Chapter 7
[Woo-woo, Lower Concubine Liu's breakfast is so bountiful—beef rolls, sliced mutton, longan steamed buns, salted eggs...]
Xiao Chuchu was in her swaddling clothes, watching Lower Concubine Liu and Consort Min dine together, her mouth almost watering.
Unfortunately, she hadn't grown teeth yet.
[These steamed buns, one bite at a time, with the juice still oozing from inside, is this the legendary filling of 80% lean and 20% fat meat? I can smell the savory aroma even from my cradle.]
Lower Concubine Liu was picking up a longan steamed bun, hearing her daughter's craving thoughts, her eyes brimming with laughter.
Her daughter will definitely grow up to be a foodie.
For her daughter, she must strive to rise in status.
Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many of her daughter's favorite dishes on the breakfast table.
Lower Concubine Liu thought to herself, accompanying her daughter's thoughts, she ended up eating more than usual.
Even Consort Min was stuffed.
Having company, being entertained by the little one, and being able to eat meat, Consort Min unknowingly ate twice her usual amount this morning.
Not long after, an eunuch from the Empress' Kunning Palace came to deliver a message.
"The maid who committed the offense has been handed over to the Ministry of Justice for severe punishment, and further investigations will continue to determine if anyone instigated her!"
"Consort Min is to select a reliable wet nurse to take care of Lower Concubine Liu and the little Princess from today onwards."
Consort Min immediately acknowledged the order.
"Lower Concubine Liu was distressed last night, the Empress excuses her from morning court and allows her a month's rest, rewarding her with a jade ruyi scepter and three bolts of Sichuan satin."
"Lower Concubine Liu's maid Qiuli, who protected her mistress, is rewarded twenty taels of silver and three bolts of Hangzhou silk."
Lower Concubine Liu also knelt to express her gratitude.
[The Empress is so good at winning hearts, eh? Well, she's competing with the Noble Consort, so she has to rally the consorts and concubines in the harem!]
[But she and the Noble Consort are both vicious hypocrites.]
Xiao Chuchu harrumphed and blew raspberries, eyeing the kind-looking eunuch sent by the Empress with skepticism.
[My birth mother is of humble origins, so the Empress is only too happy to keep her in the palm of her hand, offering her little favors and securing my brother's allegiance as a Prince.]
[But once my birth mother and brother start to shine and threaten the Empress and her Crown Prince's favor, they'll be the first she eliminates.]
[Concubine Rong who once enjoyed the Emperor's affection, and her unnamed infant son who died prematurely, were victims of the Empress.]
Lower Concubine Liu felt her heart gripped for a moment.
Wasn't Concubine Rong the Empress' cousin?
When Concubine Rong was alive, the Empress often rewarded her and even granted her a seat in Kunning Palace.
Before Concubine Rong gave birth, the Empress inquired after her well-being and sent two imperial physicians to attend to her.
The entire harem knew that offending Concubine Rong was tantamount to offending the Empress.
Yet the Empress was only putting on an act, being so vicious behind the scenes?
[The Empress has informants around every consort and prince.]
[Ah, my brother should have one around him too... but I can't recall their name at the moment...]
What!
Lower Concubine Liu's previously relaxed expression instantly tensed up.
"Lower Concubine Liu, there's no need to be so guarded. The Empress has always been magnanimous."
The eunuch from Kunning Palace, seeing Lower Concubine Liu's solemn kneeling posture and how she didn't even dare to breathe heavily, smiled and helped her up.
Yet at his touch, Lower Concubine Liu thought of Concubine Rong and her infant son who died at the Empress' hands, and her body stiffened even more, her expression grave.
The eunuch couldn't help but nod inwardly, this Lower Concubine Liu was no threat.
"The Empress' message has been delivered, so I shall take my leave."
Consort Min slipped him a small money pouch, which he accepted into his sleeve without changing his expression before turning to leave.
"Sister, we need to select a trustworthy new maid for the little Princess."
Consort Min pondered, not noticing Lower Concubine Liu's change of demeanor.
"Here's what we'll do, I'll have my mother recommend two, she has some connections with the Head Eunuch of the Imperial Household Department through her family's third paternal uncle."
Upon hearing this, Lower Concubine Liu was overjoyed and sincerely expressed her gratitude, "Thank you so much, Sister!"
Consort Min smiled, "Thank me? Then just bring the little Princess along to dine with me more often from now on."
Lower Concubine Liu was stunned for a moment, then found it endearing.
[Ah, Aunt Consort Min's wish is so simple and unadorned.]
[No wonder everyone else in the harem thinks she's a vegetarian, only my birth mother persuades her to eat meat secretly.]
Lower Concubine Liu suppressed her laughter, took the bracelet and hollow golden ball fragrance case gifted by Consort Min, and returned to her side palace with her daughter.
Xiao Chuchu felt the gold bracelet tucked in her swaddling clothes and the hollow carved golden ball fragrance case, her mouth stretched into a wide grin.
Lower Concubine Liu couldn't help but poke her daughter's tiny nose before planting a kiss on it.
Her daughter was truly her blessing.
As for the Empress, she would have to tread carefully from now on.
Lower Concubine Liu reminded herself sternly upon returning to her chambers.
Inside, the burning charcoal fire was vigorous, soon giving off wisps of grey smoke.
Lower Concubine Liu frowned.
She couldn't let her daughter suffer with her.
She had to climb higher!
If what her daughter said was true, that she would meet an ill fate if she didn't fight or struggle, then she might as well fight!
She couldn't let those tragic events her daughter foresaw come to pass.
She had to gain a firm foothold in the harem, allow her reincarnated little Princess to grow up happily and healthily!
*
In Kunning Palace.
"Your Majesty, Consort Min has punished Concubine Chen by confining her to copy sutras."
The kind-looking eunuch who had just delivered the message knelt respectfully before a woman in her late twenties wearing a regal yellow phoenix robe.
Despite her age, she remained stunningly beautiful, with dignified features and a benevolent air. However, if Lower Concubine Liu were present, she would be horrified.
Just as Xiao Chuchu's thoughts revealed, the Empress had planted informants around the consorts, concubines, and princes.
Consort Min had just punished Concubine Chen during that morning's meal, but in less than half an hour, the Empress already knew about it.
Clearly, they had an informant in Donghua Palace too, possibly more than one!
"Concubine Chen was most likely involved in the plot to harm the Third Princess."
The eunuch bowed and said, "Just as Your Majesty suspected, Consort Min is not as oblivious as she appears, merely devoted to Buddhism. She has some intelligence as well."
"After all, she is the legitimate daughter of a second-rank official."
The Empress pursed her dignified lips, taking up a pair of silver scissors and smiling as she snipped off a fully bloomed crimson peony.
"And what of Lower Concubine Liu?"
The eunuch immediately smiled, "A petty character, nervous and flustered in front of this servant, without a hint of dignified bearing. No wonder she bore a Prince and a Princess without catching the Emperor's eye, she is no threat."
The Empress smiled and nodded, "Send word to the Study, have the Imperial Tutor examine the Princes today."
Like mother, like son.
The son of such a lowly concubine would surely not be qualified for major responsibilities.
The throne would ultimately belong to her elder brother.
By distancing the Fifth Prince from the throne, he could then become her elder brother's aid!
And Lower Concubine Liu would obediently remain under her control!
*
In the side palace of Donghua Palace.
Lying on the inner side of the bed, Xiao Chuchu watched as her beautiful birth mother played peekaboo with her using a silk handkerchief.
As a non-infant reincarnator, she wasn't amused by such games.
But her birth mother was so breathtakingly beautiful, surpassing modern celebrities, watching her appear and disappear from behind the azure blue silk handkerchief was truly a visual delight.
However, soon the sound of system notifications rang out.
[Yesterday's palace intrigue score has been tallied.]
[Total score: 125.]
[You can now unlock one term draw (100 points per draw)]