A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Yue Er has been feeling quite frustrated lately.

Especially after finding out that the owner of that cloak was indeed Shih Shaoling, her heart grew even more anxious.

She really didn’t like owing people favors.

Let alone when it’s a life-saving debt.

What to do?

There’s no way she can just ignore him and respond with harsh words like before.

But to ask her to put on a smile and befriend him.

Uh... that’s absolutely impossible too.

So, what to do?

County Princess Yilan gave her a suggestion:

”Just return a favor to him and it’s done? Then you don’t need to speak harshly to him, just... ignore him!”

Chen Weiyu shook her head quickly.

”No, that’s too deliberate!”

”I think you shouldn’t return the favor just yet. Wait until he or the Shi Family encounters something, then help secretly if you can!”

”By then, both of you will understand without saying it, and the matter will pass quietly!”

Yue Er nodded, but still questioned.

”What sort of thing could happen to the Shi Family?”

”And even if something did happen, I might not be able to help!”

Yilan couldn’t help but nod.

”I still think it’s better to repay now so everyone owes nothing!”

”I still believe subtle influence is best!” Chen Weiyu insisted.

Yue Er shook her head.

”Alright, alright! Let me think about it properly!”

...

Back in the palace, Yue Er thought for a long time.

She finally made a decision.

”Since I have to repay eventually, I shouldn’t delay it any longer!”

She asked Ying Luo to bring over the black fox-fur cloak with white trim.

And she carefully compared the button again.

”No mistake, I’m pretty sure it’s his!”

Although she didn’t understand why he would save her, it was a fact that couldn’t be refuted.

Yue Er gritted her teeth and made up her mind, telling Ying Luo.

”Go relay the message, say... I’m waiting for him at Dexiang Palace tomorrow at noon! I have something to talk about!”

Ying Luo replied respectfully.

Yue Er thought for a moment and changed the time.

”Forget it, let’s do it in the afternoon after lessons!”

There’s martial arts class in the afternoon, meeting after noon would be awkward, so...

”Don’t mention what it’s about, say nothing at all!”

Ying Luo agreed again.

After confirming the princess had no special instructions, she turned and left.

Fengyu Pavilion wasn’t part of the Harem, and Yue Er wasn’t a Consort, so relaying messages wasn’t as difficult.

Even if it was difficult, Ying Luo could handle it.

...

The appointed time arrived quickly.

Yue Er finished her martial arts class, returned to the palace sweating to bathe and change, and then headed to Dexiang Palace with Ying Luo.

Neither her third brother nor fourth brother was there, she sat alone in the pavilion of the courtyard, her heart a bit uneasy.

She didn’t wait long, about the time it would take to drink a cup of tea, Shih Shaoling arrived.

He was still wearing the black short robe from the martial arts class, with black gold-embroidered cuffs on his wrists, and purple gold-soled boots on his feet.

He was tall and slim, with a graceful posture, his clothes fluttering as he walked, and breezes rising.

His tanned skin was slightly flushed, his temples still had hints of unshed sweat, his features were well-defined, eyes hawk-like, nose sharp, with thick eyebrows and deep-set eyes, his lips thin and sharp.

As he approached, Yue Er inadvertently glanced, and her heart skipped a beat.

Quickly she diverted her gaze, doubting: What’s going on?!

”Greetings, Fourth Princess!”

Shih Shaoling walked silently to her side, bowed his hands in salute.

Used to his jabs, seeing him so serious for the first time, Yue Er felt very out of place.

Awkwardly she said: ”No need for so much formality! Sit down!”

Shih Shaoling felt even more awkward.

He sat stiffly, pretending to be calm, yet truly nervous inside.

Wanting to ask why she summoned him, yet couldn’t find the words.

Strange, he wasn’t usually like this...

”Um...”

After a moment of silence, Yue Er finally spoke first.

”I called you here because...”

Odd, why couldn’t she speak it out?

After hesitating, she finally said.

”I want to thank you!”

”Ying Luo!”

Hearing her summon, Ying Luo hurriedly carried up the carved red lacquer tray.

Yue Er lifted the red cloth, handing over the black cloak.

”Well... this is your garment, returning it to you!”

Shih Shaoling looked bewildered.

”My garment...”

”It is indeed your garment, you don’t recognize it?”

Shih Shaoling shook his head firmly: ”No!”

Yue Er: ”...”

First time seeing someone lie so decisively, with such a straight face.

”You didn’t even look, how do you know it’s not yours?” Yue Er bit her lip.

Shih Shaoling: ”...”

After a hurried glance, he turned his gaze aside, stammering.

”Um... I might have forgotten!”

”Is this why the Fourth Princess called me here?”

Shih Shaoling felt somewhat disappointed.

Yue Er nodded: ”What else?”

Her gaze glanced over his nervous, perspiring forehead, finally resting on the agate button of his cloak.

She recalled the words of Yilan and Ying Luo in her mind.

”Princess, that man shielded you in his arms, heedless of his own safety!”

”Yue Er, that person seemed very worried about you, protecting you with his life, should be your brother!”

Protect with his life...

Yue Er mustered the courage, looking him straight in the eyes.

”I wanted to tell you... thank you!”

Really not used to it! Yue Er thought.

The two had been sparring for so many years, speaking like this was a first.

It made her very nervous!

Shih Shaoling was even more nervous.

His heart was pounding, in a daze of ’Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing here?’!

”Hey!”

Seeing him distracted, Yue Er called out to him displeased.

”Are you even listening to me!”

This idiot, what’s he thinking? Looking so dazed.

Gratitude and disdain were like two mysterious forces, constantly battling in her mind.

One moment one prevailed, the next moment the other did.

Her entire mind was a confusing mess.

”Forgive me, Princess!”

He had intended to mock her as he would in martial arts class, but instead... the words changed.

Embarrassed, Yue Er said nothing more.

She pulled out a small box from her bosom, handing it to him.

”Thank you for saving me, this small token means nothing, I hope you don’t mind...”

Shih Shaoling’s mind cleared a bit.

He looked at Yue Er suspiciously.

”What is this...”

”Fourth Princess, what are you saying? When did I save you?”

”I cannot accept a reward unearned, please take back the gift, Princess.”

Yue Er looked at him with confusion.

”Why won’t you admit it?”

Shih Shaoling was also puzzled.

”Why should I admit it?”

”Even if this cloak is mine, the Princess returned it to its rightful owner, I should be the one thanking you!”

”Why is the Fourth Princess thanking me instead!”

”And saying... I saved you, Princess you must be mistaken!”

As the nerves eased, his confidence returned, speaking in a tone indifferent and detached.