RPAGF Chapter 26 Flipping the Cards
Chapter 26 Flipping the Cards
Inside Shuhua Palace, a gilded, carved dragon-shaped incense burner quietly exhaled wisps of smoke, slender and gentle, like a light veil in the morning light, its faint fragrance spreading far and wide.
Chu Qingyin sat upright on the soft couch, her eyes lowered, holding a cup of warm tea in her hand.
Consort Shu sat opposite her, smiling as she sized up the newly arrived beauty. "Sister Qiao, how have you been since you entered the palace?"
Chu Qingyin replied respectfully, "Thank you for your concern, Consort Shu. Everything is fine in the palace, and I am gradually getting used to it."
Consort Shu nodded, then suddenly seemed to remember something and turned to her maid Zijuan beside her, saying, "Didn't the small kitchen steam some fresh Poria cocos cake today? Go and get a portion for Consort Qiao to try."
Upon hearing this, Zijuan quickly and crisply replied, "Yes, this servant will go right away."
Seeing her leave, Consort Shu smiled and said to Chu Qingyin, "I wonder what kind of pastries Consort Qiao usually likes to eat? The Poria cocos cake in my palace is quite good. You can try it later."
Chu Qingyin immediately realized that this was Consort Shu testing her.
Because everyone in the palace knew that Consort Chu Qingyin was allergic to Poria cocos and would develop rashes all over her body if she ate it, the imperial kitchen would avoid all foods containing Poria cocos.
If Chu Qingyin were still in her original body, she would immediately reveal her true form after eating this Poria cocos cake.
But even if Consort Shu racked her brains, she probably couldn't have guessed that there was such a thing as soul rebirth in this world.
"That's wonderful! To be honest, Your Highness, I love eating Poria cocos cake the most." Chu Qingyin's face showed a joyful expression.
A hint of surprise flashed in Consort Shu's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure and smiled, "Alright, alright, then eat more later, don't be shy with me."
Chu Qingyin smiled and agreed, "Okay."
When Zijuan brought out the plate of Poria cocos cake, Chu Qingyin didn't stand on ceremony at all. She picked up a piece of Poria cocos cake without hesitation, took a bite, and said, "The Poria cocos cake in Your Majesty's palace is truly delicious."
As Consort Shu watched the person in front of her eat one piece of Poria cocos cake after another, her brows furrowed slightly, and the doubts in her heart dissipated somewhat.
After all, she had witnessed Chu Qingyin's allergic reaction firsthand; there was no way she could be faking it.
So, the person in front of me really isn't Chu Qingyin?
After a moment's thought, Consort Shu suddenly reached out, feigning curiosity, wanting to touch the cinnabar birthmark on Chu Qingyin's forehead. "Sister Qiao, the cinnabar birthmark on your forehead is truly unique. May I touch it?"
Chu Qingyin's eyes flickered slightly. After slowly swallowing the sweet and soft Poria cocos cake in her mouth, she smiled and replied, "Of course."
After saying that, she lowered her head slightly, allowing Consort Shu's fingers to touch her forehead.
Consort Shu's fingers slowly and deliberately traced the cinnabar mole.
Just as Chu Qingyin thought she was about to let go, Consort Shu suddenly gripped her tightly.
"Ah!" Chu Qingyin couldn't help but let out a soft exclamation.
Consort Shu quickly withdrew her hand, looking apologetic: "Oh dear, I didn't mean to. I just noticed your birthmark was in such a perfect spot that I thought it was pasted on. Is Consort Qiao alright?"
Chu Qingyin cursed Consort Shu's ancestors for eighteen generations in her heart, and forced a smile through her pain: "It's alright, Consort Shu, you don't need to worry."
Seeing the red flush on her smooth, fair forehead, Consort Shu's last trace of doubt vanished.
It seems that this Qiao Qingyin is indeed not Consort Chu.
She smiled sincerely, took Chu Qingyin's hand and said, "Sister Qiao, it is fate that we can become sisters in the palace. The years in the palace are long. If you have time in the future, please come to my palace often so that we can get closer."
Upon hearing this, Chu Qingyin immediately feigned surprise and said, "As long as Your Majesty doesn't mind me bothering you, I am naturally willing."
After exchanging pleasantries with her sisters for a while, Chu Qingyin took her leave as it was almost lunchtime.
Before leaving, Consort Shu specially instructed the palace maids to prepare a pile of gifts for Chu Qingyin.
As Chu Qingyin left with a pile of gifts, Qiu Zhu beside her couldn't help but say, "Your Highness, Consort Shu is such a kind person."
Upon hearing this, Chu Qingyin's lips curled into a faint smile, but inwardly she sneered.
She knew all too well that behind every act of "goodwill" in the palace lay countless schemes and tests, and that Consort Shu's deliberate attempt to curry favor must have been for some ulterior motive.
Seeing that she didn't respond, Qiu Zhu observed her expression and didn't mention Consort Shu again.
The master and servant walked side by side back to Diecui Pavilion.
As soon as Chu Qingyin stepped into the hall, her gaze was instantly drawn to a familiar figure.
It was none other than Xianglan, the maid I hadn't seen for several days.
Hearing footsteps, Xianglan turned around and said, "Miss, you're finally back."
Chu Qingyin smiled slightly and stepped forward, "I just went to the Empress's palace to pay my respects."
Then he introduced Qiuzhu, who was standing beside her, to her, saying, "From now on, you and Qiuzhu will take care of me at home, and the other will manage the affairs of Diecui Pavilion."
Upon hearing this, a barely perceptible dark glint flashed in Qiu Zhu's eyes, but she obediently replied, "Yes."
After greeting Qiu Zhu, Xiang Lan looked at Chu Qing Yin with a joyful expression, "Miss, it's so good to see you again! I've missed you so much these past few days."
Chu Qingyin smiled and chatted with her for a few minutes about the situation in the manor, then instructed Qiuzhu, "Take Xianglan down and settle her in properly. She must have had a long and tiring journey."
Qiu Zhu responded and then led Xiang Lan toward the servants' quarters.
Watching their departing figures, Chu Qingyin slowly walked into the inner hall and glanced at the pile of gifts on the table, some from the Empress and some from Consort Shu.
She opened the Empress's first, which was a pair of jade ruyi scepters with auspicious cloud carvings, with a warm and smooth texture. They were neither too good nor too bad. After a careful inspection, she found no hidden doors or tricks.
That makes sense. The Empress is always meticulous in her work. It would be reckless of her to tamper with the gifts she bestows upon the concubines on the first occasion.
After calming herself down, she put down the jade ruyi and opened the gift that Consort Shu had given her.
A box of bird's nest, an exquisitely crafted eight-treasure pearl-holding swallow hairpin, and a gilded openwork ruyi bracelet.
The first two items are not unusual, but this bracelet is exquisitely crafted and inlaid with several crystal-clear gemstones that sparkle with a mesmerizing light in the sunlight.
Looking at the bracelet that seemed familiar, Chu Qingyin raised an eyebrow.
She took it back to the inner room and examined it carefully.
Sure enough, she found a musk bead in the bracelet's inner lining.
Chu Qingyin held the musk bead, her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, and after a long while, a slight smile appeared on her lips as she put the musk bead back in its original place.
**
Before we knew it, the night had deepened.
Inside the Zichen Palace.
A eunuch from the Imperial Household Department carried a sandalwood tray and slowly walked to the emperor. "Your Majesty, it's late. It's time to choose a concubine."