Chapter 29.1

After having their evening meal, they each went to wash up.

When Pei Yan emerged from his bath, he found Tao Ti deep in thought, seated on the chaise with a brush in her right hand and her left hand supporting her chin.

He walked to her slowly and asked, “What are you doing?”

Upon seeing him, Tao Ti’s eyes lit up, and she hurriedly replied, “Your Highness, you’ve come at just the right time. I’m figuring out how to distribute the Qingtuan.”

“I made a little over a hundred of them, and have packed them into boxes of eight. I’ve already given out four boxes today, and have seven boxes left… Hmm, I’m planning to send two boxes to Marquis Yongwei’s residence, two for you to take to Zixia Hall, one for you to take to His Majesty, and another for Lan Momo ¹ … That leaves me with one box. Should I give it to the Empress?”

Pei Yan hadn’t expected her to be thinking about this. His tranquil gaze lightly scanned the papers on the table as he softly remarked, “There’s no need to send it to the Empress. Even if you do, she wouldn’t eat it. It would just be a waste of your good intentions.”

Upon hearing his words, Tao Ti couldn’t help but raise her head and glance at him.

His long hair hung loosely, still slightly damp, the black hair contrasting with his pale skin. Clad in white sleepwear, he resembled a Chinese ink landscape painting under the dim lamplight.

His expression remained calm, and when he noticed her gaze on him, his brow lifted slightly. “What’s the matter?”

Tao Ti shook her head, pondered for a moment, then said, “In that case, I’ll follow your advice and not send it… It’s just as well, I can keep some for myself.”

Through her observations over time, Pei Yan’s attitude towards the Empress… Well, how should she put it? It’s neither warm nor cold. They were polite to each other, of course, but it’s clear that their relationship didn’t extend much beyond that.

Thinking about it, she could understand. Stepmothers have their own biological children to care for, so how could she possibly treat a child left behind by her predecessor with great care?

Moreover, those troublesome siblings, Pei Changzhou and Pei Lingbi, were definitely up to no good. Just considering their involvement in using the original owner of this body to trouble the Crown Prince, it was clear they harbored ill intentions…

If it were her, she would have already confronted them head-on instead of keeping up a facade of politeness.

After sorting out the distribution of the Qingtuan, and with the hour growing late, they both retired to bed.

—————

Early the next day, Tao Ti once again received a token of gratitude from Noble Consort Xu.

As soon as the Fifth Prince brought the Qingtuan back yesterday, Noble Consort Xu tasted them and immediately praised them without end. She even selected a few pieces of vibrant-coloured silk from the storage and had them delivered to Yaoguang Hall.

“Noble Consort Xu said that the Fifth Prince has disturbed you yesterday and caused you trouble. These six bolts of silk are all newly acquired pieces from the Suzhou Prefecture for the upcoming spring. The patterns and colours are most fitting for someone your age, Crown Princess. Her Ladyship also mentioned that if the Crown Princess is free, you’re welcome to visit Mingyue Palace for tea and flower appreciation,” said the Chief Palace Maid who came to deliver the gifts, smiling with great respect and obsequence.

“Very well, please convey my thanks to Noble Consort Xu. I will definitely pay her a visit,” Tao Ti responded politely with a smile.

After seeing off the palace maids from Mingyue Palace, Tao Ti turned around and touched the smooth and splendid silks, exclaiming inwardly, Noble Consort Xu is truly generous; every time I send some snacks, she would always send some gifts in return. The value of these few bolts of silk surpasses not just one box of Qingtuan, but even ten thousand boxes wouldn’t compare.

“Linglong, take this bolt of willow leaf yellow silk and this bolt of madder red silk to the Internal Household Bureau and have them tailored into two summer outfits for me.” Tao Ti selected two colours that suited her best, and continued, “As for the other four, let’s keep them in the storage for now.”

“Understood,” Linglong replied.

Tao Ti returned to her room and picked up her accounts book, adding a new entry—six bolts of silk received as a gift from Noble Consort Xu.

Even though the exact day of her departure from the palace was still uncertain, it was better to have a clear understanding of her assets. This way, even if Pei Yan suddenly… died, she could quickly plan her future arrangements based on her current assets when she left the imperial palace.

In the words of her neighbour, the little Pixiu ² , understanding how to handle one’s finances and knowing how to use money to generate more money was of utmost importance. After all, isn’t it delightful to make money while lying down? Who would ever complain about having too much money?

As Tao Ti took stock of her assets, boxes of Qingtuan were being sent to various places both within and outside of the palace.

In Qinzheng Palace—

Emperor Zhaokang was seated at his desk as usual, reviewing documents. Li Gui, stood by the side, keeping track of time. Seeing that the emperor had reviewed around twenty documents, he timely brought over fragrant tea and refreshments, advising, “Your Majesty, please have some refreshments and take a break.”

“Alright.” Emperor Zhaokang pinched his brow with one hand and, with the other, accepted the Cloud Mist Li Gui handed him. After taking a big sip, he turned his gaze to the plate of snacks on the table.

The translucent Qingtuan, glistening like jade, were arranged neatly on the white porcelain plate. They had a lustrous colour, adorable shape, and created a pleasing sight.

“These are Qingtuan?” Emperor Zhaokang had a passive expression. “Hasn’t the Cold Food Festival already passed? Why did the Imperial Kitchen send these?”

“Your Majesty, these were sent by His Highness the Crown Prince this morning. He said that the Crown Princess made them herself, and they are quite delicious, so he sent them as a gesture of respect to you,” Li Gui explained with a slight bow.

Footnote:

¹ Momo: A form of address for an elderly woman, often a wet nurse.

² Pixiu: A Chinese mythical hybrid creature. Pixiu are considered powerful protectors of the souls of the dead, and resemble strong, winged lions. They are particularly deemed as an influential and auspicious creature for wealth, and is said to have a voracious appetite exclusively for gold, silver, and jewels. Therefore, traditionally to the Chinese, Pixiu have always been regarded as auspicious creatures that possessed mystical powers capable of drawing wealth from all directions.

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