TICIEC Chapter 49.2

Liu Zhen certainly couldn’t die.

If the chief eunuch of Cining Palace were to die, Cining Palace would truly lose all face.

Moreover, he hadn’t personally carried out the act. Empress Dowager Xue would naturally protect those she could.

As for the matter of praying for blessings, since it was already a done deal, let it be considered a ‘merit’.

Thus, although the Xue family had lost, it wasn’t a humiliating defeat.

“…Go back and rest well. In a couple of days, I will promote you to the rank of Meiren for your meritorious service in praying for blessings.” Empress Dowager Xue comforted her softly.

Xue Jinyan was unwilling to accept this: “Are we just going to let Ning Wanyin be so arrogant?”

“It is the Emperor who is arrogant.” Empress Dowager Xue said in an icy voice.

Xue Jinyan was taken aback, then bit her lip tightly: “Yan’er understands.”

She will remember this humiliation and repay Ning Wanyin a hundredfold!

Xue Jinyan was sent back to Qionghua Garden.

Empress Dowager Xue gazed at the heavy rain outside the door and muttered to herself, “I never expected the Emperor to be so protective of Ning Wanyin…”

This was somewhat unexpected for her.

But even knowing this, she would still take action against Ning Wanyin.

Because the Xue family’s reputation could be ruined by the Emperor, but not by Ning Wanyin.

Ning Wanyin dared to hit Xue Jinyan, so she would definitely punish her.

Now that the Emperor was protecting Ning Wanyin, the Xue family was being suppressed by the Emperor, which wasn’t really shameful.

“Your protection is useless.” A cold glint flashed in Empress Dowager Xue’s eyes.

Using power to oppress others is just the simplest method.

There are plenty of ways to kill without shedding blood in the palace.

…

In Tingyi Pavilion—

Song Jieyu and Wen Meiren watched in shock as the Emperor carried Ning Wanyin onto the imperial carriage, while Xue Jinyan was forced to kowtow and pray in the rain.

“His Majesty actually came to fetch her… Didn’t His Majesty ignore it last time?” Song Qingzhi felt a sharp pain in her heart.

She remembered the last time she was made to copy Buddhist scriptures.

Why did His Majesty care so much about Ning Wanyin?

Wen Meiren was also deeply shocked.

Her father was right; Ning Wanyin had become the Emperor’s favorite concubine by stepping on the Xue family’s reputation!

She could easily replace Ning Wanyin.

With the Emperor backing her up, what did she have to fear from the Xue family?

Song Qingzhi left, feeling heartbroken and dejected.

Wen Meiren stayed behind to quietly admire the scene for a while. Then she instructed her maid: “From this day forward, keep a close watch on Xue Zhaoyi’s every move.”

“Yes.”

…

Two days after the prayer ceremony, the Empress Dowager promoted Xue Jinyan to the rank of Meiren.

Everyone tacitly agreed, and no one dared to discuss it. Only the Emperor could rival the Xue family, and the Cen family could also challenge them, but everyone else had to avoid them.

This matter was quickly forgotten in the harem.

The concubines’ minds were now focused on vying for the Emperor’s favor.

Because Ning Wanyin’s jade token had been removed from the Imperial Bedchamber Office.

She had injured her forehead and needed rest, making it unsuitable for her to serve the Emperor.

Ning Wanyin didn’t want to hinder her wound’s recovery by serving the Emperor, so she proactively sent someone to remove the jade token.

How could the concubines miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?

They all used their unique abilities to achieve their goals!

“Your Majesty, these are two new iced drinks I’ve recently developed: ice cream and crispy snow.” Wei Yingya presented two small dishes.

Only after being inspected by the imperial physicians and the eunuchs who tested the poison could it be presented to the Emperor.

One was a snow-white, cheese-like substance served in a delicate little bowl, sprinkled with melon seeds, almonds, and crispy crunch.

It was indeed ‘ice cream’, so Wei Yingya named it Crispy Snow.

The other was an ice cream made with watermelon juice, filled with a red bean paste filling.

Helian Qi was seeing this novel food for the first time. He picked up a spoon, took a bite of the Crispy Snow, and found it sweet, cool, and rich in milky flavor.

He then picked up an ice cream with his chopsticks and took a bite. It was crisp and refreshing.

“Very good.” Helian Qi nodded slightly, showing great appreciation.

Wei Yingya was secretly delighted.

Chinese cuisine was indeed unbeatable.

 

 

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