tallest building

Chapter 324 Returning to the Old Ground

Meanwhile, Yu Lu arrived at the Yuzhen Temple on Bowang Mountain and relayed the Empress's decree to the Princess.

"Her Majesty also felt it was a bit unfair to ask the Princess to part with her beloved food, so she specially arranged for three of the most experienced imperial chefs in the palace to come and serve Her Majesty," Yu Lu said humbly, bowing. "It's because the Princess has lost her appetite and has become extremely thin."

Upon hearing this, the eldest princess said, "Your Majesty is too kind. I was somewhat worried when Yingpei hurriedly went down the mountain that day. This is different from other matters, and I imagine it will take some time for her to overcome it."

"Let alone her, Her Majesty the Empress must also be worried and stressed about this matter, which has probably taken a toll on her health."

"Your Highness, you are wise. This servant cannot hide it from you. These days, Her Majesty the Empress has been unable to eat or sleep properly. As you know, Her Majesty loses her appetite every summer, and on top of all these worries... Alas!" Yu Lu said, his face full of worry.

“Zhang Ma’s cooking skills are secondary; what’s important is that she can prepare medicinal cuisine,” the Princess said. “The Empress has never liked taking medicine, and it’s not a good time to take medicine in this hot weather. Let her go to the palace to serve her and take good care of her so that the Empress and Yingpei can get better. That would be my way of doing my part.”

"This servant thanks Your Highness for your understanding. I will certainly convey your words to Her Majesty the Empress and the First Princess when I return." Yu Lu bowed repeatedly.

“In that case, let’s send Zhang Ma to the palace! But I’m afraid it won’t work today. It’s already so late, and the news came so suddenly. She needs to get ready.” The Princess said with a smile. “Besides, she’s different from others. She has her own special tools for cooking, and it will take most of the day to get those things ready.”

"Alright, then this servant will go back first, and will come back early tomorrow morning to fetch Zhang Mama to the palace." Yu Lu quickly agreed.

"Tell the Empress and Yingpei to put their minds at ease! I'll go to the palace again in a few days. If I go now, they'll be too busy recovering from their illnesses to take care of me, which will only make them more tired." After instructing Yu Lu, the Princess called over Yu Hu, "Please see Steward Yu out properly and don't neglect him."

After seeing Yu Lu off, the Princess summoned Zhang Ma and dismissed everyone else: "The Empress just sent word from the palace to summon you to the palace. Pack your things and someone from the palace will come to pick you up tomorrow morning."

"Whose idea was it for the Empress to summon me to the palace? How would she know me?" Zhang Ma immediately sensed something was wrong.

“I asked Yu Lu, and he said that Consort Hui recommended you to the Empress. She said your cooking skills are excellent, and the eldest princess loves your cooking. Now she has no appetite in the palace, and the Empress is the same. Therefore, she transferred you to the palace and summoned three imperial chefs to replace you.” The eldest princess said, “Consort Hui is anxious. This incident with Dong Gang has greatly damaged the Dong family, and even her daughter has been left alone. Naturally, she cannot let it go.”

"She lured me into the palace, probably thinking that there are many people in the palace who know me and would be more likely to spot my flaws." Zhang Ma sneered upon hearing this. "Let me go then, do you think I'm afraid of her?"

"Consort Hui's brother, Chen Shixian, has been racking his brains these days to find a way to get people to recommend him for the position of prime minister!" the Princess said with a smile. "How could someone like him become prime minister? He's just dreaming!"

“The previous dynasty must have gone through a lot of turmoil, but due to our status, we can only navigate the inner palace,” said Zhang Ma. “Then Your Highness, please take care. I’ll go pack my things.”

Sure enough, early the next morning, Yu Lu personally led a group of people to fetch Zhang Ma to the palace.

"So this must be Zhang Mama," Yu Lu said to Zhang Mama with a slightly ingratiating smile. "I've heard that your cooking skills are superb; you really are a hidden talent!"

Zhang Ma glanced at him. When he left the palace, Yu Lu was not yet the chief steward in the Empress's palace; he was just following his master and taking orders.

Now, ten years later, Yu Lu has clearly aged, but he is still recognizable at a glance.

Unlike herself, who had long since become unrecognizable. Zhang Ma had a lot of things to bring: pots and pans, dried vegetables, and even various seasonings, all of which she prepared herself.

These things needed to be moved from the mountain to the foot of the mountain, so it took until noon before they finally set off from the foot of the mountain.

There hasn't been a drop of rain these past few days, and it's so hot that the ground is practically steaming.

The branches and leaves looked like they had been infected with a plague, drooping listlessly. People were also sweating profusely, their clothes clinging to their bodies, making them feel extremely uncomfortable.

Sitting in the car, Zhang Ma could hear people talking on the street from time to time.

"This weather is unbearably hot! It's probably not a good omen."

"There are too many treacherous officials; it would be strange if natural disasters didn't occur! That jinx is shining brightly in the western sky every day; alas, who knows what trouble it might bring."

The Great Xia Dynasty did not have literary inquisitions, nor would ordinary people be arrested for uttering a few complaints.

That's a good thing.

Zhang Ma's status meant she couldn't enter the palace through the front gate; she had to go around to the north.

Since the masters were all taking a nap, he couldn't go to pay his respects.

As Yu Lu instructed his men to carefully unload the things Zhang Ma had brought from the carriage, he wiped his sweat and said to Zhang Ma, "Zhang Mama, you can't go to pay your respects to the master right now. You must be tired from the long journey. How about this, I'll have someone take you to Madam Wen's place first. You two haven't seen each other in a long time, so why don't you have a good chat?"

"Steward Yu's arrangements are truly impeccable. I haven't seen my wife and son in a long time, and I miss them terribly," Zhang Ma said with a rare smile.

"You're welcome, you're welcome. Xiao Sanzi, come and take Zhang Mama properly to Lady Wen's place, and don't neglect her." Yu Lu instructed a young eunuch to take Zhang Mama there, as he himself was too hot to bear and quickly went back to his room to take a bath.

Wen Mingqian knew that Zhang Ma was about to enter the palace, so he sent Xiaoyue to meet her early on.

Xiaoyue was very clever. She found a shady spot halfway down the road and waited. When she saw Xiaosanzi leading an old woman over, she smiled and went to greet them.

"May I ask if this is Madam Zhang? I am Xiaoyue from Madam Wen's room. Madam Wen sent me to meet you." Xiaoyue smiled broadly, holding a small teapot in her hands.

“Little Yue, I’m Zhang Ma. Since that’s the case, there’s no need to trouble this old man. I’ll go with you!” Zhang Ma greeted Xiao Yu warmly, as if they had known each other for a long time.

"Mom, you must be so hot from the journey. Here's some tea I prepared beforehand, please have some." Xiaoyue handed over a handkerchief and the teapot as well.

Zhang Ma took it and gulped down several mouthfuls, feeling refreshed and quenched her thirst, feeling extremely comfortable all over.