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Shen Chuwei entered from outside, stepped forward, and curtsied, "Empress."

The Empress lifted her gaze to Shen Chuwei standing before her. Had she not known that Chuwei prepared the noon meal, she would never have guessed that Chuwei had come from the kitchen.

"I had not realized that your culinary skills were quite good, and you even know not to be wastefully extravagant."

Shen Chuwei responded, "Your Majesty flatters me, I can only manage some home cooking, hardly refined enough for esteemed guests."

Yet the Empress said, "Even though they are simple home-cooked dishes, they taste much better than those from the Imperial Kitchen, far surpassing your sister, who talks a good talk but couldn’t chop vegetables properly to save her life."

Shen Chuwei respectfully listened, with her gaze lowered.

While enjoying her noon meal, the Empress took the opportunity to scrutinize Shen Chuwei. Last time she didn’t pay much attention, but today, upon closer inspection, she noticed that her makeup was applied with a light touch, looking several times more attractive than the previous heavy makeup.

Her hair was adorned with only three silk flowers, which, although simple, were exceptionally pleasing to the eye.

If she had dressed this way sooner, she wouldn’t have been so disagreeable.

Chuwei, starving by this point and enticed by the aroma of the food, was eager to return for her own meal and quickly found an excuse to leave.

The Empress, thoroughly enjoying her meal, had no further comments and allowed Shen Chuwei to go.

After finishing her own meal, the Empress wiped the corners of her mouth with a damp handkerchief handed to her by Qing Ying and instructed, "Mistress Shen’s cooking is commendable. Reward her with a pair of jade Ruyi, and select some fine materials for her."

"As you command," replied Qing Ying, before going to make the preparations.

Shen Chuwei returned to Xiyun Pavilion, where Chun Xi had already prepared the noon meal and was waiting for her.

Seeing Shen Chuwei return, she hurriedly went to greet her, "My lady, did the Empress give you a hard time?"

"Not at all, I just prepared a meal. I’m famished, please serve the dishes quickly," said Shen Chuwei, patting her stomach.

"Right away!" Chun Xi swiftly had the servants serve the noon meal.

Shen Chuwei ate her fill contentedly until she was stuffed, and then laid down on the couch, not wanting to move an inch.

Chun Xi ran in from outside, "My lady, Mammy Qingying is here."

Shen Chuwei thought to herself, not again, surely?

She may love to eat, but she didn’t enjoy being in the kitchen every day.

No sooner had Chun Xi spoken than Qing Ying walked in with her entourage.

Shen Chuwei, having risen from the couch, saw Qing Ying enter.

Qing Ying said with a smile, "Mistress Shen, the Empress thoroughly enjoyed the noon meal you prepared. These are the rewards from Her Majesty."

Following Qing Ying’s gaze, Shen Chuwei saw the gifts from the Empress: a pair of jade Ruyi and several bundles of colorful Shu brocade.

She curtsied, "Thank you for the Empress’s gracious reward."

Qing Ying chuckled, "Her Majesty has had a poor appetite for some time, but today for the first time she ate two bowls of rice, all thanks to your efforts."

Chuwei replied, "Mammy Qingying, you overpraise me."

After Qing Ying had left, Shen Chuwei lay back down on the couch.

Chun Xi, caressing the smooth brocade with its subtle pattern, exclaimed in glee, "My lady, this fabric is perfect for a dress. Wearing it for the New Year would be especially festive."

Chen Chuwei had never been particularly invested in her attire, with Chun Xi usually managing her wardrobe.

Chuwei glanced at the fabric in Chun Xi’s hands, a shade more vibrant than lotus pink; indeed, it would be festive for New Year’s, and she nodded, "You take care of it."

"I’ll head to the Garment Bureau to arrange it right away." Chun Xi hugged the fabric and left the pavilion.

After Shen Chuwei had been summoned to Fengyi Palace, Shen Mingzhu had been anxiously waiting for news.

With the Empress’s fiery temper, if she found out Chuwei was a rival in the kitchen, she would surely erupt in fury with demotion being the least of the consequences.

A maid hurried in to report, "My lady, the Empress bestowed a reward upon Mistress Shen."

Mingzhu thought she must have misheard. To confirm, she asked again, "What did you just say?"

The maid cautiously replied, "Her Majesty bestowed a reward upon Mistress Shen."

Mingzhu asked in disbelief, "Why would the Empress reward Shen Chuwei? With her demeanour, didn’t she anger Her Majesty?"

"My lady, it’s said that Mistress Shen’s cooking skills were greatly admired by the Empress, thus she was rewarded," the maid explained.

Mingzhu’s grip tightened on her handkerchief in anger; Chuwei had been intended to be humiliated, yet she ended up showcasing her talents before the Empress. Truly infuriating!

With His Highness favoring Chuwei so, if the Empress also changes her stance towards Chuwei, it might not bode well.

The more Mingzhu thought about it, the angrier she became. After some deliberation, she suddenly remembered something, "Go, call Chun Tao from the Firewood Room."

"Yes, my lady," the maid scurried off and soon brought Chun Tao.

Chun Tao, once a well-rounded individual, had wasted away considerably after several months in the Firewood Room, looking rather pitiful.

Chun Tao fell to her knees with a thud, shakily kowtowing, "This servant greets the lady."

A faint smile played on Mingzhu’s lips, "You’ve had a hard time these past days."

Chun Tao looked up at Mingzhu, astonished and hopeful, "Does this mean my lady has forgiven me?"

Mingzhu continued, "Of course, you belong to Xiyun Pavilion, after all. Now that Mistress Shen is in favor, you should tidy up and return as well."

Chun Tao looked at Mingzhu in shock, a mix of fear and joy in her heart. She had long regretted leaving Xiyun Pavilion to serve Mingzhu in Lanyue Hall. If she could return, she certainly would.

"Is my lady serious? Are you truly willing to let me go back?"

Chun Tao’s mixture of fear and excitement was not lost on Mingzhu, who felt a surge of bitterness inside. So this treacherous servant longed to flee back to Xiyun Pavilion at once, did she?

"Of course it’s true. Have I ever misled anyone?"

Chun Tao frantically bowed her head in gratitude, "Thank you, my lady."

*

Liu Xi pushed open the door of the Study Room and came in, reporting in a low voice, "Your Highness, before the noon meal, Mistress Shen was summoned to Fengyi Palace."

Xiao Jinyan’s pen paused in its movement, "Do you know why?"

"They say the Empress heard about Mistress Shen’s exceptional culinary skills and called her to prepare the noon meal. Her Majesty was very pleased, and even rewarded her with some items," Liu Xi replied.

A flicker of confusion crossed Jinyan’s eyes. Not many knew of Chuwei’s cooking abilities, who could have told the Empress about Mistress Shen’s culinary skills?

He ordered in a low voice, "Send for Mistress Shen."

"As you wish," Liu Xi left and headed straight for Xiyun Pavilion.

Unluckily for Chuwei, she was about to take a nap and had already undressed when Liu Xi arrived.

Chun Xi entered excitedly to report, "My lady, His Highness summons you."

In contrast to Chun Xi’s elation, Shen Chuwei felt nothing but annoyance.

Reluctantly, she got dressed again.

Why did Jinyan always choose her naptime to summon her?

Didn’t he ever need a nap himself?

After dressing appropriately, Chun Xi handed Chuwei a Fox Fur to wear, and together with Liu Xi, they proceeded to the Study Room.

Once inside, Liu Xi closed the door and waited outside.

Shen Chuwei looked up at Xiao Jinyan, who was focused on the pen in his hand, carefully writing something at the desk.

Advancing forward, she curtsied, "May Your Highness enjoy endless prosperity and peace."