NOVEL NEXT Chapter 23 Pleasing
Shen Chuwei saw that they did not believe her, so she stopped talking and lowered her head to continue staring at the pigeon.
The atmosphere fell into an awkward silence.
Chun Xi brought over some tea, set it down in front of them, and then stepped aside.
Seeing that Shen Chuwei's expression was calm and composed, Tao Chenghui, with a flattering smile, said, "Sister Shen, last time I noticed that your eyebrow and eye makeup was too plain. This time, I have brought something special for you."
Shen Chuwei instinctively thought it was something tasty, and looked expectantly at Tao Chenghui's hands.
She saw Tao Chenghui take a small box from Ding Xiang and place it in front of herself.
The box was exquisitely small and the dark red surface had a subtle pattern, it was obvious at a glance that it was not something to eat.
It was pretty, indeed, but it couldn't be eaten, what a pity.
Shen Chuwei, disappointed, lowered her head again, but upon seeing the pigeon, her anticipation returned.
Tao Chenghui, unaware of Shen Chuwei's disappointed gaze, introduced it with a smile, "Sister Shen, this is the green face powder my natal family sent me recently. Although it cannot compare to the precious items used by the Empress, it is still a rare treasure to find."
Tao Chenghui's father was a well-known merchant who traveled far and wide and had seen many treasures; even the rare items in the palace, like this coveted green face powder, were not unfamiliar to him.
Even Tao Chenghui's entry into the palace was due to her merchant father spending a lot of money through back channels.
Shen Chuwei preferred going barefaced every day because after washing up in the morning, she could go directly to eat breakfast. Wearing makeup was too time-consuming and would delay her meal.
"Thank you for your kindness, Sister Tao."
Tao Chenghui wasn't bothered by Shen Chuwei's lukewarm tone. As long as she could see His Highness, that was what mattered most.
Shen Chuwei's attitude only made Xu Chenghui more certain that His Highness was in Xiyun Pavilion. The reason why they said he was not there was surely because they were afraid that others would come and steal His Highness away.
Luckily, she had also prepared a gift, though she didn't expect Tao Chenghui to beat her to it; still, she refused to be outdone and took a piece of cloth from Lady Peach Blossom and laid it on the table.
"Sister Shen, this is Shu brocade from Jiangnan, suitable for making clothes, and very fitting for you to wear."
This piece of Shu brocade was gifted to her by Lady Liang because of its simple and clean color that she did not favor, so she chose to 'honor the Buddha with borrowed flowers' and offered it to Shen Fengyi.
Shen Chuwei glanced at the brocade on the table but didn't show much interest, "Thank you for your gift, Sister Xu."
Xu Chenghui felt inwardly uncomfortable with Shen Chuwei's indifference, and it showed on her face. From time to time, her eyes wandered towards the door, wishing she could just go in and have a look.
Tao Chenghui's attention was on the interior of the room, hoping to see His Highness emerge. She raised her hand to adjust her hairpin, checking the position of the embroidery to ensure that His Highness's first sight upon coming out would be of her.
But as she waited left and right, His Highness did not come out from the inside room, which she found strange. Her gaze turned to Shen Chuwei, who was still focused on roasting the pigeon, with the aroma drifting tantalizingly nearby, prompting her to unconsciously lick her lips—how fragrant.
Shen Chuwei saw that the pigeon's skin was golden brown and oozing with fat, which indicated it was done. She took the pigeon down and placed it in a plate.
Xuetuan, somewhat impatient, jumped onto the table, lowered her body, and stared at the pigeon, her little pink nose twitching.
Seeing this, Shen Chuwei cautioned, "You can't eat it yet, it's very hot."
Xu Chenghui was getting restless. She looked away only to see Xuetuan on the table eyeing the pigeon. She glanced at Shen Chuwei disdainfully, thinking to herself, was she really going to such lengths to win favor by roasting a pigeon for Xuetuan?
Then, with eager intent, she said, "Xuetuan, let me help you divide the pigeon so it'll be easier for you to eat."
If His Highness came out and saw how carefully she treated Xuetuan, he would surely be impressed by her.
Just as Xu Chenghui reached her hand towards it, Shen Chuwei quickly shielded the roast baby pigeon with her hands, "Don't touch my roast baby pigeon."
Xu Chenghui's hand awkwardly paused in midair, and she sheepishly withdrew it, "You've misunderstood, sister. I saw how tired you must be from roasting so long and only wanted to help out a bit."
Shen Chuwei flashed a polite smile, "Thank you, I am not tired."
Xu Chenghui lifted his handkerchief to hide his embarrassment. He's just afraid I'll steal the credit, isn't he? Seriously, who cares about that?
Chun Xi struggled to hold back her laughter as she cleaned up the grill.
Tao Chenghui guessed Xu Chenghui's intention and hid a giggle behind her handkerchief.
Once the pigeon had cooled down, Shen Chuwei put on gloves and picked it up. She broke off everything except for the head and feet and placed it in front of Xuetuan, saying cheerfully, "Xuetuan, you can eat now."
"Meow." Xuetuan wasn't picky and began eating with its head down.
Xu Chenghui couldn't stand it any longer, "Sister Shen, why are you giving Xuetuan just the pigeon's head and feet? There's hardly any meat there."
Shen Chuwei, about to start eating, heard this and remembered that Xuetuan had caught the pigeon. Giving it only the head and feet did seem a little insincere.
"Sister Xu makes a good point."
She smiled and broke off both wings and placed them in front of Xuetuan. Then she raised the entire pigeon to her mouth and took a bite. The meat was crispy and tender, delicious.
Xu Chenghui, looking at the two wings in front of Xuetuan and then at Shen Chuwei, who was eating with relish, was flabbergasted. Was she actually feeding the pet of His Highness with scraps?
Tao Chenghui, seeing how deliciously Shen Chuwei was eating, licked her lips unconsciously. It seemed even tastier than what the Imperial Kitchen made.
After finishing the roast baby pigeon, Shen Chuwei removed her gloves. Chun Xi passed her a damp cloth which she used to satisfyingly wipe her mouth.
Xu Chenghui and Tao Chenghui glanced at the pile of bones on the table and then at Xuetuan, who had finished cleaning its mouth and had jumped off the table and walked away~
The two of them looked at each other and finally realized one thing: His Highness might not really be here.
Thinking that His Highness wasn't there, Xu Chenghui saw no reason to stay any longer.
"Sister Shen, I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave. Remember to come visit Yilan Pavilion when you have time," she said.
Shen Chuwei was thinking about taking a nap and, hearing Xu Chenghui was leaving, happily nodded her head. Whether she would visit Yilan Pavilion could be decided later.
After Xu Chenghui left, waving her handkerchief, Tao Chenghui remained, drinking tea without the slightest intention of leaving.
With a bag of black sugar coated sunflower seeds in hand, Shen Chuwei saw Tao Chenghui and politely asked, "Sister Tao, would you like some sunflower seeds?"
Tao Chenghui, anxious about not having a topic to chat about, instantly agreed upon hearing the offer of sunflower seeds.
"Sure."
Shen Chuwei handed some sunflower seeds to Tao Chenghui.
Tao Chenghui, who had started eating a few seeds out of boredom to cover up the awkwardness, found them quite tasty and couldn't stop once she started.
As Xu Chenghui left Xiyun Pavilion, she turned back and noticed that Tao Chenghui had not followed her out. A smirk appeared on her lips. Did she really think that by shamelessly staying, she would get to see His Highness? She's just wasting her time.
She redirected her gaze and sashayed back to Yilan Pavilion.
Just after Xu Chenghui left, Eunuch Liu arrived at Xiyun Pavilion with his entourage.
From a distance, Chun Xi saw Eunuch Liu and hurried over, "Eunuch Liu, what brings you here at this time?"
"It's something important." Eunuch Liu approached Shen Chuwei with a smile, "Young Mistress Shen, His Highness will be coming over for dinner tonight. You can go directly to the Imperial Kitchen to get any ingredients you need."
The implication was clear: prepare something delicious for His Highness.