After Qi Daiyu left, the Empress summoned Zhuyi to inquire in detail about the day's events at the Cining Palace.
Jiang Yuan remained as well, sitting nearby and sipping tea while listening.
Zhuyi recounted everything meticulously, with the Eldest Princess chiming in to supplement, mainly about what had happened after returning to the Kunning Palace.
"Concubine Qi said that when giving gifts, one should give what the other person likes, not what one likes oneself. Mother, I don’t quite understand… but the chestnut cakes were delicious!" The Eldest Princess's eyes sparkled. For some reason, the chestnut cakes from the Kunning Palace kitchen had never tasted particularly special before, but today, watching Concubine Qi enjoy them, they seemed exceptionally fragrant!
Seeing her daughter’s eager eyes, the Empress smiled gently. "If Mother wanted to reward you, would you prefer a bolt of silk or a plate of chestnut cakes?"
The Eldest Princess thought for a moment. "A gift from an elder should not be refused. I’d accept whatever Mother gives!"
Amusement flickered in the Empress’s eyes. "But if Zhuyi were to give you a birthday gift and couldn’t decide between silk or chestnut cakes, asking you to choose, what would you pick?"
"Of course the chestnut cakes! I have plenty of silk already!"
The Empress tapped her nose. "Do you understand Concubine Qi’s words now?"
The Eldest Princess blinked. She seemed to grasp it, yet not quite.
"She’s still young. How can she understand such reasoning?" Jiang Yuan, who had been watching, lifted the Eldest Princess onto his lap.
"I’m not little! I’ve grown up!" the Eldest Princess protested.
The Empress chided him lightly. "Lingyi is already three. It’s time for her to begin learning." In the palace, princes started their education at three.
Jiang Yuan clearly hadn’t considered this. Though he adored the Eldest Princess, he hadn’t equated her upbringing with that of a prince. It wasn’t that he valued her less—he simply believed a daughter should be cherished, not subjected to the same rigorous training as a prince.
But the Empress disagreed. She intended for her Lingyi to become the Yong’an Princess, no less accomplished than any prince.
Without arguing further, the Empress turned to Zhuyi. "Since the Eldest Princess mentioned gifting the jade pot and nine-linked rings to Concubine Qi today, arrange for them to be sent to the Yanqing Residence."
In the corner, Ju Yi opened her mouth but ultimately stayed silent.
Zhuyi responded, "Understood."
The Eldest Princess was puzzled. "Why is Mother still giving things to Concubine Qi?"
The Empress explained, "This isn’t a gift. It’s a reward from Mother for Concubine Qi’s care of you today." She sighed inwardly. Tomorrow, she would have Lingyi study a passage from Zhuangzi: Gengsang Chu—"Thus, there is none who can be won over without using what they love." It was fitting for today’s lesson.
Lingyi’s status dictated that even her gifts would be perceived as rewards. Since that was the case, she might as well learn the art of governance early.
After a pause, the Empress added, "From now on, whenever the kitchen prepares chestnut cakes, send a portion to the Yanqing Residence." She recalled that Concubine Qi seemed particularly fond of the Kunning Palace’s pastries—during morning greetings, one plate was never enough.
Jiang Yuan spoke again. "You seem quite taken with Concubine Qi."
Rewarding her with treasures, sending her pastries…
The Empress replied, "Your Majesty says that as if it’s unusual. Setting aside the past, Concubine Qi has always been respectful toward me, and today she helped care for Lingyi. Should I not value her? But speaking of which, I’ve been meaning to ask—has Concubine Qi displeased Your Majesty in some way?" From the moment he saw her, his tone had been sharp.
Jiang Yuan stiffened, shifting uncomfortably. "She’s hardly capable of displeasing me. I merely find her excessive flattery suspicious."
The Empress lowered her eyes, adjusting the Eldest Princess’s collar. "Concubine Qi has long been out of favor, and her family offers no support. In this palace, currying my favor is her only means of survival. Or does Your Majesty prefer women like her to rely on someone else?" On Concubine Shu, perhaps?
The room fell silent.
Jiang Yuan set the Eldest Princess down on the couch and straightened his sleeves. "The Empress must be weary after today. Rest early. I have memorials to review and will return to the Yangxin Hall."
The Empress rose slowly and bowed. "This humble one bids farewell to Your Majesty."
Once his footsteps faded, she closed her eyes.
Today’s pilgrimage to Nan Mountain had been attended by all court officials. The Grand Princess’s consort had fawned over Yuan Hao, Concubine Shu’s father, congratulating him on becoming a prince’s grandfather. His obsequiousness led minor officials unfamiliar with the harem’s dynamics to assume Concubine Shu dominated the palace—one even blurted out, "Imperial Father-in-Law Yuan!"
Though Jiang Yuan had the man dragged away immediately, the Empress still felt humiliated, especially since her own father, the Marquis Chengen, had been present.
Later, at the Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager revealed the Grand Princess’s intentions.
Jiang Yuan refused outright.
But the Empress knew: if the Grand Princess insisted on Zhaorong entering the palace, it might still happen.
She despised the Grand Princess’s family—their stupidity, their incessant scheming. Just now, speaking with Jiang Yuan, she had let her frustration show.
He understood her displeasure and didn’t rebuke her, but he left nonetheless.
"Your Majesty?" Mei Yi and Zhuyi exchanged glances, concerned when the Empress remained still.
She sat down slowly. After a long silence, she murmured, "I was too hasty. A moment’s impatience may ruin a grand plan. I must remember that."
After the Double Ninth Festival, the palace settled into a lull, though an undercurrent of excitement thrummed beneath the surface.
The autumn hunt!
During daily greetings, Qi Daiyu could almost see the countdown ticking above the concubines’ heads.
As the event drew nearer, the anticipation grew palpable.
The masters’ moods affected the servants too. Rumor had it the Imperial Household Department’s embroidery and tailoring workshops were working overtime—riding attire was a must for the hunt!
Qi Daiyu had two outfits made as well, though given her rank, she’d likely receive them last.
Not that she minded. She’d been thoroughly enjoying herself lately.
Her "beauty cream" was now "perfected," and she could indulge in luxury skincare daily.
At first, Shiliu had forbidden her from using it, testing a dab on Little Zhuo, a maid tasked with sweeping. After three days with no adverse effects—only smoother, brighter skin—Shiliu finally permitted Qi Daiyu to apply it.
Shiliu marveled at her mistress’s unexpected talent. After flipping through a few books and devising her own formula, she’d succeeded on the first try.
Encouraged, Qi Daiyu began crafting a "beauty tonic." This time, Shiliu didn’t interfere—she even helped gather flowers and ingredients.
Amid her experiments, a messenger arrived from Noble Lady Qin.
The "tomato-and-butter hot pot" was ready! Qi Daiyu was invited to the Qixiang Palace for a feast!
Without delay, Qi Daiyu rushed over, nearly drooling on the way.
The moment she entered the Qixiang Palace, the rich aroma of butter overwhelmed her senses. She inhaled deeply, savoring the spicy kick—Noble Lady Qin must have used Sichuan peppers and butter in her stir-fry. Absolutely divine!
Qi Daiyu couldn’t help but think of hot tripe, spicy beef, fatty lamb, juicy beef balls, luncheon meat…
“You’re finally here! Come in quickly! See if these ‘June tomatoes’ are the ‘fanqie’ you mentioned?” Noble Lady Qin pulled Qi Daiyu into the small kitchen.
Inside, the aroma of hot pot broth grew even richer.
On the right side of the table lay seven or eight fruits, each about half the size of a palm—not fully red but tinged with green. A plate of sliced pieces was set out, and Qi Daiyu tasted a small piece. The flavor was unmistakably that of a tomato.
Noble Lady Qin explained, “I had people search the greenhouse for a long time before finally finding what you called ‘tomatoes.’ They’re originally an exotic plant. When I said I wanted to eat them, the gardeners were hesitant. They fed some to a dog first to test for poison, then consulted the imperial physician to confirm they were safe before allowing them to be brought to Qixiang Palace. There aren’t many—just three pots. I picked these few.”
“But since this is my first time seeing them, I don’t know how to prepare them. I figured since you recognized them, you might know how to cook them.”
She smiled. “Whether we get to taste your ‘mandarin duck hot pot’ today depends entirely on you!”
How hard could it be?
Qi Daiyu brimmed with confidence, searching her mind’s screen for the stir-fry method for tomato hot pot broth, then relayed the instructions step by step to the kitchen maid.
“Oh, and let’s make stir-fried tomatoes with eggs too? It’s delicious over rice!”
Noble Lady Qin looked astonished. “You can stir-fry them with eggs? ‘Stir-fried tomatoes with eggs’—such a straightforward name.”
Qi Daiyu: “…” Well, of course. In the palace, even a simple radish dish would be called something like “Gathering of Heroes.” “Stir-fried tomatoes with eggs” sounded downright rustic in comparison.
“Not just with eggs—you can braise them with beef brisket, make a cold salad, or sprinkle some sugar on top. The taste is…”
Noble Lady Qin grew more and more delighted. “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s start cooking!” She urged the kitchen maid to prepare the broth while sending someone to the imperial kitchen for hot pot ingredients.
“Four plates of sliced beef, four plates of lamb, four plates of tripe…” Noble Lady Qin paused. “Do you eat tripe? I know it’s offal, but it’s delicious in hot pot…” Back in her hometown, people weren’t squeamish about such things, but after coming to the capital, she’d learned many avoided innards. She worried Concubine Qi might share that aversion.
“Of course I eat it! I love it!” Qi Daiyu exclaimed excitedly.
“Not just tripe—let’s get two plates of duck blood and two plates of beef heart tubes too!” (Beef heart tubes, or huanghou, were a must-have for Qi Daiyu’s hot pot feasts.)
“And shrimp paste—you know, shrimp meat pounded into a paste and shaped into balls. Two plates of that, plus dried tofu, bean sprouts, hearts of cabbage, dried lettuce…”
As Qi Daiyu rattled off her list, she noticed Noble Lady Qin’s eyes welling up with tears.
“…Noble Lady Qin?”
Noble Lady Qin shook her head. “It’s nothing. I’m just… overwhelmed! This feels like being back in my family home.” Finally, she’d found someone who shared her tastes!
She exhaled, her voice brimming with anticipation. “Today’s hot pot is going to be absolutely divine!”
Qi Daiyu nodded eagerly. She couldn’t wait!
Meanwhile, Jiang Yuan, fresh from the grand court assembly, had intended to visit Concubine Shu’s palace to check on the Eldest Prince’s health. But as he walked along the palace corridor, a tantalizing aroma drifted into his senses—so rich and irresistible it made his mouth water.
“Is that coming from Yongshou Palace?” he asked, then reconsidered. Yongshou Palace had no imperial consorts residing in it.
Quan Fuhai thought for a moment. “Perhaps Qixiang Palace has come up with another new dish?” Qixiang Palace was right next to Yongshou Palace, and Quan Fuhai knew His Majesty had a soft spot for Noble Lady Qin’s culinary experiments.
“Must be.” Noble Lady Qin was always inventing new dishes—some delicious, some mediocre. Today’s fragrance, however, was exceptionally tempting.
Jiang Yuan flicked the jade pendant at his waist to the left. “Let’s go take a look.”
