Since that night when they established a silent understanding of "tea appreciation," Lin Wanwan and Xiao Che's interactions have gained a layer of enjoyment that others cannot comprehend.
Su Jinxiu continued to come to Kunning Palace every day, putting on a show of "deep sisterly affection".
Lin Wanwan, on the other hand, tirelessly treated her words and actions as a series of tests to "test" the reactions of the human radar beside her.
"The handkerchief my sister brought me today is so beautifully embroidered."
—Above Xiao Che's head: [Heh, showing off his skills again.jpg]
"My sister says that a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent. Is that true?"
—Above Xiao Che's head: [If she believed that, pigs could fly.gif]
"My sister is so kind-hearted; she even spent half a day trying to heal an injured butterfly."
—Above Xiao Che's head: [If that butterfly could talk, I'd definitely sue her for harassment.png]
Each time, Xiao Che's meme-worthy expressions precisely and scathingly tore away Su Jinxiu's gentle and virtuous mask. He himself, however, remained as cold and unyielding as ever, unmoved even by the collapse of Mount Tai.
This stark contrast led Lin Wanwan to almost treat "battling wits with Consort Xian" as a daily form of entertainment.
After several days of fruitless attempts to "win over" the Empress, Su Jinxiu seemed to realize that simply pleasing the Empress was far from enough to truly shake her position. She had to turn her attention back to the center of power—Xiao Che.
She began a new round of operations.
That afternoon, Xiao Che was processing a batch of urgent memorials in the imperial study.
Lin Wanwan calculated the time and knew that he must be a little tired at the moment. So she personally went to the small kitchen and stewed a simple pot of rock sugar pear soup for him.
Autumn is dry, and this soup is perfect for soothing the heart and lungs. It's simple to make, yet it shows the most genuine care and concern.
Carrying the food box, she slowly walked towards the Imperial Study.
The Imperial Study was a forbidden area, not open to ordinary concubines. But she, the Empress, was naturally an exception. Moreover, everyone in the palace knew that His Majesty's three meals a day were prepared by Kunning Palace. It was perfectly normal for her to bring him soup.
As she carried the food box and walked down the high steps of the Imperial Study, she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure out of the corner of her eye.
It was Consort Xian, Su Jinxiu.
Today, she was dressed in an elegant lake-blue palace gown, her figure graceful and slender. She was carrying a sandalwood food box that looked even more exquisite than Lin Wanwan's, and was being helped by her personal maid as she was about to step onto the stairs.
Judging from the direction she went, it was the Imperial Study.
Judging from the food box in her hand, she must have come to deliver soup as well.
Lin Wanwan understood, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.
What a coincidence. It seems they were thinking the same thing.
It's just unknown whether she, the "Empress," is one step ahead, or whether Su Jinxiu, the "Virtuous Consort," is superior.
She didn't say anything, but slowed her pace and followed behind her at a leisurely pace, watching her step by step walk up the steps that represented the center of imperial power.
The person guarding the door of the Imperial Study was Li Dequan, Xiao Che's trusted eunuch.
Upon seeing Consort Xian arrive, Li Dequan immediately displayed a professional, polite, yet distant smile.
"This servant greets Your Highness, the Virtuous Consort." He bowed deeply.
"No need for formalities, Eunuch Li." Su Jinxiu's voice was as gentle and charming as ever. "I heard that His Majesty has been working hard on state affairs lately, so I personally stewed a pot of nourishing bird's nest soup and came to bring some soup to His Majesty. Please inform him of this."
She adopted a very humble attitude and gave a plausible reason.
Li Dequan's smile remained unchanged, but he showed no intention of making way. He simply said politely, "Your Highness, His Majesty is handling important matters inside and has instructed that no one should disturb him. I have noted your kindness, and I will certainly convey it to His Majesty when he has some free time."
This is a polite way of declining.
A fleeting, almost imperceptible stiffness crossed Su Jinxiu's face, but it was quickly replaced by a kind and understanding smile.
"It was my rudeness. In that case, then I..."
Before she could finish speaking, a clear voice rang out from behind her, neither hurried nor slow.
"Eunuch Li."
Upon hearing Lin Wanwan's voice, Li Dequan's wrinkled old face instantly blossomed into a wide smile. He quickly turned around and jogged over to greet her, his attitude a stark contrast to how he had treated Consort Xian earlier.
"Oh my, Your Majesty! Why did you come in person? This kind of thing could have been done by just sending a maid. Don't tire yourself out!" He said solicitously, trying to take the food box from Lin Wanwan's hands.
Su Jinxiu also turned around. When she saw Lin Wanwan and the food box she was carrying, a look of surprise flashed quickly across her beautiful eyes.
Lin Wanwan ignored Li Dequan and walked straight to Su Jinxiu, revealing a perfectly timed "surprise" expression on her face.
"Oh, sister!" She took her hand affectionately, as if they were truly best friends who had met by chance. "What are you doing here? Could it be... that you're also here to deliver soup to His Majesty?"
Su Jinxiu's expression froze for a moment again. She forced a smile and replied, "Yes, sister. Thinking of His Majesty's hard work, I... I stewed some bird's nest."
"What a coincidence." Lin Wanwan's smile grew even brighter, but her tone carried a hint of regret. She shook the food box in her hand and said, "I just stewed some pear soup for His Majesty. I already sent Ruolan in to inform him, and His Majesty is probably waiting right now. However... His Majesty has never had a big appetite. After finishing this bowl of mine, I'm afraid... he won't be able to drink a second bowl from me."
Her voice wasn't loud, but it was loud enough for everyone present to hear clearly.
Her words, seemingly an explanation, were actually a declaration of sovereignty.
She told Su Jinxiu that it was only natural for her to come, as His Majesty was waiting.
Your arrival is untimely and completely superfluous.
Su Jinxiu's face finally paled slightly.
She looked at the ordinary-looking food box in Lin Wanwan's hand, and then at the exquisitely carved, obviously valuable sandalwood food box in her own hand.
The top-grade royal bird's nest that she had meticulously prepared, which best reflected her status and sentiment, suddenly seemed deliberate, pretentious, and even... full of utilitarianism in front of Lin Wanwan's bowl of rock sugar pear soup, which was as ordinary as could be.
One was a wife who showered him with care and concern, and the other was a concubine who deliberately tried to please him.
The difference in quality is immediately apparent.
Just then, the door to the Imperial Study opened from the inside.
Xiao Che's tall figure appeared at the doorway. He had clearly heard the commotion outside.
"The Empress has arrived." His gaze passed over Su Jinxiu and landed directly on Lin Wanwan, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible gentleness.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects." Lin Wanwan and Su Jinxiu bowed together.
"No need." He waved his hand, then, as if he had just noticed Su Jinxiu, asked casually, "Is Consort Xian also here?"
This acting of asking a question when you already know the answer deeply impressed Lin Wanwan.
Su Jinxiu quickly stepped forward and said softly, "Your Majesty, I have heard that Your Majesty has been working hard, so I..."
Before she could finish speaking, Xiao Che had already walked straight past her and stood in front of Lin Wanwan.
He didn't even glance at the sandalwood food box in her hand, but naturally took it from Lin Wanwan's hand.
"Come in," he said to Lin Wanwan.
Then, he turned to Su Jinxiu, who was still frozen in place, and said in a tone devoid of any emotion, purely "handling official business," "I appreciate the Empress's kindness. Take yours back."
After saying that, he turned around, picked up Lin Wanwan's food box, and walked into the Imperial Study.
The whole process was swift and efficient, without any unnecessary delays.
Su Jinxiu, carrying her bowl of carefully stewed bird's nest that had been simmering for several hours, stood alone at the entrance of the Imperial Study, like a beautiful, abandoned statue.
Her face changed from white to green, then back to white, a truly remarkable sight.
Lin Wanwan felt extremely happy and was about to follow Xiao Che inside.
Looking up, I happened to catch a glimpse of the freshly made meme above his head.
A cartoon character wearing black sunglasses is giving Lin Wanwan a big, golden thumbs-up in a cool way.
The image was accompanied by a powerful caption: "[Well done.gif]".
Lin Wanwan couldn't help but smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
It seems that this human radar can not only "judge tea", but also has the functions of "off-site guidance" and "post-match commentary".
It's really getting better and better.
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