After hearing Lin Jiwen’s words at class today, her curiosity piqued about the relationship between the two countries that she didn’t pay much attention to before.
Noble Consort Xi used to grow up in the frontier, and Lin Feilu even once heard that the consort had even led soldiers to a skirmish. Lin Feilu stood on the plum blossom pile in the instructed manner, but she casted her eyes down and asked curiously: “Noble Consort, have you ever battled with soldiers from the Song Empire?”
Noble Consort Xi was flipping through a military book. She didn’t look up when she heard the words, and replied in a plain and indifferent tone: “Yes.”
Lin Feilu asked again: “Then, were they amazing?” She stood upright on the pile, but her small head shook as she whined childishly: “I was in the Imperial School today when I heard them say that the Song Empire and their soldiers were both very weak. Can Your Grace defeat ten of them individually all at once?”
Few people asked about her previous life at the frontier. The maids did not want to mention the sadness of her injury, whereas others were jealous of her. Lin Feilu was the first person to mention this in the palace after all these years.
However…
Noble Consort Xi closed the book and rebuked in a cold voice: “The battlefield is the very place where it is most forbidden to underestimate the enemy. The weakness of the Song Empire was caused by the desolate political affairs of the current ruling monarchs. They once dominated the Central Plains whose Emperor defeated 30,000 soldiers of the Yong Kingdom with an army of only 3000 on the banks of the Huai River. A person who has been a wolf will not truly become a dog!”
She coldly glanced at the little bean on the pile of wood: “Against amateurs of your level, this Noble Consort can indeed fight one against ten.”
Lin Feilu: “…”
It’s too hard for me.
In the second half, Lin Feilu remained silent. When she jumped from the plum blossom pile, she didn’t know if it was just her imagination, but she felt that her body was a lot lighter than before.
Although Noble Consort Xi was merciless towards Lin Feilu, she really treasured her. When she was standing on the pile, the consort had ordered her palace maid to cook her some snow ginseng bird’s nest porridge, which was also served alongside the sugar heart peach pastry recently developed by Jinyun Palace’s small kitchen.
This crisp was a bit like the egg yolk cake she used to eat in modern times, but the egg yolk was replaced with peach blossoms. While eating, she didn’t forget to even make a suggestion to Noble Consort Xi: “Noble Consort, you can ask your private kitchen to try replacing the filling with egg yolk, and then add some honey and milk.”
The palace maid next to her smiled and said, “Even listening to it sounds delicious already, the princess’s thoughts are indeed ingenious.”
The Noble Consort Xi’s complexion was faint, but she did relay the order.
After her hunger and thirst were sated, there remained two peach blossom crisps left on the plate. Lin Feilu thought for a while before she took out a clean handkerchief from her arms. She wrapped up the remaining peach blossom crisps and hopped away after bidding farewell to Noble Consort Xi.
From behind echoed the chilling cold voice of the Noble Consort Xi: “Not only did she feasted, but she even had a takeout.”
Lin Feilu: “…”
If she had guessed correctly, the Empress would be here today.
As she couldn’t afford to offend her, she slipped away.
When she reached the road with three junctions, the green bamboo forest not far away emanated a shallow glow under the setting sun. Lin Feilu touched the bulging peach blossoms crisps in her arms, hopping over and knocking on the door of Cuizhu Villa.