Chapter 21: Awakening (2/2)

A’wu thought vaguely, trying to put herself in the shoes of an Emperor or a father.

Upon reflection, she couldn’t help but shiver.

He would definitely kill her to silence her!

At this thought, A’wu’s face turned pale, and tears began to fall uncontrollably.

Just then, she heard footsteps outside, followed by a knock on the door.

A’wu was startled.

A voice came from outside-it was Eunuch Fu’s.

Hearing Eunuch Fu’s slightly high-pitched voice, A’wu once again felt like a fool, a complete idiot!

It was so obvious that he was a eunuch; why hadn’t she realized it before?

If she had known he was a eunuch, then the person he served must be the Emperor!

A’wu was on the verge of tears, panicking as she looked at the door and windows, wondering if she should flee.

Where was Nie San? 

Could he take her away again?

At this moment, Nie San suddenly seemed much more appealing.

Outside the door, the knocking continued, accompanied by Eunuch Fu’s concerned voice, 

“Fifth Lady?”

A’wu shrank back, frightened and restless.

Eunuch Fu tentatively added, 

“Fifth Lady, the milk pudding is ready. Would you like to try it?”

A’wu had no mind for milk pudding. 

She desperately thought that since the old Emperor didn’t know her identity yet, perhaps she could escape before he found out?

But how could she escape? 

She had no idea.

She forced herself to calm down and said, 

“Come in.”

Eunuch Fu pushed the door open and entered.

A’wu pretended to calmly look out the window, as if admiring the scenery, but in reality, she was observing Eunuch Fu.

Eunuch Fu slightly bowed, his face full of eager smiles.

At this moment, she remembered something the Crown Prince had once mentioned.

The Crown Prince had spoken of Eunuch Fu, saying that when he went to see his father, Eunuch Fu had done this or that, occasionally mentioning him.

From the Crown Prince’s tone, Eunuch Fu was highly trusted and relied upon by the Emperor, and even the Crown Prince had to show him respect. 

He had also mentioned Eunuch Fu’s past exploits…

What were they?

A’wu anxiously bit her finger. 

At the time, she had listened with one ear and let it go out the other; she couldn’t remember any details.

She cautiously glanced over. 

Eunuch Fu stood nearby, slightly bowing, smiling obsequiously, looking very cautious.

A’wu felt extremely guilty.

If Eunuch Fu knew she had once been the Crown Prince’s nameless concubine, he would surely change his attitude immediately.

How had she ended up in such a situation!

Seeing her silent, Eunuch Fu stepped forward worriedly, 

“Fifth Lady? Fifth Lady?”

A’wu had to force herself to remain calm. 

She cleared her throat and said, 

“Where is the Third Young Master? Why hasn’t he come?”

In fact, mentioning “Third Young Master” now made her feel like her mouth was on fire.

What Third Young Master? 

That was the Emperor, the Emperor, the old Emperor!

She wanted to add a hundred thousand “old” words before “Emperor”!

Eunuch Fu’s gaze subtly swept over A’wu’s eyes, noticing the traces of tears at the corners she had indeed been crying.

This woman was beautiful, and her tearful appearance was truly pitiful.

He couldn’t help but think that it was no wonder the Emperor doted on her so much. 

She was indeed charming; with just a casual glance, her delicate demeanor outshone countless women in the harem.

Having been in the palace for so many years, he was naturally shrewd. 

A falling leaf could tell him the direction of the wind. 

Now that Emperor Jingxi favored this woman so openly and unprecedentedly, he naturally wanted to curry favor.

He bowed and said with a smile, 

“The Third Young Master is currently busy. Some distinguished guests have arrived, and there are some household matters to attend to.”

A’wu thought that the distinguished guests were probably nobles from the court.

Now that the Emperor was temporarily residing at the Nanqiongzi Villa, perhaps important memorials were being sent here, so he had to deal with them?

Seeing A’wu’s dazed and thoughtful expression, Eunuch Fu considerately asked,

“Fifth Lady, are you feeling unwell? Should we call a physician?”

A’wu shook her head with difficulty, 

“I’m just tired from serving Third Young Master. I’m mentally exhausted. Perhaps some milk pudding will help.”

Eunuch Fu looked at A’wu’s soft and delicate appearance, clearly showing the effects of being doted on.

He couldn’t help but worry. 

According to the rules of the imperial harem, the Emperor could never be so unrestrained. 

There were strict time limits when visiting consorts and concubines, and reminders would be given when the time was up. 

How could the Emperor be allowed to indulge so freely?

But now, here at Nanqiongzi, with this beautiful woman, the Emperor seemed to have no restrictions at all!

Looking at the girl’s tearful and pitiful appearance, it seemed the Emperor hadn’t been gentle with her on the bed. 

Eunuch Fu’s face turned red, and he didn’t dare say more. 

He quickly responded and ordered the maids to bring the milk pudding.

A’wu noticed that after he left, he didn’t give any special instructions, but the maids outside seemed to understand everything. 

They filed into the room, carrying vermilion lacquer trays and various items.

The maids didn’t just bring milk pudding; there were also other exquisite pastries, all beautifully arranged on fine white porcelain plates, presented on the vermilion lacquer trays.

A’wu watched the maids’ movements as they set the table. 

Their posture, their techniques, and the care they took in arranging the plates showed they were well trained; these were the maids that only the imperial palace could cultivate.

After the maids left, A’wu picked up a spoon. 

She even examined the spoon-it was made of fine blue-and-white porcelain!

She mechanically scooped up some milk pudding and tasted it. 

It was soft and glutinous, with a faint milky fragrance.

The Crown Prince had once given her milk pudding, and now the Crown Prince’s father was giving her milk pudding. 

These two men… I hope the milk didn’t come from the same cow…

A’wu thought of the way men spoke of their children that tone of high hopes mixed with a hint of helplessness.

A’wu wanted to cry again.

How had she ended up in such a bizarre situation? 

It had only been a dozen or so days between the two.

She also thought of what the female physician had helped her expel, and she felt grateful, grateful.

Otherwise, if she had become pregnant, it would have been unclear which of the two men was the father, and they might have both wanted her dead!

At this moment, Eunuch Fu smiled and said, 

“Fifth Lady, look, the lotus leaves used for the wrap were freshly picked from the mountains. They smell so fresh. Would you like to try some?”

But A’wu wasn’t very interested. 

She listlessly looked at the flower-shaped pastries on the side, 

“What are those?”

Eunuch Fu followed her gaze and, upon seeing them, smiled, 

“Madam, these are just some creative designs from the kitchen, made to look like various flowers. There’s nothing particularly special about them.” 

“Look, this lotus-shaped one is water chestnut cake and five-spice cake, this peony shaped one is rice dumpling and five-spice cake, and this osmanthus shaped one is made of pine cake.”

He pointed to the other items and explained each one.

A’wu’s mind was preoccupied, and she couldn’t feel at ease. 

But seeing so many exquisite pastries, she thought that even in the Crown Prince’s residence, she hadn’t seen so many. 

Now she was benefiting from the old Emperor’s favor.

She probably wouldn’t live much longer, so she might as well enjoy a good meal and get some of it back.

With this thought, she put aside her worries and tasted the pastries. 

They were indeed delicious.

Eunuch Fu saw that she had been listless, like a frostbitten eggplant, but after seeing the pastries, her eyes lit up. 

He finally breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, she was the Emperor’s favorite; he couldn’t afford to neglect her.

A’wu ate the pastries, first taking a small bite of the steamed bun, then the jade dew cake, and finally the milk skin.

The milk skin was especially delicious-a thin white layer that melted in her mouth, full of milky fragrance!

Seeing her enjoyment, Eunuch Fu smiled and said, 

“Once winter comes, our palace—”

He cut himself off mid-sentence and continued with a smile, 

“The noble ladies in the rear palace all love this. I thought the Fifth Lady might like it too.”

A’wu, savoring the milky taste, clearly and helplessly caught the word “palace.”

Clearly, this was something only the noble ladies in the palace could enjoy.

Her mind wandered to the dignified and graceful Empress, the elegant and composed Crown Princess, and the charming Princess Denning she had seen that day.

These women were respectively the Emperor’s wife, daughter-in-law, and daughter.

They must be accustomed to enjoying such delicacies like milk pudding and exquisite pastries.

Those women were noble and prominent because of him.

And she, just by sharing a bed with him, could also taste the milk pudding that only noble ladies could enjoy.

She sighed inwardly, thinking that before the truth came out, she might as well enjoy as much as she could.

She would enjoy it to the fullest.

As for the rest, she would deal with it later.

At worst, it would just be death.

At least, on the road to the underworld, she could tell the other ghosts, 

“Have you ever tasted milk pudding?”