Snow Skin Mooncakes and Court News

Lin Ru Lan looked at the plate of mooncakes again.
She had never seen snow skin mooncakes before, only thinking that all mooncakes were yellow. Now, seeing several snow-white mooncakes on the plate, she couldn't help but pick one up, curiously asking, "Are these also mooncakes?"
Lin Xing Cheng looked up at the mooncake in her hand, suddenly remembering Xiao Qing's report, which said that Xue Qing Ning was a foodie who also enjoyed inventing dishes. She often thought of new, unheard-of dishes and then researched how to make them with the chef.
This mooncake, looking snow-white, he had never seen or heard of before. Surely it was also a new dish invented by Xue Qing Ning?
He suddenly recalled that a few days ago, he was admiring osmanthus flowers in the garden when Xue Qing Ning also arrived. At that time, he deliberately stayed there, not leaving immediately, wanting to see if she had anything to say to him.
For years, she had always reminded Madam Xu not to forget his share. Wasn't she always secretly caring for and treating him well? He didn't believe that when she met him, Xue Qing Ning would not say a word about these matters.
But he hadn't expected Xue Qing Ning to truly not mention those things at all. The first thing she said to him was that once the osmanthus flowers had fully bloomed, they could be picked to make osmanthus glutinous rice cakes.
Even now, he still clearly remembered the young lady's serious demeanor when she said that, as if she were discussing an extremely serious matter with him.
Thinking of this, Lin Xing Cheng found that the corners of his lips couldn't help but want to curl up, but he immediately suppressed it, only nodding slightly to Lin Ru Lan, and calmly said, "Probably so."
Lin Ru Lan looked at the snow skin mooncake in her hand again.
Lin Xing Cheng originally thought she wanted to eat it, but unexpectedly, she immediately casually tossed the mooncake in her hand back onto the plate, her face full of disdain, and her words filled with disgust.
"Mere commoner's fare. No matter how exquisite it looks, how can it compare to what I once ate in the palace?"
As she spoke, she took a silk handkerchief from her sleeve to wipe her hands, as if holding this mooncake had soiled her noble hands.
Lin Xing Cheng remained calm, slowly drinking the tea in his cup, as if he hadn't heard her words at all, nor seen her actions just now.
Lin Ru Lan was accustomed to his demeanor. Since entering the Xue family, her younger brother had become even more silent and cold, making it difficult for outsiders to discern his thoughts.
But Lin Ru Lan felt that this was very good; one who accomplishes great things should naturally remain unfazed by anything. Otherwise, if others could easily guess one's thoughts, how could one achieve great endeavors?
So she didn't mind, only stating the reason for her visit today. "I received news that Emperor Yuan Ping..."
Upon saying these three words, her face revealed clear contempt, and she immediately changed her tone, "Ling Hong Guang intends to establish an heir apparent. He called Meng Ming Da into the palace yesterday afternoon, likely to discuss this matter."
Ling Hong Guang was Emperor Yuan Ping, and Meng Ming Da was Duke Jing.
That year, the powerful minister Dan Hua Hui rebelled, killed the former emperor, and proclaimed himself emperor. Meng Ming Da led his army from the border to the capital to suppress the rebellion.
Because the former emperor had been killed by the rebel minister, and the Crown Prince and other imperial princes were either slain by the rebels or lost amidst the chaos of war, Meng Ming Da then supported and enthroned the former emperor's nephew, Ling Hong Guang, restoring the legitimate bloodline of the Da Jing dynasty.
For this great功劳, and because Meng Ming Da and he were maternal cousins who had studied and practiced martial arts together since childhood, after Ling Hong Guang ascended the throne, he conferred upon Meng Ming Da the title of Duke Jing. All major affairs in court were discussed with him.