Chapter 7: Mr. Lu Became a God

Xiao Jinyan stared at Shen Chuwei for quite a while, feeling somewhat depressed that he couldn't hear her inner thoughts, and also harbored some doubts. Could it be that the talisman-laced water was useless?

Eunuch Liu bowed as he entered and inquired, "Your Highness, it's time for lunch. Shall we serve the meal?"

Xiao Jinyan, "Serve the meal."

"As you wish." Eunuch Liu took the order to serve the meal.

Shen Chuwei's originally dimmed eyes instantly brightened at the mention of lunch. The Crown Prince's food and drink were much more exquisite than hers; there would definitely be a lot of delicious food for lunch.

It was mealtime; surely the Crown Prince would let her stay for lunch, right?

Xiao Jinyan felt somewhat disappointed internally and waved his hand, "You may leave."

"..." It was mealtime, and the Crown Prince wasn't being hospitable. She could have taken advantage of the situation to score a meal!

Since she couldn't join the meal, Shen Chuwei could only curtsy, "This concubine takes her leave."

Not long after Shen Chuwei left, Lu Zhaoyan walked in.

"How's it going, Your Highness?"

Xiao Jinyan shook his head, "The mind-reading spell is still useless against her. Do you have any other methods?"

"Let this humble one think of another method."

Xiao Jinyan's eyes darkened. He wouldn't keep a ticking time bomb by his side.

At the entrance of the Buddha Hall, the young mistresses who just finished their prayers were assisted back to their palaces by their personal palace maids.

"It hurts so much." Lady Xu massaged her legs while internally complaining that the Crown Prince was nuts. Could her legs survive after kneeling for an hour?

"My lady, this servant will help you back." Palace Maid Cai Xia carefully supported Lady Xu.

Lady Xu thought of Lady Shen who was fasting and praying in the Buddha Hall. She wasn't happy, and naturally, she wanted Lady Shen to share her misery.

"Cai Xia, help me visit Lady Shen."

"Yes." Cai Xia assisted Lady Xu to the side room of the Buddha Hall.

Lady Shen had been eating vegetarian dishes without any oil for four days; her mouth was almost too bland for words, and the sight of the three vegetarian dishes in front of her left her with no appetite.

With more than twenty days to go, how was she to endure?

"Is Sister Shen having lunch?"

Lady Xu entered with a smile, supported by Cai Xia.

Lady Shen felt unlucky every time she saw Lady Xu. After the last incident with Lady Shen almost drowning, it was Lady Xu's fault that the Crown Prince had confined her for a month.

Even though they were at odds, the surface niceties still had to be performed.

"Why has Sister come?"

"Hearing that Sister is fasting here for a month, I came to see how you are." Lady Xu looked down at the three vegetarian dishes and then thought of how long Lady Shen wouldn't be able to see His Highness, feeling quite pleased with herself.

Lady Shen snorted coldly in her heart. A weasel paying respects to a chicken; she definitely wasn't up to any good.

Lady Xu gasped in surprise, covering her mouth upon spotting the three vegetarian dishes, "Oh my! Sister is just eating greens and radishes? No wonder your complexion isn't as rosy as before. You've gone through so much these days."

Lady Shen was so scared that she touched her own face. A woman's face is her most cherished asset, let alone the face of a woman belonging to the Crown Prince. If her face was ruined, how could she compete for favor?

Yet, in front of Lady Xu, it was embarrassing to take out a mirror to check her reflection.

"What are you talking about, Sister? It's my fortune to fast on behalf of His Highness. How could eating some vegetables be considered suffering?"

"Sister is right, I don't have that fortune. I had soy-stewed pork knuckle yesterday, and the Imperial Kitchen made Dongpo pork today. I'm actually getting a bit tired of it." Lady Xu finished speaking with a laugh.

Lady Shen swallowed hard, finding herself unable to eat the vegetarian dishes in front of her.

Lady Xu caught the sight of her swallowing saliva and sneered inwardly with delight, may you crave to your wits' end.

"Today His Highness asked Lu Daren to pray and make wishes for the ladies. What a pity that Sister couldn't attend because you're fasting here. Such a rare opportunity, somewhat regrettable."

Lady Shen had already heard from her personal palace maid that the Crown Prince had asked Lu Daren to pray and make wishes for them, and she had been so angry about missing it that she hadn't slept well all night.

Now, with Lady Xu keep talking about it, it was like adding fuel to the fire, and she was beyond angry.

But that wasn't the main point. What really got to her was something Lady Xu said next, nearly making her choke with rage.

"Oh, there's one more piece of good news I must tell you, Sister. Shen Fengyi made a sachet and His Highness liked it so much, he publicly rewarded her today. You would be happy for me too, right?"

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Lady Xu and Lady Shen knew each other before they entered the palace; as a legitimate daughter, Shen Mingzhu never miss a chance to bully Shen Chuwei, the daughter born of a concubine.

Would Shen Mingzhu not be so furious she could spit blood when Shen Chuwei gained favor?

"Sister, continue with your lunch, as for me, I shall take my leave first."

When Lady Xu left, it was with a smile as she exited the Buddha Hall.

No sooner had Lady Xu left when Lady Shen, in a fit of rage, swept all the dishes and bowls off the table before her.

"Shen Chuwei, you actually dare bewitch our master with your seduction while I'm away? You shameless thing!"

*

As dinner time approached, Eunuch De from the Imperial Kitchen came with two young eunuchs, carrying a fresh sea bass.

Eunuch De was an old-timer in the palace and had seen many concubines regain favor. For a concubine who ended up in a place akin to the Cold Palace to catch the Crown Prince's attention twice suggests there was a chance for redemption.

Chun Xi was somewhat flattered to see Eunuch De from the Imperial Kitchen come in person; previously, her several visits to the Imperial Kitchen hadn't exactly been met with friendly faces...

"Eunuch De, how could we trouble you to deliver dinner personally?"

Shen Chuwei was cracking melon seeds when she saw Eunuch De arrive and stood up.

Eunuch De stepped forward and bowed deeply, "This humble one greets the young master."

Shen Chuwei said, "Eunuch De is too polite."

Eunuch De straightened his body and then smiled at Chun Xi, saying, "It's only right," and pointing at the basin with the sea bass, he added, "This is a fresh sea bass; I wonder if it meets the young master's satisfaction?"

Upon hearing 'sea bass,' Shen Chuwei became excited beyond measure, her wish was coming true!

She rushed over to the eunuch, and bowing her head, saw the lively, jumping sea bass in the basin—fresh indeed.

Her eyes sparkled with a smile: "The sea bass is great, thank you for personally delivering it, Eunuch De."

Chun Xi took out some silver pieces from her sleeve and handed them to Eunuch De.

"The young master is too kind." Eunuch De happily accepted it and instructed the young eunuchs to carry it into the small kitchen.

"I shall take my leave now." Eunuch De left with the young eunuchs.

Chun Xi looked down at the sea bass, puzzled, "Young master, why did the Imperial Kitchen send over a fresh sea bass?"

Shen Chuwei replied proudly, "My wish today was for the Imperial Kitchen to send over a fresh sea bass."

Chun Xi's face showed shock, "Lord Lu is amazing."

Shen Chuwei nodded in agreement.

Realizing the implication, Chun Xi became excited, "Young master, with such a good opportunity, how could you wish for fish?"

"What should I wish for if not fish?"

"For the Crown Prince's favor!"

"All I could think about was 'Grilled Fish' at that moment." She had been craving it for days!

Chun Xi, frustrated like a despairing craftsman, declared, "How can 'Grilled Fish' be more important than the Crown Prince's favor?"

Shen Chuwei's response was matter-of-fact, "'Grilled Fish' can satisfy my craving."

What can she do with a gluttonous master?

Of course, go and cook the fish.

"...I'll go prepare the fish."

Onions, garlic, and scallions were readily available in the backyard.

The roasting pan was ready in the space; it just needed to be cleaned for use.

Half an hour later, the round table was set with baby vegetables and enoki mushrooms; the broth in the roasting pan was bubbling, soon emitting a delicious aroma.

Just as Shen Chuwei was about to reach with her chopsticks, she heard a "meow."

Looking down, she saw Xuetuan at her feet, chin raised and looking at her with expectant, deep blue eyes.

"Xuetuan, your timing couldn't be better."

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