Fei Ling , having returned to the kitchen, involuntarily raised her voice in surprise.
“…Did you all prepare this for me?”
The seeds had already been removed from the pods of the Aiyoku grass fruit, leaving it ready for immediate cooking.
“We’ll help with whatever we can,” said one of the palace attendants. “But in return, please share the medicine with us.”
Although their burns weren’t as severe as those of the imperial consorts, the female attendants had also suffered injuries. Fortunately, they had been farther back while watching the execution and managed to take refuge under the eaves of the buildings.
“Thank you very much. Then, please slice these lemons into rounds,” Fei Ling requested, handing over a wooden box filled with lemons. The sheer quantity left the attendants raising their eyebrows.
“…You don’t hold back, do you?”
With these lemons, they would be able to create a refreshing and delicious fruit jelly. Fei Ling then took a mallet and began crushing an earring. The Kun clan’s earrings were crafted from Kourou stone, a mineral made of rock salt. The southern mountain ranges contained salt mines, and the Emperor had announced plans to develop rock salt pits in the region.
This mineral would be used to extract natural bittern.
“It’s ready,” Fei Ling announced, presenting the finished medicine. The attendants cheered in excitement.
“Just eating this can heal burns?”
“I can’t believe it.”
Amid joyful exclamations, the attendants gathered around the table. Even those without burns seemed envious and joined the group.
“This works not only for burns but also for summer sunburns. There’s plenty to go around, so please help yourselves. I’ll go report to Her Majesty the Empress and deliver some to the consorts.”
Listening to their joyful voices, Fei Ling left the kitchen.
The equality that Consort Feng aspired to— it was a distant ideal.
It wasn’t just between the Hao and Kun clans; there were too many differences among people to achieve true understanding. Social status differed. Bloodlines differed. Life circumstances differed. Men and women were different. Some were wealthy, others poor. From birth, conflicts arose.
Yet, before delicious food, all people were equal.
They laughed equally. They felt equally satisfied.
Even if only for a fleeting moment.
“This is Black Sugar Aiyoku Jelly. Please enjoy, Lady Hu Die,” Fei Ling said.
The wooden bowl contained a rich syrup of black sugar, translucent and wobbling fruit jelly, and floating slices of lemon. The golden yellow of the lemon gleamed in the mellow light, evoking the image of a summer moon.
The jelly, resting on the spoon, had a bouncy texture, resembling drops of moonlight. Lady Hu Die took a bite, and a soft sigh escaped her lips.
“How refreshing. Just one bite, and I can feel the heat dissipating from my body, leaving me replenished.”
She savored the exquisite harmony of the lemon and black sugar.
“This is different from the sweet dishes made with agar. I’ve never had anything like this before. The smooth jelly coated in the rich syrup feels creamy at first, but then the aroma of lemon lingers and fades away—just like the twilight of midsummer.”
It seemed she truly enjoyed it. Perhaps embarrassed by her enthusiastic commentary, Lady Hu Die cleared her throat.
“Ahem… In any case, it’s delicious.”
“Aiyoku fruit and lemon have properties that cool the body’s heat, detoxify, and promote elimination. They also help with skin whitening and repair,” Fei Ling explained.
The final secret ingredient, however, she chose to keep to herself. The black sugar syrup contained powdered remains of poison crabs, vipers, and deer antlers—key components of a traditional medicine called Hakushusan. Known for treating severe infections and wounds, it was referred to as the “surgeon’s medicine.”
(They’re happily eating it, and it’s genuinely effective, so there shouldn’t be a problem. Besides, it’s already showing results.)
Although Lady Hu Die hadn’t noticed yet, the inflamed burn on her hand was already healing. With every spoonful, the fiery pattern faded, and soon there was no trace left. Even the tightened skin had returned to normal.
One of the attendants nearby hurriedly brought over a mirror.
“Lady Hu Die! Please look—your burn is gone!”
Receiving the mirror, Lady Hu Die gasped in astonishment.
“The scar… Even though ointments and medicines had no effect… It’s a miracle… Oh, thank you…”
Touching her cheek in disbelief, tears streamed down her face. In the imperial harem, a woman must always maintain her beauty; otherwise, like a withered flower discarded from a basket, she could easily be replaced.
Though she wept for a while, once she calmed down, Lady Hu Die turned to Fei Ling .
“Let me formally apologize. I misjudged you… Please forgive my past rudeness.”
“Please, raise your head. There’s no need to apologize. It’s true that I am a sinner and a daughter of chaos.”
Fei Ling wasn’t particularly bothered by being despised—it was something she’d grown accustomed to. While she sometimes snapped back when unfairly insulted, she didn’t hold grudges for long.
(My mother always said, ‘If someone slaps your left cheek, slap their right cheek in return.’ But never overdo retaliation.)
Lady Hu Die smiled radiantly, her composure restored.
“I am a daughter of the Meng family. I swear on my family’s honor to repay this debt someday. Should you ever face misfortune, rely on me. If you’re expelled from the harem, I’ll ensure my family takes you in.”
“Um… Thank you,” Fei Ling replied, feeling both grateful and slightly bewildered by the unusual offer of kindness.
Thus, the poisonous aftermath of the fire in the harem was eradicated.
Having successfully detoxified the harem, Fei Ling was summoned to Empress Xin Hua’s chambers. As usual, the Empress sat serenely in her wheelchair, smiling warmly.
“You’ve done a remarkable job once again. I knew I could count on you. You truly live up to your reputation as the daughter of Hakutaku.”
“I am honored by your praise,” Fei Ling responded.
“Because of your tireless efforts, I’ve asked the Emperor to grant you a promotion in rank.”
Fei Ling , startled by this unexpected news, looked up. The Empress produced a bamboo slip bearing the Emperor’s direct decree.
“In recognition of her contributions as a medicinal chef, Cai Fei Ling is hereby promoted to the rank of Baolin, of the sixth grade.”
Fei Ling , who had been at the lowest rank of the eighth grade, was astonished at her leap in status. She quickly bowed low.
“I am deeply grateful for this undeserved honor. Cai Fei Ling humbly accepts and vows to continue eliminating toxins and creating effective medicines.”
The Empress nodded with satisfaction.
“From now on, you will have attendants assigned to assist you.”
“Attendants…?” Fei Ling asked.
“Yes, it should make preparing medicines easier for you.”
Although she hadn’t felt the need for attendants before—handling poisons required discretion—Fei Ling couldn’t refuse the Empress’s kindness. She forced a smile and nodded.
