Chapter 192: Meeting the Emperor (2) (1/2)
Imperial Concubine Wei’s eyes turned cold. She shot a glance at her handmaid and lightly tapped her seat with a finger. When the handmaid saw that, she lowered her head and snuck out of the area.
In a moment, Eunuch Sun had brought over all the ingredients that Chu Lian needed. He placed them on top of a wooden table that had been moved into the room just for this purpose. Next to it was a specially made stove, which the imperial palace’s unique small steamers could be placed on.
A handmaid stood behind Chu Lian, apparently tasked with assisting her.
When the Chengping Emperor looked towards the center of the hall, his gaze landed upon the handmaid standing respectfully behind Chu Lian. “Imperial Concubine, for some reason, I find that handmaid behind Jinyi a little familiar to the eye…”
Imperial Concubine Wei froze for a moment. She hadn’t expected the Chengping Emperor to have such a good memory. That handmaid served in her palace.
However, her expression didn’t change one bit as she explained, “That handmaid comes from this concubine’s palace. She usually boils some soups for me and she has rather good culinary skills. This concubine was afraid that other maidservants wouldn’t put forth their best efforts, so this concubine specially called her here to help Jinyi.”
The Chengping Emperor kneaded Imperial Concubine Wei’s slender hand. “How thought of you, my beloved concubine. Jinyi, since Imperial Concubine Wei has made such a kind consideration for you, make sure you live up to her expectations.”
“Understood, Your Majesty!”
Chu Lian started preparing the ingredients before her with an unhurried and calm air. The handmaid also came forth to help her.
Although Chu Lian was suspicious that Imperial Concubine Wei was going to pull some tricks on her, they were right in front of the Emperor. Imperial Concubine Wei wouldn’t be able to do much. Thus, Chu Lian took a little more care in preparing each ingredient before her.
The corners of Imperial Concubine Wei’s lips curled up as she watched the busy Chu Lian bustling about below. Her eye blinked once quickly, and the handmaid helping Chu Lian happened to catch the wink.
Imperial Concubine Wei then put on a caring facade as she said, “What a surprise that Jinyi is so familiar with cooking. This concubine heard that you even know how to make quite a few types of confections. Why don’t you stay in the imperial kitchens and teach some of your skills to the imperial cooks when you’re done here? It can be counted as making a contribution to the imperial family.”
Without waiting for Chu Lian to reply, a woman’s voice sounded from outside the hall. “Imperial Concubine Wei, aren’t your words a little inappropriate there? No matter what, Jinyi is a noble lady. She has also been given the title of honoured lady by His Majesty. By having her stay back to teach the imperial cooks, isn’t that an insult to the face of our imperial family?”
Imperial Concubine Wei’s attention immediately locked onto the woman who walked in, dressed in imperial yellow. Her eyes were lit with a spark of anger.
Imperial Concubine Wei sneered as she said, “This sister greets Empress. It’s the first time that Empress is meeting Jinyi, but Empress is already speaking up for her. Jinyi will have to properly thank my dear sister Empress later on.”
Empress Shen’s lips twitched upwards in a smile. She first turned to the Chengping Emperor to make her greeting bow. Chu Lian had to stop whatever she was doing and give a proper greeting to the Empress.