Transmigration: Reverse Exploitation, the System Works for Me

The emperor's dispatch of imperial physicians to Shanxi to treat Consort Zhuang's father caused some ripples, but by lunchtime, the concubines and palace servants had no time to think about it anymore. (The Qing Dynasty had a two-meal system; lunch was around 2 PM, and there was no dinner.)

Shen Meizhuang's battle of wits with Asiha ultimately made all the concubines and palace servants innocent bystanders.

Even Shen Meizhuang's Xianyue Pavilion could not escape it.

It was almost lunchtime, and Shen Meizhuang finally ordered the meal to be served after being urged by Caiyue and the others.

When the eunuch in charge of meals at Xianyue Pavilion went to the kitchen to collect Shen Meizhuang's food, his face was extremely unpleasant.

He returned to Xianyue Pavilion with a long face. Caiyue asked him curiously, "What's wrong? Did the young master not order any dishes?"

The eunuch in charge of the meal said, on the verge of tears, "Sister Caiyue, it's not just that there isn't any! You see for yourself."

He opened each food box and took out the dishes to place on the table.

These dishes did not include the rouge goose breast and blanched bok choy that Shen Meizhuang had specifically requested, nor did they include the dishes she was used to eating.

Although the five dishes and one soup were all included, they were all ordinary dishes: stir-fried shredded pork, stir-fried sliced ​​pork, stir-fried minced pork, meatball soup, pickled cucumber, and braised tofu.

Looking at the dishes that were almost identical to what the palace maids and eunuchs ate, Caiyue was so angry that she could only gasp for breath. "What do the people in the kitchen mean by this? How dare they try to fool the young mistress with such things!"

The eunuch in charge of the meal was almost in tears. "Sister Caiyue, the people in the kitchen said that the ingredients they bought today were purchased according to the young mistress's wishes, based on the portions of each young mistress, but our young mistress's portion does not include goose."

"They also said that the vegetables in the concubine's portion for today have been used up, and even the pickled cucumbers were taken from another concubine's portion. They said that they must deduct them from the concubine's portion and return them tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Caiyue's expression changed drastically.

"Oops!"

If this is the case in the residences of the young mistresses, then it is probably no different in the residences of the other concubines.

They wouldn't blame the kitchen staff for not serving them properly; they would only blame the mistress for mishandling things and cutting back on their meals!

They, the Xianyue Pavilion, have offended all the imperial concubines this time!

Coincidentally, An Lingrong was so busy with embroidery that she missed her meal. When she finished embroidery, she realized she was quite hungry and hurriedly asked someone to prepare a meal.

But when the meal was brought back, and there were only three dishes of plain-looking, crudely made stir-fried meat, An Lingrong almost threw her chopsticks in anger.

She was always particular about food and how to prepare it carefully. Since she gained favor with the emperor, her diet had always been exquisite. Every meal and snack was meticulously prepared. While not every meal consisted of delicacies, there was never a shortage of chicken, duck, and fish.

"What? Have I fallen out of favor? How dare the imperial kitchen treat me so disrespectfully!"

Baoque said cautiously, "My lady, this is not the fault of the kitchen. Do you remember that Consort Shen strictly ordered the kitchen to purchase according to the rations for concubines?"

"Although you are favored, according to the rules, your daily ration is only six catties of pork, six catties of vegetables, and one catty and eight ounces of tofu. These can only be used to make some simple and crude dishes."

Although the VIP's ration does include chickens and ducks, there are only eight per month. If one were to strictly follow the ration, it would be impossible to see them at every meal.

"I've heard that Consort Xin's meals consist mostly of vegetables and fruits, with very little meat. They're not even as good as what we have in the palace."

An Lingrong was about to utter a few words when a voice announced from outside: "The Emperor has arrived!"

She hurriedly got up and went out to greet the emperor. Before leaving, she glanced at the food on the table and suddenly had a bright idea. She instructed Baoque, "Quickly put the food back into the food box."

If Shen Meizhuang can touch palace power, why can't An Lingrong?

A short while later, the emperor led An Lingrong into the room. When he saw the food box on the table, he casually asked, "Rong'er, have you eaten yet?"

An Lingrong was a little embarrassed: "Your Majesty, I was doing needlework today and got so engrossed that I forgot the time, so I'm a little late."

The emperor frowned. "Just another bunch of lazy, incompetent servants! They're exactly the same as those scoundrels from the previous dynasty!"

The emperor glared at the palace maids and eunuchs in the Fanying Pavilion. "How are you serving her? You didn't even remind her when she forgot to eat?"

The palace maids and eunuchs inside knelt down in fear and begged for mercy, "Your Majesty, spare our lives! Your Highness, spare our lives!"

An Lingrong was stunned for a moment, then knelt down as well.

She looked up at the emperor, her lips parting as if to plead for her palace servants, but she saw the emperor's furrowed brows and the anger hidden on his face.

An Lingrong felt a sense of fear, and in an instant, many thoughts came to mind. The plea she was about to make changed its tone.

"Your Majesty, rest your anger."

The emperor's brows relaxed slightly as he bent down to help her up. "You are too gentle and kind, which has emboldened these servants. Today, I will give them a small punishment as a warning, to teach them a lesson."

As he spoke, the emperor glanced at Su Peisheng.

Su Peisheng immediately led his men to cover the mouths of the servants in Fanying Pavilion and drag them out.

Baoque and the others all cast pleading glances at An Lingrong. It wasn't that they hadn't offered advice or reminders, but their mistress disliked their gossip and attempts to make decisions for her!

An Lingrong received their glances, but did not plead for them.

She dared not speak out when the emperor was angry, for fear of implicating herself.

Seeing that she remained silent, the emperor pulled her to sit down. "Were you frightened? Don't be afraid, I'm not angry with you."

An Lingrong suppressed her fear and put on a docile smile. "I am not afraid, but I am so moved that I don't know how to express it."

The emperor was pleased to hear this. "Rong'er is always good at needlework, so why don't you make me a nightgown?"

An Lingrong readily agreed, "Then Your Majesty must not dislike me for being clumsy and not doing as well as the Imperial Household Department."

"As long as it's made by Rong'er, I naturally won't find it objectionable. Rong'er, please eat first. I'll feel sorry for you if you get too hungry."

An Lingrong lowered her head and smiled shyly.

The observant eunuch next to him opened the food box and laid out the food inside.

The emperor's smile vanished as he looked at the simple meal on the table.