After exchanging various pleasantries, Yunyi withdrew from the study together with her. Outside, Chuyi and the others had already finished eating the pastries and respectfully returned the food box, saying: “Thank you, Noble Lady Wen, for bestowing the pastries.”

Wen Shi smiled and said: “Don’t mention it. Were the pastries to your liking?”

Chuyi hastily replied: “The pastries made by Noble Lady Wen are naturally delicious.”

A young servant beside him interjected: “I think they’re even better than those made by the imperial chefs in the palace. We servants nearly swallowed our tongues along with them.”

Seeing him flatter Wen Shi in this manner, Jixiang found it grating to the ear and couldn’t help but say: “When have you ever eaten pastries made by the imperial chefs in the palace that you dare say such things?”

The young servant was merely making a complimentary remark and hadn’t truly eaten such things. Caught off guard by Jixiang’s question, he could only rub his hands and laugh awkwardly. Yunyi glanced at Jixiang and said: “If he doesn’t know, do you? I’ve tasted Noble Lady Wen’s cooking, and it is indeed superior to those imperial chefs in the palace.”

Jixiang, having been rebuked, lowered her head and dared not speak. Wen Shi curtsied slightly and said gently: “My Lady flatters me. If My Lady likes them, I shall make some tomorrow to send to Qiluo Pavilion.”

Yunyi smiled: “Then I won’t refuse such kindness.”

After Wen Shi bowed and took her leave, Yunyi also headed toward Qiluo Pavilion. She didn’t speak a word along the way, and only after returning to Qiluo Pavilion and sitting down did she furrow her delicate brows and say to Jixiang, who stood with lowered hands in the room: “How could you be so lacking in propriety?”

Jixiang knew she had misspoken, but still couldn’t help saying: “Your servant knows those words just now were somewhat excessive, but when I saw those people eating a few pastries and immediately praising Noble Lady Wen, I couldn’t stand it. Also, that Noble Lady Wen is clearly intentionally cultivating relationships with Chuyi and the others – otherwise why didn’t she share any with us servants?”

Yunyi said with a half-smile: “What, are you also craving them? If so, when Noble Lady Wen sends pastries tomorrow, I’ll save them all for you to eat.”

“Your servant doesn’t want to eat her things. What I mean is…” Before Jixiang could explain, Yunyi already said: “Enough, I understand your meaning. Whether she acts from good intentions or deliberate cultivation, you shouldn’t have spoken thus. Do you understand?”

“Your servant understands, but…” This time she was interrupted again, though not by Yunyi but by Ruyi: “If you understand, then stop talking. If Noble Lady Wen wants to cultivate relationships, let her. Don’t underestimate Chuyi and the others – they’re not the type to be won over by mere pastries. They’re just being polite and giving Noble Lady Wen some face.”

“A few pastries may not win them over, but there’s a first time for everything. From pastries to gold and silver, then to houses and fields – won’t they still be susceptible to enticement?”

Ruyi chuckled lightly: “You’re going too far. What houses and fields? Noble Lady Wen isn’t from a wealthy family – where would she get such things to lavish?”

Jixiang disagreed: “She may not have them now, but who’s to say she won’t in the future?”

“Even if she truly had such things, it doesn’t mean she could win over Chuyi and the others. If they were so easily bought, would His Highness keep them in close personal service? Does His Highness lack even this basic ability to judge character?”

Gradually calmed by these words, Jixiang thought: Indeed, not to mention others, but that Chuyi – according to the Princess, had been serving at His Highness’s side since Honghua Commandery. As His Highness rose from the second son of a governor to the current Second Prince, King of Qin, his status became increasingly noble. Surely many people had tried to bribe and curry favor with Chuyi, yet she had never heard of him doing anything inappropriate, always quietly serving beside Li Shimin.

As Jixiang thought, she said: “So that Noble Lady Wen is wasting her efforts?”

Ruyi smiled: “It’s not entirely wasted. Being so socially adept, she’ll naturally have better relationships and more opportunities to see His Highness. Look at Noble Lady Yan – it’s been a month, and the number of times she’s seen His Highness could be counted on one hand.” Seeing Yunyi frowning silently, she asked: “Princess, what’s wrong? Did your servant say something incorrect?”

Yunyi shook her head and said heavily: “You spoke correctly. I’m thinking about His Highness. His Highness has good judgment regarding other people, but only…” She didn’t finish the sentence, but Ruyi, having followed her for so many years, understood: “You’re worried about the Crown Prince?”

“Actually, this past month, I’ve also found it strange that the court rewards haven’t come down, but I hadn’t immediately thought of the Crown Prince. Only after hearing His Highness speak of Master Liu’s words today did I suddenly realize that all this might be the Crown Prince’s doing.”

Jixiang said from the side: “When we heard that the Crown Prince had presented palace women to His Majesty, your servant found it very strange. The palace doesn’t lack palace women – why would the Crown Prince trouble himself? Now thinking about it, it’s probably exactly as suspected. If the Crown Prince didn’t have such intentions, it would be fine, but with these two people beside His Majesty, it’s not good for His Highness.”

Yunyi rubbed her smooth forehead and sighed: “Unfortunately, His Highness still refuses to believe it.”

“His Highness and the Crown Prince have been brothers for over twenty years after all. Protecting the Crown Prince is only natural.” Seeing Yunyi’s silence, she rolled her eyes and said softly: “Why don’t we… first investigate Talented Lady Yin’s background?”

Jixiang said in amazement: “They’re in the palace – how can we investigate? And don’t forget, although Talented Lady Yin is only fifth rank, she’s still His Majesty’s consort. The Princess would have to bow to her.”

Ruyi smiled slightly: “I naturally haven’t forgotten. While the Princess may find it inconvenient to probe, someone else finds it convenient and has far higher rank than Talented Lady Yin and Precious Consort Zhang.”

Yunyi guessed her meaning: “You mean Noble Consort Shu?”

Ruyi bowed her head: “Yes. Noble Consort Shu has always been close to the Princess. Why not use Noble Consort Shu to probe a bit? Since Talented Lady Yin and Precious Consort Zhang entered the palace, they’ve greatly diminished the favor of several consorts. Though Noble Consort Shu hasn’t said so openly, she must feel somewhat displeased. Even if she later discovers the Princess’s intentions, she likely won’t make things difficult.”

Yunyi carefully considered her words and said: “This is not a bad method. Let me think it over carefully. Also, I remember the gardener mentioned the narcissus flowers bloomed recently. Noble Consort Shu likes these flowers – have the gardener prepare some to take to the palace tomorrow. Also bring that pot of staghorn begonia – that’s what Virtuous Consort likes.”

“Yes.” Ruyi acknowledged with a smile: “Whenever the Princess has something good to take to the palace for Noble Consort Shu, she never forgets to prepare something for Virtuous Consort too.”

“Though my relationship with Virtuous Consort isn’t as close as with Noble Consort Shu, it’s still quite good. I shouldn’t slight her. Besides, in that palace, Noble Consort Shu only has a good relationship with Virtuous Consort.”

“Your servant will go speak with the gardener immediately.” After Ruyi went down, Yunyi asked: “How are things with Miss Jiang?”