Chapter 9: The Steamed Bun

Chapter 9: Steamed Buns

The steamed buns from Tianyi Pavilion had yet to arrive, but the twice-daily dose of medicine was unavoidable. The prescription had been changed to mild, restorative herbs. Having died once, Ye Wanwan no longer feared death, but that did not mean she wished to die. She needed to nurture her body well to have the energy to fight them.

Seeing Ye Wanwan obediently drink her medicine, Aunt Lin felt quite relieved. "Your Ladyship’s complexion looks much better. It seems Imperial Physician Wang is indeed capable."

Ye Wanwan did not commit to an opinion. It was merely restorative care; if the Imperial Medical Academy staff lacked even that basic level of skill, they would have been sent packing long ago.

After waiting for nearly two hours, with the sky turning dark, the young eunuch returned carrying the steamed buns.

"You actually managed to buy them?" Aunt Lin looked skeptical, clearly believing the young eunuch was lying.

Ye Wanwan said nothing, simply taking one to taste. The flavor... it was truly a long-lost memory. "These are indeed from Tianyi Pavilion." She looked at Yan Chen. "How did you manage to get them?"

Yan Chen replied, "Chef Zhang of Tianyi Pavilion loves orchids dearly but lacks the skill to grow them. Seeing that his plants were on the verge of dying, I offered a few pointers, and in return, Chef Zhang gifted me a basket of buns."

Aunt Lin smiled. "You are quite clever."

Orchids of that variety were notoriously difficult to cultivate. The methods to maintain them were trade secrets among the palace’s gardeners and were rarely shared with outsiders. To trade such knowledge for a few buns was a massive loss, but it proved the young eunuch’s resourcefulness. Ye Wanwan had only taken notice of him earlier because of his distinctive eyes, acting on a whim, but now she truly appreciated his capability. She had kicked him aside casually, yet somehow, she had stumbled upon a treasure.

"Next time you go, just use the Empress Dowager’s name. There is no need to go to such trouble."

The young eunuch looked at Ye Wanwan, seemingly confused by her intent. Use the Empress Dowager’s name just to buy buns?

"This servant obeys."

He clearly did not understand her underlying purpose, but he could not ask and could only accept the order. Ye Wanwan had no intention of explaining it to him either. She wiped her hands and took a bun from the food box, handing it to him. "This one is yours."

The young eunuch was overwhelmed by the favor. "Many thanks for your grace, Your Ladyship."

The young eunuch left with the bun, but as he turned a corner, it was snatched from his hand. A middle-aged eunuch stood waiting there with two others, clearly having been lying in wait for quite some time.

"Hand it over."

The man snatched the bun, took a large bite, and looked at him with contempt. "You little brat, you’re quite the favorite, aren't you? I don't know what tricks you used to get Her Ladyship to pick you personally. You’ve only been here a few days and you're already playing games in front of her. Let me tell you, this isn't the Imperial Household Department. In the Guanju Palace, you’d better follow the rules. Do you understand?"

The eunuch beside him kicked out. "Eunuch Lu is talking to you! Why aren't you answering? Have you gone mute?"

Yan Chen was kicked backward, steadied himself against a pillar, and clenched his hanging hands. Ultimately, however, he simply lowered his head and said nothing.

Just then, Qing Sha walked by. Eunuch Lu immediately changed his expression, fawning as he approached her. "Miss Qing Sha..."

The other two men acted in perfect sync, stepping in front of Yan Chen and shoving him into the bushes behind them. Yan Chen did not linger and left on his own.

When he returned to his quarters, he saw the room in chaos before he even stepped inside. As expected, it was a wreck. They shared the room, but while the neighboring bed was perfectly neat, the items on the floor were all his. Everything in his cabinet had been emptied; the valuables were gone, and the worthless items had been destroyed. Nothing remained intact; his clothes and bedding had been torn to shreds.

A flicker of rage surfaced in his ink-blue eyes, but it was quickly swallowed by their profound, dark depths. Yan Chen lowered his head and began to pick up the items, tidying them away one by one.