"Besides Zhang Chongyuan, how many concubines and consorts does the Emperor have?" Li Yuyu was extremely curious. She had thought that her own title of Concubine was quite high-ranking, but now she realized there were nine consorts of third rank above her, and second-rank consorts.
Among the first-rank four consorts, only Princess Consort De was currently in position. What about the consort rank and the nine other consorts—how many are there?
"Concubine, what’s the matter? Among the nine consorts, there’s only Zhang Chongyuan," Hua Yin was puzzled. "As for the consort rank, no one has been promoted."
Oh?
"Listening to you, it seems there aren’t many concubines in this vast harem." Li Yuyu widened her willow leaf eyes.
Other emperors have harems full of three thousand beauties, but Yan Xiu has only thirty?
"Thirty?" Hua Yin’s eyes widened. "Master, have you forgotten? Since the Emperor’s ascension, there have only been twelve concubines in the harem."
Twelve?
Li Yuyu inhaled. "The Emperor wouldn’t, hiccup..." No way?
A hiccup stopped the words of disrespect from escaping Li Yuyu’s lips. Frightened, she covered her mouth with her little hand, her willow leaf eyes blinking, worried she might let something slip.
"What’s Concubine saying?" Hua Yin looked confused, not having heard clearly.
"Nothing, nothing, eat some pastries, they’re delicious." Li Yuyu said, stuffing a piece into her own mouth, not forgetting to also pick up a piece and offer it to Hua Yin.
Hua Yin nearly choked, taking a moment to swallow the pastry, the words she meant to say turning into exclamations. "Wow, it’s so good!"
"If it’s good, you eat it all. I’ll go outside to have a look."
Li Yuyu dusted off her hands, drank half a cup of tea to soothe her throat, and looked down to check her dress for crumbs. Confirming it was clean, she slowly walked outside.
Hua Yin quickly followed her out.
"Servant greets Concubine." Little Xianzi knelt in front of Li Yuyu. "The servant was useless and couldn’t persuade Eunuch Zhang."
"Zhang Jian went back?"
"Yes, Eunuch Zhang has returned to the Imperial Household."
"And what about my bed?"
"It has also been returned to the Imperial Household."
Li Yuyu laughed. "Well done, go receive your reward."
"Thank you, Concubine, for your gracious gift." Little Xianzi happily withdrew.
"With the sun setting, it’s a good time to stroll in the garden." Li Yuyu smiled lightly as she turned. "Go, fetch my fan, let’s go for a walk."
Hua Yin quickly trotted to fetch the round fan, then went out together with Li Yuyu.
"Where is the Imperial Kitchen?" Li Yuyu shielded her forehead with the fan and looked around.
"If there’s anything Concubine wants to eat, you can find a spot to rest while this servant goes to the Imperial Kitchen to order some dishes." Hua Yin suggested.
"I’m not hungry, just curious, want to take a look."
Hua Yin pointed in a direction.
A quarter of an hour later, at the Imperial Kitchen.
"Lady Li, what do you want to do?" The head chef asked nervously.
"Just a simple chicken soup, very easy. Don’t you have a chicken over there? Could you lend it to me?"
The head chef: "You may borrow the chicken, Lady Li, but let this servant chop the ingredients."
"No need, no need, my knife skills are quite impressive." Li Yuyu waved the kitchen knife, and under the anxious gazes of all present, she managed to slice the ingredients without incident.
Both the head chef and Hua Yin let out a sigh of relief.
"Alright, now just put it in the pot to boil. Hua Yin, quickly give me the fan." Li Yuyu excitedly took the round fan and started fanning the flames.
The head chef tried to intervene. "Lady Li, maybe this servant should do it; the fire can be hard to control and easily—"
"Bang!"
A loud explosion interrupted the chef, and Li Yuyu, fanning the round fan, awkwardly ran out of the kitchen. Her newly changed light pink dress had turned gray-black, and her delicate face was marked with a number of irregular black lines.
——