Chapter 4 Another ordinary day for Consort Nara.

In March, a few minor incidents occurred in the palace.

First, Consort Ma Jia gave birth to another son, and everyone in the harem sent congratulatory gifts.

After that, the Imperial Household Department held a selection of bondservant women. The Emperor selected four women in total, adding four concubines to the harem. Among them, the most eye-catching was Concubine Guo Luoluo.

Although the concubines in the harem felt a pang of jealousy and resentment towards the former, they had gotten used to it.

Consort Ma had entered the palace before the Emperor and Empress Renxiao's wedding. She was a senior and experienced concubine who had been favored by the Emperor for many years. She had given birth to five sons and one daughter for the Emperor and was a evergreen in the harem, with the potential to become the most powerful woman after the rank of Consort.

But for the latter...

There's something to say about the concubines in the imperial harem.

——

"well."

Consort Nara let out a sigh that was full of melancholy and twists.

"How come Consort Guoluo is so lucky?" Consort Nara rested her chin on her hand, her heart filled with mixed feelings.

There were other concubines from the Guo Luo Luo family in the palace, but the one before her lived like a ghost in the palace and was not favored. After serving the emperor once, she disappeared from the palace.

This one is different. The Emperor's favor is evident. Whether it's the endless stream of gifts sent to Yikun Palace or the fact that he was chosen five times in a month, it's an unprecedented imperial favor.

Aside from these, Consort Guo Luoluo's treatment after entering the palace was also unique.

In terms of family background, Consort Guoluo came from Shengjing and was a bondservant of the Plain Yellow Banner. She was selected to enter the palace through a minor selection process, unlike Consort Li, who entered the palace through the Eight Banners selection process in the tenth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign.

In terms of seniority, Consort Guo Luoluo had only been in the palace for a month, unlike Consort Wang Jia and others who had served the emperor since the fourth year of Kangxi's reign.

In terms of offspring, whether it is Consort Zhang who had two daughters, or Consort Nara who has one son and Consort Zhaojia who has one daughter, they are all only of the rank of Gege.

However, Consort Guo Luoluo was given the privilege of being promoted to a minor rank as soon as she entered the palace. Despite having nothing, she was overshadowed by the emperor's favor alone.

How could the concubines possibly accept this?

Especially Nara, the concubine.

The current imperial lineage is sparse, and there are very few princes still alive. Including the newly born tenth prince, there are only four princes in total.

As the birth mother of the Ninth Prince, Consort Nara naturally possessed a certain pride.

"If it were anything else, it would be fine, but the concubines in the harem, which one of them didn't slowly climb up the ranks? When they first entered the palace, they served tea and water to the high-ranking concubines, knelt in the snow in winter to listen to their reprimands, and when they were pregnant with the Ninth Prince, they vomited so much that they couldn't even drink water, but they didn't dare to complain to the Emperor."

"Yet, Guo Luoluo Shi, didn't suffer any hardship, yet she got all the good things—living alone in Yikun Palace, receiving the allowance of a junior consort, with a constant stream of rewards, and even being favored by the Emperor more often than others. Do the rules of the palace really not apply to her?"

"You wouldn't believe it, but yesterday when my maid passed by Yikun Palace, the eunuchs from the Imperial Household Department carried brocade boxes inside, making it as lively as a festival."

If anything could describe Consort La's current feelings, it would be like eating a whole lemon raw, the sourness shooting straight from her teeth to the top of her head.

It's sour.

How could it not be sour?

She has been in the palace for six years now, and even with a prince by her side, she is still just an ordinary concubine, not even close to the Yikun Palace, and she has to carefully budget her allowance.

There are plenty of favored concubines in the harem with powerful backers, so why can't there be one more like her?

All she wanted was to gain some face and the emperor's attention through her son, so why was it so difficult?

The more she thought about it, the more pitiful she felt, and Consort Nara almost burst into tears.

She has really suffered so much.

Even bitter herbs are not as bitter as her.

When faced with her daily routine, Yunyun's attitude was simply to continue eating sunflower seeds.

I must say, the melon seeds from this kitchen taste really good.

It is said that the melon seeds are soaked in a light brine made from spices such as dried tangerine peel, licorice, and cardamom for half an hour before being stir-fried. The finished product has a faint medicinal and fruity aroma.

It's quite healthy.

Thanks to Yunyun's efforts, most of the melon seeds in the dish were successfully sold out.

Yunyun remained silent and observed all the commotion.

She had suffered from this kind of loss in her previous life as well.

A colleague complained about another colleague in front of her, and she foolishly echoed her. Later, she found out that this colleague had also complained about her in front of the other colleague, and had even edited and modified her words to distance herself from the other colleague.

She understood after that.

Plastic colleagues.

A simple greeting and a few pleasantries are enough; there's no need to say anything more.

Especially in the harem where even a blade of grass can speak, she should be cautious.

Today they pour their hearts out to you, telling you their grievances; tomorrow they'll use your words as leverage to curry favor with others. Today they'll complain about others with you; tomorrow they'll sell you out for a higher position.

Instead of getting involved in these disputes, it's better to just eat some sunflower seeds and peacefully enjoy your own little life.

As for what Consort Nara said...

Just take it as a joke and let it go; anyone who takes it seriously is a fool.

And if she wasn't mistaken, this concubine Guo Luoluo was the later Consort Yi.

That was the most favored concubine, known as the one who received the deepest favor.

This is nothing.

After pouring out her grievances to Yun Jun, Consort Nara left satisfied when it was time to serve lunch.

Yunyun could predict where Consort Nara would go in the afternoon.

Chuxiu Palace—where Consort Hesheli lived.

Since Consort Guoluo suddenly appeared, Consort Nara seems to have transformed into a street urchin in the Forbidden City.

She frequented two places. One was Yunyun's place, because she could listen to Consort Nara's endless chatter; she was a very good listener.

Another place is where Consort Hesheli is. Before Consort Guoluo gained favor, she was also a favored concubine. However, after Consort Guoluo gained favor, she was forgotten by the emperor. She and Consort Nara were quite happy complaining about Consort Guoluo.

As for how Yunyun knew what they were talking about?

Because when Consort Nara was talking to her, she blurted out everything in one go.

She even knew that Consort Hesheli's favorite pastry was cloud cake, that she liked to drink Pu'er tea, that she was the fifth child in her family, and that her father was the treasurer of the Imperial Household Department.

It can only be said that remaining silent in front of Consort Nara was an incredibly wise decision.

After resting for a while, Lingzhi stepped forward, calculating the time, and asked while clearing away the fruits and vegetables, "My lady, what would you like for lunch?"

If you ask what Yun Yun is most satisfied with after time travel,

That must be diet.

In her past life, she ate takeout or cooked fast food every day; she had never tasted such exquisite craftsmanship.

The chef's skills are truly exceptional.

Yunyun touched the soft flesh around her waist.

She seems to have gained weight?

Never mind, it's just my imagination.

"If you want hot pot today, go to the pine box in the outer room and get some silver. Take the right amount and ask the kitchen to prepare some sliced ​​mutton, sliced ​​beef, and fresh fish slices. They should all be sliced ​​very thinly, preferably translucent. Also, ask for a small jar of sesame paste. Remember to have them add plenty of chive blossoms and fermented bean curd to the sauce. It will taste better when dipped in it."

Yunyun kept all her private money herself, but she kept a separate box outside and would occasionally put some money in it for Lingzhi and Fuling to use.

Some of this private money came from monthly allowances, some was secretly sent by family members, and some was bestowed by superiors during festivals and births.

All of this money can be spent directly.

As for the rest of the items bearing the Imperial Household Department's seal and medicinal materials, they were all properly registered and stored in the warehouse.

Before long, the kitchen eunuchs brought over a copper pot and a food tray. Underneath the pot was a small charcoal stove with a bright flame. The thick soup inside was bubbling and its aroma filled the air.

One of the eunuchs was an acquaintance.

"Greetings, Your Highness," Xiao Dezi said with a respectful and warm smile, stepping aside to let the eunuch behind him place the food tray on the table. "The kitchen just received a batch of fresh venison from Shengjing this morning. I thought it would be the most tender to cook, so I brought a little extra for Your Highness."

Yun Jun followed his gaze to the table and couldn't help but smile.

Besides the copper pot and the white porcelain plate filled with sliced ​​meat, there were two tightly covered bowls of soup, three bowls of steaming porridge, and even the side dishes were her favorites: cucumber salad, pickled radish, and braised tofu.

Clearly, the kitchen staff had figured out her tastes and had prepared extra dishes.

"Thank you for your trouble, Father-in-law," Yun Jun said gently.

Fu Ling, who was standing to the side, already understood. She took out a small piece of silver from her sleeve, weighing about half an ounce, and handed it to Xiao Dezi with a gentle smile: "I'm sorry to have troubled you two gentlemen to make this trip in the cold. Take this silver and have some tea to warm yourself up."

Xiao Dezi accepted the silver with both hands and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness and Miss Fuling. We will not disturb Your Highness's meal any longer."

After saying that, he quietly withdrew with another eunuch, keeping his footsteps extremely low.

——

Some people eat well and sleep soundly, while others can't eat at all.

Inside the warm pavilion of Chengqian Palace, the underground heating system was burning brightly.

Looking at the exquisite dishes on the table, Consort Tong showed no smile. Her fingertips unconsciously picked at the patterns on the gilded chair armrests. "Cousin, have you summoned Consort Guo Luoluo to accompany you?"

As the niece of Empress Xiaokangzhang and Emperor Kangxi's cousin, Consort Tong was allowed by Emperor Kangxi to address her as his cousin in private in order to show their closeness.

This is also proof that Consort Tong believed she held a special place in the Emperor's heart.

Granny Zhao looked distressed. "Oh, my mistress, you must eat something. If you harm your health, the Emperor will be heartbroken."

In the past, accompanying the emperor was an honor reserved for Consort Tong.

She entered the palace in the fifteenth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, and was immediately granted the rank of Consort, on par with Consort Niohuru. She was one of the two highest-ranking consorts.

Emperor Kangxi favored her greatly because of her birth mother, Empress Xiaokangzhang, and her maternal uncle's family. In addition, Consort Ma Jia was pregnant and unable to serve him, so the two spent a period of deep affection together.

A handsome, strong, powerful, and authoritative person shows you unique tenderness, remembers your preferences, gives you precious gifts, and cares for you from time to time.

Consort Tong was completely smitten.

Granny Zhao was Consort Tong's wet nurse, and she knew what Consort Tong cared about.

“You’re not arguing about short-term gains,” Zhao Mama said, noticing her dejected expression. She quickly moved closer and whispered, “Once you have children, with your status and the Emperor’s past affection for you, who can surpass you?”

This touched on Consort Tong's heart.

No matter how illustrious Consort Niohuru's family background was, without children, she was ultimately a rootless duckweed.

Even if Consort Guoluo is favored, she is still of bondservant origin. How long can she be so proud?

But she was different; she was the emperor's cousin. If she could give birth to a prince...

Seeing that her expression had changed, Granny Zhao personally served her a bowl of bird's nest porridge.

The bird's nest was stewed until soft and tender, and the porridge had a faint aroma of rice.

Consort Tong stirred gently with a silver spoon, "Instruct the kitchen to prepare more nourishing and warming dishes starting tomorrow."