The kitchen of the imperial palace was always bustling in the early mornings.
At the break of dawn, around five o’clock, preparations for breakfast began. Considering that they had to provide meals for approximately 500 residents of the inner palace, it was no small task. About fifty court ladies belonging to the Department of Imperial Cuisine worked in the kitchen. Once the breakfast preparations concluded and things settled down a bit, carts laden with fresh ingredients started arriving at the kitchen. These ingredients, sourced from various regions, were being delivered in preparation for the spring banquet hosted by the Empress.
Fei Ling had come to the kitchen to inspect the ingredients.
(Even so, the label of being ‘the palace outcast’ isn’t for show, is it? To be so blatantly ignored like this… Do they think making eye contact with me would turn them to stone?)
Although it had been announced that Fei Ling would oversee the banquet’s menu, the court ladies completely ignored her. She was well aware that she wasn’t welcomed. Nevertheless, she greeted them politely and began inspecting the ingredients without getting in their way.
The lineup of ingredients was astonishing: ripe fruits, mushrooms, fresh vegetables, dried delicacies like abalone and scallops, fresh seafood such as shrimp, and even meats like quail. These were rare and luxurious items, rarely seen even by the palace concubines.
(Such plump quails. Just marinating them well and grilling them would make a feast in itself. And these mushrooms—are these shiitake? What a delightful aroma… they must have been harvested just this morning. To think I get to cook with such premium ingredients…)
Fei Ling’s eyes softened with admiration, and she gulped involuntarily.
(Ah, how incredibly delicious this all looks…)
Her knowledge of rare ingredients came from personal experience. Although she had never attended palace banquets as an imperial princess, her travels with her mother had exposed her to local specialties, where she not only tasted the dishes but also learned about their preparation.
(Oh no… I’m drooling. Lately, it’s been nothing but porridge made of coarse grains or plain steamed buns every single day. I’m grateful not to starve, but even I’m getting tired of it. Focus, Fei Ling. You have work to do.)
Among the precious ingredients were medicinal herbs, but none suitable for Snow Plum Consort’s remedies. Sorting through the items and setting aside what wasn’t needed, Fei Ling was interrupted when a eunuch brought in a large celadon jar. Even with its lid tightly sealed, a strong, fragrant aroma wafted through the air.
“What… is that?”
The eunuch, clearly annoyed by her question, answered reluctantly.
“It’s star anise-infused honey wine. It was specially ordered from the southern regions for the spring banquet. It’s a valuable item, so make sure not to sneak a taste—”
Before he could finish, Fei Ling had already taken a wooden spoon from the shelf, dipped it into the jar, and tasted it.
“Wha—what have you done?!”
The taste was like liquid fire—so sweet it made her cheeks tingle, yet a strange bitterness lingered afterward. Fei Ling’s eyes widened, and an icy shiver ran down her spine.
The fragrance was reminiscent of star anise, but this wasn’t star anise.
(I have to let someone know immediately.)
No. On second thought, no one must know.
Because this… was a deadly poison.
◇
“What did you say?”
Xue Mei, the Snow Plum Consort, raised her voice in anger.
“Say it again.”
In contrast, Fei Ling calmly repeated herself with a serene smile.
“I would like your consent to prepare medicine for you to use at the Spring Banquet…”
Before she could finish, a teacup was hurled at her. Warm tea splashed over her head, droplets falling from her silver hair.
“I told you to have the medicine ready by the banquet!”
“I made no such promise. I said I would prepare the medicine by the time of your performance.”
“Semantics! And what if I’m ordered to perform before the meal is served? What then?”
Though soaked, Fei Ling continued without flinching.
“Your performance, Snow Plum Consort, is not a mere sideshow for the banquet. It will undoubtedly be the grand finale. Surely, you know this better than anyone.”
Snow Plum Consort pursed her lips in a huff.
“…Fine. I never intended to rely on the medicine to dance, anyway.”
The plum blossoms consuming Xue Mei’s body had bloomed even more vibrantly.
What had been confined to decorative patterns on her fingernails two days ago now extended to her left arm. Her elbow, resembling a tree branch, hung limply off the armrest of her chair. Her right hand, not yet overtaken by the blossoms, was calloused—a result of gripping a staff during her relentless dance practices. Fei Ling could imagine this immediately.
Despite her bravado, she was undoubtedly afraid. After all, she had claimed to have resigned herself to her fate, yet she grew furious enough to throw a teacup.
“In that case, let’s make this clear. If I fail to prepare the medicine and cause you disgrace, then…”
Fei Ling stood tall and vowed solemnly:
“I will offer you my life.”
Xue Mei gasped, as though struck across the face. Her eyes filled with sorrowful despair, like a child abandoned and wounded.
“Your life? That’s…”
She swallowed her words and forced a bitter smile, her crimson lips twisting awkwardly.
“…How foolish. You can’t stake something you’re not prepared to lose.”
Her gaze darkened. Unlike her earlier outbursts, this was a quiet, chilling anger. Fei Ling, meeting her icy glare, relaxed her tightly drawn lips and spoke:
“Patients entrust their lives to their physicians. In turn, it’s only right for physicians to entrust their lives to their patients.”
If Fei Ling failed to save her patient and instead caused her death, she would face immediate execution. But even if execution weren’t the consequence, Fei Ling would still have risked her life.
This was the philosophy of the Bai Ze, her beloved mother and mentor, had passed down to her.
Xue Mei didn’t know about the restrictions placed on Fei Ling, but something in Fei Ling’s words carried a strong conviction that gave Xue Mei pause.
“Such eloquence,” she murmured.
“Please rest assured—I do not lie.”
Though, keeping silent about the truth was a different matter.
“A lie is a poison, after all.”
At the word “poison,” Xue Mei’s lips barely moved, her head bowing as her gaze fell. Looking at the red plum blossoms blooming at her feet, she whispered softly:
“…Do as you wish.”
A breeze swept through, carrying the melancholic scent of plum blossoms.
