Long Chi was actually accepting concubines.
The story was deviating even further from the original narrative.
The Eastern Palace would now no longer be Lu Yunshuang’s alone.
“However, what’s strange is that the beauties who were selected for the Eastern Palace are all daughters of secondary wives. No one knows if it was purposely arranged by those working in the Ministry of Rites or if it’s just a coincidence. Anyway, this situation is really too odd for words. Everyone on the streets is talking about it.”
Zhu Yu’s puzzled voice pulled Lu Liangwei from her thoughts.
Lu Liangwei was astonished when she heard this. “Something like that actually happened?”
Zhu Yu nodded, not without regret. “That’s right. If any of them were of remotely noble birth, they would be able to undermine Lu Yunshuang’s prestige. Unfortunately, every single one of the girls chosen was born to a second wife. As if Lu Yunshuang wouldn’t completely have them under her thumb? It would be different if there were any smart ones among them, but I’m afraid they all might not have any courage or wits. If that’s the case, even if they get inducted into the Eastern Palace, it will be all for nothing.”
Lu Liangwei poked Zhu Yu on the forehead. “Only you would waste your time worrying about something like this.”
Inevitably, Zhu Yu retorted, “That’s because I was hoping those women would annoy Lu Yunshuang. Who gave her the right to snatch the Crown Prince away from you?”
Lu Liangwei’s expression sobered. “Let it be. That’s all in the past now. Don’t keep bringing the matter up; you make it sound like your mistress hasn’t gotten over it yet.”
Zhu Yu stuck her tongue out. “Alright, if Miss doesn’t want me to bring it up, I’ll stop.”
Lu Liangwei shook her head, resigned.
…
Time flew by swiftly. In the blink of an eye, April had passed, and May had come.
Lu Liangwei’s next encounter with Long Yang would be at the Dragon Boat Festival Palace banquet.
Lu Liangwei initially had no intention of attending the event, but Long Yang had delivered a decree via Lu Tingchen to bring her to the Palace for the celebration.
Long Yang had not invited his officials for the Palace banquet this time. However, apart from Lu Liangwei, he had also extended an invitation to the Dowager Duchess to attend the function.
The Dowager Duchess was very surprised.
In the past, the Emperor had never held any Palace banquets during the Dragon Boat Festival. This year was an exception. What puzzled the Dowager Duchess most of all, though, that the Emperor had actually specifically mentioned her by name, inviting her to the Palace.
She tilted her head to glance at her young granddaughter sitting beside her, and the misgivings within her heart deepened.
Lu Liangwei’s breathing slowed slightly when she noticed her grandmother’s gaze upon her.
Long Yang suddenly inviting her to the Palace this time was sure to give other people ideas, what more the Dowager Duchess.
She collected her thoughts, then unwrapped the bamboo leaf in her hand. In no time at all, a honey glutinous rice dumpling, fragrant with the smell of jujubes, landed on the plate.
This glutinous rice dumpling was already small and exquisite, but Lu Liangwei wanted to make it easier for the Dowager Duchess to enjoy, so she took the trouble to cut it into smaller pieces with a small knife.
“Grandmother, taste it and see,” Lu Liangwei coaxed in a cute manner, placing the plate in front of the Dowager Duchess.
The Dowager Duchess’ eyes were immediately attracted by the glutinous rice dumpling and reached out to take the plate. “Is this the glutinous rice dumpling you were talking about?”
Lu Liangwei nodded. “Yes, it is.”
The Great Shang Dynasty did not have a tradition of eating glutinous rice dumplings, which was why no one had ever even heard of anything remotely resembling them.
The Dowager Duchess looked at the dumpling as if it were something rare and strange. “This glutinous rice dumpling smells very good. It’s light and fragrant, and even has the clean scent of bamboo leaves.”
Lu Liangwei nodded. “That’s right. This glutinous rice dumpling is sweet. It’s filled with a mixture of red beans and red dates. It’s called a red bean honey date glutinous rice dumpling. The taste is on the sweeter side. Grandmother, do try some quickly now. If you’re not used to the taste, I can give you one with another flavor.”
The Dowager Duchess’ interest was piqued. “You mean there are other flavors? Aren’t all of them sweet?”
Lu Liangwei smiled and said, “Of course not. Glutinous rice dumplings can be sweet or savory. Savory ones would be meat glutinous rice dumplings. I’ve filled them with braised meat, and they smell really good. There are also some with red bean paste filling, which are also sweet.”
