Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?

Chapter 1027 - 748: Pastries

Upon hearing this news, Shang Ruyi was startled.But she reacted quickly, immediately got up, and had Tushere assist her with a simple wash. After getting dressed neatly, she walked to the outer hall, where Chang Wan had already led some people inside, including Panqing, the Chief Palace Maid from Chu Ruoyan’s side.

Shang Ruyi sat upright in front, watching as Panqing slowly walked in with a box in her hands, and then looked behind her.

There was no one else, only her.

Shang Ruyi’s brows furrowed slightly, but she said nothing more, only watching as Panqing came forward and respectfully bowed to her: "This servant pays respects to the Princess."

Shang Ruyi said, "No need for formalities."

Only then did Panqing rise slowly, saying, "Upon hearing that the Princess is with child, my Lady is extremely joyful. She specifically had this servant bring you some delicious snacks, hoping that you will take good care of your health and soon give birth to a fine child."

After speaking, she handed the food box to Chang Wan beside her.

Chang Wan held the box and walked over, placing it on the table in front of Shang Ruyi. Shang Ruyi glanced down at it—an exquisite red lacquered floral food box, with the lid featuring large hollow carvings of bamboo, amidst which seemed to be two silhouettes. Shang Ruyi found the scene somewhat familiar, but at that moment, she could not just keep staring at the box. So she reached out to lift the lid, and saw four bright red hawthorn cakes stacked inside, sprinkled with a layer of finely milled sugar powder, which blew up like mist when the box was opened.

At first glance, it was like crimson flowers covered in flawless white snow, bright and captivating.

But upon closer inspection, she noticed that although the snacks were cheerfully colored, they were not as refined and orderly as those sent by the Food Bureau before.

Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but say, "This is—"

Panqing said, "Inside here, all the snacks are made by my Lady’s own hands."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi immediately looked up at her, seeing Panqing solemnly nodding her head.

Shang Ruyi suddenly understood why the Jinyu Garden had set up a small kitchen—it turned out that Chu Ruoyan personally made the cakes for her.

She smiled and said, "Please convey my gratitude."

Saying this, she was about to cover the box, but Panqing stood still, only telling Shang Ruyi, "These are made by my Lady’s own hands, and I request the Princess to taste a few pieces, whether good or not, so that this servant can report back."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi’s hand hesitated with the lid.

So it seemed that Chu Ruoyan specifically instructed Panqing to watch her eat a piece before leaving. However, she currently had no appetite for snacks, having eaten quite a bit at noon and just napped, not feeling hungry.

So she smiled, "When made by Lady Chu, the snacks are naturally good."

Saying this, she was about to cover the box.

Yet seeing this, Panqing said again, "Does the Princess not like the snacks my Lady sent, or—not like the ones made by my Lady herself?"

"..."

Shang Ruyi’s brows furrowed slightly.

Lately, she received many delicacies from people in the palace, sometimes she opened them and ate them directly, inviting the senders to join, sometimes having no appetite and setting them aside, but still expressing gratitude. Whether eaten or not, it was under her discretion.

However, Panqing’s words, clearly and implicitly, forced her to eat a piece right now.

As a palace maid, Panqing wouldn’t dare to coerce her like this, evidently instructed by Chu Ruoyan beforehand.

But her doing so—

\"At this moment, Tushere’s fiery temper was already hard to restrain, stepping forward to reprimand Panqing. Fortunately, Chang Wan saw it and pulled her back, standing in front of Tushere, smiling at Panqing, "The Princess’s favorite is hawthorn cake, and she is saving it to enjoy with Prince Qin upon his return."

Saying this, she smiled again, "I wonder if His Highness has tasted Lady Chu’s culinary skills?"

Hearing these words, Panqing hesitated and then looked at Shang Ruyi, saying, "So the Princess wishes to enjoy it with His Highness. But—actually, my Lady just learned how to make this snack and sent it over. Prince Qin hasn’t tried it yet."

Shang Ruyi laughed, "Then I must taste it together with His Highness."

Saying this, she gave a signal to Tushere, who stepped forward and slipped a piece of silver to Panqing, smiling, "Let me escort Miss Panqing back."

Panqing, having no choice, only bowed and turned to leave with Tushere.

Only then did Shang Ruyi let out a breath, looking up at Chang Wan, smiling, "Just now, I was thankful for your foresight. If She’er spoke, we might again offend someone today."

Chang Wan said, "She’er can’t stand seeing the Princess being wronged."

While speaking, she walked over, noticing that the teacup by Shang Ruyi’s hand was nearly empty, first refilled it with hot water, then picked up the food box lid, preparing to close it and set it aside. At this moment, footsteps sounded outside again, clearly more than just Tushere returning, both looked up to see Tushere escorting Panqing out, then bringing another person inside, Imperial Physician Su Qinglan.

As usual, she carried a medicine box on her back, entering respectfully to greet Shang Ruyi, who immediately smiled, "Mr. Su, don’t be so formal."

After speaking, she had Chang Wan prepare.

Su Qinglan routinely came to check her pulse, as usual, Chang Wan took out a small hand cushion prepared by Qianqiu Palace and placed it under Shang Ruyi’s wrist. Su Qinglan warmed her hands over the heating stove, ensuring her hands were not a bit cold, then stepped forward to diagnose, pressing on Shang Ruyi’s pulse, examining it carefully, and said with a smile, "The Princess’s pulse is stable, nothing amiss."

Shang Ruyi smiled while pulling back her sleeve, "Thank you, Mr. Su."

Su Qinglan quickly said, "It’s my duty."

Saying this, she looked around, "Today, not many people have come to Qianqiu Palace."

Shang Ruyi said, "The past few days, many people have come, been busy all day, today is better, only someone from Jinyu Garden came to deliver some snacks."

"Oh?"

Su Qinglan raised an eyebrow slightly.

She wasn’t one to meddle in affairs, but under royal commission to care for Shang Ruyi’s pregnancy, she must observe many things inside Qianqiu Palace. Moreover, the matter concerning Prince Qin’s concubine couldn’t be hidden, so she was aware of the distant relationship between Chu Ruoyan and Shang Ruyi, and knew that for many days, Chu Ruoyan hadn’t expressed anything regarding Shang Ruyi’s pregnancy.

Unexpectedly today, she actually took the initiative to break the deadlock.

However—the delivered snacks?

Su Qinglan thought about it and said, "If I may be bold, could the Princess allow me to see the snacks Lady Chu sent?"