Emperor's Cunning Wife

"The Empress is already sleeping. This servant had also arranged her closest maids to pay attention. As of now, The Imperial physician made diagnosis and gave this servant the prescription, does the Old Dowager like to see it?"

"What there's more to say , this child easily gets sick making this Old one worry always. That unfilial thing doesn't pay a bit attention. This Old one doesn't know how to deal with this things anymore."

The Old Dowager sighed before adding her inquiry in a serious tone, "Did you already investigate the morning's incident? This Old one doesn't feel at ease. Although that Lou girl lacks foresight, she isn't stupid as to harm herself, someone must have orc.h.e.s.trated the whole thing."

Tang-Mama nodded earnestly agreeing at the Old woman's remarks. The Empress may be lacking in the head but she won't possibly drown herself . It also unfortunate that Little Qu and Little Yan wasn't at the scene otherwise the culprit will be punished already.

"This servant will investigate this matter seriously, and will not let the culprit get away." Tang-Mama assured the Old woman she will prioritize the matter to ensure Ning Lou,'s safety.

The two chatted for a while before Tang-Mama remembered another matter. She hesitated for a moment thinking whether if it was necessary to relay Xuanji's confusing behavior hours ago. She herself was also stumped for words.

Seeing Tang-Mama bothered, the Old Dowager lightly called out wanting to know if the woman in front of her has something important to say.

"It is about the Imperial Physician, a while ago this servant..., Tang-Mama recalled the physician's unusual behavior and narrated what happened in great details. In the midst, she could see the Old woman would frown and would sigh heavily. Tang-Mama was felt the Old woman's mood wasn't good anymore and decided to shorten her report.

After listening, the Old woman patted her c.h.e.s.t and closed her eyes. Tang-Mama immediately went forward and held the Old woman's hands. She lightly patted it, comforting the old woman. Sure enough, the matter years ago still affects and lingers in her heart. For a few seconds, Tang-Mama could already feel the wetness in her hands, and stayed silent.

"It's this Old one's fault. If this one didn't bring that Lou girl here, she must have been as healthy as the other ladies her age. She won't be caged on her palace all day." The old woman lose her calm facade and burst into tears.

The incense continued to burn as both figures drown in sorrow.

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Meanwhile, the subject of the conversation, Ning Lou, was having a lavish lunch. This ancient knows how to have a good life. Look at these table, roasted duck, eight treasures chicken, stir fried shrimp dumplings and some Nu'er wine. I'm living my life!

As for how the table was filled with a sumptuous dishes, it was all thanks to Ning Lou's good nose that manage to intercept an eunuch outside the chamber who was delivering someone's food. The little eunuch who was a victim of Ning Lou's claws was still outside bitterly staring at the chamber's door that was guarded by two other eunuchs.

"Niang Niang, this servant will go fetch some congee from the kitchen. Niang Niang is forbidden to eat this type of food for a few days." Xiao Qu continued to plead Ning Lou. It was a known matter that heavy dishes with oil and seafood and that wine isn't good for the sick people. Why is the Empress so hard to convince?

Ning Lou clicked her tongue wanting to straighten this little girl's views, however finding it worrisome she only instructed the two to go fetch whatever congee they needed to fetch. "Alright, but Bengong only eats a particular congee, it must have shredded chicken and duck meat. Must be simmered inside a bamboo tube for 45 minutes. The congee must be seasoned in order; scallions, red pepper, radishes, potatoes, lemon grass, ginger, dates and soy sauce."

Ning Lou clicked her tongue again imagining the dishes being perfected inside her mind before looking at the speechless maid in front of her.

Ning Lou's request overwhelmed Xiao Qu who was currently crying inside. It appears Niang Niang temperament didn't get any better it seems to get worse.

So what can you do? You should blame fate that it let me transmigrate into an empress.

"It's either the congee or this meal." She gabbed the chopsticks and was about to pick up a dumpling, when Xiao Qu chose to reply this instance, "Nubi shall comply. Nubi shall also ask someone to send these dishes to the kitchen."

Xiao Qu immediately seized the closest dish, the stir fried dumplings to cut of Ning Lou's thoughts, however a pale hand caught her wrist, "Yatou, I'm just kidding with you, just leave them here. After the congee is done, you can have these instead. It also troublesome to send these dishes back to the kitchen, right?" Ning Lou magnanimity stunned Xiao Qu for a moment.

"Nubi can't possibly finish these much." Xiao replied while swallowing her saliva. The aroma coming from the dishes was very torturous.

Ning Lou let go of her hand and beckoned her to get closer.

"Yatou, Bengong is already hungry. Although, I really want to eat these dishes, Bengong will prioritize my health and won't touch any of them. You can rest assured, it's just that since Bengong is sick my taste buds are bland and so, can Yatou make the congee to increase my appetite?" Ning Lou said looking sad, as if she really meant it. Poor little Xiao Qu.

Xiao Qu softened her expression and called a maid outside to attend Ning Lou while she's gone to the kitchen. Yan'jie still was running an errand for Tang-Mama.

A maid came greeting Ning Lou.

Ning Lou waved her hand dispiritedly to dismiss them, " Yatou, go and make the congee already." The faster you disappear, the faster I can eat.

Seeing the busy kitchen and the cooks going all around making haste, Xiao Qu didn't tarry any further and went inside and grabbed the ingredients for the congee.

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On the other hand, Ning Lou quietly observed the maid at the side watching the table intensely, and beckoned her to pour water.

The little maid instantly went to grabbed the porcelains and filled up a cup, all her actions were noticed by Ning Lou who was currently cooking up another plot in her mind.

Ning Lou silently calculated the maid movements and secretly stretched her foot in attempt to trip her but who would have thought that the maid went to her other side to serve the water instead. Ning Lou was momentarily speechless and embarrassed.

"Niang Niang", the maid called out and offered the water in her hands.

Ning Lou yet again won't give up and pretended to hold the porcelain, the little maid who was oblivious to Ning Lou's plan let go of cup which eventually fell on the floor. The little maid Xiao Rou was petrified at the at the sight of shattered cup and Ning Lou's stained silk clothes and immediately knelt and kowtowed.

"Niang Niang, Nubi hands slipped and didn't mean it. Can Niang Niang spare Nubi's life."

Everyone in this palace knew of the Empress' temper that always minds every trivial matters, always find faults, and easily angered, therefore the little maid knew her own predicament and hastily begged Ning Lou to spare her life. Quite a few maids and eunuchs had already gone missing but nobody knew where they are.

Ning Lou sneakily put away the shards with her other foot to prevent the little maid from getting hurt, and afterwards she begun reprimanding her, "How can you so care less! Don't you know how much that cost? (I don't know either) Can you pay that with your meager salary? Ugh, never mind, scram out of here, Bengong doesn't want you to serve me. Scram far away!" Ning Lou said raising her pitch to be a little intimidating.

The stunned little maid who received a general pardon scurried to the door to escape the Empress' wrath. Her face was filled with tears, but inside she didn't expect to be spared.

Ning Lou who was impatiently waiting, locked the door as quiet as possible before taking a sit.

Rubbing both of her hands, she had a difficult time choosing which one she should pick first.

Her chopsticks roamed above the dishes before stopping at the plate of dumplings. Picking a piece, she brought one to her mouth and took a bite. Who could have thought she spit it out right away. She begun tasting the other dishes and all have the same taste- bland.

Ning Lou who was lively a minute ago was on the verge of crying , "I thought it wouldn't be the same."