Jiang Xinyue could deduce with her little toe that Consort Jin''s brother had likely been set up and framed by the Empress or some faction allied with her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Why was she so certain?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">1
Because she had jumped into theke herself, and the story about someone grabbing her foot and trying to take her life was a lie she had fabricated deliberately to make the Emperor worry about her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">2
It was also to muddy the waters in the harem, making those who had schemed against her, or were nning to, think twice. Every time they harmed her, she would gain a promotion, and the Emperor would mobilize forces to find the culprit for her sake.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
She was the type of person who would seek revenge a hundred or thousand times over for a single injury.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">1
When Consort Shu hid behind the Dowager Empress to scheme against her, having the Dowager''s people p and warn her, Jiang Xinyue made it so Consort Shu couldn''t even stay in the pce, and her own child had to call someone else "mother."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
In truth, she could have plotted against Consort Shu''s child, but having received a modern education inw and ethics, she had more moral boundaries than these nobledies raised in grand households.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
As long as the women in the harem didn''t harm her unborn child, she wouldn''t harm their children either.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
However, what little kindness she had left also had an edge. If any fool dared to harm the child in her womb while she was pregnant, she would stop at nothing to kill their entire family.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Even if there were young children, she would kill them without hesitation.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">3
"Your Highness, the Imperial Kitchen has prepared a sweet soup with white fungus and lotus seeds today. Imperial Chef Gao specially set aside a bowl for you. It''s been simmering on a small stove and has be quite gtinous. It must be delicious."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Imperial Chef Gao was one of the chefs who had learned cooking from Jiang Xinyue. There was also Imperial Chef Li, who had recently beenpeting with Gao for the position of head of the Imperial Kitchen. The two were no longer as close as before.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Moreover, Jiang Xinyue knew that Imperial Chef Li had already allied himself with Empress Zhu, probably thinking that Jiang Xinyue had already shown all her culinary tricks, and he could now establish himself independently and climb higher, no longer needing to tter Jiang Xinyue.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Imperial Chef Gao was still a grateful person. If it weren''t for her teaching them how to make roast meat and fried chicken, given their seniority, they might still be just errand boys assisting the older chefs with food preparation.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Last winter, she had originally nned to unveil her secret weapon - hot pot - but at that time she was in the Cold Pce. Fried chicken required simpler ingredients than hot pot, so she changed her n to fried chicken.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
At that time, Imperial Chef Gao and Imperial Chef Li had received rewards for this dish at the New Year''s banquet, and their status had risen ordingly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
The old manager of the Imperial Kitchen, who had reached retirement age and was nning to leave the pce, wanted to learn those roast meat and fried chicken recipes to open a small tavern outside. Imperial Chef Gao, knowing these dishes were learned from Jiang Xinyue, said he needed to ask for Concubine Zhen''s permission before responding to the old chef.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
However, Imperial Chef Li, in order to get ahead, secretly approached the old manager to get the recipes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Although the old manager had epted the recipes for the two dishes, he rmended Imperial Chef Gao to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to take over his position.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Because of this, the rtionship between Imperial Chef Li and Imperial Chef Gao had be quite ugly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Jiang Xinyue took the white fungus soup handed to her by Shuang Jiang, sniffed the sweet scent of red dates wafting from it, and set the bowl aside. "Imperial Chef Gao is thoughtful. Go to the Imperial Kitchen and convey my message. Thank him on my behalf and tell him that I very much enjoyed his white fungus and lotus seed soup. Remember to put some gold beans in a pouch for him."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Shuang Jiang nodded and went to the inner chamber.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Jiang Xinyue stirred the soup with one hand while the other rested on her belly, her eyes flickering with alternating light and darkness. "Xiao Xuanzi, follow Shuang Jiang quietly."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Xiao Xuanzi, who had received the order, raised his eyebrows in surprise, but upon seeing her ruthless gaze, he suppressed his feeling of trepidation and bowed his head even more respectfully. "Yes, Your Highness."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Who could it be?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">3
Someone had managed to discover her pregnancy despite her strict precautions, and had even added safflower to her food.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Beneath the sweet soup of white fungus, red dates, and lotus seedsy a handful of bright red safflower.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Those unfamiliar with the effects of safflower might think it was just a new vor from the Imperial Kitchen.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">2
Most women in ancient times had only limited education and weren''t well-versed in herbs that could both nourish and harm the body.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Jiang Xinyue was fortunate to have been born in a future civilized society. Her basic knowledge was thousands of years ahead of the pcedies, allowing her to repeatedly escape assassination attempts.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">1
The reason she so readily agreed to the Dowager Empress''s confinement, not letting the Emperor argue on her behalf, was to follow Consort Li''s method of secluding herself to protect her pregnancy.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Who knew that this ck hand would still reach into Hexi Pce?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
After Shuang Jiang packed the gold beans, she headed towards the Imperial Kitchen. Xiao Xuanzi, catching Jiang Xinyue''s silent gaze, immediately followed her out of Hexi Pce.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Under the moonlight, several people hurried about. Where they were going, and how many eyes were secretly watching them, was unknown to all.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Let''s see who would be impatient enough to reveal themselves first.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Shuang Jiang, hearing the cicadas chirping outside the hall, suddenly looked dejected. She tightened the porcin bottle in her sleeve and, when she reached an inconspicuous rockery, threw a blue bottle into it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
As she left, there were tears on her face.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Xiao Xuanzi, crouching, quietly walked to the rockery and picked up the bottle Shuang Jiang had discarded. He dusted off the dirt and put it into his own sleeve.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">3
The memory of Shuang Jiang delivering coal to Concubine Zhen in the Cold Pce was still fresh in his mind. Xiao Xuanzi really didn''t want Shuang Jiang to do anything to betray her mistress.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
The people of Hexi Pce were all of one mind, having been through so much together. It shouldn''t be like this.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">3
After discarding the bottle, Shuang Jiang hid and cried for a while. After wiping away her tears, she went to the Imperial Kitchen and delivered Jiang Xinyue''s message. In front of many imperial chefs, she gave the pouch filled with gold beans to Imperial Chef Gao.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">2
That pouch was naturally not Concubine Zhen''s handiwork, but was embroidered by the pce maids of Hexi Pce, specifically for rewarding subordinates.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">1
Afterwards, she returned to Hexi Pce, not interacting with anyone from other pces along the way.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">3
"Your Highness, I..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Shuang Jiang''s eyes fell on the small blue porcin bottle on the table, her eyes almost popping out of their sockets.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
She fell to her knees with a "thud," and without a word, started kowtowing repeatedly. After about ten times, blood began to flow from her forehead.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Jiang Xinyue tossed the small porcin vial beside Shuang Jiang''s leg, her expression weary. "I dislike those who y dumb when they know the truth. Back then, you let Jiang Yutong into Xihuo Pce, allowing her to hang herself in the side hall. Whose orders were you following? And now you bring saffron to harm me. How should I deal with you?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">3
Shuang Jiang, disregarding her bleeding forehead, sobbed uncontrobly as she tried to exin herself: "Your Highness, I... I didn''t mean to harm you. I... I was indeed nted as a spy in your household, asionally passing information to the outside. But Your Highness, I swear on my life, apart from Jiang Baolin''s suicide in Xihuo Pce at the beginning, which I was involved in, I had nothing to do with anything else."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Jiang Xinyue felt a twinge of sadness in her heart, sighing at the cruelty and heartlessness of the imperial pce, where one could never truly discern people''s intentions.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0