Chapter 5, Mooncakes

Su Feng lost her temper, "Your Highness, have you been wronged? Why are you instead advising this servant?"

"Your Highness, are you feeling homesick?" asked the palace maid Qiufeng

The current Ye family bears a striking resemblance to the former Xu family. History seems like a colossal wheel, which not only moves forward but also turns, repeatedly recounting stories that have once transpired

You are still living well, so why are you crying? Stop crying quickly

The moonlight is like a thin layer of mist, lingering and not dissipating. It is very quiet all around, with unknown insects chirping, adding a touch of tranquility to this autumn night

That night, Ji Wujiu strolled around Kun Ning Palace and then came out, without staying overnight. This is a very clear signal: the Emperor is extremely displeased with the Empress

Zhuangzi did not weep even when his wife passed away; you are merely mourning the death of a cat

If you ask me, you should change your temperament; it's not a big deal at all said Ye Zhenzhen with a smile

Ji Wujiao was very pleased to hear these words outside. There is a saying among the people that goes well: it is not fear of not recognizing goods, but fear of comparing goods. The virtuous consort, when viewed alone, may only be seen as a beautiful and understanding clever woman, but when placed alongside Ye Zhenzhen, the difference is immediately apparent. Ji Wujiao discovered that with Ye Zhenzhen's presence, the women in his harem appeared more beautiful.

However, it seems that the Empress Dowager has a great fondness for the Noble Consort, as she, who is usually sparing with her words, often engages in longer conversations with the Noble Consort. Those around them observe this with envy.

Therefore, during the family banquet that evening, several concubines perked up and chatted for a while. Noticing that the Emperor showed little interest, they soon dispersed.

During these days when Ye Zhenzhen went to Cining Palace to pay her respects, the Empress Dowager's attitude towards her was rather indifferent. Of course, this coldness was concealed within her usual character of being serene and reserved, making it difficult for others to notice.

Ji Wujiao was somewhat surprised. Has Ye Zhenzhen finally come to her senses?

Indeed, having first gained the favor of His Majesty, and now enjoying the affection of Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, this virtuous consort has only been in the palace for a few days, yet she has already become a person of great interest, given some time...

After Ye Zhenzhen fell asleep, Su Yue and Su Feng chatted quietly in the outer room, their voices kept low.

Su Yue said: "Your Highness, although Su Feng's words may not be pleasant to hear, they are indeed reasonable. You should also pay attention to this. The Emperor ... ... "

Enough, enough, "Ye Zhenzhen felt annoyed as soon as she heard those two words. "Why bring him up again when everything was fine? Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and I want to eat mooncakes with lotus seed paste.

Ye Zhenzhen was sitting in front of the mirror, having Su Yue help her remove her makeup. Upon hearing this, she glanced at Su Feng, who was adding sweet dream incense to the censer, her brows furrowed together, making one want to gently smooth them out.

Ye Zhenzhen was already at the Luhua Palace, keenly enjoying the sight of the weeping Li Fei, who was crying like a rain-soaked pear blossom, while pretentiously trying to console her. Ji Wujiao could not help but frown upon hearing her words of persuasion.

The Empress Dowager does not particularly like Ye Zhenzhen. While most people may not notice, Ye Zhenzhen can feel it. In fact, those who understand some old stories might also guess that the Empress Dowager's maternal family, the Xu clan, once held considerable power, but later... they were severely dealt with by Ye Xiu.

Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival. As per tradition, on the first and fifteenth of each month, the Emperor will visit the Kun Ning Palace. We must prepare well and cannot let the Empress's temperament dictate our actions.

After Ji Wujiao roughly understood what was going on, he appeared with great swagger. Such a malignant incident had actually occurred in the imperial harem, and now he needed to have a serious talk with the Empress.

The destructive power of the small mooncake is immense. That evening, during the family banquet, Ji Wujiao's gloomy mood had not yet lifted. One cannot really blame him; he was born as the legitimate eldest son of the royal family, raised in luxury and comfort. After being named the crown prince at the age of eight, the grandeur only increased, and naturally, he became more cautious and meticulous about what he consumed. His palate was practically cultivated from gold and jade. It can be said that what he considers to be mediocre in taste would be regarded by ordinary people as a rare delicacy. So, what if even ordinary people find something so unpalatable that it is utterly despairing...

At this moment, however, a eunuch suddenly rushed in with urgent news: "Your Majesty, there has been an incident at the Luhua Palace!"

Li Fei hurriedly stopped her crying and, in turn, choked back her sobs to comfort Ye Zhenzhen, ultimately dispelling her thoughts.

However ... ...

Then he became completely unwell

The atmosphere was so pleasant. The virtuous consort had been persuaded by Ji Wujiu to drink a few cups of wine, and her cheeks were already flushed, her charming eyes sparkling like waves. Ji Wujiu also felt a warmth rising within him, and he picked her up horizontally, playfully kissing her on the cherry lips, before intending to enter the room to attend to serious matters

On this night, Ji Wujiao was destined to spend the most exhausting Mid-Autumn Festival of his life. He moved from place to place as if he were rushing to various performances, changing locations several times within a single night

Upon thinking of this, the virtuous consort involuntarily let out a sigh

The virtuous consort suddenly recalled the highest instruction her father had given her when she left home: she must ensure that the emperor deposes the empress

Therefore, it is understandable that Ji Wujiao's mouth has suffered the most severe blow since he has had memories, and his temporary emotional low is also justifiable

That little creature must have been destined to be connected with you in a past life, and in this life, it has come to shield you from disaster. The cause and effect are predetermined by heaven, and cannot be forced. Its death for your sake may be a form of good karma for it

He walked into the Moon Invitation Palace with a smile. Upon seeing Ji Wujiao, the virtuous consort was both surprised and delighted, her heart seemingly filled with a thousand words, yet when the words reached her lips, she swallowed them back, her beautiful eyes glistening with tears as she gazed at him. In that moment, Ji Wujiao felt a sense of satisfaction as a man, enjoying wine and admiring the moon with her, resembling a pair of immortal lovers.

After returning from the family banquet, the virtuous consort was persistently enveloped by a faint sense of melancholy. She stood before the steps of the Invitation to the Moon Palace, gazing at the round jade-like moon in the sky, lost in thought

Therefore, by the time he arrived at the Luhua Palace, his complexion was quite poor

Su Feng still wanted to persuade her, but Su Yue gave her a glance, and the two had no choice but to continue the conversation about the mooncakes, successfully coaxing Ye Zhenzhen into a happy state before she went to bed

At that time, Ye Xiuming's name was not solely for the sake of his own power and status. The Xu family was like a century-old giant tree, flourishing with abundant branches and leaves. Many members of the clan held high-ranking official positions, forming a significant faction in the court, to the extent that even the actions of the late emperor had to consider their sentiments. Ye Xiuming could not stand by and watch, so he allied with the late emperor to prune this great tree. Although that conflict did not result in any loss of life, it severely weakened the Xu clan, which has yet to recover to this day. Ye Xiuming could not stand by and watch, so he allied with the late emperor to prune this great tree. Although that conflict did not result in any loss of life, it severely weakened the Xu clan, which has yet to recover to this day

Do not even mention cooking, as you are well aware of the Empress's culinary skills. The young master has said that after eating her dishes, one only wishes for death. If we were to present the mooncakes she made to the Emperor, it could very well be a grave crime of treason

If given time, will not the Empress be oppressed by her! Su Feng's expression was stern. She endured for a long time before speaking so subtly, after all, phrases like "having the phoenix seal taken away" are indeed rather inauspicious

Indeed, I have heard that during this season, the ladies of the various palaces personally make mooncakes to present to the Emperor as a token of their sentiments. Our Empress...

Ye Zhenzhen was lying in bed at this moment, her eyes wide open. Having slept a bit too much during the day, she was now experiencing some insomnia. Her hearing was exceptionally good, and she could hear the conversations outside clearly, which made her mind suddenly feel enlightened.

The next day at noon, Ji Wujiao received two plates of mooncakes sent from Kun Ning Palace. The young eunuch who brought them specifically informed Feng Youde that these were personally made by Her Majesty the Empress, and requested that the Emperor must taste the Empress's heartfelt offering. Feng Youde, unable to gauge the Empress's intentions at the moment, reported to Ji Wujiao word for word.

Su Feng, go to Kun Ning Palace and fetch some jewelry to calm down Consort Li. Remember to bring the large sandalwood toad that I recently acquired; it is part of a set, along with twelve smaller toads. Bring them all.

Looking at the mooncake again, it was small and cute, with a yolk of just the right size. It was embossed with auspicious phrases such as "May the flowers bloom and the moon be full" and "May the country be prosperous and the people live in peace," making it quite appealing. His dislike for Ye Zhenzhen diminished somewhat as he picked up a piece and took a big bite.

Moreover, since she received the second toad, the Emperor has not turned over her牌子 for several days

It is not easy to talk about the aftermath. Ye Zhenzhen appears simple-minded on the surface, yet she is exceptionally intelligent and unpredictable, making her difficult to fathom.

Such words should not be heard by me a second time. Once you enter the palace gates, this imperial palace becomes my home