Chapter 62: Setting the Trap

Chapter 62: Setting the Trap

The people from the Princess's Mansion were efficient; by the next day, Qingfeng reported that the family of the eunuch Li, who served Zhang, appeared normal, showing no signs of sudden wealth or misfortune.

He also specifically mentioned that Li had sent a message through a procurement eunuch, mentioning that he wanted to secretly bring back leftover palace cakes from after the Mid-Autumn Festival for his two nephews.

From this, it seemed he was neither a sworn man nor someone who had been bribed.

With her mind made up, Jiang Hui turned to Wan Song and said, "Go to Qingxin Pavilion and invite Lady Xue over."

To Autumn, she said, "Have the people from the Imperial Kitchen come to Yao Hua Palace at the hour of Wei."

Lady Xue came bearing gifts.

Hearing about the Crown Prince's ailment, she hesitated to visit Yao Hua Palace uninvited. Upon receiving the Noble Consort's invitation, she quickly prepared gifts and came to visit.

The two of them sat in the floral hall, continuing their conversation.

Lady Xue, noticing the Noble Consort's somewhat sorrowful expression and suspecting the Crown Prince's condition might be grave, carefully chose comforting words to speak.

Jiang Hui managed a faint smile and said, "Your concern is appreciated. The mere fact that the Crown Prince is safe and sound is already a great blessing; I dare not hope for too much."

Lady Xue, surprised by the Noble Consort's words, cautiously asked, "May I know why the Noble Consort has summoned me here?"

Jiang Hui smiled lightly, and Wan Song brought in a tray, placing it on a small gold-carved table next to Lady Xue.

Lady Xue glanced at the tray and saw several exquisitely crafted and lively designed jewelry pieces, including a jade-inlaid butterfly hairpin she had seen the Noble Consort wear before. A flicker of joy crossed her eyes as she tentatively asked, "Noble Consort, is this...?"

"I was sorting through my jewelry box a few days ago and found many pieces I've seldom worn. It's better to gift them to Sister Xue than let them gather dust here," Jiang Hui spoke softly.

Overjoyed, Lady Xue quickly stood up to bow and express her gratitude, "Thank you for your generous gift, Noble Consort."

Gifting used jewelry was not an insult; for someone of Lady Xue's status, receiving jewelry from the Noble Consort was an honor. Moreover, these were the Noble Consort's personal items, adding special significance and suggesting that Jiang Hui now considered her one of her own.

Perhaps this was in acknowledgment of Lady Xue’s discreet assistance with Luo Beauty in Changxin Palace and her feigned hostility towards her, which must have pleased the Noble Consort.

At that time, Luo Beauty, outwardly aligned with Zhao Shuren, had "accidentally" burned the hand of Li Gui Ren during Xu Xiuyuan's flower-viewing banquet...

Sitting back in her armchair, Lady Xue's eyes sparkled as she leaned slightly towards Jiang Hui and softly asked, "What instructions does Noble Sister have for me?"

Indeed, a smart person who understood her place.

Jiang Hui looked at her and smiled faintly.

At the hour of Wei, the Chief Eunuch of the Imperial Kitchen, Wu Chenggong, accompanied by his subordinates, arrived at Yao Hua Palace to seek an audience.

Wu Chenggong and his subordinates were recently transferred from the Internal Affairs Department to the Imperial Kitchen.

The original stewards of the Imperial Kitchen were now at the Punishment Bureau, and their fate remained uncertain. Even if they were to return, they likely wouldn't regain their former glory.

Wu Chenggong, standing in the courtyard of Qiong Hua Palace, awaited anxiously. Although he was new and theoretically shouldn't be blamed for the Imperial Kitchen’s recent problems, the latest incident involving the Crown Prince's safety had him understandably nervous.

Shortly, a woman attended by a senior palace maid approached and said, "Chief Steward Wu, please follow me."

Recognizing the maid as Wan Song, a confidante of the Noble Consort, Wu Chenggong humbly nodded and followed, personally holding a camphor wood box handed over by a junior eunuch behind him.

Walking through the cloister, they reached the flower hall, where Wan Song signaled Wu Chenggong to stop and went inside to announce his arrival. Moments later, she reappeared and gestured him to enter.

“Chief Steward Wu, please come in.”

"Thank you, Miss Wan Song," Wu Chenggong said, entering the room with cautious steps.

Coinciding with the Mid-Autumn Festival, the room featured a new tapestry depicting a jade rabbit pounding medicine. Wu Chenggong carefully knelt down, wary not to damage the immaculate depiction of the jade rabbit on the tapestry, speaking with a softened voice.

"Your humble servant, Wu Chenggong, the newly appointed Chief of the Imperial Kitchen, greets the Noble Consort."

"Rise. Qiu Qiu, prepare a seat," came a somewhat detached voice, which eased Wu Chenggong’s tension, indicating the Noble Consort bore no resentment towards him.

Holding the camphor wood box, Wu Chenggong dared not sit on the small stool provided, stepped forward, and respectfully said, "Noble Consort, here are the account books and tally cards from the second division and five departments of the Imperial Kitchen for your inspection."

The Imperial Kitchen was divided into the Procurement Division and the Culinary Division, with the former responsible for sourcing ingredients like fruits, vegetables, and meats, and the latter handling the preparation of court meals.

The Imperial Kitchen was divided into five departments: Meat, Vegetarian, Snacks, Rice, and Grill, each responsible for their respective cuisines, including barbecuing.

Wanmei took a camphor wood box from Wu Chenggong, opened the lid, and placed it in front of Jiang Hui.

Jiang Hui casually flipped through a blue-covered ledger and said, "I have no specific instructions. Just follow the usual routine. If anything goes wrong, I’ll hold you responsible."

"Yes, this servant will not let Your Highness down!" Wu Chenggong said, forehead sweating, bowing respectfully.

Jiang Hui glanced at him, slowly sipped her tea, and then continued, "With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, we’re hosting a family banquet in Qian Nian Hall. What are the arrangements in the Imperial Kitchen?"

Wu Chenggong hurriedly replied, "As per the Empress's previous instructions, it follows the precedent set in the thirty-first year of Qian Ning, with an additional twenty percent."

Jiang Hui hummed in acknowledgment, "Since the Empress has instructed so, you just follow her orders."

Wu Chenggong, perceptive and attentive, sensed that the Noble Consort might have other intentions and quickly added, "This servant, formerly from the Neishi Si, is quite inexperienced in the Imperial Kitchen. I humbly ask for the Noble Consort's guidance!"

Jiang Hui's gaze swept over his bowed figure and slightly curled fingers, and she said indifferently, "It's nothing major. I just recently craved some dishes from my childhood. I remember the Imperial Kitchen had a Master Jin who was skilled in both Western and Chinese cuisine. Is he still here?"

Wu Chenggong, relieved that the Noble Consort merely wanted to add a few dishes, replied promptly, "Your Highness, I’ve checked the staff roster of the Imperial Kitchen. The Master Jin you mentioned has retired, but his son, Little Master Jin, is still here and quite talented."

"Then have Little Master Jin prepare those dishes," Jiang Hui nodded slightly and instructed Wanmei, "Give the list to Chief Wu."

Wu Chenggong, leading the kitchen staff, left Yaohua Palace and returned to his quarters in the Imperial Kitchen. Dismissing the serving eunuch, he took out a scroll tied with a red string from his sleeve and gently unrolled it to reveal a list of dishes in small characters:

Dong'an Chicken, Mustard Melon, Roasted Heng Cai.

What does the Noble Consort mean by this? Is she really craving these?

It's strange; the ladies in the palace usually avoid such strongly flavored foods for the sake of their complexion.