A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace-Chapter 267 Drinking Black Chicken Soup When You’re Heaty?
Imperial Kitchen
This time, it was Zi Yue who came to fetch the meal.
He Changshou, the Chief Steward of the Imperial Kitchen, greeted her with a bent back and a face full of smiles.
"Sister Zi Yue, how come it’s you fetching the meal today?"
Zi Yue was startled and took two steps back.
"Oh, Steward He, please don’t do that, you scared me!"
He Changshou bowed repeatedly.
"I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare!"
"Please, Sister Zi Yue, have a seat!" 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖
He personally ushered Zi Yue inside and wiped the seat with his sleeve for her to sit down.
He then asked solicitously, "What would Xia Jieyu like to eat today?"
Zi Yue was made extremely uncomfortable by the attention. She wanted to rise, but felt she couldn’t, so she could only say, "Our mistress has been suffering from internal heat recently; she can only have some light food!"
Saying this, she listed several dishes from the menu.
Then she added, "And add a Silkie Chicken Soup! Make sure it’s cooked until it’s very soft!"
"Ah! That’s easy! In less than a Shi Chen, servants will have it sent over to Xia Jieyu!"
"You can leave first, Sister Zi Yue!"
Zi Yue finally got up.
"Thank you, Steward He!"
He Changshou was startled and hurriedly bent over again.
"Sister Zi Yue, don’t say such things; serving our master is servants’ duty!"
Zi Yue smiled, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Having to serve her mistress, she didn’t stay longer and turned to leave.
Lianlian, who had also come to fetch a meal, was puzzled. Drinking Silkie Chicken Soup while having internal heat? Silkie Chicken Soup is highly nourishing; wouldn’t that exacerbate the condition? And when did Steward He start treating Zi Yue with such courtesy? Even though favored, she’s just a Jieyu!
Carrying the meal, Lianlian couldn’t figure it out all the way back.
When she returned to Honored Lady Lan’s place, she reported everything that happened in the Imperial Kitchen.
Upon hearing this, Honored Lady Lan also felt something was amiss. However, she didn’t think much about it.
Lady Xi, sitting on the side, felt that something was wrong.
Silkie Chicken Soup? Silkie Chicken Soup is highly nourishing; who would drink that for no reason? Unless... it was someone who needed great nourishment! So, who needs great nourishment? Serious injury? Long-standing illness? Or... pregnancy? A serious injury is impossible; Xia Jieyu is perfectly fine. Long-standing illness? That’s possible, but... does Xia Jieyu have an illness? It doesn’t seem like it! Then, it must be... pregnancy. This means... There’s been no word of it in the palace! Or, is Xia Jieyu keeping it a secret? Otherwise, why is He Changshou acting so out of character? A Jieyu, no matter how favored, isn’t worth such fawning, is she? Therefore...
Lady Xi’s gaze grew sharper. She was eighty percent sure that Lady Xia was pregnant. And it was highly probable that the Empress was unaware, while the Emperor knew and was secretly protecting her!
The more Lady Xi thought about it, the more incredible it seemed. The intense hatred in her eyes surged like wind-whipped waves. The fragile banks were about to collapse under the strain.
Her face turned deathly pale.
Honored Lady Lan was taken aback. "Sister Xi, what’s the matter?"
Lady Xi snapped back to reality and, looking at the concerned Honored Lady Lan, forced a faint smile. "It’s... it’s nothing!"
Honored Lady Lan took her hand to feel it. "Your hands are so cold, yet you say it’s nothing. Are you feeling unwell somewhere?"
Lady Xi hesitated, then nodded. "Eldest Sister Lan, it’s just an old ailment, don’t worry. I’ll be fine after some rest!"
With that, she stood up to take her leave. "It’s getting late; I should return for my midday meal as well!"
Honored Lady Lan was puzzled. "Sister Xi, didn’t we agree to eat together?"
Lady Xi mustered a faint smile. "Eldest Sister Lan, I... I really don’t feel well and won’t eat. You go ahead!"
"I’ll take my leave, Sister!" With that, she left.
"Ah! Sister Xi! Sister Xi!"
Honored Lady Lan could not call her back, and her concern only grew.
Molli had finished setting up the meal. "My lady, you shouldn’t worry about others so much. Eat first; your health is what’s important!"
Honored Lady Lan, looking at the table set for two, felt even more anxious. She had no appetite at all!
"My lady! Please eat quickly!"
Honored Lady Lan, being pressed so insistently, suddenly felt a surge of impatience for some unknown reason. "I said I won’t eat! Stop urging me!"
Molli: "..."
She was utterly shocked. What happened to my lady? Not eating is one thing, but why suddenly throw such a tantrum? Perhaps... she’s just too worried.
Molli didn’t speak, just softly acknowledged with a ’yes,’ and stood aside silently.
Lianlian, unable to bear watching any longer, leaned in and whispered, "My lady, worrying is useless. Why not have some food first? After you eat, this servant can check on Lady Xi at Lijing Pavilion for you, alright?"
Those words, like a gentle spring rain, eased much of Honored Lady Lan’s irritability, and she nodded with a smile. "Mhm!"
...
The lunch was tasteless, but she managed to eat something in the end.
After the meal, Lianlian carefully helped Honored Lady Lan onto the bed and lit a stick of Calming Incense that Lady Xi had given.
Honored Lady Lan, breathing in the familiar scent, immediately felt her whole body relax. She lay down and comfortably closed her eyes.
Lianlian spoke softly in her ear, "My lady, you rest for a while. This servant will go to Lijing Pavilion to check on Lady Xi and report back to you later, how about that?"
Honored Lady Lan nodded without opening her eyes. "Go ahead!"
"Yes!"
Lianlian smiled, nodded to Molli, and left.
Throughout the process, Molli watched, dumbfounded. She felt something was off! But then, looking at her mistress sleeping so peacefully and sweetly on the bed... And yet, it seemed like there was nothing particularly amiss.
With that in mind, she went over to straighten the blanket for her mistress. Taking her sewing basket, she sat down and began to sew.
...
Lijing Pavilion
Lianlian knelt down in front of Lady Xi. "My lady!"
Lady Xi looked down on her with a lofty gaze, sneering coldly. "Did you make sure to light all the incense I gave you for her?"
Lianlian lowered her head in affirmation. "As my lady commanded, this servant lights it every time!"
Lady Xi smiled. "Good! Well done!"
She then personally stood up and picked out a pure gold silk-twisted bracelet from the cosmetic case. "This reward is for you! If you continue to do well, there will be more significant rewards!"
Lianlian beamed with greater pride. "You can rely on me, my lady! This servant shall not hesitate, even unto death!"
Lady Xi smiled with satisfaction. "Alright, you can go back now!"
"Remember, don’t come here in the future unless it’s necessary. I will personally deliver the Calming Incense!"
"Moreover, try to encourage her to visit Xia Jieyu often!"
"Xia Jieyu is already suspicious of me. When I go, she simply won’t meet with me!"
"But it’s different with her, so if we want to learn anything about Xia Jieyu, we’ll have to rely on Honored Lady Lan!"
Lianlian bowed deeply. "Yes! This servant understands. You can rest assured, my lady!"
Lady Xi waved her off. "Go! Be careful!"
"Yes!"
...
Lianlian hastened her steps, leaving Lijing Pavilion to return to Honored Lady Lan’s residence.
Honored Lady Lan was already sound asleep.
