpectedly, she saw the eldest princess, the second princess and the third princess as soon as she stepped out the door. Wan Anran smiled and greeted the three of them, then turned her gaze to the third princess, whom she was meeting for the first time.
"The Third Princess?"
“…Consort Qi.” The Third Princess was startled, but she quickly mustered her courage and answered in a low voice.
"Just call me Consort Qi."
Wan Anran said with a smile, "Later, go to the courtyard with Consort Qi, and she will treat you to something delicious!"
"What Consort Qi was referring to was just now—"
“Yes, that’s it!” Wan Anran nodded with a smile.
Compared to her cheerful demeanor, the Third Princess felt like fainting. She wanted to refuse, but after opening her mouth, she swallowed the words back down.
The woman before me is Consort Qi!
Despite the eldest and second eldest sisters' effusive praise of Consort Qi, the Third Princess remained somewhat skeptical. The eldest sister was raised by the Empress, and the second sister was Consort Rong's daughter, the true eldest princess. Even if Consort Qi dared to mistreat others, how could she possibly mistreat them?
As for myself...
Her birth mother had no status or favor, and her adoptive mother had status but no favor. She was not as well off as her sisters, and if she offended Consort Qi, it would bring trouble to her adoptive mother.
Although the third princess is young, she is quite shrewd.
She twisted her skirt with both hands and mumbled a reply after a long pause.
The second princess, however, couldn't resist.
She blinked, her heart pounding: "That thing... is it really edible?"
Wan Anran snorted: "I'm afraid you still don't have enough to eat!"
The eldest and second princesses both looked incredulous.
Wan Anran didn't explain, but once the food was ready, she believed no one could resist the allure of fried stinky tofu.
The stench from the courtyard came out quickly and disappeared just as fast. When it was almost time, Wan Anran beckoned the three of them to go inside. The eldest princess had never felt that her mother's courtyard was so terrifying. Her face turned pale, and she walked in step by step, trembling with fear.
The emergence of the sea peach brush.
She silently handed the masks to her three masters.
And believe it or not, after putting on a mask, the smell disappeared by most of it. The stinky tofu taken out of the jar was already drying on the shelf, just waiting to be deep-fried.
The dipping sauce was simple tomato sauce and sweet chili sauce. The eldest, second, and third princesses looked at the stinky tofu being fished out of the oil pot with suspicion and confusion in their eyes.
It looked awful just now.
But now… the stench seems to have disappeared? The three looked at each other, their chopsticks trembling slightly—should they start or not?
In the end, it was the eldest princess who trusted Consort Qi the most who made the move. She took off her mask, picked up a piece of fried stinky tofu that was golden and crispy, dipped it in the sweet and sour sauce, and then slowly put it into her mouth.
The moment she put it in her mouth, the eldest princess's eyes widened.
The outer layer was fried until crispy, while the inside remained soft and fluffy, and most importantly, there wasn't a trace of any unpleasant smell. The eldest princess, refusing to believe it, chewed vigorously, even finding it sweeter with each chew. Her face lit up with excitement: "Delicious! So delicious!"
The second princess was stunned.
She quickly took off her mask and ate a piece, just like the eldest princess.
The texture? The taste?
The second princess cupped her cheeks, quickly picked up another piece and stuffed it into her mouth, then nudged the third princess with her elbow: "Third sister, try it!"
The third princess hesitated.
She looked at the eldest and second princesses with suspicion, strongly suspecting that the two of them were conspiring to deceive her.
How could it not smell bad?
She looked timidly at the fried stinky tofu in front of her, pursing her lips and hesitating to try it.
Wan Anran picked up a piece.
She squinted her eyes—it was that familiar taste, so delicious!
The third princess still took off her mask.
Her round little face scrunched up, and her hand holding the chopsticks trembled slightly.
The wet nurse standing nearby felt sorry for her.
She quickly advised, "Young master, let's not eat it."
This won't do!
The third princess looked at her eldest and second eldest sisters, then stuffed the stinky tofu into her mouth in one gulp.
Her initial fear gradually faded, and a look of shock appeared in her round eyes. Completely different from what she had imagined, it tasted incredibly delicious!
"It's delicious, isn't it?"
"Mmm! It's so delicious!" The Third Princess nodded emphatically. Her eyes sparkled, and she kept picking up several pieces without stopping, her gaze towards her mother, Consort Qi, filled with admiration.
How could something so smelly turn into something delicious? Qi's mother is really something else!
The wet nurse who had tried to stop them was almost stunned.
She stared incredulously at the stinky tofu, utterly baffled as to how it could smell good after being fried.
This is so strange!
Could it be that her young master has... lost his sense of taste? The wet nurse looked at Consort Qi with awe, her eyes filled with a hint of fear.
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