The remaining days on the carriage journey seemed to pass in the blink of an eye, dominated by the clatter of mahjong tiles.
The procession arrived at the Summer Palace.
Qi Daiyu was assigned to a residence named "Boundless Sky," a two-story building nestled right beside the Emerald Clear Lake. The best part was that it came with its own small kitchenette. While it couldn't be used for cooking hot meals, it was perfect for boiling water or preparing tea and pastries.
Some palace servants from the Summer Palace were already waiting there. Upon seeing Qi Daiyu, they immediately bowed.
"Greetings to the Graceful Lady Yi!"
Qi Daiyu bid them rise, and the head servant eagerly helped with the luggage. Shiliu and the others went inside to unpack, needing to make the bed and arrange the everyday items as quickly as possible.
Qi Daiyu looked around. "Boundless Sky" had three rooms on both the upper and lower floors. She decided to use the three downstairs rooms as a study, a main hall, and a bedchamber. The three rooms upstairs had a different layout. The leftmost one opened onto a balcony, from which one could enjoy a distant view of Emerald Clear Lake.
Above the balcony was a pavilion containing a daybed. It would be a perfect spot to lie down and admire the moon at night.
"We'll have Little Cheng build a swing here later," Qi Daiyu suggested. "And we can place a few potted plants in the corners. It would even be nice for open-air barbecues."
She was already planning her daily schedule.
After touring "Boundless Sky," Qi Daiyu, accompanied by Hongtao, took a stroll around the vicinity. She discovered that not far away was a courtyard named "Peaceful Courtyard." Upon inquiry, she learned it was the residence of Consort Feng, Feng Qi.
Qi Daiyu wasn't very familiar with this Consort Feng. During morning greetings, Consort Feng never spoke and was never seen interacting with others, appearing to have a rather reserved and quiet personality.
Such a person probably wouldn't appreciate an uninvited visit. Qi Daiyu didn't proceed further but instead turned towards Emerald Clear Lake.
She lingered by the lakeside, enjoying the scenery to her heart's content before heading back.
Life at the Summer Palace was undoubtedly more relaxed than in the main palace. The Empress went so far as to suspend the morning greetings altogether, leaving everyone with even more leisure time.
As the seventh month arrived, the temperature soared higher, and ice began to be used in the Summer Palace.
Interestingly enough, the icehouses were managed by an office under the Department of Waterways. Qi Caishang's first task upon taking up his post as Vice Director of the Department of Waterways was to secure ample benefits for his daughter. The daily ice delivery to "Boundless Sky" was extremely generous, even more than they could use.
Qi Daiyu started using the extra ice to make various frozen treats.
Frozen desserts were actually quite common nowadays, with various shaved ices and even ice cream available.
Common ones in the markets included "iced drinks," "honey shaved ice," and "butter mountains," which was essentially ice cream.
After trying them a few times, Qi Daiyu thought they were just as good as modern versions.
She didn't have many innovative ideas for frozen treats herself, mainly just experimenting with different flavors, creating things like mango-flavored or watermelon-yogurt-flavored shaved ice.
And then there was iced milk tea.
In the summer, nothing was more refreshing than a slice of chilled watermelon paired with a cup of iced milk tea. She didn't even need to go to the main kitchens; she could make it right in the small kitchenette at "Boundless Sky."
Thus, under Qi Daiyu's verbal guidance, Hongtao managed to recreate varieties like "Grape Delight," "Midnight Rose," "Jasmine Green Milk Tea," and "Peach Oolong"... Now Qi Daiyu could drink milk tea openly, no longer needing to secretly order takeout.
Naturally, Qi Daiyu couldn't finish all the milk tea she made. She sent some to the Empress, some to her recent mahjong partners, and the rest was left for Shiliu and the others.
To make all this milk tea, Qi Daiyu used up her entire daily fruit ration and even had to spend extra silver to exchange for more.
But for the sake of this drink, she was willing to spend the money.
As a result, her joy led to sorrow.
Qi Daiyu had forgotten that her current body had a weak constitution and couldn't handle her indulging in icy treats. After a few days of carefree consumption, she fell ill.
Falling ill in the summer was particularly miserable. Shiliu immediately removed most of the ice from the room, leaving only a thin layer in the icebox to dispel a bit of the heat. Shiliu also earnestly advised, "It's better for you to endure a little heat, mistress, than to catch another chill."
Qi Daiyu had no choice but to agree. Knowing what was important, she stopped using ice. When not going out, she wore only the lightest robe, which was just bearable.
Just as she was recovering from her illness, "Boundless Sky" welcomed a VIP—Nanny Zhao from the Empress Dowager's side.
Qi Daiyu hurriedly changed her clothes to receive the visitor.
"I fell ill a few days ago from being too greedy with the cold. I've only just gotten better, so I must look rather disheveled. Please don't mind, Nanny," Qi Daiyu explained.
Nanny Zhao was a kindly person. "There's no need to be alarmed, Graceful Lady Yi. This servant has come on the Empress Dowager's orders to invite you to the Jade Pine Pavilion."
The Empress Dowager wanted to see her? Qi Daiyu was puzzled and asked quietly, "Does Nanny know why Her Majesty wishes to see this concubine?"
Nanny Zhao smiled. "Does the Lady Yi remember the birthday gift you presented for the Empress Dowager's grand birthday? These past few days, Her Majesty had the servants sort through the birthday gifts from the consorts and discovered what you sent. She found it novel and summoned a few of us servants to play with it for a while. But we servants are old, and although you left the rules of play, there were still some parts we weren't quite clear on."
"Her Majesty then sent this servant to invite you over to give a personal demonstration."
Qi Daiyu: "..."
So she was being summoned to play mahjong.
Nanny Zhao added considerately, "Her Majesty has also sent for the Empress and Concubine Shu."
Qi Daiyu: "..."
Good heavens. She had to play mahjong with the three most formidable figures of the inner court.
One hour later, Qi Daiyu sat inside the hall of the Jade Pine Pavilion, feeling somewhat dazed.
Since her transmigration, she had never imagined she would experience such a scene.
Sitting across from her was the Empress Dowager. To her right sat the Empress. To her left sat Concubine Shu.
Sharing a table with these three might be considered a great honor by many. However, Qi Daiyu couldn't feel the slightest bit of joy.
The three women before her wore serious expressions, their brows furrowed, their spirits tense, their eyes unblinking as they stared at Qi Daiyu.
—They were waiting for her to play a tile.
"Eight of Characters," Qi Daiyu took a deep breath and discarded the tile.
The next moment, all three spoke in unison: "Mahjong!"
The Empress Dowager chuckled. "Graceful Lady Yi, you've managed to lose to all three of us!"
Concubine Shu pushed her tiles over. "This mahjong isn't so difficult after all. After a few rounds, everyone got the hang of it."
The Empress smiled pleasantly. "Do you have enough silver, Graceful Lady Yi? If not, I can lend you some."
Despite her words, Her Majesty's hand unceremoniously accepted the small pieces of silver Qi Daiyu passed over.
"This concubine did say from the start that my skills were only average. See, after just a few rounds, I've become the loser," Qi Daiyu said, wiping sweat from her forehead. Figuring out how to lose, and lose in a way that pleased all three opponents, was truly a skilled art.
She had never found playing mahjong so exhausting before.
So exhausted that she even thought, if only someone could save her now.
Perhaps this thought was too intense, for Qi Daiyu truly heard a voice like heavenly music.
"So lively, what's going on here?"
Qi Daiyu turned around in pleasant surprise, her savior had arrived! It was the Emperor!
Jiang Yuan had originally heard from Quan Fuhai that the Empress Dowager had summoned the Empress, Concubine Shu, and Consort Hui to the Jade Pine Garden. Curious about what the Empress Dowager intended, he came to see after finishing his government affairs.
Just as he reached the entrance of the Jade Pine Garden, he heard the sounds of laughter coming from within.
Especially his mother's—the delight in her laughter was utterly genuine.
Jiang Yuan was astonished. He could hardly imagine the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and Concubine Shu being together so harmoniously.
Driven by intense curiosity, Jiang Yuan entered the hall. He had barely finished his opening line when he was met with a pair of eyes brimming with surprise, joy, and warmth.
Jiang Yuan's steps faltered slightly, and his heart skipped a beat.
He spun the jasper bracelet in his hand, his gaze sweeping past Qi Daiyu and landing on the table. "Mother, what are you all doing?"
As he spoke, he had already walked behind Qi Daiyu, waving a hand to stop the others from performing formal greetings.
The Empress Dowager was also pleased to see the Emperor. Pointing at Qi Daiyu, she said, "Consort Hui brought this 'mahjong.' I find it quite amusing, so I called the Empress and the others to keep me company."
"Consort Hui brought it?" Jiang Yuan's gaze naturally settled on Qi Daiyu's face. "To bring joy to the Empress Dowager shows thoughtfulness."
It had been a long time since he last saw her. Was it an illusion, or did she seem even thinner?
Concubine Shu, standing nearby, narrowed her eyes and said with a charming laugh, "Your Majesty, this subject finds mahjong quite simple, though it's indeed good for passing the time. Most importantly, one can chat with Her Majesty the Empress Dowager while playing, which is a form of filial entertainment. Your Majesty, would you care to give it a try?"
"Me?" Jiang Yuan hesitated slightly.
He was aware of games like leaf cards. Activities like dice games and cricket fighting had also been popular among the imperial clan. Educated by the late Emperor, he considered such pastimes frivolous and a waste of will, and had never indulged in them.
The Empress, knowing his reservations, said softly, "Your Majesty, you attend to state affairs all day and should balance work with rest. This subject actually believes that while mahjong appears lighthearted, it contains profound depth. The arithmetic alone exercises the mind, and it also involves challenges of strategy and temperament. It's not merely for amusement."
Jiang Yuan raised an eyebrow. The Empress rated mahjong so highly?
"If the Empress says so, then I shall give it a try. As Concubine Shu said, let it be my filial entertainment for Mother."
The Empress Dowager's smile deepened. "The Emperor is thoughtful."
Qi Daiyu had been waiting for this moment. Almost without being asked, she vacated her seat. "Your Majesty, please sit here. The other ladies are too skilled; this humble consort is no match and won't embarrass myself further."
She thought she could gracefully retire and catch her breath outside, but then she heard Jiang Yuan say, "Hmm, then you sit beside me. I don't know how to play yet. Teach me."
Qi Daiyu: "..."
Quan Fuhai, quick as ever, had already placed a stool next to Jiang Yuan.
The other four were already seated, waiting for her. Qi Daiyu had no choice but to sit down. The stool was close to Jiang Yuan, and as she lowered herself, her skirt inevitably brushed against his hand.
The friction sent a faint itch through Jiang Yuan's heart, especially with the subtle, faint fragrance that wafted from the woman after she sat down.
That fragrance... it seemed unique to Consort Hui.
The jasper bracelet in his hand suddenly felt somewhat warm.
Jiang Yuan tossed the bracelet to Qi Daiyu, who instinctively caught it.
"Hold this for me." He needed his hands free to shuffle and draw tiles.
Qi Daiyu looked at the bracelet. Each bead was lustrous and cool to the touch. She played with it like prayer beads, occasionally whispering the rules to Jiang Yuan.
As the ruler of a nation, Jiang Yuan possessed exceptional comprehension. He grasped all the rules before one round was finished. Qi Daiyu soon found herself without a role, left to quietly watch the four "battle."
It truly was a "battle." The mahjong table became a battlefield. Four generals wracked their brains, none willing to yield. A round could conclude in minutes, and the loser could reclaim their disadvantage in the next.
The deadlocked situation left Qi Daiyu dumbfounded.
She felt somewhat dazed. Was this mahjong the same game she had played a few days ago with Qin Saizhu and the others?
