Chapter 196: Mother’s Smell
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Yu Wan’s gaze turned cold. She reached out and grabbed her wrist.
Worthy Consort Xu did not expect this s.l.u.t to dare to stop her and even profane her Imperial Consort body with her dirty hands!
Worthy Consort Xu instinctively wanted to pull her wrist out of Yu Wan’s hand. However, she had been pampered in the palace all year round, unlike Yu Wan who worked all year round and was so strong that she had no place to use her strength. Worthy Consort Xu felt as if her wrist was held by a cold iron pincer and she could not move at all!
She shouted, “Insolence!”
“Miss Yu, let go of Her Highness.” The nanny in charge also walked over.
!!
Yu Wan looked at the nanny in charge. “I didn’t introduce myself. You even know my surname?”
She had long broken the window paper. In that case, she was just slapping the master and servant’s faces. The in charge nanny was not as angry as Worthy Consort Xu. She only sighed softly. “Miss Yu, let go of Her Highness first.”
Yu Wan looked at Worthy Consort Xu. “Then she has to promise not to hit me.”
Worthy Consort Xu said coldly, “I’m the Imperial Consort. So what if I hit you? You actually dare to be so disrespectful to me. This is a capital crime!”
Yu Wan said indifferently, “Then I can only drag you down with me.”
Worthy Consort Xu’s pupils constricted! What did this girl say? She wanted her to die with her? Was she crazy to say such treasonous words?
The nanny in charge also looked at Yu Wan in surprise. She did not expect Yu Wan to threaten Worthy Consort Xu. Was she really not afraid of power?
Of course not. In Yu Wan’s heart, she still had a sense of reverence for those in power. However, that was under the premise that she could live. She had never valued her backbone more than her life. A kowtow or a bow of her head had nothing to do with life and death. However, there was a kind of person in the world. Even if you bowed down to her and were in the dust, she would still trample on you ruthlessly, wishing she could stomp you to death.
No matter what, she would die. Why should she die aggrieved?
“I’ll execute your entire family!” Worthy Consort Xu was furious.
“If Her Highness dies, how will you execute my family?”
“You…”
At that point, Yu Wan believed that Yan Jiuchao would protect her family no matter what. However, Yu Wan did not think that Worthy Consort Xu would really fight her to the death.
The nanny in charge said earnestly, “Miss Yu, let’s talk nicely. After all, this is the palace. It’s already very disrespectful for you to offend the Imperial Consort as a commoner. If word gets out, it’s indeed enough to sentence you to death.”
Yu Wan looked at Worthy Consort Xu without blinking and said, “Then does Her Highness promise not to hit me?”
Worthy Consort Xu snorted coldly.
Yu Wan calmly let go of Worthy Consort Xu.
In the next second, Worthy Consort Xu slapped Yu Wan with her other hand. Her speed was so fast that it was jaw-dropping.
Yu Wan easily avoided it.
Worthy Consort Xu missed and staggered a few steps, almost falling to the ground. After stabilizing herself, Worthy Consort Xu glared at Yu Wan angrily. “Guards! Take her down!”
The eunuchs outside the hall rushed in and surrounded Yu Wan.
Yu Wan’s eyes turned cold. “Your Highness, aren’t you afraid that the Young Master Manor will cause trouble for you if you kill me?”
“Young Master Manor?” Worthy Consort Xu narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “What’s your relationship with the Young Master Manor?”
They had an ambiguous relationship. Of course, it was not good to make this clear to Worthy Consort Xu. Yu Wan avoided the main point and said, “I’m the savior of the three little young masters of the Young Master Manor. Could it be that Her Highness missed such an important piece of information when you were asking about me? It seems that Her Highness’s spies are not very good…”
The man in black behind the screen lowered his head. Worthy Consort Xu was anxious to have the report There were indeed many things he did not investigate.
Worthy Consort Xu stared fixedly at Yu Wan, trying to see any flaws on her face. However, she was disappointed. Yu Wan’s expression was open and her eyes did not dodge at all.
The nanny in charge whispered, “Your Highness, the little masters of the Young Master Manor was once kidnapped by a kidnapper. They were saved in Lotus Flower Town.”
Yu Wan was from Lotus Flower Village.
Yu Wan gave her another dose of medicine. “If you don’t believe me, you can send someone to the Young Master Manor to investigate.”
Since she had said so, Worthy Consort Xu naturally believed her. However, she seemed to have thought of something and suddenly sneered. “You wanted to use me to bring the news of you being trapped to the Young Master Manor. I almost fell for your trap.”
Yu Wan was shocked. This woman was really rational. She was clearly about to die of anger, but she was not confused at all.
Worthy Consort Xu dusted her sleeves and calmly sat back down on the main seat. “I knew it. Who gave you the guts to go against me? Young Master Manor? It’s indeed enough for me to give you some face.”
Yu Wan looked at her. “Is it just enough to give me some face, Your Highness?”
Worthy Consort Xu’s smile faded. “Don’t take things too far. Do you really think you’re foolproof? You probably don’t know yet, but Yan Jiuchao has already left the city. Even if I bring the news to the Young Master Manor, no one will rush over to save you.”
Yu Wan clenched her fists. That fellow actually left the Capital at this critical juncture. Could it be that the heavens wanted her dead?
“But Young Master Yan will come back eventually…”
“It’s already too late.” Worthy Consort Xu arrogantly interrupted Yu Wan. “Don’t scare me. Since I dare to deal with you, I have a hundred ways to not be afraid of him settling the score.”
Yes, she was in her hands. Wasn’t the truth all on how Worthy Consort Xu said? By the time Yan Jiuchao returned, Worthy Consort Xu had already killed her. This woman was terrifyingly scheming. She was much harder to deal with than Yan Ruyu.
Worthy Consort Xu said coldly, “Someone, take her away!”
“Mrs. Xiao has arrived—”
Outside the hall, a loud and clear message sounded.
Worthy Consort Xu’s expression turned cold. Before she could say anything to stop them, a team of guards rushed in murderously. Then, Shangguan Yan walked in unhurriedly.
She was wearing a white dress with wide sleeves and a translucent light golden gauze dress. Her entire body was shining like the sun. The beauties of the six palaces instantly lost their color in front of her.
Shangguan Yan’s appearance instantly made the originally elegant and poised Worthy Consort Xu look like a piece of trash.
Worthy Consort Xu’s face darkened. “Mrs. Xiao, do you know that bringing a group of men into my bedchamber is a capital crime?”
Shangguan Yan smiled and said, “They’re all eunuchs of the Yan Manor. Strictly speaking, they’re not men. Why? Your Highness, you don’t believe me? Take off your pants!”
The guards really went to take off their pants.
Yu Wan’s heart skipped a beat! What kind of operation is this?!
Worthy Consort Xu turned her face away in disgust.
The nanny stood in front of her and said to Shangguan Yan, “Mrs. Xiao!”
Shangguan Yan waved her hand, and the guards tied their pants back.
Worthy Consort Xu gave the nanny in charge a look, and the nanny moved to the side. Worthy Consort Xu looked at Shangguan Yan in the middle of the hall and asked with a cold expression, “Mrs. Xiao, why did you bring a group of eunuchs to barge into the Xianfu Palace?”
Shangguan Yan smiled brightly and said, “I don’t have any special intentions. I just wanted to eat the dishes from the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, but when I went to the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, I realized that their chef had been invited away.”
These words were not enough to fool a fool.
Worthy Consort Xu’s eyes were cold as she said, “So you brought your guards to my Xianfu Palace to s.n.a.t.c.h her?”
Shangguan Yan said shamelessly, “No, no. How could I dare to s.n.a.t.c.h her from Her Highness? I came to Her Highness’s palace to freeload.” As she spoke, she glanced coldly at Yu Wan and said in a teasing tone, “What are you still doing here? Do you want to starve Her Highness and I to death? Hurry up and cook!”
“Yes.” Yu Wan bowed and walked out of the hall.
“Wait, did I let you leave?” Worthy Consort Xu called out to Yu Wan indifferently.
Yu Wan happened to walk to Shangguan Yan’s side. Although she did not know how Shangguan Yan got the news, she understood that Shangguan Yan was here to help her out. She glanced at Shangguan Yan from the corner of her eye. Shangguan Yan raised her hand and kept her gaze on Worthy Consort Xu. “You go first.”
Worthy Consort Xu’s face turned cold. “I didn’t agree to let her go!”
Shangguan Yan’s smile faded. “Worthy Consort.”
The experts of both sides revealed ferocious looks, and the atmosphere in the hall instantly became tense.
Worthy Consort Xu said disdainfully, “Shangguan Yan, do you really think you’re still the Princess Consort Yan of back then? From the day you remarried, you’re no longer a member of the royal family. I advise you not to refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit. I can let you off for trespa.s.sing into the Xianfu Palace, but you can’t take this woman away!”
Shangguan Yan grabbed Yu Wan’s hand. “What if I have to take her away?”
Worthy Consort Xu smiled. “Then I can only arrest you too.”
As soon as she finished speaking, another voice sounded outside the hall. “His Majesty has arrived—”
Worthy Consort Xu’s eyebrows twitched. Why was His Majesty here at this time? She looked at Shangguan Yan at the side. Shangguan Yan smiled smugly at her. She gritted her teeth secretly. It was Shangguan Yan who invited the Emperor! It was a pity that this woman did not enter into the harem!
Worthy Consort Xu and Shangguan Yan personally went to the main hall to welcome the Emperor. Yu Wan was left behind in the side hall. Shangguan Yan’s guards surrounded her. The experts of the Xianfu Palace were eyeing her covetously, and killing intent was about to erupt.
“Greetings, Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty.” Worthy Consort Xu put on a gentle smile and gently bowed.
Shangguan Yan also went forward and bowed. “Greetings, Your Majesty.”
A trace of surprise flashed across the Emperor’s eyes. “Mrs. Xiao is here too?”
Worthy Consort Xu opened her mouth and was about to complain to her when Shangguan Yan beat her to it. “Yes, yes, Her Highness invited me!”
Worthy Consort Xu was dumbfounded. When did I invite you?
Just as she was about to explain, the Emperor spoke again. “You called me and Mrs. Xiao. Is there a surprise?”
“Of course! Her Highness hired a powerful chef from the commoners and wanted to make a good meal for His Majesty!” Shangguan Yan’s mouth was so fast that Worthy Consort Xu couldn’t interrupt even if she wanted to.
“I see.” The Emperor looked at Worthy Consort Xu with a gentler gaze. “Ever since I recovered from my illness, my appet.i.te has not been good. My beloved concubine, you are considerate.”
It was impossible to say that the chef was not hired for the Emperor. Worthy Consort Xu could only suffer in silence.
“Your Highness, His Majesty is already here. You can ask the chef to prepare dinner,” Shangguan Yan said to Worthy Consort Xu with a smile. She did not give Worthy Consort Xu a chance to speak at all and hurriedly said to the Emperor, “Your Majesty, you don’t know this, but Your Highness has invited the chef of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, the restaurant that won the Tianxiang Restaurant in the Master Chef Compet.i.tion. Their restaurant has a female chef who is very good at cooking. It’s said that she’s the second Madam Du!”
“Is that so?” The Emperor had also heard of Madam Du, but he had no chance to taste her cooking. “Hurry up and serve the dishes. I’m hungry.”
… .
On the other hand, Master Qin was blocked by Eunuch Wu in the small kitchen and couldn’t even let out a fly. Master Qin was so anxious that he was in a terrible fix. He almost had the thought of suffocating Eunuch Wu with a rolling pin. Fortunately, Yu Wan appeared in time.
“Miss Yu?” Eunuch Wu was stunned.
Yu Wan said expressionlessly, “His Majesty asked me to cook. May I go in?”
Eunuch Wu was dumbfounded. “Of, of course.”
Yu Wan entered the small kitchen.
Master Qin pulled her to a corner and sized her up.
“I’m not injured.” It was just that her knees hurt a little after kneeling for a long time.
Master Qin heaved a sigh of relief and asked, “What happened? What did Worthy Consort say to you? Why did she detain you for so long?”
Yu Wan said, “It’s a long story.”
Master Qin thought for a while. “Did she misunderstand your relationship with the Second Prince and make things difficult for you?”
“Yes.” Yu Wan nodded.
“This is my fault!” Master Qin slapped his forehead.
Yu Wan said calmly, “You can’t stop Worthy Consort Xu from summoning me. I don’t blame you.”
Even so, Master Qin still blamed himself. Fortunately, Yu Wan was fine, but what if something happened? He would probably have a guilty conscience for the rest of his life.
Master Qin thought of something and said, “By the way, you said that His Majesty is here. What’s going on?”
Yu Wan walked to the stove and opened the jar of stinky tofu. “I’ll tell you later. Cook first. Don’t let His Majesty wait.”
… .
In the main hall, the Emperor sat down with Worthy Consort Xu and Shangguan Yan.
Worthy Consort Xu had suffered a loss in silence and was unwilling to accept it. Naturally, she would not let Shangguan Yan let her go for nothing. She looked at the Emperor at the upper seat and smiled gently. “Since Your Majesty wants to taste the culinary skills of that ‘Little Madam Du’, why don’t you let her cook all the dishes today?”
These were all small matters. What the Emperor really cared about was Worthy Consort Xu’s intentions, so he immediately agreed.
Worthy Consort Xu lowered her eyes and plucked the floating tea leaves with the lid of her cup. She did not believe that a country b.u.mpkin’s culinary skills could be any good! When the time came, His Majesty would be unhappy with her and she could punish her openly. That would save her from dirtying her hands.
When Master Qin heard that it was Chef Yu Wan, his legs immediately went limp. Miss Yu was good at making stinky tofu, but other dishes… were simply a disaster… What if they made the Emperor vomit? Would he chop off their heads in anger?
“I, I, I… I think we should make a stinky tofu banquet. Fried stinky tofu, fried stinky tofu, steamed stinky tofu…”
Master Qin was counting with his fingers when Yu Wan carried the vegetable basket and left.
Master Qin’s expression changed. “W-what are you doing?”
Yu Wan said, “To pick vegetables.”
You really dare to pluck it!
About an hour later, the first dish was served. It was three pieces of stinky tofu with three fillings. The first was fermented bean paste, the second was with Uncle’s pickled radish, and the third was with Yu Wan’s pickled sour bamboo shoots.
The three strong smells mixed together was simply like entering a smelly hall. The moment the plate was carried into the room, the Emperor almost vomited!
Worthy Consort Xu covered her nose in disdain. “What are these?”
Only Shangguan Yan drooled. She had wanted to eat it since she was in the Wei Manor, but the little maidservant guarded it tightly. Today, she cleverly left her in the manor!
Without another word, Shangguan Yan picked up a piece of stinky tofu and stuffed it into her mouth. This was filled with sour bamboo shoots. The tofu’s skin was so crispy that one could bite into it, but the tofu’s meat was so tender that one could suck it in. The sour bamboo shoots’ texture was cold and smelly. Coupled with the taste of the stinky tofu itself, one’s nostrils would emit a stench when they bit down!
Shangguan Yan, who had finished eating, remembered that the Emperor had yet to eat. She quickly said without changing her expression, “Your Majesty, it’s not poisonous!”
The little eunuch who tried the dishes: You were the one who couldn’t help it…
The stinky tofu did taste good, but unfortunately, the Emperor did not like it.
It was good that he didn’t like it. Although she liked it very much, Worthy Consort Xu reluctantly put down her chopsticks. Compared to her appet.i.te, it was naturally more important to deal with that girl.
“Her reputation is undeserved!” The Emperor put down his chopsticks indifferently.
The dishes that Yu Wan rarely served were stinky tofu and sour bamboo shoots. These two dishes did not move the Emperor, let alone the later dishes. When the last few dishes were served, the Emperor was no longer interested in tasting them.
The little eunuch who tried the dishes tasted it and covered his chest.
Worthy Consort Xu was overjoyed to see him retching. She quickly picked up a piece and placed it in the Emperor’s bowl. “Your Majesty, try it.”
This was a pastry made from an unknown ingredient. The texture was rough, and it emitted an unpleasant earthy smell.
“Your Majesty.” Worthy Consort Xu looked at the Emperor expectantly.
The Emperor could not bear to embarra.s.s her. He braced himself and took a bite. Immediately after, his stomach churned!
When Eunuch w.a.n.g saw that the situation was bad, he hurriedly brought the bucket over!
Shangguan Yan also took a bite. Oh my G.o.d, she was going to be beheaded!
Worthy Consort Xu was overjoyed.
In the end, the Emperor did not vomit. He held it in.
The Emperor waved his hand and let Eunuch w.a.n.g retreat to the side. In the next second, something incredible happened.
The Emperor actually picked up his chopsticks and ate the pastry that he had almost vomited.
“Your… Your Majesty?” Worthy Consort Xu did not understand what was going on.
“This is elm money,” the Emperor said in a choked voice. “When I was in the Cold Palace, I was often hungry. There was an elm money tree in the Cold Palace, so Mother picked the leaves of the elm money and made elm money cake for me and Sixth Brother.”
However, the Empress Dowager’s culinary skills were not good. The Empress Dowager was a young lady from a n.o.ble family. How could she know culinary skills? The things she made were always terrible.
Tears streamed down the Emperor’s face. “Mother’s elm money cake… is this taste.”