tallest building

Chapter 305 Suspicion Arises

Meanwhile, Consort Hui and her daughter had been living on the mountain for more than half a month in the blink of an eye.

It had been raining for days, and when the weather finally cleared up, Consort Hui sent people down the mountain to investigate Zhang Ma's background.

A few days later, the report came back: "This Zhang Ma did indeed come to the capital from Shuangxi with Wen Mingqian and his mother. According to the Gong family, this old woman is very shrewish, but her cooking skills are superb."

No one knew where she was from, only that Wen Mingqian met her after arriving in Shuangxi. However, she was extremely close to Wen Mingqian and his mother, practically their confidante.

Upon hearing this, Granny Xia said, "Your Highness, Shuangxi is far from the capital. If we send someone to investigate, it will take at least two months for them to travel back and forth. Do you think it's necessary?"

"I had a bad dream last night," Consort Hui said, changing the subject. "I dreamt that I went up to a high platform, but somehow the stairs collapsed, and I fell down and woke up immediately."

"Her Majesty lives in the mountains, which is why she had such a dream. The wind was also quite strong last night," said Granny Xia.

"Since we've already started investigating, let's investigate thoroughly." Consort Hui tried to be cautious. "Even if it's not the best, I just want some peace of mind."

Then he asked Granny Xia, "Have the people sent back to the palace returned yet?"

Knowing what she wanted to ask, Granny Xia said, "They should be back by now. I'll send someone out to check. If they've returned, let them come in and give us their report."

The one who was sent back was a young eunuch who had just come up the mountain and was about to have a drink of water before going in to report. But someone had already come looking for him, so he didn't even have time to drink water and hurriedly went inside.

"Xiao Dezi, you're going back to the palace. Is there anything going on there?" asked Granny Xia.

"The palace is busy preparing for the Dragon Boat Festival! Everything in the palace is as usual. Chief Eunuch Hu asked me to tell Your Majesty that everything is fine in the palace," the young eunuch said.

"Did Steward Hu say anything else?" Granny Xia asked again. "Did Granny Hua from the Eighth Bureau go to see him?"

Before she left, she specifically instructed Granny Hua to keep a close eye on Wen Mingqian and prevent her from having any further contact with Dong Gang.

"Steward Hu is quite busy and didn't mention this to me, but I did find out," said Xiao Dezi, who was very clever. "That Granny Hua suddenly died a few days ago."

"You said she's dead? Is it true? Or is it just a rumor?" Granny Xia was very surprised to hear this.

Before she left, she only told Steward Hu that if Granny Hua came looking for him, he must see her and then relay what she had said to the people returning to the palace.

As for what happened here, she didn't explain it in detail to Steward Hu. After all, Wen Mingqian's attitude towards Consort Hui was very firm, and it was unlikely that he would have any further dealings with Dong Gang. Leaving such a message was just a precaution.

Therefore, Steward Hu didn't take Granny Hua's matter to heart, especially since she hadn't even come to see him.

“Granny Hua is indeed dead. I’ve found out that she’s been taken outside the palace for cremation and burial,” Xiao Dezi said. “It seems she contracted some kind of sudden illness and died very suddenly.”

Xia Mama didn't speak again, but looked at Consort Hui. Consort Hui didn't ask Xiao Dezi any more questions, but just waved her hand and said, "I know, you can go now!"

"How did Granny Hua suddenly die? Is it a coincidence or is there something fishy going on?" Granny Xia couldn't help but ask Consort Hui after Xiao Dezi left.

Consort Hui remained silent at first, then said, "I'm feeling a little uneasy. It's better to be careful no matter what." Just then, the eldest princess came in and said as soon as she entered, "It's time to make clothes again. I've gained weight while I was on the mountain these days, and the clothes I brought are all too tight."

"This is a good thing. Just have them make the clothes. Your Highness should eat more." Granny Xia smiled.

"In the end, it's Zhang Ma's cooking that's the best. Our family's cook has been learning from her for a few days and just said he wanted to show off his skills today. Why don't you join me and see if you've learned any of the techniques?" the eldest princess said with a smile.

She was completely oblivious to the strange expression on Consort Hui's face and continued, "The Prince Consort went to Jiangnan and brought back two chefs who are said to be quite skilled, but to me, they were just so-so."

The Dong family's cooks were naturally very attentive and prepared several dishes for Consort Hui and the eldest princess to enjoy.

"How did it taste, Mother?" After finishing her meal, the eldest princess rinsed her mouth and asked Consort Hui. "I only found it to be about 30% interesting."

"I'm still lacking; I've only learned the basics," Consort Hui also said.

"Your Highness, why don't you let this old servant learn to make some soups from Zhang Mama?" Xia Mama suddenly spoke up. "I know a little about Your Highness's tastes, and I usually make some soups. Besides, you can't bring the princess's cook with you when you go back to the palace. It would be useful if I learned something."

Consort Hui understood her meaning and nodded, saying, "You have nothing else to do anyway, so go ahead and learn if you want! The master can only lead you to the door; the practice is up to you. It all depends on your own comprehension."

Sure enough, that afternoon, Granny Xia went to find Granny Zhang.

At that moment, Zhang Ma was soaking dried vegetables. Xia Mama stepped forward with a smile and said, "Are you busy, old sister? Let me lend you a hand. We can keep each other company and chat, which will help us get the work done faster."

“I’m used to doing it all by myself,” Zhang Ma said without a smile. “Everything I make is handled by me from the very beginning, so only then will it taste right.”

Granny Xia wasn't annoyed and continued to smile, saying, "No wonder everyone praises what you make, elder sister. You're just more attentive and meticulous than others."

To be honest, I've come here today to become your disciple. You should at least accept me as your old apprentice.

I was thinking that after returning to the palace, I could serve my mistress a little, make some soups and stews, and do my part to help her.”

Zhang Ma didn't comment on her words, but said, "If I said I wouldn't teach you, it would seem like I'm heartless. But I really can't teach everyone. If you want to learn, just watch from the side. As for whether you can learn it in the end, that's entirely up to you."

Upon hearing this, Granny Xia nodded quickly: "That's fine, that's fine. I would be very grateful if you could give me a few pointers on the parts I don't understand."

When Zhang Ma saw her like this, she realized something was wrong.

Given Xia Mama's status, she didn't need to learn these things to curry favor with Consort Hui.

Besides, she's old enough to learn anything slowly. I've made it clear that I won't teach her properly, but she doesn't seem to care. It's obvious she's not here to learn how to cook.

Zhang Ma merely sneered inwardly and said, "Since that's the case, then just you wait and see! I don't like to be distracted when I'm cooking; I need to be completely focused. I say the same thing about those two cooks at the Prince Consort's residence. It's up to them to see how they do it."

Zhang Ma would never deliberately try to please these people; firstly, it's not worth it, and secondly, she wouldn't even look down on them.