Ye Qianning was thoroughly unimpressed. ’Calling them unsophisticated?’

’That’s just because she’s never had anything truly good. These pastries can’t even hold a candle to the ones we have at home.’

Nanxiang put down the pastry and looked over at Ye Qianning. She pouted and stuck out her tongue to show that it wasn’t the least bit tasty. ’The pastries at Pangtuan’s house are so much better than this.’

Their eyes met, and Ye Qianning raised a finger to her lips, shushing her.

At Lou Mountain Academy, the classrooms for girls and boys were separate. Furthermore, the beginner-level and intermediate-level classes were far from each other, so they hadn’t seen each other at the academy, even though they both attended.

Still, Nanxiang was the only friend she had made since coming here. ’How could I forget her when there’s good food to be had?’

Normally, she had Luo Xuan deliver a portion of the pastries he brought to Nanxiang, but this was a little secret between them.

"Come now, everyone, please have a taste," the Empress said, gesturing for the concubines to try the pastries.

They were a recent tribute from the Western Regions, and she was the very first to receive a share. Neither Consort Yuan nor Noble Princess Consort Zhan had gotten any, so naturally, she wanted to flaunt them.

The crowd of concubines, along with Princess Changyang, Princess Heliang, and Lady Zhan, all picked up a pastry and began to eat.

"Excellent. This is the first time I’ve ever had such a delicious treat."

"The aroma is so pleasant, and it’s sweet without being overpowering."

"I’ve heard that pastries from the Western Regions are priceless. We have the Empress’s grace to thank for this opportunity today."

The concubines continued their fawning praise.

Noble Princess Consort Zhan had always disliked sweets, a fact well-known throughout the inner palace. So, when the Empress saw that she was only drinking her tea, she was not displeased.

Consort Yuan was quite fond of items from the Western Regions, and the flavor of the pastries suited her palate perfectly. ’To think the Emperor gave the tribute from the recent birthday banquet to the Empress first.’

"Disgusting," Sang Qi said after a single bite, tossing the pastry back onto his plate.

"I heard the Crown Prince had the Imperial Kitchen prepare many types of pastries a few days ago. Perhaps you’ve simply eaten so many that your palate has grown tired, which is why you find these pastries from the Western Regions unappetizing." The Empress simply assumed he was being jealous.

’After all, she knew a thing or two about the foods Consort Yuan enjoyed.’

"You are mistaken, Your Majesty. These pastries from the Western Regions truly are disgusting. I have had pastries ten times better than this."

"Oh? And what pastries could possibly be better than a tribute from the Western Regions?" the Empress asked, raising an eyebrow.

Sang Qi fell silent, his eyes furtively glancing toward Ye Qianning.

Ye Qianning was also staring at him, looking just as bewildered.

His little face stiff, Sang Qi turned his head away in a huff. "Nianyunjian."

"Nianyunjian? And where is that?"

Sang Qi let out a cold snort.

"Your Majesty, Nianyunjian is a famous pastry shop in the Capital City. Their pastries are extremely popular," Princess Changyang explained.

"A common pastry shop makes something ten times better than an imperial tribute?" The Empress was utterly unconvinced.

Princess Changyang couldn’t say whether they were better or not. Caught between the Empress and the Crown Prince, she simply offered a faint smile. "Tastes differ from person to person."

"In that case, I’m rather curious to try them myself. Nanny Zhang, have someone go out tomorrow and purchase some pastries from Nianyunjian." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"And bring a portion for His Highness the Crown Prince. It seems he’s quite fond of Nianyunjian’s pastries," the Empress added.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Sang Qi’s little cheeks puffed out in anger. ’Who said I like Nianyunjian?’

Consort Yuan frowned. ’Qi’er is usually so well-mannered. Why is he being so imprudent today?’

’Bickering with Ye Qianning in public was one thing, but to argue with the Empress about food to her face... It was utterly disgraceful.’

"Cui Xin," Consort Yuan instructed, "brew a pot of the Spring Tea I brought. Serve it to Her Majesty the Empress, as well as the other ladies and princess consorts, so they may have a taste."

"Yes, Your Highness." Cui Xin withdrew.

"Ah, Spring Tea is an excellent brew."

"Since Her Majesty shared the tribute pastries from the Western Regions, I couldn’t possibly keep my own small treasure hidden away," Consort Yuan replied.