Transmigration: The Little Chef Calls The Shots
Chapter 1209 - 118 Bewitchment (Third Watch)

Chapter 1209: 118 Bewitchment (Third Watch)

Zhao Hongde, Su Zhe, and Yao Shijiang were still in the Imperial Study Room discussing the details of book printing with the Emperor, and Su Tianyou, having nothing to do, also left early with Xia Zheng and the others.

As soon as he came out, he saw the little palace maid by Princess Cuiwei’s side waiting at a distance.

His expression brightened, but when he saw the very familiar paper bag in the little palace maid’s hand, his elated heart once again sank to the bottom.

Upon seeing Su Tianyou, the little palace maid immediately lowered her head and respectfully curtsied, somewhat helplessly presenting the paper bag to him, "Young Master Su, the princess says she has lost her appetite lately and really can’t eat these things. Please, don’t worry about her anymore in the future. She’s doing well in the palace."

Su Tianyou stared blankly at the paper bag in the little palace maid’s hand, nearly unable to find his own voice, "Did the princess really say that?"

The little palace maid slightly lowered her head, her hands nervously twisting her skirt.

Of course, these words were not what Princess Cuiwei had said, but if she were to relay the princess’s actual words, she simply couldn’t bear it, nor dare to speak them. These were the words she had thought up after a long deliberation, at least they wouldn’t make Su Tianyou lose too much face, right?

Seeing the little palace maid like this, what more did Su Tianyou not understand? Indeed, it was the same again. The chestnuts he had previously sent to the palace hadn’t been returned, and he had naively thought that Princess Cuiwei had been moved by his sincerity and wanted to give him a chance. But now, it was clear that was not the case!

Clutching the chestnuts in his hand that had already lost all their warmth, Su Tianyou looked dejected, murmuring absentmindedly, "Didn’t she accept them the previous two times? Why doesn’t she want them today?"

The little palace maid had been paying close attention to Su Tianyou and thought he was asking her, so she couldn’t help but reply, "Which times is Young Master Su referring to? The princess didn’t accept them at all; she had them all sent back by me!"

Sent back?

A glint flashed in Su Tianyou’s eyes, and his eyebrows furrowed tightly.

"Cousin Su." Zhao Hongsheng had just come out of the Imperial Study Room and saw Su Tianyou talking to a little palace maid. On closer inspection, it was indeed the little palace maid by Princess Cuiwei’s side.

Seeing Zhao Hongsheng approaching, the little palace maid bowed slightly and quickly left.

Su Tianyou composed himself and turned to respectfully greet Zhao Hongsheng, "Greetings to the Second Prince."

Zhao Hongsheng smiled harmlessly and extended his hand in a friendly gesture, "We are all family here; why the formality, Cousin Su?"

Su Zhe was an old fox in the court, and Su Tianrui was a little fox, so naturally, Su Tianyou was no mere simpleton. Despite his deep-rooted love for Princess Cuiwei and his pure and cherished treatment of his little sister Su Qiuyu, when interacting with the officials in court and the princes, he was undoubtedly as cunning as a fox.

Su Tianyou’s arm lifted slightly, very coincidentally avoiding Zhao Hongsheng’s attempt to assist him, and he laughingly said, "The Second Prince jests, how dare I claim to be a brother to Your Highness?"

Feeling Su Tianyou’s resistance, Zhao Hongsheng inwardly cursed "damned fox" but maintained an unperturbed smile on his face as he said, "Cousin Su is my mother’s nephew, so naturally, he is also my cousin."

Empress Su was the principal wife, and all Princes and princesses in the harem were her concubine’s sons and daughters. In this way, Su Tianyou was indeed Zhao Hongsheng’s cousin, at least nominally. However, many Princes with living mothers in the harem didn’t wish to claim this connection, yet Zhao Hongsheng showed no reluctance whatsoever—a testament to the depth of his scheming.

In response to Zhao Hongsheng’s friendly overture, Su Tianyou pretended not to understand and deftly changed the subject.

Zhao Hongsheng sneered inwardly but continued to make idle chit-chat. As they talked, the conversation shifted toward the chestnuts in Su Tianyou’s hand. "Oh, these chestnuts seem to come from Princess Cuiwei’s favorite store, right? Cousin Su is so thoughtful, always keeping Cuiwei in mind."

Upon the mention of the chestnuts, Su Tianyou’s expression subtly froze, and his hand moved imperceptibly backward.

The corners of Zhao Hongsheng’s lips twitched slightly as he said with a touch of sorrow, "I heard that Cuiwei has been in low spirits these days, and her health isn’t great either. Mother has been worried sick about her, and her old ailment has flared up too. Ah, my sister, she’s just too deeply in love. As for that Cao... nevermind, let’s not talk about him. Whenever I do, I’m reminded of my late Eldest Brother. Because of that accident, Cuiwei lost a beloved brother and also the man she loved. It’s no wonder I haven’t seen her smile for these past years."

Su Tianyou clenched his teeth tightly. That year’s accident was a perpetual ache in everyone’s heart. It was because of that incident that Cuiwei began to harbor resentment toward Empress Su. If she had agreed to their engagement, they wouldn’t have gone out in search of the legendary Mermaid Tears and wouldn’t have met with that tragedy.

The incident was a never-ending pain for the Empress and for Cuiwei. At the time, the Emperor had nearly deposed his wife because of it. However, the involvement of the Eldest Prince was entirely his own secret decision, which made it difficult to place blame on others. The Empress herself had fallen gravely ill, nearly passing away; the Emperor had already lost one son, how could he bear to see his wife pass too? Ultimately, he forgave her.

However, just because the Emperor didn’t pursue the matter, it did not mean others were willing to let it go. Cuiwei’s years of estrangement from the Empress and her own health ruined by grief were testaments to this. The Empress had repeatedly advised her to let go and find a new man, but Cuiwei had refused. Pushed to the edge, she even resorted to a hunger strike. If not for her desire to care for the elderly parents of the man she loved, Cuiwei might have already ended her life with a rope.

The anniversary of Cuiwei’s first encounter with Young Master Cao was just a few days away; no wonder she had been in such poor spirits recently. Harboring her daughter’s resentment and indirectly causing the death of her only son, these days were hard on Empress Su too. No wonder Zhao Hongsheng had brought up this matter with Su Tianyou.

Seeing Su Tianyou lost in memories of the past and silent, Zhao Hongsheng had a thought and feigned realization, "Ah! Cousin Su, you and Cuiwei have been close since childhood, and Young Master Cao, before passing, also entrusted you with her care. Only by your side do I feel at ease about Cuiwei."

Despite his words, Cuiwei was extremely cold toward Su Tianyou. Even though he had expressed his willingness to take care of her more than once, even petitioning the Empress through Su Zhe, Cuiwei had never relented over the years; it was clear she still couldn’t let go of the man who had died so many years ago.

Zhao Hongsheng took a step forward, his voice laced with a hint of enticement, "Cousin Su, do not worry. With just a word from you, I am willing to help you win Cuiwei."

Win Cuiwei?

Su Tianyou’s expression subtly changed, a voice kept echoing in his mind: Go on, agree to it!

Just as Su Tianyou hesitated, the timely voice of Su Zhe rang out: "Tianyou, let’s leave the palace!"

Watching Su Tianyou being called away by Su Zhe, Zhao Hongsheng narrowed his eyes slightly, shifting his gaze toward the similarly distraught Ma Junying...