Chapter 32 Receiving a Royal Treasure
The noble ladies couldn’t stop praising the snacks and sweet drinks Xu Shuyue had brought.
They had been so absorbed in tasting and chatting that time had flown by—until Madam Liu suddenly snapped out of it, slapping her thigh in realization.
“Oh, look at my useless brain! We came here to pay our respects to Her Majesty the Empress—how did we end up sitting here, eating and drinking?”
She seemed rather annoyed with herself and turned to the others in mock reproach.
“And none of you thought to remind me either!”
Madam He, the wife of the Minister of Rites, let out a playful “Oh dear!” and grinned. “But wasn’t it because Stewardess Cui Ping hadn’t come to summon us yet? We simply forgot in the moment.”
She reassured Madam Liu, “Since she still hasn’t arrived, I doubt it will cause any trouble.”
Stewardess Cui Ping was a trusted aide of the Empress.
Whenever the noble ladies of the court came to visit, they would wait outside until she arrived to escort them into the hall.
“I wonder what’s keeping her.”
Madam Liu was growing anxious and had lost all interest in eating or drinking, glancing toward the palace corridors in concern.
Meanwhile, Xu Shuyue had remained quiet, listening intently to their conversation.
A faint light flickered in her eyes.
Before entering the palace, she had been well aware that she and Qi Siming would be seeing the Emperor and Empress separately.
A village woman like her could never present Her Majesty with extravagant jewels or treasures. It would only invite gossip and suspicion. Yet offering nothing at all would also be inappropriate.
That was why she had decided on something simple yet meaningful—her own handmade delicacies and drinks.
However, presenting them was one thing. Whether the Empress would actually try them was another matter entirely. As the most esteemed woman in the empire, how could she possibly touch such humble fare?
At first, Xu Shuyue had simply planned to give it as a courtesy.
But now, seeing even these noblewomen—who had tasted the finest delicacies—enjoy her creations so much, she couldn’t help but feel a surge of ambition.
Perhaps… she should take a gamble.
If the Empress drank it—even just a single sip—even if her only comment was that it was “acceptable,” she could leverage that.
A single endorsement from the Empress would be more than enough to revive her struggling shop. Not only could she turn things around, but she could even open another store in the capital.
Her eyes gleamed with determination.
As she carefully calculated her next move, Madam Liu finally lost patience and was about to send a maid to inquire about the delay when—
A middle-aged woman, clad in moon-white silk robes with narrow sleeves, approached gracefully. Her jet-black hair was combed to meticulous perfection, secured by a single silver hairpin inlaid with pearls. Not a single strand was out of place. Her slightly downcast eyelids and composed demeanor gave off the air of someone who had weathered many storms.
Stewardess Cui Ping stepped forward, her gaze briefly pausing on Xu Shuyue before moving away as if nothing had happened.
With a respectful bow, she apologized, “This servant has arrived late. I ask for the forgiveness of all the esteemed madams and ladies.”
“Cui Ping, of all people, you are never late. Did something happen to Her Majesty?”
Madam Liu—who was, in fact, the Empress’s younger sister—immediately asked. Her family was renowned for producing exceptional women. Her elder sister had become the Empress, while she herself had married the Prime Minister. This alone stirred both admiration and envy among many.
Since Madam Liu showed no signs of displeasure, the others naturally wouldn’t dare make a fuss. Instead, they all feigned concern for the Empress’s well-being.
Xu Shuyue, unfamiliar with the intricate ranks of palace attendants, quickly deduced one thing from Cui Ping’s demeanor— Among this group, Madam Liu held the highest status.
Stewardess Cui Ping let out a weary sigh as she led them inside, explaining, “Madam Liu, you know how it is. Every year, during the humid summer months, Her Majesty’s appetite disappears entirely.
Just now, she vomited again.”
Madam Liu’s brows furrowed. “No wonder you were delayed.”
Her expression grew more serious as she thought of something. “Didn’t His Majesty recently assign two imperial chefs to prepare light dishes for her? Have they been of no help?”
Cui Ping shook her head and sighed. It seemed… nothing was working. The other noble ladies kept their heads lowered, eyes cast down, silently following along. Aside from the occasional rustle of fabric brushing against arms as they walked, the group moved in absolute silence.
Xu Shuyue sensed an opportunity.
She deliberately shook the wooden bucket in her arms, causing the liquid inside to slosh against the sides, the wooden ladle knocking against the container with a low, muffled sound.
It wasn’t loud, but in the stillness of the palace corridors, it stood out like a drop of ink on pristine silk.
A kind-hearted young lady walking beside her leaned over slightly and whispered, “Madam Xu, be careful. Keep your voice down.”
She cast a glance toward the front, gesturing subtly at Stewardess Cui Ping. “She is very strict about palace etiquette.”
Xu Shuyue hurriedly lowered her gaze, feigning an embarrassed smile. She tightened her hold on the wooden bucket and softly murmured her thanks. Her slightly bashful and flustered expression caught the young lady off guard.
She stared for a moment, dazed, then inwardly sighed.“The madams weren’t exaggerating. This Madam Xu is truly stunning. What a waste, married to that rough brute of a general!”
Madam Liu caught sight of the hushed conversation, turned her head, and her eyes immediately locked onto the wooden bucket Xu Shuyue was carrying.
With a puzzled “Oh?” she asked, “Madam Xu, why are you still holding onto that?”
Xu Shuyue’s lips pressed together in hesitation, as if she felt awkward about the matter.
Then, her cheeks flushed slightly as she replied, “Madam Liu, actually… this is my tribute to Her Majesty.”
Her tone was both nervous and sincere. “I come from humble origins, and my family possesses little of value,” she admitted.
“The only skill I have worth presenting is my ability to make sweet drinks, so I thought… I might take a small chance.”
She turned to Madam Liu with an almost pleading look. “Do you think this is inappropriate?”
Madam Liu exchanged a glance with Stewardess Cui Ping. When she looked back at Xu Shuyue, her gaze softened.
She shook her head. “Her Majesty is benevolent. Since your intentions are sincere, she will not make things difficult for you.”
However, Cui Ping was less easily swayed.
With a hint of curiosity, she asked, “What exactly is in that bucket, Madam Xu?”
Xu Shuyue was surprised that Cui Ping knew her name, but she quickly recalled the young lady’s earlier warning—this woman was observant.
Realizing that there was no room for hesitation, she straightened up slightly and respectfully replied, “It is a homemade fruit nectar, Stewardess Cui.”
Hearing this, Madam Liu’s eyes brightened with interest. She recalled the refreshing taste of the sweet drink she had tried earlier, and her thirst returned almost instantly. Then, as if a thought had suddenly struck her, she turned to Cui Ping with barely concealed excitement.
“Cui Ping, this sweet nectar that Madam Xu makes—it’s something special. I just had some earlier, and it was incredibly refreshing. Since Her Majesty has been struggling with her appetite, why not let her try a sip? I can’t say for certain that it will restore her hunger, but at the very least, it might help fill the emptiness in her stomach.”
Cui Ping hesitated. She pulled Madam Liu aside and lowered her voice.
“Madam Liu, you know Her Majesty never eats anything that doesn’t come from the imperial kitchens. Besides… look at that wooden bucket—it hardly seems fitting for the Empress.”
Madam Liu followed her gaze and immediately understood her concern.
She let out a soft chuckle. “Madam Xu is an intelligent woman. She knows that offering food to Her Majesty is a significant matter, so she must have put great care into this.”
She gestured subtly toward the bucket. “Look closely—it may look unremarkable, but it’s no ordinary wood.”
Cui Ping’s brows furrowed slightly. On closer inspection, she realized the bucket was made of purple sandalwood. Even the wealthiest families in the capital would only use such fine wood for furniture.
To make a simple wooden bucket out of it? It was almost extravagant to the point of absurdity. Was this ignorance or deliberate choice?
Seeing Cui Ping’s wavering resolve, Madam Liu pressed on. “Besides, all of us madams and young ladies drank it earlier, and nothing happened to us. You can rest assured. If it helps Her Majesty eat even a little more, what harm is there in trying? At worst, you could transfer it into a different container first.”
Cui Ping finally relented. She led them toward the main hall, and as they reached the entrance, Madam Liu took Xu Shuyue’s hand reassuringly.
“Her Majesty is kind and understanding. Just follow my lead.”
Xu Shuyue felt a surge of gratitude toward her, and without hesitation, she followed Madam Liu through the grand palace doors.
Inside, the noblewomen bowed deeply in unison.
“This humble subject greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be blessed with good health and boundless fortune.”
A steady, dignified voice responded, “You may rise.”
Xu Shuyue followed Madam Liu’s example, standing up and moving to the side in quiet deference.
The Empress conversed gracefully with the noble ladies, asking about their families and occasionally inquiring about the marriages of their sons and daughters. Each madam had her own set of worries, prompting the Empress to let out a soft, knowing chuckle.
When she laughed, the serious majesty of her presence momentarily softened. Her dark eyebrows, tinted with ink, arched elegantly above her calm, deep-set eyes. One glance, and Xu Shuyue immediately felt a profound sense of admiration. The conversation continued for some time, but eventually, the Empress appeared somewhat fatigued.
Sensing this, Madam Liu and the other noble ladies fell silent, tactfully ceasing their chatter.
At that moment, Cui Ping stepped forward with a tray bearing an exquisite set of crystal cups. On the lacquered wooden table before the Empress, a plate of delicately layered pastries sat untouched.
These were the very same pastries Xu Shuyue had painstakingly recreated from her past life’s memories. The Empress glanced at the refreshments, but instead of reaching for them, she frowned slightly.
With a wave of her hand, she said plainly, “Take them away. I have no appetite.”
Cui Ping lowered her head and gently urged, “Your Majesty, these were specially prepared by General Qi’s wife, Madam Xu. She says they are a specialty from her homeland.”
The Empress paused. A trace of interest flickered across her features.
“Oh? Where is this Madam Xu?” Madam Liu nudged Xu Shuyue forward.
Xu Shuyue quickly stepped to the center of the hall, gracefully curtsying.
“Your Majesty, this humble subject is Xu Shuyue.”
The Empress held a delicate layered pastry between her fingers, her gaze flickering with curiosity. She had never seen such a treat before.
Her lips parted slightly as she asked, “What is this?”
Xu Shuyue knew this was her chance.
She respectfully answered, “Your Majesty, this is what I have named ‘Stuffed Pastry Bites.’ As the name suggests, it is made by sandwiching a layer of specially prepared fruit preserves between two crisp, palm-sized biscuits. It has a delicate crunch and a rich, layered texture.”
The Empress let out a light chuckle.
“‘Stuffed Pastry Bites’—the name is certainly straightforward.”
Out of courtesy to General Qi, she decided to try one. Who would have thought that the moment the pastry touched her tongue, its texture and flavor would be so remarkably delightful?
The Empress resisted the urge to take a second piece but couldn’t help but praise it.
“This tastes quite wonderful. Such a name hardly does it justice.”
Xu Shuyue’s eyes brightened. “Your Majesty, if I may be so bold—would you be willing to grant it a new name?”
The Empress pondered for a moment before speaking.
“Let it be called ‘Jade-Core Pastry.'” (玉芯琼酥—evoking an image of something as delicate as jade and as rich as fine nectar.)
Xu Shuyue immediately bowed in gratitude.
Stewardess Cui Ping then stepped forward, presenting a crystal goblet filled with a pale pink liquid.
The Empress studied the drink for a moment before asking, “And what is this?”
Xu Shuyue replied smoothly, “Your Majesty, this is chilled winter melon juice. As it is now the season for fresh melons, a glass of this icy drink can help alleviate the sweltering summer heat.”
“Oh? How interesting.”
The Empress held the cool goblet in her hand, then set it down on the table, silent for a moment.
Cui Ping immediately understood and took the drink away to have it properly chilled. Once the refreshingly cold juice slid down her throat, the Empress’s expression softened into satisfaction.
She unconsciously took a few more sips. Just those few sips alone were enough to make Madam Liu and Cui Ping exchange glances of amazement. Madam Liu, now even more fond of Xu Shuyue, looked at her with newfound appreciation.
The Empress finished the drink and, feeling utterly pleased, regarded Xu Shuyue with great favor.
She was so pleased, in fact, that she considered bestowing a reward.
Xu Shuyue, holding back her excitement, humbly said, “Your Majesty, if I may make a request—would you be willing to grant me a few words of calligraphy? I wish to hang them at my shop, so that more people might come to enjoy such a refreshing drink.”
The Empress smiled.
“Very well!”
—
When Qi Siming came to escort Xu Shuyue out of the palace, she excitedly told him about the treasured calligraphy in her hands.
Hearing how she had managed to obtain such a gift, Qi Siming couldn’t help but praise her endlessly.
Upon returning home, the couple had the Empress’s calligraphy engraved onto a grand plaque and hung it above the storefront.
Within just a few days, Xu Shuyue’s sweet drink shop had become famous not only throughout the capital city but also in the imperial court itself.
Stuffed Puff Pastry:- https://youtu.be/bUM4o-rn8fc?si=EaFfFYfsmLonbLN-
