Chapter 36: Good News

Chapter 36: Good News

Autumn Osmanthus returned from Jin Lan Garden with a 'return gift' from Lady Luo.

Jiang Hui, reclining on the couch, took a finely rolled piece of paper from Autumn Osmanthus and unfolded it. Elegant handwriting caught her eye: "Min or Sun, peanuts, suspect intolerance."

Peanuts?

Lady Luo must have noticed something on her way to Han Zhang Palace, or perhaps she had once brought snacks containing peanuts there, only to have them subtly refused.

Seeing Jiang Hui deep in thought, Autumn Osmanthus added, "Mistress, this was discreetly given to me by Su Jin when she came over to express her gratitude on Lady Luo's behalf."

Jiang Hui raised her eyebrows slightly and instructed Autumn Osmanthus, "Summon Hong Ying over."

Once Hong Ying arrived, Jiang Hui inquired, "Is there someone who cannot eat peanuts?"

"Yes," Hong Ying respectfully replied, "Just as some cannot touch pollen and others cannot drink cow's milk. These are inherent conditions, incurable."

"What would happen if they were ingested accidentally?" Jiang Hui further inquired.

"For mild cases, there might be hives or skin rashes, with skin turning either pale or red, and itching as if bitten by insects; in severe cases, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, convulsions, loss of consciousness, cardiac failure, endangering life," Hong Ying detailed. "Moreover, the onset of symptoms is usually rapid and difficult to treat."

Jiang Hui reopened the paper in her hand, her fingertips brushing over the names Min and Sun, and called over Qing Feng to ask, "Has there been any message from Du Juan?"

Qing Feng bowed and replied, "Since Lady Sun obtained the 'Xi He Sword Dance' script, she has been practicing it continuously, visiting Han Zhang Palace less frequently."

"Has she expressed any preferences or dislikes for certain foods?"

"Not that I am aware of."

Qing Feng respectfully added, "Mistress, shall I inquire about the recent meals and snacks delivered from the Imperial Kitchen to Han Zhang Palace and Xiu Xia Pavilion?"

The Long Spring Palace and Chong Hua Palace currently had no consorts above the rank of Jiu Pin, and thus didn't have the privilege to have private kitchens. All meals came from the Imperial Kitchen.

"No need," Jiang Hui shook her head, slowly saying, "If Du Juan hasn't sent any messages, it must mean Lady Sun has been behaving normally. Most likely, the meals she's been receiving from the Imperial Kitchen are those brought by her own maids from her maternal home; as for Han Zhang Palace, with the Empress Dowager watching covertly, we shouldn’t stir up trouble for now."

Jiang Hui, recalling the actions of these two sisters since their time in Chu Xiu Palace, mused to herself:

"Since Min Ji Yu's drowning incident, the animosity between Zhao and Sun has deepened, just short of breaking through the last layer of pretense. With the Emperor's birthday approaching, everyone in the palace is on edge. It's not difficult to find out that Lady Sun plans to perform a dance, and the results will soon become apparent. It’s just uncertain who will come out on top this time."

Finishing her thoughts, she handed the paper to Autumn Osmanthus, "Burn this."

Shan Zha quietly asked, "Mistress, if Lady Sun falls into a trap, won’t we help her?"

The little maid had grown a lot recently and could vaguely discern that her mistress intended to use one force to fight another.

"Why should we help?" Jiang Hui replied with a faint smile. "Wouldn’t she be even angrier if she falls victim to a scheme by her ‘good sisters’?"

Given Lady Sun's nature, her small acts against Min Ji Yu were only out of necessity and wouldn't harm anyone's life. But if Min Ji Yu retaliated, the situation would be different.

The summer days passed swiftly like the fleeting shadows of chirping cicadas, noisy yet fleeting. Unnoticed, the Emperor's birthday celebration was approaching.

Since it was the new Emperor's first birthday celebration, envoys from various tributary states arrived in the capital over a month early, eager to understand the preferences and governing style of the new Emperor of Da Zhou. Even the more favored consorts in the harem received gifts from these foreign envoys.

However, the Hun envoys only arrived three days before the Emperor's birthday. Compared to the obedient and even obsequious tributary states, the Hun envoys carried an air of arrogance. This changed significantly after they were shown a display of the Hu Ben Army's training by officials from the Ministry of Rites.

As the Huns had come to renew their friendship with Da Zhou, even offering to retreat two hundred li from the Zhen Bei Pass and never invade again, the court began debating whether to re-establish diplomatic ties and open mutual markets. Pro-war and pro-peace factions argued fiercely.

But all this was irrelevant to the consorts in the harem. The focus in the harem was now on a previously overlooked lady-in-waiting, Liu Rong Nian.

Born into a gentry family, Liu Rong Nian's background was the humblest in the harem. With a fair and slightly plump appearance, she was chosen into the palace and appointed as a lady-in-waiting, residing in the Fu Rong Pavilion of the Long Spring Palace.

Whether in terms of family, appearance, character, or talent, she was unremarkable. Having been favored only once, she was soon forgotten by the Emperor, and everyone thought that Lady Liu would lead a lonely life deep in the palace.

Yet unexpectedly, one day after dinner, Min Ji Yu was walking in the Long Spring Palace when Lady Liu's maid Xiao Tao approached her, complaining that the Imperial Kitchen was skimping on their servings and sending late meals, and recently, even leftover cold dishes. After several days of this, Lady Liu had fainted that day and implored Min Ji Yu for justice.

Although Min Ji Yu was only a lady of the third rank, she was the highest-ranked in the Long Spring Palace and granted residence in the main Han Zhang Palace, implicitly acknowledged as the head of Long Spring Palace.

Thus, she didn't refuse Xiao Tao's request, sending for a physician and reporting the matter to the Phoenix Court, seeking punishment for those in the Imperial Kitchen.

Min Ji Yu thought Lady Liu had fainted due to insufficient ice basins and poor diet. However, when the physician arrived and examined Lady Liu's pulse, he discovered something unexpected.

"Lady Liu's pulse is smooth and flowing, indicating a round and slippery condition, like a bead rolling on a jade plate, signifying pregnancy for over a month."

The on-duty physician of the day was Doctor Cheng. He informed Min Ji Yu with his head bowed. She was momentarily stunned but quickly showed joy, instructing Dong Qing, "Hurry, report the good news to the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress!"

Then she said to Doctor Cheng, "Lady Liu is frail, having just fainted. Please prescribe some tonics to nourish her and secure the pregnancy."

The news of Lady Liu's pregnancy spread from the Long Spring Palace with the messengers announcing the joyous news, reaching every corner of the imperial palace in mere moments.

The Emperor was overjoyed. With few heirs, he immediately ordered Lady Liu's promotion to a sixth-rank beauty and promised that if she gave birth to a healthy imperial heir, she would be further promoted to a fifth-rank concubine. He also ensured a steady flow of gold, silver, and jewels to her residence, Fu Rong Pavilion.

The Empress Dowager, due to her status, couldn't visit personally but sent Nanny Li to convey her warmth and concern. She also bestowed a mutton-fat white jade carving as a token of her joy.

With both imperial figures showing their regard, the Empress naturally followed suit. She personally visited Lady Liu in Fu Rong Pavilion, and noticing only a few maids attending her, summoned Quan Xi, the eunuch in charge from the Internal Affairs Department, and allowed Lady Liu to personally select an experienced nurse.

Lady Liu was suddenly living in luxury, a stark contrast to her previous humble days in the palace.

Jiang Hui sat by the window, reviewing the list of gifts to be sent to Fu Rong Pavilion to celebrate.

She decided against sending food items and carefully considered the appropriateness of clothing and other goods...

Her son, now crawling, played on a thick plush carpet strewn with silver-carved clay rattles, wave drums, and cloth tigers.

As Jiang Hui circled a cloisonné plate long knot ruyi on the list, she felt her legs being hugged.

Looking down, she saw her son clinging to her legs, gazing up with bright, clear eyes, cooing for her attention.

Her face lit up with a smile, and she bent down to pick him up, asking gently, "Does Nian Er want to play with Mommy?"

"Autumn Osmanthus, add a few more items according to the list and bring it to me for review."

Jiang Hui instructed Autumn Osmanthus to continue drafting the gift list, then returned her son to the carpet, joining him in play.

"The Emperor's heirs will gradually increase," Jiang Hui thought, but she was determined to support her son in whatever he chose to do.