Chapter 84: Wandering on the Edge of the Cold Palace

In Lingxue Pavilion, the flower hall.

Wei Yingya presented a box of mooncakes.

“Thank you, Beauty Ying, for your kindness.” Ning Wanyin responded with a faint smile, instructing Lianrui to accept them.

Tang Miaoling was already impressed by Wei Yingya’s culinary skills, praising her, “Sister Ya’s snacks are always delicious and unique. The Eldest Princess even praised them today! I guess many people in the palace like them!”

“The Eldest Princess?” Ning Wanyin was slightly taken aback.

Tang Miaoling nodded, “Yes, we met the Eldest Princess when we went out. She also likes to eat Sister Ya’s snacks, she kept staring at the mooncakes in my hand, Sister Ya gave her a box.”

The smile on Ning Wanyin’s face instantly froze, she looked directly at Wei Yingya, “Did you give it to her directly? Have you had the imperial physician check these mooncakes?”

“No…” Wei Yingya looked confused.

Ning Wanyin immediately instructed Lianrui, “Doctor Sun just left from here, she shouldn’t be far. Go quickly and stop her, ask her to check the Eldest Princess’s mooncakes. Tell Doctor Sun that children’s stomachs are delicate, and we don’t know what the Princess is allergic to, please have the imperial physician check them before confirming that the Princess can eat them.”

Lianrui accepted the order.

Wei Yingya was completely dumbfounded, “Consort Ning, my mooncakes… I didn’t add any spicy ingredients, they won’t hurt a child’s stomach… But I did forget to ask about the Princess’s allergies…”

In ancient times, there was no word for “allergy.”

But people could already tell what they were allergic to and avoid it.

If the Princess was allergic to certain fillings, that would be a real problem!

“Whether or not there are things the Princess is allergic to, the small kitchen isn’t just you. If a palace servant tampered with it, you wouldn’t know.” Ning Wanyin looked at Wei Yingya and said in a deep voice, “If something happens to the snacks, even if you are innocent, you will be held accountable.”

Wei Yingya was shocked and panicked, it was indeed possible…

“Furthermore, after giving the mooncakes to someone else, if someone else tampers with them, how can you clear yourself?” Ning Wanyin looked at her and reminded her word by word, “Therefore, before giving any food to others, it is crucial to have the imperial physician check it to ensure that there is nothing wrong.”

Wei Yingya’s face turned pale. After Ning Wanyin’s analysis, she felt like she was walking on the edge of the Cold Palace, ready to be sent back in at any moment.

Tang Miaoling was also confused, “I ate some just now, I can testify that the mooncakes are fine…”

“No one will believe what you say…” Wei Yingya sighed wryly, “It’s my fault for being careless, I didn’t expect…”

Ning Wanyin said, “Wait for Lianrui’s news first, see if she caught up. If she didn’t, then we’ll make other plans—”

…

“Didn’t the Princess say she wanted to go to the Imperial Garden for a walk? Why didn’t you go?” Ping the Nanny asked.

The Eldest Princess’s eyes were full of joy, “I want to take the mooncakes back and eat them with my mother.”

Empress Zhuang was her adoptive mother, she could call her mother.

But the Eldest Princess didn’t dare to call her that in front of her. Because the first time she heard her call her mother, Empress Zhuang coldly told her, “Your mother is the Empress, not me.”

The Eldest Princess was very sad, she once asked Ping the Nanny, “Nanny, why doesn’t mother like me calling her mother? Did I do something wrong?”

Ping the Nanny’s eyes turned red with heartache, she could only coax her, “Empress Zhuang loves you very much. But you are the Empress’s…”

“Daughter, you are of noble birth, Empress Zhuang is protecting your position as the legitimate princess, that’s why she doesn’t let you call her mother.”

Ping the Nanny found many reasons for Empress Zhuang’s coldness.

For example, she had never given birth, so she had no experience with children, and so on.

The Eldest Princess actually understood that Empress Zhuang was a little cold towards her.

But she was very willing to be close to Empress Zhuang.

Since she could remember, she had been raised in Linlang Palace. Her father was very busy, and she could only see him occasionally.

The Eldest Princess, who lacked affection, placed all her longing for maternal love on Empress Zhuang.

She always tried to be well-behaved and sensible, hoping to win Empress Zhuang’s favor. She envied the Eldest Prince the most, Concubine Shu often took him to stroll in the Imperial Garden.

Her biggest wish was for Empress Zhuang to accompany her for a walk in the Imperial Garden.

She had been to the garden many times with the nanny.

She was tired of seeing the flowers and plants, she didn’t find them very novel. But she really wanted her mother to accompany her for a walk.

“The Princess is such a filial and good child.” Ping the Nanny praised, a hint of sadness in her heart.

The Emperor chose Empress Zhuang to raise the Eldest Princess, there must be a reason.

But it was really difficult for Empress Zhuang, and it was also pitiful for the Eldest Princess.

“Nanny, Beauty Ying’s pastries are always delicious! Mother will be very happy to eat the mooncakes…” The Eldest Princess looked up with excitement and asked.

Ping the Nanny suppressed the sadness in her heart and smiled, “Of course. Empress Zhuang will definitely be happy with the Princess’s heart.”

The two of them didn’t go to the Imperial Garden, they turned towards Linlang Palace halfway there.

As they were approaching.

They were stopped by Lianrui, who was rushing over, “This servant greets the Eldest Princess!”

“You are the maid from Consort Ning’s side?” Ping the Nanny still remembered her.

“Nanny has a good memory. This servant is from Lingxue Pavilion, our Consort heard that Beauty Ying sent a box of mooncakes to the Eldest Princess, so she asked the imperial physician to take a look. Please forgive her, Beauty Ying forgot to ask about the Eldest Princess’s allergies, she was afraid that there might be something incompatible. Besides, these were originally made for adults, children’s stomachs are delicate, and we don’t know if they can eat them, she didn’t think about that for a moment.” Lianrui quickly explained.

Doctor Sun, who was hurriedly brought along, bowed and said, “This minister is the female doctor on duty at the Imperial Medical Bureau, I was ordered to check.”

“I see, Consort Ning is always thoughtful, she is a considerate person. This old servant forgot about that, the Eldest Princess doesn’t have any allergies, but I don’t know if these pastries are suitable for children?” Ping the Nanny handed the box to Doctor Sun.

Doctor Sun immediately opened it and checked it carefully, confirming that there was nothing wrong, she said, “After this minister’s examination, these mooncakes don’t contain any spicy ingredients, they are suitable for children to eat.”

“In that case, this servant will go back and report.” Lianrui said.

Ping the Nanny nodded and said, “Thank you for Consort Ning’s concern.”

She thought highly of Ning Wanyin.

She was worthy of being the person who could help Consort Shun with her pregnancy, she was always thoughtful.

The two of them put away the box and continued on their way to Linlang Palace.

Lianrui also returned to Lingxue Pavilion to report.

Wei Yingya was anxiously waiting for the news, hearing that she had caught up, she finally breathed a sigh of relief, “Next time I will definitely remember to ask the imperial physician to check first…”

Seeing this, Ning Wanyin was also relieved.

…

In Linlang Palace.

Empress Zhuang was leisurely watching a few eunuchs perform shadow puppet plays.

“Empress Zhuang, Beauty Ying made these mooncakes, they look different from ordinary mooncakes, I specially brought them for Your Highness to taste!” The Eldest Princess presented the box.

Empress Zhuang’s gaze fell on her, her expression was a little complicated.

She didn’t like the Emperor’s children with other women, but she also felt that the Eldest Princess was innocent.

So, although she never got close to the Eldest Princess, she never let anyone mistreat her in terms of her food and clothing.

That would have been fine, if they could just live in peace.

But this little girl kept trying to get close to her.

If she were to drive her away, her tearful face would make her feel uncomfortable. If she didn’t drive her away, she would be worried about her.