Chapter 211 - 183: Jealousy

Jiang Xian’s description was so vivid that the eavesdropper outside didn’t know whether to be angry or amused.

Chen Cairen found her reasoning sound. "My mother rarely gets angry over such things either, but if you really get on her nerves, you deserve to be put through the wringer a bit."

"You have this kind of trouble in your family too?"

Chen Cairen said, "My family’s official rank is just low, but we’re not poor."

He Xiang broke into a cold sweat over her mistress’s emotional intelligence and pinched her on the lower back. But Chen Cairen was having none of it. "He Xiang, stop pinching me. I suspect the rolls on my waist are from you pinching me day after day. It’s fine to say this in front of Sister Zhaoyi! Now, as long as she’s willing to accept them, piles of silver taels will be presented to her just to win a smile... If she were still just a Daying, then saying this would be pointing out a weakness. But she’s Lady Zhaoyi, so when I mention her family’s poverty, it just proves that a hero’s origins are irrelevant."

When a simple and guileless person has a rare flash of insight, it’s particularly surprising.

Chen Cairen believed from the bottom of her heart that a poor family and a low official rank couldn’t hinder Jiang Xian’s achievements, so she spoke with complete candor.

"Chen Cairen is right this time. No matter how good your family background is, if you can’t think for yourself, the Emperor would have long since punished you by sending you to cut fodder." Jiang Xian was referring to what happened while attending the sick. "But do I seem that murderous? To think you’ve already planned out a way for me to eliminate my rivals."

Outside the room, Xie Che scoffed—

’Xian’er and Chen Cairen must be sharing a single brain. The moment Chen Cairen gets a little brighter, Xian’er becomes duller. This must be how it looks to others. She’s so madly in love with me that she’s become jealous and resentful. I don’t blame her.’

"I do? I don’t think so..."

Chen Cairen’s gaze started to wander, and she fell suspiciously silent.

Jiang Xian spoke again, "But are you holding a personal grudge? I heard from Zhenqiu that Consort Ji is very polite to you and even said she feels a connection with you."

Xie Che was also quite curious about this.

In his impression, Chen Cairen was just a simple-minded young woman who was happy all day long. The last time he saw her while dining with Xian’er, she had even put on a performance of a panicked, scrambling retreat. Could such a person harbor hostility toward a Ji Cairen she had never met?

Under Jiang Xian’s questioning, Chen Cairen finally threw caution to the wind and confessed, "Consort Ji is trying to curry favor with you and win you over. Isn’t that stealing you away from me? I already told Zhang Daying before that I’m your number one favorite, so others should stop thinking about my Sister Zhaoyi!"

...

That business with Zhang Daying traced back to their first Longevity Festival after entering the palace.

Ms. Zhang was originally a Changzai who threw her weight around while following Guo Xiao Yi. She was implicated and demoted to a Daying. While Guo Xiao Yi, due to her family background and having a son, was promoted back up two ranks, she was still stuck among the ranks of Daying, long forgotten by everyone in the harem.

Only Jiang Xian had a good memory. She chuckled softly, "How can you be so mischievous?"

Outside, Xie Che thought hard for a moment but couldn’t recall who Zhang Daying was.

He just couldn’t listen anymore.

As Xie Che strode into the room, he heard Jiang Xian coaxing Chen Cairen, "Alright, alright, I haven’t paid her any mind, have I? It wouldn’t work even if she tried to win me over with real gold and silver."

He Xiang was puzzled.

’Does that mean Lady Zhaoyi only falls for schemes that get something for nothing?’

Chen Cairen was delighted. "Her mountains of gold and silver can’t compare to my sincere heart."

Seeing her happiness, Jiang Xian paused, then swallowed the words "Because the Empress assigned us both to Yizhu Pavilion back then." ’It’s the same principle as with friends from school,’ she thought. ’No matter how much you have in common, nothing beats the teacher making you deskmates. The reason is simple, crude, and direct.’

Liang Yuyin lifted the curtain, and Xie Che entered, saying, "That is my Lady Zhaoyi, not yours."

The sudden appearance of the Emperor startled Chen Cairen. Everyone in the room dropped to their knees in unison to greet His Majesty. Only Jiang Xian hadn’t had time to stand up before Xie Che pressed her back down into her seat. "All of you, rise. Have you eaten yet?"

Jiang Xian smiled. "Not yet."

Chen Cairen, craving the magnificent spread of dozens of dishes from the imperial kitchen, quickly chimed in, "This servant hasn’t either. But there isn’t enough space for so many people in here. Why don’t you let this servant eat in the outer room?"

Xie Che said, "I didn’t ask you."

Xie Che looked at her intently and continued, "Chen Cairen’s face seems to have gotten rounder than last time. A greedy mouth easily leads to indigestion. Today, We shall grant you a favor. Liang Yuyin, deliver an edict to Xia Deshui."

Hearing Xia Deshui’s name, Chen Cairen gulped.

Xia Deshui was the most skilled eunuch chef in the imperial kitchen. Masters who were not in favor couldn’t command him. He didn’t even need to refuse them outright; simply stating that he was "busy researching new dishes for the Emperor" was enough. No one dared to place their own priorities ahead of the Emperor’s. And Xia Deshui wasn’t just being arrogant; he frequently developed new dishes that perfectly suited the Emperor’s palate.