The Daily Life of a Concubine

Chapter 24

Although Xiao Li did not understand why the mistress needed these things, he obediently went to get them.

Seeing that everything was ready, Bai Jingxian immediately asked Chun Yu to fetch some raw meat and vegetables from the Imperial Kitchen.

Soon, only Chun Jing and Chun Shui remained by her side. "Mistress, should we put these away?" The bolder Chun Jing asked when she saw that the mistress showed little interest in the food on the table.

"Yes, put them away and share them among yourselves."

There weren't many people in her palace, so she couldn't afford to cut back on the palace staff's share.

Before, the staff of the Internal Affairs Department might not have been very enthusiastic, given that she was just a minor concubine.

But recently, the mood in the palace had shifted. This concubine had gained favor as soon as she entered the palace. Although she had fallen ill and taken some time to recover, the emperor's eunuchs had come to remind them that they could not be negligent with her.

When Xiao Li arrived, the head eunuch of the Internal Affairs Department personally prepared everything He Liangdi needed, showing great diligence.

After all, this He Liangdi was favored by the emperor.

However, things didn't go so smoothly with the Imperial Kitchen. When Chun Yu returned with a large piece of meat, Bai Jingxian was nearly in tears out of frustration.

"Why hasn't it been divided yet?" Seeing a piece of meat weighing several pounds, she was overwhelmed. "Take these things with me to the Imperial Kitchen."

Reluctantly, she had to go to the Imperial Kitchen herself to explain the situation to the eunuch, finally getting the products she wanted.

At this moment, the head eunuch of the kitchen came forward. "Greetings, He Liangdi. Wishing you all the best."

"Rise. Who are you?" Bai Jingxian asked, recognizing that this eunuch was not an ordinary one from his attire.

"Replying to the consort, I am Zhang, the head eunuch in charge of the kitchen. May I ask what He Liangdi intends to do with these raw meats? I've heard that Langyue Pavilion doesn't have a small kitchen." Although each place in the palace had its own provisions, these items were purchased by He Liangdi herself.

Once this meat was distributed, other parts of the palace would have less. He needed to clarify the situation.

"Yes, but this consort does not cook. Whatever I am doing, it's certainly something you wouldn't know," Bai Jingxian said. "If you are curious, you might as well come with me and see."

Whether it was the Imperial Kitchen or the Internal Affairs Department, Bai Jingxian knew how crucial these places were for survival in the harem. She had to make a good impression.

Though these people all had their own masters, she was indifferent.

"Thank you, He Liangdi." The head eunuch immediately bowed to Bai Jingxian. 

"Alright, follow along."

In addition to the meat, she also brought salt, oil, and other items.

Everything was ready at Langyue Pavilion, just waiting for the roast to begin.

Meanwhile, in Qianqing Palace, the emperor also began his dinner.

Emperor Rui frowned slightly at the noticeably reduced portions of meat on his table. "Has there been a recent reduction in palace supplies?"

De Fu was taken aback, not immediately grasping the deeper meaning behind his master's words. "Ah, I haven't heard anything about that."

The emperor raised his hand, pointing at the food on the table. "Then look at what this is."