MaoMao turning down eating locusts and frogs kind of surprised me, she's the last person I expected to be a picky eater. Poisoned soup is a yes but roasted frog is a no, silly cat.
In further speculation Shi Sui chewing the lantern plant is interesting especially considering Maomao's comment about it being poison used specifically for abortion medicine. As I recall the emperor hadn't visited her (as Loulan) because she's too young but if I'm misremembering it seems like she definitely doesn't want a child with him. In that case I kind of wonder what purpose her time in the rear palace served if she just left like that, either he was confirming Jinshi's true identity or the mission was compromised my Maomao's meddling and they had to abort (pun intended) the plan.
Either way wonderful chapter, I can't wait for more.