The Enchanting Imperial Concubine (Book 2)

Chapter 215 - Corruption

After drinking the water, Ye Yun grew even hungrier.

Bai Zhu quickly ran to the imperial kitchen, urging them to prepare a few small dishes.

Naturally, the kitchen staff didn't dare delay. Even though it was well past mealtime, they still immediately got busy.

Finally, they brought the food to the table. The main dish was a bowl of multigrain porridge, accompanied by stir-fried magnolia petals, steamed shrimp, and a dish called "Three Delicacies of the Lotus Pond."

The meal was a balanced mix of meat and vegetables, with all the dishes being light and not too oily or spicy, showing how much thought the cook had put into it.

Ye Yun particularly loved the shrimp dish and ate more than half of the plate in one go.

Feeling full, she regained some energy, and her complexion looked much better. Seeing this, a certain emperor was in a good mood and generously rewarded Chef Liu with twenty taels of silver.

An imperial reward, no matter the amount, was a great honor, and Chef Liu was overjoyed.

However, Ning Chen's act of rewarding the cook sparked more speculation in the harem.

It was just a dish that made Ming Jieyu happy, yet the chef was rewarded—could it be that she was truly pregnant?

Ning Chen still had official duties, and with Ye Yun still sick, he didn't stay the night. After having dinner with her, he returned to Jingqian Palace.

The next day, he sent Yuan Jiu to check on her, and upon seeing that she was obediently taking her medicine, he felt reassured.

Two days later, Wang Xiuyi suddenly came to visit.

"Sister, I heard you were ill. I wanted to visit earlier, but since His Majesty was here, I didn't come. Are you feeling better now?"

As soon as Wang Xiuyi entered, she began to examine Ye Yun's complexion and the servants in her courtyard.

It didn't look like there was any great news; everything seemed rather ordinary.

And Ye Yun's face truly looked like that of a sick person, unnaturally pale.

"It's just a cold. I feel bad that you made the trip, Sister. Be careful not to catch it," Ye Yun smiled faintly.

Huiyue quickly served some tea and snacks.

Wang Xiuyi got straight to the point, "It's good that it's just a cold. For those who don't know, seeing how much the Emperor is taking care of you, they'd think you were pregnant."

Ye Yun was taken aback. "Really? Are there rumors going around these past two days?"

"Not exactly rumors, but everyone thinks you're expecting. First, you called for the imperial physician, then had the chef prepare special meals just for you. Now, all eyes are on your belly!" Wang Xiuyi said.

After observing Ye Yun's expression, she confirmed that it was just a misunderstanding.

With a sigh, she added, "I was hoping you really were pregnant, but it seems it was all for nothing."

"The matter of having children depends on fate, doesn't it?" Ye Yun couldn't help but laugh. "I didn't even realize such a misunderstanding was spreading. I imagine it must have made everyone quite anxious."

Nanzhi suddenly understood, "No wonder these past few days there have been so many little palace maids and eunuchs lingering outside Jiaotang Courtyard, trying to strike up conversations. So that's what it was about!"