Upon re-entering the main hall, the imperial kitchen staff had already arrived. Hua Zhi followed the matron along the wall and returned to her previous position.
In the center of the hall, Miraculous Doctor Yu was flipping through the log recording the Emperor's meals, his frown deepening with each page. The Empress Dowager, observing this, couldn't help but ask, "Is there something amiss?"
"This humble physician would like to inquire about the situation first."This family understands." Have you all heard?"
The Chief and Deputy Chief of the imperial kitchen bowed repeatedly in trepidation.
Miraculous Doctor Yu thought for a moment and asked, "Who decides the menu?"
The Chief Steward promptly replied, "Sometimes His Majesty specifies it himself. When His Majesty gives no special instructions, the imperial kitchen determines the dishes based on His Majesty's preferences. Everyone who enters the imperial kitchen must first memorize His Majesty's likes and dislikes to avoid mistakes."
"What are His Majesty's preferences?"
The Chief Steward cautiously glanced at the Empress Dowager, as such matters were not supposed to be disclosed according to protocol.
The Empress Dowager lowered her gaze. "Just speak freely."
"Yes." The Chief Steward bowed his head. "His Majesty prefers strongly flavored food, enjoys meat dishes, and particularly favors mutton with a strong gamy taste. His Majesty also loves garlic—it must be included in all dishes, whether stir-fried or stewed. He is also quite fond of a northern variety of sweet pickled garlic..."
Miraculous Doctor Yu nodded slightly. "You should understand that even the finest things can harm the body if consumed excessively."
"Yes, this is a fundamental principle everyone in the imperial kitchen must understand. So even though His Majesty enjoys garlic, we officials always control the amount used. However..."
The Empress Dowager's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately looked over. "Speak your mind. Why hesitate?"
"Yes." The Chief Steward bent even lower at the waist. "Over the past six months, His Majesty has frequently dined at Consort Yue's residence. All ranked consorts in the palace have their own private kitchens, which are beyond the imperial kitchen's jurisdiction."
Consort Yue again!
The Empress Dowager slapped the armrest of her chair. "Yu Xiang."
"Your servant is here."
"Take people to thoroughly search the Like Moon Hall, especially her private kitchen."
"Yes."
Hua Zhi's eyes lit up, and she silently mouthed to Little Six, 'Lai Fu!'
Little Six suddenly understood. Yes, he had felt like someone was missing—it was Lai Fu.
Organizing his thoughts, Little Six approached the Empress Dowager and said in a low voice, "Grandmother, this grandson believes Lai Fu should be the one who knows Father Emperor best."
The Fourth Prince, already anxious and irritated, found Little Six's words like adding fuel to fire. "What foolish suggestion is this? Shouldn't Father Emperor's health be the priority now?"
"Bringing Lai Fu here is to understand what happened more clearly." Little Six retorted calmly but firmly. "As the Chief Eunuch, no one knows these matters better than him."
The Fourth Prince felt stifled by the response and snapped back without thinking, "You have no right to speak here."Then does this widow qualify to speak?" The Empress Dowager raised her eyebrows to look at the prince who, though barely sixteen, already had calculating eyes. "Does this family need the Fourth Prince's permission to send for Lai Fu?""
The Fourth Prince's face changed, and he hurriedly begged for forgiveness. "This grandson wouldn't dare!"
The Empress Dowager snorted and ignored him, directly ordering someone to fetch Lai Fu.
The Fourth Prince awkwardly stepped aside, his expression darkening where the Empress Dowager couldn't see. This couldn't continue—he needed to find a way to extricate himself!
Lai Fu was carried in on a stretcher, emaciated to the point of being skin and bones, looking precarious even while kneeling. His forehead touched the ground as he rasped, "This servant deserves punishment.""Please rise and be seated while you speak." The Empress Dowager, who hadn't seen him for many days, was startled at the sight. "What happened to you..."
Lai Fu struggled to stand and perched on the very edge of a chair. "This humble servant fell ill recently..."
Before he could finish, Miraculous Doctor Yu reached over to check his pulse, startling Lai Fu into silence. He hurriedly tried to withdraw his hand—this was the Miraculous Doctor, who shouldn't be treating a lowly servant like him!
"Merely some underhanded tricks, nothing more."
Lai Fu was stunned. "Tricks? Not an illness?"
Miraculous Doctor Yu rummaged through his medicine pouch but didn't find what he was looking for. "I'll have someone send you medicine later."
"Yes, thank you for saving my life, Miraculous Doctor Yu." Clenching his jaw, Lai Fu understood everything after a lifetime of navigating the palace intrigues. But he could say nothing, swallowing all his rage, hatred, and resentment. "Might I ask what instructions Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has for this humble servant?"
"Has the Emperor been taking his meals with Consort Yue these past six months?"
"Yes, mostly so."
"What has he been eating?"
"Consort Yue dislikes this humble servant. The Emperor hasn't allowed me into Like Moon Hall for months."
The Empress Dowager slapped the armrest. "Preposterous! Send someone to see why Yu Xiang hasn't returned yet. She was sent to conduct a search, not to clean for someone!"
The matron hurried out, nearly colliding with Yu Xiang, who was rushing in at the doorway. They steadied each other, and Yu Xiang, sweating profusely, dashed inside without a word.
"Your Majesty, Like Moon Hall... Like Moon Hall..."
The Empress Dowager stood. "Speak!"
Yu Xiang pinched herself discreetly to calm down, but the thought of what she'd seen in Like Moon Hall made her heart race even faster.
"This servant cannot describe it well. It would be better for you to see for yourself."
Knowing Yu Xiang's temperament, the Empress Dowager understood the matter must be serious. Glancing at the Emperor, who was carefully cushioned on bedding, she asked, "Can the Emperor wait?"
Miraculous Doctor Yu bowed slightly. "This old man will ensure his safety."
The Empress Dowager nodded and extended her hand toward Little Six.
Understanding her meaning, Little Six stepped forward and supported her with both hands. "This old woman is timid and fears she cannot withstand shocks. All you imperial descendants shall accompany me."
The Fourth Prince glanced at the Emperor and lowered his head. "Grandmother, your grandson wishes to stay and accompany Father..."
The Empress Dowager looked at him. "Others may be excused, but you? Remain within my sight."
Without waiting for further protest, she walked toward the hall's exit. At the threshold, her gaze shifted to Hua Zhi. "This old woman has grown aged and slow-witted. I request the Hua family's eldest young lady to accompany me."
Hua Zhi bowed and quietly followed at the rear of the procession—this was exactly what she had hoped for.
The favor enjoyed by a consort could be discerned from every flower, plant, and tree in her residence. As for Haoyue, the consort who had dominated the Emperor's affections for nearly a year, Like Moon Hall was meticulously arranged down to the last detail, with even pebbles seemingly positioned at precise angles.
The Empress Dowager, accustomed to such sights, didn't spare them a glance and motioned for Yu Xiang to lead the way.
Yu Xiang bowed her head and guided the group to a side hall adjacent to the main hall. They entered, proceeded to the very end, and stopped before a room.After glancing at the Empress Dowager, Yu Xiang took a deep breath and pushed the door open. Behind it stood a little girl whose eyes were so large they seemed to occupy half her face. Her white overcoat hung loosely on her frail frame—so thin she could barely fill it out. Had it not been broad daylight, one might have mistaken her for a ghost.
Upon seeing people, she darted inside like a startled rabbit, and the others followed suit.
Hua Zhi walked at the rear. The physical pain she felt earlier no longer mattered; her mind was buzzing with turmoil. Wei Congwen had mentioned that the Fourth Prince ordered the Xu family to search for children around eight years old outside the palace. She had suspected they might have been secretly brought into the palace, and now that this was confirmed, she felt no relief at all. Secretly sending children into the palace... for what purpose?
PS: No matter how much I revise it, it still feels like crap.
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