Chapter 7, Habits

A large bonfire has been lit outside the tent, and the blazing flames made Meili shiver slightly. She found a secluded corner and forced herself to stare at the fire, knowing that this hurdle would eventually be overcome; she should no longer continue to be afraid.

Jingxian listened, feeling quite pleased, and shook off Yindi's hand, walking over with a mocking expression. "Yes, Meili, tell the children about it, so they have something to fear, and don't grow up to be like you!"

"Oh dear!" Next to her, Su Ying complained playfully, turning around to ask what Jing Xuan had whispered in her ear. Jing Xuan smiled, affectionately took her bowl, and served her some dishes from her own table before handing it back to her

Those who have been through the cold palace are indeed different. Jing Xian chuckled softly, still brooding over the glare she received earlier, "Such a love for food."

Meili was assigned to the second position on the right side of the Empress Dowager, and she quietly sat down, as she was merely there to have a meal. Jingxian always preferred to sit in the position closest to the ancestor, and this time was no exception; she took the first position on the left side, occasionally glancing at Meili, as if her more advanced position gave her a significant advantage.

Qiuquan and Qiuyuan ran over, each grabbing her by one hand, but they were not as exuberant as during the day, instead feigning seriousness as they looked at each other in silence

Most of the guests have arrived, including the Emperor and the ancestors who have taken their seats. The seat next to Meili remains empty, and the eunuchs and palace maids have begun to serve the hot dishes. Suying just followed Jingxuan into the tent, guided by a young palace maid to sit in the position closest to the Empress Dowager on the right. Jingxuan also sat down behind her. Meili felt somewhat uneasy at first; they were too close to each other, so close that when he turned to speak with the Empress Dowager and Suying, his arm could brush against hers.

Meili finally couldn't help but glare at her, just as she was about to say something, Ziyu, who had walked out of the tent, frowned at her and shook his head

Qiu Quan shouted loudly: "Sister Meili!"

Meili let out a sigh of relief and prepared to return to her own tent

A table full of people looked at the joke with various cold and disdainful expressions, while Xiaozhuang's face darkened, yet she felt it was inappropriate to say anything at that moment

Jingxian had also finished her meal, and with an expression of impatience, she looked at the person pulling her arm, who was chasing after Yonghe's Yingdi. Why was she using her as a decoy to pursue Yonghe?!

Meili stared intently at the cake in her hand, yet her peripheral vision helplessly caught sight of their intimate postures as they whispered with their heads down. She suddenly felt a bit angry with herself, put down the cake, and picked up the chopsticks, only to realize that the several dishes in front of her were all rich meats. She wanted to eat some vegetables, but they were all too far away, no wonder... Su Ying would ask Jing Xuan to help her pick them up. The chopsticks were already raised, and she casually picked up a piece of meat. Perhaps she had taken a piece that was too large, as Jing Xian and Yin Di across from her burst into laughter, casting her disdainful yet pitying glances. She suddenly felt a bit angry with herself, put down the cake, and picked up the chopsticks, only to realize that the several dishes in front of her were all rich meats. She wanted to eat some vegetables, but they were all too far away, no wonder... Su Ying would ask Jing Xuan to help her pick them up. The chopsticks were already raised, and she casually picked up a piece of meat. Perhaps she had taken a piece that was too large, as Jing Xian and Yin Di across from her burst into laughter, casting her disdainful yet pitying glances.

She keenly sensed the pity in Ziyu's eyes, silently turning away. Although she had grown accustomed to it, being looked at in such a way by someone so familiar still caused her discomfort

Sister Meili..." The older Qiushui hesitated and said, "I heard that you have been staying in the cold palace for the past two years. Is it scary there?" Like all children born into wealth, they are always very curious about the terrifying places mentioned in legends

"Sister Meili, I have delicious treats for you!" Qiu Yuan hurriedly released Meili's hand, quickly opened her pouch, and eagerly took out a few pieces of candied fruit. She was still young and believed that tasty things could bring happiness, and Meili smiled at her.

She lowered her head with restraint, understanding Ziyu's meaning. If she were to have a conflict with Jingxian, regardless of who was right or wrong, it would ultimately be her who suffers, and the Emperor might blame her for not knowing how to repent. What has happened to her? In the past, she could remain indifferent and composed even in the face of more malicious taunts than this; why has she unconsciously started to nitpick with Jingxian? Perhaps... It has become a habit for her to be at odds with Jingxian.

She was taken aback for a moment. Indeed, the women at this table, who lived in luxury and comfort, felt that food that had fallen on the table was already dirty, no different from food that had fallen on the floor. If it were someone else doing this, they might have just looked on with a cold smile, but because it was her—Mei Li Ge Ge, who had come out of the cold palace—picking up the dirty food to eat, it became quite a spectacle

Meili finished her soup and said a word to Xiaozhuang. Many people had already left the table, so her departure went unnoticed.

Habits ... . ... Many habits that she thought she had changed are actually still present

Everyone continued to eat their own food somewhat disinterestedly, and there were whispers and laughter at the table again, unlike the earlier awkwardness

Yonghe is now a busy person, constantly arranging things outside, and only took his seat just before the meal began. Kangxi invited him to sit next to Jingxuan, and Meili slightly leaned forward to facilitate his sitting down, to which Yonghe smiled and quietly expressed his gratitude. As he turned around, Meili noticed Ziyu on the other side; Ruoyu, who is pregnant, did not come, leaving him alone. She smiled slightly, and Ziyu nodded in response.

As the dishes were served, the Emperor and the ancestors exchanged a few simple words before the feast became lively. Due to the large number of guests, there were no servants to serve the dishes. Meili looked at the bowl in front of her with some difficulty; her left arm was injured, making it impossible for her to lift the bowl to eat. The table was also quite low, making it even more awkward for her to lean down to the bowl. Fortunately, there was a plate of small pancakes in front of her. She took one and slowly ate it; it was very delicious and filled with meat filling.

If it tastes good, eat more! You, child, are so thin that it makes one feel sorry. Yu'an, serve a bowl of this mountain chicken soup to Meili.

She gave a cold smile, half self-mocking and half indifferent, "If I can never have it, then I no longer desire it"

Jingxuan and Suying, who had originally walked past, stopped in their tracks and turned around to look. Meili let out a soft sigh, making herself appear more composed as she walked into the light. ... It always takes some effort to meet when one wants to, yet when one does not wish to meet ... . ... it is always unavoidable.

Meili cast a cold glance at them; she would no longer be as impulsive and competitive as before. However, their repeated provocations were something she did not wish to acknowledge, yet that did not mean she would allow them to continue to take advantage of her.

Mei Li pressed her lips together and, amidst all the mocking gazes, finished the half piece of cake in her hand in large bites. She smiled coldly and said, "Indeed, there is meat only once every three days in the Anning Hall, and I find it very delicious. Unlike you, who feast on delicacies every day, everything you eat tastes like dirt, merely wasting food"

With a sideways glance from her, Jingxian and Yindi were both taken aback, seemingly not expecting her to have the courage to retaliate

In the autumn, the children of Qiuquan and Qiuyuan have always been reluctant to eat properly, and they leave their seats early to dance around the campfire, filled with excitement

Meili had just picked up a half-eaten pastry to bring it to her mouth when Fuchen, who was sitting behind her, said something that made Sangzhu giggle foolishly, twisting her body back and forth. Caught off guard, Meili was accidentally bumped and dropped the pastry onto the table. Without giving it much thought, Meili picked up the pastry from the table and took a bite. She noticed that the entire long table of women had fallen silent, and those who had not paid attention to her action were now inexplicably focused on her due to the unusual behavior of others.

I have never been able to get along with Jingxian and her group, especially because of Ziqing's sister, who is particularly targeted by Jingxian, and Meili is not surprised by this

Indeed, there are those who will not let this opportunity pass by

Sangzhu beside her always turned around cheerfully to chat and joke with the noble Fuchen behind her, often unintentionally bumping into her. Meili gently frowned, realizing that turning around carelessly to speak during the gathering could cause such trouble for those nearby. No wonder the girls who had previously sat next to her always glared at her with furrowed brows.

Meili glanced at Jingxian, striving to suppress her anger

Eat! Jingxian coldly laughed without relent, "Haven't you gone more than two years without eating? Don't you want it?"

"Meili, you need to take good care of yourself lately; your complexion doesn't look well." While continuously conversing with Suying, Xiaozhuang suddenly shifted the topic to her. Meili felt that the people around her were scrutinizing her more closely due to the ancestral matriarch's words. She obediently nodded, not wishing to say much more.

Qiu Yuan pouted and glared at her brother, having already warned him not to ask Sister Mei Li about this. Although she was also very curious, it would be too sad to bring it up.

Jingxuan and Suying also emerged from the tent, while Meili stood in a dim corner; the firelight was too bright, and the two of them walked past, conversing softly, without noticing her

Suddenly, she smiled faintly with relief, while the ancestor inquired with concern about Su Ying's injuries and also asked about Jing Xuan's hunting achievements. None of them paid attention to her, nor did anyone intend to speak to her, and she found herself troubling over nothing again

You! Jingxian was choked into wide-eyed silence, and upon hearing Yonghe's laughter, she felt even more embarrassed and angry. Just as she was about to continue her sharp retort, she was met with a cold glance from Xiaozhuang. That icy gaze stunned her momentarily, leaving her with her mouth agape, and she dared not continue speaking

Yonghe, who was behind Meili, heard a chuckle and laughed out loud

"Why don't you eat vegetables?" The soft and pleasant voice was still so clear amidst the murmurs of conversation among the crowd, and in that instant, a fleeting illusion made her instinctively shiver, thinking he was asking her.

Dinner was set up in a large tent, with long low tables connected to form a long dining table. Everyone sat cross-legged on leather mats to eat, evoking a somewhat rustic flavor reminiscent of the Jurchens before the pass. Two rows of long tables were adjacent to each other, with one table for men and another for women. The young people seemed particularly fond of this arrangement, as the row of tables backing onto the neighboring one was almost entirely occupied by young men and women.

"Qiu Yuan, you can eat by yourself; your sister doesn't like to eat that." She gently touched Qiu Yuan's chubby little face, realizing that only a child could possess such sincere sympathy