The Silent Flame A Princess Reborn for Revenge

Chapter 10 Recollection

Recollection 1

Fu Pei nodded with satisfaction and said to Huang Changzheng, “Tell the Internal Affairs Office to send more high-quality charcoal to the Talented Lady. I really like these braised eggs.”

A total of nine dishes were served—any more would have seemed excessive, any fewer might have seemed careless toward the Emperor. Each dish was something not usually available in the palace, all homestyle fare like crystal pork knuckle and pine nut corn.

At first, Rongrong was uneasy, worried that Fu Pei might take offense and think she was showing disrespect to the monarch. But seeing him now eating so happily, she felt more at ease and confident.

The three of them chatted and dined for two full hours. Huang Changzheng, standing aside, anxiously rubbed his hands, unsure what to do. Rongrong could tell what was on his mind. After another quarter of an hour, she finally said, “Your Majesty, it seems Eunuch Huang has something to say.”

Huang Changzheng quickly knelt down and said, “Your humble servant dares not. I would not presume to interrupt Your Majesty and Her Grace’s refined pleasure.”

Fu Pei said, “Get up and speak.”

Only then did Huang Changzheng rise and whisper in Fu Pei’s ear. Fu Pei flew into a rage: “You d*mn dog! We have two Talented Ladies present—if you have something to say, say it plainly. Why are you whispering?”

Huang Changzheng hesitated, but fearing more anger from Fu Pei, he had no choice but to say aloud: “Lady Li has already sent someone several times asking when Your Majesty will be coming to Xianfu Palace for dinner.”

Fu Pei looked thoroughly embarrassed and seemed to blame Huang Changzheng for saying such a thing in front of Rongrong and Talented Lady Yue. Huang, however, stood there awkwardly and dared not even breathe.

Sensing the awkwardness, Rongrong casually remarked, “I’ve heard that Lady Li has recently hired a new cook. Perhaps Your Majesty should go and try the food?”

Talented Lady Yue chimed in, “Yes! That chef’s mung bean cakes are even tastier than the ones my mother used to make.”

Fu Pei said, “In that case, how about the two of you come with me?”

This made Huang Changzheng even more anxious.

Talented Lady Yue was delighted and just about to agree when Rongrong quickly interjected, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s kindness. But the winter nights are especially cold, and it’s best for Yue Sister and me to stay indoors. Besides, I have something special for Yue Sister—something only girls would understand. It’s not suitable for the Emperor to see. Please take care on the way.”

Upon hearing there was a gift for her, Talented Lady Yue, who had just been pouting, brightened and quickly asked what it was. Huang Changzheng finally let out a sigh of relief.

Recollection 2

Talented Lady Yue was overjoyed and just about to say “yes,” when Rongrong hurriedly said, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kind offer. But winter nights are especially chilly—it’s better for Yue Sister and me to avoid going out. Also, I have something special for Yue Sister—it’s a gift for girls, not something the Emperor should see. Please take care on your way.”

Hearing about the gift, Talented Lady Yue, who had been pouting, suddenly smiled and eagerly asked what the gift was. Huang Changzheng also breathed a sigh of relief.

Fu Pei chuckled at their childishness and left in a hurry.

After Fu Pei left, Talented Lady Yue asked Rongrong, “What’s the good stuff you promised me? It’s such a shame we’re not going to eat mung bean cakes with His Majesty.” Her face showed clear regret.

Everyone burst into laughter. Embarrassed, Talented Lady Yue said, “Rong Sister, you must tell me clearly—otherwise, you’ll owe me mung bean cakes.”

Lin Xi smiled and instructed Ling’er to bring a plate of mung bean cakes. Rongrong then explained, “Lady Li only invited His Majesty. If you had gone, she might never share her delicious mung bean cakes with you again.”

Talented Lady Yue stuck out her tongue, “Good thing Rong Sister is so clever! Otherwise, I’d miss out on those cool mung bean cakes forever.” Then she happily started eating the pastries Ling’er brought.

After Yue left, Lin Xi dismissed everyone to rest, leaving only Xia Lan to attend to Rongrong. Xia Lan, in high spirits, said joyfully, “Miss, it seems His Majesty will often visit our Duanyang Palace from now on.”

Rongrong did not respond. She stared at the flickering candlelight, remembering how she and her older sister used to sit by the window as children, counting the number of times the flame danced in a quarter of an hour. The loser wouldn't get to eat the fried glutinous cake. Rongrong, always impatient, lost every time and would run to their mother to pout. Her sister always let her win in the end and gave her the white rice cake to eat alone.

She and her sister had a strange quirk—they both believed that white things were the cleanest.

Shaking her head, Rongrong forced herself to stop reminiscing. She reminded herself inwardly: “The grand plan is not yet achieved. There’s no room for useless thoughts.”

She turned to Lin Xi and said, “Lin Xi, instruct everyone in the palace not to show even a hint of arrogance on their faces. We mustn’t let anyone say that we’re pretending to be phoenixes before we’ve even perched on a branch. If word gets to the Emperor or the Empress, it won’t end well.”