Emperor Kangxi and the Crown Prince had lunch at Cining Palace.

Crown Prince Bao Cheng is four years old this year. The little boy, with his serious little face, shakes his head and recites his lessons, making him incredibly adorable. Not only Emperor Kangxi is delighted to see him, but the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager also have faint smiles on their faces, hugging little Bao Cheng and calling him their darling.

After finishing lunch, Bao Cheng started yawning.

The Empress Dowager's eyes flickered slightly, and she instructed Sumala to carry the Crown Prince away to rest. Understanding that his maternal grandmother had something to say to him, Kangxi did not stop her and silently took a sip of his tea.

The Empress Dowager's face hardened: "Emperor... I know you value the Crown Prince, but the Empress... are you just going to leave her like this? Do you know that the Empress's health has deteriorated a lot lately? She even caught a cold a few days ago! Have you even gone to see her? Have you even asked the imperial physicians a single question?!"

He didn't know.

Emperor Kangxi's hand tightened slightly on the teacup.

The Empress Dowager saw the answer at a glance.

She frowned slightly and couldn't help but sigh: "Your Majesty, I know you remember Hesheli and value Baocheng more, which is why you are unwilling to get close to Niohuru. But you are close to Tongjia while distancing yourself from Niohuru. Do you know that there are two opposing voices in the harem now?"

Kangxi frowned: "My cousin isn't that kind of person."

The Empress Dowager chuckled and said, "Just because she isn't doesn't mean the palace servants can't read the room! Putting aside everything else, I've never heard of anyone being allowed to move a concubine without the Empress's permission."

Wan Anran thought he was just an unknown nobody, but little did he know that even the Empress Dowager remembered his name.

Emperor Kangxi naturally remembered this incident as well.

When the Empress Dowager brought up the matter, he was speechless.

The Empress Dowager understood that speaking too much in favor of Empress Niohuru might backfire. She didn't mention Consort Wan, but instead changed the subject back to the Empress: "How long has it been since you last visited the Empress? Since Empress Niohuru was made Empress, how long have you stayed overnight? How many times have you been to Chengqian Palace?"

"This matter is related to the Tongjia clan..."

"I don't mean to blame her, but the Emperor should remember that the balance of the harem still depends on you." The Empress Dowager hadn't liked Niohuru much in the past either, but at least she was respectful to Empress Renxiao and was upright and cautious in her conduct, which was far better than Consort Tong!

The Empress Dowager pleaded earnestly: "I know you're trying to elevate Bao Cheng's status, but think about how difficult it has been for the Empress without your support."

Emperor Kangxi remained silent.

Regardless of Kangxi's reaction, the Empress Dowager made the decision directly: "Baocheng will stay here with me today. You go and visit the Empress in Kunning Palace."

When Kangxi arrived at Kunning Palace, he still had some doubts.

Was Empress Niohuru faking it, or...? But just as this thought crossed his mind, Kangxi's gaze was drawn to the empress, who had become noticeably thinner. His expression betrayed his shock, and he involuntarily took a step forward: "Your...Empress?"

Empress Niohuru's appearance was only average among the palace concubines.

With dignified manners and proper etiquette, yet still retaining a lively girlish nature, Niohuru often acted coquettishly and playfully, like a child who hadn't grown up, even when Hesheli was still alive.

This was the impression Empress Niohuru left on Emperor Kangxi. While the empress before him could be described as gentle, virtuous, dignified, and beautiful, she was far from lively or childlike.

Empress Niohuru was also very surprised by the emperor's appearance.

The corners of her mouth curved into a perfect smile as she rose and curtsied deeply: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

Empress Niohuru then stepped forward to welcome the emperor into the hall, helped him remove his cloak, and served him hot tea. Her movements were fluid and graceful, without the slightest hint of panic, as if the emperor had not been entering the room for the first time in two months, but rather had been coming every day.

Emperor Kangxi, on the contrary, was at a loss.

Before meeting Empress Niohuru, he could ignore all the abnormalities, but after meeting her, he could no longer ignore them. Fortunately, Kangxi was rational. He quickly suppressed his chaotic thoughts and pointed to the seat opposite him, smiling, "Empress, please sit down. I've been busy with state affairs lately, and it's been a long time since we've spoken."

Empress Niohuru smiled.

She said softly, "The affairs of the court are busy, and I will certainly take good care of the affairs of the harem for Your Majesty. Your Majesty can rest assured."

The more the Empress said this, the more uneasy Kangxi felt about his conscience. Especially when he saw the Empress's thin body, he couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong with the Empress's health?"

"...I am fine."

"Granny Zhou." Kangxi didn't believe that. He turned his gaze to Granny Zhou, intending to get an answer from the Empress's wet nurse.

Granny Zhou was not afraid of the Empress.

Despite the Empress Niohuru's suggestive glances, she still held her head high and proudly recounted how the Empress had ignored all advice and neglected her sleep and meals.

The more Granny Zhou talked, the lower the Empress's head drooped, until finally, apart from her beautiful hair, no expression could be seen at all.

Emperor Kangxi was both annoyed and amused by what he heard.

He was speechless, especially after hearing that the Empress had caught a cold but still managed the palace affairs without stopping. He subconsciously wanted to ask the Empress to share some of her palace duties with others, but he was afraid of upsetting her, so he patiently persuaded her, "Look how thin you are. How can you not take good care of your health? Show me all the food you've been eating these past few days."

Granny Zhou fawned over her and handed over the list.

Compared to the previous leisurely meals, the lunch register today left Kangxi somewhat bewildered. He read aloud the menu, which was noticeably longer than the ones beside it, his questioning gaze barely concealed: "Today's lunch..."

Granny Zhou beamed with joy whenever she thought about it.

Anyone who makes the Empress happy is a good person! She praised the Emperor, saying, "Thanks to the Ninth Prince, Consort Xuan, Noble Lady Nara, and Consort Wan, Your Majesty was able to enjoy a rare lunch."

Emperor Kangxi was slightly taken aback.

Granny Zhou rambled on and on, and Kangxi glanced at the Empress's frail appearance and then thought about what the Empress Dowager had said. His eyes darkened, and he said casually, "In that case, issue my decree to promote Wan, the Lady-in-Waiting of Xianfu Palace, to the rank of Changzai."

When the imperial eunuch came to Xianfu Palace to deliver the imperial decree, Wan Anran and Hai Tao were still busy. This time, she was cutting fur to make two pairs of insoles. The flowerpot soles felt no better than high heels, and were even harder to balance on. Most importantly, the soles were naturally cool, so they would probably be comfortable in the summer but torture in the winter.

Wan Anran carefully cut out the shape.

She held her breath, just a little bit more, when Xia Mama's joyful voice broke the silence of the east wing.

Wan Anran's hand slipped... QAQ

Seeing the rabbit fur coat she had finally obtained from Hai Tao broken in two, Wan Anran silently tucked it behind the soft couch: "Granny Xia, what happened?"

Granny Xia beamed with joy.

She smiled respectfully and said, "Your Highness! This is a joyous occasion! Someone from the Imperial Court has arrived, saying that by imperial decree, Your Highness, they wish to promote you to the rank of Consort! Please follow me to the front to express our gratitude!"

Wan Anran and Hai Tao suddenly froze.

The two, master and servant, stared wide-eyed at Granny Xia in disbelief. After a long while, they exclaimed in surprise, "Huh!???"

I haven't even seen the emperor's face yet!

Wan Anran was completely bewildered, but quickly remembered the word "Empress" in the title. In a daze, a completely new door slowly opened before Wan Anran's eyes. Wasn't it true that there was more than just one path to the throne—by sleeping with Emperor Kangxi? There was also… clinging to his powerful backer?

That sounds pretty good.

But then Wan Anran chuckled to herself: how many people, whether it was the emperor or Empress Niohuru, wanted to curry favor with him? How could it be her turn? This thought had just appeared in Wan Anran's mind when it quickly faded away. Wasn't it better to just be herself quietly and leisurely?

After calming down, Wan Anran was no longer as excited as before.

She smiled as she looked at Haitao, whose face was flushed and whose eyes were sparkling: "Let's go! Let's go to the front to receive the imperial decree."

Looking at the composed Wan Changzai, Granny Xia was secretly pleased. If Wan Changzai couldn't be controlled after being promoted to Changzai, then she would have to report to Master Xuan and discipline her properly from now on.

After receiving the imperial decree in the front courtyard, Wan Anran, accompanied by two palace maids and a group of eunuchs carrying the rewards, returned to the east wing.

The moment Wan Anran stepped into the east wing, she shuddered. She stopped in surprise and turned around, slightly puzzled.

Two palace maids stood outside the west wing.

Everything looked the same as before, ordinary and quiet.

Is it just my imagination?

Wan Anran walked into the room thoughtfully, and was immediately greeted by the overjoyed Haitao. Haitao knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Wan Anran: "This servant congratulates Your Highness! Congratulations, Your Highness!"

Wan Anran laughed and called out.

She then turned her gaze to the two newly arrived palace maids.

The older of the two maids, Zisu, was a former second-class maid of a deceased imperial concubine; the younger one, Jubai, had just entered the palace this autumn. Together with Haitao, there were three, making a perfect number. Seeing Wan Anran's gaze fall upon them, the two maids nervously curtsied and said, "This servant greets Lady Wan, may Lady Wan be well."

Wan Anran called out.

Although new servants had arrived, Wan Anran did not intend to have them serve her immediately. Firstly, she was used to Haitao, and secondly, she was unsure of the new servants' personalities. Therefore, Wan Anran had the two servants assist Haitao, intending to observe them for a while before making a decision.

Compared to Wan Anran's caution, Hai Tao was quite happy.

When one person serves the mistress, there are always areas that cannot be attended to, but now that there are new sisters, she is a hundred times more enthusiastic. She greeted them with a smile, and while pulling the two women to the side room to sort out the rewards, she talked in detail about the east wing, trying to help the two palace maids integrate as soon as possible.

Compared to Ju Bai, who was timid yet curious, Zi Su appeared much more cautious. After the death of the Dowager Consort, serving by Wan Chang's side was the best opportunity she could get. Zi Su listened carefully to Hai Tao's introduction, memorizing everything, and quickly began to help organize the bestowed items.

Five top-quality fox pelts, twenty top-quality rabbit pelts, and ten bolts of fashionable palace silk fabric, as well as exquisitely crafted dressing cases and other decorative items.

Wan Anran remained calm and indifferent to all of this.

What made her happiest was the increase in treatment. Along with the reward came a supplementary salary and allowance. The pork increased from 1.8 jin to 5 jin, and there were also vegetables such as eggplant and cucumber. The amount of seasonings also increased significantly.

Seeing that some of the materials were not available for those of the concubines, Wan Anran's eyes lit up. She clenched her right fist and tapped it against her left palm, smiling as she said, "Let's have roast meat for dinner tonight! Oh, and I'll go ask Consort Xuan, Sister Nara, and Consort Xu if they want to come and eat with us!"

Haitao happily agreed.

Zisu was startled—as a concubine, she was inviting the imperial concubines and noble ladies to dine? She quickly whispered a reminder: "Your Highness, if it's a celebration, how about we just have a meal indoors?"

But before Zisu could finish speaking, a clear voice rang out from outside: "Me too! I want to participate too!"

The visitor was the Ninth Prince, Wan Fu.

He darted into the house like a rabbit, bouncing and jumping around Wan Anran. His drooling expression clearly showed how long he'd been thinking about the roast meat.