Chapter Fifty-Five: This Is the Imperial Palace

The atmosphere suddenly became awkward. Having finished preparing the dishes, Hua Rong glanced at Jun Yeli, who showed no intention of leaving, and found herself at a loss for what to do.

“Um… Your Majesty, shouldn’t you be accompanying Lady Yu tonight? Isn’t it rather inappropriate for you to be here with me…” She hesitated. Running off to another concubine’s quarters on the wedding night—wasn’t that just asking for gossip?

Though she had just uttered words that went against her true feelings, Hua Rong still valued her life above all else. On such a special day, she could not afford to make herself the center of attention.

At her words, Jun Yeli let out a soft laugh. “What? Are you so eager to see me favor another woman?”

Hua Rong found herself utterly speechless. “Although we are husband and wife, I have no desire for such deadly favor.”

She pursed her lips, forcing a reluctant smile as she shook her head. “Your Majesty, of course I wish for you to stay. But Lady Yu is of special status, a woman sent by foreign envoys. She cannot be neglected, or there will be consequences.”

Jun Yeli nodded thoughtfully. “Since you wish so earnestly for me to stay, then I won’t leave tonight. Go prepare the meal—I find myself a bit hungry.”

With that declaration, Jun Yeli seemed to have entirely ignored the latter half of her words.

Hua Rong was stunned, her mind buzzing. “Your Majesty, I think you may have misunderstood my meaning…”

Was that really what she meant to say?

“What is it? Are you not welcoming me after all?” Jun Yeli looked back at her with every step, his expression shifting with her every word.

“No, no, please, Your Majesty, sit down. I’ll go make the meal.” Hua Rong shook her head, carrying the prepared vegetables and heading straight to the kitchen.

She dared not linger in conversation; another word or two, and the emperor might lose patience and kill her before any of the other women had the chance.

In the kitchen, the sound of chopping and frying echoed one after another.

Outside, Chunxia listened anxiously until she could bear it no longer and hurried in. “My lady, what are you doing? Please don’t do anything hasty!”

Hua Rong had never entered the kitchen herself before, let alone caused such a commotion. Nothing good could come of this!

Hearing her, Hua Rong turned around and, recognizing Chunxia, let out a small sigh of relief before pursing her lips in resignation. “What are you doing here?”

She was already vexed and wished for nothing less than to be disturbed.

Chunxia, equally helpless, replied, “My lady, there is such a ruckus in here, and you never step into the kitchen. How could I not come see for myself? Are you…making meatballs?”

She eyed the mass of meat that Hua Rong was mincing. Anyone who didn’t know better would think she was preparing for murder rather than cooking.

Chunxia couldn’t help but shiver, realizing for the first time that beneath Hua Rong’s exquisite exterior lay a rather fierce heart.

“No, I’m making meat patties,” Hua Rong replied crisply. With Chunxia hovering there, she felt her performance was being hampered, so she waved a hand. “Go on now, it’s best if you wait on the emperor outside. I can’t handle hosting such an honored guest alone!”

Were it not for her need to escape Jun Yeli’s wicked grasp, Hua Rong would hardly confine herself to the kitchen, surrounded by rice and oil.

With that, she grasped the knives and began chopping again, the sound echoing forcefully.

Chunxia tugged at the corner of her mouth, at a loss for what to do, and finally nodded. “Then I’ll take my leave, my lady. Good luck!”

She hurried out, leaving Hua Rong to shoulder the arduous task alone.

Nearly two hours passed, and as dusk fell, Hua Rong finally emerged from the kitchen, shedding her apron as if shedding a burden.

Returning to the courtyard, she found Su Xin standing silently nearby, uncertain when she had returned.

“Su Xin, why didn’t you let me know you were back?”

Hua Rong hurried over, delight on her face, but as she drew near, she sensed something was amiss. “Wait—what happened to your face?”

At her question, Su Xin shook her head quickly, fear in her voice. “It’s nothing, my lady. I was just slapped twice…”

And that was considered nothing? Su Xin’s capacity for understatement was truly astounding.

“What exactly happened? Tell me everything!” Hua Rong could no longer keep calm.

She only had a handful of maids, and now one had been cast aside—how could she swallow such a humiliation?

Hua Rong simply could not accept it. As she listened to Su Xin recount the whole affair, her brows knitted in anger. “It’s one thing for them to bully me, but to torment an innocent maid as well—how could such narrow-minded women be worthy of the emperor’s favor?”

She could understand being targeted herself—the harem was a battlefield, after all—but Su Xin was innocent.

“My lady, let’s just let it go. Our own safety is what matters most. The emperor has just married a new consort and is clearly enamored with novelty. If you act rashly now, you may only lower his opinion of you.”

Su Xin tugged at Hua Rong’s sleeve, unwilling to dwell further on the matter. She only wanted to remind her mistress to avoid Lady Jia in the future.

To her surprise, Hua Rong’s spirits lifted. “You’re right—that makes perfect sense.”

As long as the emperor grew to dislike her, wouldn’t that solve everything?

“Oh, I have some healing ointment in my room. Go apply it, so you don’t end up with an unsightly scar or a swollen face tomorrow.”

Upon learning that Consort Wen had sent her some ointment, Hua Rong was slightly surprised but said nothing further.

As it was time for dinner, she took Su Xin with her to where the emperor was waiting.

Seeing him standing motionless in the courtyard, Hua Rong was puzzled. “Your Majesty, what are you doing there?”

“Are you not afraid to keep such a large animal in your courtyard?” Jun Yeli asked, staring at the sheep penned up nearby, which was nearly as tall as he was.

Most women would have fainted at the sight, but here was a young lady raising one herself!

Hua Rong smiled gently. “Your Majesty, this sheep is quite docile. One day, I’ll borrow another and let them keep each other company. It’ll liven up the courtyard!”

Her rustic enthusiasm left Jun Yeli completely speechless. Gritting his teeth, he replied, “Consort Rong, do not forget—this is the imperial palace…”