As Empress Shi’s attire stood out among the elegantly dressed ladies, some sycophants praised her red flower hairpin, claiming they would emulate the style. Such excessive flattery made noble ladies like Princess Jixuan frown and look away disdainfully.
Miantang, however, saw nothing laughable in Empress Shi’s appearance. Though unsuitable for the occasion, it reminded her of the fashion-loving but inexperienced girls from Lingquan Town’s North Street. Considering her humble origins, Miantang felt she had no right to mock others.
Unable to sincerely compliment the Empress’s attire, Miantang instead focused on the tea party’s theme, carefully tasting the pastries served. To her surprise, she discovered a unique flavor. The filling had a subtle milky taste, melting in her mouth. Miantang couldn’t help but praise its deliciousness.
Empress Shi, intrigued, asked Huisang Xianzhu what flavors she detected.
Miantang took another thoughtful bite. “The milk flavor is smooth, not gamey. It’s rich, like cheese made from fat-tailed sheep’s milk from the Northwest. There’s also a hint of mulberry, adding a sweet and sour note that prevents it from being cloying.”
While the Empress had seemed disinterested in compliments about her attire, she now beamed at Huisang Xianzhu’s insight into the recipe. “You’ve discerned so much! You clearly understand fine food!”
Miantang smiled and suggested, “Your Majesty could try making crispy milk skin using fat sheep’s milk. Coat it in starch, fry it, and sprinkle with sesame seeds. It becomes stringy when eaten and pairs beautifully with red tea.”
Empress Shi’s eyes lit up. She instructed her lady-in-waiting to note the recipe, planning to try it and, if successful, serve it to the Emperor.
Initially, the other ladies maintained decorum, merely sampling the pastries. However, Miantang and the Empress’s enthusiastic food discussion soon piqued their interest. While older women restrained themselves, younger ones, at the peak of their appetites, gradually indulged in the exquisite treats continuously brought out by Empress Shi’s attendants.
Though lacking in poetry recitals or displays of talent, this tea party, centered solely around eating, lasted from beginning to end—a first for palace tea gatherings in Da Yan. Huisang Xianzhu’s participation was crucial to its success. Having enjoyed various Southern-style pastries in Lingquan Town, often purchased by Cui Xingzhou, and with Li Mama’s attempts to recreate them, Miantang was quite knowledgeable about confections.
Miantang’s lively and witty explanations of Empress Shi’s carefully prepared delicacies, along with their cultural significance, elevated each dish to a new level of appreciation. Even Princess Jixuan, initially reserved, was eventually tempted to partake after Miantang’s vivid descriptions.
Older attendees, struggling with digestion, complained to Miantang, “Please stop! I’ve eaten more today than in an entire year.”
This comment elicited laughter, with many agreeing they might need to loosen their new clothes’ waistbands. Empress Shi, smiling, offered, “I was concerned about the Imperial Aunt’s digestion, so I had hawthorn tea prepared. Would you like some?”
Princess Jixuan gratefully accepted.
As a palace maid approached with the teapot to serve Princess Jixuan, she accidentally spilled hot tea on Miantang’s leg, staining her light-colored skirt. The maid immediately knelt, begging forgiveness. Miantang smiled, unconcerned, “It’s fine. It will dry soon.”
After reprimanding the maid, Empress Shi told Miantang, “I’ll have a lady-in-waiting escort you to change clothes. It wouldn’t be proper to remain in stained attire.”
For such palace tea parties, noblewomen typically brought three or four sets of clothes for emergencies. Miantang was no exception; Li Mama had prepared a small wardrobe box for her. Unable to refuse the Empress’s offer, Miantang followed the lady-in-waiting to a side hall to change.
Miantang changed quickly and prepared to ask the lady-in-waiting to guide her back. However, as she stepped out, she saw a tall, slender figure in the courtyard—Emperor Liu Yu himself.
He was gazing at a huaisang flower in the courtyard. When Miantang hesitated at the doorway, he said, “This is your favorite flower. I’ve had it planted in every palace courtyard so you’d see it wherever you go when you visit.”
Noticing the guards at the courtyard entrance, Miantang realized she couldn’t leave without the Emperor’s permission. She knelt and said, “Your Majesty, the Empress is waiting in the front hall. I shouldn’t linger here too long.”
Liu Yu approached to help her up, but Miantang shuffled back on her knees, avoiding his touch.
Irritated by her evasion, Liu Yu exclaimed, “Liu Miantang, is your heart made of stone? You cut ties with me over a misunderstanding and married another man as soon as you left the mountain. I thought you were just disheartened and wanted a simple life. Given my uncertain future then, I didn’t want to drag you into a dangerous situation. But you ended up engaged to the Prince of Huaiyang! What were you thinking? Did you choose him for his wealth and status over me?”
If Liu Yu were still the former Zi Yu from Yangshan, Miantang would have simply walked away without engaging. But now, as the Emperor of Da Yan, angering him could prevent her from leaving the palace, even with Princess Jixuan’s presence.
So Miantang replied honestly, “Your Majesty, I truly don’t know about these things you mention. I only learned from my uncle later that I had once lived in Yangshan. I lost my memory after falling into the water, and I can’t recall much clearly…”
Liu Yu, initially red-eyed with anger, was stunned by this revelation. After a long pause, he asked, “What… you lost your memory?”
Miantang nodded, “I only remember my wedding in the capital. I can’t recall anything before that and still suffer from headaches. Please, Your Majesty, don’t dwell on the past. You’re now the Emperor, blessed with good fortune, a virtuous Empress, and a brilliant Prince. It’s truly enviable…”
Liu Yu, ignoring her flattery, pressed on, “So when you saw me in Qingzhou, you didn’t know who I was? Then… how did you end up with Cui Xingzhou?”
Unwilling to reveal Cui Xingzhou’s deception, Miantang explained, “After I came down from Yangshan, someone had severed the tendons in my hands and feet. He saved and healed me. Without him, I would have died in the river. So, offering myself in marriage seemed right.”
Confronted with these previously unknown truths, Liu Yu felt his head spinning. “You were severely injured? Who hurt you?” he asked, dazed.
Observing Liu Yu’s reaction, Miantang realized he genuinely seemed unaware. She surmised it must have been his subordinates or someone else who had acted without his knowledge.
Even if Miantang knew, she wouldn’t tell Liu Yu. His former Yangshan comrades were now founding ministers of the new dynasty. Why would he punish them based solely on her word? She preferred to exact her revenge rather than rely on the new Emperor’s misplaced justice.
So she repeated, “I… I truly don’t remember. But isn’t this for the best? You’re now the Emperor, and the Prince of Huaiyang is your loyal minister, helping to secure your reign. Please, Your Majesty, don’t dwell on the past… I really must return now.”
But Liu Yu sank to his knees before her, tears streaming from his handsome eyes. “I… I truly believed you were angry and didn’t want to see me… If I had known you had lost your memory and were alone and helpless, I… I would never have left you with him. What savior? He must have deceived you then, using you to lure Yangshan’s disciples, right?”
Feigning ignorance of Liu Yu’s words, Miantang lowered her head and said, “I’ve signed a marriage contract with the Prince of Huaiyang. I’m now part of the Cui family. If Your Majesty cherishes old feelings, please don’t make things difficult. If I stay in this courtyard too long, it might lead to misunderstandings and tarnish Your Majesty’s reputation.”
Previously, Liu Yu hadn’t understood the situation, thinking Miantang had deliberately forgotten him. Now that Miantang had explained, he suddenly understood. Miantang, being proud, would never have lived unmarried with Cui Xingzhou. Coincidentally, Cui Xingzhou shared the same surname and was the ninth son in his family, similar to Miantang’s former fiancé in the capital.
At that time, Miantang had been fully committed to being a merchant’s wife. How could she have casually referred to Cui Xingzhou as her husband if he hadn’t deceived her?
Now, Liu Yu was overwhelmed with regret. If he had known Miantang had been tricked, he would never have allowed her to remain with Cui Xingzhou.
Moreover, who had injured her? Imagining Miantang with her limbs disabled, and thrown into the river, Liu Yu’s heart churned. The feeling of helplessness he had experienced in the study at Yangshan, not knowing what the future held, washed over him again.
He had naively believed that once he ascended to the throne and reclaimed his true identity, he could secure a future with Miantang. Little did he know that one misstep would lead to a cascade of errors. He had made such a grave mistake regarding Miantang.
Even if Miantang regained her memories now, she probably wouldn’t forgive him or return to his side…
Realizing this, he wanted to embrace Miantang tightly and cry, as he had done in the past. But Miantang’s evasive posture and wary gaze deeply wounded his heart.
Without another word, he turned dejectedly and slowly walked towards the courtyard gate, disappearing beyond the vermilion doors.
Miantang breathed a sigh of relief as he left. She slowly exited the courtyard with her maid Fangxie. Soon, they heard the approaching laughter of noblewomen.
Turning a corner, they saw Empress Shi leading the group. Miantang quickly paid her respects. One noblewoman teased, “Without you, even the pastries lost their appeal. Fortunately, the Empress showed us her newly bloomed green chrysanthemums. Join us, don’t fall behind.”
Miantang smiled and agreed, following them to admire the palace’s exquisite imperial flowers.
After viewing the flowers, the ladies bid farewell to the Empress and prepared to leave. Miantang departed with Princess Jixuan.
At the inner palace gates, they saw a striking figure in golden crowns and fine robes – the Prince of Huaiyang.
Princess Jixuan remarked, “Your fiancé is quite attentive, waiting here for you!”
Miantang said goodbye to the princess and approached Cui Xingzhou. Noticing his slightly sunburned face, she bowed and asked, “Did Your Highness come to the palace on business?”
Cui Xingzhou nodded solemnly, “I came to escort my fiancée home.”