A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 358: Wash Hands of the Matter?

"My good daughter, all these years, when have I not been thinking of you?""It’s just such a pity that the distance is so vast, and I, a woman bound by traditional duty, truly have no power to act!"

"Zhenzhen, you... you don’t blame your mother, do you?"

The Empress dabbed at her tears with a handkerchief.

"Of course not, I know you were also helpless!"

In reality, the Empress sneered inwardly.

Helpless? Mother, you do have a way with words. But of course, when I was just a girl, you barely visited me even though we were only a courtyard apart. It was Father who doted on me. From time to time, he had someone send me food, drinks, and toys. Yet, it was also my father who meticulously plotted to send me into this devouring Harem. Isn’t it ironic? The source of thɪs content is N0v3l.Fiɾe.net

Lady Fan was relieved that her daughter did not blame her, and she too pretended to wipe tears with her handkerchief.

The Empress then consoled her. "Mother, you’ve come all this long way to see your daughter. You should be happy, please stop crying..."

As she spoke, she also wiped her own tears and pulled Lady Fan along. "Mother, please freshen up. I’ll take you for a stroll in the Imperial Garden!"

After saying this, she indeed rose and called for Yu Lan. "Fetch water for Madam to wash her face."

Yu Lan responded with a smile and summoned several Little Palace Maids.

Watching the Palace Maids enter in succession, bearing copper basins and towels, Lady Fan panicked.

"This... this..."

She could no longer bring herself to call her Zhenzhen and had to change her address. "Empress... Empress..."

The Empress stepped forward with a smile. "Mother, it’s rare for you to come from so far. Your daughter must certainly fulfill her filial duties well..."

Saying this, she took Lady Fan’s hand and said excitedly, "This golden autumn, the chrysanthemums in the Imperial Garden are all in bloom. Let’s go for a stroll!"

Lady Fan was terrified. Her youngest son’s life is hanging by a thread; how could I have time to appreciate flowers?

But seeing the constant stream of people in the room, she dared not speak up! She had to patiently wait for them to leave.

Finally, with the Palace Maids’ assistance, she washed her face and tidied her makeup.

Once they had carried the basins out, the Empress began to prepare for their outing.

Lady Fan thought, Only Yu Lan is present. This is the moment.

Suppressing the panic in her heart, she ventured to ask, "Zhenzhen, did you receive the message the family sent?"

"About your second brother..."

The Empress’s fingers, clutching the handkerchief, suddenly tightened, gripping it firmly.

A cold sneer touched her lips. So it has finally come? Mother is still the same as always. When I was at home, she wouldn’t even look beyond a single wall to see her daughter. And now, for the sake of my second brother, she can travel thousands of miles, undaunted by hardships, all the way to the palace. Even if she’s partial, this is truly too much.

The Empress composed her expression, feigning surprise. "Mother, what’s happened to Second Brother?"

Seeing the Empress’s reaction, Lady Fan thought, The world outside has turned upside down. Could it be that my daughter, deep within the palace, doesn’t know?

"Hasn’t the Emperor... said anything?"

The Empress’s body stiffened, and her voice took on an authoritative tone. "It is the rule that the Harem must not interfere in politics!"

Therefore, she would never speak of her second brother’s matters before the Emperor.

The Empress put down what she was holding, slowly moved to the outer room, and took her seat in the main position. This was the seat she usually occupied when receiving the Concubines.

Somehow, once seated, her expression and demeanor completely changed. She became solemn, dignified, and majestic, embodying the maternal grace befitting an empress of the empire.

Lady Fan stood below, somewhat at a loss.

A faint smile touched the Empress’s lips. "Mother, please have a seat!"

Lady Fan subconsciously responded, "Yes!"

The Empress smiled, just as she was about to say something, when a Little Eunuch came to report from outside, "Empress, Eunuch Li has arrived!"

The Empress’s face brightened with joy. "Quickly, invite him in..."

Li Shengan entered with two Little Eunuchs in tow.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Empress," Li Shengan announced, "these are rewards from the Emperor!" He pointed to the Sandalwood Boxes the two Little Eunuchs were carrying, each two feet long and one foot wide.

"His Majesty wishes to convey that since Lady Fan has rarely returned to the capital and entered the palace, these items are a token of His Majesty’s goodwill. Please accept them, Lady Fan!"

As he spoke, he personally opened one of the Sandalwood Boxes.

Inside were rows upon rows of neatly arranged jewelry and hair ornaments: complete sets, individual pieces, Zhen Zhu, agates, various gemstones, white jade, green jade, and jadeite. Each one was of the highest quality, warm and delicate to the touch.

All these pieces of jewelry were crafted by imperial artisans, with meticulous materials and exquisite workmanship. While not necessarily unique in the world, they were nevertheless priceless and virtually unobtainable, items for which a thousand gold pieces might not suffice.

Most importantly, these were rewards from the Emperor. Even if the reward had been a mere goose feather, the honor alone was something few in the entire world possessed.

Lady Fan knelt in trepidation. "This humble wife... This humble wife thanks the Emperor for his reward!" As she spoke, she kowtowed.

Li Shengan stepped forward with a smile. "Lady Fan, there’s no need for such ceremony. The Emperor also said that you should dine in the palace this evening; there’s no hurry for you to leave."

Lady Fan thanked him again.

The Empress also stepped forward with a smile. "We’ve troubled Eunuch Li. Yu Lan, quickly serve tea!"

Li Shengan replied with a smile, "The Empress is too kind. This old servant must return to report to His Majesty, so I shall not delay any further!"

With that, he bowed and withdrew, and Yu Lan saw him out properly.

Lady Fan stood up and looked at the box of magnificent jewelry on the table, an indescribable feeling in her heart. The Emperor’s intentions are unfathomable! On one hand, he wants to kill my son; on the other, he generously rewards me with gifts! This is truly... a contradiction. If I could truly speak my mind, I’d say I don’t need any rewards; just let my son live!

The Empress, however, did not see it that way. Inwardly, she was very pleased.

The Emperor has bestowed rewards; this gives me face! If Mother had come and the Emperor paid her no mind, that would have been terrible! This situation now is very good!

With these thoughts, she adopted a troubled expression and said, "Mother, the Harem must not meddle in politics. Even if the Emperor shows me consideration, I cannot disregard the rules."

"As for Second Brother’s matter... Mother, I am powerless!"

Incredulity filled Lady Fan’s eyes. "You intend to... wash your hands of it?"

The Empress suddenly stood up, her complexion changing. "Mother, your daughter has endured so much in the palace for all these years to achieve what I have today!"

"Do you really expect me to cast all this aside for Second Brother?"

Meddling in politics from the Harem is a great taboo!

Lady Fan glared, furious. "You... He... He is your second brother!"

Overcome with emotion, Lady Fan momentarily forgot herself, seeing the woman before her as the same unloved daughter from the past. Her tone grew harsh and carried an imperious air. "Mengzhen, don’t forget that you are a member of the Fan Family! When your second brother is in trouble, you should be helping him, not standing idly by!"

The Empress was so enraged her face turned ashen.

After a moment, she suddenly laughed. Gazing towards the heavens, she burst into loud laughter.

"Mother... so *now* you remember I’m your daughter?"

"Isn’t it a bit too late?"

"You say I am your daughter? Then tell me, that winter when I was six years old, when Second Brother pushed me into the lake and I nearly drowned, and afterward, when I developed a high fever and almost died from it—where were you?"

"When I was eight years old, and Second Brother nearly blinded me with a stolen firearm—where were you then?"

"And when I was twelve, the first time I had my menses, terrified and crying my eyes out—where were you at that time?"