I started as a concubine, and I made the crown prince cry with my delicious food.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking.

Chenzhu and Fuyun tiptoed into the inner room to help Ye An'an get up.

According to custom, the bride must pay her respects to the Empress on her first day of marriage, and she cannot be late.

However, when they drew back the bed curtains, they found the bed empty.

The two were immediately startled.

"Your Majesty?" Fuyun called out softly.

"Here it is."

A crisp sound came from the dressing table.

The two looked in the direction of the sound and froze on the spot, their mouths agape, wide enough to fit an egg.

Ye An'an was already dressed and sitting in front of the mirror, slowly applying a glossy substance to her lips.

The key is her outfit!

Before her marriage, in order to cater to the so-called "refined" aesthetic of the noble ladies in the capital, and also to avoid making the General's Mansion too conspicuous, Ye An'an always dressed simply and elegantly.

But the woman before me was wearing a bright pomegranate red floral dress, with large peonies embroidered in gold thread on the hem, both gorgeous and flamboyant.

Her hair was not styled into an elaborate woman's bun, but loosely tied into an exquisite bun, with a red gold hairpin with pearls inserted diagonally, swaying gently with her movements, shimmering with light.

Her face was lightly powdered, her eyebrows were drawn with a slightly upturned, heroic style, and the outer corners of her eyes were outlined with eyeliner to create a beautiful arc, making her already beautiful eyes even more sparkling.

Especially the moist red color on her lips, like a freshly picked cherry, so delicate and luscious.

She was like a red rose blooming freely in the morning light, bright and passionate, with a vibrant life force that was impossible to ignore.

Where is this the same young lady who, though unconventional, was at least somewhat restrained in her attire?

This is clearly... a completely different person!

"Mother...Your Majesty..." Fuyun stammered, "Why...why are you dressed like this?"

"What's wrong with this? Doesn't it look good?" Ye An'an looked at herself in the mirror from left to right, then pursed her lips in satisfaction. This was a lip gloss she had spent a long time mixing honey and rouge to create, and the effect was quite good.

"It looks good, but... it's too... too eye-catching..." Fuyun said honestly.

Chenzhu also came to her senses, her face showing undisguised worry: "Your Highness, you are going to pay your respects to the Empress today, dressed like this... Won't people gossip? Besides, I heard that His Highness the Crown Prince prefers... elegant and quiet women."

"He can do what he wants, I can wear what I want, what's the big deal?" Ye An'an stood up, twirled around, her skirt spreading out like a flower. "Besides, this is how I've always been. I was just pretending to be low-key before. Now that I'm married, why pretend anymore? Isn't it tiring?"

She spoke with such conviction that the two maids were momentarily speechless.

Yes, their young lady was the most beautiful sight in the capital, the pride of their general's mansion.

It would be a real shame to make her learn from those delicate, graceful young ladies.

"But..." Chenzhu was still worried.

"No buts," Ye An'an interrupted her. "My father raised me not so I could live under someone else's thumb. Come on, let's go pay our respects. By the way, what's for breakfast?"

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Kitchen has already delivered breakfast, which includes rice porridge, crystal-clear braised pork, pine nut and lily bulb pastry..." Fuyun quickly reported the names of the dishes.

Ye An'an grimaced as she listened.

It sounds nice, but as for the taste, she experienced it yesterday—it was terribly bland.

"I have no appetite." She waved her hand. "We'll talk about it when we get back. I'm hungry."

She had already started making plans in her mind.

This Tinglan Waterside Pavilion has its own small kitchen, which, though small, is fully equipped. It seems we'll have to rely on ourselves from now on and be self-sufficient.

After the group finished packing, they headed towards the Empress's Phoenix Palace.

Along the way, every palace maid and eunuch who saw Ye An'an looked at her with amazement and surprise.

How come the Crown Prince's concubine, who seemed quite proper yesterday, has changed overnight? Her entire demeanor is so flamboyant it's almost... domineering.

Rumors spread like wildfire throughout the palace.

When Ye An'an arrived at Fengyi Palace, several princesses and other dignitaries were already present.

The moment she entered, the hall fell silent for a moment.

All eyes were fixed on her like searchlights, filled with scrutiny, jealousy, and a sense of anticipation.

Princess Jing, sitting in the seat closest to the Empress, saw Ye An'an's outfit and immediately curled her lips into a mocking smile.

"Oh, the Crown Prince's concubine is truly... radiant today." She said sarcastically, emphasizing the words "radiant".

Ye An'an ignored her and went straight into the hall, where he respectfully bowed to Empress Wei: "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

Empress Wei sat on the phoenix throne, dressed in a dignified ceremonial robe, with a gentle smile on her face, but her deep eyes subtly scrutinized Ye An'an from head to toe.

"Get up." She raised her hand, her voice gentle. "How was your first day of marriage? Has Jingshi treated you well?"

That's a question that's like stabbing someone in the heart.

Who doesn't know that the Crown Prince didn't even go to his concubine's bedchamber last night?

Princess Jing's mouth was practically stretched to her ears, just waiting to see how Ye An'an would embarrass herself.

Ye An'an, however, seemed oblivious to the veiled meaning in his words, and smiled brightly: "Your Highness treats me extremely well. Your Highness has the world on your mind, and last night we talked about state affairs all night long, from which I benefited greatly. I feel that it is my blessing to marry such an ambitious man as Your Highness."

puff--

Some people inside the hall couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Discussing state affairs all night long? You're kidding me!

Everyone knows that His Highness the Crown Prince is extremely sparing with words; even three sentences are considered too many when spoken to him.

Princess Jing laughed heartily, "Sister-in-law, you're really joking. We know the Crown Prince is concerned about state affairs, but we never expected that he would even remember to give you advice on your wedding night."

"Yes." Ye An'an looked at her with an "innocent" expression. "Unlike Prince Jing, I heard that he only likes to linger among the flowers every day. I suppose he doesn't have any state affairs to talk about with you, sister-in-law? Sigh, speaking of which, you must have had a hard time, sister-in-law."

"You...!" Princess Jing's face instantly turned a deep purplish-red.

Her husband, Prince Jing, was a notoriously incompetent prince, skilled in all sorts of pleasures but utterly useless—a fact known to everyone. Ye An'an's words were practically a public slap in the face, exposing her shortcomings!

"I...I..." She was so angry that she couldn't utter a complete sentence for a long time.

A barely perceptible smile flashed in Empress Wei's eyes, but she quickly regained her dignified demeanor as the Empress Dowager, clearing her throat lightly: "Alright, we're all family, there's a limit to the jokes."

She looked at Ye An'an, her eyes filled with admiration.

This daughter-in-law doesn't seem to be the simple-minded, spoiled young lady that the rumors suggest.

After paying her respects, Ye An'an, too lazy to continue the pretense, was the first to take her leave.

As soon as she stepped out of Fengyi Palace, she took a deep breath.

"I'm starving! I'm starving!" she said to Fuyun, rubbing her stomach. "Let's go back to the palace! I'm going to cook myself!"

"Ah? Your Highness, you're going to cook yourself?" Fuyun exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes! I want a pancake! The kind with two eggs and lots of toppings!"

Ye An'an's eyes were shining.

She'd had enough of the bland food in the palace. Today, she had to treat herself to some heavy-flavored carb bombs to soothe her wounded stomach and soul!