Chapter 14: The Mary Sue Protagonist Must Face a Setback

So she prepared the pot out of consideration for me? And who cares where her hometown is anyway?

After hearing Yun Xiangyi talk about the story behind the Huayue Festival yesterday, Grace had developed a bit of respect for Empress Dowager Lu. She thought it appropriate to show respect to such a competent predecessor from the past, displaying the good manners of the younger generation. But who would have guessed she'd make Grace feel so speechless right off the bat?

Yet, there's no turning back now—the pot is already in her hands, and she can't just put it down.

Grace walked out of the palace gate with the pot, and behind her came the eunuch's announcement: "Your Majesty, the Emperor is here."

Again?

This time Grace didn't dare to even think about sneaking a peek. The Empress Dowager and the Emperor were on opposing sides, and since Lord Qingyun supported the Emperor, if the Emperor saw her standing there with a pot, it would be hard to explain. The Emperor might suspect Lord Qingyun of playing both sides, and that would be disastrous. They say serving an emperor is like serving a tiger—emperors are notoriously suspicious, so it's better to be cautious.

Moreover, with the Empress Dowager and the Emperor butting heads over Shi En's matter, Grace figured she should steer clear to avoid becoming collateral damage.

The kitchen was stocked with fresh meat and vegetables.

Grace picked out some fatty lamb, a piece of tripe, a goose, and some fruits and vegetables—basically the usual hotpot ingredients.

Yesterday, the bowl of spicy hotpot was eaten clean, giving Grace a sharp insight into the Empress Dowager's tastes. She realized that no matter how great a chef or exquisite a dish might be, it didn't matter. The Empress Dowager wasn't lacking skilled cooks; she was missing the taste of home, that nostalgic flavor.

All Grace needed to do was replicate the popular street food from her time, and do it well.

Over the decades, the Empress Dowager had probably tried making modern delicacies herself. The small kitchen was well-equipped with seasonings and ingredients, but the chefs, unfamiliar with dishes from several centuries in the future, couldn't quite hit the mark.

Grace put lard into the pot, then grabbed some cleaned dried chili peppers and boiled them in clear water, before grinding them into chili paste with a small stone mill.

The palace servants who had watched Grace make hotpot yesterday were already gathered early today, and even more had joined them. Grace took advantage of this and had them help her. While the broth was simmering, she sliced the fatty lamb into paper-thin slices. The chefs, who were originally preparing food nearby, couldn't help but glance over as they saw her knife skills.

Once the broth was ready, she poured it into a clay pot for easy transport. Then she prepared a small charcoal stove and brought it back to Cining Palace.

Voices were coming from inside the hall.

"Zhao Ke is clearly the deputy commander of the Central Military Commission, responsible for military affairs. Why is he meddling in matters that fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice?" That was the Empress Dowager speaking.

"Mother, you know well that the funds Shi En embezzled were originally military pay allocated to Shanxi. As deputy commander, Lord Qingyun is also responsible for investigating this matter." The voice was familiar—it was undoubtedly the Emperor. And to be honest, his voice was quite pleasant to listen to.

With mother and son discussing official matters, Grace stepped back, placed the soup pot down, and sat on the stone steps.

"Ten years ago, your father and I rewarded Shi En with a thousand-acre estate, which he refused, saying the state was just starting and needed funds. How is it that ten years later, he suddenly becomes greedy for money? Can a person's nature change so abruptly?" This was the Empress Dowager again.

"Mother, I can't be sure if Shi En's nature has changed, but the evidence of his crime is irrefutable. I have no reason to let him go."

There was the sound of cups clinking in the room, and then the Empress Dowager said, "Shi En was the top scholar in the first imperial examination of the Great Liang Dynasty. He has managed the Ministry of Rites flawlessly over the years and has done his duty well. Even with the evidence, there are many unreasonable points. You should think more carefully. In any case, unless Shi En confesses, no one is allowed to kill him."

"Mother—"

The Emperor's tone sounded emotional. Grace got a little nervous. Were they going to argue?

But the Empress Dowager remained silent.

And the Emperor said, "Mother, didn't you say that once the empire was passed to me, I should be the one to decide?"

"I never said you couldn't decide, but there's something off about Shi En's case. I hope you strive to be a wise ruler, not just a mere emperor. Now, go back. It's almost time for my meal."

The room fell silent.

Moments later, there was the sound of clothes rustling.

Grace immediately stood up straight.

A man in royal robes walked out, not glancing in her direction, and headed the opposite way. This time, Grace managed to catch a glimpse of his meticulously groomed hair!

Grace peeked into the hall, then picked up the clay pot and walked in.

The Empress Dowager was lounging on a daybed, seemingly lost in thought.

Grace called out, "Your Majesty." She looked up and saw the clay pot and charcoal stove in Grace's hands. "You're here?"

She got up and walked over to the round table, sitting down.

Grace placed the charcoal stove on the table, set up the copper pot with ginger slices and garlic already in place, and lit the charcoal. Then she poured the broth from the clay pot into it.

The soup was already boiling, the lard sealing in the heat. As the charcoal ignited, the spicy aroma quickly filled the air.

At this time, the palace servants, with a friendly assist, brought in the meat and vegetables. Grace arranged them on the table and prepared a dipping sauce for the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager took a deep breath, expertly picked up a slice of lamb, and dipped it into the hot pot. The thin, tender lamb curled up instantly in the heat.

The Empress Dowager dipped it in the sauce and took a bite. She hadn't even swallowed it yet when her eyes were already on the remaining slices of meat.

Grace rolled up her sleeves and picked up a pair of long chopsticks to help cook the meat.

The Empress Dowager said, "Sit."

"Excuse me?"

Unprecedented!

The Empress Dowager looked up, "Aren't you hungry?"

Hungry? Of course! The ingredients might be all-natural, but even in the wealthy Lord Qingyun's household, the chefs' dishes were simple and bland. She hadn't eaten much for breakfast, and now it was already noon. How could she not be hungry?

But considering the Empress Dowager's domineering and cunning nature, inviting her to sit and eat seemed suspicious.

She decided to be cautious. "Serving Your Majesty is my honor."

The Empress Dowager glanced at her, then waved her over.

Alright then.

There was no escaping her grasp anyway. Grace resigned herself and sat down next to her.

She glanced at the Empress Dowager's expression—it was still cold and indifferent. Had the earlier conversation with the Emperor gone badly?

Aunt Ning's information was indeed accurate. The Empress Dowager and the Emperor were at odds over Shi En, and the reason Lord Qingyun publicly supported the Emperor in punishing Shi En was because the money Shi En embezzled was military funds!

That was serious. Embezzling military funds has never been tolerated in any dynasty. This overbearing leading lady had some serious control issues.

Based on the Emperor's revelation, Grace was even more certain that the Empress Dowager's orders to her had something to do with Lord Qingyun's allegiance.

Ha, today she was determined to make the Mary Sue protagonist suffer a setback and not let her succeed!