Kunning Palace.

Consort Xuan sat at the very back as always, maintaining her low-key demeanor. If the concubines in the palace were dishes, the Empress would be the indispensable rice, Consort Tong the essential vegetables, the other concubines the occasional delicacies requested by their mistresses, and herself would probably be the pickles served with rice, optional.

Therefore, Consort Xuan was very aware of her role in the morning and evening greetings. Usually, she would just sit there, daydreaming for most of the hour, and after the other concubines left, she would chat with the Empress for another half hour. Then it would be time to return to Xianfu Palace. This routine had been the same ever since Empress Niohuru was conferred her title and had never changed.

But today is different.

Today, Consort Xuan is no longer a mere side dish in the eyes of others, but has become someone the mistress occasionally wants to refresh after she has grown tired of rich and heavy meals. The gazes of the other concubines, especially Consort Yi, are like sharp knives piercing straight into Consort Xuan.

Consort Yi was extremely annoyed.

Yesterday, I received the green plaque and served the emperor in the Qianqing Palace. In the evening, I prepared fine wine and delicacies to welcome the emperor.

Unfortunately, the empress abducted the emperor.

Seeing Empress Niohuru's radiant appearance, Consort Yi felt a pang of jealousy but did not have the courage to confront the Empress directly. She could only suppress her anger amidst the mocking gazes of the others.

Who else can be blamed besides the Empress?

Of course, there's also Xianfu Palace! Consort Yi's gaze shifted, her anger naturally turning towards Consort Xuan. Even though a young eunuch had come to report that the Emperor had arrived at the gate of Yikun Palace, he had deliberately turned a corner and entered Xianfu Palace instead.

Haha, is a banquet being held to celebrate Wan's promotion to the rank of Changzai?

Why was Consort Xuan promoted to the rank of Consort, but Consort Na was promoted to the rank of Noble Lady without any such ceremony? What a coincidence that it had to happen yesterday! Consort Yi has to say they either did it on purpose or it wasn't!

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became; Consort Yi's eyes were practically spitting fire.

As for the concubines nearby, they rarely saw Consort Yi suffer a setback, and they were all in high spirits, almost ready to cheer: Fight! Fight!

Consort Yi gave a forced smile: "I heard that Consort Wan was promoted to Consort Wan and a promotion banquet was held for her? Sister Xuan even attended? I couldn't do that!"

This means that Consort Xuan did not distinguish between superiors and inferiors.

Seeing Consort Yi sounding the first attack signal at her, Consort Xuan's eyes flashed with anger.

I can reprimand Consort Nala and Consort Wan, but as for you, Consort Yi... Heh! What right do you have to interfere in the affairs of our Xianfu Palace? Consort Xuan's eyes darkened slightly, and she smiled: "Since Consort Yi has called me 'elder sister,' then I must say something to you today. All the concubines in the palace are sisters, and we cannot tolerate jealousy."

Consort Yi's expression immediately changed: "You—!"

Previously, there were Consort Zhang and Consort Qing, but after Consort Yi was promoted to the rank of Consort, both of them were banished to the side rooms and were not even allowed to leave the main gate, let alone see the Emperor.

Consort Xuan hadn't said anything, but her words were like a knife piercing Consort Yi's heart. She was furious and was about to speak when the Empress interrupted her: "It's almost time. Prepare to go to Cining Palace to pay your respects."

Consort Xuan rose and squatted in a curtsy.

She didn't even glance at Consort Yi out of the corner of her eye; her calm and composed demeanor drew sidelong glances from the other concubines. Consort Xuan may look like a rabbit, but she's actually the kind that will bite when cornered.

Consort Yi stood still.

Her face turned pale and then red. Not only did Consort Xuan hold a grudge against her, but she also resented Consort Wan, who had embarrassed her.

Wan Anran sneezed.

A sneeze, a shiver, a tremor—and ink dripped from the tip of the brush, quickly spreading across the rice paper.

Just two more words and this page will be finished!

Wan Anran winced in pain. She glanced furtively at Nara Guiren, who was watching Wan Fu read, and tried to make some changes to get away with it...

Noble Lady Nara clenched her fist with one hand: "Ahem."

Wan Anran froze, tears welling in her eyes. Reluctantly, she crumpled the large character into a ball and tossed it aside with a thud.

Both were in the same boat, but Ninth Prince Wan Fu secretly glanced at Consort Wan without feeling any sympathy. He even hoped that she could do something more mischievous to draw his mother's attention away so that he could have some peace of mind.

Unfortunately, Wan Anran didn't give him that chance.

After observing Wan Changzai for a while and confirming that she had indeed started tracing and writing characters obediently, Nara Guiren's attention returned to Wan Fu.

Wan Fu's round face scrunched up in a frown.

He stared intently at the Three Character Classic, the large characters seemingly coming to life. They all lined up in his head, hand in hand, tap dancing and singing: "I don't recognize you, you don't recognize me, and I don't want to be your friend..."

Wan Fu's vivid description impressed Wan Anran.

After describing the characters' reactions, he said with great distress, "Mother, it's not that I don't want to learn, but how can I learn like this? All the characters in the Three Character Classic are my friends, and I can't add any more to them."

Wan Anran couldn't help but burst out laughing.

As for Lady Nara, her face was dark and not very pleasant.

Wan Anran felt that she might have seen wrong, otherwise how could she have seen the gentle face of the noble lady crack open? She shook her head and decided to continue writing by lowering her head and following her sixth sense, but she was startled by the noble lady's roar after writing only two words.

"If the Three Character Classic tells you they don't want to be your friend, does that mean you'll stop being friends with them? Why don't you just rush in, hug them, and tell them: I'm not here to break you up, I'm here to join you?!"

Lady Nara spoke with conviction.

Wan Anran's pupils dilated in shock. Her hand trembled, and the wolf-hair brush fell onto the desk with a thud.

Just before Consort Nara glared at her, Wan Anran quickly rolled up the Xuan paper and tossed it aside. Ignoring the groans of the Ninth Prince Wan Fu, she quickly put on a serious expression and began to diligently copy the large characters.

The hardship of writing the first large character also yielded a good result.

It seemed that her body still had an instinct; the second page was easier to write than the first, and the third page was even easier than the second... Wan Anran concentrated and wrote three large pages in one go before shaking her sore wrists.

I wonder how much time this took?

Wan Anran looked up at the clock hanging on the wall. This time, it only took half an hour to finish the two large characters. Actually, it still took quite a bit of time, but it was much shorter than the previous hour.

At this rate, completing ten photos a day is quite easy!

Wan Anran placed the wolf-hair brush on the brush holder, blew dry the ink stains on the Xuan paper, and looked at it with satisfaction, feeling quite pleased with herself. Just as she was about to show off to Noble Lady Nara and seek praise, the study door creaked open.

The one who entered was Consort Xuan.

Noble Lady Nara quickly rose and, together with Wan Anran and Wan Fu, paid their respects.

Consort Xuan's expression was pale.

The palace servants following behind also kept their eyes straight ahead, removing the cloak from their master, replacing the charcoal brazier, and then bowing their heads as they left the study.

Now both Nara Guiren and Wan Anran were a little uneasy.

The two exchanged a glance, first pushing the dejected Wan Fu forward to act cute, then letting Consort Nara speak. Consort Nara was no longer the shrew she had been moments before; instead, she was gentle and soft-spoken, asking, "Does Your Highness have something on your mind?"

Consort Xuan's expression was mysterious and inscrutable.

After a long pause, she slowly spoke: "Her Majesty the Empress has issued an imperial edict, instructing the three of us and Wan Fu to have a meal at Kunning Palace later."

Not only was Wan Anran somewhat surprised, but even Nara Guiren was a little shocked. Dining at Kunning Palace yesterday could be considered occasional, but two days in a row? This was unprecedented!

Noble Lady Nara only needed a moment to think to realize who the culprit was, and her gaze instantly turned to Wan Changzai.

As for Consort Xuan, she was even faster than Noble Lady Nara.

The gazes of the two left Wan Anran somewhat bewildered. She blinked, feeling as innocent as an ordinary, unremarkable little white flower.

No matter how well you pretend to be, it's useless!

Consort Xuan stepped forward and poked Wan Anran's forehead until she left a red mark before she calmed down: "Isn't this all your doing!"

Wan Anran covered her forehead and said crisply, "Your Highness, I have been diligently practicing calligraphy all morning and haven't done anything else! If you don't believe me, you can ask Sister Nala."

Consort Xuan chuckled, "Don't interrupt me."

She glanced at Consort Wan, and when she noticed the undisguised excitement in her eyes, she was speechless: "I can tell you look worried, but you're actually happy, aren't you? You're just thinking about getting a free meal."

Wan Anran chuckled awkwardly.

She muttered softly, "The food at Kunning Palace is delicious!"

Consort Xuan rolled her eyes at her.

Too lazy to pay attention to Consort Wan, Consort Xuan turned to Noble Lady Nara and said, "The Empress has not had a good appetite. His Majesty's intention is for us to dine with Her Majesty."

Lady Nara suddenly realized.

Perhaps it was because Her Majesty the Empress saw Consort Wan eating so heartily that she had a great appetite yesterday? A smile returned to her lips, but quickly froze on her lips again: "Then Wan Fu...?"

Consort Xuan carefully instructed, "Her Majesty the Empress said that His Majesty also mentioned the Ninth Prince and wants to oversee his studies. You should teach him well, as Her Majesty the Empress may give him a test later."

Noble Lady Nara solemnly agreed.

Wan Fu clutched his chest, his entire body turning ashen and almost like a statue. He could almost imagine what would happen if he failed his mother's test...

Wan Fu trembled with fear.

As for Wan Anran, she almost burst out laughing when she saw Wan Fu.

At that moment, Consort Xuan's glare fell on her: "Wan Changzai, don't be too happy yet! Her Majesty the Empress has instructed you to deliver the large characters you've written to Kunning Palace, and continue copying them there this afternoon."

Wan Anran: …………

Go to Kunning Palace… to copy? She was shocked, but Consort Nala was even more shocked. Consort Nala's expression was not good: "Just… just these characters? Take them to Kunning Palace?"

Consort Xuan walked up to the desk.

She flipped through the three large characters she had written, her face filled with worry, just like Consort Nara. Consort Xuan turned to look at Wan Anran, her voice unusually serious: "Consort Wan, the reputation of our Xianfu Palace rests on your shoulders."

Wan Anran instantly felt as if a heavy mountain was pressing down on her.

This reputation...maybe we should just give it up?

Before she could even voice her idea, Consort Xuan spoke first: "Consort Wan, if you can pass the Empress's test, I will personally promote your rations to Noble Lady! I will cover any extra rations!"

Wan Anran's pupils contracted slightly.

Consort Xuan said softly, "Not only that, from now on you can use the small kitchen in Xianfu Palace as you please."

Wan Anran's pupils trembled.

Consort Xuan lowered her voice and said softly, "Think about Consort Wan. What would it be like if you had complete control of the small kitchen? You could order the cooks to make whatever you like to eat immediately, three meals a day? Wrong, wrong, wrong! Five meals a day would be fine..."

Wan Anran held her face in her hands, lost in thought.

Can I eat whatever I want? Her throat bobbed, and she tentatively asked, "Then... can I grow some things in the yard?"

Consort Xuan was stunned.

She nodded vigorously, "Of course, no problem!"

Wan Anran clenched her fist: "I will do it!"

Consort Xuan grasped her fist with satisfaction: "Can you do it? The reputation of Xianfu Palace is in your hands!"

Wan Anran nodded emphatically.

Her eyes burned with fighting spirit, her aura unstoppable: "I will definitely do it! Please rest assured, Your Majesty!"

"May all beings be present!"

"Summon the master!"

Hand in hand, heart to heart.

Wan Anran and Consort Xuan stared at each other for a long time, their eyes burning with intense passion.

Consort Xuan's flames represent her anticipation of Consort Wan's transformation, while Wan Anran's flames... well, they can only be a longing for delicious food!

The thought of having the kitchen at her disposal and all the delicious food she could eat filled Wan Anran with boundless energy. Turning her gaze back to her desk, Wan Anran, this time without needing Xuan Pin or Nara Guiren's prompting, enthusiastically resumed practicing calligraphy until a palace servant reminded her that it was already late afternoon.

It's time to go to Kunning Palace.