Upon hearing that Third Young Madam was thinking about a new type of confection, all the handmaids grew excited. They went about making the preparations with wide grins on their faces, clearing out the kitchen in order to make space as well as readying the ingredients for assembly and baking.
It wasn't too hard to make mooncakes. As long as they had the right ingredients, it was much simpler than the Eight Confections.
Since there was a limit to the ingredients they could prepare on such short notice, Chu Lian’s mooncake stuffing was limited to egg yolk, ham, bean paste, and pine nuts with jujube paste.
She had Xiyan retrieve the previously prepared moulds for the mooncakes. Next, she wrapped the stuffing inside the mooncake skin and carved an auspicious image on top of the soft skin. Finally, they put the mooncakes into the oven to finish them off.
It was easy to shape the Cantonese-style mooncakes. After baking, the outer layer of skin was crisp and fluffy with delicate, lovely forms.
Since it wasn't one of the Great Wu Dynasty’s traditional mid-autumn desserts, Chu Lian didn't make many mooncakes, for fear that they would outshine the round cakes. She didn't send any mooncakes to the other branches of the family either, and only prepared enough for herself to eat in her own courtyard, just to satisfy her cravings.
Chu Lian made each mooncake about the size of a lychee, even with the stuffing inside. You could finish one piece in two or three bites, so it was very convenient.
When she was done making mooncakes, Chu Lian changed into her court dress befitting a fifth-ranked honoured lady. She let Jingyan dress her up with all the accessories that came in the set. When she was done, Senior Servant Liu had come over to invite her to the outer court.
Before she left, Xiyan glanced at the mooncakes sitting on a tray on the table and asked, "Third Young Madam, do you want to bring some mooncakes to eat on the way there?"
Senior Servant Liu had just told Chu Lian that the entire banquet would probably last until night time, and they would likely return to the estate at a very late hour. She had to bring everything she needed, as the palace wasn't like any other normal estate; there were many rules and inconveniences. After keeping that in consideration, Chu Lian nodded. "Bring some. Pack some extra clothes just in case, too."
Xiyan filled up a small exquisite box with a whole plate of mooncakes and took out a pale pinkish-purple coloured purse embroidered with autumn lotuses. She then quickly stuffed three mooncakes within and shoved it into Chu Lian's hands.
As Chu Lian watched Xiyan's actions, she almost burst out into laughter. "Why, are you afraid that your master will starve to death?"
Xiyan's face flushed a little. Actually, the blame for Xiyan's strange habit of bringing Chu Lian snacks laid with Chu Lian herself. It was all thanks to Chu Lian always bringing some snacks along with her whenever she left the estate. It had also been Chu Lian who had ordered the maidservants to make these small purses in the first place.
Chu Lian took the purse and even added a few pieces of jerky inside. Senior Servant Gui held back the urge to sigh at this. Thinking she might need a reminder, Senior Servant Gui piped up, "Third Young Madam, it's getting late; it's about time to leave."
By the time they reached the outer court, the steward had already finished preparing the carriages. Matriarch He was already seated in the parlour waiting with her handmaid Muxiang and Senior Servant Zhou. Seated next to her was Madam Zou.
Madam Zou hadn't changed into a court dress. The Mid-Autumn Banquet banquet started in the late afternoon, so she would have to wait until then to enter the palace. Matriarch He was accompanying Chu Lian into the palace this early in the afternoon for a few reasons. Firstly, she was afraid that Chu Lian would mess up somehow while giving thanks to the emperor on her first venture into the palace. Secondly, she wanted to take this chance to chat with her old friend, the Empress Dowager. She could also take her youngest granddaughter-in-law to meet the Empress Dowager on the way.
When Madam Zou noticed that Chu Lian had entered the parlour with her servants, she couldn't resist looking this third sister-in-law of hers up and down.
Chu Lian was wearing an honoured lady's court dress. Although it was just a fifth-ranked title, it was very different from the court dress of a normal noble madam.
The court dresses for the noble madams, from the first-ranked to the last, were all dark in colour. The styles were also passed down from the previous dynasty, very traditional and old. Even a young lady would seem old wearing them.
However, the court dresses for female members of the imperial family, which included imperial princesses, royal princesses, feudal princesses, and honoured ladies, were always made in the latest styles of the dynasty. The honoured lady's court dress had a pale pinkish-purple base and embroidered golden flowers on the collars and sleeves. The main part of the dress was a bright red Jacquard weave with peonies sewn on top with golden brocade. Such a fresh, tender colour complemented Chu Lian's equally tender age well. A broad sash tied at the waist completed the outfit, making her waist look even more slender than before.
One of the jade hair ornaments that the Emperor had given her was set on the top of her head. The dignified hairstyle served as the figurative cherry on top- it emphasized her blossoming femininity and discarded the last bits of her childish girliness.
Matriarch He had obviously been blown away by Chu Lian's getup today. She nodded inwardly, appreciating the beauty of Sanlang's wife.
Beauty is loved by all, and Matriarch He wasn't an exception to the rule. She chuckled and waved towards Chu Lian. "Sanlang's wife, come over to Grandmother's side. Let Grandmother take a good look at you."
After Chu Lian bowed in greeting to Matriarch He and Madam Zou, she quickly moved over to Matriarch He's side.
The matriarch looked her over in satisfaction before helping her adjust the jade hairpin on her head that had gone slightly askew.
Although there was still a trace of a smile on Madam Zou's face, her inner heart wasn't at all as peaceful as her expression suggested. She suppressed the anger within and said, "Third Sister-in-Law, since you're preparing to enter the palace to give thanks today, you should have gotten ready earlier. How could you let Grandmother wait in the parlour like this?"
Chu Lian was momentarily stunned. She hadn't expected Madam Zou to make trouble for her right in front of the matriarch.
Actually, she wasn't late at all. The matriarch had instructed her to meet at this time in the outer court so they could leave together. Matriarch He was older, so it was easier for her to get up in the morning. Thus, she had happened to arrive at the parlour just a moment earlier.
The matriarch's outstretched hands that were helping to straighten Chu Lian's hair suddenly froze.
Chu Lian sighed in her heart, helpless. If she had known that this would happen, she shouldn't have bothered to interfere when the main kitchen had caught fire.
Since she was about to enter the palace, Chu Lian didn't want to cause a ruckus about it now. She turned around and bobbed in Madam Zou’s direction. "Eldest Sister-in-law is right. I'll take note of it next time."
When Chu Lian had bowed down to her and apologised while dressed as a fifth-ranked honoured lady, a perverted sense of satisfaction had suffused within Madam Zou's heart. She immediately switched to a benevolent expression and personally lifted Chu Lian up from her curtsy. "Third Sister-in-Law, it wasn't my intention to reprimand you, but Grandmother is already at such an age... she can't withstand such trouble. Just take note of it in the future. If not, I won't let it go just like that the next time."
Chu Lian's lowered face instantly turned cold.
Matriarch He had been watching the entire scene with sharp eyes. She blinked and said, "Alright, it's time to go. Sanlang's wife, let's leave."
Madam Zou watched Chu Lian help Matriarch He up the carriage before returning to her own courtyard. The lake blue handkerchief in her hands had already been wrung until it was coming apart at the seams.
---
Chu Lian helped Matriarch He off the carriage in front of Zhuque Gate. Following that, they got onto the sedans that the Empress Dowager had sent to them, and they rode these until they reached the south gate of the inner palace. They were invited to disembark from the sedans and led inside by a eunuch.
Red roof tiles, painted green walls, grand rafters, carved walls, and glass tiles scattered the afternoon sunbeams, creating a radiant scene that did well to show off the splendour of the Great Wu Dynasty.
Matriarch He was about to follow Chu Lian on her way to meet the Emperor to give thanks, but was held back by a middle-aged eunuch.
"Matriarch, please follow this one to the Empress Dowager's palace. The Empress Dowager has been waiting since morning."
Matriarch He sighed. She had expected this to happen, so she had given Chu Lian all the instructions she could in the carriage. Now, she could only pat Chu Lian's small, fair hand in comfort and hope that Chu Lian's heart was big enough to face what was ahead.
Since Matriarch He couldn't even meet the Emperor, servants like Xiyan and Senior Servant Gui were held back in a side hall. Only Chu Lian was led by a young inner palace eunuch towards the great palace hall ahead.
The golden tiles beneath her feet had been shined until they reflected her image like mirrors. Chu Lian didn't dare to walk too quickly, afraid that she would fall. Thus, this became a long and arduous walk for her.
She was about to meet the leader of the entire Great Wu Dynasty, the emperor of a whole country who held power over life and death here. She would be lying if she said she wasn't nervous.
She hadn't been born in this dynasty, so although she respected the imperial family, she didn't really fear them.
"Eunuch Sun, where are you taking Honoured Lady Jinyi?"
Suddenly, a thin, clear voice called out from behind them. Chu Lian turned around at the same time as the eunuch guiding her, and was met with the sight of a tall and slender man standing at the top of some white stone stairs. The man's azure eyes were too outstanding; how could she possibly forget them so easily?
Eunuch Sun bowed towards Prince Jin. "Replying to Prince Jin, this servant is taking Honoured Lady to meet the Emperor."
Prince Jin's light gaze landed upon Chu Lian. His clearly measuring gaze made Chu Lian feel uncomfortable. "At least you're dressed better today."
Chu Lian froze for a bit, her almond-shaped eyes widening in surprise. What? Was Prince Jin criticising her outfit?
When had she become so familiar with Prince Jin?
Chu Lian didn't want to get involved with any of the imperial family at all, especially the children of the Emperor. They were the center of imperial power. She definitely didn't want to be stuck in between any imperial power struggles.
Although she did help him out a bit the last time they met, Chu Lian intended to keep her distance from him, as much as she could.
Chu Lian bobbed towards Prince Jin, as thanks for his... compliment.
"If Prince Jin doesn't have any business with this one, this one will continue guiding Honoured Lady Jinyi," Eunuch Sun said respectfully.
Chu Lian was about to turn and leave, when Prince Jin suddenly drew closer and shot Eunuch Sun a look. Eunuch Sun quickly lowered his head and retreated a few steps, waiting at the side.
Prince Jin was about as tall as He Changdi, so when he stood in front of Chu Lian, it was as if there was a huge ominous cloud before her.
Prince Jin looked down at her without any sort of expression of his face. Although his tone was calm, his words made Chu Lian stiffen up for a brief moment.
"Jinyi, since you helped this prince, you're likely a smart one inside. This prince advises you not to act beyond your means. Even if you have the desire to, you should think twice and measure the consequences in your heart first. Think thrice before you decide to do anything."
Chu Lian's slender brows drew together. "Prince Jin, I can't understand what you're saying."
"If you don't understand, then think more on it!" Prince Jin's light yet murky eyes shot a warning look at Chu Lian.
Although Chu Lian didn't show any of her emotions on the surface, she was already hitting her head against a wall on the inside. What was this?! What kind of ruthless, preposterous thing had she done to make Prince Jin suspicious of her? Was he going crazy, too?
Chu Lian felt that she hadn't done anything harmful since coming to the Great Wu Dynasty. However, the fact of the matter was she had just been accused, and by someone like Prince Jin whom she had only met once before! Even the nicest person had a limit to their temper! Chu Lian didn't want to pretend to be polite to Prince Jin any longer. Her cheeks were puffed up as she glared at him. "I'll think over Prince Jin's words carefully when I get home. There's no need for Prince Jin to trouble yourself over me!"
When she was done, she turned and ran, stunning Prince Jin for a moment.
Eunuch Sun found the whole situation a little awkward. After bowing in farewell to Prince Jin, he chased after her, shouting, "Honoured Lady, please walk a little slower. That's the wrong way, the hall isn't that way!"
Chu Lian could only turn to run in the right direction- however, who could have expected the floor to be so slippery? She was moving too fast, and the court dress had way too many layers. She accidentally stepped on the hem of her dress and fell to the floor...