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墨書 Inktalez
Cining Palace.
The Empress Dowager was dressed in a deep purple robe with auspicious clouds, reclining on the Consort Couch. Her long Azure Silk hair was not tied up but flowed down her back. A palace maid held a delicate comb, gently tending to her hair.
Zhu Xi entered holding a vermilion food tray, on which sat an exquisite small white jade bowl filled with brown liquid. "Your Majesty, it has been half an hour since breakfast; it is time for your medicine."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager frowned slightly. "This medicine is always bitter; it gives me a headache. I have been drinking it for so long without seeing any effect. I might as well not take it."
Zhu Xi chuckled lightly, placing the tray beside her and picking up the small bowl. "Your Majesty is throwing a little tantrum again. How can you get better without taking your medicine? Miss Mo has helped you eliminate the residual poison, and the Imperial Hospital's prescription is meant to strengthen your vitality. They said you need to drink it for a month."
The Empress Dowager waved her hand, frowning. "I won't drink it anymore; just leave it there."
Zhu Xi felt troubled. If it were any other day, it would be fine, but having just been reprimanded by His Majesty, if she did not serve the Empress Dowager diligently, she feared she would be punished!
At that moment, the door curtain was lifted by a palace maid from outside, and Mo Xier entered wearing a pink palace outfit, with silver threads outlining several Crabapple flowers at the cuffs.
The hem of her dress was densely embroidered with sprawling Crabapple Blossom branches. As she turned lightly, her long skirt spread out, and her movements were graceful yet carried a refreshing vigor.
Following closely behind was Green Wisteria, who had changed out of her blue long robe into a snow-blue long skirt. The hem was exquisite and translucent, adorned with blooming white auspicious clouds. Today, she had also applied a touch of crimson on her otherwise pale face, giving her an entirely new appearance.
"Mo Xier already knew that the Empress Dowager would not obediently take her medicine; fortunately, I was prepared." Mo Xier smiled as she approached and bowed to the Empress Dowager, holding a colorful glass bowl that shimmered with light.
Seeing the youthful joy radiating from them both seemed to lift the Empress Dowager's spirits as she sat up curiously to look at what was in Mo Xier's hands and asked, "A few days ago, you brought green bean pastries and pearl milk tea; what new and interesting food have you prepared for me today?"
Mo Xier smiled as she approached, opening the glass bowl for the Empress Dowager to see. Inside was a bowl of soft, glutinous dessert, crystal clear and translucent, wrapped with fresh ginkgo nuts that were clearly visible, resembling exquisite amber. A light sweet aroma wafted from it.
The Empress Dowager's eyes were immediately drawn to it. "What is this?"
Mo Xier replied sweetly, "This is a new dessert I invented recently, called Glazed Jelly. It has a refreshing sweetness and quenches thirst. If you drink your medicine obediently, how about having this afterward?"
Green Wisteria chimed in from behind, "Yesterday, Mo Xier was busy preparing this and only went to bed at midnight. She got up early today to mix the ingredients. Empress Dowager, considering her hard work, please drink your medicine."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager burst into laughter. "You two really think of me as a child to be coaxed."
Looking at the two children who resembled each other, she felt a sense of warmth in her heart. There were many servants in the palace who served diligently, but how many were truly sincere? It was rare to find such pure-heartedness in these two children, and she appreciated their intentions.
Calling for Zhu Xi, she closed her eyes and drank the medicine in one go. The palace maid quickly brought a rinsing cup for her to cleanse her mouth. The Empress Dowager's expression relaxed this time as she eagerly took a silver spoonful of the dessert and put it in her mouth, satisfied like a child. "It really is refreshing and sweet, with just a hint of bitterness from the ginkgo nuts; it's not overly sweet."
Seeing her enjoy it so much made Mo Xier happy as well. "If the Empress Dowager likes it, it’s a blessing for a commoner like me."
In recent days, she had put considerable thought into seeking the Empress Dowager's protection. First, she carefully considered medicinal recipes based on the Empress Dowager's health condition. Later, she learned that without the Emperor's permission, no one could approach the Empress Dowager's meals except for those from the Imperial Medical Institute.
Moreover, after treating the Empress Dowager for poisoning, she had gained considerable fame in the palace and had become a thorn in the side of those old-fashioned Chief Physicians at the Imperial Medical Institute. Given this awkward situation, she had to find another way.
Fortunately, she discovered that every time the Empress Dowager took medicine, it was always bitter and hard to bear. Zhu Xi had tried several times to advise her but found no effective method. The palace had dozens of types of candied fruits; however, either they counteracted the medicine or were too sweet and cloying to be favored by the Empress Dowager.
An idea struck her as she recalled her foodie nature before crossing over. Luckily, ancient China was vast and rich with various snacks. Due to food safety issues back then, she had also tried making things herself when necessary; now it seemed that skill would come in handy.
The items previously sent were always left untouched. This was partly due to the esteemed status of the Empress Dowager, whose meals were personally overseen by the Small Kitchen. Additionally, at that time, the Empress Dowager harbored resentment towards her, feeling that the beauty was the source of the rift between the Emperor and herself, leading to her cold demeanor.
Fortunately, Mo Xi'er had a thick skin and could act coy without blushing or faltering. She spoke of various delicacies as if they were treasures she cherished. The Empress Dowager listened more and more, and her curiosity grew; this curiosity opened the door to Mo Xi'er's fortune.
"It seems the Empress Dowager only likes Mo Xi'er's Glazed Jelly; my Slender Gold Script's Buddhist Verse cannot catch the Empress Dowager's eye," Green Wisteria said, now much livelier than before. Her usually gentle and steady voice carried a hint of playfulness.
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager exclaimed in surprise, "Slender Gold Script? Is it the Buddhist Verse transcribed by the Predecessor Emperor?"
Green Wisteria smiled and nodded, "Indeed."
The Empress Dowager was both surprised and delighted, her voice trembling slightly. "Quickly, let me see it."
Everyone knew that the Predecessor Emperor and the Empress Dowager shared a deep bond. Both enjoyed studying calligraphy and poetry. The Slender Gold Script was created by the Predecessor Emperor specifically for the Empress Dowager and was widely circulated, though few could grasp its essence.
Green Wisteria had copied famous works for many years and had considerable insight. With a desire to please, she naturally knew how to cater to her tastes.
The Empress Dowager took the Buddhist Verse and examined each page carefully with trembling hands, her eyes becoming slightly misty as time passed. She reflected on how she had transformed from a favored young woman who knew little of the world into an Empress Dowager who supported the Emperor, reformed court affairs, and managed the harem. Who could understand the hardships she faced along the way?
Looking at this Slender Gold Script that closely resembled the handwriting of the Predecessor Emperor, she seemed to see that gentle and kind man smiling tenderly at her. Unconsciously, tears filled her eyes.
Mo Xi'er and Green Wisteria stood quietly nearby, not uttering a word.
Though they had not witnessed it firsthand, they could imagine that what supported a fragile woman in bearing such burdens was not only great maternal love but also a promise to her husband—a commitment sustained by endless love through day after day.
At this moment, no one dared to disturb the tranquility.
"The Emperor has arrived." Zhang Zehai's sharp voice shattered the silence.
Green Wisteria and Mo Xier were both startled; the former showed a fleeting expression of joy, while the latter involuntarily took a step back and quickly knelt down.
The Empress Dowager wiped away her tears and carefully put away the Buddhist Verse, tidying her appearance.
Li Ye had just left the court, still dressed in his official robes, and came to pay his respects. The Heavenly Crown on his head made him appear even more imposing: "I pay my respects to the Empress Dowager."
"Quickly rise." Perhaps feeling a bit emotional earlier, the Empress Dowager's voice was slightly hoarse. Looking at her son, now grown up, he did not resemble the Predecessor Emperor or herself, but having grown up by her side, influenced by her presence, she found herself liking him more and more.
"How was your meal today, Empress Dowager? Have you taken your medicine?" Li Ye asked with concern.
Zhu Xi stepped forward to report in detail.
Li Ye nodded frequently, glancing at the ground where two graceful figures were bowed low, making it hard for him to look away.
The Empress Dowager noticed this and felt a pang of regret. She deliberately said, "Emperor, how is the date chosen by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau?"
Li Ye came back to his senses, chuckled lightly upon hearing this, removed his crown, and handed it to Zhang Zehai behind him: "I have already given instructions; results should be forthcoming soon."
The Empress Dowager nodded. Seeing that the Emperor's gaze still occasionally lingered on Mo Xier, she said, "Since Mo Xi'er has already paid her respects, she may withdraw. Green Wisteria's Slender Gold Script earlier was quite pleasing to me; let her stay here to explain a few things to me regarding His Majesty."
The two women, upon hearing this, were eager yet unable to respond.
Mo Xier had been lying on the ground without getting up, but at this moment, she stood up gracefully. Her pink figure moved elegantly, looking as beautiful as a painting and as ethereal as an immortal, causing Li Ye's throat to tighten.
"The Commoner takes her leave." She felt the Emperor's invasive gaze was too intense, so she hurriedly bowed and withdrew.
Li Ye remained still like a mountain, while Zhang Zehai quietly slipped out beside him.
Once Mo Xier exited the main hall of Cining Palace, she finally let out a sigh of relief. Having stayed up too late last night and waking early today to prepare jelly for the Empress Dowager, she was already exhausted and just wanted to rush back to her room to rest, completely unaware of the sly figure behind her.
Suddenly, a large hand covered her mouth forcefully. Startled, she struggled: "Mmm... mmm..."
Unfortunately, the other party was incredibly strong; despite her frantic struggles, she could not break free.
Fear gripped her heart. Who dared to act recklessly in Cining Palace? Was it a jealous concubine who disliked her or someone she had offended without realizing it? In an instant, her mind was in turmoil!
Suddenly, a piece of cloth was stuffed into her mouth, her hands were tied from behind, a bag was placed over her head, and a sharp pain shot through her neck. Everything went dark before she lost consciousness.
Inside Cining Palace, Li Ye wore an unspoken smile at the corner of his mouth.
In Green Wisteria's eyes, it was another moment of flushed cheeks!
The moment Mo Xier opened her eyes, she thought she had arrived in paradise: delicate pink gauze hung down like clouds from the sky, and pearls the size of pigeon eggs sparkled like stars in the air with enchanting light.
She hesitated to get up, the pain in her neck causing her to gasp. Looking down, she realized that the pink palace dress she had been wearing was nowhere to be found.
Now, she was only wrapped in a layer of thin white gauze, as delicate as a cicada's wing. She suddenly sat back down on the bed, trying to cover herself, but no matter how she tried to conceal it, her snow-white skin remained exposed to the air.
This scene made her heart race with anxiety; she was in the imperial palace, and who could have such power to quietly knock her out and take her away in front of so many people?
Was it Noble Ning, Cao Guiren, or those restless concubines who were already stirring? She clutched her head and let out a low growl: who could it be?
Turning around, the luxurious decorations in the room made her gasp again. A blood-red coral, taller than a person, was placed in an exquisite ancient altar.
A screen made of fine mutton-fat jade stood before her, embedded with countless sparkling gems. Even the floor was covered with a thick carved carpet. Mo Xier wiggled her toes and discovered it was made of Qiu Qianshan's spirit fox fur—surprisingly comfortable!
She looked around but couldn't find her clothes, so she had no choice but to curl back into bed, wrapping herself tightly in the thin blanket and trying to calm her mind.
This place was magnificent and incredibly luxurious. The only person capable of bringing her here so stealthily within the palace was one individual, and that was...
"Creak!"
The door was pushed open from the outside, and a familiar set of footsteps entered.
Mo Xier immediately lay down again, covering herself with the brocade blanket to pretend to sleep.
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