Chapter 043: Zhang Zhe Withdraws The Proposal

In her previous life, the Yao family, in order to break off Yao Xi’s engagement with Zhang Zhe, not only spread rumors that Zhang Zhe was destined to bring misfortune to his wife but also suppressed him in the court. The Jinyiwei fabricated charges to frame Zhang Zhe as a stumbling block, and Grand Scholar Yao, knowing Zhang Zhe was innocent, deliberately turned a blind eye and even added fuel to the fire, ultimately causing Zhang Zhe to be imprisoned. 

It wasn’t until later, when Gu Chunfang, the former Censor of Henan Province, was promoted to Minister of Justice, that the situation was clarified, and Zhang Zhe was reinstated.

In this life, Jiang Xuening had warned Yao Xi, but she couldn’t predict how Yao Xi and Grand Scholar Yao would choose.

The moment their eyes met, the palace gate was somewhat quiet.

Jiang Xuening smiled faintly, as if she had forgotten the unpleasantness of a few days ago, and greeted, “Miss Yao.”

Yao Xi was startled and returned the greeting with a bow.

But beyond that, there was no more conversation.

The eunuchs at the palace gate checked the items they were bringing into the palace before allowing them to enter.

The companions still lived in Yangzhi Zhai.

Because a few young ladies were persuaded to withdraw during the last selection, there were fewer people than the last time they entered the palace, but it was still very lively.

As soon as she walked outside, Jiang Xuening heard voices from inside.

“Have you heard what classes the companion teachers will teach?”

“Besides Master Xie teaching the qin, we don’t know about the others. We’ll find out tomorrow, right?”

“Look, I brought a lot of things this time!”

“Now that we’re staying long-term, although we can’t move the palace furnishings, we must be particular about the things we bring ourselves. We can’t just place them anywhere, or it might ruin our luck. This plum vase should be moved to the back…”

“Sister Xiao, are these books all rare editions?”

“Wow, this peach blossom cake is delicious!”

…

Xiao Shu, Chen Shuyi, Zhou Baoying, and others had arrived an hour earlier and had almost finished tidying up their rooms. They were now sitting in the outer hall, chatting.

The fortune-teller Fang Miao couldn’t sit still and was adjusting the placement of various items in the room, talking to herself.

Yao Rongrong brought out a box of peach blossom cakes, taking small steps to offer them to everyone.

Zhou Baoying, the youngest and most gluttonous, was originally sitting next to Chen Shuyi. As soon as she heard Yao Rongrong mention the peach blossom cakes, she immediately jumped up and said, “Then I won’t be polite,” taking a piece.

After just one bite, she was overjoyed.

She could hardly believe it, her cheeks puffing up like a squirrel’s, and she spoke with her mouth full, “Did you buy this from Wu Yunzai? But I just went there this morning, and they don’t make peach blossom cakes, and they aren’t this good!”

Wu Yunzai is one of the famous pastry shops in the capital, known for its fine ingredients and excellent taste, and is always a favorite among the capital’s dignitaries. However, the prices are also high, and ordinary people can’t afford it. Yao Rongrong, coming from a small family, was not familiar with Wu Yunzai.

Hearing Zhou Baoying say this, her face immediately turned slightly red, and she stammered in response, “I made it myself at home. I’m glad you like it, Sister Zhou.”

“You made it yourself?!”

Zhou Baoying’s almond-shaped eyes widened in surprise. After finishing one piece, she couldn’t help but reach for another, while also inviting others.

“Everyone, come and try this. It’s the best peach blossom cake I’ve ever had!”

You should know that Zhou Baoying had tasted countless delicious foods, so for her to praise it like this, Yao Rongrong’s peach blossom cake must be excellent. Everyone, having spent the past few days together, knew what Zhou Baoying was like, and they all became interested, graciously taking a piece to eat.

Sure enough, the taste was excellent.

Even Xiao Shu couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows slightly after tasting it and praised Yao Rongrong, “It indeed rivals the pastry shops in the capital. I didn’t expect Miss Yao to have such skills.”

What a prominent status Xiao Shu had!

Yao Rongrong, having offended many people before due to her inability to speak well, was fortunate to stay in the palace because of her knowledge, but she was somewhat fearful of her future situation. She was even worried that others would look down on her and ignore her when she brought out the peach blossom cake. She didn’t expect Xiao Shu to praise her.

Her heart was filled with joy.

She was even a bit grateful.

Her hands holding the box trembled slightly, and she hurriedly said, “I don’t have much to do at home, so I like to make some food. A few days ago, when I entered the palace, everyone took good care of me. I’m clumsy and couldn’t think of any other way to repay you, so I made this cake. I’m happy if Sister Xiao and everyone else like it.”

At this moment, Jiang Xuening and Yao Xi entered together.

Fang Miao was the most lively among them and was very familiar with Jiang Xuening. As soon as she saw her, her eyes lit up, and she greeted her, “I was just wondering when Second Miss Jiang would come. I didn’t expect you to come just as I mentioned you! You arrived just in time. Miss Yao brought some cakes and is inviting us to eat. They taste great!”

Zhou Baoying quickly nodded in agreement.

Yao Rongrong then smiled, holding the box with both hands and offering it, “Second Miss Jiang, would you like to try some?”

Jiang Xuening actually didn’t like Yao Rongrong because she always appeared pitiful.

But since the food was offered, it wouldn’t be polite to refuse.

She thanked her and took a piece from the box, taking a small, refined bite.

Peach blossom cake is made from glutinous rice, peach kernels, and sugar, all cut into thin slices. It looks snow-white, has a soft and sweet texture, and the peach kernels embedded in the middle add a bit of fragrance.

A well-made peach blossom cake melts in your mouth.

However, there weren’t many pastry shops in the capital famous for making peach blossom cakes.

In her previous life, the year Jiang Xuening became empress, she had many palace chefs try to make peach blossom cakes, but they never made them as delicious as she remembered. She eventually got so tired of them that she felt nauseous just hearing the words “peach blossom cake.”

Sometimes, she felt like she was dreaming.

That was the later renowned Grand Tutor Xie Wei. Born into a noble family, he was the most talented man in the world, a gentleman among gentlemen, half a saint. How could he be near the kitchen and smoke?

Jiang Xuening thought of entering the palace again and remembered the conversation she had with Xie Wei during the last academic test. Her eyelids twitched, and the peach blossom cake in her mouth tasted bland, even if it were a delicacy.

But others were very concerned about her reaction.

Especially Zhou Baoying, who was looking at her in surprise.

Jiang Xuening was puzzled, not knowing why she was looking at her like that, “What’s wrong?”

Zhou Baoying seemed a bit incredulous. She picked up another piece of peach blossom cake, still finding it delicious enough to make her squint her eyes, so Jiang Xuening’s reaction puzzled her even more.

She said, “Don’t you think it’s delicious?”

Delicious?

Jiang Xuening really didn’t feel anything.

If she didn’t have to stay in the palace for another six months and maintain appearances, she wouldn’t even want to pick up this piece of peach blossom cake. But with a turn of thought, she saw Yao Rongrong biting her lip and lowering her head silently, and she understood. She smiled faintly and said, “Of course, it’s delicious. There’s no pastry shop in the capital that can make it this good, right?”

Yao Rongrong’s face looked better.

Zhou Baoying, with her simple mind, muttered, “I told you, I’ve eaten most of the delicious things in the world, and this is the best peach blossom cake I’ve ever had. I couldn’t be wrong. Seeing Sister Jiang’s reaction, I thought I hadn’t eaten anything good.”

Yao Rongrong’s face changed again, and her fingers tightened slightly around the box.

Jiang Xuening didn’t want to continue the conversation.

---

The “Jiao’an” qin was gently placed on the qin table by Jiang Xuening, but her heart was filled with shadows.

The palace maids helped tidy up the room.

She hadn’t brought many things, so it didn’t take long to organize. She didn’t want to go back immediately, so after the palace maids left, she stood by the window, looking at the red palace walls outside for a long time before getting up to leave.

Unexpectedly, as soon as she stepped into the corridor, she saw a young palace maid holding a letter, walking quickly with her head down. She entered the hall and said, “Ladies, this is a letter from outside, sent by Lord Yao for Miss Yao.”

At this moment, Yao Xi was speaking softly with Xiao Shu and Chen Shuyi, while the others sat nearby, occasionally offering words of comfort.

Hearing the palace maid, she immediately stood up.

She took the letter and opened it. At a glance at the handwriting on the letter, she was stunned: her father usually wrote in running script, but this was written in a thin, strong, and sparse style, which was too rigid and definitely not her father’s handwriting.

At this moment, everyone could only see Yao Xi’s originally pale face gradually turning red, seemingly out of shame or guilt. In the end, her eyes filled with tears, and she buried her face in her arms, crying on the table.

Everyone was shocked.

Xiao Shu and Chen Shuyi had just managed to calm her down, but now this happened?

“What happened? Didn’t you say it was almost resolved?”

Chen Shuyi couldn’t help but pick up the letter and glance at it, then looked at Xiao Shu in surprise.

Xiao Shu asked, “Isn’t it a letter from Lord Yao?”

Chen Shuyi whispered, “It’s a letter from Zhang Zhe to Lord Yao.”

Jiang Xuening stood outside the door and suddenly smiled.

Zhang Zhe…

He was upright and cautious.

How lucky she had been in her previous life to meet such a good person.

Jiang Xuening looked at the overlapping palace walls in the distance and suddenly felt all her lost courage return to her.

She walked in.

Xiao Shu stopped in front of Chen Shuyi and smiled, “May I take a look?”