She watched Liu Lanxue's smiling face and had no choice but to follow her wishes and take a bite.
Liu Lanxue seemed to know that the little dumpling had eaten too much today, so she didn't force her anymore and placed the remaining bowl in front of herself.
Su Yunmo looked at the bowl of dumplings and said casually, "Consort Liang seems to really like dumplings. Yi Zuo and Yi You's cooking is truly excellent."
Liu Lanxue ate and said, "Yi Zuo's cooking is good, but these dumplings were not made by her. They were sent by people from the Imperial Kitchen."
Su Yunmo's eyes flickered, "Imperial Kitchen?"
"Yes, I heard that it's because of the New Year. Every palace receives them." Liu Lanxue wasn't too concerned. "I've been muddle-headed all these years, not even knowing when the palace changed its rules."
In the past, they were only eaten on New Year's Eve. At other times, if she wanted them, she had to order them from her own small kitchen.
"Is that so? That's truly wonderful. Your Highness has good fortune." Su Yunmo already understood in her heart.
But she didn't say much more.
Some things, if the parties involved don't clarify them, others cannot intervene.
"Does Your Highness know I'm coming today?" the little dumpling changed the subject.
Liu Lanxue nodded and stuffed the last dumpling into her mouth. "Yu'er sent someone to inform me yesterday."
That's why the Imperial Kitchen sent dumplings, and she had saved them for her.
But this child's taste seemed a bit different from hers. When she was sick, they always enjoyed snacks together.
"Yu'er is getting busier and busier. I estimate she'll have even less time to visit me in the palace after the New Year. If Momo is free, please come to the palace more often to accompany me."
"Alright, I'll definitely come to accompany Your Highness more when I have time." Su Yunmo stretched, and seeing that she was in a good mood and not affected by the selection of consorts, she felt slightly relieved.
The little dumpling looked up at the weather. "It's not good for Your Highness to always sit indoors. The weather is warmer today, and the sun is abundant. Shall we go out for a stroll?"
Liu Lanxue had also barely gone out for the past month. Hearing her say this, she felt that going out for a walk was a good idea, so she nodded in agreement.
However, she was still a deposed consort. Although there was the interlude of Emperor Ye Yao keeping her in his sleeping quarters, she herself only regarded it as a beautiful but mistaken dream.
Therefore, the two did not go too far, only strolling casually in the small garden.
The small garden was adjacent to the plum garden, and the plum blossoms were in full bloom at this time.
Liu Lanxue now favored plum blossoms, so she lingered there, occasionally joking and laughing with Su Yunmo, which was quite pleasant.
But soon, the voice of an uninvited guest interrupted this tranquility.
"Some people are truly shameless. They've been driven out of the Emperor's sleeping quarters by His Imperial Brother, yet they still think they're favored consorts, flaunting themselves everywhere. If it were me, I would have already died of shame by hitting my head against a wall."
"It just goes to show that having a thick skin has its advantages."
Su Yunmo narrowed her eyes dangerously and turned to look.
Ye Yunshuang walked over from the other side.
Liu Lanxue's hand holding the flower branch stiffened upon hearing these words.
She turned around, vaguely remembering Ye Yunshuang's identity. She was not angered by Ye Yunshuang's rude words, but merely bowed slightly and said, "Your Highness the Princess."
Liu Lanxue did not want to argue with anyone for the sake of a verbal spat, but Ye Yunshuang clearly did not intend to let the matter rest.
Seeing Liu Lanxue lower herself, she instead raised her head, looking as if she didn't take anyone seriously, and said, "I heard you've returned to the cold palace."
Liu Lanxue lowered her eyebrows and replied, "Yes."
Ye Yunshuang then sneered, "I told you long ago that my Imperial Brother was merely bored with you. Look, I was right."
It had only been a few days, and she was already driven back to the cold palace by her Imperial Brother.
When she was living in her Imperial Brother's sleeping quarters before, she dared to challenge her. Now, truly, the tables have turned!
"Since you are a discarded person, you should have some self-awareness. Is this a place you can come to?"
Ye Yunshuang scrutinized her from head to toe, her eyes filled with disgust. "Hurry back. I'll be appreciating the plum blossoms here with my Imperial Sister-in-law later. Don't get in our way."
Liu Lanxue pursed her lips and was about to say "Alright."
Su Yunmo couldn't stand it and let out a cold snort. "Imperial Sister-in-law? I recall that since the late Empress's suicide, His Majesty has not appointed any woman in the harem as Empress. Where did you get this title of Imperial Sister-in-law?"
Ye Yunshuang's expression immediately turned grim. "What do you know? This harem will soon have a change of hands!"
"Oh?" Su Yunmo raised her eyebrows with a smile. "Did His Majesty say that? Then I must go and ask my Imperial Uncle one day. I wonder who this new owner will be?"
"Of course, it's..." Ye Yunshuang's words suddenly stopped, and she swallowed them back, knitting her brows fiercely. "Are you trying to trick me?"
This damned girl could often be seen by her Imperial Brother. If she were to say these words to her Imperial Brother one day, wouldn't her Imperial Brother blame her and disrupt the harem?
After all, the matter of the Empress was His Majesty's will, and it was not for outsiders to comment on.
"Where? Didn't you say it yourself?" Su Yunmo said sarcastically.
This was not the first time Ye Yunshuang had clashed with Su Yunmo. Knowing she couldn't out-argue her, she shifted her gaze to Liu Lanxue, intending to pick on the softer target.
"What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and get lost!"
A glint of light flashed in Su Yunmo's eyes. She stepped forward two paces and blocked Liu Lanxue.
"If anyone is to get lost, it's you. His Majesty previously ordered you not to enter the palace. What right do you have to appear before us?"
Although her figure was small, at this moment, Liu Lanxue suddenly felt her presence to be incredibly imposing.
A warmth surged in Liu Lanxue's heart, but she instinctively reached out and placed her hand on the little dumpling's shoulder, pulling her back slightly, fearing she might cause trouble that would be difficult to resolve.
Su Yunmo gave her a reassuring look.
"It was Your Highness the Consort who asked me to enter the palace to accompany her. You are merely the daughter of a minor official. What right do you have to meddle in other people's affairs?!"
As a princess who had been ordered by the Emperor not to enter the palace, this matter had caused Ye Yunshuang to be mocked by many people, and it had always been a sore point for her.
At this moment, Su Yunmo brought it up again, and she could no longer hold back. "This is my territory as a princess. If I tell you to leave, you must leave!"
That's right, Su Yunmo was merely the daughter of an official and had no right to be overbearing towards her!
"Guards, drag them both away!"
Hearing the command, two maids stepped forward towards the two women.
Liu Lanxue's composed expression showed a hint of panic.
If she were alone, it would be fine, but Momo was also here. What if she got hurt?
Su Yunmo, however, was calmer than her. As the two palace maids approached, she jumped with her two short legs and punched each of them in the chest.
Her small fists contained immense power, and the two palace maids were knocked to the ground.
Ye Yunshuang was startled and pointed at Su Yunmo through gritted teeth, shouting, "You actually resorted to violence in the palace? You're rebelling!"
"Sorry, this isn't the first time I've resorted to violence. You'll get used to it." Su Yunmo rubbed her hands together and walked towards Ye Yunshuang.
At the same time, she said with a smile, "Besides, I have a rule. When I beat a dog, I also beat the owner!"