Chapter 10: Add a Dish

“Snake soup?”

“Where did the snakes come from?”

After concluding several discussions with his ministers, Zhao Chong had just taken a brief moment to rest when the chief eunuch, Xia Jiang, informed him that Yun Ying was preparing snake soup today. She had even specially requested a chef from the Imperial Kitchen skilled in cooking snake dishes to assist at Qingzhu Pavilion.

Xia Jiang paused before continuing, “Reporting to Your Majesty, it seems they emerged from the bamboo forest outside Qingzhu Pavilion.”

“In addition to the imperial chef, Yun Jieyu also summoned an imperial physician to consult.”

Chef. Physician. Snake soup.

Zhao Chong chuckled. “Did she call the physician to determine whether the snake was edible?”

“Your Majesty is wise.”

Seeing that the Emperor was still in good spirits, Xia Jiang bowed with a smile. “Yun Jieyu indeed asked the physician to confirm it was safe before having the soup prepared.”

Zhao Chong snorted. “Out of all the imperial consorts, only she would think of something like this.”

Though he said that, there was no trace of displeasure in his tone.

The Emperor was free to comment as he pleased on his concubines, but as a eunuch, Xia Jiang could not overstep his bounds. Still, he secretly agreed—Yun Jieyu truly was extraordinary. Any other consort would’ve fainted from fright, let alone consider making soup out of the snakes.

“Let’s go take a look,” Zhao Chong said after a few moments of thought, having heard Xia Jiang’s inner musings and agreeing with them.

Xia Jiang quickly gathered his thoughts and gave orders to head to Qingzhu Pavilion.

Zhao Chong instructed that no prior notice be given.

As such, when he stepped into Qingzhu Pavilion, he was immediately greeted by the rich aroma of meat. Yun Ying was sitting on the luohan bed, a porcelain spoon in hand, mid-meal.

His arrival was so sudden that Biwu and Biliu were startled and hurriedly bowed in greeting.

Yun Ying, just about to enjoy her soup, quickly set her spoon down and rose to pay her respects.

“No need for formalities, my dear consort.”

Zhao Chong stepped forward and lightly supported Yun Ying as she rose, his eyes drifting to the steaming bowl of soup on the low table by the bed.

Once seated again, he asked Yun Ying, who had returned to her seat, “What are you eating?”

“Replying to Your Majesty, this is snake soup,” Yun Ying answered.

“This morning I specifically sent someone to request a chef from the Imperial Kitchen to prepare it. In addition to the snake meat, it contains shredded chicken, fish maw, mushroom slivers, and wood ear fungus. All simmered together with the snake broth—it’s rich and fragrant. I also consulted with the physician. He said this soup helps replenish the blood and strengthens the body. Would Your Majesty like to try some?”

Yun Ying spoke generously, but Zhao Chong hadn’t forgotten her stinginess about ordering extra dishes the last time he was here.

“What made you decide to have snake soup today, of all things?”

Yun Ying curved her lips, completely serious. “Last night, two green snakes entered my chambers. I thought, why not catch them and add another dish today?”

She instructed Biliu to bring another bowl of snake soup, then turned to Zhao Chong. “It’s quite the coincidence that Your Majesty happened to come by.”

Zhao Chong frowned slightly. “Why would snakes suddenly appear?”

“Likely due to the bamboo forest outside,” Yun Ying replied calmly, as if it were no big deal. “The physician identified them as bamboo pit vipers. He said the recent continuous rain likely drove them out.”

Even if they were bamboo pit vipers and even if there was a bamboo grove outside Qingzhu Pavilion, such poisonous creatures had no place in the palace.

But Zhao Chong couldn’t detect any ulterior thoughts in Yun Ying’s heart.

Seeing that she appeared to fully believe the physician’s explanation, Zhao Chong mused and asked, “If the snakes came from the bamboo grove, or if there might be a snake nest somewhere, have you sent someone to investigate?”

Yun Ying paused—true, what if there were more snakes in the grove? Wouldn’t that mean more dishes?

She said, “This concubine was careless. I didn’t send anyone to inspect the grove.”

Zhao Chong noted her only concern was whether she could find more snakes to eat, and couldn’t help but be impressed by her open-mindedness.

He raised his voice and ordered, “Xia Jiang, take men to the bamboo grove immediately and inspect it thoroughly.”

Xia Jiang accepted the order and left. At that moment, Biliu returned with another bowl of snake soup.

Although Zhao Chong still felt something was suspicious about the snakes’ appearance, since Yun Ying had not been harmed, he no longer saw the matter as worrisome. Soon, the two of them were happily enjoying the flavorful dish together.

After their meal, the bowls were cleared away, and Biwu and Biliu brought them hot tea.

While Xia Jiang was still out inspecting the bamboo grove, Zhao Chong was in no hurry to leave.

As Yun Ying returned holding a small wine jar, he happened to be standing at her writing desk admiring one of her paintings.

Though the Empress Dowager had granted Yun Ying free access to the Imperial Library, the past few days had been rainy, and she had been too lazy to go out. So she had entertained herself with other pastimes—like painting.

Zhao Chong pointed to the ink marks on the paper. “What is this painting of, my dear consort?”

Yun Ying leaned over to take a look, and calmly replied, “Replying to Your Majesty, that is sweet and sour spare ribs.”

Zhao Chong: “…”

Even if her skill was lacking, she couldn’t just draw a bunch of circles and call them dishes, could she?

Looking over at several more “circles,” Zhao Chong chuckled, “Your painting skills hold great promise.”

Yun Ying smiled brightly. “Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty. I think so too.”

She accepted his teasing with such confidence that Zhao Chong’s smile deepened.

Noticing the item in her hands, he asked, “What is that you’re holding?”

“Replying to Your Majesty, this is something I prepared for you,” Yun Ying said as she placed the small wine jar on the corner of the writing desk.

Raising a brow, Zhao Chong took a closer look and recognized it as a small glazed wine jar he had gifted her when promoting her a few days ago.

The glass was translucent. Upon close inspection, he could faintly see a green snake inside. As he focused on it, Yun Ying explained, “I caught two green snakes last night. One became the soup. The other, under the physician’s guidance, I used to make snake wine. The physician said it dispels wind, eases pain, and detoxifies. But I don’t drink alcohol, so I thought to offer it to Your Majesty.”

Offer it to him?

Zhao Chong met her clear gaze and felt a flicker in his heart. “Since you’ve prepared it with such thought, I shall accept it.”

“Your Majesty, Yun Jieyu,” Xia Jiang returned from outside and bowed, “I have led men to inspect the bamboo grove.”

“We found no snake nests or additional green snakes.”

Failed to catch more snakes—Yun Ying was slightly disappointed.

Zhao Chong saw the flicker of disappointment in her eyes and found it amusing. He instructed Xia Jiang to take the wine jar and store it away.

He trusted Xia Jiang’s work.

Now that they had confirmed there was no snake nest in the grove, Zhao Chong’s suspicions were further strengthened.

But since Yun Ying had no clue, he did not inform her of this.

After bringing the wine jar back to the Hall of Government, Xia Jiang placed it carefully and asked, “Your Majesty, how should we handle this matter?”

“Bamboo pit vipers are deadly. Whoever planted them is malicious and deserves death,” Zhao Chong said coldly. “Such creatures would never be in the palace naturally. They must’ve been brought in from outside. Xia Jiang, investigate immediately. Find out exactly how this poisonous thing was smuggled into the palace.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Sensing the Emperor’s growing anger, Xia Jiang bowed low and became even more determined to resolve the matter.

—

After days of rain, the sun finally broke through the clouds.

Bright rays filtered through the carved windows of Qingzhu Pavilion.

With the weather clear again, Yun Ying’s mood also brightened.

She hummed a tune as she stood at her writing desk, continuing her painting. Biwu brought tea and replaced the old cup with a fresh one.

“My lady…” Thinking of the two venomous snakes, Biwu still felt uneasy. She hesitated. “I wonder if His Majesty sensed anything strange and will investigate for your sake…”

Unbothered, Yun Ying replied casually, “Whether he investigates or not, His Majesty will do what he sees fit.”

“But…” Biwu frowned tightly. “What if someone is trying to harm you?”

“Biwu, people shouldn’t be too greedy.” Yun Ying glanced at her. “You want me to gain the Emperor’s favor and secure a place in the harem, yet you also want no one to target, frame, or harm me? Is that possible?”

“If His Majesty investigates, that’s great.”

“If not—well, I’m still safe and sound. That’s enough.”

Biwu had no words.

Yun Ying laughed. “Wasn’t the snake soup delicious? Someone basically helped me add a dish.”

In her past life, it was also on a summer night, during continuous rainfall, that two venomous snakes had appeared at Qingzhu Pavilion.

This time, she had simply taken extra precautions.

Back then, she had used the snake incident to plot her way into more favor, leading to the Emperor visiting her continuously.

This time, she had planned to wait and send the snake wine to the Hall of Government so the Emperor would find out—but he came on his own, saving her the effort.

As for whether he would investigate further?

Well… he could if he wanted. She just wanted him to know—she had no intention of worrying about the rest.

“Biwu, how’s my painting? Improved, don’t you think?”

Yun Ying called Biwu over to look. Biwu obliged and chuckled at the slightly rounder circles on the paper. “My lady’s painting skills have improved again.”

“I thought so too.”

Yun Ying nodded, beaming.

That night, Xia Jiang tracked the incident to a young eunuch who was usually responsible for purchases outside the palace.

But when he went to arrest the eunuch, all he found was a corpse.

“This servant was incompetent. Please punish me, Your Majesty.”

Confirming the eunuch had committed suicide by poison, Xia Jiang returned to the Hall of Government and reported to Zhao Chong.

Zhao Chong frowned. “Did you uncover anything else?”

“We only discovered that the eunuch once served in Zhaohui Hall, but found no evidence of any ongoing contact,” Xia Jiang replied cautiously.

“Zhaohui Hall. Consort Xian…”

Zhao Chong’s face turned cold as he stood. “We’re going to Zhaohui Hall.”

—

Thus, the next morning when Yun Ying awoke, she learned that Consort Xian had been scolded by the Emperor.

Biwu whispered, “They say His Majesty left Zhaohui Hall still angry and even issued a decree appointing Consort De to assist in managing the six palaces. Could it be…”

She thought of the venomous snakes that had appeared in Qingzhu Pavilion.

Could Consort Xian have been the one trying to harm her lady?

“First, Beauty Gu nearly drowned. Then two poisonous snakes appear in Qingzhu Pavilion. Consort Xian was in charge of harem affairs. His Majesty must have scolded her because of how poorly the inner palace is being run.”

Yun Ying stretched lazily without concern for decorum and tossed off her brocade quilt to get out of bed.

Previously, Consort Xian had sole authority over the six palaces, and Consort De had to step aside. Now that she could share in that authority—

Things were bound to get interesting.

“My lady, Eunuch Xia Jiang is here. He said he’s delivering breakfast on His Majesty’s orders.”

Just after Yun Ying finished dressing, Biliu came in with a cheerful smile.

Soon, the table was filled with various delicacies.

Instructing Biwu to see Xia Jiang off, Yun Ying sat down at the table. She gazed at the crab soup dumplings, beef mille-feuille pancakes, four-joy dumplings, mandarin rolls, jujube cakes, lotus-leaf congee, and sweet and sour spare ribs. Her appetite surged, and she happily dug in without the slightest restraint.